The warmth of the fire flickered against the walls, casting soft shadows as the night deepened. Elise had long since fallen asleep in my arms, her soft breaths steady and peaceful. The rest of us remained in the living room, unwilling to break the quiet comfort that had settled over our home.

Ivan and Ivansia sat close together, whispering about something I couldn’t quite hear. Rean and Arther had abandoned their chess match, now lazily stretching on the couch.

Sylphy, however, was still seated across from me, her green eyes focused on the fire.

She looked… calm.

Not smug. Not teasing. Just… at peace.

For some reason, seeing her like that made me hesitate.

I was used to her sharp remarks, her playful challenges—but this?

This was different.

Not wanting to let the mood get too serious, I smirked. "You look weird when you're not trying to annoy me."

Sylphy turned her head slightly, one eyebrow raising. "Weird?"

I shrugged. "Yeah. It’s unsettling. Where’s the usual sarcasm?"

Sylphy hummed, tilting her head as if considering. "You want me to tease you that badly?"

I opened my mouth to respond, but before I could—

"Nether, Sylphy… can you two stop flirting for five seconds?"

I blinked.

Ivan.

Rean and Arther instantly sat up, grinning like they had been waiting for this moment.

Ivansia chuckled softly, clearly amused.

Sylphy, however, just smirked, completely unbothered.

"Flirting? Oh my… was that what we were doing, Nether?"

I groaned. "You’re enjoying this, aren’t you?"

"Immensely."

Rean leaned forward. "You know, you two have been going at this for a while now. When’s the wedding?"

I shot him a glare. "Rean."

Arther grinned. "What? He has a point. I mean, if Elise is already calling her big sister…"

I was this close to throwing something at them.

Sylphy, though, was still smirking. She leaned her cheek against her hand, eyes glinting mischievously.

"You know, Nether… I wouldn’t mind hearing the answer to that either."

I groaned.

"I hate all of you."

---

Bedtime… Or Not

Eventually, everyone decided to call it a night.

Arther and Rean headed to their rooms, still snickering under their breaths.

Ivan and Ivansia exchanged a few more whispered words before he walked her to the guest room.

Sylphy, on the other hand, was still very much enjoying my suffering.

As I carried Elise to her room, she trailed behind me, arms crossed, an amused expression never leaving her face.

"You know," she mused, "for someone who acts so confident, you get flustered pretty easily."

"I do not."

"Really? Then why did you almost drop Elise when they mentioned marriage?"

I scowled. "I didn’t almost drop her. You’re imagining things."

Sylphy smirked. "Sure, sure."

Reaching Elise’s room, I carefully laid her down and pulled the blanket over her. She stirred slightly, but instead of letting go, she clutched onto my sleeve again, murmuring sleepily.

"Stay."

I hesitated.

I glanced at Sylphy, half-expecting her to make another sarcastic comment.

But instead, she just smiled softly.

"You should stay with her tonight," she said, her voice quieter than usual.

I looked down at Elise, her small hands still gripping my sleeve.

Yeah.

I wasn’t going anywhere.

With one final glance, Sylphy turned to leave.

"Goodnight, Nether."

For once, there was no teasing in her voice.

Just warmth.

And as I sat beside Elise, listening to her steady breathing, I realized something.

This peace wouldn’t last forever.

But for now?

It was enough.

---

The Tables Turn on Ivan and Ivansia

The next morning, the house was filled with the delicious scent of breakfast. Mother had outdone herself again, preparing an impressive spread of fresh bread, eggs, and warm stew.

Everyone sat around the table, enjoying the meal, and for once, I thought I might get a break from the endless teasing.

I was wrong.

Because today?

Today, it was Ivan and Ivansia’s turn.

It started when Elise, still rubbing the sleep from her eyes, tilted her head and asked the most innocent yet dangerous question.

"Big Brother Ivan… when are you marrying Big Sister Ivansia?"

Silence.

I choked on my food. Rean smirked. Arther grinned. Sylphy? Oh, she was enjoying this way too much.

Ivan, for once, was the one caught off guard.

"What?!" he spluttered, nearly knocking over his cup of tea.

Ivansia, ever composed, simply blinked, her red eyes scanning Elise as if debating how to respond.

Mother, on the other hand, gasped dramatically. "Oh my! Elise, dear, what a wonderful question!"

Father nodded. "Indeed. You two have been together for a while now, haven’t you?"

Rean leaned forward, a knowing grin on his face. "It’s funny, Ivan. You were so quick to tease Nether and Sylphy yesterday, but now that it’s about you—"

"We’re eating," Ivan interrupted, attempting to divert the conversation.

Arther laughed. "We can eat and talk at the same time."

Sylphy smirked, resting her chin on her hand. "Ivan, don’t tell me you’re getting flustered? Weren’t you the one leading the teasing before?"

I grinned. "Oh, how the mighty have fallen."

