episode_0007

“Mother, what do you think of me?”

In the midst of light banter while picking at finger foods, Kael suddenly asked his mother.

“Why would you say that all of a sudden?”

“If you compare me to father, who do you think is the better man? I’m curious about your thoughts.”

“Oh? Hmm…”

She fell into brief contemplation. Was Kael’s question born from a son’s desire to surpass his father?

Darin couldn’t bring herself to speak rashly. Surely, she loved her children more than her husband, but for now, as a lady of the house, it seemed appropriate to maintain neutrality.

“I’m not sure if I can be a great husband to someone.”

“…?”

His mother, who had been maintaining silence, slowly pondered over her son’s statement.

“Ah!”

She exclaimed, expressing realization. Her eldest son wasn’t simply revealing resentment towards his father, but rather, he wanted to know if he was a suitable “husband material” for someone else.

He mentioned a girl he had chosen as his bride upon his return from his expedition. Kael probably wanted to confirm if he was a satisfactory husband from an objective maternal perspective.

But why did it have to be compared to his father? There were likely many young nobles in the capital. Perhaps this was also a form of rebellion.

“Of course, Kael, you are a better husband material. Your father is a decent person for a noble, but compared to you, he lacks consideration.”

“…Could you be a bit more specific?”

“Hmm, more specific…? Just a moment?”

The busy mind of the red-haired girl grasped the essence of the question. Kael was no longer a child, so the response needed to be well-founded to be convincing.

– Knock knock.

Pressing her hand against her son’s ear, his mother began listing sincere praises.

“You are not only a war hero who surpasses the achievements of the Baeyorun family…”

“You’re quite handsome, aren’t you? You don’t pale in comparison to your father’s youth at all.”

“Despite your rough upbringing in the northern regions, you are still very amiable, popular even in social circles in the capital, aren’t you?”

“There’s no longer a need to be tied to the family. If I receive the title of viscount for this expedition, my status will also rise.”

If I don’t receive the title of viscount and instead receive the title of baron, there was a way to promote the Bayolnga, which is my father’s family, to the position of viscount. Because if you lower the title to baron, you had to grant land as well. From the empire’s perspective, that might be better. It’s an exchange of honor and wealth.

Whether it’s this way or that, it meant that my son would definitely become a viscount. Bayolnga was truly blessed. To produce such an outstanding hero in this generation.

“My son is truly remarkable, isn’t he?”

That’s why Darin was praising his son while feeling proud inside. There wasn’t a single wrong word because the son he raised with all his might was not just any son but a fiancé who was doing better than anyone in the empire.

In the same generation, at best, the sons of heroes, the eldest sons of the grand duke’s family, and the crown prince who inherited the bloodline of the emperor would be better fiancés than Kael. But even that doesn’t seem to have much meaning. After all, to me, bloodline is everything.

– Squish.

Kael was enjoying the delicate touch carefully pressing on his ear. He was smiling lightly.

It was sweet that the woman he loved the most was evaluating him favorably. It was also nice to spend some comfortable time after a long time.

However, the man’s remark that followed afterward startled his mother.

“So, how do you think the bed will be?”

“The bed?”

“Yes, Mother. To satisfy your husband, you must also excel in nighttime skills, right?”

“…”

It was an embarrassing remark that shattered the peaceful atmosphere. Still, Kael’s words weren’t wrong. Noblewomen who had to look at only one man for their whole lives valued their husband’s self-restraint.

“How do I think it’ll be? You won’t know until you try. And it’s not necessarily directly related to appearance, is it?”

It’s so embarrassing. But since she’s curious about the bloodline, I’ll somehow give her an answer.

Darine knew that ordinary sexual stories were not brought up by children to their parents, but Kayle and I were not an ordinary parent-child relationship. That must mean the child trusts me that much.

“Well, I don’t really know, but my son has always done well at everything. He’ll figure it out on his own, won’t he?”

