Was there some kind of manual for handling a lady of the house’s pregnancy? Theobalt, unable to contain his excitement despite his composed appearance, continued speaking non-stop. He even muttered lowly, as if he were talking to himself.
“I have to wipe off the dust from every nook and cranny one more time. Not a single speck of dust should fall where your feet touch.”
I’m not in the mood to listen to this anymore. It seemed he wouldn’t stop, no matter how anyone tried. On the other hand, Maynard was quiet. He gazed at the sky absent-mindedly, only half-listening to Juliet and Theobalt. Then suddenly, he spoke up.
“Star.”
“Huh?”
“Of course, I have to give you a star… What could be better than that as a congratulatory gift… … !”
Correction. He wasn’t quiet; he was just entertaining eccentric thoughts.
I burst out laughing, leaning comfortably into Lacius’s chest. Lacius, who had been sipping cranberry juice in place of celebratory wine, lightly kissed my cheek. I looked up and kissed him twice on his cheek in return.
“So that’s why you reacted the way you did. Now I understand.”
“Yeah, I already suspected it when we were in Makarten. I had a really good dream.”
“A dream?”
“I think it was a conception dream. I was in this mansion, and there was this golden bird, incredibly colorful and beautiful, and it flew straight toward my embrace.”
That’s usually interpreted as a conception dream. I scratched my cheek, feeling shy.
“Golden bird. Seems like an extraordinary child is about to be born.”
“Right?”
How will they grow up? What kind of voice will they have, and what sort of eyes will they look at me with? The anticipation made me shiver with excitement.
“Shay, from now on you can’t go out with just Cat alone. It is dangerous.”
After the excitement subsided to some extent, Lacius, who hugged me very carefully, whispered that. Knowing what he was worried about, I agreed.
“Hm. You mean there could be people targeting me, right?”
“Yes. We should go to Shay Island during your first trimester.”
“Right. I don’t want to have to use magic to draw anything either.”
I have a baby, so why would I do something that saps my vitality? Although I still worried about Aragon, who had disappeared without a trace, I felt somewhat relieved since he hadn’t been seen lately.
‘I won’t lose this happiness, no matter what.’
During the time when the risk of miscarriage is greatest, I will stay quietly with Lacius on Shay Island. After that, I’d return to work and carry on as usual, so long as there were no complications. Once that period passes, there will be no problem with working. It’s true that I was pregnant with a precious child, but that didn’t mean I wanted to give up my life and spend months on an island.
“Oh right. I’m going to announce that I’m pregnant and abstain from the popularity contest.”
“Alright.”
“Whoever wins, they can just settle it among themselves.”
Lacius nodded at my words and gently placed his hand on my stomach. There were no movements yet, but soon enough, I’d feel strong kicks inside, right? As he stroked my belly, he murmured softly.
“A direct descendant of Schweiden can choose their rights and responsibilities as they grow. When it comes to choosing, the firstborn usually has the greatest freedom.”
“Aha, so the firstborn gets to pick and the younger siblings get what’s left?”
“Yes. Our firstborn may want to inherit the Grand Duke’s position, or perhaps aim to become the knight commander. Or, who knows, maybe they’ll want to pursue the law… I’m filled with anticipation.”
“What if they don’t want any of it?”
“Then the choice will go to the second.”
“Second… … .”
“Of course, we wouldn’t need a second if you don’t want one. Our first could manage all roles, like I did.”
“Hmm.”
Wouldn’t that be too demanding? Lacius always looked incredibly busy, to the point that I thought he’d benefit greatly from having siblings.
“I’d like to have at least three.”
“I think that many will be too straining for your body.”
“I want to have four children, but I’d prefer to go through labor fewer times, so maybe twins for the last ones.”
“Carrying twins would be too much for you. I think having just one child would be enough.”
Lacius, day and night, only cared about my well-being. I smiled brightly, hugging this lovely man, whose love would remain unchanged even ten years from now.
“No matter the number, we’ll raise them well, right?”
“I’ll read parenting books, call a parenting expert, and listen to lectures. I promise to take action before you even have to worry.”
“Yes, I believe it.”
That our lives would be full of happiness. That we’d be safe, even if danger approached.
Under the bright embrace of the full moon’s light, Lacius kissed me.
It had a sweet, cranberry flavor.
* * *
Peridot and Prince Verty were meeting again today in the greenhouse of the Crisiona Mansion. They claimed it was to watch the shadow flowers that bloomed only at night, but that wasn’t the real reason.
“Perry, I have good news.”
Verty approached Peridot with a triumphant look.
“Everyone who was close to Count Baus has chosen to side with me. They said they can no longer tolerate my sister’s tyranny.”
Count Baus, who is he? He was the one who got punished for sending an assassin to Titania Oberon, a figure whose origins are unknown.
Those who were close to the Baus family had been lying low, but their silence didn’t equate to loyalty. In truth, they’d been sharpening their knives. Following Peridot’s instructions, the prince contacted them, gaining their pledge of support in case something happened.
“You were right, Perry. There are many who don’t support my sister.”
Verty seemed excited, mumbling something to himself. Peridot didn’t say a word in response but moved her hand to change what she was looking at.
Around the chalice that radiated a mysterious light, dozens of small screens floated; most are showing ballots with names written on them. However, a few displayed the interiors of the Emperor’s and Princess’s palaces, where knights and soldiers rotated their shifts.
After a while, as the embarrassed Verty quieted down, Peridot finally spoke in a flat tone.
“Well done.”
Though the words were devoid of any emotion, Verty’s face lit up. Peridot smirked internally as she pointed to the scenes floating around the chalice.
“We will find out which ballot box has Lord Yulpe’s name on it the most, so we can replace it with the one we prepared.”
“Won’t we get caught?”
“Her Highness the Princess would see even such deception as a form of competence, so it should be fine. And even if we are caught, it won’t matter.”
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