SS #36 Regina Bayer (5)

Bayer, Chase, Hresvelg.

Among the three families known as the Three Northern Powers, the Hresvelg Count family had three distinctive features.

First, military power.

Although relations with the Northern Wildlands had improved to the point of trade, it didn’t mean the Ravens who guarded the North had suddenly vanished.

The Hresvelg family were still Marcher Lords, and under their command, Thunderdoom Fortress and tens of thousands of soldiers remained.

Furthermore, the one leading them, the young Count Hresvelg—Lucas Hresvelg—was the strongest swordsman in the Sailun Kingdom and the Heavenly Sword Saint, the head of the Ten Sword Masters. In terms of sheer military might, House Hresvelg could be called the strongest of the Three Northern Powers.

Second, their leadership.

Then and now, the leader of the twelve northern families was House Hresvelg.

While House Chase and House Bayer had achieved tremendous growth over the past decade, House Hresvelg had also developed significantly thanks to peace with the Wildlands and the newly established trade routes with the Empire.

Moreover, as they maintained excellent relations with both House Chase and House Bayer, their position as the leader of the twelve northern families was incredibly solid.

Third, their fertility.

House Hresvelg had traditionally had few heirs, but this generation was different.

It was as if a blocked meridian had been cleared, as children were born into the family one after another.

It reached the point where the young Count Hresvelg—Lucas Hresvelg—earned the nickname “Northern King of Virility.”

“And the children are called the ‘Hresvelg Legion.’”

The Hresvelg Legion.

Regina let out an awkward laugh at the nickname that came from Amber’s mouth.

Honestly, she thought it was a fitting nickname.

‘Because there really are a lot of them.’

Perhaps because most of the twelve northern families had the blood of angels, they usually had few children.

Usually one or two. Three at the very most was the norm, but House Hresvelg—

Letting out another awkward laugh, Regina was about to say something but snapped her mouth shut.

Because Yuria, who had been sitting quietly, suddenly stood up.

“They’re coming.”

“Huh? You don’t mean House Hresvelg?”

“Yes, they’re on their way.”

As Yuria replied with a calm and clear face reminiscent of Maia, Amber and Aiden looked at each other.

It was no wonder, as the group wasn’t observing from a hilltop to see when House Hresvelg would arrive, but was in the middle of a board game in a room on one side of the mansion.

“Yuria, how do you know? Did you use some kind of magic?”

“No, just a feeling.”

“Huh?”

What was this now? A feeling?

But for some reason, Regina felt that Yuria’s words were credible.

Didn’t Yuder-oppa often say that? That Cordelia-unnie’s intuition was on the level of a beast.

‘Of course, every time he said that, Cordelia-unnie would retort that Yuder-oppa was the real beast.’

Even thinking about it now, it was a strange thing to say. Why would Yuder-oppa be a beast? He was an incredibly cool and sophisticated man.

In any case, this was Yuria, the daughter of none other than Cordelia-unnie. For such a person to mention a feeling, it somehow seemed like it must be true.

“Uh, should we get ready to greet them then?”

“No, wait. You’re going to greet them based on just a feeling?”

When Aiden asked, Amber nodded as if in agreement.

But instead of presenting any logic, Yuria looked at Regina and said,

“Aunt Regina, I’m going to greet them. Are you coming with me?”

“Huh?”

Regina, who had reflexively started to stand up, could only blink in an awkward, half-risen posture.

It was because Amber and Aiden were giving her a look that said, ‘Is it us or her? Huh? Us or her?’

‘Uh, what should I do?’

In her heart, she somehow felt Yuria was right, but if she took Yuria’s side, she felt Amber and Aiden would get sulky again.

‘Aiden sulks at the drop of a hat, so it doesn’t matter, but when Amber sulks, it lasts for a really long time. And she’s hard to appease.’

But what about Yuria? If she sided with Amber and Aiden here, wouldn’t Yuria get sulky?

But it was at that very moment. A saving voice that would solve Regina’s dilemma in an instant came from outside the door.

“My lady. They say the Hresvelg Count’s family has almost arrived.”

At the appearance of her personal maid, Luna, Regina cheered inwardly, while Amber and Aiden turned to look at Yuria in surprise.

Yuria still had her clear and elegant face—but it was a face that, had Scarlett seen it, she would have vehemently claimed was black-hearted—and she wore a faint smile.

