“Pesilini is pregnant with His Majesty’s child.”
“...Huh?! Are you saying she’s pregnant?”
Yulina’s shocked voice echoed through the living room.
“I thought His Majesty always went to Her Highness Zelda’s residence, but when did you go to Her Highness Pecilini’s residence?”
“The pregnancy occurred a few months ago.”
“Huh? Then it was when Her Highness Zelda was Empress, right?”
“That’s right.”
“It seems His Majesty didn’t always favor Her Highness Zelda, did he?”
“It’s not that surprising. Men can have a one-night stand even if they don’t feel like it.”
Roxana tried to sound casual.
“Then was it just a one-night stand?”
“What does that matter? The important thing is that Pecilini is pregnant.”
Roxana, who had been pretending to be calm, finally responded angrily.
“Well, if she just gives birth to a Prince, she’ll get the favor she never had before, right? No, even if she doesn’t receive favor, she’ll live her whole life being treated with luxury.”
“There’s nothing to fear. I’m really, how absurd... Not even Zelda, but the first bloodline of the imperial family coming from Pecilini.”
Roxana muttered quietly.
“That’s right. It’s an unexpected ambush.”
Yulina tried to please Roxana, but a question popped into her head.
‘Why are you telling me to be friends with a pregnant Pecilini?’
“Moiya and Moni said that they stepped aside for you two to mate last night.”
“Are you guys crazy! To say that to you two...!”
Rosie muttered angrily.
“Actually, I was so curious that I wanted to ask you for a long time. Rosie, just tell me. Did things go really well?”
“We only got to kissing,”
Rosie said, sighing deeply like a defeated soldier.
“Why...?”
“Why? Because it’s too ticklish?”
...What exactly is ticklish about that?
Surprised by Rosie’s strange way of expressing things, I wrapped my arm around her shoulder and spoke somewhat forcefully.
“Stop complaining and do as I say. Please never use that expression.”
Please.
“Yes, I’ll keep that in mind...”
As I consoled one romantic idiot, another romantic idiot caught my eye.
Hetor, who had been looking down at Melanie with a worried gaze, nodded at me.
I nodded slightly and approached Melanie with Rosie.
“Melanie, why do you have that?”
“I told you, I’m going to learn swordsmanship.”
Melanie planted the tip of her sword in the training ground and held the handle with both hands.
Could she even lift it?
“Shouldn’t you first build up the strength in your arms to properly hold a sword?”
“Yes, but this one feels particularly heavy.”
“It’s the lightest one.”
Melanie stumbled as she lifted the sword with both hands at Hetor’s words.
“Your Highness, don’t be silly and just sit in that chair over there.”
Hetor looked down at Melanie pitifully.
“Don’t make fun of me! Ever since I was little, my father has been putting everything he says is good for me in my mouth.”
“Isn’t that why you have the strength to walk?”
I teased, and Rosie, who was beside me, burst into laughter.
Melanie’s pride seemed hurt, so she raised her sword and a venomous glint in her eye.
I saw the other boy struggling to keep his balance and stand upright.
“Be careful!”
Melanie said, stepping precariously toward Hetor.
Hetor looked at her with the gaze of an eagle gazing at a sparrow, then struck her sword with his own.
He hadn't struck her hard, but Melanie staggered helplessly.
With a "Uh-uh!" She spun around, then slumped to the ground.
"Be careful!"
She nearly collapsed, but Hetor quickly wrapped a hand around Melanie's waist.
Hetor was quite agile, as if he had anticipated her movements.
And then the two exchanged glances.
'Ah... This won't do. I should just shoot a few arrows.'
Feeling as if I were spying on someone else's love life, I hurried to the weapons display and picked up a bow.
Rosie seemed to be thinking the same thing, as she half-turned and pretended to look away.
But a moment later, a shadow loomed from a corner of the training grounds.
Upon closer inspection, there were not one, but two shadows.
The shadows, who had been hesitating for a moment, slowly emerged into the training grounds.
The owner of the shadows was Count Ethan, the head of the palace blacksmith shop, and,
"Catherine?!"
What is this training ground...
Was this place originally a dating spot?
