In a way, the ladies-in-waiting at the Chronos Palace were quite relaxed.
I was a product of the military, and Wifey was as well. Both of us were capable of looking after ourselves to some extent. In fact, back on the battleship, Wifey used to happily join in on the cleaning and laundry rotations, declaring, "I shall take my turn as well!"
I suppose she simply wanted to do the same things as her friends of the same age. I caught Pigetto weeping tears of Manhood on more than one occasion as he watched her, muttering, "You have grown so much."
She often helped me with the cooking, too. She can at least manage a fried egg, and she’s quite skilled at ironing—a specialty of the Imperial Officer Academy.
In other words, neither I nor Wifey really needed much looking after, unless it was a formal evening party that required a stylist. While there were ladies-in-waiting on staff, their actual duties mostly involved acting as liaisons or managing schedules. Polina, my First Secretary, was usually the one buried under mountains of paperwork.
And then, Mother descended upon us. She seemed ticked off about something. It was terrifying.
I tried to sneak away on tiptoe, but Fairy-san appeared, looking frantic.
"Leo-kun, wait! Your mother... wasn't she a former lady-in-waiting? And the head of the Third-class Officials, no less!"
She was the captain of the practical unit. In military terms, would that make her a Second or First Lieutenant? Wait a minute—she was a real big shot.
"Huh? This is the first I've heard of it. Wait, does that mean my brothers are actually Maro’s kids...?"
The Emperor laid a hand on her and then pawned her off on a Marquis House... which would explain why my parents get along so poorly. The possibility couldn't be ruled out. It might be plausible for my first elder brother... his face is similar to Maro’s.
...Though maybe he's just fat from a lack of exercise.
"It’s nothing like that, so you can relax. Look at your mother back in the day."
Fairy-san displayed a photo of Mother in her youth. She was a beauty with an incredibly sharp, stern face. She was tall and slender, but her strong will was written all over her features. Ah, she was the exact opposite of Maro’s preference. He liked the small, dainty types he felt he could control.
"Send a message to all the ladies-in-waiting immediately," I ordered. "Tell them: 'Stay sharp. A real professional has arrived.'"
I finally understood. So that was why! That was why I never made a fool of myself at evening parties or ceremonies, even after I married Wifey! And even after I joined the military, I almost never got smacked for having a crooked rank insignia!
I was never made to do push-ups because some upperclassman said something nonsensical like "Apologize to your rank insignia," except for cases of collective squad responsibility! So even dumping everything on robots was actually part of the high-society etiquette course! They had drilled manners and conduct into me at a palace level!
Come to think of it, Big Brother Sam might be a stupid Yankee, but he said he’d never embarrassed himself as a lord either! My only punishments at the Officer Academy were for things like growing potatoes without permission. Or that time during a hand-to-hand combat drill where they gave us wooden bayonets and told us to "attack whoever you want," so I made it look like I was going to fight a classmate, only to turn and knock out every single upperclassman who showed an opening.
Then everyone else followed my lead and used the power of numbers to beat the instructors to a pulp and send them to the hospital. I even sent the additional instructors who came to stop us to the hospital as well. Mm, it was their fault for leaving themselves open. That hardly counts as being scolded. It was the instructors' fault for failing to build a relationship of trust on a daily basis.
Setting that aside... in other words, my family is a Marquis House, for better or worse... God, that’s terrifying. I... I actually was educated properly! Oh, I see. I wouldn't have been able to pass the entrance exam for the Imperial Officer Academy otherwise.
...Wait, it wasn't because they used the power of a Marquis House to shoehorn me in? It was based on my own merit? No way.
At any rate, a scary Site Foreman has arrived! Everyone, run for your lives! The King... the King is powerless!
"R-Report this to Wifey!"
"I already have!" Fairy-san replied.
"Just let her take care of the Mother Squad."
"I’ve already had them withdrawn before the Baby and Veronica-chan could get tired. I'm told they are currently being entertained at a tea party."
That old lady... what a terrifying woman. I’ve been completely outmaneuvered!
"Wait... wouldn't it be bad if I didn't show my face?"
I was the King, after all. And they were important figures from the Galactic Empire, which was backing us. It was unthinkable for me not to show up.
"That would be bad, yes."
"Call the stylist!"
I hurriedly changed into formal wear, fixed my hair, and raided the tea party. I made my entrance with a weary expression.
"Honored Mothers-in-law. I, Leo Kamishiro Chronos, offer my greetings."
Sparkle. I performed a standing bow. Technically, I held the higher rank, but since they were family and guests, this should be fine. Without moving my head, I shifted my gaze toward Mother; she wasn't angry. I think I earned a passing grade.
"Oh my, he really is a handsome man, isn't he?"
The Mother Squad crowded around me and started patting me all over.
"Veronica-chan certainly has a thing for good-looking men!"
"Kyaa!"
Amidst the high-pitched squealing, I made eye contact with Mother, pleading for help. Endure it, her eyes said... Ah, yes ma'am.
I wondered why she would tell me to "endure it," but the answer came immediately.
"The Goddess, Himorogi-sama, and Suematsu-san, the Third-class Official of Shinto Affairs, have arrived."
Suematsu-san arrived with Zashiki-warashi, carrying Himorogi-chan’s pot. Everyone, myself included, performed a standing bow. However, Zashiki-warashi didn't care about reading the room. She tugged on the hem of my clothes.
Yes, yes, you want me to hold you. I picked her up.
"I saw that just now. Lord Leo picked her up without a moment's hesitation."
"He looks like he'll be a good father."
What's that supposed to mean? Suematsu-san knelt and held the World Tree aloft.
"The World Tree says this is a 'Celebration,' forsooth."
With that, everyone bowed. It was likely for the birth of my children.
"Listen, listen, Big Brother," Zashiki-warashi whispered. "The country belonging to you and the Big Sisters is going to get stronger and stronger from now on."
She was probably talking about the Galactic Empire and the Kingdom of Chronos.
"What will happen to the Zen Divine Race?"
"I don't know... The Star God is also making preparations."
"I figured as much."
I had a feeling this was a preparation period. After all, they’d had everything from Chronos to Persion taken from them, and their defense lines had been discovered. They would need time to rebuild as well. It made sense that they would do it while we were unable to move. We had passed the stage where things could be handled through intrigue. It was now a clash of power against power.
I hate this! It’s scary!
"Can't we solve this with a peaceful conversation?"
"No."
I thought so! I'd like to settle it through discussion if possible, but...
"You can overcome it, Big Brother."
"Thank you..."
I suppose battle really is unavoidable. I truly don't want to fight supernatural entities or beings whose military strength can't be measured. I don't even know what a potential settlement would look like. The Corpse Eaters are like that, too. They're harmful beings that can't be reasoned with, so there's no choice but to exterminate them. If only we could at least talk things through like we did with Persion.
Without a moment to dwell on it, a broadcast rang out.
"Lady Claire is showing signs of labor. Moving to surgery."
Right, Claire's turn. Looking ahead, I saw my mother smirking. I could understand that. But the Mother Squad also had a glint in their eyes. Why?
"His Majesty the King of Chronos, please prepare yourself."
Mother urged me along, essentially telling me to get moving already. Yeah, yeah. I set Zashiki-warashi down. This was already the third time. I was getting used to this. It’ll be over in no time.
Himorogi-chan began to glow brilliantly, and Zashiki-warashi started to dance. Now, the eighth child... man, this is one huge family. Right, Papa’s going to do his best!