847 – Meaning is what you give it – 4

Even if Erich had stuck a spear into his brother’s forehead, a promise is a promise. Even more so, if it was a promise made not for Erich’s personal greed but for his sisters-in-law and nephews, he could not break it.

“It’s here.”

So, the day after signing the ‘Holy Beast Dispatch Agreement’ with Erich, I visited Erich’s mansion again with one of the Holy Beasts as promised.

With the smallest and most modest humility of the eleven holy beasts.

“Is this where the owner’s younger brother stays?”

“That’s right. But since it’s a mansion in my family’s name, I’m the owner, so don’t make a mess of it.”

“Don’t worry about how much mess you’ll make with this size.”

The humility that had been climbing onto my palm nodded vigorously.

Has this guy ever answered with such confidence? He seems just happy to be able to get out of our mansion.

It’s a bit of a complicated feeling. I send them to the Earldom of Tilglehen periodically, and I also send them out for walks in pairs, but they just like going out. If someone saw me, they’d think I was abusing these guys.

“There’s one who’s just crawling, and one who’s still in the cradle. It won’t be comfortable for them to stay here, will it?”

So I blurted out some threatening words to Humility for no reason.

Unlike the County of Tilglehen, where you only had to take care of one person, here you have to take care of two.

“The baby in the cradle can think of Teresa in her prime.”

Especially the younger one of the two is by no means easy.

“Master, don’t talk nonsense.”

But despite my warning, Humility, far from being afraid, laughed.

“There can’t be another child like Teresa. A child like that comes along only once every 50 years. How can a second Teresa be born so soon?”

‘This kid.’

I was upset at the thought of someone treating someone else’s younger sister like a plague or a disaster, but what made me even angrier was that I couldn’t bring myself to deny it.

Why can’t you say anything? Why can’t you say that my little sister is a good and gentle child, and that she’s not someone you should treat like that?

“…Let’s go say hello first. I’ll be coming here often for a while, so I need to make my first greetings proper.”

“It’s not like it’s the first time we’re meeting, but what’s the first greeting? Ah, I understand, master! Don’t use force on your hand! No matter how strong I am, I’m scared if the master uses force!”

Without realizing it, I lightly held the body of humility.

You arrogant b*stard. If this master tries to change the subject, you will obediently follow, but you are cowardly and keep your mouth shut with facts.

‘Have I been too comfortable with you all this time?’

I think I gave these guys too much benefit. Also, our kids who used to bite the holy water and squeeze it are getting older, so they play with the holy water quite gently compared to when they were very young.

Yes, it is true that the body has become comfortable and the mind has become lethargic. It is truly regrettable.

‘This time, we need to establish some discipline.’

Eduard, who has completely taken Erich’s mind. I hope that our second nephew will bring some strong tension to the loose discipline of the saints.

No, it’s not that it’d be nice, it’s that it’d definitely be. I trust my nephew. I trust my nephew’s ability to unilaterally push back on Erich, who has inherited the blood of a warrior, and Zenobia, who was urgently deployed.

‘These guys are also planning to come one by one.’

What if several Seongsu came at once? Then, several people would have to deal with my two nephews. It would be a little difficult, but it would be manageable.

However, if only one comes at a time, he will have to handle two nephews by himself. Even though his older brother Robert is relatively well-behaved, considering that Eduard can handle more than three people by himself, he will inevitably be pushed back by an overwhelming majority.

“Master. Why are you looking at me like that all of a sudden…?”

“No, just. Play with your nephews and nieces.”

“Oh, of course. If he’s the master’s nephew, he’s the master’s child, and if he’s the master’s child, he’s like family to us.”

As a former evil spirit and current holy beast, perhaps sensing something ominous, Humility suddenly spouted out remarks that were tantamount to an oath of loyalty.

It was a quick response, but it was futile. The fate of the saints, including Humility, was in Eduard’s hands, not mine.

***

Since Eduard was born, I’ve been sleeping more.

My heart sank as I recalled the time before I entered the academy when I was so weak that I had difficulty moving. I wondered if I had given up something else in exchange for the treasure I loved and cherished. I wondered if my body, which had finally returned to normal, had returned to the past.

“It’s true that your body has become weak, but it is a temporary phenomenon that occurred due to the great pain you have suffered. If you focus on recovering, you will be able to regain your strength.”

But fortunately, the medical team that diagnosed Eduard as healthy were also confident in my recovery.

Then you can rest assured. These are competent people who diagnosed our Eduard perfectly. If you don’t trust them, it means you don’t trust Eduard’s health either, so of course you have no choice but to trust them.

“Thank goodness, I’m so glad. How lucky I am that you and the child are safe…!”

And it wasn’t just me, my mother felt the same way, because when she heard the diagnosis that Eduard and I were safe, she burst into tears.

Even my mother-in-law who had worried about me since I was little. And the servants and vassals who came from the Trimara family.

At least my father didn’t show any tears, but he just didn’t show any tears. That must have been the last bit of pride he had as a nobleman.

“Thank you, Sarah. You’ve worked so hard.”

