"Who does the king respect the most?"
"Archduke Rinoirena"
Umieres was briefly surprised. Unexpectedly, Passato respected someone other than his first wife. If he could get along with the Grand Duke, it would certainly create favorable conditions for overthrowing the Queen.
"Oh, is that so. I think the most respected monarch should be Queen Ciliegia?"
"The King loves the Queen very much. But Rinoirena he is a childhood friend, and also strengthens the position of the King... so the King always respects the top Rinoirena"
Childhood friend? Sometimes, when I was a child, I was young, so it's good to be young.
An idea flashed through Umieres' head. An idea enough to overthrow Sanada's status.
But not as she wanted. For more than two weeks had passed, and Passato had never visited Umieres once in the mansion.
Rino returned but never visited Sanada at the palace.
Passato seemed to have forgotten about Umieres' existence until—
It was a hot sunny morning, signaling the coming of summer. It's April now, and every day is horribly hot.
Sanada just wanted to sit in the room with Tomomi next to her and teach her how to write. Tomomi used Wind Magic, so a cool breeze always blew in Sanada's room, the heat was also reduced to the maximum.
Tomomi can be considered as the air conditioner in Sanada's palace.
"A~ Tomomi" Sanada breathed heavily, moaning softly. Tomomi is behind Sanada, her hand holding Sanada's hand:
"Hold on a little, Sanada, it's almost over"
"Haha"
"Just a little more, almost done"
"Yayyy! Finally done"
Sanada stretched out his arms to relieve fatigue. Tomomi sighed.
After three hours, Sanada was able to transcribe a book. With Tomomi's tutelage, Sanada became proficient in writing.
But it's really hard.
Sanada's hand was about to become paralyzed. Tomomi teaching Sanada how to write is even more tiring.
Suzu immediately brought in the food after knowing that the owner had finished copying the book. The dishes on the table are mainly fresh fruits, cakes, and ice cream.
"Suzu, you can sit down and eat."
Sanada looked at Suzu. Suzu always takes care of Sanada wholeheartedly, making delicious food for her, although not as delicious as Tomomi's, but as long as it is Sanada's request, Suzu will try to fulfill it.
"Yes." The happiness that was not hidden was evident on Suzu's face. Suzu sat down and took a cold apple and ate it.
"Aaa, that's cool. Good thing Tomomi always comes here, or else it'll be too hot"
"And you don't mind Passato's new concubine, do you?" Tomomi mentions the matter that Sanada doesn't care about the most.
"Be careful what you do. She's not a god, but you have to pay attention."
Sanada took a bite of a green mango and then huffed. Tomomi with a chic demeanor ate every bite. The queen in the blink of an eye had eaten a plate of green mangoes.
"Sanada you like to eat sour food, don't you?"
"Well not really. I think it's better today than usual"
"Let the servant go get more." Suzu stood up, but was pulled down by Tomomi. Tomomi looked at Sanada without blinking. As a Hepburn Family Medical Mage, this expression of Sanada caused Tomomi to have a thought...
"Sanada, tilt your head over here!"
"Huh?" Sanada's eyes widened, why does Tomomi look so serious?
Sanada didn't object, tilting his head towards Tomomi. Tomomi used the technique, a faint green light enveloped both Tomomi's hands. She placed her hands on Sanada's head and closed her eyes. Tomomi can see...
A vague little thing was growing in Sanada's stomach.
Tomomi withdrew her hand, lifting Sanada's face. Tomomi's amethyst eyes sparkled at the girl with emerald eyes:
"Sanada...you...are...pregnant...two weeks!!!!!!"
"Huh? Thai? Thai what?" Sanada's eyes widened, not understanding what Tomomi said.
Suzu was overjoyed and ran to tell Passato. Tomomi grasped Sanada's arm like a treasure and reminded:
"You idiot, you have a baby"
Sanada remained motionless.
Have a baby?
I'm about to be a mother?
"It's only been two weeks, you have to take good care of yourself!"
Tomomi winked. With her medical skills, the diagnosis was inconceivable. But now Tomomi couldn't stay long.
