“I’ll pretend Bonis is still alive until I get the magic potion from Logan.”
Roxana said with a rather satisfied expression.
Hetor shook his head at her opinion.
“And what if Logan finds out?”
Her lips curled up in a pout at Hetor’s question.
“Then... I’ll just let him see his daughter like he wishes.”
Even if it meant meeting him in death, he still had to keep his promise to let him see his daughter.
“I think it would be better to meet the Magic Tower Master first. He might have already told Logan about Bonis’s death.”
“Oh, right... that troublesome person.”
Roxana placed a hand on her forehead and closed her eyes in annoyance.
Then she squinted again and gritted her teeth.
“If he already knows about Bonis’s death... I’ll make sure Logan’s hatred is directed at Zelda!”
“I think our baby is filial even before birth,”
He said, a satisfied expression on his face as he moved to lie down next to me after carefully showering me with his love.
“Why?”
I asked, pulling the blanket over him and covering him.
“It strengthens the bond between mom and dad. The more I think about it, the more I appreciate it.”
He stroked my belly with a moved expression.
“Our baby will endure it well in the womb, right?”
“Of course. So, if you feel your belly getting hot, come find me, no matter where you are. Understood?”
“If you’re in a meeting, that’s probably not possible.”
“We can schedule the meeting later. Nothing is more important than our child’s health.”
He said firmly.
My face was reflected in his eyes.
Linel took my hand, placed the back of my hand against his lips, and whispered affectionately.
“Thank you, Zelda.”
Tears welled up in his eyes, and he gently wiped them with his index finger. This time, he lowered his head slightly and whispered to my belly.
“Thank you, baby. For coming to me... no, to us.”
It was a greeting even I hadn’t yet been able to say.
I was so worried that the imprint with the Incarnation Sword might have harmed the baby that I hadn't even been able to properly greet him...
Now that Dad did it, he'll probably be less upset, right?
A smile formed on my face.
For a moment, I couldn't tell if it was me or the baby.
He was much more delighted and happy than I expected.
"When was it? The day the baby came to us...?"
The timing wasn't important, but I suddenly wondered.
He looked thoughtful, his expression heavy with thought, and then cautiously spoke.
"Was it the day we met again at the tavern? The day you dragged me back to the inn, drunk and in a hurry?"
"..."
Baby, just pretend you didn't hear that. You didn't have to specifically mention my condition that day, did you?
I glared at him, but he avoided my gaze and pretended to look up at the ceiling as he continued talking.
“Or was it the day you sneaked into the palace through the hole and we met by chance? Oh, it wasn’t that day, it was the next day.”
He balled his fist and brought it to his mouth, chuckling.
I had something to say about the day I first sneaked into the palace through the hole!
“Aha, you mean the day after, not the day when the iron bar that had been safely attached to the wall of the training hall warehouse fell on His Majesty’s head and nearly split his skull in two?”
“...I was in so much pain back then. Just thinking about it makes my skull feel like it’s splitting open again.”
He straightened, perhaps remembering the pain of the iron bar.
His expression was strangely satisfying, and I burst out laughing.
“Are you laughing?”
He pinched my cheek lightly and raised an eyebrow with a disapproving look, but if I hit him on the top of his head right now, he would just grin and be delighted.
“I didn’t laugh, the baby did.”
“This is serious. Your mother is already putting you first.”
Linel's face vanished from my sight, and he pressed his face against my belly, whispering.
Just then, a knock sounded outside the window, and I opened it cautiously.
"Excuse me, Moiya~."
"...Moiya? Moiya!"
Two wyvern cubs flew into the bedroom.
Both had their hands hidden behind their backs.
"It's not the cold body, but why are you loitering around my master's belly?"
Moiya casually climbed down onto the bed and looked down at Linel, asking pitifully,
“You don’t have to know.”
Moiya laughed at his indifferent tone.
“Hahaha, what can I do? I heard everything you said outside the window with Magic Tower Lord earlier? Master, there’s a baby in your belly.”
“...Yes, I was in the process of prenatal care.”
He replied absentmindedly, then pushed himself back up onto the pillow and leaned back against the headboard.