“...Huh?! Are you saying she’s pregnant?”
Yulina’s shocked voice echoed through the living room.
“I thought His Majesty always went to Her Highness Zelda’s residence, but when did you go to Her Highness Pecilini’s residence?”
“The pregnancy occurred a few months ago.”
“Huh? Then it was when Her Highness Zelda was Empress, right?”
“That’s right.”
“It seems His Majesty didn’t always favor Her Highness Zelda, did he?”
“It’s not that surprising. Men can have a one-night stand even if they don’t feel like it.”
Roxana tried to sound casual.
“Then was it just a one-night stand?”
“What does that matter? The important thing is that Pecilini is pregnant.”
Roxana, who had been pretending to be calm, finally responded angrily.
“Well, if she just gives birth to a Prince, she’ll get the favor she never had before, right? No, even if she doesn’t receive favor, she’ll live her whole life being treated with luxury.”
“There’s nothing to fear. I’m really, how absurd... Not even Zelda, but the first bloodline of the imperial family coming from Pecilini.”
Roxana muttered quietly.
“That’s right. It’s an unexpected ambush.”
Yulina tried to please Roxana, but a question popped into her head.
‘Why are you telling me to be friends with a pregnant Pecilini?’
She didn’t quite understand.
“Your Majesty, but why should I get close to Her Highness Pecilini?”
Roxana’s lips twisted in a pout at Yulina’s question.
“Right now, His Majesty is only interested in Zelda, but who knows when that attention might shift to someone else’s skirt?”
“Yes, that’s what I always hope for.”
Yulina hinted at her true feelings without tact. Sensing Roxana's gaze turning cold, she quietly averted her gaze.
"But you know, Yulina. Favor doesn't last forever. But giving birth to a royal heir is a different matter."
"O-Of course!" "
If Pesilini gives birth to a Prince, no, even if it's a Princess, if that child is the only heir to the royal family... what do you think will happen?"
"Her prestige will be immense!"
"Yes. Pesilini will have tremendous power."
'There's no need to tell Yulina that he's become a eunuch, right?'
Roxana recalled her futile first night with Linel.
The Emperor's face, as he resisted her temptation and calmly confessed that he could no longer function as a man, was still vivid.
As the despair of that day resurfaced, her mood sank.
Roxana, unaware that Linel's powers only applied to Zelda, could only assume Pecilini's unborn child would be the sole bloodline of the Lapion royal family.
Therefore, she had to act quickly.
That took priority over Zelda's annihilation.
'After all, Zelda couldn't bear his child, now that he was a eunuch.'
Roxana had already decided on the order in which to proceed.
"Your Majesty... what are you planning to do?"
Yulina asked cautiously, her voice trembling.
Now she vaguely understood why Roxana had come to see her.
She recalled how Roxana had promised to help her join the Pasha Empire's celebratory delegation.
There was no reason for her to do such a favor without reason.
"Pecilini's insistence on going as part of the celebratory delegation actually presented a good opportunity."
"A good... opportunity?"
An ominous air washed over her.
"Yes. I think there's something I need you to do for me."
Roxana smiled at Yulina's tense expression.
“What... should I do?”
“It won’t be difficult, so there’s no need to look so scared.”
“Yes, Your Majesty...”
“I’ll tell you what to do slowly.”
Yulina swallowed hard and missed the timing to answer.
Roxana slowly stood up from her chair, looking at Yulina’s face.
“First, your job is to break down Pecilini’s boundaries. It won’t be difficult, right?”
“Your Majesty, but why should I get close to Her Highness Pecilini?”
Roxana’s lips twisted in a pout at Yulina’s question.
“Right now, His Majesty is only interested in Zelda, but who knows when that attention might shift to someone else’s skirt?”
“Yes, that’s what I always hope for.”
Yulina hinted at her true feelings without tact. Sensing Roxana's gaze turning cold, she quietly averted her gaze.
"But you know, Yulina. Favor doesn't last forever. But giving birth to a royal heir is a different matter."
"O-Of course!" "
If Pesilini gives birth to a Prince, no, even if it's a Princess, if that child is the only heir to the royal family... what do you think will happen?"
