I can’t believe she’s older than my mother... No, my mother’s age is also as indeterminate as hers. Have all the women around me mastered the art of eternal youth? And Miss Irene’s timelessness isn’t the only thing that’s incredible about her—she has the poise of a woman who’s lived many years. It adds a certain allure to her intellectual beauty. She truly has the best of both worlds. When people talk about beautiful witches, they’re talking about women like her, huh?
Still as gorgeous as ever—no, even more gorgeous than before—Miss Irene’s beauty captivated Gunther. Thought so. Just as I predicted. I regarded him with a warm look.
However, though Gunther couldn’t take his eyes off of Miss Irene, she didn’t even seem to notice him. Her obsidian eyes locked onto me straight through her monocle.
“Princess.” A broad smile spread across her clever, gorgeous face. She strode up to where I stood in front of the sofa and enveloped my right hand with both of hers. “Congratulations. I couldn’t sit still after receiving such joyful tidings, so against my better judgment, I barged in on you.”
Miss Irene, who was like the human embodiment of the phrases “cool, calm, and collected” and “steady as a rock,” was beaming at me with shining eyes. I’d anticipated that she was here to congratulate me, but I hadn’t thought she’d be so over the moon, as though my joy were her own. I was surprised and touched at the same time. I could feel my tear ducts stirring.
“Th-Thank you!” I held back my tears and returned her grip.
Miss Irene laughed jovially. “To think that the little princess is going to be a mother. I’m getting old.”
She’d known me since I was a child, so I was deeply moved to hear those words from her. She had a faraway look in her eyes as she took a trip down memory lane. Yeah, a lot has happened since then. I also began to reminisce, but all that came to mind were embarrassing memories, so I stopped.
“Miss Irene, you’ve witnessed many of my pathetic moments.” Like when Lutz and Teo got kidnapped and I was so overwrought with worry that I was on the brink of tears. Or that time I was fawning over my pet cat and talking to him.
“Oh? All I recall are good memories. Full of cute moments that not even your husband has seen.”
“Could you tell me more?” Sir Leonhart asked.
“Please stop!”
I couldn’t tell if Miss Irene was helping me or trying to expose me, but Sir Leonhart jumped at the opportunity faster than I could speak up. I frantically tried to stop her, but he looked at me with pleading eyes.
Even if you look at me like that, I can’t allow what I can’t allow! Who would let the person they love hear old stories of when they weren’t even a wild boar yet but a pitiful piglet?
Wolf sighed. “Hey now, you three. You can catch up on old times once you’ve settled down. How about you take a seat first?”
At Wolf’s exasperated urging, we exchanged looks and smiled wryly. Miss Irene greeted everyone before she sat down. She was already familiar with everyone present, so it was quick work. When she reached Gunther, I watched them nervously.
“It’s been a long time, Lord Kolbe. It relieves me to see that you are doing well.”
“Y-Yes. And you too, Head Sorceress Altman...”
I was dumbfounded by how bashful Gunther was acting. Who on earth is that? The Gunther I know is a smug man who would lightheartedly greet someone and even throw in a compliment. He’s a gentleman who’s kind to ladies, but he’s clever enough to know exactly where the line is, so he’s never mistaken for flirting. I heard he was rejected by his crush multiple times, but I figured she wasn’t taking him seriously because he was trying to woo her with his usual flippant attitude. I never would’ve guessed he was the type to become awkward around the object of his affections.
But given the way he’s acting, there’s no way she’s gotten the message! He claims she turned him down, but there’s a pretty good chance Miss Irene doesn’t even know Gunther has feelings for her. And what was that “And you too, Head Sorceress Altman”? The usual Gunther would sneak in some praise! At the very least, say something like “You’re as beautiful as always”!
“I heard rumors, but I’m surprised to see you actually reside in Prelier now,” Miss Irene remarked.
Gunther hesitated for a beat. “The duchess’s ideology left a strong impression on me.”
Don’t lie. You moved here because Miss Irene said she wanted to move here after retirement, and you took that seriously. You’re a proactive stalker.
“Is Prelier comfortable to live in?” Miss Irene asked.
“The town is as warm as its people. It’s a wonderful place.”
