My Family in the Novel?

Chapter 227: Being True

After knocking twice, I paused, waiting for a response from the other side of the door. My voice, echoing through the quiet hallway, carried with it a sense of urgency and apprehension.

"Louise, Ana, Aria, are you inside?" I called out again, my words a gentle reminder of my presence, a reassurance that I hadn't forgotten about them.

Even though a simple knock would have sufficed, I wanted to acknowledge the presence of all three girls, to ensure that none of them felt left out or neglected.

Unnecessary jealousy had no place in our relationship, especially considering that they were all practically confirmed as part of my harem.

As I waited for a response, my thoughts drifted to the ring that I had forgotten to give Aria.

'Even though I promised I completely forgot after all the busy plans back at Estelle Academy'

Should I propose to her tonight? Or perhaps I should propose to all three of them at once?

But as quickly as the thought crossed my mind, I shook my head, realizing the folly of my impulsive idea.

I hadn't even confirmed their feelings or their willingness to marry me with all the other girls around, let alone their compatibility with each other.

'Louise and Ana are fine but….'

'Elena and Aria alone are proof that compatibility matters in a harem… those two just never gets along, always finding ways to annoy the other…'

Although I can tell that they don't exactly hate each other… but that doesn't mean they didn't want monopolize my attention, Elena back then even punched me straight in the face….

Proposing to all three of them simultaneously seemed premature, lacking the romanticism and sincerity that such a momentous occasion deserved.

Recalling my abrupt proposal to Elena, I couldn't help but feel a pang of guilt.

Had I rushed into things too quickly, without considering her feelings or the significance of such a gesture?

'But she seemed so overjoyed back then… so I guess it's fine right?'

Besides I was truly being genuine back then, I really wanted to make Elena mine right then and there, not just calm her down from Aria's teasing.

With a sigh, I resolved to approach the situation with more thoughtfulness and consideration, with the other girls.

Marriage proposals were meant to be romantic and heartfelt, not rushed or haphazard.

And so, I vowed to take the time to understand each girl's desires and aspirations before taking such a significant step forward.

The door then clicked and slightly opened.

"Young master good evening!"

As Ana opened the door with her customary gentle smile, I couldn't help but feel a rush of warmth and affection wash over me.

Her presence was like a beacon of light in the dimly lit hallway, her smile radiating a sense of calm and tranquility that never failed to soothe my troubled mind.

"Good evening, Ana," I greeted her with a smile of my own, unable to tear my gaze away from her mesmerizing golden eyes.

No matter how many times I saw that smile, it never failed to captivate me, leaving me feeling as though a goddess was gracing me with her presence.

Ana's touch was as gentle as ever as she took my jacket, her fingers lingering on the fabric for a moment longer than necessary.

My heart fluttered at the memory of our recent encounters, the passion and intensity of our moments together still fresh in my mind.

"Thank you," I murmured, my voice barely above a whisper as Ana bowed her head in acknowledgment. The happiness that danced in her eyes was unmistakable, a reflection of the joy she found in serving me.

"You're welcome, young master," Ana replied, her voice soft and melodic as she brushed off a stray strand of my hair. "My dish is just about to be done. Please come join us, young master."

As she fixed my hair with a playful chuckle, I couldn't help but feel a surge of affection for her. In that moment, it was as though all of my worries and doubts melted away, replaced by a sense of contentment and peace.

"Sure," I replied with a warm smile, feeling a sense of contentment wash over me as I prepared to join the others for dinner.

It dawned on me that I hadn't had the opportunity to enjoy meals together with the other girls like this since our last meeting with the pope.

And with Aria by my side, the atmosphere felt even merrier than usual, though I couldn't shake the longing for Elena's presence to complete the gathering.

As I entered the room, Louise greeted me awkwardly with a wave, her demeanor betraying a hint of nervousness.

"Hello, Adrian!" she exclaimed, her voice tinged with uncertainty.

Before I could respond, Aria rushed to me in a sudden hug, her arms wrapping around me with unabashed enthusiasm.

"Adrian~!" she exclaimed, her embrace filled with a warmth that melted away any lingering tension.

Returning her hug with equal affection, I couldn't help but admire Aria's openness and fearlessness in expressing her feelings.

Despite the controversies that once surrounded our relationship, she remained unapologetically herself, her love for me shining brightly in her eyes.

In the past, I might have been hesitant to reciprocate such displays of affection in public, but now, surrounded by understanding friends and loved ones, I felt no need to hold back.

Giving Aria a gentle pat on the head, I smiled warmly as she continued to hug me, her joyful expression mirrored on my own face as we basked in the warmth of each other's embrace.

As the dinner progressed, I couldn't shake the feeling that both Louise and Ana were giving me jealous glances, their eyes betraying a hint of envy.

But for now, I knew there was little I could do to address their feelings.

Besides, I reasoned, they likely understood and empathized with Aria's initial reaction, given the length of time she had been apart from me.

