Dong Dong Dong

  The sun finally reached its zenith and with the arrival of noon, resonant bells echoed all throughout the capital. The birds flew from the noise and the people tio hustle and bustle. Delicious fragrances wafted all throughout as lunch befell on them.

  The Royal Castle isn't any differeher. With the advent of lunch, the whole pce is now much more peaceful, less people running around as they all took their breaks oer another, eating the hearty lunch they have been waiting for all day.

  If there was something different, it would be the Royal Family who has yet to head over the Dining Hall. Everyone was now tidying themselves up, with Grey and Yuna saying their goodbyes as it was finally time to depart.

  "Then, we'll be going now everyone." ［Grey］

  "Hm? Are you really sure you won't be having lunch with us?" ［Talia］

  "We'd love to, but... I don't think we should..." ［Grey］

  Grey finished his words, eyes swimming towards a certain dire. There, a certain figure stood firm and proud, a sileerrifying smile on his face. And that figure is her than the ever so reliable Prime Minister.

  It has already been a couple hours since he left the King to spend time with the Little Princess, but rather than be grateful and head back as soon as he could, he used the fact that he's having fun with the Little Prio his advantage ahened his break. Now, the Prime Minister has e back to personally get him.

  "Hey, Anderson... How aboutー" ［Ernes］

  "No. And that's final, Your Majesty." ［Anderson］

  "But I haven't even saidー" ［Ernes］

  "Your Majesty, if you say one more word, I will resign and leave every matter of the Kingdom to you. Please think carefully." ［Anderson］

  The King couldn't even try tain. The Prime Minister had already erected an unbreakable and immovable wall whiot even he could go against. It was over. Only a mountain of paperwork awaited him.

  And though Grey and Yuna would normally be ed with such heavy workload. It was the King they're talking about. He had also caused them enough trouble for them to not care anymore. He o suffer a little.

  If anything, they were gd the Prime Minister and the Queen were both there for the try, otherwise, one could only imagine how chaotic it would be if everything was left to the King and Prince. Such a reliable pair, indeed.

  "Then, we'll be heading out now." ［Grey］

  "See you week～!" ［Yuna］

  "Bye bye～!" ［Natalia］

  Smiles afloat the air and hands waving goodbye, the doors opened once again and a series of footsteps reverberated throughout the corridors. Soon after, Grey and Yuna are o be foundー or so, they should have been.

  But befrey could even open up a gate, a sudden thought popped in his mind. They were already in the capital, after all. Visiting other acquaintahey knew was not a bad idea. Especially a certain someohey've been dying to meet again.

  "Yuna, let's take another detour." ［Grey］

  "Hm? Why... Ah! Let's go! Let's go!" ［Yuna］

  Grey didn't eveo expin any further. As soon as he said his piece, Yuna then thought of any and all the reasons why Grey would suggest staying any longer, soon arriving to a certain clusion. A smile bloomed on her face soon after.

  There was no time to waste. As they walked through the corridors, their hair colors started to ge and so did their eyes. There may not be many people in the noble's district, but there was no harm being too careful.

  A couple moments ter and several hueps, they were finally out of the Royal Castle. Their footsteps tio ee more as they passed by mp post after mp post, a marvelous manner greeting them as their footsteps stopped.

  And a stiff greeting from the guards and a ton of admiring gazes ter, they are finally ihe manor, beautiful gardens and a gmorous mansion weling them, just as grand as they remembered it to be... It was the Fistra manor!

  "Grey, we didn't fet t gifts, didn't we?" ［Yuna］

  "No, they're all in the 'Iory', and... You sure are excited, aren't you?" ［Grey］

  "Fufufu! Of course! We're going to see Anne again, after all!" ［Yuna］

  Of course, the reason why they are staying longer was her than the sweet little angel who had just turhree weeks old. They couldn't wait to see her again and fill her crib with all the gifts they bought and made.

  They have been pnning to give the gifts for a long time, but with all the things they do, it usually slips their mind. But now, they finally have a ce to do so. Both of them were excited as once be.

  "Oh?" ［Grey］

  And just as they walked down the corridors and into the flight of stairs, a familiar figure appeared before them, the sound of heavy metal eg in the air as metal boots struck the floors. It was her than Kurt.

  "Grey, Yuna, are you looking for Elder Sister?" ［Kurt］

  "Ah, sorry for the unannounced visit, but yeah, we are." ［Grey］

  "Then, just head to the third floor like usual. They're still in the same room as before. Just don't make too muoise, alright? Anne is still sleeping." ［Kurt］

  "Un! We'll be quiet as the wind!" ［Yuna］

  "Hahaha. Then, I'll be going now. I leave the rest to you two." ［Kurt］

  As quickly as the versation started, the versation also ended. After all, Kurt is a ander of the army, and with Vanessa still on leave, his duties only doubled. He is a busy man with little time to waste.

