Chapter 182: Carolines Resolve
Caroline Transylvania Orania—the young duchess in the blue dress and glasses.
With her long flaxen hair tied back, Caroline briskly issued packing instructions to her knights. She had transformed from her bewitching image to a neat and tidy girl again.
「Caroline…」
「Ara, Takeru-sama, you’ve returned.」
「Yeah, I’m back. Heard you were getting ready to leave.」
「Ufufu, so you hurried all the way to my room?」
「Well, it seemed like the thing to do.」
I thought she might be upset about my nonchalant attitude, perhaps even planning to return to her homeland. But Caroline’s demeanor remained as usual, leaving me slightly surprised.
「If you were that worried, maybe I should have put on a better show of anger. After all, I worked so hard—I was the last among the ladies to conceive, and losing to Queen Silhouette still stings a bit.」
「Come on, spare me.」 「Ufufu, just kidding. But yes, I really was considering going back.」
「Huh, is that true?」
What’s going on? Is it really all about securing an heir and then being done with it?
Come to think of it, Caroline had mentioned before that she had concerns about her family back home. But if she leaves, I’ll feel a little lonely.
「Wait, don’t give me that look. There’s a reason behind my decision.」
「Reason? Can you share it with me?」
「Yes, I’ve been meaning to discuss it with you ever since you returned.」
We retreated to a separate room, where the scent of strawberry-infused tea—sourced from Transylvanian plantations—wafted through the air.
Even as a young duchess, Caroline was involved in various product developments.
「Ahh, still delicious as ever.」
「Thank you. And please enjoy some sweets too—they’re inspired by Silesien pastries, with generous use of strawberries.」
Between soft layers of dough, whipped cream and strawberries nestled—a confection that wouldn’t seem out of place even in modern-day Japan.
「Yeah, that’s it. Delicious.」
「I’m delighted you think so. I took inspiration from the pastries you created, Takeru-sama. My intention is to make this a signature treat of Transylvania.」
Caroline’s face bloomed like a rose.
Ah, so she was indeed bolstering her homeland, just as she had mentioned.
「Caroline, are you aiming to become a rival to the Silesie Kingdom in business?」
「Hehe, yes. It seems that way. After all, in Transylvania, where we have rivers for papermaking, we can efficiently industrialize.」
「And did you learn that from my endeavors in Silesie? Is that why you gathered all those packed goods?」
「Well, even while you were working hard abroad, Takeru-sama, I wasn’t idle. Despite the setbacks from the recent war, Transylvania can use reparations to foster new industries. Personally, I see it as an opportunity for innovation.」
Caroline’s brown eyes sparkled behind her glasses.
For me, having a business rival was actually a welcome prospect. We were on the cusp of an age of great exploration across the vast continent of Eura.
As various ports flourished with new industries, the entire region would prosper through synergy. Comparative advantage played a role too—what I was experimenting with in Silesie might find easier industrialization in Transylvania.
The consumption of paper would undoubtedly increase. Having Transylvania take the lead in this endeavor was truly appreciated.
Inexpensive paper would disseminate maps and new knowledge, further propelling progress.
「Well then, if that’s the case, I can’t stop you.」
「You feel lonely, don’t you?」
Caroline sat beside me and gently pulled my head towards her.
The desire to experience her soft body again surged within me. There’s also jealousy; though she’s usually a lady, I worry that she might cheat on me with other men when she returns to our homeland.
「Ufufu, you don’t need to worry. I’ll be too busy to even think about other things. Once I give birth to this child back home, I’ll return to you.」
Caroline spoke while rubbing her still barely noticeable belly. She seemed to see right through my worries.
Caroline is probably right. She’s inherently very serious.
「Alright, I’ll visit you as much as I can.」
「Hearing such kind words has brightened my mood.」
Ah, so she was a bit angry after all.
I haven’t been able to keep my promise to meet Silhouette weekly either. Even though it was due to the war, as a husband, it’s fitting that I get scolded.
「While I’m being scolded, may I ask one more thing?」
「What is it?」
Caroline smiled at me seductively.
It’s hard to say…
※※※
The harem roundtable meeting.
That’s the only way to describe this gathering. Sitting demurely in the center across from me is Queen Silhouette.
Next to her are Caroline, Lyle-sensei, and Sharon, Oracle, and Ria, who are tending to my infants.
My six wives in the harem had gathered.
「So, what was the agenda again?」
「I have no idea. Was it about naming Oracle’s newborn?」
Sharon and Ria are playing dumb.
They must have already discussed it internally.
「We do need to decide the child’s name, Nation’s Father.」
Kaara, standing behind me, uttered those words. I remained silent, caught in a web of conflicting emotions.
Indeed, it was as she said. Louise, who featured prominently on today’s agenda, stood there with an air of nervous anticipation.
And then there was Are and even Sherry was inexplicably present. Why had they all come? Are seemed enthusiastic, perhaps even intending to plead for marriage. Sherry, sitting demurely on a chair, harbored her own intentions.
The inner chambers were strictly off-limits to anyone but wives, and this was a private family matter. Yet, with everyone maintaining silence, my precarious position made it difficult to interject.
I sighed deeply.
