冈本aPP安装

“Your Excellency Yuri, I’m sorry, I’m sorry.” (??)

She was bowing and apologizing.

“What is it?” (Yuri)

I said as I got off White Sunset.

‘Did she make some mistake?’

“Please wait a moment. Carol-sama needs to get ready.” (??)

“Getting ready?” (Yuri)

‘Caféty…?’

“Who’s Caféty?” (Yuri)

“Huh?” (??)

“I don’t remember hearing that name.” (Yuri)

‘A strange name. Difficult to pronounce.’

“You mean the head maid…?” (??)

‘Huh? Are you serious?’

“I heard it for the first time.” (Yuri)

‘Was the head maid Caféty-san? Everyone just called her head maid.’

“She prefers to be addressed by her role. But yes, it’s Caféty-san.” (??)

‘Why was she hiding her name? No, if this girl knows, then it wasn’t hidden…’

“Leaving that aside, getting ready… Did her condition worsen?” (Yuri)

I looked up at the bedroom where Carol should be. The curtains were drawn, so I couldn’t see inside.

“Um… I-I don’t know…” (??)

“There’s no way you don’t know.” (Yuri)

‘You’ve been living together, nursing her.’

“That’s a secret. It’s a promise with Carol-sama.” (??)

‘What kind of promise?’

“I can’t talk about it.” (??)

“You have to.” (Yuri)

“I can’t. Even if it’s you, Yuri-sama. It’s a promise.” (??)

‘I see… Even with the one with natural nobility of the Hou Household, the world doesn’t bend to your will…’

I grabbed the girl’s shoulders, circled behind her, and lifted her up by her armpits.

“Eh?” (??)

I approached White Sunset with her.

“Eek! Scary!” (??)

Intrigued by the girl flapping her hands, White Sunset advanced with a trot, getting closer.

“White Sunset, you can eat.” (Yuri)

As I said that, White Sunset, seeming interested, brought his big beak closer to the girl’s nose.

“Ahh!” (??)

The girl exaggeratedly screamed, shook off my hand lightly, landed on the ground, and ran away hastily into the shadow of the building.

‘Interesting.’

“What are you doing, my lord…” (Caféty)

The head maid came out looking exasperated.

“Ah… Just a little something.” (Yuri)

“Please refrain from teasing the children.” (Caféty)

“Sorry, just couldn’t resist.” (Yuri)

‘I can’t help but tease children when I see them.’

“Anyway, is the preparation done?” (Yuri)

“Yes. It’s done. Please come in.” (Caféty)

“There’s raw meat in the saddlebag. Feed him. Maybe let that girl do it.” (Yuri)

“…You’re mischievous.” (Caféty)

“White Sunset doesn’t bite. If she doesn’t want to, she doesn’t have to do it.” (Yuri)

Saying that, I entered the house.

—

Opening the door to Carol’s room, a faint scent of perfume wafted out. Carol lay in bed, clad in freshly washed white hospital garments and lying on equally fresh bedding, looking at me.

“Hey, long time no see.” (Carol)

She greeted me with a frail voice.

Her cheeks were sunken, and she seemed even thinner than when I last saw her. There was hardly any resemblance to her former self in her physical appearance.

“Oh, um…” (Yuri)

Feeling somewhat overwhelmed, I sat down on a round stool.

“Hehe, it’s understandable. I’ve been losing weight lately.” (Carol)

“Aren’t you eating?” (Yuri)

“Well, I’m trying to eat even if it’s a bit of a struggle… but it seems like this one here is sucking up all the nutrients, so I’m not gaining any weight.” (Carol)

As she said that, Carol stroked her own belly with a pleased expression. It seemed to be bulging more than when I last saw her.

“Is that so…” (Yuri)

‘It would be great if we could use nutrient drips, but such technology doesn’t exist. Injecting sugary water full of impurities directly into the bloodstream is out of the question. Nutrition can only be obtained orally.’

“Anyway, did you have some free time today?” (Carol)

“Yeah. Things have settled down domestically. Now, it’s just a matter of waiting for the enemy… though not exactly.” (Yuri)

“I see… Have the Boff Household and the Noza Household agreed to cooperate…?” (Carol)

‘Does she know nothing at all?’

“Haven’t you heard anything from the Queen’s Sword?” (Yuri)

“It seems difficult to talk about. It seems they’re considering my mental stress. It’s more worrying when they don’t tell me anything.” (Carol)

It dawned on me.