  "Ah, right... I don't know if I should be saying this, but... Please brace yourselves. You will be up for a surprise." ［Kurt］

  But no matter how busy he was, he still took his time trey and Yuna of what will be ahead of them. A warning whily made the two fused if anything, tilting their heads ever so slightly.

  "Umm... A surprise...?" ［Yuna］

  "Yes. You will soon see why." ［Kurt］

  Kurt didn't say any further and headed down the flight of stairs, silence dang in the air. Now, Grey and Yuna are even more fused, uo process the words Kurt just told them, looking each other in the eye as question marks filled their heads.

  Still a little fused, Grey and Yuna tinued heading upstairs and soon enough, a familiar door appeared before them. And surprisingly, the doors were both open, revealing the warm and spacious room oher side.

  "Haah... So tired..." ［Ranzel］

  But rather than a warm reception, what weled them was a lengthy sigh full of exhaustion and exasperatiohe doors, Ranzel was sitting guard, dark bags appearing under both of his eyes. He was as tired as one be.

  "Milk... No... Mama doesn't have... any more... milk... Zzz..." ［Ranzel］

  But even more surprising was his wife beside him. The ever so eiessa was down for the t, hair and clothes disheveled as she talked in her sleep. The very same Vanessa who was a literal ball of energy. They were shocked.

  Now, Grey and Yuna finally uood Kurt's warning. To think that the enthusiastiessa who would drag them around every time she could was now sleeping so tightly. Not even she could bat the exhaustion of raising a baby.

  "Oh, Grey, Yuna, when did you two arrive?" ［Ranzel］

  "Ah, we just arrived... But that's Big Sis Vanessa, right?" ［Grey］

  "Hahaha. I get what you're saying... Surprising, isn't it?" ［Ranzel］

  "Yeah, very much so..." ［Grey］

  Not even Rahe husband, could believe his eyes at first. After all, he's already been with her for several years and never once did he see her get exhausted. Never in his wildest imagination did he ever think it would be their child who would make the impossible possible.

  Well, other than surprise, he was also presented with exhaustion. Having taken care of Antoie for weeks now, he could also feel exhaustion seeping through his body and bones. A tiredness he never felt until graduating the Royal Academy.

  Nor only do they have to wake up hour after hour every night, there was also the ging of diapers, feeding, and so much more. Heck, they eveo be careful with every sound and step they make. Fighting monsters was even more rexing.

  Even just now, the doors were kept open so that no creaks would resound in the room every time someoered or exited. They o sider every little detail there is. Parents are amazing, in ways more than one.

  "Then, I hope this helps... ??Recuperate??." ［Grey］

  "This too... ??Remedy??." ［Yuna］

  There was o waste any more time. With their state already terrible as it is, Grey and Yuna casted a couple of healing spells to both Ranzel and Vanessa. One removes fatigue, while the other removes aches and soreness.

  As soon as the lights seeped towards their bodies, the fatigue and headache they had been enduring quickly melted away into nothingness, only leaving behind warmth and fort. It was super effective.

  "Oh! I feel much betterー" ［Ranzel］

  Ranzel couldn't even finish his words. As soon as he realized, he quickly covered his mouth with both his hands, shutting it tight. His eyes liowards the crib to see if there were aions from the baby.

  "Fufufu! Don't worry, Mister Ranzel. We also erected a sound-dampening barrier while we're at it." ［Yuna］

  "O-Oh... I see... I see... Haah..." ［Ranzel］

  The tension leaving his body, Ranzel could finally let his shoulders loose and breathe a sigh of relief. As he calmed himself down, he once again watched in the dire of his sleeping daughter. A smile soon bloomed on his face.

  "Really, thank you, you two... That really saves us a lot of trouble." ［Ranzel］

  "Fufufu! Anytime!" ［Yuna］

  "Mmnngg...?" ［Vanessa］

  And just as all the immediate troubles were resolved, Vanessa's eyes twitched and her facial expressions ged. Before long, she finally opened her eyes, stretg her arms as she greeted the afternoon.

  "Ranzel... Did Anne wake up...?" ［Vanessa］

  "No, she hasn't. But we do have some guests over." ［Ranzel］

  "Guests...?" ［Vanessa］

  Ranzel's eyes looked at Grey and Yuna's dire, and Vanessa's soon followed suit, tilting her head as she stared ily, trying to figure out who the guests exactly were. She was still a little sleepy and groggy, after all.

