Afternoon on the day Mana gave birth to Saki, we headed to Amagi Castle to report.
Emperor Reinhardt and Lord Aiver were overjoyed and immediately came to our place.
When Sayuri and Kaito, who were in Ou Renten Street for the New Year, were informed, they were also delighted.
Of course, we invited them to our place and they were able to meet Mana and Saki.
Saki was born on January 1st, the same day the Royal Family celebrates the New Year. On this day, duties are kept to a minimum, otherwise, it’s basically a holiday.
So Emperor Reinhardt had no particular duties and came with Princess Elice, Princess Maruca, Princess Ciel, Highness Lessheit, and the newborn Princess Regina.
We were, of course, happy to receive them and treated them with great hospitality.
Two days later, a New Year’s celebration was held at Amagi Castle.
Since the Amister-Philias Federation Heavenly Empire was founded in April, this was the first New Year’s celebration for the Federation Heavenly Empire, and also my first time participating.
Until now, only Amister nobles were invited, but this year, kings and major nobles from each country were also invited, making it more lively than usual.
Normally, due to travel arrangements, the New Year’s celebration is held around the middle of January. However, with more people able to use Traveling, the schedule has been moved up by about two weeks this year.
We were also mobilized, and since it was decided to also serve as a celebration for Mana’s childbirth, we eagerly went to pick them up.
“The Amister-Philias Federation Heavenly Empire has been founded, and we are celebrating our first New Year. Last year, there were no major conflicts, and I believe all countries have been engaged in reconstruction and development. Furthermore, as the Celestial Emperor’s Family, we have had the birth of Princess Regina, and on New Year’s Day, the eldest daughter Saki of the Lapislazurite Heavenly Noble House was also born. The birth of new life is, of course, cause for joy, but this is all thanks to your efforts.”
Princess Regina is being held by Princess Maruca, but Saki was only born two days ago, so we asked Apricot and Lumina, who have experience with childbirth, to take care of her at the Hinomoto Mansion.
Mana intended to stay behind, but since this was also a report of her childbirth, she decided to show her face. She is now by my side.
Fortunately, in addition to breast milk, there is also a powdered milk-like substance developed by Sayuri, so it’s a great help that it can be used as a substitute if breast milk is insufficient or the mother is unavailable.
“Therefore, we expect even greater accomplishments in the future. As a first step, the Istoria Count Family, which holds territory north of the Solemne region, shall become a Count-King Family, and I hereby declare the establishment of the Count Enlo Istlias.”
The reason for the early New Year’s celebration this year was to declare the establishment and independence of the Count Enlo Istlias.
On paper, it has been independent since January 1st, but it cannot be officially recognized without a declaration from the Celestial Emperor.
Therefore, the schedule for the New Year’s celebration was moved forward to declare it as soon as possible.
Well, we didn’t expect Mana’s childbirth to coincide with it, so not only we, but even Emperor Reinhardt were surprised.
“Count-King Cuervo Istlias of the Count Enlo Istlias, I shall now perform your Coronation Ceremony. Step forward.”
“Yes!”
Through the Coronation Ceremony presided over by His Majesty the Celestial Emperor, the establishment of the Count Enlo Istlias is officially recognized.
Emperor Reinhardt placed the Lapis Lazurite Crown on his head, handed him the Lapis Lazurite sword, which is the symbol of royal authority, and he was draped with a mantle made of light silk fabric, presented to him by his first wife, who became the Count-King Consort. Thus, Cuervo’s coronation as Count-King was successfully completed.
However, the designation of the Crown Prince was not made due to various circumstances.
Several nobles looked perplexed, and Prince Larva, who likely expected to be appointed Crown Prince, frowned.
But speaking out at this moment would be nothing less than rude, and everyone knows that without complaint, one could be punished. Thus, even with doubts, nothing could be done.
If even one complaint were voiced, it would render the succession to the throne impossible.
“Now, the New Year’s celebration shall commence. After the toast, all inhibitions are off. Everyone, please eat, drink, and enjoy yourselves to the fullest.”
