Chapter 199: Noble Respite
The sky was a deep, clear blue, and the breeze sweeping through the terrace felt delightful.
It was autumn, the season when horses grow fat beneath the high sky.
Perhaps it was also a season for reading.
What I held now were parchment maps and work documents, but there was no urgent need to read through them.
I thought about picking up a storybook for a change, but the books from this era tended to be stiff and uninteresting.
Maybe I could write a novel about my past exploits and make a profit.
The long-standing wars and post-war diplomacy had come to an end. With the removal of all threats, I found myself suddenly at a loss for things to do.
However, I certainly didn’t have time to write a light novel. It wasn’t that I had nothing to do.
As the royal consort of the Kingdom of Silesie, I held the position of overseeing the military authority of the kingdom. I also needed to devise plans for building a new nation.
I racked my brain to recall modern history and began sketching out the blueprint for the new nation and its industrial structure on a blank sheet of paper. The city of Nant, having received a large sum in reparations, was bustling with activity as preparations to become an international port progressed. Perhaps spurred by the victorious mood, both the stock market and banking sector were on track. A boom in entrepreneurship and investment was simultaneously thriving.
If this development were left unchecked, it would lead to a bubble economy that would eventually collapse. Thus, I had to ensure that the real economy developed amid this prosperity.
To invigorate trade, there needed to be goods to sell.
The primary industry of Silesie was typical of an agricultural nation, but it would need to branch out into light industries like food processing and spinning, eventually leading to the development of heavy industries like steel.
「There’s a mountain of work to do.」
Fortunately, we had succeeded in acquiring most of the shipping vessels and overseas colonial interests from the Kingdom of Castilia as reparations. By stripping the maritime hegemonic power from Castilia, our nation’s wealth was overflowing.
I had to ride this momentum and push the needle of history forward into the forthcoming Age of Exploration.
With this opportunity to settle down, I would prepare for it.
Although I had excellent staff to support the practical aspects, only I could draw the future map heading north, south, and to the distant new continent.
The history of living humans never halts.
With that momentum, I started drafting a few new plans, but then I suddenly paused.
「Well, maybe it’s okay to take a break today.」
I thought it wouldn’t hurt to stop and rest for a bit. The sunlight was soft today, and the breeze felt pleasant.
Perhaps I could enjoy a moment of peace in the capital, taking my time to relax. There was no need to rush. Not just today, but I could probably take a few days off without feeling guilty.
In fact, with my wives’ deliveries approaching, I wanted to postpone any travels until things settled down. It would be lonely if a father weren’t around when a child was born, like with Orakeru.
Having resolved to take a break for the day, I sat back in a chair on the terrace, looking at the vibrant gardens of the palace while glancing at the parchment map of the continent of Eura.
「Let’s see, this terrain… Where was the report on the colonial city on the continent of Afri? No, wait… That’s not right…」
I had decided to take a break, yet I found myself thinking about work again. Having been hurried by various situations in the past, even looking at the map made me feel restless.
I placed the map on the side table, sinking deeply into the silk-covered chair and taking a deep breath.
Okay, this isn’t working. It’s a bad habit. I can’t laugh off my workaholic tendencies.
「Coffee is ready.」
「Oh… thank you. It’s a luxury to have the queen herself serve me.」
Silhouette approached, carrying a tray with coffee and snacks. Since the series of diplomatic events had concluded, Silhouette was taking a day off.
I received the cup filled with the black liquid, feeling the waves of aroma as I brought it to my lips. It was rich.
Silhouette sat next to me, leaning her slender waist against me. The chair was a bit small for two, but that was fine.
「I’m taking a break too, enjoying a little relaxation.」
「Yeah, you’ve been quite busy lately. How’s your health?」
Her delicate body made it easy to forget, but Silhouette was pregnant. She chuckled at my question and took my hand.
「There was a time when morning sickness was quite tough, but I’m feeling good now.」
「Really? So, you’re in the stable period, huh?」
We nestled together on the small sofa, engaging in light chatter. During the hectic times of war and internal affairs, we hadn’t been able to share such a leisurely moment.
Spending time with Silhouette felt like a rare treat.
