Chapter: 721
I groaned as I pushed myself up. After dedicating two days solely to rest, I finally regained some of my energy.
It’s embarrassing and shameful. I came on this trip with Carl, just the two of us, and thinking about his status as a Judicial Minister, it’s a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity… And I wasted two whole days of it.
‘What an idiot.’
But I couldn’t blame anyone. Not even Carl, who had pushed me to this state.
This situation was entirely my fault. After all, I fed the already strong Carl like I was sprinkling fertilizer on him.
‘Why did I do that?’
My cheeks flushed with heat. It was thanks to Carl that I had gained the treasure called Pedi right after our wedding. Forgetting that intense memory from three years ago, I ended up feeding him food I shouldn’t have.
It seems that being pampered for three years had dulled my memory. There’s no way I would make such a mistake otherwise.
Still, thanks to my overly proud error, I was able to hold onto a true treasure.
“Narl.”
As I patted my belly, I whispered the name Carl had given to our second child.
Of course, I hadn’t received confirmation that I was pregnant yet. It had only been two days since we made love; how could I know? At this point, only God could know about Narl’s existence.
But for some reason, having held Pedi once made me feel that Narl would come into my arms, too.
‘Is this what a mother’s intuition feels like?’
No matter how much of a rookie mom I am, a mother is still a mother. Once you’ve held a child, that experience becomes an everlasting achievement.
Maybe that’s why I unconsciously smiled. The subtle pain faded, replaced by overwhelming happiness.
“Pedi resembles Dad a lot, so Narl should be a daughter who takes after Mom, right?”
I recalled the words Carl had said and couldn’t help but chuckle.
A daughter who resembles me. One with red hair like mine or green eyes. Just thinking about it brings joy.
If such a daughter were born, my father-in-law would be delighted. If he loves Pedi, who takes after Carl, how much happier would he be to have a granddaughter with my traits?
‘A son would be fine too.’
Of course, this mom would be just as happy if our Narl turned out to be a son. It wouldn’t matter if he didn’t take after me and looked just like his dad.
So, I hope our Narl is born in the spring of next year. That alone would make me happy. I’m sure your maternal grandparents and both sets of grandparents would feel the same.
– Knock, knock
“Mar. Are you awake?”
“Ah, yes! I’m awake!”
While I was deep in thought, stroking my belly, I heard Carl’s voice from outside, who had stepped out for a moment.
“Um… I happened to have a guest. Is it okay if they come in?”
“A guest?”
I blinked blankly at the next words.
In Jerano, not the Empire, Carl has a guest? And not a formal visit, but a personal trip?
“Yes, that’s fine. Please come in.”
It was a puzzling situation, but I quickly replied.
If Carl brought someone to our room, there must be a reason. He isn’t the type to act for no reason, nor would he take our trip lightly.
If it were a trivial matter or an unpleasant guest, he would have handled it himself. So, if this guest passed his criteria, it’s only right to welcome them with a smile—
“Sorry, it’s just a guest I met by chance.”
“Uh, I-I apologize…”
“Excuse us.”
The moment I saw the guests entering with Carl, my mind went blank.
A blonde woman and a silver-haired woman, both around my age. They had lively expressions, but the blonde one looked shy while the silver-haired girl bowed politely.
‘A guest, a woman?’
A wave of indescribable anxiety washed over me. Even though it was a little late for a honeymoon, two women suddenly intruding on a couple? And both were around my age?
What’s going on? Seriously, what is this situation? I know Carl wouldn’t do such a thing, but while I trust him, I can’t say the same about other women. A charming guy like him could naturally attract admiration from anyone.
Thanks to that incredible charm, Carl’s wives include six women, including me. As soon as I became his lover, new lovers came popping up one after another!
“Mar? Are you okay?”
“Ah, um, yes. I’m, uh, okay.”
As I stared at the three of them without saying anything, Carl asked with concern.
Actually, I’m not okay. I wanted to run up to the two and ask what they were doing crashing our trip. Are they gunning for the seventh and eighth wives?
But I held back. I’m the matriarch of the Krasius family and a member of the Valenti Duke family. With two family names on my shoulders, I can’t act like that. I don’t want to behave recklessly in front of Carl.
Besides, when I think about Narl in my belly, I couldn’t raise my voice. How startled would our Narl be if they heard shouting from Mom’s belly?
“By the way, I should introduce you first. This is Princess Alice Newdue of Jerano, and next to her is her lady-in-waiting, Miss Beril Rosen.”
?
“Pardon?”
What?
A still silence filled the room, accompanied by exchanged glances.
Despite the furious anger and anxiety from moments before, they quickly faded, replaced by confusion and awkwardness at the unexpected visit of a princess.
