Chapter 228: A Brief Return Home
Kaara rested on the island, waiting for her magic power to recover before we used the magic circle on the Black Cedar warship to return to the Silesie Kingdom.
Though I had promised to return often, I had been away from the royal palace for quite some time. With the looming war, it was wise to return whenever possible.
Using teleportation magic, I arrived in the garden of the royal harem of the Silesie Kingdom, where Sharon greeted me. She was watching over our children with the maids.
「Welcome home, master.」
This place was always filled with blooming white lilies.
Sharon was pushing a pram, inside of which were our twin children with dog ears. They were fraternal twins, different in both gender and appearance.
The boy, Noah, had inherited my black hair and Sharon’s amber eyes. The girl, Lorange, had Sharon’s orange hair and my black eyes.
「Daa…」
When they reached out their little hands, I lifted both Noah and Lorange into my arms at once.
「It’s been a while. Have you been well?」 They were still small, but both smiled, much like Sharon. They were healthy and affectionate, and holding them made me feel warm inside.
After placing them back into the pram, Sharon stretched out her hands toward me as well, a silent request. I pulled her into an embrace.
Perhaps that’s how it is for mothers. Sharon’s body, like the children’s, was warm, and she had a pleasant scent.
「I’ve been away for quite some time.」
「As long as you return safely, that’s all that matters.」
「Forgive me for running around selfishly and causing you worry. Knowing you’re here protecting our home allows me to act freely. I’m grateful for that.」
「Your words are too kind. Please, leave the house to me. I’m happy if I can be of help to you.」
「It’s reassuring to hear that from you, Sharon.」
「Will you be staying for a while this time?」
When I told her I intended to, she smiled warmly. Whenever I returned, I had to spend time with the other children, or they might forget their father.
「Peek-a-boo!」
As I performed the usual routine to make the babies laugh, Orakeru and Coyle suddenly imitated me.
「Peek!」 「Boo!」
Hey now… I’m the one trying to make them laugh, but these two mimicking me had me chuckling instead.
For the record, it was Orakeru, Oracle’s child, who stuck out her tongue for the ‘peek’. and Coyle, Lyle-sensei’s child, who quickly followed with the ‘boo’.
Orakeru and Coyle were both surprisingly intelligent, far more than you’d expect from someone like me as their father. Though they weren’t quite talking yet, they seemed to understand words and letters. Well, their mothers were gifted, after all.
They hadn’t even reached their first birthday yet, and I couldn’t help but wonder what kind of people they would grow into as adults. Compared to them, Silhouette’s child Lumiere and Ria’s child Ruana were much more like ordinary babies, which, honestly, was a bit of a relief.
Both were blonde beauties who took after their mothers, so as long as they grew up healthy, their futures seemed secure. Perhaps that was just a parent’s bias.
「By the way, Sharon, has anything changed while I was away?」
「Oh, right! Her Highness Princess Caroline and Her Highness Princess Eleonora are here to see you.」
「Caroline and Eleonora?」
Caroline should be back in the Duchy of Transylvania, raising our son Mauritz, so I wonder what brings her here. As for Eleonora, she returned to the Duchy of Lanct after confirming her pregnancy.
「Their Highnesses have duties in their respective lands, but I’m sure they’ve come to see you, master.」
「To see me?」
Though Silesie is far from their homes, with teleportation magic, it’s not difficult to visit. Whenever I have the time, I do try to make my way to the Duchy of Transylvania or the Duchy of Lanct.
「They probably know how busy you are with matters concerning the Abyss Continent.」
「That makes sense. I’ve been making them worry too, haven’t I?」
Given the current situation, we couldn’t afford to waste Kaara’s teleportation magic. Traveling around the Eura Continent wasn’t feasible, so it was convenient that Caroline and Eleonora were both here in Silesie.
「They’re both at the royal castle. Shall I go fetch them for you?」
Though her offer was considerate, I decided to visit Silhouette first. After all, she is my first wife.
