Ch. 38 The Two Witches (18)
by Afuhfuihgs
Witch – Chapter 38 – The Two Witches (18)
The Laplace family, which had been struggling with the farmland issue, was now in full festival mode.
Even if they had hired adventurers or mercenaries, subduing the swarm of Death Worms and the giant Death Worm would have required significant sacrifices.
But now, they had saved lives, money, and time, so it was only natural to celebrate.
“Once again, we express our gratitude to Lady Estelle for lending her strength to the Laplace family.”
Derrick raised his glass, signaling the start of the banquet.
We had never missed a banquet while staying at the Marquis’s residence, but today, it seemed they had put in extra effort. The maids were busier than usual, carrying more dishes than normal.
“No need to thank me. If it weren’t for Josie, I would have blown up the entire farmland.”
I could have done it myself, but handling mana like Josie did is no small feat.
If I had been alone, I probably would have destroyed the farmland along with the Death Worms and shrugged it off with a sheepish grin.
“Hehe. We sincerely thank Lady Josie.”
“No, I couldn’t have done it alone. It was only possible because of Mom and Leo.”
Josie stood up and politely accepted the gratitude.
“Lady Josie, you have such a kind heart. You’re nothing like a certain someone.”
“What did you say, old man?”
I couldn’t exactly hit an old man.
Josie, who I thought had returned to the estate after the subjugation, arrived as the sun was setting.
I thought her face was red from the sunset, but she remained flushed, avoiding eye contact and focusing on her meal.
But Josie wasn’t the only one acting strange.
Leo was also red-faced, eating in silence,
and Emily, who had been glued to Leo all day, was sitting across from Josie, eating without much interest.
Something must have happened while I was handling the harvest.
I was curious, but I didn’t want to make Josie uncomfortable.
At her age, it’s natural to have a secret or two from her mother.
As long as she doesn’t do anything reckless or dangerous… I don’t want to meddle in her personal life.
Leo, who values his life, wouldn’t dare touch Josie… but it might not hurt to give him a stern warning.
“The festival will begin in ten days. We’ve done our best to expedite the preparations, but ten days is the limit. We hope you understand.”
Marquis Eric spoke cautiously.
“Ten days? Isn’t that too tight?”
Preparing a large city festival in just ten days?
Even in my past life, festival preparations took at least a month.
In this fantasy world, ten days was an incredibly tight schedule.
“Actually, the festival preparations were already mostly complete. The Harvest Festival is one of Venetia’s biggest events.”
“I see. We wouldn’t want to rush the preparations and ruin the festival. We’ll leave it to you.”
Josie was looking forward to this festival so much.
If it turned out to be a disappointment, I wouldn’t let it slide.
“Emily, why aren’t you dining with Leo today?”
Derrick casually brought up Emily, who had been quietly eating.
Nice one, Derrick.
Honestly, I was curious too.
Just this morning, she had been flirting with Leo at the table, so her sudden silence was suspicious.
I pretended to focus on my salad while listening to Emily.
“Grandfather, I’m not interested in things that already have an owner.”
“Hehe, people don’t have owners. The one who sticks till the end wins.”
“I pursue pure love. Taking what’s already taken isn’t my style. But… I’m still a girl, so it’s hard to let go completely.”
What? What’s going on? What happened?
What kind of juicy event happened while I wasn’t looking?
I wanted to ask Josie right away,
but she was trembling, her face red as a tomato, so I couldn’t bring myself to ask.
Poking her cheek with my finger might have made her explode.
“Josie, you have sauce on your mouth.”
“Ah, t-thank you.”
Leo took out a handkerchief and wiped the sauce from Josie’s mouth, causing her to flutter like a butterfly.
“…….”
I’ll kill Leo tomorrow morning.
No. Training intensity increased a thousandfold. No, two thousandfold.
As I pondered how to torment Leo, Josie’s plate was quickly emptied.
She usually ate lightly, so it was clear something was up.
While using large-scale magic could make one hungry… Josie’s expression didn’t seem like she was eating out of hunger.
If she overeats and gets sick, it’ll be a disaster.
“Josie, are you okay? Were you that hungry?”
“Ah, no! It’s just, if I don’t eat enough….”
Josie, caught off guard, hurriedly swallowed her food as if hiding a secret.
If she doesn’t eat enough?
Is she worried about her chest?
“Eating too much is actually bad for you. Everyone has their own appropriate portion.”
“I guess… you’re right?”
She seemed unable to eat anymore and put down her utensils, smiling shyly.
If she overeats for her chest, something else will give out first…. I wondered if I should just give her the potion.
“Josie, if you have any worries, you can always talk to me. I may have a solution for you.”
“N-no, I don’t have any worries!”
“That’s good.”
No worries, huh?
Her trembling eyes were screaming, “I have worries!”
After the banquet, Derrick discreetly summoned me to the study.
Entering the study, I found Derrick sitting quietly, sipping wine.
“Lady Estelle, I apologize for calling you so suddenly.”
“Just get to the point. If it’s not important, even an old man won’t be spared.”
I had planned to relax and chat with Josie during a bath, but if this was about something trivial, I wouldn’t let it slide.
“Hehe… I’m glad it’s an important matter.”
Derrick handed me a letter from a drawer, smiling slyly.
