Chapter 44

Cynthia still frequently visits the royal castle.

Her father is worried, but her relationship with Ortimetti and Yena is good, and since this is the only place where they can be close relatives, the family regularly visits the castle together.

Today, they have been invited to have dinner at the castle.

Cynthia, waiting for her family in the entrance hall, let out an exasperated voice when she saw Rias and the others appear at the top of the stairs.

"Oh, even Marie."

Cynthia was surprised because Rias was carrying Marievel and Sofia in each arm.

Especially Marievel, to carry her at the same time. She knew he had incredible strength.

He must have brought them from the children's room, carrying them like a workout as he descended the stairs. The two were laughing in high voices, delighted to be carried.

Eidan followed behind, carrying a thick book, probably intending to read it in the carriage.

"Two babies."

When Eidan said this, Marievel stuck out her tongue.

"Brother, don't say that just because you can't do it."

"Can you carry Marie with one hand?... I think I can."

"No way."

"Come on."

"What... No way."

Even though she said it, Marievel was intimidated.

"How much does Marie weigh now?"

"That's rude, asking a lady her weight."

"I can carry up to 30 kilograms with one hand."

"That's still rude!"

Eidan, unusually, was persistent. He put the book in the back of the carriage and spread his arms.

"—I want to try. Father, can I borrow Marie and Sofia for a moment?"

"No way!"

Sofia seemed not entirely opposed, reaching out to Eidan. Marievel clung to Rias.

"I don't want anyone but Father."

Rias, looking pleased, froze at the next line.

"—Even Allo would be better."

"Wait."

Just as it was time to get in the carriage. Eidan and Rias both stopped.

Allo, suddenly named, was frozen in the back. He seemed more cowed than surprised, shrinking.

It was a complete backlash, even though he had only come to see them off.

Probably because of the intimidating presence of the men in the family.

"Why Allo? Have you done it before?"

"Of course not. Allo is still in training."

"Even if he builds muscle, it's not allowed, right?"

"Why not?"

"Why... Marie..."

"If an enemy comes, don't you have to carry me and run?"

Eidan, unusually, was defeated.

Indeed, even as a valet, in an emergency, such a task might be necessary.

But isn't that the job of a knight? —But since Tan is both a valet and a knight, if Allo aims for the same...

Thinking this far, Eidan looked at Allo, who couldn't even lift his head.

He is the same age as me, but I can't imagine those thin arms carrying Marie and running.

—No, just thinking about it makes me angry.

"Then, tell me why I'm not allowed and Allo is."

Marievel jumped down from Rias's hand, looking annoyed, and started walking.

"Already... You're so persistent. Just a feeling."

Eidan, clearly not convinced, started walking, pulled by Sofia, who had also gotten down from Rias.

It's just what a child says, so there's no need to take it seriously, but...

"Eidan has been carrying Marie and running since he was six. It's nostalgic."

After mastering body strengthening, he could do it with such stability that it was reassuring to watch. Having taken care of his younger sister since she was little, it's understandable that he feels sad when she rejects him.

"This is part of growing up. Let's support her."

Cynthia tried to gently support Eidan, but he didn't respond.

At the dinner party at the royal castle, the former king also attended today.

Since Alex is only two, a nurse is with him. Alex seems happy to sit at the same table as everyone else.

Ortimetti sits at the head of the table, followed by Rias, Cynthia, Eidan, and Marievel on the right. Across from them sit the former king, Yena, Alex, and Sofia.

Cynthia can converse with Yena, and Alex is in good spirits next to Sofia.

The seating arrangement changes in public settings due to the order of succession, but for this family dinner, it has settled into this arrangement recently.

"Your Highness Yena, I heard you were ill. Are you feeling better now?"

Yena had taken a break from her duties recently. When Cynthia asked, Yena hesitated slightly.

This hesitation...

"Surely not..."

"Yes, actually, I'm... pregnant."

"Oh, congratulations."

"Thank you."

Now that she mentioned it, Yena's drink was water, and she wasn't eating much.

"Your Highness Yena... Is your morning sickness severe? Did you push yourself for today's dinner?"

"No, not at all. I can't eat if I don't, but I also can't eat too much, so I'm eating a little at a time. I'm sorry to cause you concern, but I was looking forward to today."