Because Passato will be here in a few minutes.
"I'll be back first"
"Stay a little longer, Tomomi"
"I'll be there early tomorrow"
Tomomi disappeared in a single note. At the same time, Passato pushed open the door and entered. Sanada was about to say hello when he was hugged tightly by Passato.
"Really?" Passato couldn't hide the joy in his voice.
"Um" Sanada replied curtly, in response to Passato's tight embrace.
"Eat a lot. Rest well, don't wander around" Passato was like Sanada's mother, instructing little by little. Since when did he talk like this?
He's about to be a father.
.
"WHAT? THE QUEEN IS PREGNANT?"
Umieres slams his hands on the table and screams. Blanc crouched in fear. Umieres' face looks like a real monster. Umieres is angry with the servants here. They say she is just a royal concubine with no name but no destiny.
The king forgot about the existence of Umieres. Now Sanada is pregnant again.
It's dead news!
"Let's just do plan C"
Umieres' face revealed a smile, the smile of a devil.
.
Dark clouds obscured the moonlight tonight.
Crime...
"Someone...save me"
Blanc ran nonstop, muttering in her mouth. Tears streamed down her cheeks.
Run...
Even though her legs were about to break, Blanc still ran... hoping that someone would save her.
From the demon chasing her behind, Blanc saw something she shouldn't have seen.
While making a mistake, the demon discovered that she was peeking.
Now Blanc is being hunted down!
"Ah" Blanc fell to the cold stone floor. Her head bumped into someone's torso. A deep voice asked Blanc:
"You OK?"
For Blanc this is his savior. That person helped Blanc up, dusted Blanc's body. Blanc stammered:
"Thank you, Rinoirena-sama"
"Why are you running like you're being chased by a ghost?"
Rino asked Blanc, who was trying to get close to her. Rino decided to enter the palace to visit Sanada, when he came here, he met this maid who bumped into him.
After all, what's so scary?
"Save, please save me"
Blanc looked so frightened that she didn't dare open her eyes. Rino patted Blanc's shoulder to reassure Blanc.
"I'm here already. And the one who is hiding behind that rock, if he has the guts, come out."
Rino's steely voice made Blanc feel more secure, her eyes now daring to see everything.
It's strong and brave.
From behind the big rock, a large man whom Blanc called 'Demon' stepped out, wielding the Black Dragon sword. The light of the moon flashed across his face, his five senses clearly visible...
"Is that Okada? Late at night breaking into Nahema's palace for a walk or a petty theft?"
Rino mocked the person in front of her. King Uggcael personally went to chase such a small servant, didn't he want to take Blanc back as a concubine? Or because Blanc saw his bad things and wanted to kill people?
Of course, the second answer makes more sense.
"Hoo, I just thought she's pretty so I wanted to talk for a bit"
Okada sneered, he was informed by the secret agent that Rino had gone on a trip, so he freely messed up the Nahema palace.
Damn secret agent
When I return with my life back, I will cut off your tongue
Okada cursed in his heart.
"This girl is only 13 years old, what do you want to talk about while carrying your sword? Want to talk to me? I'd be happy to pay you a palm of the day..."
Rino was still observing Okada's movements to see how he would react.
Needless to say, a battle is about to break out here.
Rino pushed Blanc back, whispering: "When he loses concentration, run to tell the king."
"Yes." Blanc tried to stay calm about the situation.
Okada was the first to act. Using internal attack, he lifted the Black Dragon and slashed it at Rino, the Black Dragon created a black magic that just licked it and made the skin bleed.
If hit directly...
Rino remained motionless, not paying much attention to the attack, because the Hepburn knights were completely immune to elemental damage.
Blanc does not!
When the Black Dragon's source of black magic was close to Blanc, it was reflected in Okada's direction.
A blonde maiden rising from the ground reversed Okada's attack.
"Aa...there are two Rinoirena-samas?"
"Malkuth, take her away"
"Ok my other half"
Malkuth picked up Blanc and ran off, leaving the stage to the other two. Now Malkuth's main task is to bring Blanc to safety and then summon Passato.