“Anyway, let’s hurry. We have to greet them.”

“Y-yeah.”

At Regina’s urging, Amber and Aiden stood up with slightly awkward expressions, and Yuria stepped forward gracefully.

A short while later, standing at the mansion’s entrance, Regina let out an awkward smile at the sight of the ‘Hresvelg Legion’ disembarking one by one from a large carriage.

Vivian Hresvelg.

12 years old.

Eldest daughter of the Hresvelg Count family.

Next to the red-haired girl, who was the spitting image of her mother, Scarlett Hresvelg, stood a small, black-haired girl, a contrast to Vivian, holding her older sister’s hand tightly.

Angela Hresvelg.

4 years old.

The youngest of the Hresvelg Count family.

Vivian glanced back at her little sister, her eyes sharpening, then spoke in a sharp, clear voice to her swarming siblings.

“Everyone, be quiet. Walter, you especially keep an eye on the twins.”

“Yes, sister.”

The one who immediately answered Vivian’s crisp command was Walter Hresvelg, the eldest son and second child of the Hresvelg family.

He was only a few months younger than Vivian, making him also twelve, but you would never guess it from his appearance.

He was already two heads taller than Vivian, who was mature for her age, and had broad shoulders as well.

The boy, with his brilliant blond hair and the light brown skin characteristic of the southern families, had a very diligent personality, much like his father.

Instead of questioning his sister’s words, he simply acknowledged them and turned to his younger siblings with a stern gaze.

“Number off.”

“One.”

“Two.”

“Three.”

The Hresvelg children answered one by one, lining up in formation.

To explain in detail, it was as follows.

Vivian Hresvelg.
12 years old.
Eldest daughter of the Hresvelg family, born of Scarlett.

Walter Hresvelg.
12 years old.
Eldest son of the Hresvelg family, born of Kaisa.

William Hresvelg.
11 years old.
Second son of the Hresvelg family, born of Kaisa.

Stephen Hresvelg and Randolph Hresvelg.
10 years old.
Third and fourth sons of the Hresvelg family, born of Kaisa.
Twins.

Marcus Hresvelg
8 years old.
Fifth son of the Hresvelg family, born of Kaisa.

Victor Hresvelg
7 years old.
Sixth son of the Hresvelg family, born of Scarlett.

Jace Hresvelg
6 years old.
Seventh son of the Hresvelg family, born of Kaisa.

Angela Hresvelg
4 years old.
Second daughter and youngest child of the Hresvelg family, born of Kaisa.

Seven sons and two daughters.

The sight of nine children lined up in a row was quite a spectacle.

Moreover, the sight of them trotting after their eldest sister, Vivian, was incredibly cute, like a line of ducklings following their mother.

‘Of course, Walter, William, and the twins aren’t cute.’

Sorry to the four of them, but they were all too big.

Their height and build were so impressive that they were about the same size as fifteen-year-old Aiden, or even bigger.

Naturally, they were much bigger than Vivian.

But Vivian was the commander of the Hresvelg Legion, and the daughter of none other than Scarlett.

Even a casual glance from the side was enough to see how well they all listened to Vivian.

“Greetings to the Great Count Chase.”

“Greetings.”

Vivian led the greeting, and Walter and the other children followed suit, paying their respects. Count Chase received their greeting with a stern face that hid his pleasure and envy.

It was no wonder, for the very scene he had once dreamed of was unfolding before his eyes.

Therefore, risking a bit of rudeness and embarrassment, Count Chase used Message Magic.

[My friend, do you happen to have a secret?]

To the question that echoed in his mind, the Heavenly Sword Saint—Lucas Hresvelg—replied via telepathy with an awkward smile.

[I, uh, I think you just have to work hard… sir.]

Just work hard.

Do your best.

Count Chase felt a slight disappointment at Lucas’s textbook answer, but he soon nodded.

Lucas’s personality didn’t seem the type to hide secrets; it seemed to be the result of him genuinely just working hard.

“Come in, all of you. I’ll have some tea served.”

“Thank you.”

He was the Heavenly Sword Saint, renowned as the strongest swordsman in the Sailun Kingdom, but he was actually only thirty years old.

Moreover, he had a very youthful face and looked to be in his early twenties, and the same was true for his wives.

