I fell into contemplation for a moment.
I had heard from our mischievous ladies that Mother was looking after the children, but I hadn't heard that Princess Cordelia was also staying behind.
It occurred to me that my Princess might have known. If so, she probably would have told me, but it seems our Princess, knowingly or unknowingly, has quite a fondness for pranks.
...She might be in the villa's office right now, laughing sinisterly.
It feels like my evaluation of Princess Selina has become harsher, but I think she brought it upon herself too.
It was absolutely not because she made strange attempts on me during our honeymoon.
And it's not because that strangely felt good either.
Anyway, that's that.
For now, I only have one gift I brought as a return present.
To give it to Mother or to give it to the other Princess.
Filial piety with fireworks vs eliminating future troubles.
Truly, it's a matchup that makes one's heart swell.
But I made my decision immediately.
Because even as I was hesitating, the two people before my eyes were wilting away moment by moment.
"...You two have worked hard. Since I'm here now, you can rest assured."
Dull, hollow eyes looked at me.
Could it be they didn't even realize I had arrived?
No wonder they were so quiet.
With an awkward smile, I approached Mother and took Ria from her. Then, Mother let out a deep sigh and said,
"...It's not an easy task."
"Haha..."
In response to Mother's lament, I could only smile awkwardly. I roughly know that Mother's childcare experience isn't that deep.
...Then why did she agree to look after the children at the party's request?
I'm not sure.
The Mother I know wasn't the type to do such a thing.
Is that why?
When I recalled Mother holding the child just moments ago, I felt a strange emotion.
Joy that Mother is trying to change.
A slight dissatisfaction that she's doing this now... and a bit of jealousy.
It's an emotion hard to lump together as one thing.
...Blood seems thicker than I thought. As if having memories of a previous life... isn't that important.
'Well, even if it's a second life, what difference would it make?'
I somehow intuitively understood why blood is used as a medium for powerful spells.
After hesitating briefly, I watched Princess Cordelia, who was holding Rosalin with a strange smile, then sat down beside Mother.
Along with the cushion softly giving way, I felt a warmth that was closest yet ironically unfamiliar.
Holding Ria in my arms and leaning slightly against Mother, I could sense her flustered by the unexpected situation.
Seizing the moment, I rested my face against Mother's shoulder.
If I had my previous appearance, I might not have attempted such an act, but perhaps because of this form, it felt less burdensome.
Mother didn't push me away. Instead, she cautiously fiddled with my hair and then gently stroked it.
Soon, only the sound of Mother stroking my hair and Ria's soft breathing as she slept in my arms could be heard.
The silence, which could have been uncomfortable, felt pleasant.
And it was very warm.
A different kind of warmth than what I feel from the ladies who show me affection.
After a while, perhaps feeling a bit embarrassed, Mother spoke first.
"...I think it's about time I should head back. Your older sister... no, your sister must be anxiously waiting for me."
"Is that so..."
I felt a bit disappointed for some reason.
Perhaps it sounded like she wouldn't be able to spare such a long time for a while.
'Why am I like this?'
Thoughts I didn't have before reuniting with Mother keep swirling in my head.
Has my mind become younger because my appearance has become younger?
Do I want to act spoiled or something?
I'm not sure.
But I cautiously asked Mother in a careful voice.
"When will you come next?"
"...Hmm."
Mother seemed slightly flustered, hesitating in her speech.
But soon, with a determined expression, she replied.
"How about you come next time? If you contact me in advance... I'll prepare. And shouldn't you see your sister's face at least once?"
"...I'll think about it."
"Alright."
Mother, who had been hesitant, carefully rose from her seat, mindful of possibly waking Ria.
As I stroked Ria's back, I said.
"...Take what's on the table over there. It's good for your health, so take it regularly."
"I don't know what it is, but I will."
Mother, holding the packaged box, opened the door and left, disappearing like the wind.
As the warmth I felt beside me vanished, I felt a bit bittersweet.
But I wasn't lonely. Because I could feel the faint breathing presence in my arms.
...And there are plenty more behind me.
Come to think of it for a moment.
"...Princess Cordelia."
"Haha... I thought you had forgotten about me. I'm glad."
"T-there's no way I would forget."
Honestly, I had forgotten.
'So unlike me...'
In the end, despite my deliberation, I ended up giving the gift to Mother.
