Chapter 146: The Married Queen's Mother-Daughter Delight
"Ah, Mother-in-law."
The Countess flinched.
"S-Siwoo...?"
Crimhilt Lubblestone, the Countess returning home a bit later than usual, was startled to see who had called her. She never imagined she'd run into Siwoo here of all places.
Of all the timing...
Normally it wouldn't be an issue, but right now her mind was a tangled mess because of that.
Her late finish at work was due to that very mental fog slowing her down.
"Heading home?"
Having no idea what was on her mind, Siwoo grinned and hurried to her side.
"Ah... Yes."
"You're getting off a little late today."
"...? Do you know my schedule?"
The Countess gave him a puzzled look.
Siwoo replied with a warm smile.
"You're Hildear's mother—my mother-in-law. Of course I know. I'm pretty familiar with the Royal Guard's routines."
"Ah..."
Come to think of it, there was nothing strange about him knowing.
Hildear was an active Royal Guard knight herself. More like an honorary member these days, but still.
Even so, shift changes for the Royal Guard are technically classified... I'll have to chew her out next time I see her.
"Then what about you...? No, never mind."
Not one for smooth talk, the Countess almost habitually asked where he was headed, then caught herself. She knew full well his whereabouts—he'd spent the night at the palace, so of course he'd be heading back to his mansion.
Siwoo teased her lightly.
"Haha. Sharfria insisted I stay for breakfast, but I just slipped out."
"I... see."
True to her routine, Sharfria had woken at her usual early hour.
Recalling the previous night's events, she'd panicked and apologized to Siwoo.
She never dreamed she'd fall asleep during a quick break. It had all happened so fast, and drifting off like that was beyond her conscious control. The built-up fatigue and stress had finally caught up in one explosive burst.
Of course, Siwoo had brushed it off.
"Sleep more."
"Pardon? But... we could at least have breakfast..."
Sharfria flailed as she tried to get up.
But Siwoo shook his head.
"No need. Just rest. Your morning schedule's already clear, right? Even the maids aren't coming to wake you."
"Eek..."
He'd hit the nail on the head.
Unlike Sharina, who'd dragged her weary body out despite forgetting her morning appointment, Sharfria was meticulous. She just never factored in her own condition.
"St-Still..."
"Sigh, Sharfria."
"Yes...?"
"Think about the baby."
"The baby..."
That was the one phrase that worked best on her.
Siwoo felt a twinge of jealousy at how fiercely the queen cherished the child in her womb. Knowing her health could affect it, she had no more fight left.
"...Sorry, Siwoo."
"Jeez, I said it's fine. Get some real rest. I can't stand seeing my baby mama suffer."
"B-Baby mama... Hehe."
The married woman's cheeks flushed pink with shy delight.
Seeing her like that always stirred a bit of regret in Siwoo.
He couldn't call this lovely woman his wife. There was no issue with just saying it, but they weren't married, leaving a lingering ache.
The pet names like "baby daddy" and "baby mama" they used stemmed from that very regret. They were satisfying and heartwarming, but they couldn't erase the emptiness in his chest.
"You'll rest now, right?"
"...Haa. If you insist like that, I have no choice. For our child's sake..."
Even as she said it, Sharfria kept stealing glances at him.
"But Siwoo...?"
"Yeah?"
"D-Did you and Sha... Sharina...?"
He didn't need her to finish.
When Sharfria had woken at dawn, Siwoo was already awake.
So the queen suspected he'd spent the early hours in a heated romp with her daughter. Seeing Sharina slink away soon after only fueled her suspicions.
"Haha, what do you think?"
"W-What? Of course you did."
Siwoo leaned forward on the bed, bringing his face close to hers.
"Spot on. I fucked our Sharfria's firstborn daughter all night long."
"Mm..."
His brazen admission sent a strange thrill through her.
She'd already given herself to the man who'd been with her daughter, but this felt entirely different.
Siwoo's lips brushed the married queen's forehead lightly.
"Hng♡"
"We got cut short this time, but next round, we'll get real nasty."
"Hehe, yes♡"
Sharfria answered cutely.
Truth be told, aside from dozing off midway, last night had left plenty of regrets.
Deep affection for Siwoo had led to the mother-daughter donburi event, but her pregnancy made sex far more awkward than expected. Things fine with two became a whole different beast with three.
Next time...
"You'll do it again even after the baby's born, right?"
"Of course!"
A bright smile bloomed on Sharfria's face.
That was exactly what she wanted.
She eagerly awaited both the birth and a proper mother-daughter session.
"Then I'll head out first."