Ivan groaned, pinching the bridge of his nose. Ivansia, to my surprise, took a sip of tea and then…

"I wouldn’t mind."

Silence.

Absolute silence.

Mother gasped. Elise’s eyes sparkled.

Ivan froze. "…You wouldn’t?"

Ivansia set her cup down gracefully. "If you asked, I wouldn’t say no."

Chaos erupted.

"IVAN, ASK HER RIGHT NOW!" Arther banged the table, nearly knocking over the food.

"DO IT, COWARD!" Rean joined in.

"I have a dress ready!" Mother exclaimed.

Even Father chuckled. "Well, son, I think your answer is clear."

Ivan, completely overwhelmed, turned to Ivansia, who merely smiled at him, completely unbothered by the madness surrounding them.

Sylphy, beside me, was shaking with silent laughter.

"You know," I whispered to her, "I think I finally understand why you enjoy teasing me so much."

She grinned. "Took you long enough."

Meanwhile, Ivan groaned, finally breaking under the pressure.

"Fine! I get it! Can we at least finish breakfast before you all plan my entire wedding?!"

Mother clapped her hands. "Oh, of course, dear! But after breakfast, we’re talking about grandchildren!"

Ivan nearly knocked over his chair.

I laughed so hard I thought I might pass out.

And for once, Sylphy and I weren’t the ones being teased.

Wedding Plans & Grandchildren?!

Ivan, who had just taken a sip of his tea, choked violently.

"GRANDCHILDREN?!" he coughed, eyes wide as he looked at Mother in sheer panic.

Mother, completely serious, nodded. "Yes, dear. I mean, if you and Ivansia are already thinking about marriage, naturally, I should start preparing for the next step!"

Rean smirked, leaning forward. "So, Ivan, how many kids are you planning?"

Arther grinned. "At least three, right? Or maybe five? Oh, I know! What if you end up with quintuplets like us? That would be fun!"

"STOP TALKING." Ivan groaned, burying his face in his hands.

Ivansia, on the other hand? Completely calm. She sipped her tea again and said, "I wouldn’t mind a big family."

Silence.

Then—

"PFFFT—" I nearly spat out my drink.

Sylphy? Gone. She had her head on the table, shaking with laughter.

Rean and Arther? Dead. They were laughing so hard they could barely breathe.

Elise, bless her innocent heart, gasped excitedly. "That means I get lots of little nieces and nephews?! That sounds fun!"

Mother beamed. "Oh my! See, Ivan? Even Ivansia agrees! It’s settled, then!"

"NOTHING IS SETTLED!" Ivan shouted, completely red-faced.

Father chuckled, finally stepping in. "Alright, alright, let’s not overwhelm the poor boy too much."

Ivan sighed in relief.

Then Father added, "At least let him propose first."

"FATHER—!"

---

A Peaceful Afternoon (Almost)

After breakfast, the teasing (finally) died down, and we all stepped outside to enjoy the fresh air. It was a peaceful day, the village quiet except for the occasional chatter of merchants and children playing in the distance.

Elise clung to me, her small hands holding onto my sleeve as she looked up with sparkling eyes.

"Big Brother, let’s play!" she begged.

I smiled. "What do you want to do?"

"Tag! Sylphy too!"

Sylphy, who had been stretching beside me, raised an eyebrow. "Me?"

Elise nodded eagerly. "You’re my Big Brother’s wife, so you have to play too!"

I smirked. "Well, Sylphy? You heard her."

She rolled her eyes but smiled. "Fine. But don’t cry when I win."

---

The Chaos of Tag

It started with Elise chasing after us, her tiny legs moving as fast as they could. Of course, we slowed down to give her a fair chance.

But then—

Sylphy got competitive.

"You’re too slow, Nether," she teased, gracefully dodging Elise and then tagging me instead.

"Oh, you’re dead now." I grinned, immediately chasing her down.

She squeaked—actually squeaked—before taking off in a sprint.

Elise cheered. "Get her, Big Brother!"

Sylphy, laughing, dodged left and right, just barely avoiding my grasp.

"You’re fast," I admitted.

She smirked. "Of course. I’m an archer."

Then, just as I was about to catch her—

She tripped.

I reached out, catching her just before she hit the ground.

For a moment, we just stared at each other.

Her green eyes, wide in surprise.

My arms, still wrapped around her waist.

Elise, meanwhile, took full advantage of our distraction.

"TAG! BIG BROTHER IS IT!"

I blinked. "Wait—what?!"

Sylphy grinned. "Looks like you lost, Nether."

Elise giggled and ran off. "You have to catch me now!"

I groaned. Betrayed by my own little sister.

Sylphy patted my shoulder. "Better luck next time."

I sighed, shaking my head as I watched Elise run ahead.

Even if I lost…

This was nice.

A rare moment of peace.

No teasing (for now).

Just laughter, family, and the people I cared about most.

And for now…

That was more than enough.

---

To Be Continued…