In a vast forest, some strange creatures were peeking through a bush, spying on something.
They murmured among themselves:
"Runon..."
"Kalua."
"Kalman!"
What they said translated to human language as:
"Are my eyes seeing this right?"
"No doubt about it. They're humans."
"Lots of them!"
The creatures observed a large human army advancing straight toward the forest.
"This is bad."
"We need to warn the chief immediately."
"We must inform him that the humans plan to invade us!"
The creatures quickly fled to their base.
Who were these humans, and why were they heading toward the forest?
What was certain was that they belonged to the Holy Empire of Agastia.
◇
Recently, I've been even happier than usual.
Why?
Because of them.
"Kurono, are you free after class today?"
"Kurono, please help me with my homework."
"Kurono-kun, there's another classmate who said she'd like to talk to you alone."
After what happened with the fat old man and the attack on the palace, my popularity has soared since I saved the prince and princess of the kingdom.
Everyone sees me as a hero.
Best of all, it's no longer just Rei's close circle talking to me—many classmates are doing so too.
I feel incredibly happy, as I'm no longer an outcast.
"Hey, wipe that awful grin off your face. It's nauseating."
Rei was extremely jealous of me since the king rewarded me with money and a baronet title for saving his children.
He's envious and angry because he nearly died fighting a strange angel.
"Your envy doesn't bother me. It only makes me happier."
"Just because you got lucky doesn't mean you deserve it."
"Excuse me? Thanks to whom do you think everyone's safe?"
"The same could be said about me, and I don't brag about it."
"You always brag about what you do. You even bragged once about something you did in the bathroom."
"That was when I was a kid!"
"At thirteen, you're not considered a kid anymore!"
We started bickering over trivial things.
What's funny is that our fights keep escalating over petty nonsense.
Who ate the last slice of bread?
Who used up all the shampoo?
Why does my comb smell like a dead animal?
Stuff like that.
We were in a study group preparing for upcoming exams.
I could've used a sneaky ability to pass, but studying felt more exciting.
While Rei and I were pulling each other's cheeks, someone interrupted our session.
"Lord Duke!"
A slim young man with long black hair entered.
It was Walter, the current head servant of the mansion.
Isn't it far too easy for outsiders to enter the academy like it's their home?
Before I could ask what he was doing here, he left us all speechless.
"You must come home immediately."
"It's about Lady Rose!"
"…!"
Rei and I were alarmed and rushed to the duchy.
◇
We flew home immediately, leaving the vehicle Walter had used in the capital.
Rei barged into Rose's room, where we saw her parents, a few maids, a doctor, and Rose herself, sweating profusely on the bed.
"Rose, what happened?"
The doctor wiped Rose's forehead and put away his medical tools.
"It's nothing life-threatening. It's just that the time for her to give birth is approaching."
"I see… That's really serious!"
(And he says it as if childbirth isn't a big deal!)
Rei approached her, kneeling as he took her hand.
"Rose, how do you feel?"
"I'm… fine… just… tired…"
Her breathing was labored and uneven.
The doctor explained to Rei while I moved closer to listen better.
"The contractions are irregular. I've never treated an elf before."
"But I predict that labor will begin within three days."
"I recommend she avoids sudden movements and rests as much as possible."
"She also needs to stay well-hydrated and eat light meals. At this stage, any abrupt motion or blow could harm both mother and baby."
"Excuse me now."
The doctor left, but not before Rei thanked him.
He smiled and exited the room.
I turned my gaze back to Rei, who was deep in thought.
He stood up and addressed his parents.
"I need to speak with you in private."
"With us?"
"Yes, let's go to another room."
"Alright."
Rei and his parents left the room. Naturally, it hurt that I wasn't included.
So I sat in a nearby chair.
Why did I do that?
Because Rei still has the jewel on his pendant, and I can send my consciousness there to spy on them.
I'm very curious about what he'll say.
Before I knew it, I was back in the gem.
I watched as Rei, looking serious, broke the silence after a moment and finally spoke.
He said something even I didn't expect:
"I'm going to take Rose back to her homeland."
"I promised her. I told her I'd return the home she lost, so I'll take her to her country."
