Mothers are strong.

After gracefully driving away Freed, Mother-in-law had a meal with me and invited me to sleep in the same bed.

Mother-in-law's bed is considerably large. Linens on the four-pillar bed faintly smell of lilies.

Ever since the talk about me staying here I thought we'd probably sleep on the same bed, so I immediately agreed with "Yes".

I wryly smiled on the inside that the night clothes I received from court ladies different from Clara were cute but made from a proper fabric, completely different from those I usually wear when I sleep with Freed.

―――― Aah, after all those were night clothes for night fun.

Every night I wear transparent night clothes that instigate manly desire so my common sense has dulled, but shown decent night clothes like these I came to my senses.

After all those are strange.

Thin, see-through night clothes. The delicately made night clothes that simply come off by undoing one ribbon are prepared for me every night, so I was convinced that all royalty's night clothes are like that.

But that's not the case.

… That is to say, that is silent pressure. It's a demand for an heir, that's it for sure.

I am to approach Freed in those see-through clothes. Or it's meant to get him to attack me.

Fuooo! Wilhelm Royal Palace is incredible!

It's such a clear method I can only laugh.

No, well, I don't know if it's effective, but as they all expect, I'm embraced by Freed every night!

It's on the level where I'd be unmistakably crushed in his embrace if not for the King's Flower!

After all, Freed would be in bad shape if he couldn't embrace me, besides… I want to be embraced by my beloved.

The result is as everybody expects.

It's really hasty even though we aren't yet married.

… I won't say I don't want it though.

I heard it's difficult for the Wilhelm Royal Family to have children so right away may be impossible, but I want to have a child with Freed.

Umm, that's that.

Not because it's my duty… But because I want to bear my beloved's child.

Now that I'm aware about my feelings for Freed I think so naturally, but come to think of it, I feel like I had thoughts like that even when I was unaware.

Anyhow, it truly didn't bother me that he came inside every time.

There were also reasons such as Freed saying he wants a child and that I'm set to marry him and become the Crown Princess, but even so thinking normally I would understand.

… There's no way I would want to be pregnant with a child of anybody but the partner I love.

If I didn't love him, even if it was my duty I would feel slight doubt, and there's no way I'd be fine with being embraced before marriage.

Thinking about such behavior of mine, it sank in that I've truly loved Freed from the beginning. I got angry about Brother calling me dull again and again, but I have no choice but to accept it and no words to retort.

"What is the matter?"

While I was wryly smiling about the night clothes I was holding, Mother-in-law asked me with a mystified face.

It must bother her I'm not changing clothes. Court ladies already withdrew, I'm alone with Mother-in-law now.

"No, it's nothing"

When I shook my head while smiling, Mother-in-law dropped her eyes to the night clothes in my hands.

"Is that so? If the night clothes are not to your liking, I will have other prepared…"

"Nothing like that. It's alright, Mother-in-law. I was just thinking about something…"

"Aah… Perhaps about the type of night clothes?"

"u…"

My voice was extremely quiet.

I thought I successfully glossed over it, but it didn't seem to work on Mother-in-law.

Mother-in-law alternated her gaze between the speechless me and the night clothes in my hands, and for a moment she made a very unpleasant face. Haa, she breathed a large sigh.

"… Lidi. After all you went through the same hards.h.i.+ps as me. Poor thing. Even though you have not yet married, the heir is already desired of you, so the court ladies do something so harsh…"

"U, umm…"

"It's alright. Mother-in-law understands. It is disgusting to have such obscene night clothes prepared every night, right? … Court ladies truly do not understand. Such a thing makes no sense. As if those men look at night clothes. It only serves to make us embarra.s.sed"

"Ha… haa"

It was so true I couldn't say anything back.

Freed absolutely never looks at the night clothes. As the evidence, he tries to push me down day and night if he has spare time.

Mother-in-law nodded seriously.

"Do not hold back when you are with me. Grumble and complain more. Mother-in-law will accept everything. Only I can understand you in the true meaning"

"T… Thank you very much"

I'm truly happy about being looked after favorably, but I don't know how I'm supposed to respond to resentful complaints about Wilhelm royalty that come out every time she speaks.

Even more so since it's not particularly painful for me.

Be that as it may, I can understand Mother-in-law's view.

I always think.

Why is Wilhelm royalty so lively…

… Mainly their lower half.

I'm fine since I have the King's Flower, but I understand it must be nothing but painful for Mother-in-law whose King's Flower hasn't grown.

And Mother-in-law… can't be said to love the King in the slightest.

… I love Freed.

This is the big difference between Mother-in-law and me.

I love him, so even if I'm fervently desired it doesn't feel bad.

These days especially Freed is even sweeter and gentler, so it never feels unpleasant. Sleeping snuggled up to his warm bare body is nothing but a blissful time for me.

… When we get up in the morning he's often up to mischief, but well, that's fine.

I can't agree with Mother-in-law, on the other hand I can't meaninglessly oppose her.

I had no choice but to smile vaguely.

"Lidi… Are you awake?"

"Err. Yes"

Some time after we entered the bed. Lying next to me, Mother-in-law called out to me in a tiny voice.

"Could we talk a little…?"

"Yes, it's alright"

Feeling the movement next to me, I understood Mother-in-law turned her body to me.

To make it easier to talk, I similarly changed my position to face her. Mother-in-law who undid her hair and removed her make-up was more than beautiful. Her amber eyes like mola.s.ses stared at me.

"… I understand it is unfair to tell you this, but…"

"Yes…"

Mother-in-law cast down her eyes a little and, despite hesitating, spoke.

"It is about Friedrich. I would like to talk about him to you"

"Yes"

About Freed. I blinked my eyes at that preface.

If it's about Freed, I want to hear it by all means, but what in the world is her story about.

As I showed interest, Mother-in-law nodded slightly.

"Before I talk… Do you remember the story from daytime?"

"Ah, yes"

When she confirmed with me, I agreed. The story from daytime. Mother-in-law talked about various things. But surely, she means about royalty.

Seeing me nod, Mother-in-law spoke.

"The story will take a while, but please bear with it. I will talk in order. At daytime I said it took me five years to have that child. The story starts after that"

"Yes"

I gave a short reply. Mother-in-law took a deep breath and continued talking with a face like she resolved herself.

"… At that time, I was relieved from the bottom of my heart that, having overcome that nightmare, I gave birth to that child. The birth of the long-awaited heir. For me it was also a promise of that painful nightmare coming to an end. I cherished the child that I gave birth to very much"

Recalling the past, Mother-in-law showed a gentle smile. She must be thinking back about Freed when he was little. He surely was cute, I regret not meeting him earlier just a little.

"As long as I was together with Friedrich, the King did not force me to work, and peaceful times continued for a while. However, as I mention during the day, the King began desiring a next child. I insisted that I fulfilled my duty… But the King would not listen… Nightmarish days began anew"

"…"