Rhode and Mira arrived at their front door for the second time.
First, they pushed open the white gate and walked into the small yard.
A gravel path stretched before them, with a small storage room on the left and a fenced-off plot on the right, still empty.
A flower bed ran along the fence, and the flowers were in bloom, with roses and morning glories climbing up the fence.
Rhode noticed that some of the flowers shouldn't be blooming this season—it must be Troy's handiwork.
Walking further, on the left was a clothesline, on the right a swing set and a rocking horse, a grill and folding table tucked in the corner by the storage room, likely stored away after the last use.
Rhode stared at the rocking horse for a moment: "Is this for our future child? Isn't it too early?"
Mira joked: "Maybe our siblings want to play with it themselves?"
But Rhode couldn't help but imagine Lisana sitting on the swing, and Elfman, the big guy, riding the rocking horse.
Uh uh...
"Have you noticed Elfman's gotten bigger?"
"Of course!" Mira sighed, "I know he's been training hard, but why end up like that? Won't Ibarglin mind?"
Rhode comforted: "Think of it positively. It's just we haven't seen him for so long that it seems obvious. Being together every day, maybe you wouldn't even notice."
Mira was somewhat pessimistic: "Together every day? Elfman and Ibarglin? Is that possible?"
Rhode said: "Possibly, I just saw Ibarglin but didn't see Fried or Biguslo."
With best wishes for her brother, Mira used the key Lisana gave her to open the door.
Entering, the first thing they saw was the family portrait hanging on the living room wall.
On either side were Elfman and Lisana's rooms, with the kitchen and bathroom inside.
The two went upstairs, taking a tour of the second floor, discovering a large bathroom, a gym, and two empty rooms.
Evidently, their bedroom wasn't on this floor.
After going up to the third floor, they found their bedroom.
It looked bigger than Mira's old room, though the furniture and decorative style were similar, with all essentials present.
Previously placed photos and paintings remained, the bed seemed larger, and Rhode lay on it, feeling quite comfortable.
A south-facing terrace had been added, with a small table, and a small north-facing door led to a private bathroom.
They took a round tour, quite satisfied with their new bedroom.
Rhode's desk was gone, as the opposite was a study with former books, magazines, and notes neatly arranged.
This floor also had a small room with a crib and some other children's items.
The couple stood at the doorway of the small room, stunned—were they being urged to have kids by their siblings?
They quickly organized their luggage, especially unpacking various wedding gifts received along the way.
After finishing, they returned to the Guild.
"Huh, Natsu didn't run away?" Rhode saw Natsu weakly lying on the table, surprised.
Lisana laughed: "He wanted to escape but was caught back by everyone."
Although selling out Natsu to the Council seemed wrong, maybe Rhode would calm down after dealing with Natsu?
After all, Rhode wouldn't really send Natsu to jail.
Sharing hardship is better than suffering alone.
"You jerks, so disloyal!"
Lucy patted his shoulder: "Cheer up, Natsu."
Natsu asked suspiciously: "What are you talking about, Lucy? Of course, you'll come with us."
"Love!"
Lucy exclaimed in shock: "Why?!"
"Aren't we team partners?" Natsu patted Lucy's shoulder, suddenly serious, "No matter what happens, we'll face it together, so don't be afraid."
"Yeah...right!" Lucy slapped Natsu's hand away, "Why are you comforting me now? Shouldn't these words be said under different circumstances?! I haven't agreed to go with you! Hapi too! Why not call Gray? What about Erza?"
"Lu." Reby looked at her with pity, "Do you think you might be locked up so you're making complaints for a month?"
"Reby..." Lucy cried, "Don't tease me now, besides, why would I be locked up?"
Rhode showed a complaint file about Lucy: "Perhaps for 'indecency'?"
"Ah..." Lucy held her head in distress, "Stop bringing that up, how was I supposed to know that village was so conservative!"
"I remember when you first joined the Guild, I reminded you to check the geographical layout, religious beliefs, and local customs beforehand?"
"But Natsu dragged me from the shower, there was no time to investigate!"
Lucy loudly rebutted, then realized what she said, blushing and covering her mouth.
"Oh~~~" A chorus of hoots echoed around.
"So it's gone that far."
"Who knew Natsu was so skillful!"
Macao couldn't help but sigh: "Young folks are quite wild nowadays."
"No no no...not what you think! I was wrapped in a towel!"
"Oh~~~"
Reby's face also reddened: "Lu, that's bold."
"I've said it's not like that..." Lucy desperately shook Natsu's collar back and forth, "Hurry up and explain!"
Natsu raised a hand: "Lucy's right, she was wrapped in a towel."
"Ah uh uh..." Mira rubbed her face, thankfully Lisana didn't have those thoughts about Natsu, otherwise, she'd lose.
Lucy worked hard to clarify things; although Natsu dragged her from the shower, she changed clothes afterward.
But it didn't make things much better.
Rhode picked up a nearly fainted Wendy and placed her in Mira's care, telling Natsu:
"Don't worry, bringing you to the Council is because I promised Purgatory Sub-Dragon to have you meet someone."
Natsu got serious, asking: "Who?"
Rhode said: "A red-haired girl named Freyja."
That was before the wedding.
Freyja of Raven's Tail, Purgatory Sub-Dragon thought she might have something to do with Dragons, so Rhode was asked to take Natsu to see her.
Then Rhode got busy and forgot until today when he wanted to use the Council's name to scare Natsu, he suddenly remembered this.
Supposedly Freyja hadn't been in Raven's Tail for long, her charges shouldn't be serious. If they didn't go, she might be out soon, making her hard to find.