  "We're back, Big Sis Vanessa." ［Grey］

  "Un! And we alsht some gifts!" ［Yuna］

  "Oh... It's Grey and Yuna... Wele..." ［Vanessa］

  She was exhausted, alright. If it were the usual Vanessa, she would have already lunged herself trey and Yuna and gave them a tight embrace, but now, she was more tame than ever, greeting them like any normal person would.

  Well, that was something which was only a plus for the two. Now, they don't have to deal with Vanessa's antics. They already had enough of the King's mischief, and don't want to deal with more. Antoie really is an angel.

  And to thank the sleeping little angel for taming her mrey and Yuna slowly but surely took out a lot of gifts from the 'Iory' and id them down on the floor, sooing a mountain of gifts before they k.

  "How should I say this... Umm... That's quite a lot..." ［Ranzel］

  "Haha... Well, we just got too excited, you see... It was our first time buying things for a baby, after all." ［Grey］

  "Un. We just got a little carried away..." ［Yuna］

  A little... But not iandards of a normal person. As it is Grey and Yuna we're talking about, rather than a little, one could fidently say they went overboard many times over. A good portion of the room was filled.

  "Hmm... Grey, Yuna... Are these all for Anne?" ［Vanessa］

  "Un... Is someone wrong, Bis Sis Vanessa?" ［Yuna］

  "No, nothing... It's just that, where's mine?" ［Vanessa］

  And as things were going smoothly, Vanessa dropped one suddeion. And a random o that, making the room silent as the dead. She may be tired, but Vanessa will always be Vanessa. There was no escape from her antics.

  Thankfully, Grey and Yuna already prepared beforehand. With just a flick of a finger, Grey quickly brought out a number of things from his 'Iory'. All were full of colors and delight. A mountain of sweets appeared out of thin air.

  "Waah～! As expected of Grey and Yuna! You never fet!" ［Vanessa］

  "Of course. It's f Sid Vanessa, after all." ［Grey］

  Otherwise, they'll be receiving a hell of trouble and irritation... Is what they wao say, but knowing Vanessa, it was better to just keep their mouths shut. A smile was still much better than a frown, after all.

  "Oh, I have some as well?" ［Ranzel］

  "Yeah, take as much as you want." ［Grey］

  "Alright. I'll take you up on your offer then." ［Ranzel］

  It didn't take long before the sweets-loving Ranzel also partook in the sweets, and before they k, they already had aea party, plete with table, chairs, and a dispy for the desserts, just like ba the Royal Castle.

  As it was the first time they had a break for three whole weeks, and so, both Ranzel and Vanessa ehemselves as much as they could, stuffing their cheeks with all sorts of sweets, bright expressions blooming on their faces.

  "e to think of it... I thought noble children are raised with the help of the servants. Is that not also the case in Alfrione?" ［Grey］

  "Ah, no... That's just about the same in the Kingdom as well. Me and Vanessa were also raised in a simir manner." ［Ranzel］

  "Eh? Then how e only Big Sis Vanessa and Mister Ranzel are here?" ［Yuna］

  Yuna was absolutely right. It has been several minutes sihey arrived, yet not a single maid has ehe room, if anything, there was only Vanessa and Ranzel he baby. Everybody else was on another floor.

  "Well... We are also pnning to do that sooner or ter, but for noant to raise Anne by ourselves as much as we ." ［Ranzel］

  "After all, our leaves aren't indefinite. We will be called for duty soon enough... That's why, while we still enjoy our leave, we want to spend as much time with Anne while we still ." ［Vanessa］

  Vanessa ended her words and her eyes lingered near Antoie's crib. They were warm ale eyes, full of love and affe. And not just her, Ranzel wore the same eyes as well, smiling ever so gently.

  They may be the powerful and honorable Lt. Generals of the kingdom, but they are people as well. They also want to spend as much time as possible with their loved ones, especially so with their newborn baby.

  It may take a handful to take care of the baby with all the g and rearing, but just a single smile from their little angel, and all the fatigue fades away. It was almost magical how powerful love is. Truly mysterious, indeed.

  "Well, if worse es to worst, I could always ask His Majesty for a favor. I'm sure he'll extend our leave if I ask enough." ［Vanessa］

  "Dear, whatever happens, please don't do that, alright?" ［Ranzel］

  "Hm? Why not? His Majesty is quite uanding, you know?" ［Vanessa］

  "No, just please don't think about it, okay?" ［Ranzel］

  Nor just Ranzel, but Grey and Yuna got goosebumps as they listeo Vanessa's idea. Though it was good that she was thinking of ways to spend more time with their daughter, her way of thinking was just way too off and troublesome.