"And I'll kick her uncle's butt for being the main reason she was sold into slavery—"
Naturally, we were all shocked by the news.
(Idiot, you don't just say something like that so casually.)
(There's such a thing as delicacy. Do you not know what it means?)
(I don't think your parents will let you take Rose in her condition in the first place.)
"Umu. I see. If that's your decision, my son, I'll accept it without issue."
(Why on earth are you accepting this in the first place?)
(We're talking about a pregnant woman who needs to be moved from her bed to a place no one knows!)
(Now's the time for your parents to show a firm hand and not let you take a pregnant woman to a dangerous place.)
"We had talked about it before."
"I discussed it with my wife, and she said it was fine. But Rei, you must ensure Rose is protected at all costs."
"Remember, she's not only your future second wife but also the mother of your child."
"As a father and a man, I won't forgive you if anything happens to them. Is that clear?"
His father glared at him with a severe look, almost as if fire was emanating from his eyes.
Is it just me, or did it suddenly get hotter in here?
"I understand. I promise nothing bad will happen to Rose."
"I'll use my body as a shield if necessary."
"Very well. You're a Redblade, and it's your duty to ensure your family's well-being."
"Don't you agree, sweety?"
"Sweety?"
Both father and son turned their eyes toward the lady of the house. Normally, she'd be the first to oppose this, but her usual smile was replaced by a frown.
Her eyebrows were furrowed as she stared at the carpet.
After calling her several times, she finally reacted.
"Huh? Oh? Yes?"
"What's wrong?"
She seemed out of sorts but eventually composed herself.
"Dear, about Rei's request."
"Oh, yes. Umm…"
"What were we talking about again?"
Both father and son widened their eyes in surprise.
The woman who was always so attentive to her family hadn't paid attention to her son at all.
Her husband explained, and she replaced her recently restored smile with an angry expression.
"You want to take her away?"
"Are you crazy, Rei-chan?"
"I won't let you take Rose-chan anywhere!"
That was the response I expected.
"I'd say that, but it's Rose-chan's decision, not mine."
"Therefore, you need to discuss it with her."
(Why aren't you acting like a mother now?!)
"In case she agrees, you must take a nursemaid or midwife. In her condition, she needs all the help she can get."
"I understand. I'll talk to her."
Before leaving the room, he told his parents:
"Thank you for your support."
"Someone comes to mind, but I must discuss it with Rose first."
"That's fine. The important thing is to consider Rose-chan's feelings now more than ever."
She said that, then frowned again.
Rei opened the door, and my consciousness returned to my body.
Our eyes met as he entered the room.
"I'm sure you heard everything."
"I did."
"Now you know, I'm going to ask Rose."
"Alright."
"By the way, Rei."
"…?"
"What's wrong with your mother?"
"What do you mean?"
"I mean, it's strange that a woman like her, who always smiles, is now upset."
"Or so it seems to me."
It's odd for a woman who's always smiling to now be upset.
"Oh, that."
"My father told me she's been like that since her father came to visit her."
"I see."
"Wait, her father?!"
I froze completely upon hearing that.
"Rei… Do you have another grandfather?"
"Obviously, my mother has a father, doesn't she?"
"That's not what I mean. It's just that this house has never mentioned you having a grandfather still alive."
"Oh, that. It's natural to have another grandfather."
"Though I do find it strange."
"I never met him, and apparently, his name is forbidden to be mentioned in this house."
"Doesn't that seem strange to you? Don't you even know who he is?"
"It does, but I don't care."
"The only grandfather I know has already passed away. So it doesn't interest me."
Even if you say that, it does interest me.
Who is the name that made a woman who always smiles so angry that it cannot be mentioned in this house?
◇◇◇
Rei entered the room where Rose was.
She looked at him and tried to sit up.
"Don't move."
"Sorry, in my current state, I can't do anything on my own."
"The important thing here is that you stay healthy."
"Rose, I need to tell you something important."
"What is it?"
Rei took a chair, sat down, and took Rose's hand.
Their eyes met, staring at each other.
"I already discussed it with my parents, and they agreed."
"Do you remember the promise we made when we first met?"
"…!"
Rose nodded slowly.
"I remember it perfectly."
"Rose, I'll only ask you this once."
