I summoned Raviara to the lord''s office.


    I heard Raviara knocking. I could tell who it was by the sound of her knocking. We have been friends for a really long time. My parents have been dead for a long time, so this must be the person I have spent the most time with in my life.


    "Raviara, come in."


    What in the world can I do for you?　The canal improvements are progressing on schedule. It''s good to have a town along the river, so that we can bring in dwarven laborers who are good at digging for dirt."


    "Oh, it''s not about the job. ....... Right, just stand there ......"


    I felt it would be impolite to say this while sitting down, so I got up from my desk.


    I stood right in front of Raviara.


    "I wondered again, when did I pull my back out from under Raviara?


    "What is it, suddenly ....... Yes, I think Raviara was bigger than me until I was twelve years old."


    Maybe Laviala remembers me more than I remember her.


    "At that time, Mr. Arsrod, you were not so good with the bow and arrow. We usually won the sword practice.


    "Hey, don''t talk like that."


    We looked at each other and laughed.


    Now our relationship is more like that of childhood friends than that of lord and vassal.


    "But Arsrod-sama has become much stronger since then, hasn''t he? His body grew to match. After two years, Laviala was no match for him with a sword.


    "Instead, you specialized in a single point from there to bow and arrow and became a hell of a bowman, though."


    Just talking to Raviara makes me feel kind. If it weren''t for Raviara, I probably wouldn''t have made it this far.


    "So, what can I do for you?"


    Laviala tilts her head with wide eyes.


    I have to tell you something here. It''s nothing to be ashamed of.


    "It''s something I''ll announce sooner or later, but I wanted to tell you first."


    "Yes, thank you, Mr. Alsrod."


    "You don''t have to thank me before I say what you want. ......"


    I know. No doubt Laviala will say congratulations. She won''t look the least bit sad.


    But she might wonder if it is true that half-elves have a hard time having children.


    As Raviara''s husband, I am concerned about that.


    "Look, I know it''s hard for you to say, but please say it, Mr. Arsrod.


    Okay, I''m ready.


    "You know, Raviara, Serafina and I are going to have a baby. Congratulations."


    "Oh, really?


    Laviala''s large eyes widened even more. She was quite shocked.


    "I would never lie about something like this. I just heard about it. We don''t even know his gender, but I guess that makes him a candidate to be the heir at this point.


    "I see. That''s very, very good. Raviara is very relieved.


    "I didn''t know Raviara was so worried about me."


    It''s all right to say it. I feel much better now.


    "Now Raviara can say what she has been afraid to say: ......"


    "What?　What does that mean,......?"


    I didn''t hear you say that. No, you said it was something you didn''t want to talk about, so how could I have heard it?


    I can''t imagine that Raviara is keeping secrets from me. I thought I knew almost everything about Laviala, from her habits to her personality.


    I don''t think you''re ...... having a boyfriend, are you ......?


    Laviara''s good looks are unquestionable. Raviara''s mother, my nanny, has also long been admired for her beauty among the elves.


    I am sure that no one in my household is unaware of my relationship with Laviara, but I cannot say that there are not men who are tempted to woo her.


    "I''m sorry to say, sir. ......"


    Laviara''s face turned red there.


    But her face did not look guilty, rather it looked very happy.


    "Actually, Raviara also gave birth to Arsrod-sama''s child just the other day. ......"


    For a moment, I didn''t understand what was being said.


    "What, what, what ......?　A child ......?　Jeez, are you kidding me ......?"


    "How could you make such a joke?"


    Laviala laughed at me when I said what I just said.


    "Thank you, Raviara!"


    Unexpectedly, I hugged Laviala.


    After Serafina, Raviara too!　I don''t think we''ll ever have another day of such celebration!


    "I was feeling sick the other day, and when I told my mom about it, she said it was a symptom of having a baby. ......"


    One can hear a hint of relief in Laviala''s voice.


    "I really wanted to report it right away, but I kept quiet because I thought it would be an insinuation against Serafina, who is my regular wife. ....... I also knew that she wanted to have a baby with Mr. Arsrod. ......"


    "What, you mean everyone was looking out for each other after all?"


    Is this what happens when you have more than one wife? But now that''s no longer a concern of mine.


    "Raviara, as your lord and master, I command you. "Raviara, as your lord and master, I command you to give birth to a healthy baby. And you will live to raise it in good health. Do you understand?"


    "Yes!　I will fulfill that prime directive!"


    I doubt there is a happier man in this territory right now than me.


    "And you, Raviara, I want you to be the nanny for Serafina''s children.


    "Yes, with pleasure!"


    "And take a break from work if it''s getting too tiring. You and the kids are more important.


    "You''ll be fine for a while longer. At least, I will be able to work until the time when I can conduct political affairs at the castle of Maust.


    Later that day, I told my advisors that Serafina and her consort Laviala were pregnant.


    For a while, congratulatory messengers came constantly. There were so many of them that I decided to handle them myself, since I would have exhausted them if I had to attend to all of them.


    The number of people coming to greet us has increased since the past due to the expansion of our territory, and especially since the town of Maust is about to undergo a major change, there are many merchants who are looking to take advantage of the situation.


    What can I say, fathers have more work to do as fathers. .......