"Her prestige will be immense!"
"Yes. Pesilini will have tremendous power."
'There's no need to tell Yulina that he's become a eunuch, right?'
Roxana recalled her futile first night with Linel.
The Emperor's face, as he resisted her temptation and calmly confessed that he could no longer function as a man, was still vivid.
As the despair of that day resurfaced, her mood sank.
Roxana, unaware that Linel's powers only applied to Zelda, could only assume Pecilini's unborn child would be the sole bloodline of the Lapion royal family.
Therefore, she had to act quickly.
That took priority over Zelda's annihilation.
'After all, Zelda couldn't bear his child, now that he was a eunuch.'
Roxana had already decided on the order in which to proceed.
"Your Majesty... what are you planning to do?"
Yulina asked cautiously, her voice trembling.
Now she vaguely understood why Roxana had come to see her.
She recalled how Roxana had promised to help her join the Pasha Empire's celebratory delegation.
There was no reason for her to do such a favor without reason.
"Pecilini's insistence on going as part of the celebratory delegation actually presented a good opportunity."
"A good... opportunity?"
An ominous air washed over her.
"Yes. I think there's something I need you to do for me."
Roxana smiled at Yulina's tense expression.
“What... should I do?”
“It won’t be difficult, so there’s no need to look so scared.”
“Yes, Your Majesty...”
“I’ll tell you what to do slowly.”
Yulina swallowed hard and missed the timing to answer.
Roxana slowly stood up from her chair, looking at Yulina’s face.
“First, your job is to break down Pecilini’s boundaries. It won’t be difficult, right?”
“I will.”
“If you help me this time, I will do my best to make you the first concubine like Catherine in the future.”
Roxana whispered, hugging Yulina encouragingly.
“Really?! But is that... possible?”
“What’s impossible? Catherine isn’t the first concubine because she enjoys His Majesty’s favor.”
“Haa, I don’t know what to do with myself, Your Majesty the Empress, for caring so much for me!”
Yulina's heart was already pounding with excitement, as if she had already ascended to the position of First Consort.
A meeting with the ministers was scheduled to discuss matters related to Prince Calvain's attendance at the coronation ceremony.
Linel meticulously checked everything, including the list of congratulatory delegations and the route to the Pasha Empire.
This was for the sake of the pregnant Zelda.
"Tell her I won't be able to join her tonight. And you'll add that my dinner will be very lonely."
He glanced over the documents before the meeting, then checked the time and said to Raphael.
"Yes, Your Majesty."
He didn't even need to ask who he was referring to.
"...But I have a very curious question."
"What is it?"
"You spend every morning and evening with Her Highness Zelda, so why bother adding such an awkward question?"
Raphael suffered the pain of cringing every time the cold Emperor spoke something completely inappropriate.
“It’s true. And I’m fine, so why do you feel embarrassed listening to me?”
“That’s true. It seems even more so because your expression and tone are stiff compared to the content you’re conveying.”
“Because Zelda isn’t here.”
Hearing that, Raphael nodded automatically, feeling it was true.
“Oh my, I can’t wait to see how much more affectionate you’ll become when the Prince or Princess is born.”
Raphael chuckled.
“Zelda comes first to me. No matter how pretty the child is, it won’t be as pretty as her.”
“Do you know that, Your Majesty? Everyone says that. But when the child is born, they say it’s so pretty you wouldn’t mind putting it in your eye. On the other hand, your wife is so pretty that it hurts just to be noticed, hahaha.”
“Well, that could be the case if your wife isn’t as pretty as Zelda.”
“?”
He chuckled and continued, as if talking to himself,
“I’m the opposite. And right now, you’re the only one who’s been passing by my eyes, so much so that my eyes are about to rot.”
Linel raised her head, glanced at Raphael, and frowned excessively.
How could you say such harsh words...?
Hurt, Raphael wanted to tell him the same thing, but he couldn’t.
It was partly because he couldn’t dare say such things to the Emperor, but even without that, his face was more captivating than most beauties.
“I’d love to invite you to the palace and have a meal with you, but I feel bad asking you to come while you’re pregnant.”
