v1 Chapter 5

Just Hand Over That Child!
The Queen hurriedly and in secret summoned the elderly maid who had also been her wet nurse and had her examine Flora's body. If it was her, who also possessed medical knowledge as the wife of a healing mage, she could reliably diagnose even an early-stage pregnancy.

(.. .There is no mistake. She is with child.)

The Queen had wished for it to be Flora's lie, but the elderly maid who finished the examination stated so.

Even though in name only, Flora was to marry into the Empire to become an Imperial Consort. Her body was required to be pure.

Andreas likely would not care whether Flora was pure or not so long as she purified the miasma, but those around him would not let that pass.
If they welcomed a pregnant woman carrying another man's seed as an Imperial Consort, the Empire would fall into great turmoil. Even Andreas would hardly go so far as to tell her to abort it for Wolfram's sake.

In short, Flora could no longer be handed over to the Empire.

Regardless, the reason why she was grieving but not in despair was that there was one more person besides Flora. Feeling nauseated at herself for calculating calmly, the Queen commanded her confidante maid who stood waiting like an ornament.

"Bring Flora here."

Flora, who was brought in immediately, was clad in a one-piece dress so plain it was beyond comparison with her usual attire for the sake of the examination, but she could not conceal her beauty and sensual charm, like an orchid bloom that was more mature than her age of fifteen.

Her belly had not swelled much yet. Seeing her sulking, pouty cheeks, there were likely mountains of men who would want to console her.

Of course, here there were only people piercing her with gazes of reproach.

"Flora. Do you understand what you have done?"

She likely sensed the elder sister Queen's anger from the unusually harsh tone. Flora twitched with trembling shoulders, but immediately floated a fearless smile.

"Yes. I merely did what I liked, just like you, elder sisters."

"What did you say?"

The Second Princess Dolores, who had maintained silence, arched her brows. The Crown Princess, having witnessed firsthand the hardships of her elder sister who succeeded to the throne at a young age, was more indignant at Flora's folly than any of the sisters.

"Setting aside Claudia Oneesama who became the Queen, Dolores Oneesama wields the sword she loves, and Emmeline Oneesama is immersed in research, are you not?"

"... Leading the Royal Guard is the Crown Princess's duty. Emmeline researching evil-banishing magic is also for the sake of the country."

"However, both the sword and research are things you elder sisters like, aren't they? Furthermore, both of you have fiancés as well."

"Kh..."

The usual Dolores would have shouted asking what she thought royal duty was. And Emmeline surely would have soothed her enraged elder sister, gently urging Flora to apologize to her elder sister.

Yet the reason why only today both fell silent looking awkward was because they felt indebted to Flora.

Just as Flora said, Dolores had favored martial arts and Emmeline had favored magic since childhood. The talents they developed thanks to the deceased previous Queen seeing through their aptitudes and providing good teachers had merely happened to contribute to the country.

Though political marriages without exception to royal norms, they were permitted to have husbands and bear children. Viewed from Flora, who had to give up everything for the sake of the Empire's prince, it was likely unfair in the extreme.

Emmeline opened her tightly shut lips.

"... Oneesama, at this point, I shall…"

"You must not."

Before she could say "go," the Queen rejected it.

"Your magic techniques and knowledge cannot be allowed out of the country. The Soberion Empire is out of the question."

"However, if so, that child will…"

"That's right! You just have to hand over that kid!"

Flora grinned. Looking on with delight as her elder sisters' beautiful faces twisted.