「Speaking of which, your birthday is coming up soon, right?」
「Eh? Yes, I’ll be turning eighteen soon.」
It felt like just yesterday when she was fifteen and already considered an adult. Now she was approaching eighteen. Silhouette was petite, making it hard for me to imagine that I was married to her and that she would soon become a mother.
But time has a way of slipping by unnoticed.
Even the slave girls who lived in the castle and helped with various tasks, whom I had thought of as children, were now starting to talk about coming-of-age celebrations.
It still felt strange to consider someone an adult at fifteen, but that was the custom in this country, so I had to get used to it.
Looking back, I wondered how old I was now. My birthday had become confusing after my transmigration, but since I had been in this world for over three years, I guessed I was around twenty-one.
「Wow, time flies, doesn’t it? We need to celebrate.」
「There’s no need for anything extravagant, but I would be happy if you could celebrate with me, Takeru-sama.」
We had bought a large quantity of amber from the Rastore Kingdom to make jewelry, and we received plenty of gold and silver treasures from the Castilia Kingdom. I wouldn’t have any trouble finding a gift for her… but hmm.
As I savored the sweetness of the white macarons after the bitterness of the coffee, the thought crossed my mind that I could make a cake for her birthday. When you think of a birthday, you think of cake. Maybe I could consult with Head Chef Colette to whip up a big cake.
How about a wedding cake-sized one? With so many girls in our household, we wouldn’t have to worry about it going to waste.
I could bake a large sponge, frost it, and pile it high with fruit. The idea of creating a towering cake filled my mind, and it brought me joy.
「Did you come up with something fun?」
Silhouette asked, noticing my happy expression.
「Fufu, something like that.」
I decided to keep the cake a secret until it was finished. It would be much more enjoyable to draw up a blueprint for the towering cake than to simply write up another plan. This was a nice way to unwind. The fact that I could think of such things was a sign that peace had truly come.
※
「Oh, it’s coming together!」
「Master, is it really okay for the cake to be this tall? It’s my first time making one, so I’m a bit nervous.」
In the royal palace’s kitchen, a tower of cake sponge layers stood tall on a large silver platter, four layers high. The cake reached nearly a meter in height. If it got any taller, it might collapse under its own weight, so this was probably its limit.
This might be the first tower cake in the history of the Eura continent, and just watching the process unfold filled me with excitement.
Under the supervision of Chef Colette, who wore a white chef’s hat, the slave girls were busy churning the cold milk into whipped cream in bowls, creating a delightful mess.
To build a cake this tall, we needed not only a lot of sponge but also plenty of whipped cream. Since everything was being made from scratch, we had to make sure we had enough hands on deck.
While Sharon was overseeing other tasks, it was clear that Colette and the cooking team of slave girls were leading the charge in the kitchen. The base sponges were already baking one after another, progressing according to my plans.
As I helped whisk the cream, a small girl with blue hair and blue eyes, a half-nymph named Viola, approached, carrying a large basket brimming with fruits. I rushed over to help her with the heavy load.
There were sweet strawberries, slightly tart citrus fruits, and fragrant muscat grapes that could be eaten with their skins on—perfect for the cake. I had asked for a variety of fruits, and among them were the chestnuts known as shateniers and the prickly-covered fruits called iga in Silesie.
These could also be used as ingredients for the cake if I made candied chestnuts, but the sugar cooking process takes too long, so I decided to save them for another time. We could always enjoy them in a chestnut rice dish later.
But for now, the priority was the cake.
「Fruits…..brought them.」
「Thank you, Viola! This helps a lot!」
Viola, proud to receive praise for her harvest, had not only been cultivating herbs in the garden fed by the miasma from the Devil’s Mountain but had also established a trial rice paddy in the marshlands. Recently, she even started a fruit orchard.
The greenhouse I designed, with its glass walls, must be working wonders, as her orchard was flourishing with southern fruits that wouldn’t typically grow in Silesie, regardless of the season.
Viola, blessed by the water spirit, gently stroked the rice plants as she encouraged them to grow, and in return, they yielded a rich harvest. The fruit trees also bore large, sweet fruits. While I had other girls helping her, much of the success of the trial gardens in the Devil’s Mountain area could be attributed to Viola’s personal talent for plant cultivation.
