Chapter 137: A Questionable Proposal

"What do you mean by that?" (Olivia)

"Haha! So you’re interested. Well, come here and take a seat. Let this big sister tell you about some interesting things."

"(?_?), you’re not just talking nonsense or something like that just to catch me off guard, are you? I’m warning you: what you did before won’t happen this time." (Olivia)

She turned toward me and gave me a warning look.

She probably has magical defenses and such now.

"Oh! Don’t worry, I don’t like forcing things, unless it’s through a consensual role-playing game, hehe~. By the way, that look feels familiar. Do you happen to know a half-elf maid named Sylvia ?"

"Huh? Are you talking about my cousin? Do you know her?" (Olivia)

"Oh! So you’re cousins. How interesting. I met her briefly before, but don’t make a big deal out of it. The important thing is you and Lys, right?"

"Yes." (Olivia)

She really took my advice; she came back and sat down on the couch.

Now she’s let go of her nervousness and is completely cautious and on guard around me, but, as I told her, if I’d intended to force anything, I wouldn’t have untied her before she woke up.

With my teasing earlier, I’ve already confirmed that she really has serious feelings for Lys—it’s not just something superficial.

If I had to put a number on it, I’d say that, at least emotionally, her feelings for Lys are around 70% or higher.

On the other hand, what she feels toward me is...

________________________

Emotional: 29%

Carnal: 37%

Rational: 14%

_________________

In fact, the higher percentages have gone down, so she’s really starting to hate me—but that’s about to change.

Now that she’d sat down next to me on the couch, it was time for negotiations.

As she said, even though she obviously likes women, that doesn’t mean she likes me.

Maybe she’s physically attracted to me, but that’s all; compared to what she feels and wants with Lys, it’s insignificant.

On the other hand, she seems like a very rational and reasonable person, as well as intelligent, and for that very reason—even though it’s the lowest percentage right now—that’s where I plan to strike, since the other options aren’t viable.

"All right, my sweet Livvy!"

"Don’t call me that. Only Lys can do that." (Olivia)

"Haha! You really cling tenaciously to the few ties you have with her, don’t you? ...haaah~, that just makes you even more pitiful. You know, I’m even starting to feel a little bad."

"Ggnnn! Spit it out and say what you have to say, or I’ll really leave. My patience is running out." (Olivia)

"Nah! I don’t think so. For Lys’s sake, I’m sure you’d put up with one or two more. ’That’s why she doesn’t love you.’....but anyway, before we get down to business, I want to ask you something. You really don’t have any intention of confessing your feelings to Lys, do you? And that’s not a provocation—it’s a serious question."

I said with a serious expression; after all, I want to see how much of what I’m thinking is true.

Seeing that I had no intention of teasing her, Olivia hesitated for a moment before answering in a low, subdued tone.

"...No, doing that wouldn’t do Lys or me any good. She’s a noble and a human, and they’re strict about their responsibilities as nobles. And, as you know, even though we elves aren’t as strict about marriage, as the heiress of an important house, I also have my responsibilities, and I’m expected to give birth to an heir within at least a hundred years." (Olivia)

"Oh! So you’re some kind of noble, too. I don’t know much about that, since I was born among humans. Anyway, I can see you’re facing obstacles everywhere. After all, when you’re attracted to someone of the same sex, the bloodline ends, and here there’s no such thing as... No, that doesn’t matter. You’re definitely making the most logical decision—and that’s without even considering the biggest obstacle, which is Lys herself, right?"

"...Yeah, I tried to test the waters for a while, but it’s obvious she’s not interested in women at all. She hasn’t even considered it." (Olivia)

"Oh! That’s perfect."

"(?_?)" (Olivia)

"Wait, don’t look at me like that. I mean, it’s perfect, since it’s not like she outright rejected the idea; it’s just that she really hasn’t even thought about it. I guess she was raised in a way where that wasn’t even an option, but who knows—maybe she actually does like that sort of thing."

"D-do you really think so?" (Olivia)

"Nah! It’s something that comes naturally, and I think you should understand that yourself, right? You’re a clear example of that, and Lys has already shown interest in someone of the opposite sex, too."

"Ggn! I know—I really thought there was a slim chance, since she never paid any attention to anyone else, b-but... she did end up falling in love with a man, after all." (Olivia)

"Ugh... That must have really been a hard blow for you...humm, If that hadn’t happened, you wouldn’t even have turned around when you heard my proposal, right?"

