Side Story 09. [After Story] Autumn Festival (3)

    Crossroad, the Lord’s Manor.

    “It’s so unfair...”

    Sitting on the bed and staring out the window, Evangeline grumbled.

    “I worked so hard preparing for this festival, and I can’t even enjoy it at all... It’s just so unfair...”

    The grass sledding hill, Gourmet Street, the orchard experience...

    All the new events she had introduced this year were a resounding success, but Evangeline herself couldn’t even see them because she was stuck recuperating after childbirth.

    “I understand it’s disappointing since you worked so hard on it.”

    I said, chuckling as I tried to comfort her.

    “But you need to rest right now. You’ve already done something as important as the festival itself.”

    “Ugh...”

    Evangeline let out a groan as Lucas diligently peeled an apple and offered it to her.

    “The festival is running just fine because of all the effort you put into it. Don’t worry about it and just eat this apple.”

    “Enough, stop giving me apples already... I told you I’m not hungry... munch munch...”

    Despite her words, Evangeline kept eating every slice of apple Lucas handed her. Of course, it was impossible for her to lose her appetite.

    Meanwhile, Lucas was turning the apples into works of art. As expected of the Empire’s finest swordsman, he put extraordinary care into every apple he prepared for his wife.

    Perfectly sliced pieces of apple were shaped into little rabbits, dolphins, and even adorable heart shapes. For someone with the physique of a bear, Lucas was surprisingly adept at cute gestures when it came to his wife.

    The problem was that Evangeline, completely oblivious to these details, just stared out the window as she devoured the apples. It seemed like I was the only one noticing Lucas’s artistic efforts.

    “As long as my lady appreciates them, that’s enough for me.”

    Lucas said, nodding solemnly as he handed me an apple slice shaped like a crescent moon. I couldn’t help but admire it quietly—if there were a championship for apple carving, Lucas would surely win.

    Just then, Evangeline shot us a sharp glare.

    “Hey, are you peeling apples for some random man instead of your wife who just gave birth?!”

    “Well, you told me to stop... said you weren’t hungry...”

    Lucas shrank back, looking sheepish, while I muttered under my breath.

    “And by the way, ‘some random man’? Sure, I’m not exactly family, but still...”

    But the ruler of this household was Evangeline!

    Having just given birth to twins and being in her recovery period, she wielded absolute power. Naturally, we couldn’t argue any further and quietly submitted to her rule. This time, I brought her freshly washed grapes, feeding them to her one by one, while Lucas busied himself massaging her arms and legs.

    “Ah, that feels so nice! Hahaha!”

    Seeing her laugh so heartily, it seemed her recovery was going well.

    In truth, Evangeline and Lucas had had quite a tough time even after the childbirth. Of course, with newborn twins, how could they not struggle?

    “The babies cry so much at night, it’s impossible to get any sleep. Just last night, I didn’t sleep a wink. Huaaah~”

    Evangeline let out a big yawn.

    The twins, Emerald and Sapphire, were lying side by side in their little crib nearby. Fortunately, they were sound asleep now.

    When we first arrived, the babies had been crying non-stop. But as soon as Serenade began rocking the crib and singing a lullaby, they fell asleep as if by magic. Was Serenade’s voice still imbued with the powers of the Merfolk? ?A?NОBE?s

    Thanks to that brief respite, Evangeline and Lucas had been able to relax and chat with me. Serenade, meanwhile, was still softly rocking the crib and humming gently.

    “Cute, cute, so cute~”

    “...”

    My wife... she must really love babies.

    ‘Hang in there...’

    Anyway, leaving the baby talk aside for a moment, I wanted to discuss the festival with the current lord, as her predecessor. Smiling at Evangeline, I said,

    “You put a lot of effort into this festival. Honestly, I’m impressed.”

    Evangeline had come up with innovative ideas, established new trade routes with nearby countries like the Lake Kingdom, and even personally restored an orchard. Her dedication was evident in every detail.

    The culmination of all that effort was this Autumn Festival. It was bound to succeed.

    “During those three years of fighting monsters, the Autumn Festival became a really good memory for me.”

