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Side Stories 32

The relationship between the Empire and Lasker can be described as quite delicate.

Just 30 years ago, they were rivals vying for dominance over the continent.

At the time, Lasker's military was truly powerful. Even the Empire, armed with gunpowder, struggled against them.

However, due to various factors, the war ultimately ended in the Empire's victory.

In the aftermath of the war, Lasker faced a tumultuous period of upheaval.

Externally, they had to acknowledge the Empire's superiority and submit to them.

Internally, they had to establish a new order for their completely shattered line of succession.

By the time everything was over, the situation was vastly different from before.

Now, Lasker chose to cooperate with the Empire rather than compete against them.

They lost some things in the process, but they certainly gained a lot as well.

And among those 'gains,' the most valuable one today might be this communication device.

Queen Imir II of Lasker thought so.

"I present this to Her Majesty, the Queen of Lasker."

"What is this? Envoys of the Empire."

"The fourth child of Count Friedrich, to be born in a month. His Majesty the Emperor said that the Queen of Lasker should also see the precious life that will inherit the noble blood of Lasker."

In short, it was the Empire's way of saying, In short, it was the Empire's way of saying, 'Your niece or nephew is being born, shouldn't you see it?'

Imir II tried not to show it, but she was very grateful to the Emperor.

After all, the last time they spoke was to congratulate her sister, Lefia, on her marriage, and then they parted ways again.

And now, to be able to receive news of her niece or nephew's birth right away?

She couldn't think of anything more joyful and delightful.

"Hmm."

She was nervous. Her heart was pounding. She didn't know it would make her this tense.

After waiting for a long time, the communication device glowed.

Imir II immediately activated it and spoke.

"Lefia? Is it Lefia?"

[ Ah, Your Majesty. It's Karl Adelheit, Count Friedrich. ]

"Well, whatever. It's done now that I've contacted you. Now, hurry up and tell me."

At Imir II's uncharacteristic urging, Karl smiled.

[ It would be better to show you directly rather than tell you. ]

Karl's face, which was visible through the communication device, disappeared, and darkness lingered for a moment.

There was a faint commotion. It didn't seem like a bad atmosphere.

[ Dad! What's this? ]

[ Shush, Luen. Be quiet, or you might wake the baby. ]

[ Okay! ]

Children's voices could be heard, followed by women's conversation.

And after a few moments of anticipation, a familiar face finally appeared.

[ Your Majesty. ]

"Lefia."

She looked very haggard. Well, of course she would. She just gave birth, so it's natural.

The thought of brushing away the hair stuck to her cheek with sweat suddenly crossed her mind.

The half-sister who had to leave her homeland and continue her life in a foreign country for various reasons.

She felt sorry and apologetic for her, but as those who inherited royal blood, it was an unavoidable fate.

She thought they would live their lives understanding each other.

"You've been through a lot. You really have."

[ Hehehe. Thank you. Now, look. ]

A tiny life, held in Lefia's arms, appeared on the communication device.

Her sister's child. She was truly lovely.

"Is it a boy or a girl?"

[ It's a girl. I was secretly hoping for a boy. ]

"Shush. You shouldn't say such things in front of your child, Lefia."

[ Oh, is that so? I'm sorry! I'll be careful! ]

She must be exhausted from giving birth. She shouldn't even have the energy to laugh, let alone talk.

But Lefia, her sister, was smiling brightly today.

It was so beautiful and admirable that Imir II smiled along with her sister.

"Have you chosen a name?"

[ Ah, about that. My oppa, Count Friedrich, suggested that Your Majesty should give her a name. If it's alright with you, would you grant my child such an honor?]

It's more than alright with me. In fact, I was secretly hoping for this.

"Stella."

[ Stella. Stella. Stella. I love it! Oppa! Karl! Her Majesty has given us a name! Stella! Our daughter's name is no longer 'the youngest,' it's Stella! ]

[ Stella. Stella Adelheit. It's beautiful. Your Majesty, it's a wonderful name. ]

"I'm glad to hear you say that, Count Friedrich."

With a smile, Imir II gazed at the family beyond the communication device.

A happy mother smiling, holding a sleeping newborn in her arms.

Beside them, their husband and father, and the other wives.

