Chapter 43

Cynthia finished her work in the morning and was enjoying a leisurely tea time.

Since Alros had gone out with Rias, Marivel, who had nothing to do, joined the tea time. Sophia, who usually spent most of her time with Cynthia outside of work hours, made it a trio today.

They were gathered around a table in the room with the fireplace.

Sophia, eating her favorite tart and looking at the fruits and cream on it, muttered,

"Birthdays are so much fun, aren't they?"

She was probably thinking about the birthday party they had a little while ago when she turned four.

It was a small indoor party due to the winter, but they invited the former king and the royal family, and everyone enjoyed a dinner party together.

Although it was a small gathering, she seemed delighted to be the center of attention and was happy throughout the event.

"When will we have another one?"

"Parties can happen again, but Sophia's birthday will be in another year."

It's good that she had a great time.

"One year...?"

"You just need to sleep 365 more times."

When Marivel explained, Sophia looked confused. After Marivel explained the large number, Sophia seemed to understand a bit.

"That many..."

She sounded so disappointed that Cynthia chuckled.

"Growing one year older is a big deal. So, at four, you can do many things you couldn't before."

"Then, since Mom is thirty, she must be even more amazing. Dad is even more so."

The number of years can be quite a shock when you think about it.

Has it really been that long, she thought, feeling a bit nostalgic.

"——So? How long will it take for Mom to be able to lift Sophia as high as Dad does?"

"I don't think that will happen."

Is she thinking that's the final form?

Marivel was explaining to Sophia again, so Cynthia left it to her and sipped her tea.

Despite everything, they are sisters. Marivel teaches Sophia manners she learned in class, and Sophia tries to imitate Marivel.

She wants to be as good but also wants to be a bit like her.

Looking outside the window, it seemed like it might snow.

"How's your studying going?"

Cynthia asked Marie.

"Recently, I've been doing what I'm told."

"Yes, I've heard. Good for you."

She has been doing her assignments, as reported. The threat of removing Alros as her squire still seems to be effective.

"Alros explains things well."

"Alros is amazing."

"Yes!... But even when I say he's amazing, Alros doesn't believe me. And he doesn't seem to enjoy it."

"That's true."

It's hard for him to seem like he's enjoying it. Alros has too many worries.

Marivel probably thinks the relationship between Alros and his father is severed.

"If I were smarter, would he believe me?"

Marivel said, looking far away.

Cynthia stroked her silky hair.

"Marie, you don't seem to have much confidence."

Since going to school, Marivel has come to understand that she isn't as smart as others. At eight, it's not a bad thing, but the impression has stuck.

"I think Alros trusts you. But studying to learn things is a good idea."

"I want to study too, Sophia."

"Oh, that's great."

Seeing her older brother and sister, Sophia often holds a pen, wanting to be like them.

"First, you need to be able to write your own name."

When Marivel said this, Sophia pouted.

"I know how to write it!"

"You know it, but can you write it?"

"Hey, no fighting."

She placed a delicious macaron between them.

The colorful pastries made them feel happy just by looking at them.

"Here, eat this. What color do you want?"

"Let's guess Mom's favorite color. Ready, go!"

"Sure. But don't cry if you get it wrong."

Before they knew it, the competition had started.

Sophia called Cynthia 'Mom' and 'Mother' interchangeably. When talking to Marivel, she tended to call her 'Mother.'

"I won't cry. Ready, go!"

Marivel pointed to a purple macaron, and Sophia pointed to a pink one.

They both looked at Cynthia with sharp eyes.

"Mom, which one!?"

"Mother, it's purple, right? It matches today's dress!"

"No..."

To be honest, I like all the colors. I don't want to start an unnecessary argument.

"Mother, I'll take this one."

She picked up a chocolate macaron.

"Brown? Are you kidding?"

"It's not a joke."

Marivel and Sophia complained.

"There's no way it's brown!"

"It's not cute. It's the color of dirt."

"I've never worn a brown dress."

"Brown jewels too!"

Brown might be a bit difficult.

But I can't give in here.

"You don't understand. Think about Father's eyes. They are deep and dark brown, right? Brown is Father's color."

They both nodded, so Cynthia continued.

"Warm and strong, like the earth. When those eyes look at me with care, I feel so happy and relieved. ——So, Mother's favorite color is the brown of Father's eyes."

"Then what about Father?"

"Huh?"

"What's Father's favorite color?"

"Um—"

Before she could say, "I wonder," she noticed their gazes were fixed on something behind her.

Cynthia turned around.

There stood Rias, his face and neck flushed, covering his mouth.

"Rias, you're back?"

"Right now... Yes."

When she stood up to greet him, Rias showed a slightly evasive expression.

I wonder if something happened with Lennon, but it doesn't seem to be the case.

"Um... Cynthia. I am too."

"Huh?"

"I love your beautiful golden eyes more than anything. ——Especially when they look at me with such kindness..."

Oh, that's it.

"I love you, Cynthia."

She was just going to greet him, but now she didn't know how to respond to this sudden declaration of love.

Rias looked at Cynthia with a flushed face. His gaze was intense.

"Just saying 'I like you' isn't enough. I don't know how to say it... Since the first time you looked at me, when I was sixteen, I was captivated by your eyes."

"......Rias"

I have no intention of rejecting such a declaration of love. But there is a time and place for everything. ——I can't swoon over a passionate declaration in front of the children in the middle of the day.

Cynthia glanced at the children.

Rias often gets like this, so they didn't seem to mind at all. They were eating their pastries.

"Cynthia... My dear. To hear you say that... I'm moved. May I hug you?"

"No."

Cynthia answered immediately. Rias visibly disappointed.

"——Ah, if Father is back, Alros must be back too? I'll go see him."

Marivel tried to leave, but Rias stopped her.

"No, Alros is tired. Let him rest today."

Marivel doesn't know that Alros went to see his father. She was told that Rias took him out for social training.

"Is he okay?"

Rias nodded.

"He seems tired, so I'll let him rest. It might be better to give him some space for a while..."

I'll ask what happened later, but I'm relieved he's back safely.

"Boring."

Marivel said, looking disappointed.

I'll ask about Alros later. Cynthia reached out to Rias, who was still a bit dejected.

"Would you like to have tea together? It's cold outside, isn't it?"

"The lake was frozen. Are you cold? Should we make the fire in the fireplace stronger?"

She might have been a bit underdressed. After touching her cold cheeks, Rias signaled to the maid waiting in the room. The fireplace not only burns wood but also uses magic to warm the entire room.

"I'm fine. Eidan is training outside in this cold."

She invited him for tea, but today he had gone out with the head of the knights, Dancer, to train, looking excited. He often declines her invitations lately, always for training.

"You'll warm up if you move your body."

Rias is strict about knight training. He says it's part of the job, even if you get injured or develop chapped hands from the cold. Eidan, training under Rias, also says it's part of the job, which worries her as a mother.

"——Having a son means constant worry."

Rias pulled out Cynthia's chair and draped a blanket over her shoulders before suddenly looking at their two daughters.

"Lady, you really like Alros, don't you? What do you like about him?"

"Everything, everything."

Hearing this, Rias's arm tensed.

"——I'm more worried about our daughters."

Cynthia laughed and poured tea for Rias.