  It might just be because she is not her usual self, but thankfully, Ranzel mao vince Vanessa to hink of doing such things again. Not only Kurt, but the whole Kingdom would suffer a loss if such a High-ranking military officer leaves their post suddenly. It must be avoided at all costs.

  And as their versatio on, the topics jumped from oo another, shifting from a casual exge about updates in their daily lives, all the way to making proud decrations about how adorable their new little angel is.

  "And, you know, just the other day, Anne hugged my hand. She was so small and cute! I love her!" ［Vanessa］

  Vanessa was especially chatty about the topic. She had carried her for nine months, after all. And now that she finally hold her, she couldn't stop going on and on about how adorable her daughter is. She is bound to be another doting parent.

  "I wonder when Anne will start talking? I really want to hear it!" ［Vanessa］

  "Dear, it's still too early for that. Anne isn't even a month old yet." ［Ranzel］

  "I know! But just imagine her reag her hands towards us and calling us 'Mama' and 'Papa'! Wouldn't that be lovely?" ［Vanessa］

  "That...! That would be best!" ［Ranzel］

  "Right～!" ［Vanessa］

  Well, it's not like Ranzel was aer. Just imagining what the future holds was enough to make them smile from ear to ear, exging their little wishes as they thought about how exg ead every tomorrow is going to be.

  In fact, they were so excited that they went off to their own worlds, leaving Grey and Yuna on their own. Not that the tter mi. Rather, they were happy to see that the two had regaiheir energy, glowing brighter by the moment.

  "Still, no matter how much we love A still takes a lot of effort to raise her. It's really exhausting, to be ho." ［Vanessa］

  "Haha... Tell me about it. Especially when she wakes up, she immediately starts g. And it takes so much effort to lull her back to sleep." ［Ranzel］

  "Hm? Just like that?" ［Yuna］

  "Yes. Just like... Huh?" ［Ranzel］

  But happiness s long. As Yuna pointed, all eyes followed her finger and there they saw Anne's crib. The little angel had started to move and her face had started to frown, opening her mouth soon after.

  "Waah! Uwaaaah! Waaahh!" ［Antoie］

  Before long, the sharp and resounding cries of a little baby echoed throughout the whole bedroom, sending Vanessa and Ranzel into panic as they quickly approached her. Their mind had been ditioo react as fast as they could.

  Gently and softly, Vanessa lifted Antioe from her crib and carried her in her arms. She then started patting her legs gently, a subtle rhythm dang in the air along with her soft and soothing hums.

  "There, there, Mama's here. There's o cry." ［Vanessa］

  "Uuu... Waaah... Uwaah..." ［Antoie］

  "It's okay. It's okay now. Mama's always here for you." ［Vanessa］

  As Vanessa lulled the little angel back to sleep, Antoie's voice grew softer and softer as she slowly stopped g. She snuggled in the warmth of her mother's arms, listening to the calming sound of her heartbeats.

  And as Vanessa cradled Antoie, Ranzel grabbed a couple baby toys and some pieces of cloth just in case they hem. Before long, he reunited with his wife and daughter, helping Vanessa as much as he could.

  "Is she hungry again?" ［Ranzel］

  "No... She robably having nightmares..." ［Vanessa］

  "I see... Is there anything I do?" ［Ranzel］

  "Umm... you get me my rog chair, please?" ［Vanessa］

  "Alright. Got it." ［Ranzel］

  Gentle and careful. pared to her usual self, Vanessa was a really g mother. She was cradling Antoie as gently as she could, singing soft lulbies as she patted her to sleep, watg ead every movement as carefully as she could.

  Before long, the little angel was finally back to sleep, silent snores drifting in the wind. Vanessa and Ranzel slowly took some steps back, letting their shoulders loose as they heaved a lengthy sigh of relief.

  "Fufufu! You really looked like a mother back there, Big Sis Vanessa." ［Yuna］

  "Hey, what's that supposed to mean?" ［Vanessa］

  "Nothing really. Nothing at all... Would you like some more chocotes, Big Sis Vanessa?" ［Yuna］

  "Mmn... ging the topiow, are we?" ［Vanessa］

  "Teehee!" ［Yuna］

  A mildly sulking Vanessa, a cheerfully smiling Yuna, and a sleeping little ahe room eaceful as one be, the winds blowing the flowery sts from the gardens and the curtains dang to their tunes.

  Yet another wonderful day to remember.

  CHAPTER 253 END