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Harmony in the House of Magna
The fleet would soon be dispatched to the Nine-Headed Dragon Archipelago Union. Hal and Ruby weren’t at the Magna’s domain, but at their mansion in the capital, Parnam.
“...Have I made myself clear, Hal? Ruby?”
“Y-Yeah. I get it, I think...”
“I do, too. Somewhat.”
In the living room, Kaede, her belly swollen with child, was sitting across from her husband, Halbert; and his second wife, Ruby. She was teaching them about the history of the Archipelago Union, and points of note about that country’s fleet. There was a pile of relevant books and maps on the table.
They were a part of the air force that would be boarding the island-carrier Hiryuu as it headed to the Nine-Headed Dragon Archipelago Union. Kaede was on maternity leave and couldn’t join them, but she was at least going to drill into them the information they’d need to minimize the risk to themselves.
“Sigh... Anyway, you need to remember that the place you’re fighting is effectively the enemy’s backyard,” Kaede explained to the two, who didn’t really seem to get it. “The currents and terrain will be their ally. They’re experts at naval combat, too. There’s no telling what islands they may have troops lurking on, where they may be hiding ships, and how quickly they could close in. It’s true, the Hiryuu overturns all established logic when it comes to battles at sea, but you still can’t afford to underestimate the Archipelago Union’s fleet.”
“So, basically, don’t let our guards down, right? I get it.”
“I’ll stop Hal if he decides to do anything too crazy. Count on it.”
Kaede nodded with satisfaction as the two finally seemed to clue in. Meanwhile, she had a sneaking suspicion that just not letting their guards down wasn’t going to help a lot on this mission. There’s just so much about all of this that feels off to me...
Being on maternity leave, Kaede didn’t know the outline of the Kingdom’s operation. However, for someone as skilled as she, who had been the right hand of Ludwin, the National Defense Force’s second-in-command, it was easy to sense something was unnatural about the way the military forces were acting.
Though Souma is more of a bureaucrat, depending on the situation, he can make decisions involving war, too, she contemplated. He’s incredibly averse to conflict, but the Kingdom’s forces seem excessively bellicose this time. It’s as if they have no intention of avoiding war. There’s something to it... Something big that’s not been made public at work here... That’s what it feels like.
“What’s wrong, Kaede? You seem lost in thought.”
“...Oh. It’s nothing, you know, Hal.”
However, she didn’t tell Halbert and Ruby about her misgivings. They were no more than speculation, and if something was going on behind the scenes, and Halbert’s tongue slipped, it could jeopardize the plan. I’ll have to keep it to myself for now. Knowing His Majesty, it’s nothing to worry about.
While Kaede was thinking this, there was a knock at the door.
“You can come in, you know,” Kaede responded.
“Excuse me,” Velza, the dark elf girl, said as she entered with the servants. They were carrying a tea tray.
“Lord Hal, Lady Kaede, Lady Ruby, why don’t you take a short break?”
“Oh! Nice. I was just thinking we could use a rest.”
“Agreed. I’ve been thinking too much, and I’m all tired out.”
“Good grief, you two...”
Kaede took a teacup with a wry smile at her husband and fellow wife.
“Here, Lady Kaede.”
“Thank you, Velza,” Kaede said as Velza poured her a cup of tea.
Velza was staying in the dorms at the Royal Academy, but made frequent visits to the Magnas’ mansion. They adored her like a little sister, and she had been learning to cook from the servants. Halbert was about the only one who hadn’t figured out that it was so she could serve him better when she became his wife one day.
Once everyone had relaxed a bit, Velza joined them at the table.
“I won’t be seeing you for a while, will I? I’m sad.”
Halbert certainly minded hearing that from a girl he thought of like a little sister, and he gave her a pat on the head.
“I’ll go distinguish myself and come back. Look after Kaede and the baby she’s carrying while we’re away, will you, Velza?”
“Lord Hal... Yes! Leave it to me!”
Velza’s reply was brimming with energy. Kaede and Ruby smiled as they imagined a dog’s tail wagging furiously on her butt.
Kaede turned to Ruby and said, “Ruby, you take care of Hal for me.”
“I give you my word. I’ll do it even if it kills me,” Ruby said, thumping her chest with one hand, but Kaede shook her head.
“No, you’re not allowed to let it kill you. Come home safe. I’m sure the baby will want to see you, too.”
Kaede placed a hand over her belly. Ruby was shocked for a moment, then nodded.
“You’re right! I want to meet the baby, too!”
“Hee hee, I’ll be waiting, you know. With this child.”
They smiled at each other. It was another harmonious day in the House of Magna.