Beneath the Surviving Princess's Joyful Facade - Side Story 18

The seasons changed. Around that time, a guest arrived from the capital. The Duke of Salachez, with his fluffy red hair, walked heavily and tiredly to the drawing room sofa, collapsing into it.

“Water, please…”

Ignoring the fragrant tea offered by the maids, he downed a glass of cold water as soon as it was handed to him, his haggard face still showing signs of exhaustion.

“To Your Majesty and the Margrave, my greetings. I am glad to see you both well…”

“Doid, are you alright? Are you sick or something?”

Miesa was shocked at the Duke of Salachez’s appearance. Eirik, who had a general understanding of the situation, immediately called for an attendant and gave an order.

“Bring food—something hearty, not just a snack.”

“Thank you. I was indeed quite famished…”

When a meat pie was brought out, the Duke of Salachez grabbed it with both hands, not even bothering with a fork or knife, and began devouring it.

“How many days have you gone without food? What’s happened to you?”

“Well, His Majesty the King, he scrutinized the expense reports, and, well, he found faults… By the way, did you receive the gifts His Majesty sent previously?”

Yes, of course they had received the three wagonloads of gifts. When both Miesa and Eirik nodded, the Duke pulled out some papers from his coat.

“Please check the list and sign here to acknowledge receipt.”

“Why did you come here yourself? You could have sent someone.” Miesa asked.

The Duke barely suppressed his complaints, forcing a smile. “Of course, I wanted to personally greet the young lord and lady of the Cladnier family.”

“The babies are asleep now, and you can’t see them until they’re bathed.”

“Ah, I suppose I have no choice but to stay overnight then.”

Duke Salachez smiled faintly, though the thought of the growing pile of paperwork awaiting him back in the capital quickly darkened his expression again.

“By the way, we sent a wedding gift to the duchy as well. You received it, didn’t you?”

While Eirik signed the papers, Miesa asked, and the Duke’s face grew even darker.

“Yes, I received the lavish gift. Thank you very much.”

“Then why the long face?”

Miesa couldn’t understand, but Eirik quickly changed the subject.

“For now, the Duke must be quite tired after such a long journey. Please, let him rest.”

“Well, I suppose you must be exhausted… Anyway, alright.”

After the Duke of Salachez was shown to the guest room, Eirik rubbed his forehead, looking troubled.

“It seems that the Duchess of Salachez is more extravagant and boastful than expected.”

“Really? I thought she was the eldest daughter of an academic family.”

“Apparently, she was known for her modesty before marriage, but people can change after they wed.”

Miesa didn’t notice the guilt that flickered across Eirik’s face. She merely tilted her head in curiosity, then widened her eyes at a familiar face standing in a corner of the drawing room.

“Nea! What are you doing here?”

Her sudden shout made Eirik glance around the room. However, aside from Madam Manere, two attendants, and four maids, no one else was present.

“Ah, Madam… How do you remember my name?”

One of the maids blushed in delight, then proudly explained, “Since the Duke of Salachez was visiting Cladis, a few of us who remained in the capital accompanied him.”

Trying to show off how special she was to the Madam, Nea smiled proudly. Miesa slowly approached her, initially ready to scold her but then held back.

“The day I gave birth, it hurt so much!”

“Ah…?”

Of course, Nea had completely forgotten their earlier conversation, but Miesa’s memory of it was still vivid.

“Yes, it was a relief afterward… But if I had known how painful it would be, I might not have made that decision again…”

Miesa, muttering to herself, nodded graciously. “Yes, it’s true. You and Manere played an important role. Will you be staying here, Nea?”

“…We will return to the capital next week, taking various supplies.”

Nea, who was nervous for reasons she couldn’t understand, received Miesa’s command through gritted teeth.

“Alright. Come see me before you leave. You too, Manere.”

As she turned away, Miesa muttered that they were both liars and tricksters.

Later, Miesa gave each of them a heavy pouch. Thus, Head Maid Manere and maid Nea received far more gold coins than their annual wages.

***

By the year’s end, the babies had started to utter words that could almost be called proper. Although they were surrounded by countless people showering them with love, whenever they were hurt or scared, they always sought out their mother.

“Maaa… Maaaamaaa!”

“Yes, Amie. Mommy’s here.”

“Miesa, let the nanny take care of them for a while. You should rest.”

Whenever the babies called out for her, Eirik would narrow his eyes slightly, pretending to be stern, but Miesa never felt tired.

After all, moments like when Amie, her face flushed and her hair wet with sweat, would hiccup in relief upon being held, or when Talix, feverish and crying all night, clung tightly to her clothes—even the sight of the two of them waddling towards her, vying for her embrace, their tiny legs moving as fast as they could—these moments filled Miesa with emotions beyond words.

It wasn’t just that. Feeling the babies’ world centered entirely around her as their mother was a special experience. Watching Eirik expand that world for them as a father brought another kind of joy.

Taking walks in the garden with the babies after lunch, and talking quietly with Eirik after tucking the babies into bed at night, brought her an endless sense of comfort and fulfillment that warmed her heart.

A new year began. Miesa walked confidently down the central palace corridor, having come to the capital for the New Year Festival. Eirik, walking beside her, couldn’t help but occasionally bite his lip to suppress his laughter.

