Chapter 11

The night after the child was born, as promised during the day, I went to the room of my husband, Rondo Duke d'Orion. (Incidentally, it was two rooms away from where the child was.)

I knocked on Rondo's door, a bit nervous.

(If he makes a decision to abandon the child...

Even though he said he wouldn't during the day, the possibility exists that he might reconsider if the child has no magical talent at all, especially if a more talented child is born later...)

Thinking this, I felt like giving up and claiming I was unwell.

But if I delay now, I'll have to talk about it eventually.

Better to get it over with.

It might seem too soon, but he's probably anxious too.

He probably wants to vent his frustrations out loud.

He probably wants to talk to someone who can share his worries.

Complaining to the maids or the attendants about the newborn is out of the question.

So, it has to be his wife.

(I agree. I have a few complaints to make to the gods myself.)

Indeed, I feel a bit gloomy, but I can conclude today's events as a moment of panic and leave it at that.

Opinions can change over time. When the next child is born and shows the talent of a duke, we can have a more serious and conclusive discussion.

As I was thinking this,

"Come in!"

I heard from inside and entered the room.

Every piece of furniture in the room is a first-class item, enough to build a house for a commoner.

That said, since Sophia's family was of high status, I wasn't particularly surprised when I first saw it.

"Ah! Sophia, I've been waiting for you!

I'm sorry to call you so soon after you gave birth."

Rondo said as soon as I entered the room.

"No, I also wanted to have a proper talk with you without the child around."

"Ah, I see, I see.

Lie down on this bed. We'll talk after that."

"No, I'll at least sit in a chair."

"No, no! You just gave birth! What if something happens to your body!"

He said, his expression turning serious.

"I can't lie down while talking to my duke husband, can I?"

"It's fine, fine. It's just you and me in this room. No one will scold you.

Come over and lie down.

Otherwise, I'm sorry to have made you come, but we won't talk today."

"..."

"..."

"Ah, fine.

You're so stubborn about these things."

"Of course, taking care of my beloved wife is only natural."

"Oh, you're so smooth."

"Ha ha ha!"

We exchanged jokes to ease the tension.

"Let's get to the point.

Of course, it's about Rain.

The abnormality of his skills is no longer a surprise.

First and foremost, the sheer number of skills he has.

To my knowledge, the person with the most skills had only four.

Yet, Rain has more than that.

Not only that, he has two skills of the highest rarity, level 7, and the other three are at least level 4. Especially skills like no incantation and high MP increase rate are ones that any magic user would kill for.

With any of those, a person with magical talent, even if they were a pauper, would be invited to the palace and almost certainly join the Magic Knights."

He paused, putting his right hand to his face,

"But! But—Rain has no magical talent at all!

It's true that not everyone can have three magic skills like you.

It wouldn't be strange if he didn't have any!

But to have so many... so many talents suitable for a magic user and not be able to use a single spell. How is that possible? It's unthinkable!"

Sophia deflected Rondo's angry voice.

"Yes, I feel the same.

I looked up to the sky when I first saw the child's skills and lack of magical talent...

But what's important is what happens from now on."

She steered the conversation away without denying it.

"As I said yesterday, what's important is not skills or magic, but the qualities of a duke.

Don't worry. He has such a bold face."

"..., You're right.

I'm sorry for raising my voice.

I just vented my frustrations to you because I can't talk about this with anyone else."

"It's fine.

We're both worried about the child."

"Thank you.

You must be tired from all the worries.

Stay here tonight."

"No, I'll go back to the child's room. It's only two rooms away, and the maids will be waiting outside."

I want to be by Rain's side tonight.

"I see. Good night, then."

"Good night."

With that, I left the room.

(...I didn't talk about what would happen if a second son or later was born.

Did he just want to vent his frustrations a little today?

I hope the child has talent...

No, I must believe in my own child!)

With that resolve, I returned to the room where Rain was sleeping.