Chapter 39

The town where they would stay overnight was a fairly large one, and the inn was a luxurious one for nobles.

It felt just like being in a mansion.

Still, the children were excited about staying in a different place, which troubled the nannies.

As for Cynthia, Rias gave her a massage as promised at night, but it was so skillful that she fell asleep without realizing it.

"Good morning."

When she woke up, she was in Rias's arms as usual.

Ah, this is the inn, she thought as her mind gradually awoke.

"I... when did I fall asleep?"

"Probably when I was massaging your back."

Indeed, she remembered being massaged around her legs. The large, warm hands enveloped her. She had only meant to close her eyes for a moment but ended up falling asleep.

She was a bit disappointed.

She had wanted to enjoy the stay more. The evening tea time, the night view of the town.

It was already morning, and they were about to depart.

"I'm sorry for falling asleep first. ——It's a bit disappointing that it's already morning..."

"Since we had been on the carriage for a long time, it was better to rest. We will come back on our way home, so let's visit as many times as we want."

Rias said this, hugged her tightly, and kissed her on the head.

Then, the carriage swayed again, passing through streets, villages, fields, pastures, and low shrub forests, advancing along the side of a mountain.

They took a lunch break in between, and after restarting, it was evening.

Finally, they entered the Pencilia territory.

They advanced through vast wheat fields, and the town gradually came into view.

Hutran, where the lord's mansion was located, was a large, well-developed town. She had seen it on a map before, but seeing it in person, she was surprised by its size.

Unlike the colorful townscapes of the capital, Hutran was lined with brick houses. The sense of solidity was overwhelming, even from inside the carriage.

"Only brick houses, huh?"

"The Pencilia territory doesn't have much of the timber industry suitable for construction. Instead, the brick industry has developed. It's also durable."

Indeed, this dry air and earthquake-free land are suitable for brick construction.

"That church in the center of the town is 87 years old. Many of the surrounding buildings are from the same period."

"That's impressive."

"Let's go see it."

"Father, what about the lake?"

Eidan, who seemed to remember, jumped out of the window and asked.

"The lake is beyond this road, further from the mansion."

"When can we go?"

"Let's take it easy tomorrow... maybe the day after."

Rias had come to work, so he had meetings with the governor who managed the territory every day.

"Rias, don't overwork yourself. We have a long stay."

"Yes. Since we have a long stay, I plan to work with breaks in between."

While talking, the carriage passed through the gate of the mansion and slowly stopped.

When the carriage stopped, Marivel, who had been sleeping in Rias's arms, also woke up.

When they got off the carriage, servants lined up in front of the mansion.

The maids in the same uniforms as those in the capital made her feel as if she had returned home.

"Welcome back."

Passing through the bowing servants, a middle-aged butler stood straight ahead.

"Nice to meet you, madam."

"This is Elby, the butler of this mansion."

"Nice to meet you, Elby."

"I have prepared everything to the best of my ability to ensure your comfort."

Elby said this and opened the door.

Rias, who was about to start walking, stopped.

"——Mother is..."

Right, Rias's mother, who was supposed to be in the territory.

She had been informed of their arrival, and Cynthia had sent a letter saying hello.

The reply was a bit too polite, saying "I look forward to your arrival with all my heart."

It didn't feel like she was disliked. Since she didn't know what noble family relationships were like, she hadn't thought too much about it before meeting.

However, Rias hardly ever talked about his parents, so she thought their relationship wasn't very good.

She sometimes thought that without Cynthia, he might not have been able to interact with his children much. In other words, he might have been raised that way.

"She is at a ladies' tea party and will return for dinner."

"Is that so."

Rias said this and started walking. Cynthia followed.

——Eh, just that?

It had been about a year and a half since Rias last came to the territory. His real son was bringing his two grandchildren for the first time. Moreover, it had been about seven years since he had met his daughter-in-law since the wedding.

Cynthia couldn't even remember her face.

"Please watch your step."

Rias's voice startled her. It seemed he had seen through her deep thoughts.

The interior of the mansion was quite different from the one in the capital.

It was mainly in black and white, giving a very clean impression.

It was more refined and elegant than simple. Though not new, it was well-maintained. White walls with black pillars, and the furniture was not flashy but modest and beautiful, like white porcelain.

It was a stark contrast to the opulent and splendid duke's mansion in the capital.

