I Became a Mother of a Sub-Male Son

“Well, why are you doing that? I didn’t say anything I shouldn’t have said.”

“I’m sorry, but I think the same as you, Your Highness.Mage, would you please leave?”

“Oh my, even Your Highness is being so sullen.”

Allegro made an exaggeratedly pitiful expression and shrugged his shoulders.

“I don’t want to associate with someone who can’t tell what to say and what not to say anymore.”

Allegro, who had been looking back and forth between me and the Duke, slowly got up.

“Well, I guess there’s nothing I can do. Then, excuse me.”

Allegro, who smiled shamelessly, left the dining hall after saying that.

At the same time, a heavy silence fell. A shadow had already fallen on the child’s face.

The child probably knew. No, it couldn’t not know. There has never been a war that the Duke didn’t participate in among the wars that have broken out so far. Furthermore, when the child was four years old, the Duke was sent to war and didn’t return for a year.

Delian had already experienced this many times. That must be why his expression was so bad.

Seeing the child like that made her feel very sorry.

“Lian.”

“…Yes.”

The child answered her call in a listless voice.

“It’s not set in stone yet, it’s just a little talk, so I’m worried…”

The words she had intended to comfort him were all but lost in her mouth. That was because the child’s expression had become even darker. He must have guessed. When the time came, the Duke would have to go to war.

Yes, in this situation, a feeble consolation could have made the child suffer even more.

So she decided to be honest.

“Actually, what you think is right, war will break out sooner or later, and the Duke will naturally go to war.”

“…”

“But there is absolutely nothing to worry about. So don’t worry. Okay?”

“…But.”

She deliberately went hard this time.

“Lian, do you think the Duke will lose the war?”

“No, absolutely not! It’s just…”

The child’s gaze, trailing off, turned to her.

“I’m a little sad because I won’t be able to see my father for a long time again…”

Delian bit his lip. At that moment, the Duke’s voice was heard.

“Three months. I’ll finish everything within that time.”

“…Three months?”

The child’s eyes widened slightly.

“Yes, I have no intention of dragging it out or anything. So just wait three months.” 

The child was not the only one surprised by the duke’s words. She was surprised too. Originally, this war was supposed to take ten months. She didn’t know if his words were just to comfort the child or if there was another way. But there was no sign of falsehood on the duke’s face.

It was almost as if he had a confident expression.

“Really?”

“Yes, it won’t take long this time. I swear.” 

His face looked as anxious as usual, but his eyes looked noticeably different.

His eyes were even more serious than usual. The child must have sensed it, because he nodded.

“Then, it’s definitely a promise, Father, you know?”

“Yes, I promise.”

The child’s face relaxed at the duke’s answer. Fortunately, the situation seemed to have been sorted out. It seemed like it went over well somehow.

It was something that had to be brought up to the child at least once. So, if you think about it positively, it might actually be a good thing that he brought it up sooner.

It’s because the child had more time to prepare himself mentally. Anyway, it was really annoying, really, because he suddenly thought of Allegro who had made this request and left. It seemed as if he had brought it up on purpose, as if he was being grumpy.

He was definitely not an oblivious author, so it must have been intentional.

Clank.

The sound of dishes being put down When she turned her head, the Duke got up from his seat.

“Are you done eating?”

“There’s still a lot of work left, so I’ll leave first.”

The Duke said that and left the dining hall.

She stared at the person the Duke had left for a moment. She didn’t know if it was just her guess, but the Duke said that there was work left.

It seemed like an excuse. The look in his eyes when he said he had a lot of work just now was quite suffocating. Maybe he’s going to beat up that person.

She hoped he would get a good beating this time, so he could come to his senses. She prayed to herself as she continued eating.

* * *

After finishing the meal, she met Rubat while heading to the room with the child. Rubat greeted us as he saw us coming from the opposite direction.

“Good morning. Lord Delian, Lady Elia.”

“Yes, good morning to you too, Rubat.”

“Good morning. By the way, are you on your way to the Duke?”

“Yes. That’s right. I have something to report to you.”

“Then, go ahead and go.”

She didn’t want to stop the busy person, so she was about to pass by.

When Bubat called her,

“Excuse me, Lady Elia.”

“Yes, Rubat.”

“I’m going to report to the Duke, but I think it would be better for you to know in advance.”

“What do you mean?”

Bubat hesitated for a moment before speaking.

“I heard that Lady Ladiana suddenly collapsed last night. Even though doctors and priests have visited her several times, she is still unconscious.”

“Lady Ladiana?”

“Yes, that’s right.”

“They haven’t figured out the cause at all?”