‘Princess Alice.’
Simultaneously, I racked my brain for memories of Princess Alice.
The Jerano Kingdom, adjacent to the Empire, is renowned for its wealth. Given that Alice is the first princess of such a country, I had a fair amount of information about her.
With two older brothers, she’s far from the throne, but she lives freely, utilizing her distant royal status. She aspires to be a knight and has even fought against pirates.
‘Ah.’
The answer came very quickly. Within the information was the answer to this strange situation.
‘Respect.’
A warrior who chose the path of a knight. Naturally, this person would be interested in strong warriors and would show immense respect for someone called the continent’s greatest swordmaster.
Looking closely, I could see that the gaze Princess Alice cast on Carl was not one of love but of respect. As for her lady-in-waiting Beril, she seemed completely emotionless. The fact that I just realized this is embarrassing.
‘It’s certain.’
I’ve seen quite a few people show love for Carl. There’s no way I wouldn’t be able to differentiate the two.
Before promising to marry Carl, I faced a tide of strong rivals, leading to a crisis. That experience sharpened my ability to distinguish foes from allies. That keen awareness is screaming that Princess Alice is harmless.
“Princess Alice, I’ve heard you walk the path of a knight for the kingdom and its people. To think I’d meet someone like you while traveling, it must be the blessing of Enen.”
With that, I greeted her with a smile.
If she’s harmless, there’s no need to be on guard. This presents an excellent opportunity to build a good relationship with a foreign princess.
“Th-thank you…”
“Please lower your speech, Your Highness. If you speak so formally, it makes me uncomfortable.”
“Oh, no! I wouldn’t presume to drop honorifics after I’ve imposed on your generosity by coming here so suddenly!”
She understood that her visit was a breach of decorum, which was refreshing. Quite different from the royalty I know.
“No breach at all. Our journey here is not just to enjoy new scenery but to seek new connections. Thus, it’s a pleasure to meet you, Your Highness.”
Upon hearing my words, Princess Alice’s eyes sparkled with emotion.
She’s a pure-hearted person. Perhaps her admiration for Carl being so close has made her more innocent at the moment.
But I didn’t mind which way it was. The fact that Princess Alice holds a favorable view of us remains unchanged.
“Carl.”
“Yeah?”
“I didn’t know Carl would be this famous outside the Empire. You’re someone who’s greatly respected in Jerano, and yet here is Princess Alice who has come all the way to see you.”
“I invited her to our room as a gesture of gratitude, but honestly, I’m embarrassed I don’t have anything to offer.”
Carl smiled awkwardly, though his eyes were quickly exchanging words with me. The unspoken communication between us can happen anytime.
“That being said, Carl, since the princess is a warrior, what about giving her a small gift?”
“Yeah?”
The mention of a gift made Princess Alice tilt her head in curiosity.
It wouldn’t be an extravagant or expensive gift, but if she ardently admires Carl, she’d surely appreciate it.
—
The princess who set out for Narvesia has returned.
‘I’m alive.’
I let out a sigh of relief as soon as I heard the news. If the princess had rushed to Narvesia, it would have been appropriate to send additional personnel for her safety and the Minister’s mood, but sending them unnecessarily could provoke the minister. Consequently, I found myself praying without the means to act.
Fortunately, it seems my prayers reached Enen, as the princess returned on her own. Even though the minister was still traveling, she came back willingly.
“Foreign Minister! Look at this! The continent’s greatest sword! It’s one he personally signed!”
‘Oh.’
However, as I approached the princess, intending to say, “Please be careful not to let this happen again,” my heart sank at the sight of her wildly brandishing the sword.
Yes, she returned on her own, but not without complications. The princess had come back in contact with the minister, with her true identity exposed.
[ May the path of the continent’s greatest heroine, Alice Newdue, be filled with brilliant glory and noble chivalry. Carl Krasius of Tailglehen. ]
‘Ah…’
I squeezed my eyes shut at the clearly legible dark ink on the blade.
[ If you engage in personal contact, I’ll deal with you like Leon. ]
I remembered the notice from the Empire’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the original of which I could no longer recall.
‘I should take some vacation time, right?’
No, I must take it. Anticipating the incoming storm, I need to catch my breath with some time off.
Otherwise, I’ll probably work myself to death.
“I wanted to show you the splitting of the heavens, but I said I’m sorry because I can’t use it frivolously in a foreign land! Isn’t that considerate!?”
At the princess’s bright voice, I nearly collapsed.
If the heavens of Narvesia had split open, the king would have fainted from his throne.
‘Should I… retire?’
The resignation letter I had carried with me since the minister’s arrival cried out in anguish.
I feel sorry for whoever succeeds me, but honestly, my mental health comes first over some unknown successor.
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