"Ha~~~" Rhode sitting at the breakfast table let out a yawn.
Across from him, Lisana teasingly looked at him, "Didn't sleep well last night, brother-in-law?"
Mira and Elfman were preparing breakfast in the kitchen.
Actually, Lisana also wanted to help, but since she's the second worst cook among the four of them, like Rhode, she could only wait outside to eat the ready-made food.
Rhode glanced back at Mira's graceful silhouette, casually made up, "I haven't slept well these days, the accommodations outside can't compare to home."
"Eh~~~" Lisana dragged out the sound in dissatisfaction, "That's it?"
"What else?" Rhode couldn't possibly make any lewd jokes to his sister-in-law. He chose to subtly change the topic, speaking mysteriously, "You know how terrible your sister's sleeping posture is, right?"
Lisana's face turned bitter, instinctively covering her shoulder as if the phantom pain from being tightly locked by her sister was still there.
If it weren't for being as petite as Wendy, sharing a bed with Sister Mira would easily get bones crushed.
She gave Rhode a sympathetic look, "Sister's love is really too heavy."
Lisana shared her painful experience of sleeping in the same bed with her sister these past two days.
Rhode empathizing... is impossible.
He has his special tricks, so compared to Lisana, he's still quite happy.
It's just that this sort of thing is hard to talk about, he can only try to sympathize with his unlucky sister-in-law.
Mira came out with a tray, her long hair tied at the back, apron still on, a smile on her face, exuding an air of warmth and kindness.
She always felt happy whenever she saw Rhode enjoying conversations with Elfman or Lisana.
So she put down the tray, asked while untying her apron, "What are you talking about?"
Rhode blurted out, "Lisana said you're heavy."
Ha... Mira's hand shook, pulling the apron ties into a knot.
She sat side-ways at the table next to Rhode, signaled him to help, then turned to look at Lisana.
Mira's gaze held a hint of menace; even if it's a younger sister, discussing weight is taboo.
Lisana stared at Rhode in shock.
I treated brother-in-law like family, and he wants to set me up for a fall?
Rhode pretended not to see, naturally turned around to help Mira with her apron.
Lisana felt aggrieved, "Brother-in-law is bullying people!"
Mira laughed. This was definitely her husband being mischievous.
"What happened?" Elfman came out carrying a casserole of steaming lean meat porridge.
Brother-in-law, with his big build, wearing an apron and heat-proof gloves, looked a bit out of place.
Rhode casually made up, "We were talking about when you and Ibarglin are getting married."
Mira wanted to smack Rhode with the apron she just took off. This guy gives different answers to everyone!
Thankfully, she was actually interested in this question.
Elfman suddenly felt embarrassed, "We're... not at that stage yet."
...
"We're out of salt at home, remember to buy some at night, it's time to bring out the summer clothes too."
"Let's go shopping in Kerland tomorrow, they have clothes from several countries."
"Is that the fief of brother-in-law? We haven't been there yet."
"Lisana should come along too, just in time to check the progress of our Duke's Mansion."
"Sure, what about brother Elf?"
"I... I have things to do tomorrow..."
"Oh~~~"
The four of them chatted about trivial matters while heading to the guild.
Today in Magnolia was as calm as usual, Laki and Ginanna had already opened the door and started cleaning.
Lisana quickly joined in, Elfman headed straight for the bulletin board, it was his turn to pick a task today.
Mira went to sort through the mail first, organizing regular correspondence, commissions, and complaints separately.
Commissions were directly transcribed by Rhode as formal commission slips, Mira read the correspondence herself, and complaints were left for the President to review.
Everything was orderly, the guild gradually buzzed with activity.
Halfway through the morning, Makarov leisurely came to the guild 'to work.'
He greeted the kids in the tavern smilingly, took the mail from Mira with a heavy heart, read each one with a resigned grin, and went upstairs to 'work' feeling dead inside.
This is the President of Fairy Tail.
Though today was slightly special, among the complaint letters was mixed an apology letter — written by Sabertooth to the Council, and copied to them due to its relevance to Fairy Tail.
Seeing another President's apology letter was a novelty for Makarov.
After reading it through, Makarov couldn't help but feel contempt for Sabertooth's President Jerman.
Is this the level of Fiore's number one guild?
If he was to evaluate, the attitude wasn't sincere enough, the words not humble enough, the analysis of the situation not comprehensive enough…
It's unqualified!
Makarov cheerfully stored the letter away, suddenly feeling motivated for today's 'work.'
Just 10 minutes later, he couldn't help but feel sorrow creeping back.
...
"Sister Mira, I'm back!" Reby cheerfully handed over the task slip, "Ah, Rhode is here too, how'd the task go? How did Lu perform this time?"
Rhode glanced at Gajeel and Li Li behind her, "We did okay, actually, I was going to ask about your task."
"Of course it went great." Reby was in good spirits.
This team has brains, muscle, maturity, and a reliable little black cat.
While saying this isn't too kind to Jet and Troy, without them there was less fun but also fewer hassles...
"I think what Rhode meant wasn't about that." Mira whispered in Reby's ear with a smile.
Reby suddenly turned beet red, "Don't say stuff like that!"
However, Dragon Slayer Mage's hearing is much sharper than average, even if Mira spoke quietly, Gajeel heard it loud and clear.
Though his face didn't turn red, he was visibly uncomfortable. He glanced at Rhode, trying to find something to talk about but didn't know where to start.
Rhode only felt Gajeel's gaze wasn't friendly, "Been a while and your gaze is still so fierce, are you trying to challenge me again?"
"My eyes have always been like this! Who wants a challenge, I'm not a fool like the Fire Dragon."
Gajeel is the type who would sneak off when seeing Natsu being effortlessly defeated after challenging Laxus.
He's slightly more aware than Natsu and knows not to seek a beating — the kind of full-force challenge where one ends up immediately KO'd teaches nothing useful.
Though he's quite tempted to spar with that Dragon.
He just feels awkward bringing it up.
Rhode and Mira registered Reby and Gajeel's task, not long after, Elfman came over with a task slip.
Rhode looked at the task details and saw no issues, he asked, "Going solo?"
"Not alone." Elfman glanced around but didn't see anyone.
Ibarglin walked out a bit shyly, "I'll team up with him."
Oh my, among the guild's girls, Ibarglin is considered quite tall, yet standing behind Elfman you can't even see her shadow.
Rhode nodded, passing the task over to his dear wife.
Mira smiled kindly, registering the duo, reminding them, "Be careful on the road."
The moment they left, the courier company had someone deliver several file bags.
Makarov glanced at their fronts, directly tossed them to Rhode, "Your requested materials."