626 – It Leaks Even Inside – 2

The weather that can be called spring has already passed the winter. I still feel so cold that I don’t want to get out of bed every morning, but at least I don’t have to see snow piling up in the garden.

And when the external temperature changes suddenly, the body is also surprised by the sudden change. If you are careless during this period, there is a chance of catching a cold or strange illness.

“Are there any uncomfortable places?”

That’s why she asked carefully while patting Lin’s belly, who was nearing full term.

A cozy and warm time spent in the tulip garden of the County of Planvel. The sea, a precious treasure that came to us at that time.

If Rin, a pregnant woman, gets sick when she is full-term and her fetus, Vada, is preparing to be born, her heart will be broken. How sad it is for a child who has not even come into the world yet to become ill.

“I’m fine except that it’s hard to move.”

Fortunately, Rin nodded her head without any concern in response to my question.

‘Lin is strong.’

Seeing Rin like that made me smile.

Rin is the daughter of Count Yorun, who is very active in her business world, and is a lady who participated in the flower arrangement club for three years at her academy. If you just look at her background, she is closer to a typical noble lady from a fairy tale.

However, she is actually a jockey who proudly wins first place in horseback riding at every academy competition and an athlete who enjoyed horseback riding even after graduation. She may be healthier than most men in terms of physical ability alone.

‘If you look like me and Rin, you’ll be healthy.’

Eventually, she thought of the sea where she would be sleeping soundly in Rin’s arms. If the lineage of the Crasius family and Lin’s health are combined, the sea will become an excellent warrior—

“…Huh?”

“Oh, I just kicked it.”

When she tilted her head at the dull shock coming from her hand, Rin opened her mouth in a calm voice.

Did you just say… The sea kicked…?

‘It looks like I hit it with a fist.’

I feel somewhat confused. Fedi and the triplets felt Friedrich’s kicks countless times. Of course, I felt the kicks of the sea dozens or hundreds more times.

But this time, the kick I felt from her was stronger and blunter than anything else. As if ready to come out at any moment.

‘I will have an easy delivery.’

Still, my bewilderment quickly turned into satisfaction. If Rin was fully prepared to go out to sea, she wouldn’t have any difficulties giving birth. She may, like her mother, have a smooth birth.

It is expected. What kind of child will this well-prepared child grow up to be? What a lively child he will grow up to run around the mansion.

Should we ride around the mansion on Titi’s back like Pedi? Or will they bite and suck on holy water like triplets? If not, is he surprisingly a quiet child like Friedrich?

‘Or maybe it’s a type I haven’t seen before.’

Actually, it doesn’t matter either way. A child is a being who brings happiness just by being around his father and mother.

“Does our ocean look more like its father or its mother?”

“From the way you kicked just now, I guess you took after your dad?”

“If she’s smart like her mother, she wants to pass on Lydia.”

At my words, Lin’s hand her her her, which had been stroking my stomach along with mine, suddenly stopped.

“Wiri… Diayo?”

“Oh, maybe it’s because it’s on the outskirts?”

“Who would view Wiridia as an outskirt? It is a strategic point connecting the mainland and the north.”

I laughed at Rin’s slightly embarrassed reaction.

Yes. It may have been before the northern conquest, but the current Wiridia is an intermediate base between the mainland and the north.

“That’s why I want to be like Rin. Among us, Rin is the only one who has Sangjae.”

Wiridia is already gaining distinction as an intermediate trade destination between the two regions. Horses, leather, and ores from the north are spreading throughout the empire through Wiridia, and industrial products and luxury goods from the mainland must pass through Wiridia to go to the north.

Therefore, the child who will succeed me as the second Earl of Wiridia must be skilled in commercial affairs. To be honest, the reason I, who have no real financial status, is holding on to Wiridia is because of my hierarchical relationship with the northern lords and the authority of being the first count who was directly given the title. It’s a bit bad if the 2nd generation is also black.

“Of course, it’s enough to just know the basics. Anyway, the practical work is done by those below.”

As if I still couldn’t push away the embarrassment, I gently kissed Rin’s forehead as she looked at me blankly.

“And if she takes after her mother, she must be good at riding horses, right? Then Lydia is perfect.”

“So, the sea becomes a noble by being good at riding horses?”

It was only after she told her joke that Rin burst into laughter.

Okay, there’s no need for Rin to be embarrassed about this. Just smiling like she does now is enough.

‘It’s natural for a father to pass on wealth to his children.’

Some of that property is just a small piece of land.

Of course, it’s ridiculous to pass something on to a child who hasn’t even been born yet, but it’s better to keep the succession structure clean with no room for disruption. This is the truth that the 2nd prince, who was in the underworld bathing in hellfire, proved by burning his body.

I’m not particularly grateful. Even if you die a hundred times, it’s not enough.

“So, take good care of your body. Although the days are getting warmer, it’s easier to catch a cold at such times.”

“Don’t worry. I grew up without any minor illnesses since I was young.”

In the end, she turned around and ended up telling her to take care of herself, and Rin responded with a firm nod.

