With one of the strongholds neutralized, the Empire shifted to a full-scale counteroffensive.
For some reason, I’d been ordered to remain on standby, spending my days "playing" with Katori-sensei. Since she usually let me go by noon, I found myself with plenty of free time in the afternoons.
Thomas was fighting like a man possessed, clearly determined to clear his name. Between his newfound competent subordinates and a more cautious tactical approach, he was winning battle after battle, liberating planets one after another.
It turned out Brother-in-law Thomas was actually quite capable; he’d simply been suppressed by the Duke Association, the chamberlains, and the civil officials. Once he had decent staff and a proper supply of experienced non-commissioned officers, he thrived. It really just proved that the Duke Association was a collection of morons. I had no use for people who looked down on scouts. I was glad they were gone!
I finally understood why the military would stage a coup d'etat in my previous life... I also realized that countries with dictators still had a higher level of civility just by virtue of having a functioning government.
As for me... everyone seemed to be walking on eggshells. They likely assumed I was mentally exhausted after performing that mercy execution.
In truth, I wasn't feeling the damage. Or rather, I probably was, but my daily life-or-death sparring sessions with Katori-sensei left me with no mental capacity to dwell on it. Her logic was probably some meatheaded theory like, "Gehehe! I’ll make sure you’re too busy to mope!"
I hated that her methods worked so well. I had zero delicacy left in me! (Pure despair.)
Thinking more seriously, even if I had been on the Zork side and Nishina on the Imperial side, we were likely destined to clash eventually. Our battle was a historical inevitability. If that was the case, maybe we were lucky we could at least enjoy the fight... or was that just rationalization?
Yeah, I’ll stop. Someone else can think about that for me.
Anyway, my senior officer’s quarters on the battleship had essentially become a married couple’s suite. My room—which used to hold nothing but textbooks and uniforms from my cadet days—was now filled with Wifey’s personal effects. While the court ladies managed her formal wear, the items in my room were purely personal.
Tracksuits, sneakers, socks, and glittery sandals were scattered about. She’d also been technically enrolled in the military academy, so there were work clothes and uniforms mixed in. I figured I’d iron them while I was at it.
"Lord Groom, I’m home!"
Ah, she was back. To Wifey, this place was clearly "home."
"I am famished! Let us head to the dining hall."
Born in the Inner Palace but raised in the military, the food in a warship's dining hall was like the taste of home to her. She preferred it to the extravagant feasts of the palace.
"I shall buy cup noodles at the commissary later, too."
Cup noodles... she’d been eating those a lot lately. Pregnancy was out of the question, so maybe a growth spurt?
Wait... I was starting to get worried.
"Wifey, we’re going to the clinic."
"For what?"
"I think your digestion might be off."
"What? For something so minor—"
"We're going."
"O-Okay..."
We detoured to the clinic before the dining hall. I explained she might be overeating, and I sent a message to the court lady as well. First, I had the Fairy transmit her physical data to the doctor. I sent a copy to the court lady, too.
By the time we arrived, the court lady was already waiting. She must have sprinted there, yet she hadn't broken a sweat. A true pro.
We were given priority. I felt bad for the others, but the clinic turned out to be mostly empty anyway. It was just the right time of day. I bowed to the other patients, who looked more intimidated by me than anything.
As I waited for Wifey in the waiting room, the court lady approached me.
"Your Excellency the Grand Duke, do you have any idea what might be behind Her Imperial Majesty's condition?"
"Well, I noticed her tracksuit was getting a bit tight."
"C-Could she be pregnant...?"
"No, no. We deactivated the Larval Fixation treatment, remember? I thought she might be undergoing a rapid growth spurt."
"WHOOOOOOOOOOAAAAAAH!"
A massive shout erupted from the sickroom. A moment later, Wifey practically burst out the door.
"L-Lord Groom! My h-height! I have grown taller!"
"That's great."
Just as I thought. Her body had finally begun to mature.
"I even have breasts! Look! Do you wish to touch them!?"
"W-Wifey! Calm down!"
She’d had a massive complex about her flat chest—one deeper than even I, her husband, could have imagined. She was far more hyper than usual.
"Lord Groom! Let us conceive a child!"
"Don't rush it. It's still too early."
I eventually managed to lead the restless Wifey toward the dining hall. I parted ways with the court lady there. She was likely off to report the news to everyone. Good luck to her.
Wifey was safe on this ship. No one was targeting her, and a security detail was constantly watching from the shadows. Plus, she had me.
When we reached the dining hall, everyone immediately burst into celebration. Wait... I hadn't told anyone yet!
"Hehe, I sent out a report ahead of time," the Fairy chimed in. That explained it.
Eddy took the lead. "To celebrate the start of Veronica-chan’s growth! Everyone!"
"Congratulations!"
Melissa, Claire, Kevin, and even Nina-san were there. Wifey was so thrilled her mood was almost erratic. She was practically hopping in place. It was a dry party, but everyone was genuinely happy for her. These quiet moments were always the best.
A gaudy, over-the-top glittering cake was brought out, complete with crackling sparklers.
"Everyone! You have my thanks!"
Wifey’s eyes welled with tears in her excitement. Ah, this was definitely the kind of thing she’d remember later and die of embarrassment. I could already see her rolling around in bed clutching a pillow.
One-oh-one and Tatiana were also happily digging into the cake. I decided that if I let it bother me, I’d lost. It didn't matter; Wifey was happy. She was the star of the show today.
"Woohoo! Congrats, Wifey!"
I decided to just enjoy the moment with her.