Although large-scale production was challenging, it was a blessing to have such diverse ingredients cultivated near the capital. I could always import the ingredients that weren’t available in Silesie, making it a perfect environment for culinary experimentation.
As I busied myself in the castle’s large kitchen, arranging fruits and peeling chestnuts alongside Viola, I decided to reward her with a scoop of whipped cream.
「Want to taste this?」
「Delicious…」
Viola’s adorable reaction as she licked the cream was heartwarming. Girls loved sweet treats.
「Good to hear. I’ll make you even tastier things.」
「Yeah, looking forward」
Watching her joy at enjoying a sweet treat brought me peace. Since Viola loved ice cream, I planned to make some for her later.
How about pancakes drizzled with honey and whipped cream, served with ice cream? An ice cake could be a fun idea too! Since Viola could use basic water magic, she could easily create and cool ice right there.
Thanks to her abilities, our cake-making repertoire was expanding.
As I happily worked on the whipped cream with the slave girls, the door suddenly burst open with a loud bang, and Ria came rushing in.
「What is it, Ria?」
「I heard you’re making a cake big enough for someone to fit inside! I want to help too!」
Ria’s face was brimming with pride and excitement. She even flashed me a double peace sign, looking as if she wanted to shout ‘Yay!’. The flamboyant gesture made me anticipate what she might say next, and I felt a hint of danger in her excitement.
I could already tell that Ria was about to suggest something ridiculous, like making her angelic self appear from inside the cake. I gave her shoulder a light pat.
「I told you not to overdo it, especially since you’re about to give birth.」
「Eh? Ah, then… my milk… Ah!」
I sighed and set down the bowl I had been using to make the whipped cream. I pulled Ria, dressed in her pure white gown, into a gentle embrace. If she stayed quiet, she’d be the beautiful blonde-haired, blue-eyed holy mother; but once she spoke, she became such a disappointing woman.
To quiet her down, I gave her a soft kiss. This was the best way to silence Ria, and I rubbed her growing belly, feeling a slight movement within. The baby was indeed growing inside her.
Holding her like this would calm Ria for the time being, but she’d soon become restless again. She had been in this mood for a while now.
Perhaps it was the anticipation of giving birth that made her feel unsettled. Ria always acted a bit strange, but recently, her behavior had become even more erratic. It was like trying to work with a cat—did she want my attention?
「Hey, Ria. You don’t have to force yourself to be funny all the time. I keep thinking, what comedian are you trying to be? You’re going to be a mother soon, right?」
「Ugh… when you put it that way, I guess I have no choice.」
I wished she could be a little more motherly and calm. Every time I thought about it, I couldn’t understand how Ria, with her goofy antics, was revered as a saint. It was clear that leaving her to her own devices was dangerous.
「…If you’re feeling fidgety, why not help me make the whipped cream?」
「Is that so? I’ll help by all means!」
I handed Ria the bowl of cream and the whisk, but for some reason, she immediately began to take off her gown as if it were the most natural thing in the world.
「Hey, wait! Don’t take it off! I told you I don’t need your milk!」
「No, it’s not about milk. I was thinking of using the whipped cream for… you know, a bit of fun on my chest. Isn’t that the kind of scene we’re going for?」
What does she mean by ‘fun’? I couldn’t understand her reasoning at all. It felt like we had just settled into a nice atmosphere with the other girls, and now this unstable Ria was throwing a wrench into things.
「Come here, Ria. Sorry, everyone, but please continue with your work.」
「Yes…」
I decided to set the cake-making aside and calm Ria down instead. Usually, spending some time together and rubbing her belly helped her relax.
Pregnant women can be emotionally unstable. Even though Ria had the blessing of the goddess of creation and couldn’t really feel unwell, she still might have her own worries.
I never thought I would become a father so soon, and I doubted Ria, who used to be a sister, expected to become a mother either. It was understandable that she felt restless. But I couldn’t help but wonder what kind of child would be born from a mother like her, with all her quirks.
※※※
The main hall of the palace had turned into a makeshift party venue.
With a large cake in the center, other dishes were laid out for a buffet-style feast.
On a smaller cake, there were candles arranged according to Silhouette’s age.
It was a common birthday tradition, but it seemed this custom didn’t exist here, so I had to explain it a bit, which took some time.