Sword Queen Scarlett, a member of the Ten Sword Masters and the only female Sword Saint in the Sailun Kingdom, and Kaisa, the divine beast of the sea who once ruled the southern waters.

The two had already borne several children, but you wouldn’t know it from their appearances.

In Scarlett’s case, perhaps because Vivian was also mature for her age, when they stood side by side, they looked more like sisters than mother and daughter.

As Lucas followed a step behind Count Chase, Scarlett quickly looked toward the children—more precisely, at Vivian—and sent a telepathic message.

[I’m leaving the kids in your care.]

‘Yes, Mother.’

When Vivian replied silently, Scarlett, who confirmed the answer by reading her lips, smiled brightly and followed Lucas.

“I will guide the young masters and ladies this way.”

“Thank you for guiding us.”

Vivian smiled at the maid in charge of guiding them, then looked back at Walter. Walter nodded with a soldier-like expression and turned to his siblings.

And then, thump, thump, thump.

Watching the Hresvelg children follow the maid like an army, Regina let out her usual awkward smile.

“Anyway… shall we go too?”

They had to greet the Hresvelg children and play with them.

At Amber’s words, Regina quickly nodded and hurried her steps.

“How have you been?”

“I’ve been fine, aside from how incredibly tough it is to look after my siblings.”

The children’s room.

Count Chase knew well what the Hresvelg children wanted, so he had dispatched special helpers to their room.

Maia and Dahlia.

At the appearance of the two angels, the children’s eyes sparkled, and they displayed a much higher level of concentration and good behavior than usual. Thanks to this, Vivian, now with some free time, could step back and chat with Regina’s group.

‘Vivian is less like an older sister and more like a mother.’

Should I say she feels less like Regina’s own mother and more like a young mother to the Hresvelg children?

Moreover, perhaps because of her mature appearance, the sight of Vivian rubbing her neck and complaining about how hard it was to raise kids was the very picture of a young mother exhausted from childcare.

“They seemed well-behaved. Do they cause you trouble?”

Perhaps because she was an only child with no siblings, Yuria asked with eyes full of more curiosity than usual. Vivian replied with a bitter smile.

“They mostly listen well, but the twins act up sometimes. Still, it’s a huge relief that Walter helps out so much. Without him, it would have been twice… no, three times as hard. Boys are just…”

The way she spoke while shaking her head was not that of a twelve-year-old girl at all.

And Walter felt less like a younger brother and more like a husband who was good at helping raise the kids.

Of course, the ones actually raising the children were Lucas, Scarlett, Kaisa, and the maids of House Hresvelg, but that didn’t mean Vivian, as the eldest daughter, didn’t have her own hardships. So perhaps her reaction was only natural.

“By the way, Maia-nim is truly beautiful. My mother’s beauty is second to none, but honestly, I think she’s slightly outmatched by Maia-nim.”

“Hmph.”

At Vivian’s words, Yuria gave a little “hmph” and shrugged, as if she were the one being praised.

‘Yuria is one of us after all.’

To be precise, of the Chase family’s bloodline. Her reaction just now was the very one Aiden or Cordelia-unnie often showed.

“By the way… I see everyone is holding a book.”

“Oh? Uh-huh. The new volume of Bildwein’s Heroic Saga came out a few days ago.”

Vivian said it as if it were nothing, and Yuria and Regina both nodded.

They knew well that the Hresvelg children were all fanatics of Bildwein’s Heroic Saga.

‘Come to think of it, I heard there’s a Bildwein Land in the Hresvelg territory. I’d like to go there sometime.’

They say it’s an amusement park overflowing with dreams and hope.

“You guys don’t read Bildwein’s Heroic Saga?”

“Huh? Uh, we read it, but we don’t exactly seek it out right away.”

“Really? That’s strange.”

As Vivian spoke with wide, surprised eyes, Regina felt as if her common sense was crumbling and looked toward Yuria.

She was suddenly curious if Yuria also read Bildwein’s Heroic Saga.

“I read it too. My master likes it.”

“The Sword Demon?”

“Yes, he likes it so much that I’ve even seen him write… fanfiction, I guess you’d call it?”

At Yuria’s words, Regina gasped in amazement without realizing it.

It was no wonder. For the Sword Demon, of all people, to personally write fanfiction.

