After-Story Chapter 5: The 'Gorilla' Opens for Business (Part 3)

After the summit concluded, the heads of each nation, all of whom were busy, returned to their respective countries. However, some members of the Kingdom of Friedonia remained behind, having received a personal invitation from Lady Sill. The five of us—myself, Liscia, Naden, and our escorts, Halbert and Ruby—were led to a reception room by Lady Sill herself after the conference.

 

“Excuse me. I will be changing clothes, so please wait for a moment.”

 

With that, Lady Sill left the room, accompanied by Pi. We sat on the sofas and waited for the two of them, drinking the tea served by the castle stewards.

 

“Even so… I wonder what this discussion is about,” Liscia said, sipping her tea.

 

“Perhaps it concerns the ‘Gorilla Airline’?” Naden speculated.

 

“Buh-ho!”

 

I nearly spat out the tea I was drinking at the sudden mention of that name. Naden, seated diagonally across from Liscia, flinched for a moment and gave me an accusing look that said, “What was that all about?”

 

“Cough… Ah, sorry. I don’t think it’s that. If it concerned the air service, it would be easier to coordinate if it were discussed with all the heads of state present, wouldn’t it?”

 

“That’s true.”

 

“Besides, doesn’t the lineup tell you everything?” Naden said, pointing in turn to herself, me, Hal, and Ruby. “Lady Sill specifically requested Halbert and Ruby, didn’t she? Since she called all the Kingdom’s Dragon Knights, it must be related to the Star Dragon Mountain Range.”

 

“Hm? I’m not a Dragon Knight, though?” Liscia pointed out.

 

“It would be rude for Liscia to be sent home while Souma remains,” Naden responded.

 

“I see,” Liscia mused.

 

While Liscia and Naden were talking, I noticed Hal and Ruby talking separately. They were chatting pleasantly… but there was a strange feeling of incongruity in their exchange.

 

“This cookie is delicious. I almost want to take some back for Bill,” (munch, munch) Hal said.

 

“If you ask Pi, he might wrap some up for you. I’ll ask him.”

 

“Kaede and Velza would probably prefer the tea here, but…”

 

“Don’t worry about it. I’ll ask for some of that for them too.”

 

Their behavior was entirely normal, yet something felt odd. I couldn’t put my finger on the reason for the feeling. Just as I was pondering this, Lady Sill returned.

 

“Hello. I apologize for the wait.”

 

“Eh?!“

 

Everyone waiting in the room gasped in surprise at Lady Sill’s appearance. Instead of the armored attire suitable for the Queen of a Dragon Knight nation, which she wore in the assembly hall, Lady Sill was wearing a slip dress that looked almost like sleepwear. I hate to say it, but Lady Sill has a boyish face, and I’d only ever seen her in brave, armored outfits, so I hadn’t expected her to wear such a distinctly feminine dress.

 

Perhaps having anticipated our reaction, Lady Sill chuckled softly.

 

“I apologize for this attire. My usual clothes are too tight around my stomach.”

 

“Your stomach?”

 

“Does that mean…” Liscia started, realizing something.

 

Lady Sill nodded. “Yes. I am currently pregnant. The father is, of course, my partner, Pi.”

 

“L-Lady Sill!” Pi, who looks like a otoko no ko (a boy who looks like a girl), blushed in embarrassment.

 

Come to think of it, the stomach area of the dress did look slightly rounded. …Seriously? Until now, the combination of Lady Sill’s knightly look and Pi’s appearance made them seem like a gender-reversed combination of a princess and a knight. But with Lady Sill now wearing a slip dress, Pi’s appearance had the opposite effect, suddenly giving the pair a strong one**shota* feel.

 

“…Are you thinking something weird again?”

 

“…No, I’m not.” Liscia was giving me a cold stare, so I quickly averted my gaze.

 

Lady Sill, who sat down on the opposite sofa with Pi’s assistance, smiled gently.

 

“Well, I wanted to tell you all about my pregnancy, which is why I asked those who have a close relationship with Pi to stay behind. Pi also said he wanted to tell Lady Naden and Lady Ruby directly.”

 

“Ah, so that’s why these members are here,” I realized.

 

It seemed they had invited Naden and Ruby rather than the Kingdom’s Dragon Knights. Hal and I were just extras, and Liscia was also acquainted with Pi from their time at the Star Dragon Mountain Range.

