Chapter 278
Chapter 278
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Translator: Vine
Chapter: 278
Chapter Title: The Gift of Family
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With the war against the Warsaw Archduchy over and orders to return home issued, most of the officers and soldiers would receive extended leave to head back to their hometowns.
They'd return home to boast to family and friends about their exploits in the war, treat everyone with their prize money, and spend joyful time with loved ones.
But as Supreme Commander, I had to visit His Imperial Majesty first, deliver a detailed report on the expedition, and discuss the Empire's strategy going forward.
However, this time I was granted a special day off before meeting His Majesty.
This was because, in the midst of battling in Warsaw, I'd received the joyful news that Louise was pregnant, along with a special message from His Majesty instructing me to see her first upon arriving in the capital.
The thought of finally seeing Louise carrying my child made my steps light, filling my chest with a warm, proud swell from deep within.
"She said it was about three months along when she wrote. So it's probably around six months now. As her husband and the father, I should have been by her side during the pregnancy."
"It couldn't be helped, sir. You got the news in the middle of the war. The baby and Lady Louise will understand. Just stay with them from now on and take good care of them. You've personally picked out gifts for young Master Friedrich and Her Highness Louise, so they'll surely be delighted."
At those words, I glanced at the leather bag containing the wooden sword for Friedrich and the blanket for Louise.
"Laura and Anya said they went shopping for gifts for Friedrich and Louise too, right?"
"Yes, they should be home by the time we arrive at the estate."
"Let's hurry, then. Louise is waiting."
I quickened my pace at that, but moderated it to a brisk walk out of consideration for Charlotte.
No matter how precious Louise and the baby in her womb were, Charlotte by my side was no less dear.
As we passed through the main gate and entered the mansion's drawing room, six-year-old Friedrich came running toward me with arms outstretched.
His bright red eyes sparkling with intelligence and his black hair resembled mine closely.
"Wow, Daddy! Daddy!"
He'd grown so much in the time apart; I'd thought of him as just a baby before, but now he looked every bit the big brother.
I scooped him up in a hug and asked affectionately.
"So, have you been listening to Mommy Louise? No sickness? Eating well?"
"Yes! Mommy said since Daddy's away working hard for the Empire, I have to eat well, study hard, and exercise here at home. I'm Daddy's son, so I do everything well!"
My son, who did everything well, looked up at me with an expression begging for praise.
How adorable he was... I reached out to ruffle his hair, and his beaming smile, as if he owned the world, was utterly charming.
With a being this cute and lovable, no wonder fathers turn into doting fools.
Behind Friedrich, Anya, Laura, and Louise sat on the sofa.
Anya was touching Louise's bulging belly with a mix of wonder and envy in her eyes, while Laura was covering it with a blanket, warning against chills.
"Your Highness, when pregnant, you mustn't cinch your waist even slightly when dressing. No letting your lower body get cold either. And if the mother gets angry, it's bad for the baby..."
"Sister Laura worries too much. As soon as His Majesty Michael heard I was pregnant, he sent maids to care for me. I'm fine."
"...I want to have the Commander's baby like Your Highness too..."
In other households, principal wives and concubines waged invisible, fierce battles for the patriarch's favor, making such warm scenes rare. But in our home, it was the most natural thing.
Watching this heartwarming sight, I set Friedrich down beside Laura and handed him the wooden sword I'd prepared, along with the finest blanket for expectant mothers to Louise.
Louise immediately smiled her signature sweet smile, draping the new blanket over her belly, while Friedrich's eyes lit up at the wooden sword.
"Has Louise been well?"
"Yes, I've been fine. I looked after Friedrich and, as the legitimate wife of the Jaeger Marquis house—no, Marquess now—attended salons and social gatherings occasionally."
"Thank you for holding down the fort while I was away."
"My mind and body were busy, but my heart was lonely without my knight by my side. So you have to stay with us while you're in the capital."
I wouldn't get leave right away like the other officers once it ended, but after handling urgent matters, I'd likely get a month or month-and-a-half prize leave.
Then we could all go on a family trip to a tourist spot near the capital.
Laura had once mentioned how beautiful Lake Victor was, just a day's carriage ride from the capital in Reichburg, and wanted to visit.
