Chapter 54: Solerina Analogi
When Parvela and I appeared in the reception area of Famiris, the equivalent of the audience chamber in the royal castle, the people who had come seeking an audience were kneeling.
Among them was a lone woman who remained standing.
With her golden hair neatly tied back, her slender figure draped in a slightly loose dress, she extended her limbs gracefully and fixed her face straight ahead with her brown eyes, strong-willed and under thick brows.
This woman, exuding an air of 'royalty', was none other than my older sister, Solerina Nonette. After her marriage, she now bore the name Solerina Analogi.
It had been three years since we last met after her romantic marriage and departure from the country, yet she seemed as energetic as ever.
No, her lower abdomen was slightly swollen.
Given Solerina's self-discipline and character, she wouldn't gain weight without reason. It seemed she was indeed pregnant with the child of her beloved husband, just as the reports stated.
"Who was the one leading Lady Solerina here? What were you thinking? A chair! What if she strains herself standing while pregnant? What about the child in her womb?"
As I shouted loudly, the attendants hurriedly backed away, bringing a chair with a backrest and placing it behind Solerina.
Solerina, aided by the person who brought the chair, elegantly sat down and smiled towards us.
"As a prominent landowner and duke, you've changed quite a bit, but you're still as gentle as ever, Milimos."
Her tone was as gentle as if she were speaking to her own child. Despite the considerable age gap, Solerina, my elder sister, had treated me more dearly than a mother, so this was to be expected.
The resonance of those familiar words brought both joy and embarrassment, but there was something even more perplexing.
"Solerina, what has led you to grace us with your presence? Is there a lover's quarrel, or did you run away from home?"
Half-jokingly, I asked her, and a powerful gaze emanated from Solerina.
"Milimos. While my husband and I may have the occasional disagreement, did you really think I would run away over something like that?"
Not exactly fearful, but more of an overwhelming pressure that made both me and Famiris react instinctively.
Even though I knew there was no enmity from Solerina, her regal aura stirred something within the knights, including myself.
My father, King Cholex, had even said, "Had Solerina not fallen in love, she would have undoubtedly become the next ruler." That's how much she commanded respect, so it wasn't surprising.
Ah, my thoughts were drifting.
"Don't be so angry. If there weren't unusual circumstances, I wouldn't jest about something like Solerina running away from her husband while pregnant."
I made it clear that I was joking, and the pressure from Solerina dissipated.
Afterward, she lovingly caressed her belly.
"I'm trying to find a better place to give birth for this child's sake."
I was captivated by her affectionate expression, but I quickly regained my composure.
"It's almost summer now. It must be tough to give birth in a desert country."
"Just assuming the desert is hot all day would be a mistake, Milimos. It gets so cold from night until morning that you'd think winter was approaching. I'm wary of that cold, so I'm looking for a birthing location accordingly."
"Ah, yes. Pregnant women shouldn't get cold, that's what they say."
"My body won't be affected by a little cold. Babies born in the peak of summer often suffer from the drastic temperature changes in the desert. To prevent that, I'm planning to raise the child until about one year old in a place with milder temperature variations. My husband agrees with this plan. We can't let our first child, who was so graciously given to us, perish so easily."
Their joint effort for the coming child exemplified the regal nature of Solerina and her chosen husband.
"I understand the situation. However, I can't go into detail, but the Rocha region isn't exactly suitable for raising children."
Even though we reduced mining, the river's water quality wouldn't improve right away, and the mineral toxins wouldn't disappear.
Babies were fragile, even a small amount of poison could be fatal for them. Even honey, which adults could safely consume, could be deadly for a child.
But it seemed Solerina understood that this land was ill-suited for child-rearing, though for different reasons.
"I'm aware of that. It's been barely a year since Milimos began his rule here. The signs of unrest may be smoldering underground, and there's a possibility that the seeds of rebellion are hiding beneath the surface. There might even be forces that would take me, a pregnant woman, and my future child hostage to get what they want from Milimos."
Hmm, there's that kind of thinking too.
"For maintaining public order, we're using our nerves."
"Prince Milimos has established good governance and is doing well. However, no matter how good the governance is, there will always be those among the people who are adversely affected by it. Especially those who were involved in wrongdoing."