 

Then, Hal, who had been listening with a blank expression, regained his composure and spoke up. “Um… It was said that a child born between a Dragon race and a Human race would be either Human, Half-Dragon, or Dragon… right? But what happens when a Human, like Lady Sill, gives birth? I also heard that Dragon race children are born from eggs.”

 

“That is correct. Being Human, I cannot give birth to a Dragon race child that hatches from a large egg. This child will surely be born as either Human or Half-Dragon,” Lady Sill replied, stroking her belly in response to Hal’s question. “Well, as long as the child is born safely, their race is a minor detail.”

 

“That is true,” Hal nodded heartily.

 

The Magna family also consists mostly of wives from different races. He likely understands the feeling well. Since I felt the same way, I decided to offer a suggestion.

 

“Congratulations. If you’d like, should we send an obstetrician from the Kingdom?”

 

“Oh, that would be greatly appreciated. If a doctor from your Kingdom, which excels in medical technology, could come, I would feel much safer giving birth to this child. Please, do so.”

 

“Understood.”

 

While we have reformed our medical system, mainly led by Hilde and Brad, the traditional mindset that prefers midwives over obstetricians for childbirth still persists. Lady Sill, however, readily requested cooperation. She seems to be a rather innovative thinker within the tradition-heavy Dragon Knight Kingdom.

 

Well… without that attitude, the ‘Gorilla Airline’ wouldn’t have been established so smoothly.

 

Beside us, Naden, Ruby, and Pi were talking.

 

“I can’t believe Pi is going to be a father… it feels unbelievable.”

 

“I agree with that. I hate to say it, but you were the most girlish among us.” Ruby added.

 

“Naden and Ruby were both so competitive and always fighting. I wish you’d considered my position, having to mediate.”

 

“That… I’m kind of sorry.” Naden conceded.

 

“I-I thought I was being awful too.” Ruby mumbled.

 

“Both of you have settled down quite a bit since getting married, haven’t you? Is it thanks to your husbands?” Pi asked.

 

“…Look who’s talking now. I assume you and Lady Sill were ‘getting along’ too?” Naden challenged.

 

“Naden. Isn’t that a bit crude to say?” Ruby admonished.

 

“Hmph. I do wish you well, but I’m also frustrated that you beat me to it. I want a child with my husband too… You do too, Ruby, right?”

 

“…” Ruby suddenly fell silent.

 

She looked away from the two of them, seemingly embarrassed. Seeing Ruby’s reaction, I finally realized the source of the incongruity I had felt earlier.

 

“Ah, the tea. Ruby hasn’t touched it.”

 

Unlike Hal, who was eating and drinking normally, Ruby hadn’t touched the tea or the snacks, despite the idle waiting time. That was the source of the strange feeling I had when watching the two of them. At my words, Liscia put her hand to her mouth in thought.

 

“Now that you mention it… I heard from Dr. Hilde that it’s best not to drink too much tea ‘at that time.’ Though she did say a little bit was fine.”

 

“‘At that time’?” Naden pressed.

 

Liscia stated clearly, “When you are pregnant.”

 

“?!“

 

Naden abruptly turned to face Ruby, who was scratching her cheek, looking away shyly. Though she said nothing, there was a sense of a victor’s composure about her. Naden, on the other hand, made a face that would be perfectly suited to a “Gnnnngh” speech bubble.

 

“You got a head start!” Naden accused.

 

“Don’t make it sound so bad! I worked hard, you know. …After doting on Bill-kun with Kaede, of course I’d want a child of my own.”

 

“I want one too!” Naden shot back.

 

“Then tell your husband to work harder!”

 

…The content of the conversation was starting to become a little awkward. As I scratched my head, unsure what expression to wear, Liscia gave me a cold look.

 

“…Well, there you have it, Souma.”

 

“No, even if you say that, this is something I can’t really control…”

 

“Let’s ask Tomoe to increase the turns for Naden and Aisha for a while. Aisha wants a child too. As for you, Souma… well, do your best.”

 

“Do my best…?”

 

“Let’s send a messenger to the Panacotta family and get their secret menu. Serina and Komain managed Poncho’s meals and worked hard every night, and they certainly got results.”

 

“Poncho lost so much weight he was skin and bones for a while because of that!”

 

If it got to that point, it would start affecting state affairs, so I begged for mercy… But if the wives’ team banded together, I wouldn’t have a right to refuse. Lady Sill chuckled softly at the sight of me holding my head.

 

“Truly, your country is a humorous one.”