Not that I hadn’t already seen Sharon first, but I figured Silhouette wouldn’t mind. With these thoughts in my head, I made my way toward the palace.
-0-
Inside the throne room, where the ministers were assembled, Silhouette sat on the throne, gracefully managing her duties as queen. By her side stood Prime Minister Nicola, Lyle-sensei’s father.
With both Lyle-sensei and Sherry absent from the royal palace, the prime minister and the others seemed rather busy. I wondered if it was appropriate to interrupt them while they were still working.
「Ah, Takeru-sama! You’ve returned!」
Silhouette was the first to notice me.
「Is everything alright with your work?」
「Yes, just give me a moment.」
Silhouette swiftly signed the remaining documents and gave a few brief orders to the prime minister before approaching me. I heard her say something like ‘I’m leaving it in your hands’ but I hoped things would run smoothly in her absence.
「I’m in no rush, so if you’re busy, I can wait.」
「There are things more important than work.」
「Oh? What’s amusing you?」
「I was just thinking how well you’ve been handling your role as queen.」
「It’s been over two years since I started being involved in politics. I’ve grown accustomed to it by now.」
Silhouette is almost eighteen years old now.
Even though she wore the crown and was dressed in luxurious attire, she still looked like a petite girl. Yet, she had truly matured.
She was already a mother, after all.
「With you managing the affairs of state so well, I feel at ease.」
「If I can be of service to you, master, it makes all the effort worthwhile.」
Her words were so endearing that I couldn’t resist pulling her into a hug, even with the ministers looking on. Though Silhouette blushed and said, ‘The vassals are watching.’ she didn’t seem to mind too much.
「Well, since it’s been a while, let’s take some time for ourselves.」
「Takeru-sama, Caroline-sama and Eleonora-sama are also here today. Would you not prefer to meet with them first?」
「What should I do…? Of course, I prioritize you, my first wife.」
「I don’t mind. They’re attending the Eura Continental Alliance Conference, so perhaps you should show your face there as well.」
「Oh, right. The Alliance Conference has become a permanent institution now.」
「Fortunately, there are no significant international conflicts at the moment, so the meetings aren’t daily. However, ongoing negotiations for trade agreements and other minor matters still require constant attention.」
As Silhouette and I continued chatting, Prime Minister Nicola approached, a stack of documents in hand. It seemed he had finished handling the domestic affairs Silhouette had delegated to him.
「Prime Minister, you must be busy. I’m sorry for taking away some of your manpower with all the matters concerning the New Continent.」
「Oh, don’t worry yourself. I wouldn’t want people to think I’m a helpless old man who can’t manage without my child or Sherry. Even in the absence of Your Majesty King General, I can assure you that both diplomacy and domestic affairs will be handled smoothly with me here.」
「I appreciate that, Prime Minister.」
「However, I would be most grateful if Your Majesty King General could make an appearance at the Alliance Conference now and then.」
With the prime minister himself making such a request, it seemed I had no choice but to comply. I headed toward the grand conference hall where the Eura Continental Alliance meetings were held.
-0-
As I made my way through the palace, I couldn’t help but notice the abundant display of wealth. Though I was accustomed to seeing gems and jewels due to my past as a merchant, the sheer opulence was still striking. Even the jars and tea sets casually placed along the halls were made of jade.
These delicate pieces bore intricate oriental designs, likely luxury items brought from the East.
「It seems we’ve acquired some new, exotic decorations.」
「Thanks to Your Majesty King General our kingdom has flourished. Many of these fine pieces came as part of the war reparations from Castilia.」
After being defeated by Silesie, the Kingdom of Castilia was forced to deliver a substantial amount of treasure as compensation. I could only imagine how desolate the Castilian royal palace must look now, having been drained of its wealth.
Well, they brought the war upon themselves, so I can’t say I feel bad for them.
