Walking side by side with Elsa, Jin asked,
"Where's Brother Moritz?"
"In the reception room right now. Fritz-nii-sama and Sister-in-law Gloria are visiting."
"Ah, I see."
Elsa then called back to Edgar, who brought up the rear.
"Edgar, thank you for your hard work."
"Thank you very much, Elsa-sama."
Empress Emerita Hilde looked upon the two with a gentle gaze.
(Hey, is it really all right to bring Hilde-sama along out of nowhere?)
Jin whispered to Elsa, keeping his voice down so the others wouldn't overhear. The fact that he was only realizing it now showed just how much thoughts of Moritz's baby had consumed his mind.
(…A little, worried.)
Moritz seemed under the impression that only Jin had come.
(Because he doesn't know who this 'guest' is.)
(Well, that makes sense. No one would ever imagine Her Majesty the Empress Emerita is with us…)
Imagining what would happen once they stepped inside gave both Jin and Elsa a slight headache.
After all, had they tried to send advance word that Her Majesty the Empress Emerita was coming, they would have had to explain when and where they got that information—and neither had been able to come up with a plausible excuse.
Elsa stepped into the reception room first.
"My master has arrived.…Um, and he has a guest with him," she announced.
"A guest? For Jin-dono to bring someone along… Who might it be?"
Elsa hesitated for a moment. Should she announce the name now, or invite her in first?
"…It is Her Majesty the Empress Emerita."
In the end, out of proper etiquette, she chose to announce the name first.
"I see…………………… Wait, Her Majesty!?"
"…Her Majesty the Empress Emerita…? Elsa, even for Jin-dono, that's a bit…"
Moritz and Fritz were both struck with utter shock, but Marlene quickly cut in.
"Knowing Jin-san, I figured he might do something out of the ordinary, and sure enough.…We can't just sit here!"
She scrambled to her feet and rushed toward the entrance.
Seeing that, Moritz and Fritz managed to regain some composure and hurried after her. Gloria followed close behind, of course.
"Y-Y-Your Majesty, w-w-welcome!"
"Ah, Moritz, it has been a while. There is no need to be so stiff."
"E-Even if you say so…"
"I am traveling incognito today, so I am just 'Hilde.' That is how I would like you to address me."
"…………H-Hilde-sama."
"Yes, that's fine.…Moritz, congratulations on the birth of your child."
"T-Thank you very much. It is the greatest honor."
Empress Emerita Hilde then turned toward the others.
"Fritz, it has been a while for you as well. How have you been?"
"Yes. Every day is deeply fulfilling. I am glad above all to see that Your Majesty is in good health."
"I told you, it is 'Hilde' today, remember?"
"Y-Yes, Hilde-sama."
"Oh my, um, Hilde…sama, you are most welcome in our home."
Marlene appeared calm on the surface, but she was clearly nervous—a closer look revealed her legs trembling faintly.
As for Gloria:
"Hilde-sama, it is an honor to see you again."
Aside from Jin and Elsa, she seemed by far the most composed.
"U-U-Um, s-so, while in the Nord Federation, you learned of Henrietta's birth, and came to our home together with Jin-dono…"
"Ani-sama, please calm down."
Taking charge for the moment, Elsa ushered everyone into the reception room and saw them seated in order of precedence.
Naturally, Empress Emerita Hilde sat in the primary seat of honor.
As the family head, Moritz took the seat directly across from Empress Emerita Hilde.
The seating arrangement stood as follows:
Empress Emerita Hilde, Flora, Gloria, Jin.
Across from them were Moritz, Fritz, Marlene, Elsa.
Reiko stood behind Jin, and Edgar stood behind Elsa.
Once everyone was seated, they were finally able to settle down and speak.
"There is one thing I would like to ask."
Empress Emerita Hilde was the first to speak.
"Moritz, regarding the lady's maid who bore your child… Ingrid, was it? What do you intend to do with her?"
"…"
Moritz offered no reply. Empress Emerita Hilde pressed on.
"I have heard how deeply you cherished your late wife, Helena. But that is that, and this is this."
"…"
"Hey, Big Brother."
Fritz nudged Moritz from his seat beside him when he failed to respond.
Since he still remained silent, Fritz spoke up on his own.
"…It's true that you and Sister-in-law Helena were wonderful together. So much so that it was embarrassing even to watch from the sidelines."
"Indeed. When that girl passed away, seeing you in such a state broke my heart," Marlene added softly.
"Mm, I remember too. Back then, Ani-sama was terribly depressed."
Elsa joined in as well.
"I do not find it impossible to understand your feelings. But you must stop running away now."
"…Running away, you say?"
At those words from Empress Emerita Hilde, Moritz finally found his voice.
"It is true… I have been running away…"
Elsa spoke to him gently.
"Ani-sama, back then, I was still little, so there were things I didn't fully understand, but…"
There were words she had heard from Sister-in-law Helena just once.
"Sister-in-law Helena loved you, Moritz-niisama, and that is why she said, 'I don't want him to bind himself.'"
"Bind… myself…"
Elsa nodded.
"Now, I understand. Sister-in-law Helena only wished for your happiness, Moritz-niisama."
"My…"
"Yes. And please don't forget that everyone here wishes for your happiness, Moritz-niisama—as well as for Sister-in-law Ingrid and Rietta-chan."
"She's right, Brother-in-law," Jin chimed in.
"That's right, Big Brother," added Fritz.
"I feel the exact same way," Gloria said.
"Though I am merely accompanying Her Maj… Hilde-sama, I offer my blessings as well," said Flora.
"Since I came all this way to give my congratulations, I share the very same sentiment," Empress Emerita Hilde declared, gently reasoning with him in a quiet, comforting voice.