“Is that so? I brought a gift for your prenatal care, Master! I don’t just talk to your belly like some people do.”
Moiya lifted his chin and extended his hands, which he had hidden behind his back, toward me.
Both hands were filled with red peonies.
“Oh my, they’re so pretty.”
“Master, you’ve seen the fruits of your labor. Congratulations on having a human baby, Moiya~.”
"...T-True. Thank you.”
It seemed like a well-prepared greeting.
“Why are you smiling when Your Majesty is empty-handed?”
As Linel burst into laughter beside her, Moiya gave him a pointed look.
He stared at the baby wyverns as if they were curious, but perhaps because memories of Moiya had already surfaced the second his memories returned, he felt completely at ease.
However, perhaps because it was his first time meeting Moni, his gaze was focused on Moni rather than Moiya.
“You’re Moni, yes?”
Linel spoke, gazing at the pink wyvern cub as if it were adorable.
Moni rubbed her tiny paws on the blanket, a shy expression on her face, then suddenly extended her hand hidden behind her back.
“Yes, take it.”
It was the same flower gift as Moiya, but it was Linel who held it out, not me.
“I want to give it to the baby’s father, not my master.”
“Why? The cub is with my master?”
Moiya glared at Linel and demanded of Moni.
“He looks incredibly handsome up close, don’t he, Moni~?”
"As expected, the great wyvern is different. You have a great eye for detail. Accept this gift, Moni."
He accepted the bouquet of yellow roses Moni offered him.
Moni, who had been staring intently at him, shrugged her shoulders and performed the same dance Moiya had previously performed.
Moiya glared at Moni, who was now excited, and then nudged her forward.
Moni then fell onto Linel's lap, then sprawled out like a puppy, squirming around.
He petted Moni, and she giggled. She looked like a truly adorable puppy.
"I thought all humans were insignificant except for my master, but as expected, his mate is truly special! Moni~! Your Majesty, no matter how much other females sway you, you must mate only with my master. Promise?"
Moni said to him in a charming tone, and he nodded vigorously as if it were obvious.
"Then, from now on, I will not set my eyes on any woman other than your master and Moni."
“Wow, wow, you speak so well, Moni~!”
Moni propped her chin on her hand and lay down, openly admiring Linel.
Moiya snorted loudly and muttered quietly.
“Huh, anyway, it’s not like he’s showing off by wearing something that only responds to our master...”
“What?”
Moiya knew that... how did he know that?
I thought I must have misheard and asked him again.
“Huh!”
Moiya covered his mouth with both hands and flew over to my shoulder, whispering in my ear.
“Not all of the cold body memories have returned, are they?”
“...Yeah, I think so? It’s not perfect yet.”
“Whew, I'm alive, Moiya~.”
Moiya glanced at Linel, who was stroking Moni with a wicked smile.
This guy, there’s something.
I’ll have to ask him later.
I slept deeply in Linel’s arms last night.
In the morning, the Magic Tower Lord came to my place for treatment.
I was relieved to hear that the fever in my stomach had subsided compared to yesterday.
I could also feel that my stomach had become more comfortable overnight.
I personally realized that this was possible because Linel was by my side.
Magic Tower Lord repeatedly urged me to move as usual, but if I felt even the slightest heat rising in my stomach, I should not hesitate to ask for his help.
After lunch, I took a carriage and headed to the West Palace, where Rosie's quarters were.
I had relayed the news about the imprint with the Incarnation Sword through Moiya and Moni, but there was much more I could share with them in person.
Entering Rosie's bedroom, I found another guest besides Rosie.
"That's good. I was planning to meet Prince Norton separately anyway."
I sat down at a table already set with refreshments and said,
"I heard about the imprinting of the Incarnation Sword from Her Highness Rosie and Grand Duke Martins. You're truly amazing. It must have been a difficult decision."
Prince Norton sat down in front of me and asked about the situation.
"It's not because I'm amazing, it's just my destiny."
Even as I answered Prince Norton, I couldn't take my eyes off the cookies and pie.
