Chapter 12

I want to praise myself.

It's been half a year since Rias went crazy.

I think I've done well to endure it.

It's still really strange to be told about love when our eyes meet. At least it's better that he doesn't expect a response.

And, Eidan is turning two.

He's become even more talkative lately.

"Eidan, come on, it's time for lunch."

"Then! Bump!"

—This is Eidan's recent catchphrase. He wants to do everything himself, which is a very troublesome age.

Moreover, he's becoming less and less easy to fool.

It's like the terrible twos from my previous life.

Even when I try to feed him, more food ends up on the floor than in his mouth.

"Hey! Messy!"

—He won't let me clean his face. I want to wipe his mouth.

The terrible twos were tough in my previous life too.

When my eldest daughter was that age, my husband only paid attention to her when he was in a good mood, acting like a doting father.

I was pregnant with my second daughter, and he would say, "I'll take her to the park, so you can relax."

But I had to prepare all the park supplies and the tea.

Then,

"—Hey, what are you doing?"

I came back from shopping. My eldest daughter and my husband were at home.

My eldest daughter was engrossed in a video, and my husband was playing with his phone behind her.

"Welcome back. Ai was in a good mood."

Of course, she was. Videos keep her happy.

It's the easiest babysitting.

I limit myself to one hour of video a day, but this husband...

"Yu-kun, what do you think about the risks and potential future impacts of showing videos to a two-year-old?"

"Huh?"

"You just threw away my ace so easily!"

I said and barricaded myself in the bedroom.

Then I got a message from my husband.

"Go"

——???

After a while, I realized it was "I'm sorry."

Even the apology was abbreviated by predictive text. I got even more angry.

That's what happened. I was pregnant, so I was easily irritated.

Looking back, I shouldn't have been so angry.

In this world, there's no such convenient thing as videos, but fortunately, the Pencilia household has plenty of help.

However, Eidan doesn't just accept anyone, which makes things difficult.

"Princess"

I heard the voice calling me as I entered the dining room, and I instinctively braced myself.

In this Pencilia mansion, only he calls me that.

I suppressed a sigh and slowly turned around.

Green hair, green eyes. Those eyes are glaring at me.

Rouban. I only know his name. He's Rias's deputy.

He's still young, in his twenties. I heard he took the position three years ago.

I can feel his unwavering loyalty to Rias. —In contrast, he's harsh with me.

He hasn't done anything to me, but he always calls me "Princess" and never "Madam" like the others. He always glares at me when Rias is around, and he sneers at me when Rias isn't.

It's clear rebellion—no, hostility?

I think it's disrespectful, but I don't want to make a fuss over it.

It's just bad attitude, and in this world, punishment for that is common, but I have some resistance to it from my previous life.

"What is it?"

Stopping me like this is slightly impolite. If he has something to say, he should go through the butler or maids. He's still my husband's deputy and an outsider in the house. But recently, Rias has been spending more time at home, so this person is often in the house office. —We keep running into each other.

If the matter is important, it's not worth scolding him for stopping me.

"The Duke says he can't attend tonight's dinner."

"Oh, really."

Of all days, he can't come today?

And to send a subordinate to deliver the message.

—No, it's fine. I understand if it's work.

I was planning a party for Eidan's second birthday today.

But the refusal coming from this man...

He's known to be sharp and perceptive outside, but why is he so clueless?

He doesn't even notice Rouban's bad attitude.

"If you have anything to convey to the Duke, I will pass it on."

At least make eye contact.

Rouban deliberately looks away and asks.

"Fine. I'll tell him directly."

We had talked about celebrating today. Rias will probably make up for it.

I wanted him to leave quickly, but Rouban was staring at Eidan with a furrowed brow.

What is he doing? Is he admiring Eidan, who looks like his respected superior?

But it was different.

"Why don't you leave Eidan to the nurse?"

"Why...?"

"Isn't it true that he's not eating properly?"

Well, he doesn't eat much, but I prepare plenty of food to ensure he gets enough nutrition.

The table is a mess, so it might look like he's not eating.