"Do you want to return to your homeland and give birth to our child there?"
Rose had mixed feelings.
Her homeland was a place she both longed for and sought revenge against.
She bit her lip and shed tears as memories of the past resurfaced.
"I have no problem giving birth in the kingdom."
"In fact, I had already forgotten about my homeland."
"That's why I…"
Rei interrupted her.
"Rose, I want to keep my promise."
"I want our child to be born in your homeland so that the first thing they see is their mother showing them their birthplace."
"Do you want to do it, or do you not?"
Before answering, a certain memory came to her.
It was of her mother—the last time she saw her.
The last time she was in her homeland, she saw her mother die.
She held Rei's hand and, through tears, expressed her feelings.
"I… want our child to be born in my homeland."
"I also want my uncle, the one responsible for my mother's death and my pain, to pay."
"Reidel-sama, please take me home."
"I will. I promise."
Rei embraced her tightly.
Her wish to return home would come true, along with the birth of her child.
◇◇◇
We had to wait a day to depart, as there were certain formalities to take care of.
One of them involved ensuring that the palace did not recognize Rose's child as Rei's offspring. Thanks to Rei's father, who went to the palace and did who-knows-what, the paperwork was completed without any issues.
Now, everyone who would accompany us to Rose's homeland was present.
Obviously, I'm talking about Rei, Rose herself, and me. As special guests, there were Eli and a middle-aged woman, Sophia, who was part of Rei's harem.
"Why were they here?"
To begin with, Eli said:
"Rose-sama, besides being my concubine, is my friend. And I want to support her during this important moment for her."
Her attendants couldn't join us because Eli explained that this was an intimate moment for them, and she politely declined their company.
Sophia came because she was an experienced woman when it came to childbirth. She had tragically lost her own child in the past, due to Casimir, who had sought revenge against her ex-husband.
This was supposed to be the group making the journey, but unexpected people joined us:
The commander of the royal knights himself, Sieghart; a strange guy who always seems to get into trouble and somehow comes out relatively fine, Bret; and, surprisingly, a young man with bronzed skin and brown hair, Fionn Eisenberg, the son of the second captain of the royal knights.
"What were these guys doing here?"
As if reading my mind, Sieghart approached Rei.
"I heard from His Majesty that the princess would be going to a place no one from the kingdom has ever visited. He entrusted me with the mission of protecting her.
Please, allow me to accompany you."
"Well, more hands to look after the girls is fine," Rei said. "What about the other two?"
Rei asked, and I was curious too.
"Bret came because I requested the king grant him the opportunity to go on this mission to gain experience.
After everything that's happened this year, he's been building a new reputation for himself. It's no surprise that many now see him as a strong candidate to become the next commander of the royal knights."
"What?!"
Bret and I, both exclaimed our obvious surprise.
"And him?"
Fionn stepped forward to speak for himself.
"I know we don't have much in common and have exchanged few words, but when I heard you were going somewhere unexpected, I wanted to test my skills as an escort.
Since the tournament, I've felt a sense of powerlessness that tells me I need to improve as a knight. And this is an opportunity to prove myself.
As I said, I came as an escort. So please, allow me to join you."
Rei sighed, as if resigning himself.
"Well, as I said, the more hands to look after them, the better.
Alright, everyone, get on."
"Thank you... get on what?"
Rei pointed ahead, and there, emerging from the ground like water flowing, was a strange vehicle. It was a mechanical manta ray designed to make our journey easier.
"Why a manta ray and not a plane?"
Because a plane would scare them... And because I've always wanted to ride one.
"It's hideous."
Everyone said so. It hurt, but I ignored them.
"Everyone, get on. We're leaving immediately."
The manta ray had seats and seatbelts.
Rei's parents were there to see us off—well, his father was. His mother was nowhere to be seen.
Everyone boarded, and I pressed the button to depart. The manta ray began to lift off, slowly rising to just below the clouds before surging forward with a push.
"Let's go, to the land of the elves!"
I can't deny it; I'm excited to finally go to the event where Rei wins over Rose. Of course, setting that aside, I can't ignore the importance this moment holds for me.
________________
The fanservice is for Rose, as the time has come to make her a mother.
https://danbooru.donmai.us/posts/8527346