    Evangeline admitted, looking a bit bashful.@@@@

    “Having a moment to forget everything and just enjoy ourselves during those suffocating days... looking back, it’s such a cherished memory.”

    At her words, everyone present briefly recalled those times.

    Yes.

    It was moments like those that had helped us endure those difficult days together.

    “...No. I think I’ll trust in the preparations I’ve made and in the people around me.”

    She smiled maturely.

    “The festival will do just fine without me being there. For now, I’ll stay here with my babies.”

    “...”

    I blinked in surprise, my mouth slightly agape.

    Was this really Evangeline?

    Becoming a lord and a mother... she had grown so much. She seemed so much more mature now. It was a bit startling.

    “Instead, let’s all have dinner together tonight!”

    Evangeline continued, her face lighting up in a mischievous smile more reminiscent of her old self.

    “I’ve already invited Junior and Damien. Let’s have a reunion with the main party and eat together!”

    Beaming, she turned to Lucas and barked an order with her usual impish charm.

    “Hey, go to Gourmet Street and buy a bunch of food from different stalls! Enough for everyone to share!”

    “Yes, ma’am!”

    Lucas immediately sprang to his feet, bowing deeply before heading out the door to fetch the food.

    Was this really Lucas?

    Becoming a father... he was completely whipped now. It was almost unrecognizable.

    That evening, the dining room of the Lord’s Manor.

    For the first time in a long while, the five members of the main party were gathered around the same table.

    Serenade, who had been looking after the twins, had somehow managed to keep them asleep all day. She volunteered to watch them for a little while longer during dinner, with Elize, Daram, and Hecate accompanying her.

    And so, it was just us.

    Me, Lucas, Evangeline, Damien, and Junior.

    The five of us, who had once fought together to protect the world from monsters, now reunited in this peaceful era, laughing and sharing a meal.

    “How have you been lately, Junior?”

    Evangeline asked.

    “I’m still studying. Since the Jupiter Foundation is trying to dig into sensitive parts of history, I have to be well-versed in existing historical records to avoid unnecessary attacks.”

    “Where do you study?”

    “They’re letting me use the Ivory Tower. Dearmuid has been very accommodating. The Ivory Tower was recently converted into a historical research foundation focused on magic, so it aligns well with our goals.”

    For a while, the conversation revolved around Junior and the Jupiter Foundation.

    As expected, since I’m the chairman of the Jupiter Foundation. This foundation, which aims to reinterpret the continent’s history from a new perspective, is the first project I’ve initiated under the name of the Crown Prince.

    However, we’re still short on manpower, and more importantly, His Majesty, the Emperor, isn’t particularly enthusiastic about this project. Because of that, I’ve been proceeding cautiously, carefully keeping an eye on his reactions.

    Eventually, I’ll become Emperor myself, and when that happens, I can fully implement the project without restraint. For now, I’m taking things slow and laying the groundwork.

    The topic at the table shifted from Junior’s current activities to Damien’s recent journey. Everyone was curious about Damien’s adventures at the western edge of the world.

    After hesitating for a moment, Damien slowly began to speak.

    “My journey... well, that’s one thing. But there’s something else I need to report to His Highness first.”

    “Hm?”

    “While traveling west across the continent, I heard a rumor. I kept heading further west to confirm its validity. Eventually, I reached the westernmost edge of the world... and I met them.”

    Them?

    Everyone except Damien blinked in confusion, unable to follow the context of the story.

    “I debated whether I should keep this information to myself... but I’ve decided I need to tell you, Your Highness.”

    Damien looked at me, his face resolute.

    “At the westernmost edge of the world, they’re alive.”

    “Alive? Who is?”

    And then, with Damien’s next words, I couldn’t help but widen my eyes in shock.

    “...The wife of First Prince Lark, and their three children.”

    –TL Notes–

    Tired of seeing Ads? Then please support me on Patreon! Any tier of subscription will make it so you won’t get any ads!

    If you want to support me or give me feedback, you can do it at /InsanityTheGame

    Join my Discord! .gg/BWaP3AHHpt