“You’re here.”

In the King’s reception room, Hagail, who had been waiting with the young prince in his arms, greeted them with a relaxed smile.

The four members of the Cladnier family entered the reception room: Miesa carrying Talix and Eirik holding Amie.

“……”

The arrival of the Cladnier family brought a brief silence. At the King’s signal, most of the attendants left the room, leaving only a few, including the Captain of the Guards. In the now-quiet reception room, Miesa broke the silence.

“Look here. Our babies are cuter.”

“Surely not. The prince is more adorable.”

The King and the former queen—Hagail and Miesa competed, boasting about their respective children. Though to others, the three babies looked much the same.

“Look at our daughter’s eyes. Just like her father’s—so dignified.”

“The prince already tries to communicate with gestures.”

“Our son has started speaking too, and he’s much younger.”

Indeed, Talix had become quite the talker.

“Siye.”

At that short utterance, Miesa lifted her head triumphantly.

“Listen, see how clearly our son expresses his opinions.”

“Ow, siiye.”

As Talix’s whining continued, Miesa tried to translate, her tone turning almost apologetic.

“Don’t worry. Talix is just uncomfortable with you, my cousin, and nothing more. He doesn’t harbor any grievances against the royal family on behalf of Cladnier… at least not yet.”

“Hmm…”

Hagail narrowed his eyes in mock seriousness, as if trying to decipher Talix’s meaning. Meanwhile, the prince squirmed and yelled in Hagail’s arms.

“Ahh! Ugh! Ma…!”

Even though no one could understand his outburst, Hagail shrugged.

“That cry contains the full authority of the royal family.”

“How does that even count as a ‘statement’?”

“A clear and definite denial. And protecting the Queen from any potential dispute that might arise from the presumptuous remarks of the heir of the Cladnier family—it was truly a meaningful gesture.”

Eirik stood still for a moment, waiting for the conversation between the two to end. It was nothing surprising, as it was no different from the contents that the carrier pigeons had been delivering between Cladis and the capital for months.

At that moment, Amie, who was in Eirik’s arms, let out a heavy word.

“Am, mamma!”

“……”

As Amie’s voice broke the silence, the much bigger young prince startled, his lips quivering as he began to cry. Hagail clicked his tongue disapprovingly at Amie, but his gaze, filled with affection and mischief, gave away his fondness for his niece and nephew.

“Whoever she takes after, this little girl has quite the voice.”

“As expected, our Amie has subdued the scene in no time. If the young prince had taken after the Queen, he might have been braver, but alas, it seems he takes after the King instead.”

“It is enough for the King to be wise. Bravery can be left to Cladnier.”

The cousins exchanged a few idle words and, before long, burst into laughter.

After a while, Hagail asked, “So, who will be the next master of Cladis? Is it Amie, who was born first? Or Talix, the boy?”

“Hmm.”

“Will you choose based on their abilities? When do you plan to decide?”

Miesa turned her head towards Eirik. After an exchange of glances between the couple, Miesa smiled brightly.

“All we want is for our children to grow up healthy. Whoever wishes to take on the land and title will inherit it.”

Eirik also smiled in agreement. Miesa looked at him for a moment before turning her body toward Hagail. It was now time to make clear the purpose of their visit to the capital.

“That being said, we need another title. I’ll take it for now and hold it until we decide which child will not inherit the margrave’s rank.”

“…Do you think a title just appears when you ask for it?”

Hagail frowned, but he had already made his calculations.

“Take Halieti in the south. The local lord there is old, and the succession is uncertain. Besides, you have ties to that region through your maternal line, don’t you?”

“No. Not just the Halieti County, but also the Jemina Harbor must be included. Do you know how much I have contributed to the royal family?”

“So, you’ve also heard about the Count of Jemaini, I see.”

Hagail frowned again but had no choice but to nod. The Count of Jemaini had been submitting false reports to the royal family for some time, and it had crossed the line, prompting plans to seize the title and land as an example.

“Fine. If you manage both regions, we might be able to increase the taxes imposed on Halieti.”

Building a route to Jemina Harbor could also help the region where Miesa’s maternal grandfather resided to flourish.

“And since I’m here, I’ll pick a few more things from the royal vault. I can’t help it—being a mother, I want only the best for my children…”

Miesa sighed naturally, but then she turned to her husband with an elegant smile. Hagail was about to make a playful retort, but he swallowed his words at her smile. The cousin he had always pitied seemed to have truly found her peace.

“Are you happy?”

“…Huh?”

Though she had heard the King’s question clearly, Miesa’s eyes widened. She looked at Talix, Amie, and then Eirik in turn, unable to find the words to answer.

Six eyes, filled with boundless trust and affection, were all focused on her. The sight was so dazzling—far beyond anything she had ever dared to hope for—that Miesa’s lips began to tremble.

“Yes.”

Before she knew it, tears had welled up in Miesa’s eyes and rolled down her cheeks. The babies stared blankly at their mother, while Eirik took out a handkerchief from his pocket to wipe her cheek.

“I mean, I don’t even know why I’m crying…”

Miesa held back her tears and forced a smile. A moment later, she completed her answer with a shaky but genuine smile.

“I’m happy. Very much so.”

— End of ‘Beneath the Surviving Princess’s Joyful Facade’ Side Story