And below, little girls rushing in, shouting, ‘Let me see my sister too!’

May they all be happy. May blessings be upon this beautiful family.

* * *

The resting place of the Empire's glorious war heroes.

The place where my best comrades, who did everything with me, sleep.

Ellington National Cemetery.

"I'm here. Have you all been well?"

I'm alone today. I left my wives and children at home.

"I came alone today. If you ask why, I'll just say I wanted to. But don't scold me too much, I did bring the whole family, even little Stella, last time."

Luen is growing up well, just as befits the eldest daughter of our Adelheit family.

My second daughter, Marien... well, to be honest, I'm worried. She resembles her mother too much.

And if we're talking about that, Anne is a problem too. She's already crawling.

Our youngest, Stella, is just starting to crawl. Her smile is so cute.

"Thanks to you all, your youngest now has four children. Huh? Are you listening? You have four nieces now."

In the past, coming to see them was incredibly sad and painful.

Guilt overwhelmed me. I felt like everyone here died because of me.

Surviving alone felt like a curse, a burden I had to carry for the rest of my life.

For a while, I couldn't even sleep properly. They would come to mind as soon as I closed my eyes.

Every time I had a dream, they would appear, calling my name and crying for help.

And in those dreams, I could do nothing but watch.

I thought about dying. It seemed like the only way to erase the guilt.

But every time I had such dark thoughts, strangely enough, I couldn't do it.

Whether it was Goddess' will or my departed comrades watching over me.

"Thank you. I've always been grateful. And I will continue to be, forever, until I die. You will always be my comrades and heroes. I will never forget you, even in death."

I poured a glass of their favorite drinks in front of each of their graves.

We were going to go to a bar after this damn war was over, and drink until we couldn't see straight.

We were going to call each other brother, and young master, and laugh about the old days.

It's a promise I can no longer keep, but those days were truly something special.

I spent a long time with them, sharing many conversations that had accumulated over time.

Even though there was no reply, it's okay now. Just listening is enough.

Because I know my comrades are here, listening beside me.

"Alright."

It's time to go. I've stayed too long. Almost an hour. Oh dear.

"I'll be going now. This talented youngest has a schedule today. In case you think I'm bragging too much, I've received the Medal of Honor twice and I'm a noble recognized by the church. That's enough, right?"

Before leaving, I slowly stroked their tombstones.

My friends. My benefactors. My eternal comrades.

"We'll see each other again."

Even though we can't see each other again, we will be together forever.

On the battlefields where we blazed with glory. In the memories where we stood triumphant.

"Karl!"

As I walked towards the entrance, a familiar voice called out.

"Selena? Eloise, Lav, and Lefia too? What's this? I told you to rest at home!"

"Oh my, did you really think we would? When our husband came all the way here?"

"You didn't cry like a baby again, did you?!"

"My Oppa is not that kind of person."

"That's right! I bet he was smiling brightly!"

Right. It's been a while. I don't cry like a child anymore.

"Dad! Me too! Me too!"

Luen and Marien came running and launched themselves into my arms.

Anne, who was a bit late because she couldn't run well yet, grumbled at being left out, so I scooped her up into the hug as well.

In times like these, I'm grateful that our Stella hasn't started walking yet.

"By the way, did you hear the news?"

"What news?"

"Wilhelm is finally having a child!"

"Oh, really? Wow, wasn't it Shulifen last week?"

Those two are soulmates, aren't they? Shulifen and Wilhelm are expected to become fathers around the same time.

I wonder when we'll hear news from Alexander and Joachim.

"So, Karl, we women had a little discussion."

"Hmm? What discussion?"

"What discussion?! It's obviously about our second child plans! Isn't it obvious?!"

"That's right, Orabeoni. We all have one daughter each, so now we need sons."

"I've already chosen a name! Oppa!"

Oh my goodness. They were quiet for a while, so I thought they had forgotten about it!

"Ah, Dad! Me too! A little brother! A little brother!!"

"I'm getting a sibling? Me too!"

"Si-sibling?"

"Bwudder?"

Even the kids started claiming their rights to have siblings.

It looks like tonight marks the beginning of my descent into the sweet, sweet hell of nonstop baby-making!