Chapter 489
After the math field trip, vacation seemed to be just around the corner. This time last year, we had the members throwing tantrums in the Empire, and the year before that, we were troubled by chaos up north. Yet, this year feels like it’s going to be filled with peace.
Of course, we do have final exams right before vacation, but it’s not like I’m the one taking them, right? And I’m definitely not going to sit beside anyone to give advice like a ghost Go master, so it’s practically nonexistent.
“Since there’s nothing to do during the summer back home, can I stay here? As a student, I want to witness the marriage of our beloved teacher myself.”
“Not happening.”
While this was happening, I shook my head firmly at Rutis, who made an outrageous statement. Having royalty from another nation mixed in with the guests would look absurd.
Not to mention, if this guy becomes a regular guest at Trixie’s wedding, he might show up for the four weddings planned afterward. A foreign royal visiting every six months? Just imagining it is terrifying.
“It’s inappropriate for royalty to attend a wedding not belonging to their nation, regardless of personal relationships. Just send your regards and go home.”
“Well, if that’s how it is…”
I explained the reasons straightforwardly, and Rutis muttered in disappointment, seemingly convinced. It seems he wasn’t genuinely trying to stay, after all.
“In that case, I’ll send a satisfactory gift again.”
“Alright, thanks.”
I nodded vaguely. While I might keep him from coming as a guest, I couldn’t refuse a gift sent without pretense.
Besides, Rutis had already sent a gift for the wedding with Mar. If he sends nothing this time, it would just seem strange. No way do I want to give the impression that he and Ainter look down on Marcilio as a second wife.
That would be problematic. There’s nothing more ridiculous than letting a simple gift create awkwardness between our countries.
“Well, whatever I send will probably be inferior to what Lather gives, though.”
I smirked as I turned my gaze along with Rutis, who also glanced away.
“Congratulations, from a magician who is not royalty. I may not have the qualifications to represent the continent’s magicians, but everyone surely shares the same sentiment.”
Then, I saw Lather bow deeply to Trixie, offering his congratulations.
His overly respectful posture was almost admirable. Just like how he said himself, he stood before Trixie as a mere magician, not royal.
“I hear the Magic Council is preparing a gift as well. The title of Marcilio before any of the gifts may be meaningless, but please accept this in the spirit of goodwill from the students.”
“Of course. How could I take lightly the joy of one who celebrates my personal occasion?”
With Lather’s humble demeanor, Trixie also smiled brightly in response. No matter how much the other lowered themselves, Lather was still a prince, and now that we’re not in the semester, their teacher-student relation was temporarily eased. So mutual respect seems fitting.
“Hmmm.”
As I watched, Rutis stroked his chin and looked at me.
“What’s up?”
“Oh, it’s nothing. I was just wondering if, after a hundred years, our teacher will receive such treatment…” I thought for a moment.
Though it seemed like a joke from Rutis, I was suddenly startled.
That is certainly a future we can’t overlook. If I become a fixture in the industry like Trixie has for over a hundred years, foreign royalty may indeed lower their heads before me too.
“Looking at mere numbers, there are more knights than magicians, so maybe our teacher will receive even more respect!”
I gave a wry smile to Rutis, who burst out laughing.
Does that brat even understand? Among the many futures lying ahead of me, his imagined future could come true.
‘The continent’s greatest sword, aged a hundred years.’
Just the thought of it gives me a sense of grandeur. No, if I choose to extend my lifespan, it could be the continent’s greatest sword aged four hundred years.
That’s a corruption that no other corruption can compare to.
Returning to the mansion, I was greeted by Titi, who was puffing up after getting splashed by the gardener’s water.
– Woof!
“What brings you outside?”
I was a bit surprised. Seeing him in the garden, hating the heat, made me think he was waiting for me.
I question his intelligence every time I see him. He seems to have the mindset of a moderately intelligent child.
‘Did he bring back a spirit or something?’
As the now-grown Titi stood on his hind legs with a serious demeanor, I pondered deeply. I should’ve suspected this from the beginning since it’s not just a random pet; there’s a chance he might be something more like a spirit.
Right, he must definitely be a spirit. The pets raised by the situation are all superstars of the Imperial Palace, right? If those are just ordinary beasts, that’s already a remarkable feat; if Titi is plain by comparison, that’d be even more surprising.
‘A spirit, huh.’
Eventually, when the time comes, I should find a good match for Titi too. If we have a spirit in our family, I must ensure our household is protected for generations to come.
“Welcome back, Master.”
As I imagined yellow-dusted kids running around with Titi, the gardener approached and bowed his head.
“Yeah. Thank you for your hard work, especially in this heat.”