"Already?"
"Gotta go for you to actually sleep."
"Mmm... True, but..."
Maybe because they hadn't fully enjoyed themselves last night, she hated to let him go.
She'd never wanted to before, but today it hit harder. Still, Siwoo was busy. She couldn't cling forever. Regret it or not, she had to let him leave.
"Before I do..."
"...?"
Siwoo rummaged in his pocket and pulled something out.
A sleek black fountain pen.
"This is..."
"A gift. It'll help with your work."
"Ah..."
Sharfria stared blankly, alternating between Siwoo and the pen.
Suddenly, she threw her arms around him as he lay beside her.
"You didn't pick this up on some mission, did you?"
"Sharp as ever. Commissioned it from the Magic Kingdom."
"Haa, Siwoo, you really...♥"
She wanted to drop and suck his cock right then, but exhaustion was winning—her eyes grew heavy. Even three or four hours would be better than nothing.
"Sleepy? Rest now. I'm really heading out."
"Yes, Siwoo... I love you♥"
"Love you too, Sharfria."
"...♥"
That sweet exchange with the queen just moments ago.
Whatever others might think, to Siwoo, it was endlessly cute and loving. Recalling it brought a natural smile to his lips.
Obvious enough that even the Countess beside him could tell he was in a good mood. It sparked her curiosity—what kind of man was this guy her son-in-law and her queen's beloved? She wanted to know more.
Come to think of it, we haven't really talked much.
Most encounters involved Hildear, making it a trio.
So one-on-one chats with Siwoo were rare.
After hesitating, the Countess spoke up.
"Um... Siwoo?"
"Yes, Mother-in-law."
"..."
The word "mother-in-law" still didn't sit right, no matter how many times she heard it.
Siwoo, clearly enjoying it, beamed.
"Got a minute...?"
"Time?"
His eyes widened at the sudden invitation.
He'd never expected it from her. But no reason to refuse—quite the opposite. He was interested in the Countess too and wanted to get closer.
"If Mother-in-law calls, I make time."
"No, that's... Could you drop the 'mother-in-law' bit...?"
Her face flushed with genuine embarrassment.
Siwoo pretended to ponder, then grinned.
"If you go casual with me, sure."
"...Talk to the queen first."
"Ah, playing it that way."
Even as a prospective son-in-law, Siwoo was the queen's man.
If Sharfria hadn't gone casual, the Countess wouldn't either. Her response was so airtight he had no comeback. Total defeat.
With so many formal speakers around, he'd hoped for more casual ones. A straight-laced, loyal knight like her dropping honorifics would've been fun. No more pushing it now.
Hmm, Sharfria'd die before going casual. She loved me dropping them, though.
"Jokes aside, where to?"
"Ah."
The Countess halted.
She'd invited him on impulse, without a destination in mind.
Inexperienced in such things, Crimhilt drew a blank. A woman inviting a man to a café or meal—even mother-in-law to son-in-law—felt off. Only two spots came to mind.
The Guard captain's office or the Lubblestone estate...
She loved work, but heading back post-shift was absurd.
Her subordinates would hate it too. Only one option left.
"...Come to our estate."
"Sounds good."
Siwoo's happy grin eased her mind.
Then she shuddered.
I get it now...
She realized why she was so tense.
Crimhilt Lubblestone, 41-year-old widow.
Aside from her political marriage, she'd never met a man alone socially.
Even if he was her daughter's and queen's man, he was handsome, diligent, capable. Plus that mother-daughter donburi mention from her queen. Buried thoughts surged forward.
"..."
"Mother-in-law?"
"Y-Yes?!"
"Why so jumpy? Let's go."
"Ah, r-right."
The estate's mistress might be the Countess, but Siwoo took the lead.
Thanks to Hildear, he'd visited the Lubblestone mansion a few times—once before the academy, a couple after graduation. He'd met the Countess then too, so she wasn't surprised he knew the way.
"Come in."
"Thanks for having me."
The waiting staff buzzed at the unannounced guest.
Especially since he was the next heir's man, Palania's hero, an A-rank male hero, and the first saint in centuries. Their welcome bordered on overwhelming, making Siwoo a tad uncomfortable.
"No need for all this... I've been here before."
"Different now—you're my guest."
"Mm, alright then."
Perfect timing for breakfast together.
Only her single portion was ready, so it took a bit.
Lubblestone mornings were simpler than most nobles', heavy on protein as befitted a knightly house.
Lunch and dinner are even bigger? Eating like this daily to keep that body...
In the quiet dining room, Siwoo eyed Crimhilt as they ate.