CH 30

「Who’s the father!!」

Meari, you’re not married, right? Who impregnated my Meari? I hope he will take responsibility!!

「It’s Master.」

「It’s Faaatthheeeeeeeerr!?!」

Such a no-brainer, my father.

Is this why he ordered her to nourish herself with honey? It is. Meari’s position is that of a maid, even though she has been working for us for years. But Meari’s position is that of a maid, and for my father to give her fine honey just because she is pregnant is like saying that he is the father of the child.

「Since when? How long have you had this relationship with Father?」

There was no sign of such a relationship. Or did she have such a relationship with him without my knowledge?

「When would you say… from this time on?」

Meari points to her own stomach as she says this.

「It’s not like I was having an affair with Master while hiding it from his daughter.」

「…Eh, then, why… don’t tell… me…」

I heard a rush of blood at the thought.

I never thought that my father would do something like dragging the maid into bed like the villainous master in the story…!

「Milady, where are you suddenly going? The hair ornament in your hand could be a deadly weapon, so let’s leave it behind.」

「I’m going to go talk to Father for a minute…」

「What Milady is thinking now is completely untrue, so don’t even go there. And in the meantime, both sandwiches and tea will nourish my baby’s stomach, but if you still want to, please go ahead.」

Meari said as she tucked into the sandwich she had made.

「…It’s a result of the right feelings.」

「It is definitely a labor of love. But this is when I noticed it too. I’ve never felt that way in the slightest before, but it’s like it was in my mind that I wasn’t aware of.」

“It’s a mystery,” Mary laughed, as if she were talking about something else, and I felt relieved and relaxed. It’s okay if it’s not forced. My father and Meari are both fine adults, and it’s not for me, a child, to interfere.

I let out a deep breath and reinserted the hair ornament I had pulled out.

I never thought that Meari, who had served me for so long, would end up with my own father.

「…Father, could finally forget Mother.」

It has been 14 years since my mother passed away. During that time, my father, who had continued to love my dead mother, never remarried, and never saw a shadow of a woman, fell in love before he turned 50. And he even gave birth to a new life.

The birth of a child between my father and Meari is a joy, but it also makes me a little sad.

「What are you talking about? The Master has not forgotten his wife. She has always lived in the Master’s heart.」

My comment must have offended Meari. Meari said unpleasantly.

「…Are you alright with that, Meari?」

I am sure my father wouldn’t be happy to have another woman in his heart, even my mother.

「Good or bad, I love Master who loves his wife, so there is no problem. Master who forgets his wife is not Master!」

「Oh… I see…」

Wouldn’t you normally want someone to love you first? But Meari said she didn’t care. I cannot understand Meari’s feelings, but I can tell that she really cares about my father.

「I see, I see. My Meari has become Father’s Meari.」

Now I finally know the cause of Gaspar’s ailment. Neil said I would find out soon, but of course I would, as I would find out when I got home. I can understand why he would want to be drenched in rain all night long. Poor Gaspar, who had been thinking about Meari so single-mindedly for so long, only to be snatched away by an unexpected foe. Next time I go to see him, I’ll be as nice as I can. Oh, this sandwich is excellent. I’m going to drizzle some honey on it, too.

「Oh, I have no intention of quitting being your Meari. Unfortunately, my belly, which used to be a crying place exclusively for Milady, is filled, but my breasts, which have grown even fuller and richer at my age, are empty.」

Mary, who is ready with her arms outstretched, says,

「Those growing breasts will be the baby’s, too. I, I don’t want your baby to hate me.」

「Oh, would you like me to kneel then?」

「Father would be furious with me for that too.」

『A husband’s privilege is to have his wife on her knees, and I will never allow anyone to violate that privilege, no matter how many people are involved,』said by some colorless king.

「Oh my, then I don’t have a choice. Go find a new place to cry, Milady.」

She said she’s going to look for it. I don’t know what you’re talking about anymore, my maid.

「You know, Meari. I’m a respectable 25 year old adult now, okay?」

「But it looks like the Meari for Milady only are full, so it’s Milady who have to look for them!」

I’m not a child, I don’t need it, and it doesn’t bother me.

「I want someone who is receptive, kind, strong, and not scared when Milady jumps in!」

「I TOLD YOU, I don’t need… Mhhm?」

Is it my imagination that Meari’s way of saying that makes it sound like it is limited to men?

「In Meari’s opinion, I would like someone with a big body, a big heart, and a big bosom, who will embrace me as a whole.」

No, it’s definitely not my imagination. That’s a meaningful way of putting it.

「…You must’ve heard something.」

「Ufufufu. Meari, you are still very popular, so you have many correspondents!」

I knew it. Someone leaked the matter of the marriage being promoted by His Majesty to Meari.

「…I’m going to tell Father.」

「It’s approved by the Master.」

The fact that it is officially sanctioned means that my father knows about it.

What’s that? Meari wants me to find a husband for me?

「It’s okay to at least look for it. You won’t be punished if you quickly get rid of that thing and look to the men around you.」

「I may not be punished, but I may not be found either.」

It’s not that simple.

「If you don’t look for it, you’ll never find it.」

「That’s true, but I’m already too late. The only people who will take me on are those who have a reason to be with me, or those who are full of ulterior motives.」

That’s why I have to worry about both Myra-sama and Ryniel-sama. As far as I’m concerned, only men who are not good enough for me come to me.

「What’s wrong with men who have a reason to be there, if not those with ulterior motives?」

Meari, with a puzzled look on her face, said.