On this day only, the Audience Chamber transforms into a grand banquet hall.
It happens only once a year, and is a grand feast wishing for success and development in the new year. On this day, even minor rudeness is overlooked.
However, there are limits, and in the past, there have been instances where individuals were forcibly removed or even imprisoned.
If one were to do something foolish here, it would naturally draw disapproving stares, and could even lead to abandonment by those who had cooperated with you until then.
“Now, to wish for success and development in the coming year, a toast!”
” ” ” “Cheers!” ” ”
With Emperor Reinhardt leading the toast, the celebration began.
After the toast, cheerful voices echoed from all around, and conversations began. however, a tense atmosphere could be felt in some quarters.
Specifically, it was around Larva Istlias and his biological mother, Magnolia Istlias.
As Cuervo’s eldest son, Larva would, by all rights, inherit the throne. However, unfortunately, none of the rulers of the Federation Heavenly Empire recognized his succession. Moreover, he had previously committed the outrageous act of insulting me and Hilde despite knowing our identities, and has now been disowned by Cuervo himself.
This is why the position of Crown Prince was not filled. However, Larva is completely unaware of these circumstances and seems to harbor doubts about his father, the Count-King.
Magnolia, his third and highest-ranking wife, hailed from one of the most prominent noble families in Solemne, and believed she would be the one to present the mantle to her husband upon his ascension.
However, the honor was given to his first wife, and Magnolia had no involvement in his enthronement.
For Magnolia, who possessed an inflated sense of pride, it was utterly unacceptable for a low-ranking concubine to be involved in the enthronement before her.
But since Emperor Reinhardt designated the first wife, no matter what Magnolia said, it would not be overturned. As proof, her petition was ignored and immediately rejected.
Her family has already been dealt with by Hilde, leaving her with no backing. Nevertheless, her high birth seems to be Magnolia’s identity, and there is suspicion that she might plot something against her husband, who has not made her his first wife.
However, no matter what she might be plotting, upon Larva’s disinheritance, Magnolia would also be divorced and imprisoned, so she could not be allowed to be involved in the coronation.
Larva seemed about to say something, but Magnolia, with her high-born identity, refrained from any outburst in such a setting.
Therefore, Larva also tried to restrain her, but they both seemed to lack the composure to enjoy the New Year’s celebration. Perhaps the lack of greetings from royalty, as she is not the first wife, and the few greetings from nobles contributed to their unease. After all, there is no point in greeting someone who has already been decided to be excluded.
Rather than concerning ourselves with those people, let us enjoy the event now.
Side: Prim
As Yamato’s first wife, I am attending the New Year’s celebration at Amagi Castle, dressed in a formal gown.
Mana was here too, but she left Saki at our place and is still recovering from childbirth, so she returned before the banquet as a precaution.
As for the others, Sister Hilde is participating as the Torencia Phantom King, and Yuri is participating as the Esmeralda Heavenly Noble. However, Rika is pregnant, and everyone else is absent because they found it troublesome.
I also wanted to be absent if possible, but once I was asked to attend as the first wife, there was nothing I could do.
“Madame Primrose, it is a fine day today.”
“Congratulations on the childbirth of my co-wife, H.R.H. Manalease.”
“Thank you for your assistance last year. I look forward to our continued association this year, as well.”
This is why everyone else found it troublesome.
Since I am attending as the Fleidranthia Heavenly Noble House wife, many nobles approach me under the guise of greetings.
Of course, they also approach Yamato, but since I am the only one attending with the title of Fleidranthia Heavenly Noble House wife, all the ladies and mademoiselles come to me.
Yamato has many heads of households and young lords to attend to. Even for women, if they are the head of their house, Yamato must respond. However, due to the high proportion of women, most noble families have more wives and daughters than heads of households or young lords.
