By Zephyria 
The luncheon was pleasant throughout.
I had already informed the Empress Dowager that I would be bringing all three of my grandparents, yet no further members of the Marquisate of Antines attended. I could only surmise that the Empress Dowager, much like Ruben avoided his mother, kept her distance from her own parents.
Normally, Emperor Ruben would have taken the head seat, with everyone else seated below him, but as this was a meal to honor the spouse’s parents, no separate head seat was designated. Instead, everyone sat around a round table and ate.
I sat next to the Empress Dowager, and Ruben sat next to my maternal grandfather. My siblings and Ruben’s siblings, who shared the same parents as us, were seated in a row opposite us, so the elders from both families were seated at an angle facing each other.
It was awkward to see my maternal grandfather nod with satisfaction every time Ruben silently took a bite of fish or vegetables.
I had been worried that Asdel might develop a taste for nighttime excursions, so I hadn’t been able to sneak into Ruben’s room. Therefore, Ruben had no idea why his maternal grandfather was so fond of him.
I looked at him with concern, but Ruben didn’t hesitate to act endearing and affectionate.
“Grandfather… Ah, thanks to Duke Valentia’s help,”
“You can call me whatever you like. You’ll be marrying my grandson soon.”
“Is that really alright?”
“Of course, of course. I’ve been watching you since you climbed the Yuil Mountains. I thought you were already dating Mikael back then, or I would have introduced myself. Mika is just so shy.”
“It’s fortunate we can meet now. I’ll visit often from now on.”
“Oh, we know you’re very busy. Still, our territory isn’t a bad place for a honeymoon.”
“Haha, yes. I’ll keep that in mind.”
…Had Ruben ever been this saccharine before? Even in front of me, he wasn’t this effusive. Hearing his voice, more delicate than usual, made my throat dry, and I drank several glasses of water.
Every time Rubel put on a show of affection, Lucilla was so horrified that she threw her fork and knife on the floor multiple times. Pretending to pick up the cutlery, she clearly intended to crawl under the table, so the attendants didn’t stop her. But what was to be done about the muffled sobs that came from beneath the table?
Every time Lucilla laughed like that, Michael and Asdel bit their lips and stared at the ceiling. I was worried about my younger siblings’ rude behavior, but thankfully and remarkably, the Empress Dowager responded with a gentle smile from beginning to end.
My mother was excited while talking with the Empress Dowager. She mostly spoke about how she admired the Empress Dowager when she was young and about the early days of my and Ruben’s relationship.
“He pestered me so much, saying I had to sew three obsidian buttons onto my dress for the first Hunting Festival. He didn’t even know about ribbons, let alone their colors… I worried so much if His Majesty would be inconvenienced.”
“Love and sneezes are always impossible to hide. The Second Prince was also quite anxious for a long time back then.”
“Oh, really?”
“There are things you can tell even if they aren’t explicitly shown.”
“That’s right, it’s true. Even if you try to hide it, a child’s affairs are plain to see.”
Hearing her say that, the Empress Dowager was not so different from any other mother. Ruben occasionally glanced at his mother, but he didn’t stop or scold her.
Lucilla, Michael, and Asdel had already met each other a few times as flower children. I found it endearing to watch them exchange glances, send signals, and play amongst themselves. My father, who was shy, just sat there stoically, but seeing my grandmother’s pleased expression, I could guess his feelings.
Thus, my family took care of Ruben, the Empress Dowager took care of me, Ruben took care of my family, and I took care of Ruben’s family.
I had seen many times that Ruben knew each of my family members’ tastes better than I did, but I was a little surprised that he knew the eating habits of my grandparents, with whom we had never had separate meals. My grandmother was touched, thinking I had told him, which made me a little embarrassed.
There was an even better development.
“Duke Ernhardt’s formal attire is almost complete. Only the final fitting remains.”
“Yes. Then, when should I visit?”
“From tomorrow, I would like you to come to the Sapphire Palace whenever I call. Countess Ernhardt, may I often invite your son?”
“Of course, Your Highness. It is a necessary procedure. Your Majesty, is Michael’s room still prepared in the Crystal Palace?”
“Not just for Prince Michael, but seats are always prepared for the Ernhardt family, so please feel at ease.”
We were naturally going to start living in the Crystal Palace from today.
After seeing my family off, I sat in a suitable reception room and sorted the gifts exchanged. The items my family and I received were taken by my parents to the Valentia townhouse, so what I was looking at now were the things my blood relatives had brought for Ruben.
Ruben laughed heartily when he found a tiny baby sock among my maternal grandfather’s gifts.
“Ah, I figured as much.”
“Did you guess?”
