89. The New Year's Party That's Usually Around This Time
"……In the afternoon, you met with Count Tetlang. After dinner, you returned to your residence. That concludes the report on Han Siu the hero's activities for day seven."
"……."
Sharfria Palania fell silent after hearing the regular report from her royal maid chief, Persha Baekjak.
It had already been a week since Han Siu graduated from Hero Academy and returned to Palania Kingdom.
The year had turned to 874, and the 99th class of hero candidates had entered the academy. This batch was a bit better than average. Normally, it would have sparked great anticipation, but with her standards raised by Siu and all eyes focused on him, it drew relatively little interest.
"Maid Chief."
"Yes, Your Majesty."
"Over the past week, Siu has met with eight nobles. And all of them…. right?"
"Yes, that's correct. All from the Springfield faction."
"Haha…."
As was typical for a small kingdom, Palania lacked unity even in its internal power and opinions.
The western continent especially had nations with strong individual characters. In fact, there were seventeen countries in the world excluding the south, more than half summoned from other dimensions following their gods. Most nations overflowed with unique traits as a result.
There were five kingdoms in the western continent.
Two non-imperial powers among the four greats: the elven nation of Elbazon Kingdom and the mages' holy land, Springfield Magic Kingdom.
Hipemus Kingdom, which had the most male heroes due to its extreme male supremacy.
Romes Kingdom, which had grown based on its vast adjacent seas at the continent's far west.
In contrast, Palania Kingdom had no special features whatsoever and sat in the center of the west, bordering all four neighbors. This had made its territory a target for others in the past, spawning numerous noble factions tied to foreign powers.
"Siu's been nothing but helpful from start to finish."
Sharfria gave a wry smile.
All eight nobles Siu met had since sent messengers surrendering to the queen and requesting to switch factions. Factions were largely formalities, so it was just a show of goodwill, but their intentions were clear enough.
"Indeed, Your Majesty. I have no idea how he persuaded them."
"It must be some trick of his. Makes you wonder if he's really from another world without prior hero experience."
A faint smile played on the queen's lips as she spoke.
"This should make the eastern development project much smoother."
"Yes. With fewer objections blocking it for Springfield's convenience. Heh. …Ah."
"……? Is something wrong, Your Majesty?"
"The baby… kicked again…♡ Hng."
"Congratulations."
The maid chief's words drew a chuckle from the queen.
"Congratulations? You planning to congratulate me every time it kicks?"
"…If that's what Your Majesty desires. Though you're the one who seems delighted each time."
"Hehe. Not a bad idea, but no thanks. And I'm a mother, aren't I? Of course I'm happy. Giving birth myself… It's rare for someone blessed like me…."
Sharfria trailed off, lowering her head to stroke her greatly swollen belly.
It had grown quite a bit already, and it would only get bigger from here. She'd seen pregnant women before, but it had only intrigued her. Church law forbade checking the child's sex, but she was confident she could raise it well regardless.
"Personally, I'd love a boy."
"Is that so?"
"Yeah. I have a feeling a girl would cling to her dad and never let go."
"……?"
It made a strange kind of sense, yet not.
Children naturally bonded more with the opposite-sex parent. As they aged, they might drift or grow closer. Not all parent-child pairs got along, so perhaps it was something to celebrate.
As the maid chief looked puzzled, Sharfria shook her head, dismissing it.
"Sigh. I said something odd. Anyway, about the eastern development…"
Knock knock.
A knock at the queen's office door, followed by a woman's voice.
"Pardon me, Mother. May I come in for a moment?"
"Sharina? Of course, come in."
The door clicked open, and a beautiful blonde maiden entered the office.
Slighter in figure than her mother but still voluptuous enough. Her face mirrored her mother's prime beauty perfectly, crowned by lustrous wavy golden hair.
Princess Sharina.
The queen's cherished eldest daughter.
"What is it, Princess Sharina?"
The princess leaned against the door, nudging it shut with her heel.
The tension on her daughter's face made Sharfria's brow twitch. She hadn't carried her to term, but Sharina was undeniably her daughter. After over twenty years together, no mother could miss what those actions meant.
Come to think of it, the bad vibe started when she called her "Mother" instead of "Your Majesty."