"Eidan is eating well. I do get help from the nurse sometimes..."

"I think it's better to leave Eidan to the nurse."

What?

"Eidan is the heir to the Pencilia family before he is your son. Treating him so carelessly—"

"Be quiet."

Carelessly? I'm doing my best to take care of him!

"You don't seem to understand your position. —Lord Orenzia."

"Huh?"

"Step aside."

An argument would affect Eidan. I wanted him to leave quickly.

This is a private, family space. If he has something to say, he should do it in a public setting.

"Madam! —I will report this to the Duke!"

I ignored him and said nothing.

The next morning, when I went to breakfast, Rias was there.

He looked tired, reading the newspaper with sleepy eyes.

"Good morning."

Usually, he would immediately come over when I opened the door, but he didn't notice until I spoke.

My greeting surprised him, and he put down the newspaper and stood up.

"Ah, I didn't notice you came. Sorry."

"Stay there."

I stopped Rias, who was pulling out my chair, but he did it anyway.

"Thank you."

"You're welcome. Good morning."

"—Are you not sleeping?"

As I sat down and looked up, Rias gave a weak smile.

"I had a bit of a difficult case. —I'm sorry I missed the opportunity yesterday."

He really seemed busy.

"Even though it was Eidan's birthday..."

"We should celebrate together. Let's do it when things calm down."

"Cynthia..."

He gently brushed my hair back.

He casually touched me.

"How long will you be busy?"

"I hope to wrap things up today."

"Then, can we do it the day after tomorrow?"

"Today is fine."

Rias sat across from me, and our eyes met.

His well-kept face had dark circles.

"I'll definitely come home today."

"You shouldn't. You need to sleep."

"Far... Well, staying up all night for work is common."

"Is it a mission?"

Considering he was in a war before, it might be.

Rias cleared his throat.

"Did I upset you? I didn't mean to say that."

"......?"

Rias looked at me with concern.

Oh, he was trying to avoid the topic of war.

"Thank you for your concern. It's fine. It's your job, after all. I'm a military wife."

"H... Hmm..."

I wonder which part. Rias blushed.

"By the way, Rouban came to deliver a message yesterday."

"Yes. I sent him because I was short on time."

"Did he say anything?"

He was all fired up about reporting.

"Anything?... He said Eidan was eating lunch as usual."

Rias smiled and sipped his tea.

Right, it's a common scene, so he probably brushed it off.

As if on cue, Eidan came in, carried by the nurse.

He wriggled down and ran over.

"Mama!"

"Yes, Eidan, it's Mama. Good morning!"

I picked him up and rubbed his face. So soft.

"Here, say hello to Papa too."

Even when I tried to pass him over, Eidan didn't react. —Eidan, can you hear me?

He plays with me sometimes, but he's generally cold towards Rias.

Is this normal for a father-son relationship?

I managed to get him to say hello and sat him down. Breakfast was served.

"Cynthia, I don't have time, I have to go."

"Oh, you're not eating?"

He only drank tea.

"I got to see your face. —And Eidan's."

Don't add that. I'm listening.

I chased after him as he headed for the door.

"Cynthia, are you seeing me off?"

It's not that I'm happy. Eidan will get mad, so I'm only coming to this room.

"Take care—oh, right."

I gently placed my hand on Rias's chest.

I channeled a bit of magic. It should help with fatigue.

"——Cynthia"

"How do you feel?"

Did it work? I looked up, and Rias was holding back something.

We stared at each other for a moment. What is it?

"Ha..."

A heavy sigh.

"I don't want to go to work."

I chuckled and removed my hand.

"Don't say that. I'll be waiting for you to come home."

Rias pressed his hand to his chest and closed his eyes tightly.

"Yes. —I'll be off. I love you."

"Ah, thank you...?"

He kept looking back as he left, so I covered my heated face and returned to Eidan, who was getting upset.

"Bump! Bump!"

He wants me to cast light magic on him too.

"Okay, tickle tickle. Here we go!"

I faked it and started breakfast.