Raphael stuck out his tongue at Linel’s soliloquy.
His consideration and affection seemed to be created solely for him.
“...You always look like newlyweds.”
“Because Zelda is always pretty.”
No matter what he asked, the answer was always the same.
“I’ve heard that when your wife is pregnant, you sometimes find yourself attracted to other women. Your Majesty, your love seems to be deepening.”
It could be because she’s still in the early stages of pregnancy, though.
Linel’s face turned serious at Raphael’s words.
“I’m already so sorry that she's having a hard time having a child, but where do you have the presence of mind to do that? Raphael, are all the people around you still active in the palace’s open pants even after getting married?”
Tsk tsk.
He clicked his tongue and looked Raphael up and down in pity.
“That’s what you say. And when you say your eyes wander, you don’t mean they’re stripping down to their pants?”
“Just zip up your pants. Why do you keep opening that zipper?”
“Huh? Why is it open again? I didn’t pull it down, Your Majesty!”
Raphael turned around and zipped it up, feeling aggrieved.
“Then do you think it opened itself because it was stuffy inside?”
“Oh, that could be true. As Your Majesty knows, he’s been very active, hasn’t he?”
Raphael said proudly with a smirk, but Linel immediately lost his temper.
“But, do you think that little guy has the strength to open a zipper?”
“...!”
On the way to the training center, I picked a yellow chrysanthemum and placed it right next to Melanie's ear.
Melanie's dark hair and the yellow chrysanthemum matched quite well.
"Oh, you're still here?"
"...Why are you here?"
As we arrived at the training center and entered the entrance, Melanie's target stood like a tree trunk.
After confirming her target, Melanie elegantly lifted the hem of her dress and walked lightly into the training center.
"Why are you acting like that when she obviously knew he was here?"
Rosie asked me, covering my mouth with her hand.
"I guess you want to pretend we met by chance."
I looked at the chrysanthemum neatly placed next to Melanie's ear and replied to Rosie.
"There's something about Her Highness Melanie that's disgusting."
"Yes, there's also something cute about her."
"Do you think men would like that?"
Rosie's expression became quite serious.
"Hmm, it depends on the person, but wouldn't there be some men who find her cute? I think Prince Norton would like a woman with charm."
"...A kind of vicious charm that shakes her whole body like Princess Resilia? Should I be like that?"
Rosie asked, disgusted.
"No. The Prince likes you just the way you are."
"But he wants to be loved even more..."
Rosie said shyly and fanned herself for no reason.
"You're still very lovely, aren't you?"
"Do you think the Prince thinks the same?"
"Of course. That's why he wants to take you as his Princess."
I nudged Rosie's arm to the side and asked her about the story I'd heard from Moiya and Moni.
“So, did you have a good time mating last night?”
“Huh?!”
“If you help me this time, I will do my best to make you the first concubine like Catherine in the future.”
Roxana whispered, hugging Yulina encouragingly.
“Really?! But is that... possible?”
“What’s impossible? Catherine isn’t the first concubine because she enjoys His Majesty’s favor.”
“Haa, I don’t know what to do with myself, Your Majesty the Empress, for caring so much for me!”
Yulina's heart was already pounding with excitement, as if she had already ascended to the position of First Consort.
***
A meeting with the ministers was scheduled to discuss matters related to Prince Calvain's attendance at the coronation ceremony.
Linel meticulously checked everything, including the list of congratulatory delegations and the route to the Pasha Empire.
This was for the sake of the pregnant Zelda.
"Tell her I won't be able to join her tonight. And you'll add that my dinner will be very lonely."
He glanced over the documents before the meeting, then checked the time and said to Raphael.
"Yes, Your Majesty."
He didn't even need to ask who he was referring to.
"...But I have a very curious question."
"What is it?"
"You spend every morning and evening with Her Highness Zelda, so why bother adding such an awkward question?"
Raphael suffered the pain of cringing every time the cold Emperor spoke something completely inappropriate.
“It’s true. And I’m fine, so why do you feel embarrassed listening to me?”
“That’s true. It seems even more so because your expression and tone are stiff compared to the content you’re conveying.”