I'd definitely had a hearty lunch, but why was my mouth watering so much?
Did I need enough for two already?
Well, maybe my body was so hot that I burned calories quickly, making me hungry even faster.
Finally, I picked up one of the chocolate-covered cookies.
The crunching sound whetted my appetite even more.
I should have that apple pie next.
I scanned the table, mentally deciding which refreshments to try after the cookies.
Only then did I feel Rosie and Prince Norton's gazes on me.
I took a sip of my tea to tell them the good news and wiped the tears from my lips.
“I have something to tell you both.”
I began, and they both waited anxiously for my words, as if something surprising had come up this time.
“It’s not a bad thing, is it?”
Rosie asked cautiously, her voice brimming with anticipation.
“Yes, it is.”
“Then please tell me!”
Rosie said with a voice brimming with anticipation.
“Gentlemen, I... am pregnant.”
“...Are you saying you are pregnant?”
A moment of silence passed.
Prince Norton broke the silence first, smiling brightly and asking. Rosie placed both hands on her chest, catching her breath and looking down at my belly.
“Is it, really? Your Majesty?!”
I smiled at them and nodded.
Rosie’s eyes reddened. She seemed genuinely happy, as if she were pregnant herself.
“I was secretly hoping... I don’t know if you’ll be a Prince or a Princess yet, but you’ll look just like you both, so how beautiful you’ll be! Are you already excited?”
Rosie was delighted, assessing the appearance of my unborn child.
“His Majesty secretly wants you to resemble him. A Princess should be even more so, isn’t she?”
Judging by the awkward laughter they shared, exchanging glances, I could tell they agreed with him.
When I gave them a disappointed look, the two men who had been praising Linel’s looks chuckled awkwardly.
“Oh, I heard Prince Tesla’s trial is coming up soon.”
As the atmosphere calmed down again, Prince Norton lowered his voice.
“Yes, Prince Tesla will likely claim at the trial that I have the Avatar Sword. Since the Avatar Sword is already inside me, no matter how much they search my quarters, they won’t find any evidence. Instead, they’ll only find swords similar to it.”
I said with a satisfied smile.
“Besides, if Her Highness Melanie testifies that she procured the ruby for Your Majesty, her father will never side with Prince Tesla. As one of the key ministers, he’ll be a great asset to me.”
Prince Norton said with confidence.
“I’ll testify if necessary! I asked my father to procure the ruby.”
“Thank you, Rosie. But Melanie alone will probably suffice for direct testimony.”
I took Rosie’s hand and expressed my gratitude.
“Oh, and Your Majesty, there’s a good chance Princess Resilia will be released from the Empress’s Palace before the trial. You should meet with her. Perhaps you’ll hear about Prince Tesla’s plans from Grand Duke Martins while you’re there.”
Roxana said with a rather satisfied expression.
Hetor shook his head at her opinion.
“And what if Logan finds out?”
Her lips curled up in a pout at Hetor’s question.
“Then... I’ll just let him see his daughter like he wishes.”
Even if it meant meeting him in death, he still had to keep his promise to let him see his daughter.
“I think it would be better to meet the Magic Tower Master first. He might have already told Logan about Bonis’s death.”
“Oh, right... that troublesome person.”
Roxana placed a hand on her forehead and closed her eyes in annoyance.
Then she squinted again and gritted her teeth.
“If he already knows about Bonis’s death... I’ll make sure Logan’s hatred is directed at Zelda!”
***
“I think our baby is filial even before birth,”
He said, a satisfied expression on his face as he moved to lie down next to me after carefully showering me with his love.
“Why?”
I asked, pulling the blanket over him and covering him.
“It strengthens the bond between mom and dad. The more I think about it, the more I appreciate it.”
He stroked my belly with a moved expression.
“Our baby will endure it well in the womb, right?”
“Of course. So, if you feel your belly getting hot, come find me, no matter where you are. Understood?”
“If you’re in a meeting, that’s probably not possible.”
“We can schedule the meeting later. Nothing is more important than our child’s health.”
He said firmly.
My face was reflected in his eyes.
