Chapter 52

A new life was born into the royal family.

It was their long-awaited first child, a boy.

"Oh, how adorable..."

Cynthia marveled at her nephew, whom she was meeting for the first time.

Iena had insisted, and although he was only two months old, she had come to visit.

This was the first time she had a nephew.

He was incredibly cute.

Sophia was almost two years old, so it had been a while since she had seen a baby.

"Please, hold him."

Iena allowed her, and Cynthia gently picked up the baby.

He had a little bit of golden hair, but was mostly bald, wearing a lace cap. His eyes were green, like Iena's.

"——Hello. I'm your aunt."

His name was Alex, it seemed.

Since she usually held her own children, he felt very light.

"Holding a baby like this makes me want one again. ——Just thinking, though."

When Cynthia said this with a playful tone, Rias, who was playing with Marievel from a distance, made a strange movement.

She didn't think he only looked at his own children, but holding a baby made her realize how much her own had grown.

After looking at Alex, then at Marievel and Sophia, Cynthia naturally smiled.

They had grown up so quickly.

"Ah, ah, oh."

Alex made a happy sound.

"What a smart face. He'll surely be a wonderful big brother. After all, his eyes are just like Iena's."

"——Sister-in-law."

Iena blushed and smiled.

"Finally, I feel the weight has been lifted."

She whispered it as if she truly felt that way.

"——It must have been a burden. You really did a great job."

They had been married for a little over a year. Just one year, yet the pressure of not having a child was significant.

Even if Ortimetti and the former king said it didn't matter, she must have known it wasn't that simple.

"You're doing a great job as a queen and helping Titi. There's no need to feel burdened about having a child. But I understand it's not that easy."

"I think I could only get through today because everyone said such kind words."

Her gaze naturally turned to Marievel and Sophia.

Marievel was six, and Sophia was almost two. Rias was playing origami with them.

Eidan had gone out with Ortimetti for a sword practice session.

"Simply, having cousins close in age is wonderful. I hope they play well together."

"Yes, I really feel supported. My sister is far away, so I can't consult with her about many things."

"Of course. Feel free to ask me anything."

"Thank you. ——I would like to be invited to your salon someday."

The famous mom's group. She continued it on a small scale.

"Yes, please come when you can."

Looking at Alex, he seemed to be falling asleep.

Cynthia gently rocked him to sleep.

"Indeed, you're very experienced."

"Well, yes..."

She had raised six children in her past life, so she was quite skilled.

"Hmm, hmm..."

Perhaps a pre-sleep cry, Alex started to fuss a little.

"Mom, do you want to give him milk?"

Sophia had come up to her feet and looked up.

Perhaps from seeing babies drink milk at the mom's group.

Cynthia smiled wryly.

"Mom can't produce milk anymore."

Sophia tilted her head in confusion.

"No milk?... Then, can you put it in?"

It's not a convenient container.

"Um, I can't put it in."

"The baby drinks milk."

"That's right. Sophia drank a lot too."

"I want a baby."

"It's okay. He's just saying he's sleepy. He'll fall asleep soon—look."

As she spoke, Alex's eyes were already closed.

"Oh, he's already asleep?"

"He fell asleep quickly."

"He usually doesn't fall asleep easily. Even when he does, he cries as soon as he's put down, so he's a real challenge."

The back switch, a universal issue.

"My children slept well when I swaddled them and put them in a cradle."

"Oh..."

Iena sounded surprised.

"Sister-in-law, you're very experienced in parenting and have a lot of knowledge. Did you know that because the Lady of Pencillia is actively involved in parenting, it has become popular among the nobility?"

"Indeed."

While most people left parenting entirely to the nannies, the people who attended the mom's group were relatively more involved in parenting.

"Some say they want to have children early to join the salon and be involved in parenting."

"If it contributed to the birth rate, that's good, but it's not that simple."

The population of Vandrag had decreased due to the war, so it was a joy to see more children.

"Really... he's sleeping so well."

Iena peered at Alex's face. He was indeed deeply asleep.

"Even though it's noisier than usual."

"Maybe in a quiet room, even small sounds are more noticeable. I heard Eidan was also sensitive."

But his forehead was furrowed, as if he was bothered by the noise.

"Hehe... making a serious face like a grown-up."

When she poked his forehead, the frown eased, and he started to make sucking motions.

Air-sucking... so precious.

"Mommy."

Sophia tugged at the hem of Cynthia's dress.