"...Ggnnn, it’s annoying, but you’re right about that, and I’ve already answered your question, so just say what you’re proposing. If it really is nonsense, I’ll leave." (Olivia)

Well, I can see she’s really impatient to hear what I’m going to say.

Yes, I can understand the situation better now.

These past few days, she’s been more anxious and has felt even more strongly that Lys might be taken away from her.

Before, she might have just thought of it as a possibility, but thinking about it and actually experiencing it are two different things.

Now, even though she seems calm, she really wants to avoid that scenario at all costs.

That’s why, even though she was upset with me, she stayed.

Well, it’s time to reveal my plan, which isn’t really anything out of this world.

"Well, I don’t know if you noticed because there was so much going on, but the person Lys is in love with is my husband!"

"So that’s really what it was!... Y-you and him...! Ugh! What weird thing did you do to Lys to make her act like this?" (Olivia)

"Huh? How did you come to that conclusion? My husband didn’t do anything, and you know, that really frustrated me last time. He just gave her a simple shoulder and face massage, and they chatted. It really is a waste; he could have done more."

"How can you talk like that? He’s your husband, and you’re the one flirting with other girls. Wait! If you like girls, why are you with your husband? What are you two really?" (Olivia)

"Hmm? Well, I understand your doubts, but just so you know, we’re a happily married couple and we love each other—or at least that’s how I feel. Who knows what my honey thinks."

"Hey! But..." (Olivia)

Right, I can’t forget that I have to leave the possibility open.

After all, Astan is dealing with Lys under the assumption that our marriage isn’t entirely okay, although I think Lys doesn’t care anymore even if the marriage is fine.

"But put that aside. You know what? He and I have an open and flexible relationship—I really don’t mind if he likes a cute girl because, even if he brings her home, I like them too, just like I’ve been telling you. It’s a win-win situation for both of us, right?"

"That’s..."(Olivia)

"Great, isn’t it?"

"No, a little weird... but I think I get it, and it’s not the weirdest thing I’ve heard couples do... I heard that in the demon realm, incest is common, and they also have a strange custom where the son-in-law sleeps with his mother-in-law and sisters-in-law or something like that." (Olivia)

"Huh? Tell me a little more about that!."

Oh! But what an interesting topic is that? And now that I think about it, my older sister Rose is from there, but—wait—she doesn’t have a mother-in-law or sisters, hmm...

I have to find a demon with a big family. I’ll put that in my to-do notebook.

"...It’s just something I heard, and I haven’t confirmed it. And no, I don’t feel comfortable talking about those kinds of topics. Anyway, getting back to the point, I think I understand what you’re proposing." (Olivia)

"Haha! So you’ve already seen right through me? Haha! I’m not surprised. My cute Livvy seems like a very smart and capable person, so that saves me a lot of explaining to do."

"Hmph. You won’t gain anything by flattering me." (Olivia)

"Haha, I gain more than you think. But then, what do you say? Don’t you think that exponentially increases your chances and that, even if you fail, it won’t drive you apart—it might even bring the two of you even closer?"

Well, I like that she already understands what this is about, and I like even more that she didn’t react negatively, but rather thoughtfully.

Which means she thinks my proposal is reasonable and at least worth considering.

I thought she’d complain a little about my proposal, saying it was highly questionable, but it seems she’s really not the type to let an opportunity to get what she wants slip by.

I really like that attitude, and I’m really starting to like this cute elf more and more.

I watched her as she thought.

At one point, she started to blush, which I found curious.

I wondered what funny thought had popped into her head.

"W-well, I think I understand the implications of all this a little bit, but there are several factors that need clarification before we move forward." (Olivia)

I did a quick check to see if everything was going well, and...

_______________

Emotional: 25%

Carnal: 38%

Rational: 40%

______________

Oh, there was a huge jump in the rational category. Just as I thought, she really is a quick and precise thinker.

"Of course, sweet Livvy. Ask whatever questions you want; this big sister will answer them as best as she can."

"You know, I’m pretty sure we’re about the same age. And don’t call me... Aaaah~, whatever, do whatever you want. Here’s my first question: the premise of this proposal is based on the fact that your husband will end up having a relationship with Lys, right?" (Olivia)

"That’s right! And it’s also based on the premise that you’ll have a relationship with me. Hehue!"

I’m more than happy to answer her questions since it means things are moving forward, and setting the record straight is good for keeping this negotiation running smoothly.