...Since the Princess wasn't part of the original plan anyway, I don't think it was particularly wrong.
There's also the meaning of fulfilling filial piety I couldn't do until now...
But putting all that aside, my relationship with Princess Cordelia was a bit subtle.
There are several reasons.
First, that I married Princess Selina.
Following from that... haven't I had, that, that kind of contact with Princess Cordelia a few times?
Of course, it was closer to something unavoidable due to medicine...
Thinking that, my body stiffened slightly.
What does Princess Cordelia think of me?
Glancing at her, I could still see her sitting there holding Rosalin, the child of me and Princess Selina.
The look in her eyes as she gazed at Rosalin seemed truly sweet as honey.
...Seeing that it makes me think she might be drooling in advance, it seems the fatigue accumulated during the honeymoon has piled up.
'Probably not.'
I brushed away the strange thoughts swirling in my head.
Regardless of the reason, it's true that Princess Cordelia also helped look after the children, so I felt I should give something in return.
'Come to think of it.'
Thinking about it, there are plenty of things here that Princess Cordelia might find interesting. I feel like I didn't need to worry earlier.
"Your Highness."
"Ah, yes."
Just then, the closed door opened, and Cecil and Veronica entered.
"Master!"
"We're ba... Huh? Oh, Your Highness?"
I handed the sleeping Ria to Cecil, stood up, and looked at Princess Cordelia.
"Since you went out of your way to help, I should give you something in return."
"Ah... There's no need for that."
Princess Cordelia scratched her head like someone who heard something unexpected.
But seeing her carefully put down Rosalin, whom she was tightly holding in her arms, I suspected she might be secretly expecting it.
Telling the flustered Veronica and the beaming Cecil that I'd be back soon, I headed to the Workshop with Princess Cordelia.
What I'll give her as a gift is... none other than a Potion.
As I recall, I remember she is enrolled in the Alchemy department at the academy.
I'm not sure about her graduation status... but regardless, I think giving her a Potion from here will be helpful in some way.
It might sound like self-praise, but the Alchemists here, including me, are people who wouldn't be inferior anywhere in the Empire.
It's almost unnatural that they're all gathered here.
Just touring the Workshop should be quite helpful.
Thinking that, I glanced back.
I see blonde hair similar to Princess Selina's and piercingly blue eyes.
When we met in Jedo, she seemed easygoing and hearty, but perhaps because our relationship has changed, she seems much more reserved now.
Somehow, feeling the passage of time, my mouth feels bittersweet.
...Since when did I start caring about such things?
Just then, Princess Cordelia's voice came from behind.
"Where are we going?"
"Ah, to the Alchemy Workshop."
"Gasp!"
It might have been a slightly late question, but the timing was just right. We had just arrived in front of the Workshop.
Perhaps realizing the value of this Workshop, Princess Cordelia showed exactly the reaction I had hoped for.
In a pleased mood, I opened the Workshop door.
Since Ariel happened to be in the Workshop, I thought it might become an even more valuable experience.
Ariel seemed to be organizing materials bought from the travel destination.
Princess Cordelia also seemed interested in that, so we ended up organizing them together.
We organized while chatting about this and that, but somehow I felt like I received help again, which made my feelings subtle.
Now that the work is done. While giving a tour of the Workshop and choosing a Potion to give, Princess Cordelia asked in a cautious voice.
"Um..."
"Ah, yes. What is it?"
"Are you perhaps choosing a Potion to give me?"
"Was it too obvious?"
"Yes."
Hearing that voice, I couldn't help but chuckle. Asking even though she knows probably means she wants something.
With a benevolent heart, I smiled faintly and said to Her Highness.
"Was there something among what you saw that you particularly wanted to have?"
"Ah... Not exactly that."
What on earth does she want to ask, taking such a roundabout approach?
Tilting my head, Princess Cordelia whispered to me in a cautious voice.
"The Potion is fine. But... would it be alright if I came whenever I wanted to...?"
"Ah..."
It was a slightly unexpected request.
But there didn't seem to be any particular reason to refuse.
She's also Princess Selina's younger sister, and I quite like the request stemming from a desire to learn.
I nodded my head in agreement.
Then, Princess Cordelia smiled brightly with a happy face.
...I thought she really seems like a person with great academic passion.
Maybe she takes after Princess Selina.
Somehow, I laughed.
Author's Note (Author's Afterword)
What is Cordelia thinking?