"What's wrong? Do you want to be held?"

"No."

Recently, she often said "no," probably getting tired of it.

"Do you want to play with Marievel?"

"No, I can't."

"Then, go ask her to play."

Sophia toddled over and asked Marievel to play.

Marievel, who was absorbed in drawing, gave a half-hearted "No, I can't."

Marievel, unlike Eidan, had little interest in Sophia and rarely played with her.

"No, I can't, she said."

That's how she reported back.

Just then, a knock sounded, and Eidan and Ortimetti entered.

They looked like they had been sweating, with their red hair thoroughly wet.

"Oh... didn't you say 'just a little'?"

Cynthia's exasperated face made Eidan laugh, still excited.

"Mother, Uncle is strong! As strong as Father."

"No, no, no, that's not true."

Ortimetti hurriedly denied it.

"I'd be in trouble if I were compared to the Captain of the Knights."

He sighed and sat down, wiping the sweat from his face.

"Still, to be that strong at 10, Pencillia is truly terrifying. ——Eidan, why don't you join the Knights?"

"Titi."

Cynthia's words made Ortimetti shrug.

"Half-joking."

"Even half is not okay. How old do you think you are?"

"I'm interested, though."

"Eidan."

Cynthia called, and Eidan shrugged like Ortimetti.

At 10, after graduating from the academy as planned, Eidan's studies had increased. In addition to the successor education, he was also receiving some royal heir education. He seemed to enjoy all of it, but his favorite was the magic classes and the training he did with the Knights.

He felt the blood of Pencillia.

As a mother, she worried every time he came home with scrapes.

"Sophie, do you want to play with your brother?"

"No, I want to go home."

Rias quickly picked up the fussing Sophia.

"Shall we have tea?"

At Ortimetti's suggestion, the servants started preparing the tea set.

Clinking the cups and sipping, Sophia waved her spoon around.

"I can do it."

This was another recent phrase.

Rias, used to it, placed the jelly in a spot where she could easily eat it.

It was a stark contrast to how Eidan used to get scolded for reaching out first.

"Delicious, isn't it?"

"Yes, it's delicious."

"Let me eat. Ah, um."

"Since you're not eating, Sophie can have it."

Rias placed the cookie in front of Sophia.

Repeating this, it was hard to believe how difficult Eidan's words used to be and how she struggled to understand them.

Enjoying the delicious royal tea, they spent a peaceful time.

"Every time I see you, Rias, it's still surprising."

Ortimetti said to the attentive Rias, and Iena nodded with a laugh.

Rias said matter-of-factly.

"Are you not going to do it, Your Majesty?"

"No... I want to, but Alex seems to dislike me."

Cynthia laughed.

"That's not true."

"But when he cries, it's pitiful. I end up giving him to Iena or the nanny right away."

"Oh dear."

It sounded familiar, Cynthia thought.

"Rias, do you have any advice?"

"......I..."

Rias was at a loss for words.

"When Father holds them, Marievel and Sophia stop crying right away."

"No... was that true?"

Thinking back to how difficult it was with Eidan, she wasn't sure how to respond.

"——Well, it's just a matter of getting used to it."

He averted his gaze and sipped his tea. Cynthia laughed.

"Mommy."

"What is it, Sophia?"

After being engrossed in the sweets, Sophia looked at the sleeping Alex.

"I want a baby."

"Oh... babies are cute, aren't they? ——But no more babies will come to our home."

"No?"

"Yes. So let's visit Alex again."

"Come anytime, Sophia."

"——I'll buy a baby."

They're not for sale.

"Silly, Sophia. Babies aren't for sale."

Marievel said coldly, and Sophia pouted.

"Marievel, don't call her silly."

Marievel's mouth turned down.

"——Thank you. I'm going to Grandpa's place!"

She said and ran off.

The former king's residence was in a separate palace, a bit far from here.

He now lived a leisurely life, tending to the plants in the greenhouse every day. He looked very calm and happy.

"Let's all go."

"I'll go alone. Mother still has things to talk about."

Grandpa, who pampered her, was a comfortable space for Marievel.

She visited him alone from time to time.

Even if she tried to be careful, Marievel, sandwiched between Eidan and Sophia, might sometimes feel that Cynthia's attention wasn't on her. The desire for someone who dotes on her wholeheartedly never changed from childhood.

"——Then, I'll go later. Go with Rina."

"Okay."

Marievel bowed happily and ran off.