I gave a little compliment while patting the gardener’s shoulder. In summer, it’s tiring enough working indoors, let alone wandering around outside in the heat.
But it’s not like I can tell him to stop managing the garden during the summer when the plants are growing. There’s no choice but to offer these kinds of compliments and little rewards.
“Take a nap or have lunch; when it cools down, you can go back outside. Otherwise, you might collapse.”
“I’m fine. It’s not just me struggling.”
“Because it feels like only you’re going to collapse outside, I’m telling you this.”
Holding onto the stubborn gardener’s shoulders, I took him inside the mansion. If I treat him to some wine with lunch, he’ll likely close his eyes without a fuss.
Luckily, I brought back plenty of wine from Servette, so I should be able to spare at least a bottle.
‘If he’s conscious, it should be two bottles.’
It’s a battle of who can handle more: the gardener or the alcohol.
*
I heard footsteps approaching. With the academy’s graduation ceremony wrapping up around this time, it seems like Carl has returned.
If I could, I would have wanted to rush out like Titi welcoming him in the garden, but the bulging belly has made me too conscious to step outside.
To be precise, I want to go out but can’t.
“Ma’am! You shouldn’t be going out when you’re not alone!”
“You shouldn’t trouble the lady and the sub-lord in this heat! Please relax!”
Even attempting to move a little results in servants popping up from everywhere, trying to stop me. Where were all these people hiding when I was just resting?
Of course, this wasn’t the case just a few weeks ago. I would have restrained my long excursions, but with some maids accompanying me, I could take a stroll outside the mansion.
However, now that time has passed and my belly has become pretty noticeable, the servants are reacting sensitively to everything I do. Is there a difference between just assuming I’m pregnant and actually seeing the evidence?
‘…There’s definitely a difference.’
I gently stroked my belly. Honestly, even I feel differently now.
Recognizing that there’s a baby inside me versus actually seeing it are on two separate levels. Just watching my belly grow each day truly is something marvelous.
There’s a child in here. My treasure, the first child of Carl and me.
“Oh.”
It was then that I felt the first kick.
Did the baby realize that mommy was thinking of him? So clever.
“Mar, I’m back.”
As I pondered this, a smile crept onto my face, and before long, Carl walked in.
Right behind him were Beatrix, Louise, Irina, and finally, Titi.
‘They look like a family out of a fairy tale.’
It felt like I was witnessing the happy ending of a fairy tale family.
“Welcome! The first snow wanted to see Dad as well.”
…That family was monogamous in nature, but let’s not focus on forms; they really don’t matter.
*
Once the vacation started, the mansion transformed into a gathering place.
Fortunately, the familiarity made it feel less strange. It had been like this right before I married Mar.
“Oh, ohhh…”
And the first guest who came to greet me at the start of the vacation was my first father-in-law.
‘Didn’t even send an invitation.’
Seeing him carefully pat Mar’s belly in what seemed like delight made me think that. I’m pretty sure he mentioned he’d come if I sent an invite, but here he was without any notice.
Confusion hit me. Did I somehow make a reservation for an invite without realizing? No, I can’t recall anything like that.
“Sorry, my son-in-law. I came suddenly, didn’t I?”
Seemingly aware of my confusion, my father-in-law spoke up, followed by my mother-in-law.
“Please understand. I’ve especially doted on little Mar, and now that the youngest is expecting a little one, I just don’t know what to do. It’s surprising that I’ve restrained myself up till now.”
“I completely understand. I would feel the same.”
“Thank you! I’m glad my son-in-law has such a wide heart.”
With my mother-in-law chuckling, I subtly shifted my gaze back to my father-in-law.
“Is there anywhere you feel uncomfortable? Are you eating properly? If the bed feels awkward, I can arrange for it to be Wulken—”
“I’m fine, Father. Both I and the first snow are healthy.”
“Well, good to hear, but…”
To my surprise, my father-in-law, usually stern and serious, kept dabbing at his eyes with a handkerchief and wouldn’t leave Mar’s side.
Indeed. This is true fatherly affection.
‘My future.’
It felt rather complex. If my daughter were to announce she was pregnant, I can imagine I’d act similarly, yet experiencing that scene in advance feels a bit… too soon for a preview.
“By the way, how has your appetite been? Pregnant women often crave things they don’t usually eat.”
“I do have moments when I crave something I normally wouldn’t, but everything I enjoy is still good.”
“That’s a blessed case. It sounds like Enen holds you dear.”
Nodding satisfactorily, my father-in-law didn’t take his hands off Mar’s belly from then on.
I felt oddly possessive, like something was taken from me.
‘Technically, I’m the one who took it first.’
So perhaps that’s why I couldn’t bear to shove my father-in-law away.
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