Chapter 61: A Peaceful Everyday

Ever since that day, Master has gotten back into form.

Thanks to that, even our grumpy cow-cat’s complaints have finally subsided. Though the political mess in the country hasn’t been completely cleared up, things on the surface have started to calm down considerably.

Even the neighboring nations—whether they're aware of the meteor incident or not—have been taking on a relatively friendly stance, so for the time being, there doesn’t seem to be any sign of conflict on the horizon.

It’s true peace. Walking through the now considerably developed city, I noticed all sorts of races, including more and more beastkin. Maybe they've come to feel the country is truly stable as they go about their lives—many of them had such bright, cheerful smiles.

Right now, everyone in the country is getting excited as preparations are underway for the upcoming Founding Festival.

Even inside the castle, there’s a festive air to things. Just seeing it all lifts your spirits.

“Chris~ I’m coming in~”
“Come on in~”

In a room granted to Chris and Kasai-san in one corner of the castle, I knocked on the door and entered after getting a response. There was Chris, gently rocking a cat-eared newborn on the bed, cradling her with great care.

She’s the daughter born just the other day to Chris and the now-confirmed doting father, Kasai-san.

The delivery was a little difficult, but both mother and child were healthy and safe. Kasai-san’s panic and overflowing joy at the time has become a bit of a story among the maids.

“Sorry, Sora-chan. I haven’t been able to help with work.”
“It’s perfectly fine. A mother’s job is to care for her child.”

There are no wet nurses here, so maternity leave is absolutely necessary for the baby’s sake. I really do want Chris to spend time with her child for their future. Fortunately, the kids in the open-air classroom have started listening more obediently lately, so I’ve been managing things on my own somehow.

“Today, Riara-san sent some fruit.”
“Wah, Pilchi! Thank you!”

When I placed a basket full of peach-like fruits on the shelf, Chris’s eyes sparkled. Apparently it’s been her favorite since childhood. These were freshly picked and passed on to me by Riara-san. Our share had already been set aside, so this batch is all for the Kasai family.

“How are the festival preparations going?”
“The dwarves are squabbling over the launch order for the magic fireworks.”

Each tribe and clan strongly requested to host their own event, so while they’re technically cooperating, some friendly skirmishes over things like order have broken out. It’s especially noticeable with the dwarves and their artisan spirit—Master encouraged them, saying their fireworks were essential for the festival, and now they’re competing over who can make the better display.

Those kinds of artisan-centered items really seem to tickle the dwarves’ fancy.

“Ahaha, sounds fun.”
“It really does.”

Everyone sees hope in the future of the country and is looking forward to the festival. I really do want it to succeed.

Time passed, and the day of the festival arrived. Around the castle, stalls lined the streets, and in the plaza, people danced with smiles on their faces to the music. This lively energy was truly something special.

“Freshly grilled Dogga bird skewers! Just off the grill!”
“Cold ale! Get your cold ale here—!”

With Lulu, my bodyguard, accompanying me, we walked down the stall-lined street, the sound of enthusiastic vendors calling out filling the air. I don’t dislike this kind of atmosphere. Though—if I had to nitpick just one thing...

“Ah, Your Majesty the Queen! Care for a grilled apple skewer?”
“Yaaay—wait, I’m not the queen!”

…It would be that people keep calling out to me like that. I have this creeping suspicion that the idea of me being the queen has spread to a point where it’s too late to fix. Is it just my imagination?

“Oh right, right. Looking forward to the wedding!”
“You're just setting yourself up for disappointment waiting for a day that will never come…”

Please don’t say such ominous things. Ugh…

“Senpai, you seem a bit down.”
“Hmm… I haven’t been feeling so well lately.”

I let out a sigh and slouched my shoulders, then took the grilled apple skewer from Lulu and bit into it. The sweetness, intensified by the heat, spread vividly across my tongue.

“Should we go back?”
“It’s just a bit of discomfort, so I’m fine. I’ll walk around a bit, then head back and rest. We can still see the fireworks from the terrace.”

I want to feel this energy up close, while I still can. Besides, if I go back, Lulu would have to go back too—so I’d feel bad for dragging her away from all this.

“Don’t push yourself, okay?”
“I know, I know~”

After answering, I left the food stalls and headed toward the plaza, where, off to the side, I spotted Master discussing event plans with the tribal chiefs. As soon as he saw me, he tried to hug me and go in for a kiss—but I skillfully dodged, then went around to greet the colorful line-up of races, from wolfkin and tigerkin to catkin and dwarves.

“Want to watch the fireworks from here?”

“Hmm… I’m not feeling too well, so I think I’ll head back to the terrace and watch from there.”

Master spoke to me just as the greetings were winding down, but truthfully, I was already feeling a little dizzy. Honestly, it’s pathetic how little stamina I have.

“I see. Be careful, alright?”

“Of course~ And you hang in there too, Master.”

Seems like he’s involved in organizing things too, so I gave him a bit of encouragement while I was at it. Gently pushing away Master’s lingering hand as he tried to pull me into a shoulder hug, I started walking off.

On the way back with Lulu, we browsed the traditional foods and crafts of each tribe.

One of the stalls in particular was serving a type of fried food that’s rare in these parts. Maybe because of its novelty, a crowd had formed around it.

Lulu and I, drawn in by curiosity, approached as well—but the smell of animal fat being used must’ve been strong, because I started feeling woozy.

“Mmm, smells like good meat, Senpai.”

“…………”

That’s odd. A little while ago, I would’ve thought it smelled tasty too. But just standing near it and breathing it in made me feel nauseous.

“Here, Senpai, have one too—Senpai?”

While I was spacing out, Lulu had apparently received a piece of fried meat wrapped in a leaf and was now holding it out to me. I instinctively covered my mouth.