「Is this where the conference is being held?」
When I entered the grand conference hall, it was more like stepping into a lavish party. The room was adorned with sparkling chandeliers, and long tables were lined with an array of fine wines and dishes. The nobles of the Eura Continent were enjoying themselves, engaged in what could only loosely be described as diplomacy.
Though it hardly resembled a formal conference, I had gotten used to the way these aristocrats conducted their business.
「Ah, son-in-law!」 「Well, if it isn’t our dear son-in-law!」
Oh no. Not only were Caroline and Eleonora here, but their fathers, King Valram and Duke Emehart, had shown up too.
「Ah, greetings, Father…」
「To think the Hero himself would call me ‘Father’!」
「No matter how many times I hear it, it brings me joy. Please, take care of my daughters for many years to come!」
Dealing with both of them at once was overwhelming. Each grasped one of my hands, making it difficult to manage the situation. I wished they’d at least take turns.
「Father, you’re making Takeru-sama uncomfortable.」
「Father, please stop! It’s embarrassing.」
Thankfully, Caroline and Eleonora managed to pull their fathers away from me.
「Takeru-sama, I brought Mauritz with me.」
Caroline said, passing our son into my arms.
He was hefty. Mauritz had been a large baby, weighing over four kilograms at birth, and he had only grown heavier since then.
「He drinks plenty of milk and is growing quickly.」
「I see. He looks as strong as ever.」
Though size doesn’t necessarily equate to health, Mauritz, with his flaxen hair like Caroline’s, had a calm and imposing presence even as a baby. He already bore a striking resemblance to his grandfather, Duke Valram, both in looks and in his dignified air.
Of all my children, I had a feeling Mauritz might one day become a great king. It might seem premature to think that way while he’s still just a baby, but there’s something about him…
「Wasn’t it difficult to travel such a long distance with a child?」
「We royal families have access to flying dragons, so the journey was just a quick flight.」
Caroline said with a smile.
Caroline covered her mouth and chuckled gracefully. Although I had heard that flying reptiles like the wyverns of the airborne cavalry and the fire-breathing dragons commanded by the reptilian Reptilians were no longer used solely for war and had been repurposed for experimental aerial transportation…
「You’re brave to ride one of those.」
「They’re quite convenient once you get used to riding in the dragon’s basket.」
Even I, accustomed to aerial travel, found the sensation of the dragon basket unnerving, the air rushing beneath it unsettling. But, Caroline and the others seemed unfazed. For infants and pregnant women, it was undoubtedly a better option than being jolted around in a carriage.
「How’s everything on your end?」
「It’s going smoothly.」
It was clear that Eleonora’s belly had grown larger. I placed a hand on her abdomen and could feel the slight bulge where the child was growing.
「You can’t tell much just by feeling.」
「So, the baby isn’t kicking yet?」
She laughed again and informed me that the due date was still far off. It seems fathers are always the last to know.
「But we’ll have to start thinking of a name for Eleonora’s baby soon.」
「You’re getting ahead of yourself.」
However, not everyone treated it as just a joke.
「Oh, are we already discussing names for the boy?」
「Well, Duke Emehart… we don’t even know the gender yet—」
「Naturally, I have prepared a hundred names for a daughter as well, just in case. But I would be honored if you, son-in-law, could look over them.」
「A hundred names?」
「I got carried away thinking about names for a son. Names are important, after all.」
I could only sigh.
The documents he had been cradling so reverently contained nothing but potential names for the baby. Before I knew it, Duke Emehart had monopolized my time, going over endless suggestions for names and explanations behind each one.
What was supposed to be a meeting at the Eura Continental Alliance Conference had turned into nothing more than a family discussion. Later, Prime Minister Nicola assured me that my presence was only needed for a brief appearance before the envoys from other nations, so there was no issue.
