Side Story 2.1 – Be Happy, Kleta

Hildeltrud visited the village where Deborah lived.

Deborah was a woman Hildeltrud had rescued from Edgar’s secret harem, and she had borne Edgar’s child.

The home Hildeltrud had prepared for Deborah was a small rural village. It was a self-sufficient community with a small population, and since sending Deborah there, Hildeltrud had been supporting the village through Silver Moon.

“I greet Her Highness, the Crown Princess.”

She and Hildeltrud regularly exchanged letters, so she knew all the news about her.

She knew Hildeltrud had become Crown Princess, and that Edgar had sinned and been exiled.

“You’ve come a long way.”

“It’s nothing, Deborah.”

Hildeltrud looked at Deborah with an apologetic face.

“But… are you really alright with this?”

Deborah looked at the child Hildeltrud had brought in a stroller with a sympathetic expression.

“She’s a pitiful child. I thought it would be better for me to care for her than for her to grow up in the Imperial Family.”

The baby, sleeping soundly in the stroller, was Princess Kleta, born between Edgar and Elisabeth.

Originally, she should have grown up in the Imperial Family, but if she learned the truth as she grew, nothing could be more cruel. Hildeltrud had discussed these worries with Deborah by letter.

Deborah was the only person Hildeltrud knew who was raising a child; otherwise, there were only noblewomen.

And among the noblewomen, Princess Kleta had become a burdensome presence—a princess with sinful parents.

If Kleta were to find out the truth when she grew up, it would surely hurt her. And if she learned that it was Hildeltrud who had brought her parents to that fate, the pain would be even greater.

So Hildeltrud decided she couldn’t raise Kleta in the Imperial Family. Nothing could be harsher for a child than to grow up in the hands of someone who was her parents’ enemy.

But leaving her to grow up alone and neglected in the palace wasn’t a good environment either.

“Deborah, I don’t know if this is really the best choice for the child.”

“At least it’s better for her to grow up here with Leon than to be lonely in the Imperial Family.”

“I’m sorry, Deborah.”

“Please don’t say that. Your Highness, you made the best choice. And since I’ve raised a son alone, I’ve become quite adept at childcare.”

“Won’t it be hard for you alone?”

“I have Leon.”

Deborah beckoned to Leon.

“Leon, come here.”

Shy, Leon hid behind Deborah.

“You should greet this important guest.”

“I’m fine, Deborah.”

“Your Highness…”

Hildeltrud smiled softly and took a pouch from her bag.

“Use this for Kleta. And, while I’m asking, I’d like you to change Kleta’s name.”

“That’s a good idea. Giving a child such an ill-omened name… truly awful people.”

How could anyone give their own child such an ominous name? Edgar really was trash.

“Your Highness, I can’t accept so much money.”

Deborah took three gold coins from the pouch and returned the rest.

“The support you’ve given so far is enough. I’ll only take this much.”

Hildeltrud smiled faintly.

She put the money Deborah returned back in her bag.

“Deborah, I know raising a child is hard, but thank you for accepting my request.”

“It’s nothing.”

“If you need anything, ask anytime.”

“I will.”

Hildeltrud looked at the sleeping princess in the stroller and gently stroked her head.

Watching, Deborah smiled warmly.

“Your Highness, I think it would be best if you named her.”

“Me?”

“Yes, it would be more meaningful.”

On second thought, it wasn’t a bad idea.

“I’m sorry, Little One. I’m sorry for bringing you such misfortune.”

Hildeltrud sincerely apologized to the child.

“Clara, I hope you grow up bright and shining. I’d like her name to be Clara, Deborah.”

“That’s a lovely name. I hope she grows up bright and happy, just like her name.”

“I hope so too. Even if she learns the truth someday, I hope she’ll be strong.”

It was something that couldn’t be kept secret forever.

Secrets are bound to come out eventually.

Even if the truth came out someday, Hildeltrud could only hope Clara would be less hurt.