「Did you make all this for me?」
「I wanted to celebrate grandly since I haven’t been able to spend much time with you, and it’s also a way to apologize. Now, go ahead and blow out the candles.」
With a delighted expression, Silhouette blew out the flames on the cake’s candles in one breath.
In her excitement, she exclaimed, ‘Takeru-sama, your homeland has such interesting customs!’ With that joy, Silhouette’s fairy-like beauty and petite stature made her look like a little girl.
「Yeah, I’m glad you’re happy. It was worth the preparation. And this is for you.」
I handed her a bracelet made of amber. Since Silhouette had official events as queen, she could never have too many pieces of jewelry.
「Uu….」
「What’s wrong? Why are you crying?」
「I thought I wouldn’t receive anything like this again. I’m so sorry. I just got overwhelmed with joy…」
「I gave gifts to the other wives first, but I wanted to make this special and give you the bracelet on your birthday, so I had it custom-made just for you…」
It was true that giving Silhouette a gift from the Rastore Kingdom had turned out to be the last one. It was supposed to be the grand finale, but keeping it a secret until her birthday had made her anxious, thinking she might not receive anything at all.
The surprise had perhaps been too effective.
Although Silhouette had become a splendid queen, it seemed remnants of her earlier insecurities lingered from her days as a less prominent princess.
There was no way I would forget to give her a gift.
I comforted Silhouette, who was both laughing and crying, and gently placed the amber bracelet around her slender, white wrist.
The intricately crafted amber bracelet was beautiful, but Silhouette’s delicate arm was even more so.
「The gift is beautiful, and the cake is absolutely delicious. Thank you so much!」
「I’m glad you like it. While the appearance is important, I made sure to focus on the taste as well.」
The fruits that Viola had grown were all sweet and delicious, so I could use significantly less sugar while still achieving great flavor.
Sugar was still precious, and generally, sweets with higher sugar content were considered luxury items.
However, a complex blend of the cream and the various fruity sweetness would surely taste much better. In fact, a cake abundant with strawberries, oranges, and muscat grapes would likely be more refined with a lighter sweetness.
「Thank you for the best present ever!」
「Yeah, I’m glad you’re happy. From now on, let’s celebrate everyone’s birthdays together.」
The reason I had significantly reduced the amount of sugar was twofold. I’d heard that pregnant women’s tastes could change, and I was a bit worried whether what I found delicious would also be enjoyable for Silhouette and the others.
Our human ancestors were creatures that lived in trees and primarily consumed fruits, so it made sense that during times of ill health, they would eat grated apples.
Fruits are high in nutritional value and good for the body, and they should be gentle on a pregnant woman’s stomach as well. It seemed that the natural sweetness of fruits still appealed to Silhouette, even with her altered taste.
Not just Silhouette, but both Lyle-sensei and Ria, as well as Sharon, were also pregnant, so I had to be considerate of their preferences. I’d advised them to stop if they found anything too harsh, but since both Ria and Sharon were eagerly devouring the food, they seemed to be fine.
Lyle-sensei was also eating in moderation. She never seemed to have a strong sweet tooth, but it seemed that since her pregnancy, she had started enjoying sweets more.
Their food preferences might have slightly changed due to the shift in taste, but pregnant women generally seemed to have a strong appetite. I had heard they often crave sour foods, so I made sure to always have citrus fruits on hand.
After looking around to see everyone enjoying their meal, I cut the cake into slices, added forks, and headed out to the courtyard.
「Neneka, are you there?」
「Yes, I’m here…」
During times when international relations were tense, our spies, who had been active in the Kingdom of Castilia, had returned to the capital. Although the number of guards at the castle should be sufficient, the security in our harem seemed lax, so I felt more at ease knowing that seasoned scouts like Neneka, with experience in shadow warfare and special missions, were patrolling the area.
As pure defensive forces, having an excellent knight like Louise and an advance mage like Kaara is more than enough, but there’s a principle of the right person in the right place. In the event that an enemy assassin or spy were to infiltrate, it’s better to leave it to professionals like Neneka, who would handle the defense effectively.
Moreover, Neneka’s team consists entirely of women, which is convenient for defending the harem. I worry that I might be using them too much, as their workload could become excessive. I’ve been providing them with a reasonable salary, so it seems they’ve been able to hire a few more members.
