* * *
A fortnight later.
“This can’t be happening! It doesn’t make sense!”
The popularity vote concluded with this final outburst from Lord Yulpe.
The difference was a mere five votes. The victor, by a slim margin, was Peridot Crisiona. I was unable to go out due to indigestion and breast pain that had started in earnest, so I received the news from Cynthia.
“But it’s so strange. Obviously, public opinion was overwhelmingly in favor of Lord Yulpe rather than Lady Crisiona.”
Cynthia, massaging my shoulders, tilted her head in confusion. But what can be done when the results already announce who is the winner and the loser? If someone had manipulated the results, then surely the more cunning one had won. I had little interest in the voting result itself and instead asked the question that had piqued my curiosity.
“So, when is the birthday banquet scheduled to take place?”
“Well, it’s still a month and a few days away, but I think it’ll happen sooner now that the lady has won.”
“So, there’ll be a week of festivities leading up to the birthday banquet, then a week starting from the birthday banquet, followed by a final wrap-up week, right?
“Yes, that’s right.”
Gosh, it’s too long. I should only show my face when it is needed, maybe during the week of the banquet.
As my shoulders began to feel lighter, I received the next report.
“Oh, and, Your Highness, there are a total of fifteen members of the Doctors Without Status.”
“That’s not a lot, is it?”
“Yes. The doctor you met with is the head of the organization, and it turns out he’s the son of a fallen baron.”
“I see.”
No wonder—he didn’t quite seem like a commoner.
Eventually, I nodded, drinking water mixed with syrup, which is said to be good for relieving breast pain. These days, Cynthia was showing her full potential like a fish out of water. However, I hadn’t expected her to uncover the doctor’s former status, and I swallowed my admiration.
He studied medicine and now seems to conceal his noble status completely. Among the other members, there are commoners and even peasants. It is said that each of them goes to places where medical skills are needed and does not shy away from doing difficult work to take care of the patients.”
“It’s amazing. They’re truly admirable people.”
“Yes. How much are you thinking of donating?”
“Well……”
It’s a good organization doing meaningful work, so a generous donation wouldn’t hurt.
“Tell them I’m donating 100 million gautes to wish for my future baby’s health and safety.”
“Understood.”
Cynthia smiled brightly and quickly jotted down on her note.
“Phew.”
Thanks to Cynthia, my stiff shoulders became a little more comfortable. I flipped through the papers Cynthia had brought to check what I needed to do before heading to Shay Island. Meanwhile, Cynthia sorted through and organized the mail that arrived today.
“Oh, Your Grace, look at this!
“Huh?”
“A card came from Dame Ziontin!”
“Ziontin?”
What’s going on? I stopped writing with the quill and decided to read the card first. The words written in silver ink on a clear sky blue card, befitting her character, contained a brief yet surprising message.
“…She’s visiting this afternoon?”
“Pardon? This afternoon?”
“Yeah, it says she’s taking the day off, and she’s just going to drop by for a quick visit and give me a pregnancy gift.”
Holy Molly. Ziontin, who would never show up unless I went to see her first and who was always engrossed in training, had actually taken a ‘day off’! By Ziontin’s standards, this was a huge deal. What kind of wind is blowing today that made her want to visit me? I couldn’t help but be excited, eagerly waiting for her arrival.
But the surprises didn’t end there. Cynthia suddenly handed me something. It was a beautifully wrapped gift.
“Huh? Cynthia, what is this?”
“Actually, I also prepared a gift.”
Cynthia’s chubby cheeks held an adorable smile. I, bewildered, accepted the gift and carefully unwrapped it. Inside was…
“It’s a bit embarrassing, but these are baby clothes I made myself.”
“Oh my goodness! Thank you, Cynthia! When did you even find the time to make this?”
Baby clothes. It was a pure white baby’s outfit with a golden bird embroidered on the chest.
“I’ve been learning embroidery and stuff since I was a little girl, so I know how to work with fabric. It’s crude compared to what the madams make in the shops, but I’d be happy… if you’d accept it.”
“It’s far from crude! It’s simply beautiful! This will definitely be the first outfit our baby wears. Thank you so much, Cynthia.”
At my promise, Cynthia’s eyes grew a bit misty. But I wasn’t just making empty promises; I was genuinely moved. The pure white baby clothes were made of very soft material. The parts for the tiny arms and legs were made well, and the finish was perfect.
I could truly feel the care stitched into each seam. I held the clothes tightly in my arms and imagined a tiny baby wearing them. They’d surely look adorable.
“Oh, it’s almost time for His Grace to arrive.”
“Already?”
“Yes, please stay comfortable. I’ll just step outside for a bit!”
I looked at the clock and it was 1pm. Just in time for Lacius to return to the mansion. The reason he came to the mansion in the middle of the day like this was to do something that only his husband could do.
‘Even though I know I need a breast massage, I’m still a little embarrassed.’
When we first called in a professional masseuse and listened to his lecture, both Lacius and I turned bright red. However, from his second lecture onwards, Lacius showed himself to be an exemplary student.
I vaguely assumed he’d be good at giving massages because he was so good at using his fingers delicately at night, and he was. In the middle of the night, whenever I felt a stabbing pain in my chest, he would get up and touch me, which would relieve me to some extent and allow me to sleep soundly.
“Shay, how are you feeling today?”
“I’m feeling fine. Welcome back.”
“I missed you so much today too. Time simply felt like it was passing so slowly.”
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