At first, I felt absurd, so I think I showed a slightly sharp reaction. At times like this, you have to quickly turn the conversation into praise so that the atmosphere doesn’t become awkward.

Darine belonged to a woman with outstanding social skills. Maybe it’s because she’s trying to please her husband.

“I’m glad that’s how you feel, Mother.”

An invisible question mark rose above her red head. Why would a parent expect their son’s sexual ability?

“Am I being too sensitive?”

She just passed it off as my son getting recognition from his mother.

“…Yes, but women often have delicate feelings, so the most important thing is to be considerate. Acting hastily due to excitement can cause harm.”

Thinking back to when my husband forced himself on me, Darine gave sincere advice to her son. Now she considers my position when going to bed, but in her youth, she dug into my business whenever she could. No matter how much I resisted, it was useless.

She must have been truly resentful. Yet, she probably couldn’t push her husband away. There were children, and there was the ‘affection’ we had built over the years. Even if I rejected her, it was clear that it wouldn’t go smoothly.

And above all, there was a difference in position between my husband and me. I am common, and he is noble. I didn’t come willingly, but the fact remains that I enjoy wealth and honor as a legitimate wife. If I just complained, I would inevitably face criticism as “a commoner’s wife who complains despite being well-fed.”

Therefore, Darin spread her legs even though she didn’t love her husband. As the number of times she obediently accepted increased, it wasn’t just tormenting; her husband was also good to the children. It’s not even funny that she feels fulfilled by giving her body.

Sometimes, his own wife would think of herself as a prostitute. A woman who sells her body to her husband in exchange for the stability of her children. That’s exactly what she was.

But now, she doesn’t think so pessimistically. Through “medievalization,” she has come to understand her husband’s feelings a little.

“In conclusion, the most important thing from a woman’s perspective is to have a relationship with someone you love. Regardless of abstinence, I will like a man who sincerely cherishes me.”

Darin thought to herself. It’s absurd for her, who hasn’t loved anyone romantically, to say such things.

Still, she hoped her son would experience a love she hadn’t experienced. And she hoped he would meet a woman who truly loves him. Isn’t that a parent’s sentiment?

“Of course. I sincerely love her and plan to take care of her with all my heart.”

“Really? That’s a relief. But who is this bride you’ve chosen? Can’t you tell your mother about it?”

The red-haired woman playfully nudged her son with a mischievous face. It was truly amazing that a child who only knew his mother was deeply in love with someone else.

Above all, she had not explicitly mentioned the woman she had chosen as her bride, right? It was a bit presumptuous to ask directly, but given Darin’s position, it was natural to be curious.

“Are you that curious?”

“Of course. I’m your mother, after all.”

“You’ll find out soon anyway.”

‘Soon find out…? Oh! Could it be?’

“Is she one of the women attending the engagement ceremony?”

Did the girl’s intuition hit the mark? Kael made a slightly surprised expression, then nodded with a lazy smile.

“Yes, she will definitely attend the engagement ceremony. Despite family objections, she insisted on attending.”

“Really…?”

“Yes, it’s true. You said you wanted to congratulate me somehow.”

“Wow…”

Darine let out an admiring sigh. Rather than feeling Kaël’s popularity, she was looking forward to meeting a grateful woman who truly cherished her son. It made her proud that her son had chosen such a woman as his bride.

“I’ll look for her as soon as I arrive.”

“Will it be hard to find her?”

“I’ll find her somehow. No, I will definitely find her!”

“Hahaha…”

The curious married woman’s figure seemed no different from that of a teenage girl at first glance. Her unadorned nature was akin to Darine’s essence. How lovely she was. Kaël looked at her and burst into laughter.

Blinking, the red-haired girl gazed at her son. She felt that she needed an answer, if nothing else, to satisfy her conscience.

“Kaël, does that woman truly love you?”

In response to his mother’s question, her son briefly made a puzzled expression.

“Yes, of course.”

He immediately smiled and answered with a confident tone.