Still, I couldn’t help but feel a bit out of place amidst the overwhelming excitement from my fathers-in-law about the impending birth of their grandchildren. Duke Emehart, especially, was overcome with emotion, occasionally mumbling ‘It’s like a dream.’ while wiping away tears.
I could sympathize—his only daughter, once a knight princess, had grown up. The burden on his heart must have been immense. Though it’s too early to say, if Eleonora’s child turns out to be a girl, I admit I’d be a bit anxious myself.
※※※
As I spent time catching up with my wives, a commotion arose outside. Curious, I stepped out into the garden to find a fire dragon resting in the inner courtyard of the palace.
Descending gracefully from the dragon’s basket was Queen Celestina of Aragon.
She had stopped dyeing her hair with the violet and had returned to her natural black locks. However, her allure hadn’t diminished one bit.
In fact, with her current regal and modest attire, her femininity and charm seemed to have only grown stronger.
The people of Dandor have a skin tone that resembles that of East Asians, which I found nostalgic in a way, and pleasant to behold.
「It’s been a while. When I heard Takeru-sama had returned, I couldn’t stay away any longer.」
「I’m glad you came.」
I responded, genuinely pleased by her presence.
The news of my return had already reached the neighboring kingdom of Aragon in such a short time—it was quite surprising. Likely, the Aragon representative attending the Continental Alliance Conference had passed it along. The dragon flight network must be rather efficient.
「I became one of your wives, yet you haven’t come to see me very often…」
「Ah, my apologies.」
As much as I intended to take full responsibility for her as my wife, I had honestly not been able to keep up with visiting Celestina in Aragon.
「I understand. I have my duties as queen, but still, I’ve missed you.」
「Come on, let’s head inside, Celestina. There’s plenty of good food and drink.」
I suggested, trying to lighten the mood.
As we returned to the palace terrace, Eleonora, without any hesitation, dropped a bombshell.
「We’ve already received your seed, so now it’s Celestina’s turn to be taken care of.」
「Don’t call it ‘seed’!」
I protested, embarrassed. Even if we were among family, such blunt language was jarring. She could have been a little more subtle. But my protest was met with Eleonora’s obliviousness—she didn’t seem to grasp what was embarrassing about it. Silhouette, as always, stayed perfectly composed and casually added to the conversation.
「Indeed. Oracle mentioned that it’s harder to conceive while nursing an infant.」
Could they stop discussing these things so openly? It’s not like I wanted to shy away from the topic, but their upbringing as princesses had left them with an oddly blunt approach to such matters.
「But we can still ‘help out’, can’t we?」
Caroline chimed in with a mischievous grin. She had a way of adding fuel to the fire when things got lively, which made her a bit dangerous. Given that it had been a while since I’d returned, I wasn’t sure if things would remain just ‘helping out’.
At that moment, another figure appeared: Neneka, the palace guard with her long, flowing purple hair.
「Hey, I thought it was my turn today!」
「Oh, why not both of you together?」
Neneka seemed to find the idea agreeable and promptly nestled herself against me alongside Celestina. It was hard to maintain composure when surrounded by two women whose very presence exuded intoxicating allure.
「My, you seem awfully composed for a man surrounded by two of us.」
Neneka teased, pressing her chest against my face.
「I had a feeling things would turn out this way. I’ve built up some stamina, after all.」
After facing more than just humans—handling the seemingly endless vitality of the dragon maidens who served me—I had developed some resilience in that regard. Over time, my… abilities had naturally leveled up.
「Oh, I look forward to seeing that! Thanks to Takeru-sama, the Kingdom of Aragon is safe and thriving. I’ll have to repay you properly for that.」
Even with all my training, handling Celestina, the former witch of fascination, felt like I was dealing with someone on a whole different level. Neneka wasn’t far behind in skill either. I just hoped they wouldn’t push things too far as the two of them led me deeper into the palace.
Well, considering it was a rare homecoming, perhaps this sort of thing was fine for a change. After all, this too was part of my duty as the husband to queens.