「Battalion Commander Argusta?」
「……」
Milminark von Non-ein, affectionately known as “Mil”, felt a spark of genuine fear at the sight of the figure sitting in the chair, moving only his hands. She instinctively took a step back.
Mil usually dressed like a young boy knight, but she was undoubtedly a girl. It was only natural for terror to take hold when she saw someone who appeared so visibly unstable. Her face naturally stiffened with dread.
Confused by the creature before her, she looked around the room for an explanation. A young girl, one of the Commander’s subordinates, was beckoning her over. Having become close through the sharing of delicious cakes, Mil walked over without hesitation.
「What is that? Did something happen?」
「The truth is… it seems he is having a fight with Captain Noie…」
This information came from Krea von Crostpurge, the senior officer who had been teaching Mil and her older sister, “Pal” (Palminark von Non-ein), how to handle the administrative work they often struggled with.
However, Mil doubted those words.
It was famous throughout the country that he doted on his wife, Noie. It was said he would pick a fight with anyone for her sake, leading some young noble ladies to call him the 『ideal partner』.
Such a person was having a fight?
「What on earth is the reason?」
Mil asked the question not out of a sense of justice, but out of pure curiosity.
At that moment, Krea’s face turned bright red, and she looked away. A faint, whispering voice reached Mil’s suspicious ears.
「…Apparently, they had a disagreement regarding the direction of their… nightly activities…」
Mil didn’t understand what she was saying for a moment, but after calming down and thinking about it… her own face turned crimson.
「Wh-What on earth… Eh? Over something like that… Eh?」
「…It is just a rumor, though.」
The two of them looked down, their faces flushed. The topic was far too intense for girls of their age. Rather, it was something they couldn’t even truly comprehend, a terrifying set of words that made them feel embarrassed despite the lack of understanding.
「There is nothing we can do about it.」
「Y-Yeah, you’re right. I am not really… ahahaha… good with that kind of talk.」
She had no choice but to laugh it off.
Feeling increasingly uncomfortable, Mil dashed out of the room as if escaping.
-0-
By the time I snapped out of my daze, my work for the day was finished. Lately, my journey home was always a lonely one because Noie would head straight back.
Today, I mounted my horse and headed home accompanied by my guard knights.
After a short break at my house, they would return to the castle.
I wondered what they usually did, but since they guarded in shifts, they apparently had other duties.
I had to occupy my mind with such thoughts, or I felt like I might break down in tears from the loneliness.
Ever since a certain day, the distance between me and Noie had suddenly widened.
I had no memory of doing anything Noie disliked, in fact, I didn’t even know what Noie disliked, but nonetheless, Noie had distanced herself.
I wondered if it was just 『that time of the month,』 but out of loneliness, I had timidly asked a question. Then… Noie told me, 『I am scared to sleep with Arg-sama.』
The shock was so great that my mind had apparently shut down for quite a while.
Did I unknowingly demand something outrageous from Noie?
I am certain I didn’t engage in any perverted play. It should have stayed strictly within the boundaries of the 「How to Hold a Woman: Beginner’s Edition」 guide I got from the idiot prince.
Wait, was that prince actually such a pervert that I accidentally stepped on a landmine? Had Noie been enduring it all this time, only for her frustration to finally boil over?
No matter how much I thought about it, no answer came.
Even when we shared a bed, an invisible wall now existed between us.
When I tried to apologize, Noie fled in terror… when I tried to touch her, she evaded me with everything she had.
Am I really destined to be part of a sexless couple at this age? If that happens, I will never have a child with Noie! Could she have given up on me because we haven’t conceived yet?
Anxious thoughts swirled in my head, making my spirit wither.
Of course, it was during a time like this that the other residents inside Noie refused to show themselves… I felt as if the end credits were about to start rolling across my vision.
-0-
「What?」
I doubted my own ears.
I was heartbroken and wanted to do nothing and think of nothing, yet I had been summoned by onii-chan, the new King.
When I arrived at the King’s office, the three main figures were gathered, and I was suddenly told a story about 「my child.」
「According to the report from the witch Marisan, the child is not yours… however, the Republic will likely seek 『recognition』 of the infant as your own.」
The new King spoke with a perfectly composed expression.
Wait a second. I truly do not understand.
「Uhm… what?」
Me having a child… I still don’t get it.
「What exactly was the past 『me』 doing?」
Islerose-sensei makes sure that unnecessary words do not reach Noie’s ears, but I still choose my daily words with some care.
Well, according to sensei, she picks up most of the sounds that reach my own ears anyway. What even is privacy?
The new King (to-be) sat back in his chair and looked me straight in the eye.
「According to Hafren’s report, you used to gather groups of nobles to indulge in play. However, that play was not something that could be made public, and it seems young ladies of the same age participated at times.」
Was it some kind of decadent orgy? What kind of noble was I?
Ah, right, I was a member of the royal family back then, regardless of how rotten I was. Definitely.
「On what basis are you saying the child is not mine?」
「…The witch says she met them once. She claims she deduced it from the mother’s behavior, attitude, and reactions.」
「So, you are saying the possibility is not zero?」
「That is correct. However, on our end, we have no choice but to insist that the possibility is zero.」
Is it because they’ll take advantage of us if we show even a hint of admission?
No, I mean, it doesn’t matter… actually, it matters a lot, but why are we talking about this now?
Honestly, I am at my limit in so many ways. Look, my vision is turning white…
「Are you all right, Argusta? You look pale.」
Onii-chan’s worried face… Huh? Why is the floor suddenly so close?
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