“I’m envious. I wish I could switch places with you.”
“W-With pleasure.”
No, not “with pleasure”! You don’t want to switch places! I understand the joy of being depended upon, but all your effort would be for nothing if you changed places. Realize that.
Their exchange was short, but I found myself fatigued after it ended. I think I caught a glimpse as to why Gunther’s love has been unrequited for so many years. I’m sorry, but there’s nothing I can do for you. Please come again after you’ve worked a little harder on your own.
I silently decided Gunther was a lost cause and offered Miss Irene a seat. I was about to request that my maids brew a new batch of black tea since ours had gone cold, but then, a small “ah” slipped out of Wolf’s mouth. It seemed he’d suddenly remembered something.
“Come to think of it, I almost forgot our main purpose for coming today.” Wolf rummaged through his bag and pulled out a pouch.
I took it from him and opened it. Inside was what looked like some kind of grain. Seeds? Or beans? Perplexed, I tilted my head to the side. That was when the aroma hit me, and my eyes widened.
“This is...” I uttered.
“It’s barley tea. You can drink it during pregnancy,” he said.
Barley tea! I’ve never seen it in this world, not once! To think it was so close to me all this time.
“You drink black tea regularly, right? But it’s not good for your health to drink too much of it. On that note, though this tea has a unique fragrance, it’s healthy for you...” Wolf smiled when he saw how eagerly I inhaled the aromatic scent. “Hmm, it seems I don’t have to try to convince you.”
“I rather like this fragrance,” I said.
“That’s good to hear. Lily worked hard to roast it for you.”
“I poured my love into it!”
“I will drink it with relish.” I was all smiles until I noticed the beleaguered expression on Miss Irene’s face. “Miss Irene? Is something the matter?”
“It seems we were of the same mind.”
“Huh?”
She placed her hand on her cheek, and her shapely brows drooped sadly. “When I heard you were with child, I also searched for something healthy. A merchant I’m well acquainted with recommended me a tea produced in Flanmer.”
The tea she had purchased had been advertised as a beverage that children and pregnant women could drink at ease. The tin it came in had a pretty design. I opened the lid, and the same pleasant fragrance I’d smelled seconds ago wafted through the air.
I can’t believe she also brought barley tea! Now that I think about it, the Khuer tribe is from Flanmer. This might be a fairly mainstream product over there.
“I’m sorry. Now I’ve gone and troubled you,” Miss Irene said.
“Not at all! I was in a predicament because I couldn’t drink black tea, so I’m very grateful.”
“But...” Miss Irene must’ve thought I was being considerate, but I was genuinely happy.
“Lately, I’ve become sensitive to certain scents, but I like this fragrance. Thanks to the two of you, I won’t have any trouble staying hydrated.”
“Princess...” Miss Irene’s eyes softened.
I thanked her once again, and she replied with a bashful “You’re welcome.”
After that, we joked about how they’d brought the same gift and otherwise had a lively time. We enjoyed conversing for about two hours, and then I saw Miss Irene, Wolf, and Lily off. I was thrilled to have had such a fun chat with people I hadn’t seen in a long time.
Then, I suddenly remembered something.
Come to think of it, the only time Gunther and Miss Irene exchanged words was their initial greeting. I decided early on that he was a lost cause, but still, I had planned to throw him a bone by directing the conversation his way occasionally. I was having such a good time that I forgot... Sorry.
A week passed after Wolf, Lily, and Miss Irene’s visit, and my pregnancy was publicly announced. I received a flood of congratulatory letters from many households, as well as requests to meet in person. I had expected some reaction, but not to this degree.
I would understand if they were families I have personal relations with, like the Eigels, or households that have a close connection to the royal family. Branch families follow in the footsteps of the main family, so they’re also within expectations. However, I’ve received mail from houses that I’ve never even interacted with.
When I questioned why that was the case, something came to mind.
It’s probably because of this. Sighing, I stared at the packages that filled part of the room. There were an overwhelming number of items. There were so many that I couldn’t help but want to look off into the distance. The corner was crammed full of furniture and bolts of fabric. Smaller items like toys were piled high, still in their boxes.