Rubart nodded.

“Yes, the priests and doctors all said they couldn’t figure out the cause.

“The priests’ treatment didn’t work at all, right?”

“That’s why the Blonde Counts are currently in an emergency situation. They’re even looking for doctors and priests in countries other than the Empire.”

It seemed like the situation was more serious than she thought. Well, since she hasn’t come to her senses for more than half a day, she wondered how worried the Blonde family must be.

What’s more, Ladiana’s parents, the Count and Countess, loved her so much.

“Thank you for letting me know, Rubart.”

“No. Then I’ll go.”

She looked away as Rubart’s back moved away. 

‘Lady Ladiana, what’s wrong? Where does it hurt so much? Didn’t she suddenly collapse last time?’

To be honest, she was more concerned than worried.

This was the second time she collapsed. Why did she collapse for no reason? Why did Elia keep feeling so uneasy? Should she go and visit her in person? But she was not sure if she could see Ladiana in this situation.

She’s in a serious condition and not even awake, so there’s no way they’d allow her to visit.

“Anyway, I hope Lady Ladiana wakes up soon.”

“Yeah, I wish I could too.”

So I headed to my room while chatting with the child.

* * *

Two more days had passed since I heard that Ladiana had collapsed. They said she was still unconscious.

The latest news I heard from Rubart was that the Emperor was sending the imperial court physicians and priests to the Count’s house as many as they could.

The Emperor, who had been careful to meet Ladiana until now, had completely lost his senses. Of course he would go crazy. The person he liked had been unconscious for days without any signs of recovery.

While wondering if it was okay, she also thought that Ladiana was the heroine of a book, so she wouldn’t die easily. Still, she was upset, so she was debating whether she should visit the Blonde Mansion or not.

There was no way she could do anything if she went, but she had to keep worrying about it.

She thought she should at least talk to the Duke if she was going to keep worrying about it, so she ended up going to see him.

“You want to visit the Blonde family?” 

“Yes. I know it’s not the right situation, but I keep worrying about it. It was the same last time I went out with Lian, and it’s the same this time, and it’s a little strange that I keep falling down.”

The duke, who was listening to her, slowly touched his chin.

“As you know from the report before, the duke also knows, but when I went out with Lian before, there were two instances where we crossed paths with Lady Ladiana’s group.”

The duke nodded as if he knew.

“Yes, after hearing the report then, I thought it was definitely suspicious, so I investigated separately. But nothing special came out.”

“I guess so.”

She guessed that the duke must have been reported before, but since he was quiet, he didn’t find anything special.

“So, can you send a message to the Blonde family? I want to check Lady Ladiana’s condition myself.”

“Okay. Let’s send a message to the Blonde family today.”

“Thank you.”

“Then let’s go.”

As she was about to get up from her seat, she immediately asked him with a proud thought.

“But, the mage. ​​How long is he going to stay here before you leave?”

“He will be back today or tomorrow.”

“May I ask you why?”

“Is it okay if I ask why the Magic Tower is still in the mansion?”

“Yes.”

“Because I really plan to end this war within three months.”

She couldn’t help but be surprised by those words. He really planned to end it within three months?

“Do you have a way?”

“Yes.”

“And by that, you mean you need Lady Vian’s help?”

The Duke’s eyebrows slightly rose.

“No, it’s not help, it’s a formal request. In other words, cooperation.”

“It doesn’t seem like a request…”

“Then I thought so.”

“Yes. Yes.” 

When she answered with an impure attitude, the duke looked at her slightly.

Now that the conversation was over, it seemed like she should just leave, but why? Why were her feet still? It was as if her feet were glued to the floor, and she didn’t move at all.

She glanced at him.

Was the duke really okay? It was the first time we were alone since that incident, and she felt a pang of disappointment at his worried face that looked no different from usual. No, he was the one who did it first, so why should she be the only one who has to worry about it?

She glared at the duke with a surge of emotion and then blurted out.

“That night. Why did you suddenly kiss me?”

“…”

“Why did you kiss me?”

She stared at him intently, determined not to leave until he answered. That was when the duke finally opened his mouth, which she had been waiting for.

“Because I wanted to.”

“…”

“That was the only thought I had at that time. I only want to kiss you.”

She was dumbfounded by the unexpected answer. Then, as she gradually came to her senses, her face began to heat up.

What the hell did she just hear? So, what the hell was this…

Ah, she couldn’t do this anymore. It was hard to meet the Duke’s gaze any longer.

Her feet, which had been on the floor just a moment ago, came off easily.

“I, I’m going to go now.”

She got up from my seat and kicked away without even looking at him.

 

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