The political situation was endlessly unstable, and Gideon was irritating the Queen’s nerves at every turn as if he just wanted a civil war to break out soon. His attitude was like that of someone who had made up his mind. In many ways, it wasn’t an environment where a pregnant woman could rest or focus on prenatal education.

In the midst of this chaos, the magic tower people were the first to notice the fact of the pregnancy, which even Scarlet herself hadn’t realized.

Before passing through the gate, which is virtually a concentration of magical power, everyone must undergo a routine examination. This involves palpation to check basic health conditions.

The fact that Scarlet and her maids were unaware of the fetus in her womb until then meant that she was still in the very early stages of pregnancy. Tatiana could imagine what situation had unfolded at the magic tower afterward and what conversations had taken place without even seeing it.

Among mages, there are those who research the hypothesis that magical power causes long-term harm to the human body.

The background for this hypothesis was greatly contributed to by the mages’ pitiful average lifespan. Although the current magic tower master serves as a living counterexample directly refuting that theory, it was a clear fact that countless mages had died young. Tatiana’s mother had been one of them.

However, Tatiana didn’t necessarily think it was because of magical power. From her observation, most mages had lifestyles that made it impossible for them to be healthy even if they wanted to be.

It was quite awkward to say this about her mother, but the honest feelings of a daughter who had watched that lifestyle, no, that devastation from the closest vantage point were……

‘It was a complete mess.’

The reason Tatiana always tried to escape from stress, saying it was the root of all diseases, was because she had learned something from watching her mother.

They didn’t mind staying up for days and nights, and when they entered the laboratory, they would even forget to eat. They obviously didn’t exercise and were highly strung. If they were healthy, it would be a blessing and miracle from God.

However, this too is merely Tatiana’s conjecture, and no one yet knows which side is correct.

The magic tower probably told Princess Scarlet something like this, that the effects of the magic tower’s gate on a fetus have not yet been verified. Since the safety of a royal child was at stake, they couldn’t help but point this out at least once.

But when hearing such things, an expectant mother can’t help but feel anxious. Even an ordinary expectant mother would feel that way, but Browning’s letter contained another piece of information. While in Fullman, his wife had experienced a miscarriage.

It seemed Scarlet had ultimately decided to remain in Valter, separating from the delegation. She had been uncomfortable with setting foot in the magic tower’s gate.

Tatiana understood the princess’s heart, which couldn’t help but be infinitely cautious before the baby. And why she had such a wistful look in her eyes when longing for a child.

‘Perhaps I’ll have to go north together with her.’

It would be quite a difficult journey for Scarlet, who had been raised gently. This wasn’t a picnic or trip taken by carriage. It would take a full three days and nights of continuous travel to reach the north. It would be equally burdensome for Gideon’s party, which needed to minimize non-combat personnel.

But what could be done? Tatiana recalled what she had once said to Scarlet. It was probably the day they were going to the slums regarding the school establishment issue.

‘If there’s ever anything I can do to help Your Highness Scarlet…… I’ll truly put my heart into it.’

It hadn’t been long since she made that promise. Moreover, this wasn’t even about helping; it was actually something completely natural. Scarlet was the only person among his blood relatives whom Gideon considered family, and she was her friend.

They say that when you become pregnant, it’s joyful but also brings many sorrowful things. Making an expectant mother feel like she’s a burden to the party would truly be too cruel.

Although Tatiana had no experience with pregnancy and childbirth, she could intellectually understand that awkwardness and anxiety that comes from situations beyond one’s control.

So I’ll stay right by her side and take good care of her to prevent any sad occurrences. Sir Browning’s detailed letter also contained a request about this.

Tatiana roughly organized her thoughts and made that decision. However, unable to shake off a slightly troubled feeling, she looked at Kay. The methods she chose when feeling this way were generally limited to one or two. Either picking up a sword or chanting a spell with all her might.

“How about it, if you’re not busy, want to have a match?”

Kay didn’t refuse. As if willing to comply, he half-drew his sword from its scabbard to show her. Then later, he casually asked,

“Your Highness, do you perhaps intend to use magic as well?”

“Why? Shouldn’t I use it?”