“Are you okay? If you’re not feeling well, let’s head back right now. I’ll carry you.”

A wave of nausea welled up. This was really bad—especially being this close to a food stall. I managed to force it down through sheer willpower, but in exchange, my consciousness started fading.

“Senpai? Stay with me—Senpai!”

What is happening to me? I want to tell Lulu that I’m fine, even if it’s a lie, but my mouth won’t move. In the end, I couldn’t resist the darkness slowly enveloping my mind.

I don’t know how much time had passed, but as I lay on something soft, I gradually became aware again.

“Oh, you’re awake.”

When I opened my eyes, I saw the ceiling of the infirmary lit by a magical lamp. While I was still wondering how I ended up here, Riara-san, who was holding my wrist and checking my pulse, gave a relieved smile.

“When Lulu carried you in, I was shocked. Do you remember anything?”

“…Yes. I’m sorry for causing you worry.”

I went back through my memories—thankfully, there didn’t seem to be any strange gaps. Still, what happened to me? Maybe it was anemia? I’ve been eating breakfast properly every morning too...

“Senpai, you’re awake!?”

“Soraa~, you okay~?”

Just as I was about to ask the cause, Lulu and Fere burst into the room, flinging the door open in a rush. They really were worried about me.

“You two, stop being so loud. There’s a patient here.”

That exasperated voice was Yuria’s… Is it okay for her to be missing the festival?

“What about the festival, everyone?”

“My stage performance already ended! I’m more worried about you!”

“I already got most of the fun out of the way this morning.”

It seems they all chose to prioritize me, and I can’t help but feel a little bad about that.

“Thank you… really.”

“Don’t worry about it! More importantly, are you okay?”

“Riara-sama, what’s going on? It’s not something serious, is it…?”

While Fere peered at me anxiously, Lulu was pressing Riara-san for answers. After lightly tapping Lulu on the head, Riara-san turned to me and gave a meaningful smile… What’s that supposed to mean?

“She’s fine. It’s not an illness.”

“So it really was just anemia?”

If it’s not an illness, then anemia is really the only explanation that comes to mind.

“That’s right. Most likely, anemia.”

“Anemia?”

“It means your body doesn’t have enough blood. But she eats properly every day and gets balanced nutrition…”

Yuria frowned, clearly dissatisfied, while Riara-san let out a small, restrained chuckle.

“Well, perhaps… she was just slightly lacking in a certain nutrient.”

At that phrasing, Yuria’s expression turned sharper. She’s been working really hard on meal planning, so as the one eating her food, I can’t just let that slide.

“I’ve been following Master’s guidance and planning meals carefully, you know?”

“I know. But even so, it’s hard to prepare for sudden changes when you’re not aware of them, right?”

What is she even talking about?

Yuria tilted her head in confusion, and as for me—cold sweat began dripping down my back. Something about this conversation feels like it’s going somewhere I really don’t want to go. Um, I’m not feeling well, so can I sleep now?

“What do you mean by that?”

“You weren’t accounting for the nutritional needs of the other one, were you?”

Riara-san said this with a mischievous smile, pointing directly at me. Instinctively, I turned to look behind me—but there was only a wall. Please, don’t joke around like that. That was way too effective. What am I supposed to do if I can’t sleep tonight?

“What are you talking about? There’s no one there.”

Even as I said that, Riara-san kept pointing at me. Yuria, Lulu, and even Fere all followed the direction of her finger and stared right at me.

…Wait. My shoulder? No—stomach? Please no. This is too creepy!

“W-Why is everyone acting so weird? Don’t say scary things like that!”

“C-Could it be…?”

Yuria’s voice trembled as she stared at my stomach, her hand slowly reaching toward it. Please stop. I don’t want to hear it. I really don’t!!

Ahem… ahem…

“Your Majesty the Queen—congratulations on your pregnancy! …That’s the right way to say it, yes?”

“Congratulations, my lady!”

“No way—really!? Senpai, congrats!!”

“Really!? There’s a baby!?”

…………………

“We have to tell your husband right away. This is for real, isn’t it?”

“The diagnosis is accurate.”

“I bet Shuuya-sama will be thrilled. He might even out-dote Makoto-san.”

“I’ll help take care of the baby too! Leave it to me!”

…………………………………………………

“I’m going to go fetch your husband immediately! My lady, please rest!”

“Senpai, I’m so happy for you! I’ll help with babysitting too!”

“Ooh, ooh! What kind of lullabies do you like?”

“I understand you’re all excited, but let’s settle down just a bit. Even if it’s not an illness, she still collapsed from anemia, remember?”

……………………………………………………………………………………………

◇◆ADVENTURE RESULT◆◇
NO BATTLE
◆[Sora Lv.105]
◆[Lulu Lv.43]
◆[Yuria Lv.46]
◇―
＝＝＝＝＝＝＝＝＝＝＝＝＝＝＝＝
Sora Lv.105 [1057]
Lulu Lv.43 [431]
Yuria Lv.46 [461]

[RECORD]
[MAX COMBO]>>40
[MAX BATTLE]>>40

[PARTY-1(Main)]
[Shuya][Lv135] HP4200/4200 MP5020/5020 [Normal]
[Sora][Lv105] HP70/70 MP1685/1685 [Pregnant]
[Lulu][Lv43] HP950/950 MP22/42 [Normal]
[Yuria][Lv46] HP2540/2540 MP51/91 [Normal]
[Fere][Lv40] HP445/445 MP1250/1450 [Normal]
＝＝＝＝＝＝＝＝＝＝＝＝＝＝＝＝

"…………………………"
"Senpai, senpai?"
"Soraaa, if you don’t move, I’m gonna kiss you~"
"No good. Milady’s completely frozen."