‘It’s true that the Queen’s Sword has been entrusted with tasks that might be problematic for Carol to know about. There are things better left unsaid. They tend to be extreme in everything, either telling everything or nothing at all. Whether there’s a rule about it or not, the act of selectively withholding information, saying A but not B, is probably not something they do when it comes to the royal family.

Carol has full authority over the Queen’s Sword, but that authority is currently loaned to me. If that loan were to be revoked, she would probably speak, but doing so would create significant problems.’

“The Boff Household and the Noza Household have been pacified. It was a bit troublesome, but… well, they’ve disappeared.” (Yuri)

“…Did you kill them?” (Carol)

“Oron Boff, I did. It’s, well… complicated.” (Yuri)

It wasn’t a lie. Ultimately, both families were wiped out, but aside from Oron Boff, I didn’t kill anyone.

“I see…” (Carol)

Carol looked sad. I thought it would be better to tell the truth than to lie, but perhaps it was better not to talk about it.

“Don’t worry about it. Everything’s come together, and the country is better off for it. Sacrifices were necessary.” (Yuri)

“It’s not that. I just feel bad for making you dirty your hands…” (Carol)

She started sounding like Eisa-sensei.

“It’s just a part of the job. It’s not particularly hard.” (Yuri)

“I hope that’s really the case…” (Carol)

“It would be different if the ones we killed turned into ghosts and haunted us. But that’s not happening…” (Yuri)

‘I always thought it was strange for dictators who orchestrated massacres to live out their lives peacefully without any repercussions or haunted by their deeds. If there were such things as spirits or curses, it would be odd for them not to see them. But since they don’t, maybe those things simply don’t exist. Or perhaps if my guilt became severe enough, I’d start seeing those things. But that’s a problem for another day.’

“Well, don’t worry about it. Just focus on getting better. That’ll put your mind at ease more than anything else.” (Yuri)

“…Yeah, I hope I can do that…” (Carol)

Carol’s belly was bulging.

‘If taking care of the child inside her would make Carol feel better, I’d do anything, but there was no method available. The safest method currently known involves using a medicine made from a toxic fungus called ergot, which induces miscarriage by causing significant damage to the mother’s body. Of course, that wasn’t an option for Carol, who had already ingested poison. At this point, waiting for a natural birth seemed less damaging than attempting it.’

“Eek!” (??)

Suddenly, a voice came from below the window.

“Heheh.” (Carol)

Carol, who had been looking out the window, laughed.

“What’s wrong?” (Yuri)

“It seems Riche fed White Sunset. I wonder if she got licked by him.” (Carol)

‘Apparently that girl’s name is Riche.’

“Ah, that might be it.”

‘After feeding, sometimes if there’s blood residue on the hand holding the meat, they might get licked.’

“Oh, right. That reminds me.” (Carol)

‘To remember something because of a scream. That’s a peculiar way of putting it.’

“I met Dolla.” (Carol)

“Yeah, it seems so.” (Yuri)

‘In that case, did Dolla also surprise her? He’s not the type to play pranks on girls like me, so he probably just surprised her with his appearance.’

“I told him not to hold a grudge.” (Carol)

“She’ll be fine. She’s a fool. She’ll get along well with Telor eventually.” (Yuri)

Judging by her reaction at the time, Dolla didn’t seem too upset either.

“Heheh, as someone who’s been admired, it’s a bit complicated…” (Carol)

She spoke in a joking tone. It was rare to hear Carol talk like this.

“Do you feel the same way?” (Yuri)

“Well, yeah. I was hoping he’d find a new love, but when I think his feelings have shifted, it’s kind of lonely too.” (Carol)

“A girl’s heart is complicated.” (Yuri)

‘I couldn’t deny that I understood to some extent. When Liao started trying to woo Myaro, I felt something similar. I think it’s sinful, but I can’t control the movements of my heart.’

“Speaking of which, Lily-senpai and Shamu-chan came by the other day.” (Carol)

‘Lily-senpai came too?’

“Were you acquainted with Lily-senpai?” (Yuri)

“What are you saying? Wasn’t it me who arranged for Shamu-chan and Lily-senpai to share a room?” (Carol)

“Oh, right.” (Yuri)

‘Come to think of it, that’s true. Carol was the one who produced Shamu’s debut at the dorms. It feels like a distant memory.’

“Being the matchmaker for those two is one of my proudest achievements… I must say, I chose a good partner.” (Carol)

“That’s true. If it weren’t for Lily-senpai… Shamu’s dorm life wouldn’t have gone so smoothly.” (Yuri)

‘There are truly very few people who can understand, appreciate, and respect Shamu’s talent. Lily-senpai doesn’t have the same aptitude for mathematics and natural sciences as Shamu, but she has the intelligence to understand the surface with explanations and the skills to utilize knowledge in reality. While she’s not quite a genius in mechanical engineering, she undoubtedly possesses rare talent as an engineer.