"——The atmosphere is quite different."

"Since my mother manages it, it's probably her taste."

"Then, is the duke's mansion Rias's taste?"

Those glittering pieces of furniture.

"No. I have no interest in such things."

Yeah, I know.

"They just ended up that way because I told them to decorate them casually with old things and gifts."

"I see..."

"Many guests also come, so it's necessary to maintain a certain level of dignity."

Until Cynthia came, there were many visitors every day, and meetings were held in the mansion. After Cynthia's pregnancy, all visitors were turned away, and even after that, only a few were allowed.

Rias had permitted only trusted ministers and a few friends. Occasionally, carefully selected nobles were invited to parties. Even members of the Pencilia family, whom Cynthia had never met.

Merchants came more often than the family.

"Since it's decorated so much, it would be nice to have more visitors—"

"It's not possible."

Rias was stubborn about this topic.

"Thinking about something happening to you, who are so important to me..."

Elby turned around, eyes wide. No need to be so surprised.

"I understand. Because of this power, I tend to be a target."

She said this to end the conversation, but Rias stopped and took her hand.

"I don't want you to be uncomfortable... but it's my selfishness. I'm sorry. I don't really want anyone to see you, who are so beautiful."

Saying it like that. She knew he was trying to protect her from the heartless members of the family and keep her away from the political arena.

"It's okay. Thank you, Rias."

Rias kissed her hand. Seeing Rias, who still blushed at such moments, made her feel a bit embarrassed.

Looking around, the servants of this mansion were visibly surprised, unlike the expressionless servants in the capital. Some were even frozen with their mouths open.

Coughing, Rias noticed and offered his arm again.

"Are you tired? Let's rest in your room first. I'll show you around the mansion later."

"Yes."

"Father, I want to explore!"

"Me too! Adventure!"

Eidan and Marivel, excited by the new place, were ready to open all the black doors in a row.

Letting these two loose in a mansion with expensive furniture... it was too scary.

"Go with the nannies and Tan."

"Yes!! ——Marie, let's go!"

"Okay!"

With Rias's permission, Eidan immediately pulled Marivel's hand and ran off. Marivel, being held, was also quick.

Tan bowed and chased after them, and the two nannies followed at a run.

"It will be noisy, but please bear with it."

Elby, the experienced butler, nodded with his usual composed face.

"Everyone has been looking forward to hearing bright voices in this usually quiet mansion. Please enjoy yourself without any reservations. It will be a pleasure for all the servants."

"Thank you."

Cynthia and Rias then rested in their room.

"It's been a long time, Mother-in-law."

At the dinner table, Cynthia bowed, and Rias's mother replied with a smile.

"Good evening, Your Highness."

The bow was perfect, but it felt a bit too formal for a daughter-in-law.

"Mother-in-law, I'm no longer royalty. Please call me Cynthia."

"That would be too presumptuous."

Her insistence on royal etiquette only made Cynthia feel more distant.

In the end, Rias's mother had returned home a little before dinner. She had been informed of their arrival, but was told she would be at dinner.

Cynthia wondered if this was the same person she remembered.

She had a modest demeanor. Brown hair and brown eyes. Since she was from a collateral branch of the Pencilia family, she was probably of the earth element.

However, her face somewhat resembled Rias.

"Mother, I told you we would arrive today."

"Yes, but it was an invitation I couldn't refuse, as it had been for a while."

"......"

For a long-awaited reunion, it was rather cold.

"I'm sorry for the suddenness. ——Mother-in-law, these are Eidan and Marivel."

When introduced, the two bowed as they had practiced.

"I'm Eidan. Nice to meet you, Grandmother."

"I'm Marri."

"Nice to meet you. I'm Rula Pencilia."

Rias's mother bowed perfectly.

To her grandchildren, it felt a bit—no, quite formal. She didn't even make eye contact or speak slowly.

The dinner, which followed, was a surprise to Cynthia.

There was almost no conversation.

When Cynthia spoke, there was some conversation, but there was none between Rias and Rula.

Rula didn't even speak to the children.

The two children were accompanied by nannies and ate quietly, sensing the awkward atmosphere.

The only sound was the clinking of the children's dishes.

—What a hellish space.

When the meal was over, Cynthia, exhausted, rushed to the bedroom.

If she did nothing between mother-in-law and daughter-in-law,

she would be scolded...!