Am I Really Wanted by Anyone? - Chapter 5

“Splendid! Let’s summon him here at once. My future son-in-law, is it?”

“But, Father…”

“What is it, Ginette? Is there a problem?”

“As the eldest son of a count and a member of the Royal Knights, I doubt he can come to our territory immediately.”

“Is that all? That’s no issue at all.”

Father made no attempt to hide his delight and immediately began giving Port instructions to arrange the engagement.

“Father, has Mother gone out hunting magical beasts?”

“Malphia is currently attending to a lizardman’s delivery. It seems there are many eggs this year, so the Royal Beast Knights will be pleased. Ginette, what are your thoughts on Leo Barbet?”

Even though I’d tried to change the subject, Father brought the conversation back around. Talking to my parents about him was still embarrassing. Feeling this embarrassment made me acutely aware that I still had some maidenly sensibilities left in me.

Father paid no mind to my feelings whatsoever.

“Well… he’s handsome, and I find his work as a knight commendable. What concerns me is that he’s the eldest son of a count, and I felt it was somewhat careless of him to approach me without regard for our surroundings at a tea party hosted by a ducal house. Since we’ve only just met, it’s too early to determine his true character.”

“Hmm. So, it was your first meeting. In any case, I’ll summon him here to assess whether he’s suitable for this land.”

“Understood.”

Knowing Father, he’ll probably wield his authority to summon Lord Leo.

“Ah, Father, one more thing.”

“What is it?”

“Actually…”

I relayed all the information I’d gathered in the royal capital without omission.

“Understood. I’ll leave that matter to Malphia.”

“Very well.”

I bowed and left the study.

“Lady Ginette, what will you do now?”

“Well, I think I’ll just go check on the magical beasts.”

“As you wish.”

After informing my attendant, I walked with Katie toward the section where the magical beasts were kept.

If I recall correctly, Mother is currently assisting with a birth. The magical beasts might be agitated. I took a deep breath to steel myself before entering the beast stables.

Here in the magical beast stables, each creature has its own room. They raise a wide variety, from riding animals like small dragons, lizardmen, and hippogriffs to food-source beasts like small cockatrices. Research on coexistence with magical beasts is also conducted here simultaneously.

“Welcome back, Lady Ginette.”

The beast handlers and researchers greeted me in unison when they saw me.

“I’m back. How is everyone doing?”

“Aside from Polly who’s giving birth, everyone is resting quietly.”

“I see.”

I approached Polly’s room. Since it’s not good for people to enter and exit during birth, I gently peered through the window.

Through the window, I could see Polly, a horse-type magical beast hippokampos, groaning as she strained to lay her fifth egg. Mother was by her side, helping to break the eggshell. While adult beasts are very strong, the eggshells they lay are equally sturdy. Only a few young beasts manage to break through on their own, so human assistance significantly increases their survival rate. By imprinting human presence on newborn beasts from birth, they grow up obedient without hostility toward humans.

“This is the last one.”

“Groo.”

“Good work, Polly.”

“Groo.”

Mother smiled as she broke the final egg and returned the baby to Polly. Polly didn’t seem irritated, perhaps grateful for Mother’s help.

With the birth complete, Mother quietly left the room after entrusting the aftermath to the researchers.

“Mother, are you alright?”

“Oh, Ginette. Welcome back. I thought you’d stay and enjoy yourself in the royal capital a bit longer.”

“My business concluded, so I returned immediately. The territory is more comfortable than the royal capital anyway.”

“Is that so? Given your nature, Ginette, I thought perhaps some young noble had approached you and you fled back home.”

Mother joked while laughing, but I couldn’t join in. Because she’d hit the mark.

Katie watched our exchange and giggled, adding, “Madam’s conjecture isn’t entirely incorrect.”

“Oh my, really? My intuition is always right.”

“Mother’s intuition is abnormal.”

I don’t know if magic is involved in Mother’s special skill, but she has the ability to perceive things just tens of seconds in advance. And her intuition is frighteningly accurate. Thanks to this ability, she’s managed to avoid injury during magical beast attacks.

“So, what kind of young noble is he?”

Mother accepted a towel from an attendant and dried her damp hands.

“I’ve reported to Father. I believe we’ll hear from the other party soon.”

“I see. I look forward to it.”

I toured the other beast rooms with Mother before returning to my own quarters.

If we hear from Lord Leo, it will likely be tomorrow or the day after. Until then, I’d like to take it easy.

“Katie, do I have any plans for tomorrow onward?”

“Nothing particular for the next three days. Just remaining prepared for potential magical beast attacks.”

“Understood.”

After that, I spent my days leisurely until documents arrived from Lord Leo’s household, carrying out my usual duties of administration and magical beast extermination.

I had thought the documents would arrive within a few days, but it seemed his household also had reservations about sending their eldest son to the borderlands.