It Turned Out She Wasn't a Favored Concubine - Episode 120

“Take a look at the nanny candidates who’ll be caring for our baby. We’ll be seeing them often, so they should be prepared for your temperament, don’t you think?”

“…”

Perlo’s mouth, which had opened to refuse, closed silently.

“…Alright.”

“Good. I’ll tell them to be ready tomorrow. They’ll be taking care of our Ellie, so look carefully.”

“I said I got it.”

Though grumbling, Perlo nodded.

Loki watched Perlo comply with Marian’s words, somewhat impressed. He was reminded once again that the only person who could make Perlo nod like that was Queen Marian.

“Ellie?”

Billy, who was standing nearby, asked. Marian turned to him and pointed to her belly.

“I meant to tell you in advance. If it’s a girl, she’ll be Elina. If it’s a boy, Elliott. The nickname for both is Ellie.”

“You’re naming them after Lord Elliott…”

Billy said quietly. Marian nodded.

“Yes. He left without a trace, so I wanted to at least leave his name behind.”

“…Thank you.”

Billy bowed his head, his voice tinged with emotion. Loki looked at his friend, surprised by the reaction.

The Elliott Billy referred to was undoubtedly the Motus artisan from the Edelheit family who had passed away years ago.

Loki knew that Elliott had made significant contributions to transparent stone research and had close ties with Billy and the children of Del Orphanage, but Billy’s emotional response was unexpected.

And to think that Queen Marian and Duke Perlo of the Kingdom of Zaren would name their child after him—it was a level of closeness Loki hadn’t imagined.

“You should head back to the estate now.”

Marian said, placing a hand on Billy’s shoulder.

Loki and Billy walked back to the estate together. Neither spoke, but their steps were in sync—neither lagging nor rushing ahead.

“You’ve returned.”

Ortlang, the butler, greeted them with a lit lantern. The elderly butler was a pillar of the Edelheit household.

“Yes, we just returned from delivering the transparent stone to the royal library. Where is the Marquis?”

“He’s in the study. He asked to be informed as soon as you arrived.”

Loki quickly turned toward the stairs leading to the study. Billy raised a hand.

“I’ll head to my room and change. Don’t forget our promise tonight. I plan to drink a lot, so be ready.”

Billy smiled as usual. Loki waved back, relieved.

“Sure, drink all you want. I’ll be back soon.”

“See you later.”

Adjusting his light armor, Loki climbed the stairs. His fellow competitors had already returned to the estate, so the Marquis was likely aware of the situation.

“Marquis, it’s Loki Edman.”

“Come in.”

The voice was as calm as ever. In the decade Loki had served the Marquis, he had never seen him raise his voice. Especially since coming to the Kingdom of Zaren, the Marquis smiled more often.

“I heard you won the royal swordsmanship tournament?”

Marquis Giscal looked up from the documents on his large mahogany desk.

Loki swallowed and spoke.

“Yes. I went to deliver the transparent stone to the royal library and decided to participate in the tournament to hone my skills, just as you once did. I didn’t expect the transparent stone’s existence to be revealed so dramatically. I apologize.”

He offered the best explanation he could and waited quietly for judgment.

“Hm, it’s not something you need to apologize for. Though His Majesty used you, this time our intentions aligned.”

“Pardon? What do you mean…”

“I’m talking about the disbanding of the Kanoa Knights, who were stirring up war among young nobles in the capital.”

“You knew about that, sir?”

“I’m not completely deaf to the capital’s news.”

Giscal set down his pen and stood.

“If fools start believing the Kanoa Knights and seek fame through war, unnecessary conflict will arise. Considering the current continental situation, war would be a loss even for the Empire. His Majesty knows that well.”

“Then…”

“In short, His Majesty also found Kanoa and his knights troublesome. Your victory gave him the perfect excuse to crush Kanoa and disband the knights. Thanks to that, I’m relieved.”

Indeed, Kanoa and his group had been spouting nonsense from the tournament’s preliminaries—talking about becoming war heroes and gaining fame across the continent. Loki had disliked them from the start.