Perhaps influenced by her experience as a watchmaker, she prioritizes usability and doesn’t overlook reliability in pursuit of performance.

Bringing Shamu and Lily-senpai together was truly a wise decision. For Carol, it might have been a simple task to hitch a ride on stardust, but it could have been a monumental decision, almost altering the course of history.’

“That’s true. Well, I seemed to have upset her a bit by stealing her brother…” (Carol)

“I’ll talk to her later. After all, she’s going to be your cousin-in-law.” (Yuri)

“Hehe… yeah. A cousin-in-law. Indeed… I hope it turns out well…” (Carol)

Carol laughed poignantly, as if it was something she hadn’t expected. Rather than hoping it would turn out well, it already had.

“That’s not like you. Don’t weaken your resolve. Once you give birth and your belly shrinks, your nutrition will return, and you’ll recover quickly.” (Yuri)

“Yeah, I know. I have to live and raise this child properly.” (Carol)

As she said this, Carol patted her own belly.

“Of course. Otherwise, there’s no point in defeating the Crusaders with all my effort.” (Yuri)

“I’m lucky to have a reliable husband.” (Carol)

“…You’ll be happy from now on. If you say you’re happy in your current state, you’ll be happy in the future too.” (Yuri)

‘Well, truly. Considering a child is going to be born.’

“Hey, can I be selfish and ask for one thing?” (Carol)

‘Selfish?’

“What is it? You can tell me anything.” (Yuri)

I can usually grant most requests.

“I want to see Myaro.” (Carol)

‘Whoa. Myaro, huh…’

“Myaro is extremely busy right now…” (Yuri)

‘Among the people I know, she’s currently the busiest individual. She’s as busy as a politician on the eve of an election.’

“Please, do something. Borrow White Sunset and fly her over… Please.” (Carol)

Carol stared at me with determined eyes. It didn’t seem like she wanted him to visit because she was lonely.

“Got it. I’ll figure out a way to bring her over.” (Yuri)

‘If Myaro takes a day off, there are several departments that would be paralyzed during that time, but there’s no helping it.’

“I see… Thank you.” (Carol)

With that, Carol seemed to let out a sigh of relief, as if a weight had been lifted off her shoulders.

“Hopefully, that’ll ease your mind.” (Yuri)

‘If that helps her relax, then it’s worth doing. If I fill in for a day in managing the capital, things should be manageable. And White Sunset can make a round trip in a day.’

“Phew…” (Carol)

Carol seemed to let out a relieved sigh, as if her worries about Myaro not coming had truly been weighing on her mind.

“Heheh.” (Carol)

Suddenly, she looked out the window and started laughing.

“What’s so funny?” (Yuri)

“It seems like Riche is quite interested in White Sunset. She’s cautiously approaching, trying to touch it with awe and fear.” (Carol)

“Is that so?” (Yuri)

‘Since Eagles have a habit of pecking, it’s generally not advisable to approach them recklessly. But well, White Sunset wouldn’t cause any harm, so it’s fine.’

“If I were feeling better, I’d let you ride on him.” (Carol)

“She might get scared.” (Yuri)

It might be a bit of a hassle.

“I don’t mind. It’s a once-in-a-lifetime experience… Flying through the sky is something you can’t do once you’re an adult, so even if she’s scared, I think it’s worth letting her experience it. That’s what I think.” (Carol)

‘Well, that’s true. Most people in this world will, at most, climb a mountain to see the view, never experiencing flying through the sky in their entire lives. While I don’t think flying will have such a profound impact on people’s lives, it will certainly be a memorable experience.’

“In that case, I’ll take her for a ride.” (Yuri)

“Huh, is that okay?” (Carol)

“If you hear stories from her, it’ll be something for you to pass the time, won’t it?” (Yuri)

I imagined the girl excitedly telling Carol about her impressions of flying in the sky.

“Heheh, you’re meanie.” (Carol)

I stood up from the chair, pretended to look out the window, and gently touched Carol’s cheek.

Turning her towards me, I quickly stole a kiss and then pulled away.

“Yeah, I’m such a meanie.” (Yuri)

“Oh, dear me.” (Carol)

Carol said while, still looking pleased.

 “Wipe your lips. You have lipstick on them.” (Carol)

“I know.” (Yuri)

I replied as I left the room.

Feeling a bit off, I glanced at my hand and noticed there was some flesh-colored oil on it.