Linel took my hand, placed the back of my hand against his lips, and whispered affectionately.
“Thank you, Zelda.”
Tears welled up in his eyes, and he gently wiped them with his index finger. This time, he lowered his head slightly and whispered to my belly.
“Thank you, baby. For coming to me... no, to us.”
It was a greeting even I hadn’t yet been able to say.
I was so worried that the imprint with the Incarnation Sword might have harmed the baby that I hadn't even been able to properly greet him...
Now that Dad did it, he'll probably be less upset, right?
A smile formed on my face.
For a moment, I couldn't tell if it was me or the baby.
He was much more delighted and happy than I expected.
"When was it? The day the baby came to us...?"
The timing wasn't important, but I suddenly wondered.
He looked thoughtful, his expression heavy with thought, and then cautiously spoke.
"Was it the day we met again at the tavern? The day you dragged me back to the inn, drunk and in a hurry?"
"..."
Baby, just pretend you didn't hear that. You didn't have to specifically mention my condition that day, did you?
I glared at him, but he avoided my gaze and pretended to look up at the ceiling as he continued talking.
“Or was it the day you sneaked into the palace through the hole and we met by chance? Oh, it wasn’t that day, it was the next day.”
He balled his fist and brought it to his mouth, chuckling.
I had something to say about the day I first sneaked into the palace through the hole!
“Aha, you mean the day after, not the day when the iron bar that had been safely attached to the wall of the training hall warehouse fell on His Majesty’s head and nearly split his skull in two?”
“...I was in so much pain back then. Just thinking about it makes my skull feel like it’s splitting open again.”
He straightened, perhaps remembering the pain of the iron bar.
His expression was strangely satisfying, and I burst out laughing.
“Are you laughing?”
He pinched my cheek lightly and raised an eyebrow with a disapproving look, but if I hit him on the top of his head right now, he would just grin and be delighted.
“I didn’t laugh, the baby did.”
“This is serious. Your mother is already putting you first.”
Linel's face vanished from my sight, and he pressed his face against my belly, whispering.
Just then, a knock sounded outside the window, and I opened it cautiously.
"Excuse me, Moiya~."
"...Moiya? Moiya!"
Two wyvern cubs flew into the bedroom.
Both had their hands hidden behind their backs.
"It's not the cold body, but why are you loitering around my master's belly?"
Moiya casually climbed down onto the bed and looked down at Linel, asking pitifully,
“You don’t have to know.”
Moiya laughed at his indifferent tone.
“Hahaha, what can I do? I heard everything you said outside the window with Magic Tower Lord earlier? Master, there’s a baby in your belly.”
“...Yes, I was in the process of prenatal care.”
He replied absentmindedly, then pushed himself back up onto the pillow and leaned back against the headboard.
“Is that so? I brought a gift for your prenatal care, Master! I don’t just talk to your belly like some people do.”
Moiya lifted his chin and extended his hands, which he had hidden behind his back, toward me.
Both hands were filled with red peonies.
“Oh my, they’re so pretty.”
“Master, you’ve seen the fruits of your labor. Congratulations on having a human baby, Moiya~.”
"...T-True. Thank you.”
It seemed like a well-prepared greeting.
“Why are you smiling when Your Majesty is empty-handed?”
As Linel burst into laughter beside her, Moiya gave him a pointed look.
He stared at the baby wyverns as if they were curious, but perhaps because memories of Moiya had already surfaced the second his memories returned, he felt completely at ease.
However, perhaps because it was his first time meeting Moni, his gaze was focused on Moni rather than Moiya.
“You’re Moni, yes?”
Linel spoke, gazing at the pink wyvern cub as if it were adorable.
Moni rubbed her tiny paws on the blanket, a shy expression on her face, then suddenly extended her hand hidden behind her back.
“Yes, take it.”
It was the same flower gift as Moiya, but it was Linel who held it out, not me.
“I want to give it to the baby’s father, not my master.”
“Why? The cub is with my master?”
Moiya glared at Linel and demanded of Moni.
“He looks incredibly handsome up close, don’t he, Moni~?”
"As expected, the great wyvern is different. You have a great eye for detail. Accept this gift, Moni."