"Wow, there are two Death Knights. We've lost this game again, let's rest" Okada waved his hand to stop the fight. The situation was already unfavorable to him from the start, retreat was the best way.
Rino, she tied her blonde hair up.
"Now it's just you and me. Don't play cards Okada, I'll accept you empty-handed."
Now the real death appears. Okada's whole body was filled with chills.
Before I could think of a way to deal with it, Okada's jaw hurt. He was given a punch to his face by Rino.
"Fucking bastard"
Okada knocks back the Black Dragon sword in his hand, intentionally letting it hit Rino. Somehow Rino disappeared from Okada's sight before the Black Dragon sword stabbed her.
"Hurry up, where is it?" Okada nervously looked around. Whether it's taijutsu or magic, Rino is superior to him.
"Over your head"
When Okada could raise his eyes to look, he received a full kick to the back of the head. Like a normal person, he died suddenly.
Okada fell face down forward. Rino half-smiling, her hands grabbed Okada's black hair. Rino repeatedly repeated Okada's movement of lifting his head and slamming it hard on the white stone that was now dyed red...
By Okada's blood.
Rino's face didn't show the cold, calm or simple purity as usual.
"Ahahaha, hahahaha, fun, come play with me, ahahaha"
Rino laughed, a crazy smile like he had lost his mind.
She repeated the action a few more times.
Then stop laughing...
Rino turned Okada on his back, she sat on top of him, pounding each fist down on Okada's bloody face. Rino laughed and said while punching Okada in the face half-dead.
"Hahahaha, hahahaha, wake up okay? I knew you were alive, hahahaha, hahahaa"
"Rino, calm down, don't let Shaddai El Chai control"
Malkuth shouted from afar and ran to the scene of the bloody scene. Malkuth had only been away from Rino for a short while and it had turned out like this.
That murderous aura was too strong. Malkuth once again returned to his shadow form, having to immediately seal the killing intent.
Malkuth in Rino's body raised his hand and chanted: "Pain Relief"
Rino immediately stopped, Blanc caught Rino. Passato and Annin arrived and witnessed the incident.
"At least Okada is still alive, but Rino he's so weird"
Annin raised her glasses and commented. Annin and Passato had seen Rino kill people many times, both decisively and consciously, but this time, they did not kill Okada immediately, but also gave him a humanoid appearance.
"The girl who looks like Rino..."
"Malkuth" Passato reminded Annin.
"Like Malkuth said, the Hepburn clan's curse has activated. How long will Rino stay like this? It's too dangerous!"
"That's for later. Annin you put this Okada in prison...remember to call someone to come and treat him"
Passato crossed his arms and ordered, then turned to Blanc who was helping Rino in an unconscious state to get up:
"Blanc, you follow me. Tell me what you see."
"Yes, what about Lord Rinoirena?"
"I'll take care of Rino-san." The brown-haired girl about the same age as Blanc had not known when had come and said to herself:
"I'm Aida Makoto, Ms. Rino's student. You two go, I'll take care of her."
"OK"
Passato trusted the girl in front of him.
During the trip, Rino also accepted disciples? That's strange.
Blanc followed Passato, Annin and the patrol carried Okada to the prison. Makoto holds Elohim in his hand. With Elohim, he can go to Rino's side at any time and vice versa, Rino can teleport to the place of the person holding Elohim.
Makoto calmly activated Elohim, bringing Rino to Olive Garden.
.
Passato's library consisted of three people. Blanc was given the privilege of sitting in a chair to report the incident to Passato and Annin:
"At that time, when the servant returned to the private hospital of the royal concubine Umieres, the servant saw Mr. Okada talking to a man dressed in black by the lotus lake. Those two people said nothing to eliminate, drugs, roaches. More special. Those two mentioned kidnapping the Queen."
"What? Kidnap Sanada?" Passato clenched his hands into fists, slamming his fists on the table. Annin continued:
"Can you see the man in black?"
"No, Mr. Annin. What I do know is that he has dark brown hair, his voice is sometimes female, sometimes male."
