Chapter 75

The year had turned, and January brought with it the increasing severity of winter. Mai, a squire serving the Earlquvist family, was about to organize an event.

Mai, who had once lived through battles as a member of a mercenary group, had become the wife of the head squire, Yurii, and had given birth to her first son just before winter. She now felt that she was no longer a "fighter."

She still continued the minimum training, but with a family and a child to raise, she realized that she would not return to the front lines.

Considering what she could do as a squire, Mai decided to establish the "Earlquvist Ladies' Association." Today, the first event of this association, a standing dinner party, was about to take place.

The venue was the central square of the capital, Noein. The sky was clear with sunshine, and several bonfires were prepared to keep the cold at bay, making the winter outdoors not too chilly. Tables lined the square, laden with food and drinks.

"Alright, I hereby open the Earlquvist Ladies' Association dinner party. Today, let's mingle regardless of whether you are a squire, a commoner, or a slave. Let's make new friends, deepen our relationships with old friends, and strengthen our bonds as women to contribute to the society of the Earlquvist domain. Cheers!"

As Mai declared and raised her glass, the women participating in the dinner party also raised their voices.

In the Earlquvist domain, which had been established mainly by refugees, most of the women lacked the support of mothers or mothers-in-law for managing households and raising children.

Mai, who had been married for two years and already had a child, and newer wives like Anna, Gina, and Michelle, who had married last year and were about to have children, often felt lonely.

To address these issues, Mai established the ladies' association. Its purpose was primarily to share concerns and knowledge about child-rearing and household management and to support each other.

As one of the senior female squires, Mai had thought about how she could contribute, and the result was this ladies' association. Recognizing its significance, the lord, Noein, had also allocated a budget for the operation of this dinner party.

"Creating a mutual aid organization for women is a really innovative and great idea, isn't it?"

"Absolutely. I just moved to this domain, and Bart is often away from home... It's a great help to be able to interact with other women."

"It's worth it to hear you say that. Today, let's talk freely among women. Whether it's complaints about our homes or sweet talk with our husbands, anything goes."

Mai smiled at Anna, who had married Edgar, and Michelle, who had become Bart's wife.

Although it was called a mutual aid organization for women, it was currently a loose community. The main goal was to interact without pressure and become good friends.

"Do you two have any marital issues yet?"

"Marital issues... Not really. Edgar is very honest and kind."

"I also feel like Bart treats me like a princess."

"Oh, Michelle, that's wonderful. I'd love to hear more about that."

Love stories are the quickest way to deepen friendships, a timeless truth that transcends generations and genders.

"But... it's a bit embarrassing..."

"Today, let's talk openly without being shy. I'll even share how Yurii behaves at home."

"Yurii? Really?"

"That's a bit intriguing..."

Yurii, who usually acts dignified as the head squire and exchanges frank opinions with Noein, piqued Anna and Michelle's interest with his home life.

"That man... he's surprisingly clingy at home. From his mercenary days, he had to be strong all the time, so when it's just the two of us, he always wants to be close. It hasn't changed."

"Wow..."

"A bit surprising..."

"Right? Plus, ever since Yakov was born, he comes home and immediately picks him up, makes funny faces, and coos at him. Then he turns to me and acts clingy. It's like taking care of a big child and a little child at the same time."

Yakov is Yurii and Mai's son.

"Yurii has his cute side too."

"Bart says men are always clingy, no matter how old they are. It's true."

"Let's keep this between us, okay?"

Mai smiled mischievously at the surprised Anna and Michelle.

"Anna, how about Edgar? Does he have any surprising sides?"

"Edgar... he's pretty much the same as before we got married. He always tries to set a good example for the farmers by being disciplined."

"He's exactly as he looks... a straightforward person."

Edgar's reputation among the squires is, for better or worse, "extremely serious." While they admire him, they also worry that he should relax and be more laid-back sometimes.

"But when I occasionally show concern and ask, 'Are you overworking yourself?' and pat his head, he says, 'I'm fine,' but his face becomes very relaxed. He tries to look serious, but it's the opposite."

"That's hilarious..."

"Edgar is also a bit clingy... Bart's words are indeed true."

Mai and Michelle's eyes sparkled as they listened to Anna's revelations.

"So, Michelle, you mentioned earlier, does Bart still act like a prince at home?"

"Prince... Yes, it's really like that. Every day, he says, 'You're so cute, Michelle,' 'Your cooking is the best in the world,' 'I can keep going because you're here'... Being praised so much makes me feel like a princess in a fairy tale."

"Wow..."

"Truly a charming man."

Mai, who knew Bart's womanizing days, looked a bit taken aback, and Anna, who had heard about his popularity in Letvik from her family, smiled wryly.

"But it's good that Bart, who used to wander around and worry us, has finally found his lifelong partner and is happy, as a colleague from his mercenary days."

"By the way, among the former mercenaries, we never hear about Pense's romantic life, do we?"

When Anna mentioned this, Mai frowned.

"Pense... I wonder what he'll do."

"Is he not popular? Pense?"

"I always find him reliable for patrolling the capital, Noein..."

"Indeed, he's a versatile and capable person, but... how to put it, he lacks charm? He's not unattractive as a man, but he's never been popular."

Mai sighed, and then Mary interrupted the conversation.

"But there's good news!"

Behind her were her maid colleagues, Kimberly and Rosetta.

"Good news? Does it mean there's progress in Pense's romantic life?"

"It seems Pense hasn't realized it yet, but a girl has shown interest in him!"

"Who is it...?"

Mai and the others looked behind Mary, and Rosetta, blushing and fidgeting, was hiding behind Kimberly.

"R-Rosetta!?"

Mai, realizing everything, couldn't help but exclaim at the unexpected budding romance.