Of course, the most impressive thing was Erich’s hug. I couldn’t hug him tightly because I wasn’t feeling well, but it was a warmer and stronger hug than I’d ever felt before. I still can’t forget that feeling.

“Eeeeeeeee…”

“Eduard is also grateful to his mother─”

“Eee …

“Thank you very much.”

No, perhaps the most impressive was Eduard, who cried as if he was leaving the room. Who did he really resemble? He cried as if he would become a strong knight when he grew up.

Days passed by with everyone celebrating Eduard’s birth and everyone feeling relieved that I had given birth without any major problems.

“How are you feeling? Are you okay?”

“I’m still a bit sore, but I’m feeling much better. Thank you for worrying about me, Grandfather.”

Erich’s request came to the mansion.

Erich, who was left to take care of Eduard alone because he couldn’t move his body. Thankfully, Eduard was too healthy for Erich to handle alone, and the situation became so urgent that even Zenobia, who had to take care of Robert, had to step in.

Thanks to that, Erich asked his grandfather for reinforcements. The animals that had clearly demonstrated their abilities against his nephews. He made a desperate request to send those animals to our mansion.

“That, Grandfather. Did that child come here at Erich’s request?”

I asked cautiously, looking at the chick on the grandfather’s hand.

Although small and petite, this is the child that Erich desperately wanted. A child who, despite being small, will show a stronger presence than anyone else.

“Yes. I’m here.”

I couldn’t help but sigh at the sight of the chick answering in place of his grandfather.

Of course, it was a sigh of relief rather than frustration. Because now that this child has arrived, there was a sense of relief that Erich and Zenobia will be able to relax a little.

If I could move normally, the two of you wouldn’t have had to suffer. Even though it was an outside help, I’m so glad that I was able to fill that void.

“This one came today, but a different one will come every day. Don’t worry, I’ll send them in order, starting with the little ones.”

“From little kids?”

“Robert is just starting to crawl. It’s a bit much to bring a bear or a horse in front of a kid like that.”

I nodded, thinking that was right. It certainly wouldn’t be right to show Robert and Eduard large animals all of a sudden.

Of course, the nephews are living in the same house as those big animals, but back then the size of the saints was smaller. It’s not right to compare then with now.

“Well, even though it’s big, it’s still small compared to an adult. Once it gets used to the little ones, it’ll accept the big ones without any problems.”

“I wish it were so. Every time I went to Grandfather’s house, I saw how well those kids played with my nieces and nephews. If those kids could take care of our kids, it wouldn’t be any more comforting.”

With those words, he stroked the chick on his grandfather’s hand.

Did you say your name is Humility? It’s the perfect name to play with children. It seems like it would teach children the virtue of humility.

“Please take care of me in the future. Eduard is a bit active, but he’s a professional, so I’m sure he’ll be able to play with me well, right?”

“Of course. Even if a newborn baby is active, it’s just the same. How many children do you think I’ve played with in my time?”

The humility of holding one’s head high and spreading one’s wings wide. If it were in human form, it would have been incredibly arrogant, which made me chuckle.

“If you feel like he’s not up to the task, tell me right away. I’ll replace him with someone else.”

“Yes, I will definitely do that.”

I nodded willingly to my grandfather’s request.

In fact, even if Humility were to just breathe without saying a word, Robert and Eduard would like it. How could they dislike a little chick walking around?

“By the way, what about Erich?”

“I’m with Eduard.”

“Should I have started from there?”

I felt embarrassed at the bitter tone in my grandfather’s voice.

I hope my body recovers quickly so that I can take care of Eduard and Erich can take care of his grandfather.

***

After receiving a summons from His Majesty the King, I headed to His Majesty the King’s office.

“Come in, Ryutus.”

“I greet you, Your Majesty the King.”

And as soon as he entered the office, he bowed his head toward His Majesty the King who welcomed him.

No matter how busy you are, the royal family gathers together for a meal once a day, so if there is something you need to say, you tell your father then. Even so, if he calls you during work, there must be a good reason.

“I called you because I had something important to tell you. I wonder if I bothered you when you’re busy preparing for the wedding.”

“Where could there be anything to be busy with? It’s all the hard work of the maids and servants.”

“That’s true, though.”

His Majesty the King smiled faintly and stroked his beard as he handed me a document.

“I’ve already told you about the scepter, so you know what I’m talking about. Read it.”

At those words, I quickly read the document.

The Scepter. The Scepter of the Trika Empire discovered in our Armenian territory. How much trouble has His Majesty the King had because of that item─

‘hmm?’

As soon as I saw the documents, I doubted my eyes.

[Treaty of the Transfer of Antiquities between Armenia and Kpelopan]

Secondly, the title itself is quite interesting.

[ In exchange for Armin’s agreement to the treaty and the handing over of the Scepter of the Trika Empire to Kpelopen, Count Tylglehen agrees to split the sky at the sword tomb at Armin’s request. ]

[ And in addition─ ]

‘Ugh.’

It contained a very attractive content, such as the story of a teacher cutting through the sky in Geommyo.

“Ryutis.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

“This is what will happen on your wedding day. Think of it as a gift from your father.”

I couldn’t help but laugh at the gift which was so great.