“Leon, is it?”

Leon nodded at Hildeltrud’s words.

“From now on, you’ll be her big brother. Please watch over her.”

Leon hesitantly approached the stroller.

His face lit up with curiosity at the cute baby.

Deborah explained kindly.

“Leon, this will be your little sister, Clara.”

“Little sister?”

“Yes, get along well.”

“Okay, Mom.”

Leon seemed happy to have a little sister.

“Deborah, I’ll be going now.”

“Don’t worry about the child.”

“Write to me from time to time.”

“Of course.”

After parting with Deborah and getting into the carriage, Hildeltrud was startled.

“Your Highness…”

Because Kiserian was inside the carriage.

“How are you here…?”

“I missed you too much while you were away.”

“What about your official duties?”

“I handled the urgent ones, and the rest can be managed by my capable retainers.”

Hildeltrud sighed.

Then Kiserian reached out, took her wrist, and pulled her into his embrace.

With her face buried in his chest, Hildeltrud felt at ease.

“It seems your heart is hurting.”

“Does it show?”

“Yes. When your heart hurts, mine does too.”

“Your Highness…”

“I hope I can be your comfort.”

“You already are.”

“The princess will live happily here. Don’t worry, Hildeltrud.”

“I hope so.”

Kiserian smiled playfully.

“I know what it’s like to live lonely in the palace. It’s not something I’d wish on anyone.”

Hildeltrud sat facing Kiserian.

“You must have been lonely too, Your Highness.”

“In the past, yes, but not now. You’re by my side.”

“When there’s time, let’s visit the children together.”

“You’ll come too?”

“Of course. Strictly speaking, they’re my nieces and nephews. As their uncle, I should visit often.”

“I thought you didn’t like children.”

Kiserian waved his hand as if to dismiss nonsense.

“What are you talking about, Hilde? I love children. I’m really looking forward to the children who will be born between us.”

Hearing that made Hildeltrud blush even more.

But she didn’t dislike it.

She too was looking forward to the children she would have with Kiserian.

“Hildeltrud…”

Kiserian blushed as if embarrassed.

“I think we need to go to a hotel.”

“What do you mean…?”

“I don’t think I can ride the carriage like this.”

Hildeltrud’s gaze naturally dropped to Kiserian’s lower half. Instantly, her face flushed.

“How did this happen all of a sudden…?”

“Thinking about the children we’ll have together, I just couldn’t help it…”

“But still, is that a reason for this?”

“What can I do? It’s all because I love you so much.”

Hildeltrud whispered shyly.

“Let’s… go to the hotel.”

Kiserian smiled softly and suddenly stopped the carriage.

Then he opened the window and called the captain of the escort knights.

“Ethan, something urgent has come up, so we’ll have to teleport by magic. You all follow at your own pace.”

“Your Highness?”

Leaving those words behind, Kiserian wrapped his arm around Hildeltrud’s waist and, with a teleportation spell, instantly arrived at a nearby village.

In his urgency, Kiserian grabbed Hildeltrud’s wrist and dashed to a building with a hotel sign.

After renting the best room, Kiserian carried Hildeltrud to the bed.

“Your Highness, no matter how urgent, we should wash up. I haven’t had a proper bath in days.”

Hildeltrud hadn’t been able to wash properly after traveling by carriage.

“Don’t worry about that, Hilde.”

Kiserian smiled and snapped his fingers.

“Clean.”

In an instant, Hildeltrud’s body was spotless.

“That’s why I love magic.”

Even her dirty clothes sparkled clean, and Hildeltrud was amazed.

Kiserian, who had also cleaned himself, pressed close to Hildeltrud.

“Now, we don’t need to wash, right?”

Amused by Kiserian’s playful smile, Hildeltrud wrapped her arms around his neck.

“Magic really is convenient.”

“Isn’t it?”

Kiserian pressed his nose to Hildeltrud’s and nuzzled her, laughing.

Soon, the two became one.