"Are you feeling well?"

"Yes. Titi just exaggerated and told me to rest, but I'm healthy."

"—Until recently, she couldn't eat. That's why her complexion was poor."

Ortimetti spoke in a serious tone.

"Oh, that's worrying."

Cynthia had also experienced some difficulties during her pregnancy, like bleeding and severe morning sickness, but the baby was born safely. —But childbirth is a major event, and each person's experience is different.

And above all, it's a matter of life and death.

I can understand Ortimetti's concern.

"I suggested she not attend the dinner. But she won't rest. I wish she would take a break from her duties until the baby is born."

If he had said that, she wouldn't have come. It seems Ortimetti only wanted her to be absent from the dinner, not cancel it.

Still, it's quite overprotective to suggest she take a break until the baby is born.

"Is it that difficult?"

Is it a level of absolute rest? When she thought this, Yena shook her head.

"Titi is just worried. With Alex, there were some issues, but he was born without problems. —Now, the tax reform is in its final stages, and I don't want to take a break until it's finished."

Cynthia didn't know much about what Yena was working on. Rias provided the details.

"To ensure fairness in public works projects carried out by the nobility, we are currently drafting a proposal. In simple terms, if a certain percentage of the revenue from the fief is not allocated to public works, the tax rate will increase."

"That's a big project."

"But until now, public works have been left to the discretion of each noble, and there are a certain number of new nobles who don't participate at all. It's impossible for the state to carry out public works alone, so we want to improve this area..."

Yena spoke with enthusiasm.

This role of queen seems to suit Yena. Originally a researcher in agricultural reform, she is now well-versed in all laws.

"Also, the labor law in the Pencilnia domain. It's excellent, isn't it? I want to make it a national law eventually..."

"If you apply the Pencilnia labor law, Yena, you're already breaking it. Overworking."

Ortimetti pointed this out, but Yena smiled and replied.

"Oh, Titi is too."

"Ah, if you say that, Rias is too."

Cynthia and Yena laughed together.

The labor law sets the daily working hours, break times, and prohibits minors from working at night or early in the morning. It was formulated by Cynthia, referencing her previous life. It can be implemented reasonably within the domain, but it would be quite difficult to apply it nationwide.

"—At least, don't overdo it. Just because you're sitting at a desk, don't be complacent."

"Say more, sister."

Ortimetti said with a troubled look.

"Yena won't rest at all. I'm so worried."

"Titi..."

While saying this, Ortimetti held a glass of wine.

It's fine, really.

Cynthia shifted her gaze to the former king.

"Father, you're going to have another grandchild."

"Yes. It will be lively again."

He smiled, and Cynthia felt relieved.

"By the way, have you decided when to go to Lake Haginora?"

He had promised to take Marievel on a fishing trip.

"Yes, the head valet will soon provide the details. It seems almost finalized."

"I'm looking forward to it, Marie."

"Yes! Grandpa, if we catch a lot, let's make smoked fish and bring it back as a souvenir!"

"Yes, that's a good idea."

"Don't overdo it. But thank you. I've been looking forward to it."

"Yes, I'm looking forward to it too."

Their relationship is as good as ever.

I think it's good for both of them.

"I'll have Marie's valet accompany her. He's her favorite."

Allo is an orphan and a commoner. He is still learning etiquette and has never accompanied them to the castle. But for a trip, there is more work, and I hope he can enjoy it, so I plan to have him come along.

Since he has been gloomy since reuniting with Lennon, I hope this will be a change of pace for him.

"Marie is old enough to have a valet. Does she have a personal maid yet?"

"Not yet. For now, the current staff is sufficient."

While they were talking, Alex got bored with his meal and started making noise.

"No, no!"

It seems he was refusing to eat the last vegetable, causing the nurse trouble.

"—Fee! Let's play, okay?"

Sofia, called to play, put down her knife and fork.

"Sure."

"Master Alex, please eat this vegetable first."

"No!"

"Oh, well. I'll feed you. Open up, ah—"

As usual, they get along well.

When Alex started to be fed by Sofia, he began to act up, thinking it was enough.

Giving up on the meal, Sofia decided to take him to another room.