He accepted the bouquet of yellow roses Moni offered him.
Moni, who had been staring intently at him, shrugged her shoulders and performed the same dance Moiya had previously performed.
Moiya glared at Moni, who was now excited, and then nudged her forward.
Moni then fell onto Linel's lap, then sprawled out like a puppy, squirming around.
He petted Moni, and she giggled. She looked like a truly adorable puppy.
"I thought all humans were insignificant except for my master, but as expected, his mate is truly special! Moni~! Your Majesty, no matter how much other females sway you, you must mate only with my master. Promise?"
Moni said to him in a charming tone, and he nodded vigorously as if it were obvious.
"Then, from now on, I will not set my eyes on any woman other than your master and Moni."
“Wow, wow, you speak so well, Moni~!”
Moni propped her chin on her hand and lay down, openly admiring Linel.
Moiya snorted loudly and muttered quietly.
“Huh, anyway, it’s not like he’s showing off by wearing something that only responds to our master...”
“What?”
Moiya knew that... how did he know that?
I thought I must have misheard and asked him again.
“Huh!”
Moiya covered his mouth with both hands and flew over to my shoulder, whispering in my ear.
“Not all of the cold body memories have returned, are they?”
“...Yeah, I think so? It’s not perfect yet.”
“Whew, I'm alive, Moiya~.”
Moiya glanced at Linel, who was stroking Moni with a wicked smile.
This guy, there’s something.
I’ll have to ask him later.
***
I slept deeply in Linel’s arms last night.
In the morning, the Magic Tower Lord came to my place for treatment.
I was relieved to hear that the fever in my stomach had subsided compared to yesterday.
I could also feel that my stomach had become more comfortable overnight.
I personally realized that this was possible because Linel was by my side.
Magic Tower Lord repeatedly urged me to move as usual, but if I felt even the slightest heat rising in my stomach, I should not hesitate to ask for his help.
After lunch, I took a carriage and headed to the West Palace, where Rosie's quarters were.
I had relayed the news about the imprint with the Incarnation Sword through Moiya and Moni, but there was much more I could share with them in person.
Entering Rosie's bedroom, I found another guest besides Rosie.
"That's good. I was planning to meet Prince Norton separately anyway."
I sat down at a table already set with refreshments and said,
"I heard about the imprinting of the Incarnation Sword from Her Highness Rosie and Grand Duke Martins. You're truly amazing. It must have been a difficult decision."
Prince Norton sat down in front of me and asked about the situation.
"It's not because I'm amazing, it's just my destiny."
Even as I answered Prince Norton, I couldn't take my eyes off the cookies and pie.
I'd definitely had a hearty lunch, but why was my mouth watering so much?
Did I need enough for two already?
Well, maybe my body was so hot that I burned calories quickly, making me hungry even faster.
Finally, I picked up one of the chocolate-covered cookies.
The crunching sound whetted my appetite even more.
I should have that apple pie next.
I scanned the table, mentally deciding which refreshments to try after the cookies.
Only then did I feel Rosie and Prince Norton's gazes on me.
I took a sip of my tea to tell them the good news and wiped the tears from my lips.
“I have something to tell you both.”
I began, and they both waited anxiously for my words, as if something surprising had come up this time.
“It’s not a bad thing, is it?”
Rosie asked cautiously, her voice brimming with anticipation.
“Yes, it is.”
“Then please tell me!”
Rosie said with a voice brimming with anticipation.
“Gentlemen, I... am pregnant.”
“...Are you saying you are pregnant?”
A moment of silence passed.
Prince Norton broke the silence first, smiling brightly and asking. Rosie placed both hands on her chest, catching her breath and looking down at my belly.
“Is it, really? Your Majesty?!”
I smiled at them and nodded.
Rosie’s eyes reddened. She seemed genuinely happy, as if she were pregnant herself.
“I was secretly hoping... I don’t know if you’ll be a Prince or a Princess yet, but you’ll look just like you both, so how beautiful you’ll be! Are you already excited?”
Rosie was delighted, assessing the appearance of my unborn child.