"Damn. I don't know the gender, this case is hard to catch"
Annin grimaced. Unexpectedly, Okada dared to infiltrate the Nahema royal palace and the village was in turmoil for an entire evening. But he was unlucky to meet Rino.
"Could it be Umieres? Very suspicious," speculated Annin.
"If you don't mention it, I'll forget Umieres exists. There's also a chance she"
Passato suddenly remembered Umieres Ashura living in the hospital. Then he looked at Blanc with expectant eyes:
"You continue to follow Umieres, tell Annin what you do, he often patrols the palace. And don't let Umieres suspect you."
''Yes, I understand.'' Blanc saluted again and left the room.
Annin put her hand on her chin and lamented:
"What do you think the Uggcael are expanding like that now?"
"Do nothing!" Passato casually drank a cup of tea.
"Huh? Are you kidding me?" Annin's eyes widened in surprise at how calm her friend was.
"Did you forget that Okada - the king of Uggcael is in our hands? Uggcael doesn't have Okada like a headless snake. Just wait"
"Okay, so what about Rino?"
"Temporarily let him rest for a limited time in the palace to suppress the killing intent"
"Haizzz. Well, I'll go back first. You just stay with the other crap."
Annin then left too. Passato kept company with the stack of papers on the table. Today he wants to go to Sanada's place to sleep but fate has decided that he has to sleep with the dummy.
It has been three days since the news that Sanada was more than two weeks pregnant spread throughout the palace. The marquis and down with the literature and martial arts officials were busy giving gifts full of treasures, delicious food, silk brocade,... Mainly to please Sanada.
In fact, they don't need to donate. Sanada doesn't lack anything because the person who raised her is the owner of a kingdom.
Suzu was extremely busy today because she had to check all the gifts carefully. If anyone maliciously puts something bad inside, something big will happen.
These past few days, every evening Passato tries to arrange work to visit Sanada. His always happy face made Sanada goosebumps. There were even days when he slept again, but he didn't do anything to Sanada.
Passato looks tired all the time.
Fortunately, Tomomi came to chat with Sanada every day. Today is the same. Sanada and Tomomi sat down to eat fresh fruits carefully selected by Suzu.
During this time, even though Sanada didn't have much of an appetite, he became more and more interested in eating sour food, so the table was full of green mangoes, sour plums, and even slices of salted lemon.
"Sanada likes to eat sour like this, the baby should be a prince" Tomomi giggled. Sanada pouted, stopped eating.
"I want a little princess, she will protect me from her perverted father"
"Hey hey, have you thought of a name for the baby yet?"
"Think about it early, I don't know if it's a boy or a girl yet"
Sanada patted her stomach that didn't show any sign of it.
Will this baby be born like who? Like me or like Passato?
"I'll know by the third month. I'll take a look then"
Tomomi winked mischievously. Sanada smiled widely, almost forgetting that Tomomi was good at medicine. Sanada suddenly asked a question that made Tomomi blush:
"When are you and Annin getting married, Tomomi?"
"Ah...ah this...a lot of time" stammered Tomomi. Now is not the time to think about this. What Tomomi cares more about is her older sister - Rino
Rino's memories are connected to Tomomi's. Tomomi knows Rino's curse has been activated. Just Malkuth suppressing Rino's killing intent was not enough. Tomomi needs time to research on how to get rid of Shaddai El Chai.
"Tomomi what's wrong with you? You don't look good" Sanada asked innocently, snapping Tomomi out of her thoughts.
"Hey, can I make you an apple pie?" Tomomi made a fool of herself and ran with a plate of apples to the palace kitchen. Sanada happily waited, taking advantage of Tomomi's time to make cakes when she took out a book to read.
Ummm... Books about pregnant women... Very helpful...
"Let's see... Don't use stimulants because it's harmful to the unborn baby... Must keep the belly warm... It's summer time to keep cool... Stay away from things like Rose flower, musk...because it will cause an instant miscarriage..."
Sanada mumbled in his head trying to remember these things.
But what is musk?
Lost in thought...
"My concubine prays to the Queen"
"..." Sanada didn't pay any attention to the person covered in white cloth still kneeling on the ground. Even though she was on her knees, she didn't care what to do.