"Sharina."
"Y-Yes… Mother?"
"Sigh. Here for another favor, aren't you? I even pushed through the engagement as you wanted."
"W-Well…. Hehe."
"……."
The maid chief stepped back, quieting her presence amid the sudden chill.
Princess Sharina swallowed hard and stood cautiously opposite the queen. The large desk kept some distance, but she was visibly tense.
Ugh. It's fine. You can do this, Sharina!
Pumping herself up, the princess opened her mouth with grim resolve.
"Uh, um…."
"……."
"Y-Your belly's gotten so big too…!"
"……?"
Sharfria nodded, puzzled by the abrupt mention of her unborn child but inwardly pleased.
"It's been half a year already. About four months until it arrives."
"Wow, I can't wait. A little sibling after all these years past twenty. Hehe. It must take after you and Hero Siu—sure to be adorable."
"Hehe. Think so?"
Sharina kept praising the child and chattering about it.
Sharfria's lips softened into a full smile. For talk of a mother's child—not the father's—it was remarkably warm. Unusual in this world, but not unheard of.
Feels awkward for me, though….
Still, she was sure she'd love and cherish her mother's child.
Listening to the queen and princess's oddly harmonious mother-daughter talk, Maid Chief Persha Baekjak inwardly admired.
Has the princess grown up?
An obvious ploy, but tailoring talk and flattery to please—past Sharina couldn't have managed it. A clear sign of maturity.
Yet too blatant for a seasoned queen like Sharfria.
"So, what favor does my daughter want this time, acting all sweet?"
"Huh? Ah. Ahaha…."
Caught, Sharina laughed awkwardly. But it wasn't entirely futile—Sharfria's expression had softened, even with a hint of amusement.
"W-Well, you see…. Any royal schedule end of this month?"
The queen glanced at her maid chief.
"None. Aside from the New Year's party from January 14th to 16th, no major events requiring Your Highness's attendance."
"You heard her, dear."
"I see…. Th-Then… could I go on a trip end of the month? Three days, two nights…."
"I'd love to say yes right away, but who's going?"
"Eek! W-Well…."
Sharina hemmed and hawed.
"Sigh."
No need to ask who. Her daughter's fiancé, whom the queen herself disapproved of. Not just worries over her night life—the man obsessed over looks, had needless pride, and more flaws.
Still, the man her daughter loved.
Sharfria, ever weak to family, had no choice.
"Do as you like. Just confirm his intentions and get his family's approval. You know about escorts, right?"
"Ah…! Th-Thank you so much, Mother!"
Sharina's face lit up at the permission.
Perhaps the baby talk had worked. She'd never dreamed it'd be this easy. Fiancé or not, letting her travel alone with another family's son?
Great. Now just get his family's okay.
Her fiancé had already agreed.
He'd been lukewarm when she broached it, but right after Hero Siu returned, his side brought it up. Sharina wasn't clueless; she'd been anxious inside.
Hehe. Who knew I'd owe that guy. But does he think it'll change my heart? Kinda hurtful….
Beaming, Sharina bowed to the queen and maid chief before leaving.
"Sigh, that girl…."
"Isn't her single-minded devotion to love endearing?"
"That's why I'm worried. The deeper the love, the harder the fall later. It's not just bedroom stuff. His father's quite the spendthrift and vain too, from what I know. His mother's no better."
"The count is Hipemus faction."
Hipemus Kingdom. Even accounting for men's rarity and weakness, its male supremacy was extreme. It attracted nasty male heroes who mistreated women with impunity.
"No wonder she puts up with her husband's antics. Same with their son."
"Could it be… no, surely not?"
"Making their son king consort? Hmph. Who knows. That's why we must be cautious."
Sharfria grew more irritated the more she spoke.
"Tch. Speaking of the New Year's party earlier, how's the prep?"
The New Year's party spanning the continent from January 15th.
With so many nations, royals hosted in each capital. Scale determined prestige, so no skimping allowed.
"You can look forward to it."
"Really? Hehe. Then I'll actually get excited for once."
The queen smiled, thinking of Siu.
The party was still a week away. She wondered what more gifts her love, Han Siu, would bring—and what she could give him in return.
874 was off to a promising start.