We could book a nice inn by the lake, rent out a section of the shore, and have fun.
Swim together, maybe even try an outdoor barbecue like I did back in Korea.
With my mind made up, I called to Friedrich.
"How about we all go to the lake next month with the mommies? We'll ride boats, grill fish, and have a blast."
Six-year-old Friedrich practically bounced with joy at my words.
He grinned like he owned the world, repeating "Yay! Yay!" as he looked at me.
Seeing him so thrilled over a simple invitation to play made me feel guilty for not spending more time with him before, and resolved to take more leave going forward.
I'd already been promoted to General, and with my father-in-law not retiring anytime soon, I wouldn't need to pull all-nighters just for promotions.
"Really, Daddy?"
"Of course. We'll ride boats and do whatever Friedrich wants. But can you wait just a month—thirty nights?"
"Yes! Can I tell my friends at school tomorrow?"
"Brag as much as you like. Friedrich, you get along well with your friends at school?"
In the Reich Empire—no, across the Europan continent—noble children all attended kindergarten-like preparatory schools starting at age five.
These kindergarten schools offered education a bit more advanced than regular kindergartens, but nothing too rigorous.
However, Friedrich's was the elite sort, comparable to the top 0.1% in Korea, filled with children from prominent noble families.
I'd worried my son, whose house had risen meteorically in just a few years, might be ostracized...
"Yes! Day after tomorrow, I'm going to play at Dyke's house. He has a cool sword, so Otto, Prinz, and I promised to check it out. And I got first place on the last test!"
Good, he was adapting well to school without my worries, and Louise was teaching him studies effectively too.
I'd fretted that, like my academy days, some noble-born kid might bully or exclude him over status.
But thinking it over, with my rank as Marquess and General, only a madman would target Friedrich first without cause.
Apparently, showing off cool swords was a big brag for boys this age...
Our house lacked ornate jeweled swords nobles favored, but I had the one I'd used to kill the Khan or swing at Rizen Hill.
Plus, Louise had said noble kids' play from kindergarten included social elements...
"Then next time, invite all those kids here. Tell me two days ahead, and I'll make sure to be home. I'll even show you my cool swords."
Friedrich's eyes sparkled, but Anya, Laura, Louise, and even Charlotte sighed in unison.
"Commander, you're not thinking of showing them the sword from killing the Khan or the one from Rizen Hill, are you?"
"Kids Friedrich's age would love those swords, right? They're not gonna wear out."
Nobles were all itching to show off anyway, and displaying legitimate trophies to visiting kids wouldn't cause issues.
The only concern might be Friedrich getting arrogant riding my coattails, but he was well-raised by Louise—even kindly to commoner kids who bumped into him at church.
Louise sighed at my words and said.
"Even if it's to be nice to your son and his friends, that's a no-go. Showing the kids is fine, but word will spread like wildfire. 'We saw the sword Jaeger General used to kill the Khan.' Then other families will line up demanding to see it too."
...Empire nobles envied and admired great feats, so if they heard I'd shown kids that sword...
They'd pilgrimage to gawk at the Khan-killer or Rizen Hill sword.
Then Louise, Laura, Anya, and Charlotte would have endless noble patriarchs to entertain.
"Fine, then just tell Daddy a few days before your friends come over. I'll be sure to be home that day."
"Yes!"
As we chatted warmly, a maid called from the kitchen.
"Dinner is served."
After a delicious meal, I played energetically with Friedrich until late, then shared beds with the three besides Louise.
They all had a lot pent up; I felt my waist in peril again tonight.
Fortunately, it ended without hindering tomorrow's duties.
The next day, I headed straight to the palace to pay respects to His Imperial Majesty.
On the way to the audience chamber, I ran into Excellency Keitel, his face half-crumpled like he could bury a man in his frown.
I tried slipping away under pretense of the audience, but he grabbed my shoulder and held fast.
Luckily, I didn't catch flak for requesting rations to feed two million men.
But he brought up something extremely annoying.
"Talk His Majesty out of it. It's been how long since our big win over Warsaw, and now a bunch of staff officers in the General Staff are pushing for a new war."
....... Thoughts raced through my mind, but one word summed it up.
'Shit.'