"My concubine beseeches you, Queen." Umieres impatiently uttered each word. Sanada felt that enough teasing Umieres had waved her hand to her feet.
"Who are you? What are you doing here?" Sanada didn't even glance at Umieres, which made Umieres's heart ache even more.
"My concubine is the royal concubine Umieres Ashura, I live in the mansion"
"What does that have to do with me?"
Only now did Sanada squint his eyes at Umieres. The body is very hot, the clothes are thin and look like a dancer at a fair. I don't know what Umieres' face is behind that scarf.
"When I heard that the Queen was pregnant with a dragon, I came to congratulate her"
"Yes. The news has been spread for a long time, you didn't come to congratulate me until the third day. Why don't you wait for me to have a baby and then come and congratulate me?"
Umieres mocked by Sanada for being dumb. She thought that Queen Ciliegia was kind, gentle, and easy to be bullied. But with such a sharp tongue, Umieres still had to plan for a long time.
"If you have nothing to do, go home, don't see off"
"I beg your pardon"
Umieres went out exasperatedly, her footsteps stomping on the brick floor could be heard clearly. Today, Umieres mainly came to investigate, if anything, she stabbed Sanada a few psychological blows but was pranked again.
"Damn it, I'll always remember this humiliation, Sanada Ciliegia"
Umieres smirked. Her plan would have to wait a little longer to execute.
Sanada stroked his chest and sighed. Fortunately, Tomomi taught her some karmic phrases to survive in this harem. That Umieres must be up to something.
Sanada's vision is limited.
Increasingly faint.
Then all went black.
BOOM
"Sanada! Sanada! Please wake me up!"
Sanada heard someone calling, it was familiar. This cold voice was mixed with anxiety.
"Rio? I can't see you anywhere" Sanada replied unconsciously, everything around her darkened.
.
Passato placed his hand on the forehead of the tea-haired girl lying on the bed, her amber eyes gleaming with concern. Tomomi took a look at Sanada. She decided to stay to take care of her friend.
"What's wrong with her?" Passato asked Tomomi, she calmly replied:
"Just a little weak. It's not an illness, don't worry."
Why can't you take care of it?
A fear was growing in Passato's heart.
He lost Toyotomi once.
Seeing Sanada in this state, he couldn't help but worry about her.
Passato was afraid of losing another important person.
Especially when it's Sanada. If she had any trouble... How would he have to live?
Passato silently looked at Sanada.
Is he worried about Sanada?
Tomomi smiled, clasping her hands together to celebrate her old friend who once fell in love with her
Hey Passato, I'm so glad you found your love
"You're Tomomi, Annin's fiancée, aren't you?"
Only now did Passato seriously stare at Tomomi.
The second time they met.
This time Passato clearly saw Tomomi's face.
Tomomi didn't have time to look down because everything happened so quickly, so suddenly.
What if he finds out?
"Toyotomi, I've always known it was you," said Passato, crossing his arms, nonchalantly.
"When?" Tomomi frowned as she looked at Passato warily.
"The blue roses in the garden planted by 'three of us' bloomed after that day"
That day in the garden.
"Okay Passato, that's all. We're no longer who we were from that year. Sanada is a good girl, don't lose her. Please cherish the love of your life. Toyotomi was dead, forget her. And me, it's Tomomi Daidouji"
Tomomi struggled to explain to Passato. She just wished that Passato would forget about her, erase the old Toyotomi image from her heart. Don't use Sanada as a front to remember the late Toyotomi anymore, that will only hurt Sanada, him and her.
"And..." Tomomi stepped closer, patted Passato's shoulder, she whispered softly: "Don't tell Rino."
"I see." Passato nodded, his amber eyes still hesitant about many things. But maybe Tomomi is right, when happiness is in front of you, grab it, don't let happiness leave you.
"Thank you for taking care of Sanada"
Passato put his trust in Toyotomi...or not Tomomi. Tomomi winked as if accepting her childhood friend's request.
Passato quietly left the room, looking up at the sparkling starry sky.
Hope tomorrow will be a beautiful day.