“Mhm. That you had hinted at it somehow… The method of conception might be different, but well. It’s not wrong, so it’s fine. Did I tell you we haven’t consummated our marriage?”
“Yes. You’ve said it about seven times.”
Ruben’s head drooped, resting on my shoulder. He breathed in and out very slowly, as if savoring this moment, as if enjoying the fragrant tea.
“I didn’t know before…”
“Hmm?”
“I must be a really lucky person, Mika.”
Knowing the answer, I asked with a smile.
“Why?”
“Why do you think?”
“Because you met me?”
“…Yes.”
As his lips touched my cheek, I also breathed in slowly.
It was a moment I wanted to cherish, a moment I didn’t want to let go of.
❖ ❖ ❖
Tuesday of the second week of June.
It was an afternoon that was not too busy but not entirely idle. I was sitting in my office as usual. The faces of the aides coming and going were relaxed and bright, and Ruben’s voice was low and calm, as always. Today, since he had no writing to do, I played with Ruben’s right hand.
It was a leisurely time, reading what he handed me to read and putting aside what he said I didn’t need to see as if I couldn’t possibly look at it.
Most of those who agreed with Benjamin’s opinion were people I knew. Demian, Jenny, and Ivan, as well as some from the Swordsmanship Department whom I often encountered at the Academy, had their signatures, dates, and details recorded on the documents.
It’s not as if there are people who would refuse to accept a hereditary title if they had one. Still, their efforts to achieve their goals through connections were quite commendable. I swallowed a chuckle that escaped and suddenly looked up towards the north.
Ruben, who had been looking through documents with a serious expression, blinked his beautiful eyes at Ikyun.
“Why, Mika?”
“It seems those who went to the Magic Territory have returned. All are safe.”
“Really? Do you know how far they’ve come?”
“They’ve passed the North Gate… At this speed, they’ll arrive at the Imperial Palace within thirty minutes.”
“Philip, please go and tell Rosalia Pitche and the other nine that they have done well.”
“Yes. What time should they report?”
“After sufficient rest, tell them to come to the Third Reception Room by 5 PM.”
“Yes.”
What had Lucilla looked like after wandering around the entrance of the Yuil Mountains, let alone the Magic Territory? Most of the Imperial Knights kept their personal belongings in the palace dormitories and could always be supplied with knightly training uniforms, so it would be just right if they washed up, changed, and returned. I nodded in satisfaction at the child’s subtle consideration.
Some aides stared at me blankly before quickly averting their gaze. Why were they looking at me like that? Puzzled, I looked around, and when the child waved his hand to catch my attention again, I calmly met his gaze.
“How did you know they were people from the Magic Territory? Can others tell too?”
“Not everyone can recognize them like that. Lady Rosalia Pitche is a Grand Sword Master, so her mana is large, and I can sense her to some extent without conscious effort when she’s nearby. Since there were martial artists gathered in the vicinity, I paid attention.”
“So, can you see where Professor Sanson is right now?”
“Rather than saying I can ‘see’ him… I can sense he’s roughly within the capital, and since he’s moving from the direction of the Academy, I assume that’s where he is. It’s to the extent that I need to be conscious of it.”
“Could Sir Sanson and Lady Pitche do that too?”
“Well… Unless they deliberately conceal themselves, I suppose they could? I’m not sure.”
Ruben, who had been pondering for a moment, hummed and gently shook our clasped hands.
“What about me?”
“I can always tell where Ruben is.”
“…Hmm.”
That seemed to be the correct answer. The child was greatly pleased, and I felt happy with him.
❖ ❖ ❖
At the appointed time, I went to greet those seated in the reception room.
They were all chosen and gathered individuals who were already at the level of Sword Master or higher. Sitting close to them, I could easily sense the mana boiling within their bodies, having recently absorbed a large amount of rough mana. If they could handle this power properly, their skills would greatly improve.
Among them, dressed in formal attire rather than combat uniforms, I observed Leon, who had acquired a more serious demeanor. The young man, whose eyes still seemed to hold no expression, acknowledged me with a slight smile by twitching his eyebrows at Ikyun instead of his eyes.
Surprisingly, the first to speak was not Mage Boulder but Lady Rosalia Pitche.
“We succeeded in rescuing most of the goblins we initially targeted. Some goblins had already moved to survive and could not be found nearby. We brought the 263 individuals who were at the hideout to the outskirts of the Duchy of Grimesbane.”
“Duchy of Grimesbane?”
“…No, it’s the coast northeast of Duke Ernhardt’s Territory. We’ve set up a protected area 700 meters wide and 300 meters long and installed five activation-type shield magic circles. Since the goblins are accustomed to humans, they had no objection to cooking and eating armor crabs. Thanks to that, the food costs have decreased.”