“Because Zelda isn’t here.”
Hearing that, Raphael nodded automatically, feeling it was true.
“Oh my, I can’t wait to see how much more affectionate you’ll become when the Prince or Princess is born.”
Raphael chuckled.
“Zelda comes first to me. No matter how pretty the child is, it won’t be as pretty as her.”
“Do you know that, Your Majesty? Everyone says that. But when the child is born, they say it’s so pretty you wouldn’t mind putting it in your eye. On the other hand, your wife is so pretty that it hurts just to be noticed, hahaha.”
“Well, that could be the case if your wife isn’t as pretty as Zelda.”
“?”
He chuckled and continued, as if talking to himself,
“I’m the opposite. And right now, you’re the only one who’s been passing by my eyes, so much so that my eyes are about to rot.”
Linel raised her head, glanced at Raphael, and frowned excessively.
How could you say such harsh words...?
Hurt, Raphael wanted to tell him the same thing, but he couldn’t.
It was partly because he couldn’t dare say such things to the Emperor, but even without that, his face was more captivating than most beauties.
“I’d love to invite you to the palace and have a meal with you, but I feel bad asking you to come while you’re pregnant.”
Raphael stuck out his tongue at Linel’s soliloquy.
His consideration and affection seemed to be created solely for him.
“...You always look like newlyweds.”
“Because Zelda is always pretty.”
No matter what he asked, the answer was always the same.
“I’ve heard that when your wife is pregnant, you sometimes find yourself attracted to other women. Your Majesty, your love seems to be deepening.”
It could be because she’s still in the early stages of pregnancy, though.
Linel’s face turned serious at Raphael’s words.
“I’m already so sorry that she's having a hard time having a child, but where do you have the presence of mind to do that? Raphael, are all the people around you still active in the palace’s open pants even after getting married?”
Tsk tsk.
He clicked his tongue and looked Raphael up and down in pity.
“That’s what you say. And when you say your eyes wander, you don’t mean they’re stripping down to their pants?”
“Just zip up your pants. Why do you keep opening that zipper?”
“Huh? Why is it open again? I didn’t pull it down, Your Majesty!”
Raphael turned around and zipped it up, feeling aggrieved.
“Then do you think it opened itself because it was stuffy inside?”
“Oh, that could be true. As Your Majesty knows, he’s been very active, hasn’t he?”
Raphael said proudly with a smirk, but Linel immediately lost his temper.
“But, do you think that little guy has the strength to open a zipper?”
“...!”
***
On the way to the training center, I picked a yellow chrysanthemum and placed it right next to Melanie's ear.
Melanie's dark hair and the yellow chrysanthemum matched quite well.
"Oh, you're still here?"
"...Why are you here?"
As we arrived at the training center and entered the entrance, Melanie's target stood like a tree trunk.
After confirming her target, Melanie elegantly lifted the hem of her dress and walked lightly into the training center.
"Why are you acting like that when she obviously knew he was here?"
Rosie asked me, covering my mouth with her hand.
"I guess you want to pretend we met by chance."
I looked at the chrysanthemum neatly placed next to Melanie's ear and replied to Rosie.
"There's something about Her Highness Melanie that's disgusting."
"Yes, there's also something cute about her."
"Do you think men would like that?"
Rosie's expression became quite serious.
"Hmm, it depends on the person, but wouldn't there be some men who find her cute? I think Prince Norton would like a woman with charm."
"...A kind of vicious charm that shakes her whole body like Princess Resilia? Should I be like that?"
Rosie asked, disgusted.
"No. The Prince likes you just the way you are."
"But he wants to be loved even more..."
Rosie said shyly and fanned herself for no reason.
"You're still very lovely, aren't you?"
"Do you think the Prince thinks the same?"
"Of course. That's why he wants to take you as his Princess."
I nudged Rosie's arm to the side and asked her about the story I'd heard from Moiya and Moni.
“So, did you have a good time mating last night?”
“Huh?!”
“Moiya and Moni said that they stepped aside for you two to mate last night.”
“Are you guys crazy! To say that to you two...!”
Rosie muttered angrily.
