After finishing the procession and entering the bridal waiting room, I asked Anna, who followed me in, to go and see briefly what Rublion was doing.

“The young master is with Lady Teravita.”

“How does he seem to be feeling?”

“He didn’t look particularly bad?”

Even though he was surrounded by knights, Rublion must have been scared just by Aron being there.

And there was something that caught my attention during the procession. It was the Crown Princess.

She kept looking at Rublion as he threw flower petals. She would turn away when their eyes were about to meet, then busy herself looking back at the child when he was looking elsewhere. Each time, my heart sank.

The protagonist of a famous royal scandal that almost everyone knows about.

There are rumors circulating that Rublion is Askal’s biological son, but after learning that it’s not true, I vaguely suspected that the Crown Princess might be Rublion’s birth mother.

So I was very concerned. I was already troubled because of Aron, and now I worried that Rublion might get hurt if his birth mother appeared in this situation.

“My lady.”

Askal entered the waiting room. Thinking this was a good opportunity, I was about to talk about the Crown Princess when Rublion appeared behind him, poking his head out.

“Mom!”

The child was grinning broadly. I felt relieved that he didn’t seem to know what I was worrying about yet.

“The ceremony is over, so how about going around with Rublion now? What do you think, my lady?”

“I agree.”

I was planning to suggest going together anyway. If Rublion were left alone, Aron or the Crown Princess might approach him.

We had prepared matching outfits, so if we wore those to the banquet hall, the child wouldn’t feel left out and I would feel more at ease.

Askal sat down and lowered his eye level. Then, while tidying Rublion’s well-oiled hair with his hand, he said:

“I have something to talk about with your mother. So wait outside for a moment.”

“Will it take long?”

“No, it will be over soon.”

“Then can I play with the kids out front?”

Now that I looked, Teravita’s twins were poking their heads out between the waiting room doors.

“Don’t go far, stay around here. With Rieta and the knights too. Ah, it would be good to be with Baron Deli as well.”

“Yes, Father!”

Rublion waved his hand and quickly went out. After making sure the door was completely closed, I opened my mouth quite seriously.

“Askal, is the current Crown Princess Rublion’s birth mother? The one sitting in the very front of the guest seats?”

His expression visibly hardened. Judging by his reaction, it was as I had expected.

“Yes.”

My feelings suddenly boiled over. As my insides grew hot, anger surged.

“How dare she show her face here after abandoning her child with her own hands…”

My hands trembled without me realizing it. And why was she looking at him so tenderly? Did she want to show that she was his real mother?

“My lady, please calm down.”

Askal came closer and grabbed my hands. I closed my eyes gently while taking a deep breath. My eyelashes trembled on their own.

“That’s why I suggested we go together. So that even if we encounter them, he won’t get hurt.”

“That’s why I was going to suggest taking the child with us too.”

My excited feelings subsided a little. I exhaled deeply and opened my eyes that had been closed. Askal was looking at me straight on.

My beautifully adorned self was reflected in his golden eyes. The image of me in them still had a face that hadn’t completely lost its anger.

“…I’m sorry, my lady.”

I tilted my head slightly to the side at the sudden apology. It was a gesture asking what he meant.

“For making you worry about other things at a moment that should be happy.”

“Why are you apologizing, Askal? There are others who should be apologizing.”

It’s Aron’s fault for attending after saying he wouldn’t.

It’s the Crown Princess’s fault for attending the wedding, laughing and chatting, after abandoning Rublion, even if the person in question doesn’t know.

Just when I had calmed down, anger surged again. Askal grabbed my hands with both of his and said:

“I’m just sorry for everything. Today should have been a happy day like for other noble ladies, but for creating this situation…”

“Askal.”

I pulled my hands out of his grasp. Then, cupping his dejected face, I said:

“Don’t worry about me. I became Rublion’s mother as I wanted and got a wonderful husband like you.”

Askal’s eyes narrowed slightly.

“I’m happier than others because I gained so much at once. So don’t say things like that.”

Askal didn’t say anything. He just quietly looked at me.

When did this man, who used to be so wild as if he would bare his claws at any moment, become such a puppy?

‘A handsome black bear.’

Avoiding his golden eyes that seemed to be making whimpering sounds, I said:

“Rublion must be waiting. Shall we go out now?”

The children gathered in the large open space behind the outdoor wedding venue were crouched down on the grass with their heads together.

The reason they were gathered like a secret society was this:

“You know how I asked about ways to increase the chances of making a baby last time? I found out about it.”

“Who taught you?”

To Rublion’s question, Lambermon shrugged his shoulders and replied:

“The knight who came with Teravita’s brother.”