She hadn’t thought about it, but couldn’t understand why he was specifically asking. Was using magic during sparring perhaps too much of a cheat?

But Tatiana honestly wondered, If I asked him to put down those muscles and fight, would he do it for me?

In an actual battle, it’s impossible to choose your weight class and opponent. But asking a mage not to use magic? On the battlefield, do they say mages should fight mages, knights should fight knights, and assassins should fight assassins? Why?

Well, even if he specifically requested it, she didn’t plan to be prickly and question him. It was true that this wasn’t an actual battle.

However, Kay shook his head and instead requested this,

“If it’s alright with you, I’d like you to use it. As long as it doesn’t inconvenience Your Highness.”

“……”

“May I ask this of you?”

Kay had faced mages before, but he didn’t know how to fight against a magic swordsman. Because he had never met one.

It didn’t seem likely that there would be another person in Valter who could harmoniously use both sword and magic like the princess consort, but there was no harm in experiencing it. It might even become a great foundation for improving his skills. No, it definitely would.

And Tatiana was deeply impressed by Kay’s words. Indeed, the best were different from their mindset. Instead of avoiding the opponent’s strengths because they might be disadvantageous to oneself, he was trying to use them as an opportunity for self-development.

Tatiana felt so moved that her heart nearly grew hot. So she made a promise. That today she would truly face him properly.

She wiggled her index finger at Kay, telling him to follow her.

And on this day, Connie had to witness many frightening sights. Things were exploding all over the garden.

She couldn’t decide who was more impressive—the princess consort who threw fireballs with tremendous accuracy or Kay who dodged them like a ghost. In the midst of their clash, innocent trees were being uprooted.

‘Are two people allowed to turn a garden into this in just three minutes?’

But even stranger than this were the assassins who had quietly slipped outside and were now watching with gleaming eyes. They seemed extremely interested in the match between their leader and the princess consort.

They didn’t stop there but approached the princess consort who was catching her breath.

“I know this is a rude request, but could I also ask for one match……”

Connie learned for the first time that assassins could also show such proactive attitudes. Yet Tatiana accepted it casually.

“Oh? Shall we? Sure, why not.”

“Thank you.”

The assassins looked at their colleague who had taken the initiative with complicated expressions. Then they glanced at each other and silently began to form a line.

The sparring continued for a long time afterward. Although Tatiana was unmatched in skill by anyone present, the assassins’ tenacity was not to be underestimated. They attacked without giving her a moment’s rest, their eyes searching for techniques they could acquire.

Outnumbered, Tatiana eventually felt her physical limits and stuck out her tongue.

“Wow, you guys are exhausting. You have surprisingly persistent personalities.”

The assassins made embarrassed expressions, seemingly aware that they had been too clingy.

Tatiana plopped down on the grass, and Connie tactfully brought out some refreshments. The princess consort usually didn’t eat much before or after exercise, but Connie had heard somewhere that nutritional replenishment was essential after using magical power.

Tatiana made a delighted expression as if she had found the water of life, then politely offered some to Kay who was nearby.

“You must be tired. Would you like some too?”

She expected a polite refusal, but Kay surprisingly nodded. He even tasted it before Tatiana, the princess consort. Tatiana found this so strange that she couldn’t help but ask.

“What’s this about?”

“Since there’s a vacancy in the support staff, I tested it just in case.”

Although he was speaking in a roundabout way, he meant that he had tasted it in case it was poisoned. Tatiana chuckled and said,

“What if you died doing that? Don’t you value your life?”

“I have developed immunity to almost all poisons circulating domestically. It usually ends with just a tingling tongue or stomach pain.”

Tatiana opened her eyes wide, discovering an unexpected point of commonality.

What, you too? Me too! When I was young, I tried a little bit of everything from my mother’s herb storage.

Tatiana nodded repeatedly, thinking that this might be natural since Kay was an assassin. Then she offered food to Connie, who was listening to their conversation with an indescribable expression.

“Would you like to sit and eat with us too?”

“……No, I’ve lost my appetite.”

“Why? It’s safe.”

“That’s not the issue…… haa.”

Connie had an expression that suggested not only her appetite but all desires had disappeared. She didn’t want to join this savage conversation. She only missed her colleagues who would be at the magic tower by now.