A royal pregnancy naturally called for celebration.
Even if this "pregnancy" had come about under suspicious circumstances, the Queen of Caria being pregnant was enough in itself to send all the nobles of Liurnia into a flurry.
Invitations flew out to estates everywhere like snowflakes, and preparations for the celebration proceeded at a feverish pace amid the royal family's silence and the nobles' whispers.
Whether for personal reasons or propriety, Horace had to attend.
He was a duke of Caria, the queen's brother-in-law, and, more importantly, Liurnia's de facto second-in-command.
Before he left, Rellana helped straighten his formal attire, her eyes full of confusion.
"What exactly is my sister thinking? Just yesterday she was urging me to have a child, and today she herself..."
Horace fastened his cuff links without looking up. "Perhaps she has her reasons."
"But this is far too sudden." Rellana stepped in front of him and looked up at him.
"And you don't look surprised at all."
Horace's hands paused. I wonder whether Rellana could accept her sister having a child with my sister-in-law?
After considerable hesitation, he finally said, "Some things are better left unknown."
Rellana nodded and asked no more.
She had a feeling that digging deeper would reveal something utterly outrageous.
But her fingers unconsciously brushed her lower abdomen. It was still flat, without any sign of activity.
Even my sister is pregnant now...
Should I be trying harder too?
The thought brought a faint blush to her cheeks, and she quickly turned to fetch his coat.
Caria Manor.
The celebration was grand yet restrained.
Grand, because none of the expected ceremonies were omitted: audiences with the nobles, a banquet, a concert, and even a small True Magic performance.
The royal family's dignity had to be maintained.
Restrained, because Rennala herself barely appeared.