“Is it reliable information?”

“Of course! They said this is always done in Teravita households desperate for a baby.”

Lambermon briefly raised his head to look around. After confirming that no one was coming, he grabbed the backs of Rublion and Riena’s heads to bring them closer and said:

“The most important thing is the night.”

“Night?”

Riena asked with wide eyes. Rublion listened intently with an interested face while his head was held.

“They say if you pick the flower that reflects the most moonlight on a night when the moon is round, put it by your pillow and sleep, a baby will be made right away.”

“Hey! Do you think that makes sense?”

Riena said in an incredulous voice as she swatted away the hand holding the back of her head.

“No, it’s true! The knight said the effect is no joke!”

Rublion, who had escaped from the grip on the back of his head, stood up with a rustle. He felt self-loathing for having been sitting like this expecting to hear some good information.

“Let’s go, young master. He’s talking complete nonsense.”

Riena grabbed Rublion’s hand and pulled him. Then, puffing out her nostrils, she said:

“I’ll look into it and teach you. Don’t believe what that idiot says. Got it?”

Rublion quietly looked at Riena’s back as she pulled him along charismatically.

‘When she doesn’t even know how babies are made.’

He shook his head, thinking they were just immature kids and trivial children.

‘Who else would play with them if not me.’

Lambermon belatedly chased after them, saying to go together. Riena shrieked alone in surprise.

Rieta, who had been watching this scene from a little distance away, opened her mouth while slowly pushing Baron Deli’s wheelchair:

“They look like they’re getting along well, don’t they?”

“Indeed they do.”

Baron Deli wore a satisfied expression as he watched the children who had now become one group running around.

“Children should indeed run and play to sleep well at night. It’s nice to see the young master running around like that too.”

The baron said with a hearty laugh. Rieta nodded in agreement.

“My siblings have so much energy that the young master often finds it overwhelming. He often comes to me complaining that he’s on a different level from those kids when playing with them.”

“Even now, the young master is lagging behind.”

Rublion was slowly following behind the twins who were running through the grass like wild colts let loose.

“He gossips that their knowledge levels are different and asks if they can’t have more sophisticated conversations, but to my eyes they all look the same.”

“Haha, he has some adorable aspects.”

Baron Deli looked at Rublion, who had finally managed to sit the running twins down in the grass. It was truly a grandfather’s smile.

The three of us appearing at the banquet hall in matching outfits received tremendous attention. Askal and Rublion in silver formal wear with sky blue ties matched so well that just looking at them made one smile.

I wore a silver dress of a similar design and put a sky blue hair corsage in my hair. Holding Rublion’s hand in my right and Askal’s in my left, I came to the center of the hall and smiled brightly while receiving everyone’s gaze.

“I sincerely thank you for being here despite your busy schedules. Please enjoy yourselves to the fullest and celebrate the beginning of our marriage.”

Applause broke out. While giving the short prepared greeting, I quickly scanned the hall with my eyes. Fortunately, Aron was nowhere to be seen.

Askal suggested I give a toast along with words of thanks. Smiling awkwardly, I raised my glass to those attending the banquet.

For today only, even Rublion held fruit juice instead of milk.

After the toast, the banquet began amidst everyone’s congratulations. The first dance belonged to Askal and me, who became a couple today.

“My lady. May I have your hand?”

Nodding, I took his hand and went out to the dance floor. Feeling gazes, I briefly turned around to see Lady Tirel staring at me with burning eyes.

Memories of practicing dance diligently with Lady Tirel for today came to mind. I also clearly remember what the lady said to me on the last day of practice. She was troubled, saying she had never seen someone so untalented.

“My goal is to not step on Askal’s feet.”

“It’s fine even if you do. I won’t show it.”

We faced each other. Then, after bowing with bent knees, I grasped his shoulders and he wrapped his arms around my waist.

As we started dancing to the music, people who had been waiting outside the dance floor began to enter one by one. The Crown Prince and Princess, with the highest rank, entered first, followed by Ranson taking Rieta’s hand.

After finishing the dance with Askal, I took Rublion’s hand, who was sitting with a sullen face, and went out to the dance floor. The child was so happy he didn’t know what to do with himself while dancing, and stepped on my feet three times before becoming gloomy.

The atmosphere in the banquet hall had become quite lively. Unmarried nobles were busy seeking partners to request dances from, while ladies gathered in one place to exchange social gossip.

“Madam.”

As I was playing with Rublion and Deli Piget, Anna approached. She bent down and whispered in my ear:

“It’s time for you to get up now.”

Looking at the wall clock in the banquet hall, it was just sunset. It was time to prepare for the wedding night.