It was my duty as a man to address this.
「Listen, everyone. The reason we’ve gathered here is none other than my desire to take Louise and Kaara as my wives!」
I had steeled myself for this moment.
After all, I couldn’t expand our family without my current wife’s consent.
「Ano, this lady is in favor of it desu yo. I’ve often wondered why they weren’t part of our household.」
As expected of my wife.
Since my main wife has expressed her approval, things are now easier.
But marrying both Louise and Kaara? That thought hadn’t crossed my mind.
Did they perceive it that way?
「Oracle-san is also already one of us. Being a demon doesn’t pose any issue. I see no reason to object.」
With Caroline’s support, we had overcome a significant hurdle.
And then, Lyle-sensei raised his hand and interjected.
「Wait a moment.」
My nerves flared up.
Could it be that Lyle-sensei would oppose my decision?
「Takeru-dono, are you saying that only Louise and Kaara will be wed? There are four others standing by.」
「Wait, what? No, just the two.」
「Wait a minute!」
The scene unfolds with the spirited dragon maiden, Are, raising her fist.
「Hero, I shall wed thee!」
「Ehto, just the two.」
I replied, somewhat taken aback.
Her enthusiasm was overwhelming.
「Well, perhaps it’s prudent to consider marrying Are as well. Given that Rango Island will become a crucial port, maintaining blood ties might be wise. After all, Are willingly aided the Kingdom of Silesie.」
How many times had Lyle-sensei suggested political marriage to me?
But truth be told, I disliked such arrangements. There were reasons I wanted to avoid them.
「Frankly, I haven’t grown particularly fond of Are yet.」
「Unbelievable, Hero! You and Are, once enemies, now drawn together by fate. We fought side by side, shared moments of affection, and yet you’d dismiss me so casually? Unacceptable!」
When had we shared moments of affection?
Sure, she’d been invaluable in battle, but as a marriage prospect, it felt premature.
「How about marrying Are for now?」
「Sensei, you’re just going to throw it in my face? You’re not even trying to use logic.」
Lyle-sensei sighed as Are furiously flaps her wings.
It was a tough situation—especially considering she might lay eggs. How would it feel when our child hatched from an egg?
「Hero, let us wed. Do it!」
「Enough! We’re discussing important matters here.」
「But that’s precisely why you should marry me!」
「Yes, yes.」
Then Sharon hesitantly raised her hand.
「Perhaps, master, marrying Are out of pity might be worth considering.」
Pity? Was marriage really about that?
「Takeru, show some backbone. Whether demon or dragon maiden, their essence remains unchanged. Besides, Are’s incessant flapping will make the child cry!」
Oracle cradled the baby Sharon handed over, cooing softly. Even amidst Are’s flapping, the child remained unperturbed—a testament to its strength. Oracle, however, seemed oddly disinterested in the commotion.
Hey, don’t just start breastfeeding here.
「Hero, I, too, can’t wait to have an offspring!」
「Yes, yes. I get it」
Truth be told, I didn’t dislike Are.
It was more a matter of not wanting to stumble into things. But if everyone approved, perhaps it was inevitable.
「Hooray! So, we’re getting married now, right?」
Are hugged me tightly. I chuckled.
With things seemingly settled, Louise gracefully bowed.
「Please take care of me from now on.」
Kaara followed suit, lowering her head.
「Eh? Me too, please take care of me too!」
Are blurted out, flustered. Around the round table, my wives erupted in applause.
This whole situation surprised me, but apparently, it was part of the ritual.
「Me too. I’m still a young but please take care of me.」
Sherry added, standing up.
Sherry? Well, she wasn’t directly involved, but—
「Right then, let’s proceed. I’ll take Louise, Kaara, and Are as my wives. We’ll hold a proper wedding eventually. But first, I’ll need Eleonora’s approval.」
Of course, I hadn’t forgotten Eleonora—my other wife. Handling the aftermath with the Germania Empire was a separate matter entirely.
「Wait a moment, oniisama!」
「Yes?」
Sherry’s voice interrupted. What now?
「Why am I always overlooked? I’ve been nervously waiting for my turn! If I just sit quietly, maybe this time it’ll work out!」
Are poked her head in, perhaps thinking she’d been called. But no, it wasn’t about her—probably.
「Well, because Sherry wasn’t originally part of this.」
「Eh?」
Sherry’s dismay echoed through the room as everyone resumed their lively chatter.
Oracle cradled the baby, and the topic shifted to what we should name our child.
「Alright, everyone, let’s disband. Sherry, I’m not sure why you’re here, but—」
「EH?」
Lyle-sensei patted her shoulder consolingly for some reason. Why had Sherry dolled up in a dress and come here when she wasn’t directly involved?
「Sherry, there’ll be other opportunities.」
「No, that can’t be. This was supposed to be one of those surprise moments, like with Are-san. You know, make me think it’s a lost cause, and then suddenly—bam!—I get included!」
Sherry’s dissatisfaction was palpable, but honestly, I felt relieved. One less concern. Now, I needed to seriously think about our child’s name. Something that rolled off the tongue.
Oracle and Takeru… Or maybe ‘Orakeru’?
A bit too straightforward, perhaps?