Opening the letter, I saw the seal of a lion prominently stamped on it.
It was undoubtedly the symbol of the Holy Kingdom.
The faint holy energy suggested some kind of mechanism was at play.
“It’s a request to allow a visit to Venetia, as the hand of a witch has reached here. It says that if you write a response on the back, it will be delivered immediately.”
“And?”
Unless Derrick has gone senile, this isn’t a threat.
I couldn’t understand his intentions in showing me this letter now.
“While the Verdandi Kingdom and the Holy Kingdom are fostering friendly relations, the tyranny of the Heresy Inquisitors is notorious in Verdandi. Moreover, the Laplace family owes you a debt, so we cannot allow the Heresy Inquisitors to set foot in Venetia.”
If the Heresy Inquisitors came to Venetia, the Laplace family would undoubtedly suffer.
Rumors abound among witches about how they sniff out even the faintest traces of witchcraft and hold trials at the slightest suspicion.
“The rumors are quite vicious, aren’t they? Even if I refuse their visit, they might still act tyrannically. Age has made me cautious. I just wanted you to be prepared for any eventuality.”
“You think I’ll be defeated?”
I’ve heard of the Heresy Inquisitors’ infamy, but I don’t feel like I’d lose.
What a needless worry. Derrick must be getting old.
“Hehe. I don’t think you’ll be defeated. But you’re not alone anymore, are you? The Heresy Inquisitors will stop at nothing to kill you.”
The thought of Josie being subjected to a witch trial made my blood boil.
If the Heresy Inquisitors dared to touch Josie….
“Make sure the Heresy Inquisitors don’t enter while we’re here. Don’t betray my trust. I could become a real demon.”
“Of course. The Laplace family will never forget your kindness. Even if it costs me my life.”
Derrick wouldn’t risk everything he’s built.
Like it or not, we’ve been on the same boat for 60 years.
The fact that we’ve avoided the Heresy Inquisitors so far shows how well he’s kept his promises.
Even after returning to my room, the worry didn’t fade.
The Heresy Inquisitors….
I remembered Lucia, whom I had seen in Leo’s memories.
She possessed strength comparable to the heroes of the Aria Chronicles.
If I hadn’t focused on destructive power like other witches, I might have had to hide for the rest of my life.
Should I find and kill them first?
No. That’s what amateurs do.
Making the first move could make me a target.
I can’t take on the entire Holy Kingdom alone.
As Derrick said, I’m not alone anymore.
If necessary, I could even use Leo as bait.
Knock knock knock.
“Mom, are you awake?”
While I was lost in thought, Josie knocked on the door.
“Hmm. Come in.”
I composed myself and opened the door.
If I looked too serious, Josie would worry.
“Earlier, you said to tell you if I had any worries. I… have a worry.”
“What kind of worry makes you so shy?”
Is it time to bring out the love potion?
Her blushing and fidgeting suggested nothing else.
Goodbye Josie’s modest chest.
“You won’t be shocked, will you?”
“Of course, I’ll understand.”
For a woman, her chest is as important as a man’s height.
As someone who’s lived as both, I could understand.
Josie took a deep breath and prepared herself.
“I… think I’m pregnant.”
Was I going senile? Did I mishear?
“Huh? What? My ears must be going bad. Can you say that again?”
“I think I’m pregnant….”
Calm down, Estelle….
First, I need to confirm the facts.
“Whose child is it?”
“It’s… mine and Leo’s.”
Josie blushed and rubbed her lower abdomen.
Emily’s words during dinner came to mind.
About not being interested in things that already have an owner.
Did they do something in front of Emily…?
Snap.
My rationality snapped.
I’ll kill him. I’ll kill him. I’ll kill him. I’ll kill him. I’ll kill him. I’ll kill him. I’ll kill him. I’ll kill him. I’ll kill him. I’ll kill him. I’ll kill him. I’ll kill him. I’ll kill him. I’ll kill him. I’ll kill him. I’ll kill him. I’ll kill him. I’ll kill him. I’ll kill him. I’ll kill him. I’ll kill him. I’ll kill him.
I’ll kill him no matter what.
“How dare he touch Josie? I’ll kill him. No, killing him isn’t enough.”
“Ah, Mom, no!! Leo didn’t do anything wrong!”
Josie, saying things like that will make me misunderstand. Can’t you explain in detail?
Her words and thoughts must have come out backward, as Josie blocked me from leaving the room.
Already defending her husband!?!!?
“I was the one who held Leo’s hand…. So Leo didn’t do anything wrong.”
What, that’s all it was?
I almost ruined a man’s life for nothing.
My rationality slowly returned.
“Phew…Josie, you…”
“I knew you’d understand! But… what should I do?”
“Huh? What do you mean?”
What could be more serious than this?
“I held his hand for over a minute…. You said not to hold hands for more than three seconds, so could there be over twenty babies in here…? I’m not eating much, so what if they don’t grow up healthy?”
I nearly collapsed in front of Josie, who was seriously worrying.
Was that why she overate at dinner?
Twenty twins?
How do I explain this to her…?
My haphazard attempt at sex education to keep her away from strange men had backfired spectacularly.
“Will I be a good mom?”
I felt ashamed as a mother seeing Josie seriously worrying about how to raise her children.
It was time to tell her the truth she couldn’t hide anymore.
Lucent
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