「I made a cake, so you guys should eat too.」
「But we have to stay on guard…」
「Yeah, but you can take turns. Today’s a special occasion to celebrate the queen’s birthday. If you want, I can take over the guarding while Neneka eats.」
Upon hearing this, Neneka seemed unable to hold back her laughter, chuckling softly.
「What’s so funny?」
「Well, I was just thinking about how strange it is for the person being guarded to offer to take over for the guards.」
「Is it really that strange? True, I’m in the position of needing protection right now, and I can’t compare to you professionals, but I taught you the methods of espionage, didn’t I?」
「No, I just found it amusing because it felt very much like you. But I actually prefer this kind of easygoing Hero-sama.」
After saying this, Neneka took the plate I offered and began eating the cake. It seemed she was willing to accept my goodwill. Unlike soldiers, Neneka and her team had a certain flexibility, which was one of their strengths.
「This is sweet and delicious!」
「I’m glad you like it. I’ll bring some food and drinks later.」
「Still, it feels like a lie to be here like this.」
「What do you mean?」
As Neneka sipped the tea I had brought her, she suddenly spoke those words.
「It feels like just yesterday when I was part of a band of thieves, and Hero-sama came to confront us. And now, in just a few years, that same Hero-sama has become the lord of this country, and we, former thieves, are guarding the castle. I never could have imagined it.」
「Yeah, it’s hard to believe how far we’ve all come.」
It had only been two years since then.
So much had happened in that time; we had overcome two major wars together and reached this point as a group.
「We were saved by you, Hero-sama. Thank you very much.」
「No, I should be the one thanking you. I’m still receiving your help even now.」
As we sat in the palace courtyard, listening to the sounds of insects and gazing up at the beautiful moon, memories of the past flooded back. On quiet nights like this, I often found myself feeling reflective.
「Then I guess we’re even?」
「Yeah, but since I’m the master, it’s you who should accept the reward. You did a great job in the recent mission in the Kingdom of Castilia. This may be a modest gift, but…」
I pulled out a ring with a large amber stone from the pouch I had kept hidden. The amber was a rare, deep purple hue, the reason for its color a mystery.
Since the color reminded me of Neneka’s purple hair, I initially considered making it a hair ornament, but then realized that such a thing wouldn’t be practical for her work as a spy. So, I decided to turn it into a ring instead.
「Wait… a ring? Are you serious?」
「Serious? Of course, don’t hesitate to take it.」
「If I take it, I won’t be returning it, you know?」
Neneka reached out and swiftly snatched the ring from my hand, slipping it onto her left finger. It suited her perfectly. A ring wouldn’t get in the way too much, either.
Since her work as a spy might require her to need money unexpectedly, I had chosen a ring for its high liquidity. But for some reason, the atmosphere felt a bit strange.
Neneka seemed especially delighted to receive the ring, her excitement glowing in the moonlight as the amber sparkled. Usually calm and collected, tonight she appeared quite different.
Feeling a bit out of place, I told her I’d go bring some additional food and drinks.
‘Then please make it alcohol. You’re going to keep me company tonight, right?’ she said in an unexpectedly sultry tone.
「Neneka, didn’t you say you had security duties?」
「That’s fine, isn’t it? Today is special. The shift will change soon, and if I ask them, they’ll let me take a break.」
I thought her words were a bit contradictory, but I decided to bring back some fine wine along with the food.
When I returned with the wine and dishes, she insisted that I join her for dinner.
I thought it was a good opportunity for the spies to have some relaxation, so I had the barrels of wine and food brought in, and soon a small feast began on the terrace of the courtyard.
The high-quality wine that rarely graced the lips of palace spies was poured, and the platters of ham and sausages quickly vanished.
Indeed, days like this were welcome. As we ate together on the terrace, Neneka leaned heavily against me.
I, too, had indulged in the stories of the past and was pleasantly tipsy, but Neneka seemed to be more affected. She could barely stand on her own.
「I didn’t expect you to be so weak with alcohol, Neneka…」
「Do you dislike weak women?」
I assured her I didn’t, then picked her up and carried her to the lounge in the harem. They had prepared beds there for Neneka and the others to rest.