Bildwein’s Heroic Saga must be a much more incredible book than Regina had thought, right?

“I’m curious. Fanfiction written by the Sword Demon. I’d like to see it someday.”

This time, Regina nodded eagerly at Vivian’s words, as if in complete agreement.

There was just too vast a gap between the image of the Sword Demon, famous among the Great Heroes of Paragon for his cold and solitary aura, and that of a huge fan who writes fanfiction for a heroic novel.

And so, after they had talked for a while,

Regina suddenly seemed to remember something, clapped her hands lightly, and asked.

“By the way, Vivian. You’re going to the ball too, right?”

“The Founding Anniversary Ball?”

“Yes, the Founding Anniversary Ball.”

“Of course I’m going. I’m the eldest daughter of House Hresvelg, after all.”

“Then have you decided on a partner?”

As Regina asked a rare girlish question, Vivian smiled in amusement before shaking her head.

“I don’t have a partner. And besides, we’re only twelve. We’re not old enough to go to a ball with a partner yet. It’s not like we have fiancés.”

“I-Is that so?”

“Usually, yes. Why, Regina, is there a boy you want to go with?”

“Me? N-No. I don’t.”

As Regina blinked in embarrassment, Vivian giggled as if she found it cute.

“Hmph, what about you, Vivian? You don’t have anyone?”

“I don’t either. Unfortunately, I’m too busy taking care of my siblings. And there aren’t any cool guys around.”

For a twelve-year-old, her statement seemed quite contradictory, but the ones listening were thirteen-year-old Regina and eleven-year-old Yuria.

So Regina nodded with a rather serious face, then asked in a subtle tone.

“Then, you know, what about Aiden?”

“Aiden? Your nephew?”

“Yes, our dear nephew. He may be my nephew, but he’s handsome, has a pretty good personality, is kind…”

“Yeah, yeah, I get what you’re saying, but still no.”

“Why?”

“He’s a siscon.”

“A what?”

A what? As Regina blinked and asked, Vivian shook her head and continued.

“I have enough siscons with Walter… and the rest of my brothers. I’m going to meet a man with no female siblings.”

“O-oh.”

I don’t really get it, but if you say so, I guess that’s how it is.

Regina nodded hesitantly and turned from Vivian to Yuria.

“Yuria, do you have a partner?”

“I don’t. But… I might get one.”

“Huh? What do you mean?”

As Regina asked with wide eyes, Vivian also leaned slightly toward Yuria, showing her interest.

Then, Yuria spoke with her characteristic mysterious expression.

“Nothing’s set in stone. It’s just a feeling.”

“Again?”

“Yes, again. And Regina will probably get a partner too.”

“Huh? Me?”

“Yes, Regina’s.”

As Yuria replied prettily, Regina clutched her pounding chest with a face mixed with bewilderment and anticipation, while Vivian crossed her arms and fell into thought, looking quite intrigued.

It was because her mother’s words, ‘Cordelia’s intuition is that of a beast and cannot be ignored,’ came to mind.

‘Whoever it is, if Yuria’s partner appears at the ball… it would be a continent-level issue, wouldn’t it?’

It was Yuria, after all.

The most noble child in the world, born between the Goddess’s Avatar and the Pope.

The one and only daughter of an insane family that not even the Argon Imperial Family, let alone the Sailun Royal Family, could carelessly propose a marriage to.

For such a child’s ball partner to appear?

‘It would be fun if one really appeared.’

Would Walter not do? Walter is cool, handsome, kind, and just the best.

He’s tall, and his age matches Yuria’s well. Yes, yes, he may be my little brother, but he’s a really wonderful Walter.

She had mentioned Aiden being a siscon, but Vivian herself was a severe brocon.

‘I’m curious about Regina’s partner too.’

Yuria was such a big shot, but in truth, Regina was a big shot as well.

Yuria’s and Regina’s partners.

If they really appeared, who would they be? Who would be worthy enough to suit the two of them?

‘Well, I’ll probably just dance with Walter.’

In fact, I doubt there’s anyone cooler than Walter.

Displaying her brocon tendencies once more, Vivian pinched the still-flustered Regina’s cheek and looked toward her siblings.

And then, two days later, in the afternoon.

Five days before the Founding Anniversary Celebration, new faces arrived in the royal capital.

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Translated By: Meher (RaidenTL)

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