Especially since their thoughts are transparently aiming for their daughters to become Yamato’s wives, I have to handle a larger number of people than Yamato. The fact that there are many Amister nobles means they don’t make unreasonable demands. Their intentions are simply to marry their daughters off if possible, so refusing doesn’t cause major problems or lead to troublesome conflicts. That’s a relief.
Sister Hilde is the Torencia Phantom King, and Yuri is the Imperial Sister Heavenly Noble, so they are seated at the royal table and only need minimal greetings. Frankly, that’s unfair.
“It is the first time I have the honor of meeting you. I am Eldis, the head of the Staalstein Marquisate.”
There are many people like this, whose names I’ve heard but never met, which makes it difficult to let my guard down.
“Pleased to meet you. I am Yamato, the head of the Fleidranthia Heavenly Noble House.”
“Regarding the magistrate in my territory, I apologize for any trouble caused to His Excellency the Heavenly Noble.”
“No, it is thanks to the Marquis’s swift action that it was resolved without any issues.”
The Staalstein Marquisate is south of Count Bernstein’s Territory, and the Baron Traihit family governs the magistrate of the town.
The Baron Traihit family is the former family of Rosemary, the first wife of Grand Order’s Master Rex. Therefore, we had heard their name several times.
Furthermore, Feel’s Healer’s Master is the sister of Marquis Eldis, and she attended my father and mother’s wedding reception, so we have a connection.
Therefore, perhaps we should have at least paid our respects, but if we did that, it would be endless, so we deliberately did not go.
“Oh my, Fleidranthia Heavenly Noble. Congratulations on your wife’s recent childbirth.”
“Thank you.”
“However, childbirth places a great burden on the mother’s body. It will likely be difficult for you to be intimate with His Excellency the Heavenly Noble for some time.”
“…What are you trying to say?”
“I have two half-sisters whose mother’s station is low. Therefore, I would not dare to hope for marriage for them, but I was wondering if they might serve as companions for His Excellency the Heavenly Noble’s nights. What, the reward was MARS, was it? That would be enough… W-What are you doing!?”
Then there was this kind of idiot, who was immediately expelled. To offer his sister in exchange for MARS, he was beyond presumptuous.
Moreover, he indirectly insulted Mana and us, so there was no reason for Yamato to forgive such an idiot. In fact, it was an insult to the face of His Majesty Dragon King Folias, who had brought him. Later, I heard that this idiot was confined to retirement, and his succession was passed to one of his sisters, whom he had insulted for her low status.
“Phew… Finally, things have settled down.”
“Good job. I knew people would come to my side, but I never expected so many to approach Prim.”
“It’s because of the high proportion of women. If it were the head of the household, it wouldn’t be a problem, but at events like this, it’s endless for the head of the household to attend to them. So, the wives attend on their behalf. However, Mana and Rika are physically unable to attend, and Sister Hilde and Yuri are participating as royalty. The others are not used to it and avoided it because they found it troublesome. I also didn’t want to come, but it would be disrespectful for the first wife not to attend, so I had no choice.”
Even if it’s the first wife, if she falls ill, another wife might attend on her behalf.
Indeed, if one is pregnant, it’s impossible to attend.
That’s why it’s not disrespectful for Mana, who just gave birth, and Rika, who is pregnant, to be absent.
“I also wanted to avoid participating if possible, but I couldn’t do that. Hilde’s case is understandable, but I thought it would be fine with Yuri there. I never imagined Yuri would be participating as royalty.”
Ah, so that’s why Yamato didn’t force everyone else to participate.
Indeed, I also thought that with Yuri there, the burden wouldn’t be that great, so I despaired when I heard the news. At that point, I thought, “Then treat Yamato, who is also a Heavenly Noble, as royalty!”
“In any case, things have calmed down, so let’s enjoy ourselves a little. We went through a lot of trouble, so it should be fine, right?”
“I agree. Besides, we provided the ingredients, so it would be a waste not to eat them.”
We donated high-ranking monsters that we possessed as ingredients, so the food spread is more luxurious than in previous years.
There are still ingredients we haven’t used, so we intend to enjoy them fully, given the trouble we went through.