“His Majesty secretly wants you to resemble him. A Princess should be even more so, isn’t she?”
Judging by the awkward laughter they shared, exchanging glances, I could tell they agreed with him.
When I gave them a disappointed look, the two men who had been praising Linel’s looks chuckled awkwardly.
“Oh, I heard Prince Tesla’s trial is coming up soon.”
As the atmosphere calmed down again, Prince Norton lowered his voice.
“Yes, Prince Tesla will likely claim at the trial that I have the Avatar Sword. Since the Avatar Sword is already inside me, no matter how much they search my quarters, they won’t find any evidence. Instead, they’ll only find swords similar to it.”
I said with a satisfied smile.
“Besides, if Her Highness Melanie testifies that she procured the ruby for Your Majesty, her father will never side with Prince Tesla. As one of the key ministers, he’ll be a great asset to me.”
Prince Norton said with confidence.
“I’ll testify if necessary! I asked my father to procure the ruby.”
“Thank you, Rosie. But Melanie alone will probably suffice for direct testimony.”
I took Rosie’s hand and expressed my gratitude.
“Oh, and Your Majesty, there’s a good chance Princess Resilia will be released from the Empress’s Palace before the trial. You should meet with her. Perhaps you’ll hear about Prince Tesla’s plans from Grand Duke Martins while you’re there.”
“Yes, I will.”
After a long chat at Rosie’s quarters, we boarded the carriage and headed back to the quarters.
“Isn’t Rosie very pleased?”
Sharon, sitting in front of me, asked, clutching a wooden basket and rummaging through its contents.
“Yes, that’s what she said. But Sharon... what’s in that basket?”
“This? While Your Majesty was chatting, I went to a servant who was good at knitting and got it for me.”
Sharon said, showing me the colorful yarns inside the basket.
“I don’t know yet if you’re a handsome Prince or a pretty Princess, so I think I’ll have to use a variety of colors.”
“I'm still a long way from giving birth.”
I laughed, looking at the knitting supplies in the basket.
“Oh my, I have to prepare these things in advance! I have to make a hat, gloves, socks... I’m busy, I’m busy.”
Sharon kept smiling as she waved her hand.
I laughed along with Sharon and put both hands on my stomach.
“Ah... Sharon, I have to turn the carriage around.”
“What’s wrong? Is it because of the heat in my stomach?!”
“Yeah, I think so. I need His Majesty...”
***
After a long chat at Rosie’s quarters, we boarded the carriage and headed back to the quarters.
“Isn’t Rosie very pleased?”
Sharon, sitting in front of me, asked, clutching a wooden basket and rummaging through its contents.
“Yes, that’s what she said. But Sharon... what’s in that basket?”
“This? While Your Majesty was chatting, I went to a servant who was good at knitting and got it for me.”
Sharon said, showing me the colorful yarns inside the basket.
“I don’t know yet if you’re a handsome Prince or a pretty Princess, so I think I’ll have to use a variety of colors.”
“I'm still a long way from giving birth.”
I laughed, looking at the knitting supplies in the basket.
“Oh my, I have to prepare these things in advance! I have to make a hat, gloves, socks... I’m busy, I’m busy.”
Sharon kept smiling as she waved her hand.
I laughed along with Sharon and put both hands on my stomach.
“Ah... Sharon, I have to turn the carriage around.”
“What’s wrong? Is it because of the heat in my stomach?!”
“Yeah, I think so. I need His Majesty...”
To be exact, skinship with him...
What can I do if the baby in my stomach says so?
“Now, just a moment. Turn the carriage around to the main palace quickly! I have to hurry, I have to hurry!”
Sharon quickly stuck her head out the carriage window and shouted urgently at the coachman.
“Baby, just hold on a little longer.”
I’m going to your father right now for you.
What can I do if the baby in my stomach says so?
“Now, just a moment. Turn the carriage around to the main palace quickly! I have to hurry, I have to hurry!”
Sharon quickly stuck her head out the carriage window and shouted urgently at the coachman.
“Baby, just hold on a little longer.”
I’m going to your father right now for you.
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