“Thank you for saying so. But about the transparent stone…”

“That was His Majesty’s mischief. He could’ve just arranged a rematch between you and Kanoa, but he chose to make a spectacle.”

“Yes, it did seem like he knew I had the stone.”

“Of course he did. He’s likely been receiving reports on your every move since you entered the capital.”

“I had no idea.”

Loki lowered his head, having failed to notice any surveillance.

“Regardless, it was my fault that His Majesty acted out. I should’ve kept the stone hidden and challenged Kanoa to a one-on-one rematch.”

“Once His Majesty makes a decision, it’s hard to overturn. And it wasn’t a harmful mischief, was it? The stone’s existence would’ve been revealed eventually.”

“Still, didn’t Lady Arne worry a lot? She wanted the stone to be seen as a positive force through the library’s interloan agreement…”

“That’s unfortunate, but there will always be those with ill intentions. To prevent misuse, ongoing management is essential.”

“Exactly.”

Just as Loki nodded, a clear voice rang out behind him.

“We need to establish a research institute, train quality Motus artisans through vocational schools, and create proper systems to prevent abuse.”

“Lady Arne!”

Loki turned and called out. Arne smiled warmly.

“Loki, welcome back. I’m glad you returned safely.”

“Yes, I’m back. Have you been well?”

“Of course. Did you meet your friends in the capital? How’s Del Orphanage?”

Arne entered the room slowly, asking about the orphanage first.

“They’re doing well. Rosa and Philip are fine, and the children get along.”

“Really? I should visit soon.”

“They’d love that.”

Loki responded eagerly. Rosa and Philip had been looking forward to seeing Arne again.

“I heard you won the tournament? Martenal’s been bragging about it around the estate.”

“Well… yes, but I’m sorry for causing trouble by participating.”

“No need to apologize, Loki. Giscal already said so, and I agree. So don’t keep saying sorry—report proudly to Martenal.”

“Thank you!”

Loki finally smiled. Giscal took Arne’s hand.

“How’s Sesia?”

“She’s asleep. She begged for stories and listened to five. Thankfully, she fell asleep as I started the sixth.”

“The one with the rabbit and turtle as main characters, and the talking deer?”

Giscal asked cautiously. Arne put her hands on her hips.

“Are you going to say again that talking animals are unrealistic? Those stories have valuable lessons.”

“That’s true… but shouldn’t we also read traditional tales from the Empire or Kingdom?”

“Of course. I rotate them daily. But Sesia enjoys the animal stories more.”

“Understandable. Talking animals are fascinating to children.”

Giscal had once been shocked by a story where a rabbit and turtle spoke and raced—and the turtle won. Though it had a moral, the idea of animals talking and acting like humans was bizarre.

Arne, unable to go out much due to her pregnancy, had started writing stories from another world as a pastime. It was enjoyable, but he wondered if such imaginative tales were educationally sound. In the Empire, stories with talking animals were unheard of.

“Of course. Lady Marian read my stories and asked to borrow them once her child is born—to read to them.”

“Really?”

Giscal nodded, predicting that new fairy tales might soon spread in the Kingdom of Zaren.

“I’m hungry. Do you think there’s any cake left in the dining room?”

Arne rubbed her belly, likely from reading stories for an hour. Giscal quickly led her out.

“I’ll come too. Rui always prepares plenty—there should be some left.”

“Rui’s cakes are the best. But she’s busy training new maids lately. Maybe we should let her rest from baking daily.”

“To Rui, baking a slice of cake for you is more important than training new maids.”

Loki nodded unconsciously. For Rui, the head maid, nothing was more important than Lady Arne.

“What about you, Loki?”

“I have plans with Billy, so I’ll excuse myself.”

Arne turned and asked. Loki bowed politely.

“Don’t drink too much.”

“See you tomorrow.”

Loki watched the Marquis and his wife walk hand in hand toward the dining room.

It was always a heartwarming sight.

—The End—

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