“Actually, I was so curious that I wanted to ask you for a long time. Rosie, just tell me. Did things go really well?”
“We only got to kissing,”
Rosie said, sighing deeply like a defeated soldier.
“Why...?”
I heard you even read the book.
I wanted to tell her that it was thanks to that book that I had such a passionate night with Linel last night, but I couldn’t show it at Rosie’s crumbling expression.
“I don’t think Prince Norton sees me as a woman.”
“Oh, that’s not it?”
“Otherwise, why did he tell me to put my dress back on?”
“...Huh?”
“I told you he put my dress back on when I was taking it off?”
Feeling embarrassed to ask her about the situation in detail, I offered some words of comfort.
“I guess the Prince wants to be cherished.”
“But I want to be loved and worn out?”
“!”
“Books, too. You read fun and favorite books so much that they become tattered, don’t you? I want to make Prince Norton tattered.”
“Rosie, I know what you mean. But... don’t use that expression to the Prince, yes?”
I wanted to tell her that it was thanks to that book that I had such a passionate night with Linel last night, but I couldn’t show it at Rosie’s crumbling expression.
“I don’t think Prince Norton sees me as a woman.”
“Oh, that’s not it?”
“Otherwise, why did he tell me to put my dress back on?”
“...Huh?”
“I told you he put my dress back on when I was taking it off?”
Feeling embarrassed to ask her about the situation in detail, I offered some words of comfort.
“I guess the Prince wants to be cherished.”
“But I want to be loved and worn out?”
“!”
“Books, too. You read fun and favorite books so much that they become tattered, don’t you? I want to make Prince Norton tattered.”
“Rosie, I know what you mean. But... don’t use that expression to the Prince, yes?”
“Why? Because it’s too ticklish?”
...What exactly is ticklish about that?
Surprised by Rosie’s strange way of expressing things, I wrapped my arm around her shoulder and spoke somewhat forcefully.
“Stop complaining and do as I say. Please never use that expression.”
Please.
“Yes, I’ll keep that in mind...”
As I consoled one romantic idiot, another romantic idiot caught my eye.
Hetor, who had been looking down at Melanie with a worried gaze, nodded at me.
I nodded slightly and approached Melanie with Rosie.
“Melanie, why do you have that?”
“I told you, I’m going to learn swordsmanship.”
Melanie planted the tip of her sword in the training ground and held the handle with both hands.
Could she even lift it?
“Shouldn’t you first build up the strength in your arms to properly hold a sword?”
“Yes, but this one feels particularly heavy.”
“It’s the lightest one.”
Melanie stumbled as she lifted the sword with both hands at Hetor’s words.
“Your Highness, don’t be silly and just sit in that chair over there.”
Hetor looked down at Melanie pitifully.
“Don’t make fun of me! Ever since I was little, my father has been putting everything he says is good for me in my mouth.”
“Isn’t that why you have the strength to walk?”
I teased, and Rosie, who was beside me, burst into laughter.
Melanie’s pride seemed hurt, so she raised her sword and a venomous glint in her eye.
I saw the other boy struggling to keep his balance and stand upright.
“Be careful!”
Melanie said, stepping precariously toward Hetor.
Hetor looked at her with the gaze of an eagle gazing at a sparrow, then struck her sword with his own.
He hadn't struck her hard, but Melanie staggered helplessly.
With a "Uh-uh!" She spun around, then slumped to the ground.
"Be careful!"
She nearly collapsed, but Hetor quickly wrapped a hand around Melanie's waist.
Hetor was quite agile, as if he had anticipated her movements.
And then the two exchanged glances.
'Ah... This won't do. I should just shoot a few arrows.'
Feeling as if I were spying on someone else's love life, I hurried to the weapons display and picked up a bow.
Rosie seemed to be thinking the same thing, as she half-turned and pretended to look away.
But a moment later, a shadow loomed from a corner of the training grounds.
Upon closer inspection, there were not one, but two shadows.
The shadows, who had been hesitating for a moment, slowly emerged into the training grounds.
The owner of the shadows was Count Ethan, the head of the palace blacksmith shop, and,
"Catherine?!"
What is this training ground...
Was this place originally a dating spot?
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