Chapter 1349: They Set This Up?

The family led us to one of the ranches at the edge of the village.

I did not miss the fact that the girls were averting their gazes the entire way but I couldn’t really see them anyway since they were walking behind us while I was stuck on top of Odeta’s shoulders like usual.

I’m not sure why Odeta even agreed to this but I decided that it was better to follow along than to start another disagreement so that’s why we’re here right now.

The ranch had a pretty big farmhouse attached to it though I suppose such a size was expected for a family of seven.

There were several animals out in the fields that were being watched by other Amraps whom I guessed must be under their employ or something.

We headed to the building where Baylor opened the door to let us in, guiding us towards a sitting room where it really screamed ’rustic western’ style with the fireplace, wooden tables and the leather couches.

Odeta had to switch to carrying me in her arms since the doorframe wasn’t big enough to fit me on her shoulder but she did not let go of me and flopped down on the couch with me seated on her lap.

The only people to join us in the living room was Baylor and Ashley while their daughters went their own ways after entering the house.

Why are we even here actually?

Baylor sat on the couch opposite us and she picked up a pipe from the table before filling it with some dried leaves in the opening.

She then muttered the spell to cast [Ember] to ignite the leaves and puffed out a plume of white smoke through her mouth.

"Supposed we should start over again," She grinned, acting suspiciously jovial despite the fact that we basically beat them up not even an hour ago.

"Baylor Barker. Since we’re all Off-Worlders ’ere, we can dispense with the formalities and pretense, yea’?"

I tilted my head at her, "Oh now you’re finally willing to talk?"

Baylor sniffed at me, "What? Do ya expect me to take some random broad that showed up out of nowhere seriously when you hav’ not even prov’n yerself’? Absolutely not."

I gave her a look, "Then what else is there to say? Are you still looking for compensation from Odeta or something? I think we’ve established the fact that she isn’t to be blamed for this, did we not?"

She waved her hand in the air, "Oh we’re way past ’dat. Now we’re more interested in what we shoulda’ be doing going fo’ard."

I blinked, "What do you mean? I think we could just both agree that there was a mistake and we can just accept the mistake and move on with our lives? What else do you want? Payment?"

She scowled at me, "What do you take me daughters fer’? Ya’ trying to insinuate their ’hores or sumthin’? Yer’ better watch yer’ words carefully, lady."

It took me a moment to realise that he had the wrong idea of what I was referring to, which I guess was my fault for not being clear.

"I meant if you wanted compensation for the fight since... Well... I guess no other way to put it but... Because we beat you."

"Ha!! All water under the bridge I say! What I’m referring to is that my dearest girls you see... They’re quite spoiled even if I do say so myself."

I blinked at her, "They are? I mean... They seem to be working hard aren’t they? The food you girls served yesterday was some of the best I’ve ever tasted. Especially the desserts, those were absolute perfection."

Unexpectedly, Ashley waved her hand at me, "Oh you. You’re just saying that."

I shook my head, "No, no. I’m being serious. They were all great! That bread pudding had the perfect blend of syrup and bread which made sure that the bread did not become too soggy but still had that sweet taste on it! Plus the fruit custards were also full of flavour too! The sweetness from the fruits used to make them was preserved and each of them was perfectly made!"

Ashley giggled, "Fufu~ It seems you really like our recipes, don’t you? I’d be happy to pass you the recipes if you want them~"

I gasped, "You would do that?! Are you sure?! Really?! No take backs!!"

"Of course~ How can I bear to keep them from someone as sweet as you?"

Err... I shall not point out the fact that I quite literally just beat up all her daughters just a few moments ago...

Also, Odeta’s not helping since she’s busy hugging me from behind and having too much fun burying her face in my hair and rubbing her face against the back of my head.

Anyway, I decided to bring the conversation back on topic.

"So... What do you mean by spoiled?"

Baylor gestured towards Odeta, "You can blame her for dat’... ’Cause they were so convinced that Odeta over dere’ was their destined one... They’ve grown up not accepting anyone else as their partners. As much as I hate to ’mit it, one o’ my regrets in our old life was that I had been too strict on ’em as their parent and never allowed them to date so we never had grandchildren. When we came here, I decided to change my ol’ perspective and m’ only rule was that they had to really love the person they are dating."

I grimaced and gestured behind me, "I’m guessing... They really fell in love with Odeta?"

Ashley nodded, "Really, really hard, if I might add. Reminded me of the first time I met my husband here. God it was so embarrassing..."

I tilted my head, "Ok? I... Don’t really see a need for me to know any of this though? Is this just to pin the blame on Odeta again or is this meant to get some sympathy points with me?"

Baylor steepled her fingers in front of her, "Like I said... My daughters have been quite spoiled... ’Specially because I’ve decided to be ’ands off from their life as much as possible in this new life of ours so I let them do whatever they want as long as they don’t ’urt themselves... What I didn’t expect was that they would all fall for the same person and the entire reason for them to fall in love with that person was because she was strong and beat them all in a fist fight..."

Ok... I mean... That’s probably weird from an Off-Worlder’s perspective but I’m assuming they grew up as Amraps and they probably adopted some of their customs or something so it’s not that sur-- Oh...

Oh no, no, no... You’re not telling me...

At that moment, I felt the hair at the back of my neck stand on end and it wasn’t because of Odeta currently sniffing my hair either...

I whipped my head around to look at the entrance of the room, only to find all five sisters peeking at me through the doorway with a far off look in their eyes like they were looking at some idol of theirs.

When they saw me turn around, all of them immediately ducked their heads behind the doorframe, hiding themselves from view.

Even as I continued to look, a few of them slowly peeked out again, just to see if the coast was clear.

When they saw me still looking at the doorway, they quickly hid themselves again, only to try again hoping I would have already looked away by then.

Are you kidding me?!

I turned back to look at Baylor and it seems like he was already expecting something like this because he was grinning at me while puffing on his pipe slowly.

Really?! You’re telling me that all of them seriously got infatuated with me because of that?!

I gave him an incredulous look before he shrugged, "It’s not ’dat surprising if ya’ think about it... They liked Odeta, but they found out that Odeta really likes someone else instead, so of course they woulda’ be curious about who the person is and find out if the person she likes is really as good as she claims to be. So they had to meet you personally to find out."

I narrowed my eyes at her, "Does this not bother you at all? I mean... You know... I’m already attached?"

She shrugged, "Hey, I’ve lived on this world for a number o’ years ’ready. If I’m not wrong, polygamy is normal isn’t it? I’m just happy to let them love who ’dey love. Just look at me, I literally changed myself into this to stay with my family. So for them, if they end up with you, they also get Odeta too. If ya’ ask me, I see that as an absolute win."

...

Odeta... I’m gonna need you to be honest... Did you set this up?