"I won't listen to criminals' excuses... Well, I have to say that before the knights from the knight country's surveillance arrive."
"Oh dear, Milimos as well. But anyway, surveillance from the knight country."
Solerina directs her gaze towards Parvela-sama and Famiris who are beside me. She momentarily evaluates them with her eyes and then immediately breaks into a smile.
"I feel relieved that Prince Milimos doesn't seem to be with bad people. Though there's a 'heavy presence' to some extent."
"?"
As I tilt my head in response to the sudden weight discussion, I look at Princess Parvela and Famiris.
Princess Parvela doesn't seem heavy since she's slim. Is she talking about Famiris, who is wearing armor?
"...Prince Milimos, are you thinking of something rude?"
"No, when you look at Famiris' armor again, it seems quite heavy."
"With the right training and proficiency in sacred arts, one would only feel it like feathers."
I pat my chest in relief that Famiris' confident statement was simple enough to understand. Yes, discussing weight with a woman is like stepping on a snake, so I'll refrain from it from now on.
"Well then, Sister Solerina, are you planning to return to Nonette Kingdom to give birth?"
"I did come to the central capital to see Prince Milimos' face, but also because I heard that a passage has been opened through the mountains to Nonette Kingdom from here. Thanks to Prince Milimos, the journey after entering the Rocha region has been easy."
As Solerina said, Nonette Kingdom and the Rocha region are now one country. Going back and forth through mountain paths where carriages couldn't pass was too inconvenient.
That's why Rocha's military created a passage and turned it into a road for easy access, all thanks to Prince Milimos.
Despite this information being factual, the road was completed only recently. It's information that hasn't even been reported to the general public yet.
"You still have quick ears, Sister Solerina."
"Living in the desert, information passed by people is a lifeline. If a supposed spring has dried up and that information doesn't reach these ears, you'll die of thirst. So, your ears become good naturally."
As I nod in agreement, Solerina continues, "Speaking of which..."
"I have another reason for coming to this place. Prince Milimos is offering weapons that are all the rage in the desert countries, made exactly as requested. Could you make one for my husband?"
Although I'd like to respond to Solerina, who is like a mother figure, I recall the order status report.
"Due to the extended crafting time to fulfill all the requests, the works of skilled blacksmiths who are highly regarded are booked for reservations up to about a year in advance. Inserting your order might create tensions and conflicts with other clients, so it's not feasible, Sister Solerina."
"Is there any way to somehow manage it?"
"Well... While not popular, there's a skilled blacksmith who might take your order quickly..."
As the demand for custom-made weapons was so high that the orders were overflowing, I was using connections with blacksmiths in the research and development department to unearth new, skilled craftsmen.
Among them, there was one blacksmith who seemed willing to accept an order immediately and assess their work before deciding whether to officially introduce them.
I explain this situation transparently, and Sister Solerina nods significantly.
"First, I will see the works of that person and determine if they possess the skill that my husband would appreciate. If I feel they haven't reached that level..."
"At that time, I'll introduce another blacksmith."
I promise, and Sister Solerina breaks into a radiant smile.
"With this, I have a souvenir for my husband, of course."
"That's good. But I've heard that people in the desert are quite particular. Will the weapons you order satisfy them, Sister Solerina?"
I express my concern because I know how particular the people living in the desert are from their orders for custom-made weapons.
However, for Solerina, it seems to have been an unnecessary worry.
"It's for my beloved husband. I know his preferences well. Otherwise, how could I, a woman from the mountains, capture the heart of a strong-willed desert man?"
I feel like spitting sugar hearing her confident and perfect expression of affection.
"Your relationship remains as good as ever. I'm envious, considering I have neither lover nor fiancée."
"Hehehe. Even you, Milimos, seem to be approaching spring."
"As far as I can see, there's no sign of spring anywhere."
As I say this while shrugging my shoulders, Solerina makes a meaningful eye gesture towards Princess Parvela.
I understand the meaning of that gaze, but I have to say that Solerina has misunderstood.
A love story between the princess of the knight country and the prince of a small mountain country can only exist within a tale, not in reality.