Chapter 283: The Royal Forest
I came on a picnic with Silhouette, just the two of us.
After the war ended, I had promised to spend some peaceful time alone with her, and today that promise was finally being fulfilled.
Even though we were together, holding hands, we didn’t travel far. We simply came to the Royal Forest, located just outside the royal capital of Silesie.
The flatlands surrounding the capital had long been developed, and most forests had disappeared, but the Royal Forest, used for royal hunting, had been preserved.
Since I don’t hunt, I’d never been here before. However, I was surprised to find an old gamekeeper still living in a small lodge within the forest, raising hunting dogs. The Royal Forest is restricted land, meaning no one can enter without permission. Still, elves and nymphs, the original inhabitants of the forest, were permitted to continue living here.
「I never knew there was a place like this so close to our home.」
「Neither have I been here for many years.」
Today, Silhouette wore a simple white dress, and as I watched her run down the forest path with joy, I was reminded of when we first met.
「There’s a tree I want to show Takeru-sama up ahead. It’s in full bloom this season.」
「Is that so? I’m looking forward to it.」 「Oh! There it is.」
「What is this…」
It was spring.
Before me was an avenue of cherry blossoms in full bloom, and I was rendered speechless.
「They’re called sakura. Two hundred and sixty years ago, the founding hero-king Renz discovered this special tree during his expedition eastward. Nowhere else in Silesie has such beautiful pink flowers—only here.」
I wondered where Renz had found them. What a guy.
I never thought I’d see cherry blossoms in a harsh fantasy world like this. I had convinced myself that homesickness was something I no longer felt. But as the petals drifted through the air, a deep, unshakable emotion surged within me, leaving me overwhelmed.
「Ugh…」
「Are you crying, Takeru-sama?」
Silhouette softly handed me a handkerchief.
「No, I’m just… happy. These are the same flowers that bloom in my homeland.」
「Is that so!」
「I used to see them all the time back home, but seeing them again after so long really moves me. Thank you for showing me something so precious.」
「This is a place where, as a child, I used to walk with my father and mother. To think that this beautiful flower is also from your homeland, Takeru-sama…」
「It must be fate.」
This place, with Silhouette by my side, was now my home. I might still feel nostalgia for where I came from, but I had no intention of leaving here anymore.
I gently pulled Silhouette close and kissed her.
「Such beautiful flowers.」
「Yeah, but your hair is even more beautiful.」
Silhouette’s strawberry blonde hair had a soft pink tint, much like the cherry blossoms.
「Fufu, you’re too kind… But I’m really glad I could come here with you, Takeru-sama.」
For a while, we quietly admired the cherry blossoms together. Silhouette walking among the falling petals looked almost ethereal.
It was said that the former King Gaius met Silhouette’s mother here. She must have been just as beautiful as Silhouette. No wonder the king was captivated.
「I’m getting a little hungry.」
「Then let’s have our lunch here.」
I laid out the blanket I had brought, and Silhouette began unpacking the picnic basket. Collette, the head chef, had prepared some light snacks for us.
There were even onigiri made from the rice Viola had been growing. I couldn’t help but chuckle—it really felt like a proper Japanese hanami.
「This is delicious.」
「Yes, I’ve grown quite fond of rice. It’s very tasty.」
After finishing our meal, we lay down side by side, nestled close together. The cherry blossom petals gently fluttered down around us.
Bathed in the soft sunlight filtering through the trees and surrounded by the faint fragrance of the cherry blossoms, I felt like I didn’t need anything else in the world. Just this peaceful time with her.
At some point, I must have dozed off. When I looked over, Silhouette was also soundly asleep beside me.
「Ufufu, they seem to be sleeping well.」
A whispering voice reached my ears, and I turned to see Caroline peeking out at us. Before I knew it, two more of my wives had appeared as well.
「Hey, Caroline, Celestina, Eleonora, what are you all doing here?」
Three of my wives had shown up. Where on earth had they come from?
