Contrary to my mounting anxieties, nothing particularly explosive happened in the days that followed.
Back in our academy days, we had time to spare, but we are functioning members of society now.
In other words, since we all had to go out and actually earn a living, life remained unexpectedly peaceful. There just wasn't enough time for chaos to erupt.
Except, of course, for the fact that my wife's mood was plummeting toward sub-zero temperatures with every passing day.
The culprit? Our marital life—specifically, the most intimate aspect of it, which is arguably the cornerstone of any healthy marriage.
It wasn't that we were completely without options.
If things became truly unbearable, Bronya could simply take a day off or leave early, and we could spend the afternoon at a hotel until it was time to pick up our daughter. Simple enough.
If we really couldn't find the time, we'd try in the bedroom, but even then, she would exert every ounce of her Valkyrie discipline to suppress even the slightest moan.
The risk of waking our daughter was simply too high.
The problem is that when dissatisfaction accumulates to a certain threshold, a catastrophe is inevitable.
Before she was hailed as a legendary hero, she was the 'Silver Wolf of the Urals.' And like a wolf, if she isn't satiated, she'll end up devouring me whole.
I'm only mentioning this because it feels like my wife has officially entered that predatory state.
Ever since Senior Mei and Kiana moved in, the 'private appointment' we had scheduled was unceremoniously scrapped.
A move-in drinking party had spontaneously manifested in its place.
I had tried to protest, citing the health risks of drinking two days in a row—and my own desperate desire for quality time with my wife—but then they handed me a glass of 'iced oolong tea' to calm my nerves. I drank it, and the next thing I knew, my consciousness had suffered a total blackout.
Waking up the next morning with a skull-splitting migraine and seeing the empty whiskey bottles on the kitchen table, the truth became clear. That wasn't oolong tea. It was whiskey the exact shade of oolong tea.
Honestly, how do you even mix a drink to match the color, taste, and aroma of tea while keeping the potency of a high-end spirit? It's a feat of chemical engineering that still baffles me.
Regardless, I woke up with my clothes slightly torn, Bronya draped over me, and Senior Mei and Kiana flanking me on either side, all of them hugging me tightly as they slept.
And just like that, the promised day vanished into a haze of alcohol and regret.
But the real issues started after that.
When someone becomes a Valkyrie, their senses—especially sight and hearing—become incredibly heightened. It's an evolutionary necessity for survival on the battlefield.
However, Senior Mei and Kiana aren't just mere Valkyries.
They are Herrschers, entities with power scales that transcend human limits, often categorized as walking disasters. Their capabilities are absolute.
In practical, domestic terms, this meant that the moment we tried to initiate anything quiet late at night, those two would detect it and come charging in.
How was I supposed to get angry when they claimed they 'heard a strange noise and were worried for our safety'?
As a result, we've been stuck in a loop of failed foreplay without ever reaching the actual act. It's fine at first, but being interrupted right at the climax of the mood every single time has led to a critical buildup of sexual frustration—not just for Bronya, but for me as well.
After it happened several times, I even started subconsciously distancing myself. Even when Bronya sends a 'signal,' I'm too worried about those two 'misunderstanding' the situation and bursting in again.
You might ask why we don't just go to a hotel. Well, every time we make an excuse to head out, one of them insists on coming along to 'help' or brings our daughter along, turning it into a group outing. Even when I drop heavy hints, they just tilt their heads with innocent confusion. Eventually, I just gave up.
Sigh... I have to do something. No husband wants to watch his wife's mood sink into the abyss indefinitely.
Besides, if this continues, I'm terrified that my own self-control will snap, and I might accidentally lay a hand on Kiana or Senior Mei instead of my wife.
Despite my worries, no opportunity presented itself as the days crawled by, and I was starting to feel the edge of desperation.
"Papa, hurry up!"
"I hear you, sweetie. Don't run too fast, or you'll trip."
I was currently taking a walk in the local park with my daughter after picking her up from kindergarten.
They say a healthy spirit dwells in a healthy body, so I figured some fresh air might help settle my chaotic mind.
But why did it feel like the entire neighborhood was staring at me?
"Oh my, is that him?"
"Yes, that's the one. They say the Great Hero Kiana confessed to him and he turned her down flat."
"Wait, I heard it was the Great Hero Mei?"
"Actually, both of them confessed at once! And he supposedly told them, 'I'm sorry, but I have a wife and daughter I love dearly, so I cannot accept your feelings.' Just like that!"
"Oh, how chivalrous! I wish my husband had half that much backbone."
"Exactly. Every time another woman looks at mine, he turns into a total mess. It's pathetic."
I stared blankly into the distance. *Who is this incredible, handsome guy they're talking about?* If I had actually given a cool response like that, maybe those two would have actually given up by now.
...Better stop escaping from reality.
Judging by the familiar faces, these were definitely our neighbors. But how on earth did they know about what was happening inside our house when I haven't said a word to anyone?
Was the commotion at our place really loud enough for the neighbors to overhear?
Regardless, I just hoped this wouldn't have a bad influence on my daughter.
"Papa? What's wrong? Are you sick?"
"...No, Daddy's fine. Thanks for worrying about me."
"But Papa, you look sad."
Looking at my daughter's worried eyes, I felt my stress beginning to melt away. I knelt down to meet her at eye level.
While I appreciated her concern, I certainly couldn't tell her the truth.
So, what was a good cover story?
"Hmm~ Truth is, it's still a bit chilly out, so Daddy's just a little cold."
"Because it's cold?"
"Yep."
"Then Bronie will make you warm!"
With those words, my daughter dove into my arms and gave me a crushing hug.
Feeling her kindness, a warmth that transcended the physical seeped into my heart, and a genuine smile tugged at my lips.
"Thank you, Bronie. I feel so much warmer now~"
"Hehe~ Really?"
"Really! This much!"
I scooped her up by the waist and lifted her high into the air, spinning her around. She let out a delighted 'Kyaa!' and laughed, her face glowing with pure joy.
I could feel the neighbors' gazes intensifying, but I didn't give a damn.
As long as my daughter was happy, that was all that mattered!
*Listen up, world! This kind, adorable child is my daughter!*
As we were busy strengthening our father-daughter bond, I felt someone approaching.
I stopped playing with Bronie and looked up. Standing there was a beautiful young woman—no, a stunning lady. Unlike when we first met, her hair now cascaded down to her shoulders.
"Hello, Captain. It's been a long time."
I knew this woman well. She carried a peculiar aura, a mixture of serene calm and an almost childish innocence.
No, 'knowing her well' was an understatement.
She shared a deep, unbreakable bond with my wife. She was the one who had stood as the final obstacle to our marriage, and in many ways, she was essentially my sister-in-law. She offered me a graceful smile, and I returned the greeting with a smile of my own.
"Hey, Seele. First off... do you want to wipe that nosebleed?"
I know she finds my daughter cute, but that really ruins the moment.