「I’ll make you a bit more comfortable.」
I loosened the laces on Neneka’s boots and pulled them off. She wouldn’t be able to sleep comfortably in shoes. Hesitating for a moment at her alluring thighs, I decided it would be better to remove her socks as well.
「Hero-sama, please take off my clothes too…」
「Well, that’s a bit… but I suppose I can at least remove your jacket.」
As I loosened the buttons of her shirt, she took advantage of the moment and wrapped her bare legs around my waist, pulling me onto the bed with surprising strength.
Before I realized it, I found myself enveloped in her embrace, lying on the bed.
「Hey, Neneka…?」
「What’s wrong?」
「What do you mean ‘what’s wrong’… Are you joking?」
「I’m not joking. Giving a woman a ring isn’t a joke. And if you’re going to get me drunk and put me to bed, that’s a done deal.」
「Is that so? I didn’t have that intention…」
「Whether you did or not, just give in already. No one is going to come in here, right?」
「Now that you mention it, it is eerily quiet.」
「My subordinates were thoughtful enough to clear the area for us.」
The spy team is quite frightening. So it was all calculated.
As I was taken aback, Neneka whispered in my ear to not embarrass the woman too much.
Lately, it feels like this kind of situation has been happening a lot. But I feel that being so close to Neneka, especially in this position, is quite problematic. After all, I’m her direct superior.
「Hey, Neneka, isn’t there some sort of professional code where spies don’t get involved with their clients?」
There must be some sense of professionalism.
「What are you talking about? I’m just an ex-thief. There’s no such thing. If it’s a good man, I’d just want to embrace him.」
She laughed.
「Still, cheating is a bit…」
Neneka, as the head of the shadow squad in the Kingdom of Silesie, was impressive. The way her slender arms wrapped tightly around my neck made it feel impossible to escape.
It felt as though I had been completely caught in a hold.
Of course, as a hero, I should be able to easily shake her off if I really wanted to, but for some reason, I couldn’t.
「If it’s not cheating and it’s serious, that would be okay, right? I mean, it’s rather strange for a woman of this age to wear something like this around her neck and not take it seriously.」
「Oh, the slave collar…」
Even though I told her she didn’t need to wear it anymore since it had served its purpose, Neneka still wore the white collar marked with my brand, as it was more acceptable.
Removing the collar that had tightened around her neck, Neneka leaned over me.
「Putting something like that to a woman, you should take responsibility, Hero-sama. If this is how things are going, then I’m already your mistress, aren’t I? At least that’s how everyone will see it. As a man, you have to take responsibility for that, right?」
「Hmm, well…」
When she put it that way, I was at a loss. It was my convenience that had led Neneka and the others to this situation.
But being confronted with that logic was troubling. If I were to attend to every girl I had put a slave collar on, I wouldn’t have enough of myself to go around.
「You’re still as kind as ever; it seems that as long as a woman shows a little weakness, you’ll go along with it.」
「Well, it’s not so much that I’m going along with it as it is that I can’t escape…」
「Hehe, I’m enamored with you, Hero-sama…」
「Neneka…」
As I was pushed down onto the bed, Neneka leaned closer, her breath sweet and her earlobes flushed with excitement.
I found myself caught up in Neneka’s fervor, and our lips met. The taste of the wine we had drunk lingered.
「I may not be the most suitable woman for a hero like you, but I’ve risked my life to serve you as best as I could.」
「That’s not true; you’re more than suitable.」
「If that’s the case, then isn’t it alright for me to receive a reward for just one night?」
「If that’s what you want, Neneka, then… yeah.」
After saying that, I surprised myself by actually agreeing. It felt like I had given the green light.
「I’m so happy… so I can really receive a reward from you?」
「Yeah, if it’s you, Neneka… then it’s alright.」
Even while knowing that cheating was wrong, I still ended up spending the night together with Neneka, and it wasn’t just the influence of the unfamiliar wine.
I must have had some part of me that recognized and accepted this.
After a long time of knowing each other, I thought maybe it would be fine with Neneka.
While I had often been teased in a joking manner before, I had always thought it was just playful banter.
I never expected to be genuinely pursued by Neneka, but perhaps somewhere inside me, I had sensed this would happen.
However, it seems that in this world, heroes are quite appealing. It makes sense that previous heroes had many wives.