So, with a resigned smile, the two girls returned to their conversations, albeit with a hint of defeat lingering in their expressions.

With dinner served, the four of us settled into a comfortable rhythm, enjoying each other's company as we shared stories and laughter.

Louise, Ana, and Aria reminisced about their time at the academy, their voices filling the room with warmth and camaraderie.

Meanwhile, I listened attentively, content to bask in the joy of their shared memories.

Though my initial intention had been to discuss Aria's staff, I found myself appreciating the simple pleasure of being surrounded by loved ones.

It occurred to me that moments like these were essential for fostering strong and healthy relationships. While planning for the future was important, I realized the significance of cherishing the present.

Suddenly, Aria's voice cut through the chatter, drawing my attention away from my thoughts.

"By the way, Adrian, I heard you made Louise fall for you?" she remarked casually, her warm smile hinting at a deeper curiosity.

I paused, caught off guard by the directness of her question. Had Louise already confided in Aria about her feelings? Glancing at Louise, I noticed a subtle nod accompanied by a blush creeping onto her cheeks, confirming Aria's assumption.

Feeling a mixture of surprise and intrigue, I smiled in response, acknowledging the unspoken conversation that had unfolded between them.

It was moments like these, filled with honesty and vulnerability, that reminded me of the depth of the bond we shared

'They really have gotten close'

Judging from Aria's words tone and reaction she wasn't qu8ite against it which was a good sign.

"Yes," I admitted truthfully, deciding there was no use in hiding things from Aria.

While I had initially planned to explain things slowly, I realized that addressing the matter directly had its merits. Besides, I preferred to avoid unnecessary drama whenever possible.

Aria regarded me seriously, the glint of intensity in her ruby eyes betraying the gravity of her question.

"Do you love her?" she asked, her tone conveying a genuine desire to understand my feelings.

It was clear she wasn't merely seeking reassurance or a flippant response; she wanted to hear the truth straight from my heart.

As I pondered her question, a realization dawned on me.

Perhaps this was Aria's way of approving my relationship with Louise—by ensuring that my feelings were genuine and sincere.

It was a subtle yet unmistakable gesture of acceptance, one that spoke volumes about the depth of our bond.

"Yes, from the bottom of my heart, I love Louise Obelia," I replied earnestly, the words carrying the weight of my true feelings.

It might have sounded cliché to say, but it was a sentiment I had come to understand and embrace since the moment I realized my love for her.

Louise immediately blushed hearing my answer and even Ana was smiling and giggling to herself as she watched the events unfold.

Hearing my answer, Aria fell into contemplation, her expression unreadable as she processed my words. After a moment, she nodded, a small smile playing at the corners of her lips.

"Good," she said simply, her tone firm yet reassuring.

"If you ever hurt her, you're dead, okay?" Her words were accompanied by a gentle threat, a reminder of the fierce loyalty she held for those she cared about.

"And of course, that includes me and Elena as well," she added, her tone softening slightly.

Despite the seriousness of her warning, there was an underlying warmth in her voice, a testament to the unwavering bond that united us as a group.

With a chuckle, I nodded in agreement, grateful for Aria's protective instincts and the depth of her friendship.

In that moment, I realized just how fortunate I was to have her by my side, supporting and guiding me through the complexities of love and relationships. .

"Adrian..." Aria's voice interrupted my thoughts, drawing my attention back to her. "Hmm?" I responded, curious as to what she wanted to say.

"I love you," she confessed, her words carrying a sincerity that warmed my heart.

A blush crept onto my cheeks at her unexpected declaration, her smile adding to the fluttering sensation in my chest.

"I love you too, Aria," I replied, returning her sentiment with equal fervor.

Louise, sensing the moment, chimed in nervously, her voice tinged with excitement.

"I-I love you as well, Adrian!" she exclaimed, her cheeks turning a bright shade of red as smoke seemed to puff out from her head. Her reaction was undeniably adorable, eliciting a soft chuckle from all of us.

"I love you too, Louise," I reassured her, my words filled with genuine affection.

Her reaction was priceless, her eyes widening in disbelief before she seemed on the verge of fainting from sheer happiness.

The sight of her overwhelmed with emotion only made me love her more.

Turning to Ana, I noticed her watching us with a quiet understanding in her eyes.

Though she didn't speak, her nod conveyed her acceptance of our affectionate exchange.

It was clear that she wasn't quite ready to reveal my relationship with her to the other girls yet, and that was perfectly alright. I knew she was just trying to be respectful to all of them.

I was willing to wait for her, to respect her pace and give her the time she needed to come to terms with her feelings.

As we continued to enjoy our meal together, the air was filled with a sense of warmth and understanding.

In that moment, surrounded by the ones I loved, I realized just how fortunate I was to have such incredible girls in my life.

I never thought I'd say this but.

'Thank you bitchy goddess….'