Chapter 90

A few days later, Elina was in the salon of the Crown Prince's palace, facing Litanie.

"Litanie-sama, thank you for coming all the way here."

"It's fine. I wanted to see you. And this, will you accept it as a congratulatory gift?"

With that, Litanie handed Elina a bouquet of flowers and a small box. The flowers were probably grown in Litanie's greenhouse. What could be in this box?

"This is from Kiara. She said she can only celebrate quietly since she hasn't officially announced it yet, so it's handmade by Kiara."

"Kiara-sama... Thank you. I'm really happy."

The box contained small flower-shaped cookies made by Kiara. Elina had heard that Kiara had once given homemade sweets to Alvis. She never thought she would receive something like this from Kiara.

"Congratulations. Kiara seems a bit complicated, but she's looking forward to it."

"Kiara-sama really admires Alvis-sama."

"Well, it's because her brother, the fool, didn't act like a brother."

Elina knew that the relationship between Kiara and Girard was distant. Perhaps Kiara had her own thoughts about the sisters born to a concubine. Now, it was impossible to know for sure.

"By the way, did Alvis-sama properly thank you?"

Surprised by Litanie's sudden closeness, Elina pulled back a little. Her expression seemed angry, so Elina reflexively nodded.

"Really?"

Litanie still looked doubtful. Was Alvis trusted so little? Elina recalled a few days ago.

"I'm sorry, Elina."

"Alvis-sama? What happened?"

Suddenly apologizing, Elina was flustered. But Alvis shook his head and gently hugged her. They were in their bedroom, and no one was watching. But being hugged out of the blue with an apology made her feel uneasy. Elina looked up at Alvis.

"It's about the child. I didn't tell you anything. I know it's late, but—"

"I was—"

"I'm worried too. But I should have said something different first. And... you're probably more worried than I am, right?"

Looking down at Elina with a guilty expression, Elina was confused. Considering Alvis's feelings at the time, it was understandable that he didn't have the presence of mind to consider her. Elina couldn't share Alvis's pain. More than anything, Alvis was someone who took others' sorrows more seriously than his own joy. She loved him for that, so she didn't ask for more. Besides, Sara and the others had said that men were like that, so she didn't particularly mind.

But she was still worried. The responsibility of carrying a life, especially one that might support the country. The obligation to bear a son. If it was a daughter, she might say something she shouldn't. The fear of becoming a bad mother.

"Am I... a weakling? Can I really be a mother?"

Alvis's eyes were gentle, and Elina opened her mouth.

"I'm scared."

"..."

"I'm Alvis-sama's wife... I have to bear a son. But what if it's a daughter? I might say I wanted a son. That's not right."

The fears she had been holding back came pouring out. She might say she wanted a son. She might wonder why the child was born. She might become a bad mother.

"No, can I even give birth properly? Can I be a good mother and wife? Even though I've been educated, I still think 'what if' when I'm alone."

"Can I... be a good mother?"

"Actually, I might be more unstable than you."

"Eh?"

"It's nothing."

Shaking his head in a troubled manner, Alvis leaned down and touched his forehead to Elina's.

"Elina."

"Y-Yes."

"All I want is for you to be safe. Whether it's a boy or a girl, it doesn't matter. That's all I want."

"Alvis-sama..."

"Thank you for being honest with me."

Does he not think I'm weak? For saying such things and being immature. Does he not tell me to be stronger?

"Elina always holds back what she wants to say. And I'm being selfish... but here, it's just the two of us. I want you to say what you feel."

"Can I... really say it?"

"Yes."

Just a little. In this atmosphere, she felt brave enough. So Elina asked the question she was really afraid to ask.

"Alvis-sama, are you happy? About the baby."

Surprised by the unexpected question, Alvis blinked. But then he smiled.

"Of course. Thank you, Elina."

The gentle kiss and the words he gave her made Elina feel her worries fading away.

"...Elina, your face is red."

"..."

Was it because she was thinking about Alvis? Touching her cheeks, she felt them warm. What was she thinking about with Litanie here?

"I'm sorry."

"It's fine. Maybe you were thinking about a night with Alvis-sama?"

"N-No, that's—"

"Hehe, that's a bullseye, isn't it?"

Litanie laughed as if it was amusing, and Elina couldn't argue. She couldn't stop Litanie from laughing. To cool her cheeks, Elina reached for the cooling tea.

Finally, when Elina calmed down, Litanie cleared her throat and picked up a tea snack. Elina straightened up, wondering what was going on.

"But it's good that you two get along. Really. This way, things might work out well."

"Litanie-sama?"

"Listen, Elina. About Alvis-sama, can you hear me out without getting angry?"

"Y-Yes."

"I'm planning to interfere with someone's plans."

The "someone" Litanie referred to was the king. What did it mean to interfere with the king's plans? And how did Alvis fit into this?

"The king seems to be suggesting a concubine for Alvis-sama... but Alvis-sama himself is refusing."

"Alvis-sama..."

The word "concubine" made her heart ache. But this was something a noble lady had to face. No matter how much she loved him, this was the noble society, and even more so for the royal family.

"If I were to, I would be prepared—"

"Elina, why do you think a concubine is needed?"

Litanie interrupted Elina with a question. Why was a concubine needed? It was obvious.

"There aren't many male heirs in the royal family right now. There might be distant relatives, but unless they are direct descendants, it's difficult to welcome them into the royal family immediately."

If that happened, there could be a struggle for the throne. That's why a direct descendant was needed. Currently, the line of succession was held by Alvis and Valeria, the third son of the Belfias Duke. In other words, there were only two direct descendants.

"That's right. Among the direct descendants, there are me, Kiara, and Ranaris, but they are all women. As for men, since the uncles have renounced their claims, only Valeria remains besides Alvis-sama."

"Yes."

That's why a descendant of the royal blood was needed. Ideally, it should be a child of Alvis. Elina knew that Alvis was expected to have two or more children.

"So the problem isn't the number of wives but the number of children."

"Right."

"And realistically, Alvis-sama has no interest. He was very clear about it. He has no intention of being with anyone but Elina."

"Wh-What..."

What was she suddenly saying? Understanding the meaning of her words, Elina blushed even more. Litanie looked at her reaction with a smirk.

"So, Elina. I want to show the noble ladies that Alvis-sama only has eyes for Elina."

"Ugh..."

"I'm going to start by inviting the daughter of the Lancer Marquis. Will you help me, Elina?"

Litanie wouldn't take no for an answer. Elina had no choice but to agree.

Thank you for reporting any typos! I hope I managed to create a sweet atmosphere!

With the dramatic increase in COVID-19 cases, shopping has become more stressful. And with pollen starting to fly, it's a tough time for those with hay fever. Please take care of yourselves. I'll keep working hard to make sure you enjoy it!