「We heard there was a palace council meeting, so we rushed all the way from our lands, only to find out that Queen Silhouette and you went on a little picnic without us!」
「I’m a queen too, you know. Just because she’s the first wife doesn’t mean she should get special treatment.」
「Exactly, it’s not fair.」
They all started to scold me. It’s not like I was trying to leave them out or anything.
「Hold on, you’re misunderstanding. This was just a little treat for Silhouette to make up for all the trouble I’ve caused her.」
I had thought it would be nice to spend a quiet moment alone with her, but it seemed that peace wasn’t meant to last. I had half expected someone to come along and disrupt us, but I hadn’t anticipated Caroline and the others.
「Making up for things is fine, but why does it have to be just Silhouette-sama?」
「We’re your wives too, you know. We’d like to join in as well.」
「Come on, Takeru, move over a bit. We’re sitting down too.」
The three of them climbed onto the blanket, making it feel quite cramped. Caroline cuddled up to me from the other side of Silhouette, who was still fast asleep.
「Hey, Silhouette is sleeping, you know…」
「That’s exactly why it’s fine, isn’t it? Fufu, you don’t dislike this kind of thing, do you?」
With a mischievous grin, Caroline pressed her chest against my head. Her glasses sparkled as she entered full-on seduction mode, leaning on me.
Not again.
Even Celestina and Eleonora were starting to snuggle up to me as well.
These women really are a bad influence on each other.
「Celestina-san is already pregnant, right? My family wants a second child, so this time, let me take the lead.」
「It can’t be helped. I’ll support you this time.」
「But my family wants a second child too!」
I lowered my voice, careful not to wake Silhouette.
「Wait a minute, what are you all planning? We’re here for a picnic, so what do you think you’re doing?」
「What do you think…」
The three wives giggled quietly, exchanging glances.
「Stop it, don’t press your chest against me. Hey, Caroline, what are you taking off? We’re outside!」
「It’s fine. This is the royal forest, and it’s off-limits to anyone else, so no one will see us.」
That’s not the point…
「Oh my, you say that, but it looks like you’re getting into the mood, aren’t you, Hero-sama?」
「Takeru’s always so energetic, as usual.」
Ah, this is bad. With the three of them pressing their chests against me, how could I possibly resist?
「But wait, Silhouette might wake up.」
「If she wakes, we’ll deal with it when it happens.」
「No room for argument, huh?」
「Takeru-sama, you’re planning to take more wives, aren’t you?」
「Ugh… When you put it like that…」
「We came here knowing that. Silhouette-sama is important, but shouldn’t you also cherish the time you spend with us more?」
Caroline draped herself over me as she spoke.
「Exactly.」
「Takeru, just give in already.」
Celestina and Eleonora seemed just as eager.
「Alright, alright, but keep it quiet. Silhouette is still sleeping.」
Maybe I did make a mistake by giving Silhouette special treatment. Once they brought that up, I had no way to argue.
Sigh…
The cherry blossom petals were still fluttering down around us.
※※※
「Ano… Takeru-sama?」
「Whoa, Silhouette! You’re awake!」
See, I told them this would happen. Now she’s noticed.
As dense as Silhouette can be, there was no way she wouldn’t wake up with all the commotion going on right beside her while she was napping in broad daylight.
「I see everyone is here. Takeru-sama, I’m sorry to interrupt while you’re tired, but…」
Silhouette sat up slowly, brushing the cherry blossom petals from her strawberry blonde hair.
「I’m sorry, Silhouette. I didn’t mean for this to happen during our picnic…」
I apologized, but Silhouette, her cheeks slightly flushed, smiled at me.
「No, um, that’s not it. I also want a second baby… so, well, after everyone else, may I ask for the same favor?」
「You’ve got to be kidding me…」
Silhouette, now a queen and mother, had truly grown stronger.