"Reinhard, Berche, congratulations!"
Jin and the others had gathered at Reinhard’s home, Rankenhaus, to celebrate Berche’s pregnancy.
"Rai-nii, Berche-san, congratulations."
"Thank you, Elsa."
Jin and Elsa had brought along some Persica, citran, and ramon from Hourai Island. While no special occasion was needed to bring gifts, they had chosen these specifically for the celebration. The Persica was highly nutritious, while the citran and ramon were thoughtful additions, chosen because women often craved sour flavors during the early stages of pregnancy.
"Reinhard, congratulations."
"Saki, thank you."
Nearly the entire Jin Family had gathered for the occasion.
"Reinhard-dono, congratulations."
"Thank you, Toa-san."
"Berche-sama, congratulations."
"Mine-san, thank you very much."
One by one, everyone offered their heartfelt congratulations to the couple.
"Reinhard-kun, congratulations. You have to take good care of your wife, you hear?"
"I will. Stearena, thank you."
"Berche-san, congratulations. But you mustn't overwork yourself. Eating delicious food and staying active is good, but keep the exercise moderate."
"Yes, Vivienne-san, thank you very much."
As a storyteller, Vivienne was well-versed in the traditional wisdom regarding maternal care and was happy to offer her advice.
"Then, a toast to Reinhard and Berche’s future! Cheers!"
"Cheers!"
"Cheers!"
Jin led the toast, and the dinner party got underway. Since everyone at the table was a familiar face, the atmosphere was relaxed as they ate and chatted freely.
"You’re about three months along, right? Um... please be careful until you reach the... stable period."
Elsa shared the medical knowledge she had recently gathered from Sally Mileshann. Jin, meanwhile, offered his own brand of encouragement.
"Berche has the build for an easy birth, so you can rest easy."
It was the kind of comment that would have bordered on sexual harassment in another world, though no such concept existed here.
"The build for an easy birth? What does that mean?" Berche asked. It was a natural question.
"Uh, well, because your pelvis is wide and sturdy..."
In truth, Jin didn't know much about the subject. He only knew the phrase because he’d heard people describe women with wider hips that way back on Earth.
"It’s true that people say a sturdy build around the hips makes childbirth easier," Vivienne added. As expected of a storyteller, she was well-informed on a wide variety of topics.
"...I’ve heard that Moritz-niisama and I take after our grandmother," Elsa murmured.
The two of them were similar in their delicate, slender builds. In contrast, the eldest brother, Fritz, and Elsa's father were both quite sturdy. Although Berche stood at only 150 centimeters—ten centimeters shorter than Elsa—her hip measurement was over 85 centimeters. Elsa’s was only 82.
"Jin, look at Elsa."
Noticing that Elsa’s mood had clearly soured after Jin’s comment, Reinhard leaned in to give him a quiet warning. Even as dense as Jin was, he wasn't so oblivious that he failed to understand the hint. However, he struggled to find the right words to say to her.
Just then, another voice spoke up.
"There’s something I’d like to share with everyone, if I may."
It was Toa. Whether the timing was intentional or not, it effectively drew everyone's attention.
"Stearena and I are getting married."
"Oh!"
"Finally!"
"Congratulations!"
"...I wish you both happiness."
Elsa looked up and offered her own blessing, allowing Jin to breathe a small sigh of relief.
"I visited my late wife's family, House Theoderic, the other day to pay my respects, and the Marquis has given us his blessing. Next, we’ll be filing the paperwork with the state."
Because Stearena was technically a registered foreigner, they couldn't simply wed in secret. However, this marriage meant that Stearena would finally gain her Shouro Empire citizenship.
"In that case, I’ll take you both to the Imperial Palace in Konron 2 later," Jin offered.
Since Jin held the privilege of visiting the palace without an appointment, the timing was perfect.
"Thank you, Jin-dono." Toa bowed his head.
"So, what will you do about your new home?"
"My house has plenty of rooms, so we'll be living there together."
"I'll be staying on Hourai Island and Kunlun Island for a while anyway," Saki added with a mischievous grin. "I wouldn't want to get in the way of the newlyweds."
Toa and Stearena turned a light shade of red at the remark.
"Oh, that's right. I'm leaving Aaru at the house, so feel free to give her any errands you need handled."
Toa was famously hopeless with housework, and Saki was even worse, though she didn't have to worry about such things as long as she was staying on the islands.
"Ah, thank you."
"Heh, I think I'd like a little brother next."
"Wha—!"
Toa froze, his face turning crimson at Saki's bluntness.
"Father, please make Stearena-san happy. Though... I suppose I should start calling her 'Mother' now, shouldn't I?"
"Sa-Saki-san!"
Stearena was equally flushed, but despite their embarrassment, both looked incredibly happy.
Jin casually moved to sit beside Elsa, who was watching the couple with a wistful expression.
"...Jin-nii?"
"Let's take it slow, without any rush."
Jin said nothing more, simply placing his arm around Elsa's shoulder. Startled by the sudden contact, Elsa’s body stiffened for a heartbeat, but she quickly relaxed and leaned her weight against him.
Reinhard watched them with a wry, knowing smile, while Elsa's biological mother, Mine, wore a expression of gentle warmth.
The following day, Jin boarded Konron 2 with Toa, Stearena, Reiko, and Elsa, and headed for the Shouro Empire's Imperial Palace. While it was an exercise of Jin's special privileges, he didn't use them often, and he hoped the officials would overlook the sudden interruption of their duties.
After a wait of about thirty minutes, they were granted an audience with the Chancellor and the Empress.
"Jin-kun, what brings you here today?"
The Empress had become quite informal with him.
"Yes, Your Majesty. My friends Toa-san and Stearena-san are getting married, so I have come to seek your official sanction."
The group was a little nervous about how she might react, but the Empress responded with immediate warmth.
"Oh, is that so? Congratulations!"
The Empress smiled brightly at the couple.
"Stearena-san, as a nation, nothing makes me happier than welcoming a talent such as yourself as a full citizen. As a subject of the Shouro Empire, I look forward to your contributions for many years to come."
"Y-yes, I will do my absolute best!" Stearena replied, still a bit stiff.
"Toa-, I wish you every happiness."
"Yes, thank you very much!"
Though her words to Toa were brief, her sincerity clearly reached him. The Chancellor then provided the necessary documents to certify Stearena’s transition from a registered foreigner to a citizen.
"Well then, thank you for coming all this way to inform us."
"Thank you very much, Your Majesty."
"Go on, then. I wish you both a happy life together."
The audience was short due to the sudden nature of the visit, but it was enough. Toa and Stearena were now officially husband and wife.
Jin landed Konron 2 at the Mansion in Loizart for a short break.
"What's the plan? Are you heading back to Banne right away?" Jin asked as they sat down for tea.
"No, since we're already here..."
The couple explained that they wanted to take a leisurely trip back home, enjoying a short journey as a pair. It was only about a half-day's walk once they crossed the river by boat. Jin smiled and saw them off.
"Well then, Jin-kun, see you later."
"Jin-kun, Elsa-san, see you again soon!"
With Jin and Elsa watching from the gate, the two linked arms and began walking into the streets of Loizart.
Jin said nothing, simply pulling Elsa closer by the shoulder. The wind blowing through the streets was still chilly, but neither the departing couple nor the two left behind felt the cold. They were wrapped in each other's warmth.
The sky over Loizart was a clear, vivid blue. The sunlight was growing stronger by the day, a silent promise that spring was just around the corner.