It was just a verbal assurance, but it was a strangely trustworthy answer.

“Then I’ll go. Eri will be angry that I’m late.”

“Oh, hurry up and go. If you’re late, your sister might get upset.”

I almost burst out laughing again at the sight of Rin understanding right away.

As soon as Eri’s pregnancy was confirmed, she immediately applied for her pregnancy leave and she is staying at our mansion. Even the Deputy Director of Information approved the application at the speed of light, saying please enjoy your vacation, so everyone is enjoying a happy vacation.

“We’ve been living separately because of work! From now on, come see me and Hayang every day!”

However, as if she was feeling sad from being away for so long, Eri begged her to come to his room at a certain time every day.

It wasn’t a particularly difficult request. Even if she didn’t make a fuss, it was natural for her to listen.

‘We spent too much time apart.’

Eri lived in the castle with Fine while the other wives lived in the mansion. She can’t even imagine how bitter and lonely she must have been during this time.

In fact, Trixie had to stay away from me because she had the position of Magic Top Lord, but she said she was going to enjoy her cozy honeymoon her life her her her, so who would urge her to go to work? She said she was working well as the Butap Lord took care of it.

So, if Eri is guilty, it is that she was nothing more than a manager.

Eri is still about two months pregnant, so she is showing off her pregnancy by sticking out her barely noticeable belly.

While she was playing with Eri, taking care of her like her her her her queen her her her,

‘What?’

The communication sphere she had placed in her arms began to emit twinkling light.

What’s going on? No one in the empire knows that I’m on vacation, so unless it’s something really urgent, I tend to send a text message rather than a direct phone call. It is normal for the communication port to enter a vibration state rather than emit light on its own.

“Ruthless! How dare you shine an unpleasant light in front of Erzsebet!”

“Be quiet for a moment.”

“Neng.”

After stopping Eri who was saying something strange while looking at the light of the communication sphere, she took out the communication sphere and headed to her corner. If it’s an urgent business, she has to answer it right away.

“This is Carl Crasius of Tyglehen, Minister of Inspection.”

– It’s been a while, Your Excellency the Count.

And I was surprised by the appearance of an unexpected person.

A comprade in heart who went through hell with me for three years. A big man who has now risen to the position of vice-captain of the Armaine Royal Knights.

“Lord Villar?”

A person whose current status I had only heard of through rumors since graduating from the Academy contacted me first.

It was surprising, but also nice. Without Villar, my life at the academy would have been even more hell. One of the few treasures I rescued from hell is Villar.

– I apologize for suddenly contacting you one-sidedly.

“Oh, it’s okay. It can be like that between close friends.”

Villar smiled vaguely at my words.

At the same time, deep dark circles that contrasted with the raised corners of the mouth caught my eye.

‘Are you overwhelmed by work?’

It’s unfortunate, but it’s also unavoidable. The position of Vice-Captain of the Royal Knights is a position that requires not only the military power of a knight, but also administrative and political power. It is natural for work to be concentrated in such a position.

Still, Villar was a capable person who coordinated and led the three kingdoms’ escort group of Armain, Juven, and Holy Church in the middle of a foreign country called the Imperial Academy. Even if you are bothered by unfamiliar work now, it will get better over time.

“By the way, I heard that he recently became vice-captain. It’s late, but congratulations now.”

– I have a lot to congratulate you on. I heard that the family is prospering, and I hope that only good things will happen in the future.

Anyway, after exchanging formal congratulations, Villar bit his lip as if he was thinking about something.

– Sir, excuse me, but is there a listening ear nearby?

Soon, I carefully checked my surroundings. Is there a possibility that our conversation could be leaked?

“I have a wife, but…”

– That’s it then. You can trust His Excellency’s wife.

For a moment, I almost said that he was not a trustworthy person, but I held back.

– The dispatch to the academy has already ended, and I am truly sorry and embarrassed to contact you like this to your Excellency, who has no connection with Armain…

Anyway, Villar’s tongue began to grow long and he started talking about this and that, and then he finished his sentence with a small sigh.

– You have returned to those days.

“…Yes?”

A retort came out in a sad voice.

Are you going back to those days? What are you talking about. Who am I and what was that time like?

‘Are you talking about Rheutis?’

Given the circumstances, I will do Ryuutigi. The only ‘downgrade’ of Armain that Villar and I have in common is Lyutis.

So, going back to those days…

‘…The 1977 season?’

I got goosebumps. If the situation is dire enough for Villar to urgently contact me, then that is the only way.

– I thought about it several times. I feel sorry for receiving Your Excellency’s help with Armain’s matter, so I have been trying to handle it on my own for the past few weeks.

At my silence, Villar opened his mouth again.

– However, it was not a problem I could solve. Even at the Academy, didn’t your Excellency control your thoughts and actions, not me?

There was no answer to those tearful words.

‘Adjustment.’

I couldn’t control that golden b*stard until the very end.

It was only after Rize dumped him that he became relatively sane.