After finishing the greetings, we moved to the bedroom and began the healing treatment using 【Mira’s Blessing】.

Just like with Seriana and the others, it seems that when carrying a child, nutrients are drawn away from the body, causing damage to the skin and hair.

Even though it’s been several months since giving birth, she still hasn’t fully recovered.

I honestly can’t tell the difference. To me, she still looks just as beautiful as when I first saw her, but… I guess that’s not how the women see it.

Originally, this visit was meant to be a thank-you for the gift from last summer, but the timing was just too perfect. Maybe it was just an excuse to invite me over?

◇

And so, as I provided the treatment, I rested her head on my lap, focusing mainly on her head.

Meanwhile, Teresa and Edgar had come to the bedroom as well, engaged in some serious discussion.

From the bits and pieces I could catch, they weren’t dealing with precise numbers, but they were talking about things like the number of adventurers staying in the area and the number of monsters being hunted.

It seemed Edgar was aware of the recent attacks and was trying to get information about the Demon King Type, but… Teresa was skillfully dodging his questions.

◇

Come to think of it, Liesel rarely even enters Seriana’s room, let alone the South Wing, but Edgar has no problem walking into the bedroom.

Not that Liesel and Seriana don’t get along, but I guess even between siblings, these things can be different.

As I pondered that thought, my gaze wandered around the room. Even though her eyes were closed, she must have noticed.

Elisha asked me what was wrong.

“It just feels a little different from when you were at the castle.”

I had only entered Elisha’s room once in the past, but it was lavishly decorated with a thick, long-fiber carpet and all sorts of extravagant furnishings.

The table legs were in a cabriole style, and the bed had a canopy—truly a princess’s room. Compared to that, this one was much simpler.

Not that the quality of the furniture, including the bed, was bad.

But the carpet had a shorter pile despite its thickness, and overall, the room had a more angular, rugged feel to it.

Was it the influence of Mercenal’s domain or Salion’s family traditions?

Or was she holding back since this was her marital home?

Just as I was thinking about that, Edgar, who had been talking with Teresa, joined the conversation before Elisha could respond.

“Right? I’ve told her she can do whatever she likes with it, but…”

So it wasn’t that he had set any restrictions.

Which meant… this was just Elisha’s preference?

“That kind of decor suited the castle. It wouldn’t fit in this mansion. This is fine as it is.”

Elisha, who had kept her eyes closed until now, turned to face Edgar as she said that.

Indeed, a sturdy stone castle and an open, wooden mansion had completely different atmospheres.

It wasn’t that this place looked cheap—if anything, it exuded an air of luxury.

It wasn’t a matter of which was better, but she was right; that decor wouldn’t have suited this place.

I nodded in agreement with Elisha’s reasoning when…

◇

Suddenly, I felt something strange on my backside.

Somehow, Elisha had wrapped her arms around me without me noticing.

I had let my guard down while turning to face Edgar, and she took the chance to grab me.

“…Not much has changed.”

What a rude thing to say while squeezing someone’s butt…

“Teresa, how old is this girl now?”

“She turned 13 this year.”

“I see… then she might still grow.”

And once again, she reached for my rear.

There’s no one here to play the straight man…

Liesel could have put a stop to this, but Edgar seems a bit too weak for the role.

Even now, our eyes met, and I could tell he was hesitating on whether or not to intervene.

I think I’ve just figured out the balance of power in this marriage.

Then what about Teresa?

When I glanced at her, she gave a small nod and—

“Lady Elisha.”

With just that one phrase, Elisha flinched for a moment and stopped.

Yes… she’s strong.

◇

After everything that happened, the treatment was completed without any further incidents in about an hour.

Satisfied with the results after looking in the mirror, Elisha pulled me onto her lap, clearly in a good mood.

Even in that position, she kept 【Mira’s Blessing】 activated.

In the end, I had to treat her entire body.

Well, with the proper treatment finished, we sat down together for tea, and that was when Edgar asked if I wanted anything.

I had come here as a gesture of gratitude, but… if they’re offering, I might as well take something.

When he asked what I wanted, something immediately came to mind.

“You want to see the city?”

“Yep. It’s different from any city I know, so I’d like to take a look tomorrow. Is that alright?”

At first, Edgar looked puzzled, but when I pointed to the 【Floating Orb】, he seemed to understand.

I guess floating around in the sky would reveal things that people might not want outsiders to see.

Personally, as long as they tell me which areas are off-limits, I wouldn’t go near them.

But… I wonder how they’ll respond?

—————————————————————————————————————————————————————————–

Sera・【Hideout】+1【Prayer】【Mira’s Blessing】【Wind Garment】・【Floating Orb】+1【Shadow Sword】【Scarlet Bee Needle】【Fairy’s Eye】【Dragon’s Lung】【Amber Sword】【Danrem’s Thread】【Serpent’s Tail】【Ankle Bracelet】【Amber Shield】【Purple Wings】【Red Sword】【Monkey’s Arm】・4 cards

Seriana・【Area Identification】・【】・39 cards

Elena・【】・【Green Fang】【Amber Sword】・4 cards

Alec・【Strong Strike】・【Red Shield】【Fierce Horned Trumpet】・9 cards