Chapter 50: Who Did It?

When I woke up, the maid told me I did it this time.

I could definitely not cope with that.

Mmorning. What did you do?

Without moving even an inch, that question was all I could muster.

Good morning, Zest-sama. Urm, wellI am expecting a child. And then

With a face like a tomato, she hesitantly explained me the circumstances.

According to the maids story, she was Meril, a daughter from a barons householdand was working in the imperial palace as a maid, in order to learn the good manners.

With a basic light magic, I checked her body and it seemed she was indeed pregnant.

She didnt know what to do, so she came to me, since I was in charge of the black knights.

It was like that.

..Who was it? Whos the idiot guilty of something like this?

Thats.Ill immediately search for the perpetrator and Ill take the proper measures. Are you engaged or anything?

No, before I finish my training here, I cant.

It was pretty normal for nobles children to go work as maids in the imperial palace in order to learn the good manners.

Once they become palace maids, theyll never have to worry about finding a good wedding partner.

I see. Then, what do you want to do about that guy?

If he marries me and takes responsibility, then..

She doesnt want this to become a too serious matter.

Hmm, it cant be helped then.

Understood. Ill make the preparations right away, so you can just relax and wait here.

However, was it really against her will? I actually do trust the black knights, so I wonder

At a quick pace, I went towards the room where the black knights were in attendance.

I asked for another room to be prepared next to theirs.

Oi! Whos the idiot who raped the maid called Meril!?

The door opened and Albert let himself sit in aseizaposition.

..It was you?.

I sat down on a chair.

So? What actually happened?

The other black knights turned away their heads.

Well, they didnt want to see how their colleague was about to get scolded for causing a scandal.

Yes. I have no recollection of what happened yesterday, after we returned to the palace.When I came to my senses, I was sleeping next to the maidI am truly sorry..

..You idiot! Someone set you up!

When I glanced at the other black knights, their shoulders were trembling lightly.

You were accomplices to this!

I let Albert step back for a moment.

He looked too pitiful, with his tail and ears limp.

You lot, you set him up, didnt you?

According to the grinning black knights explanation, it was something like this

That maid was the daughter of a barons household from the Frontier Counts domain, and she was in love with Albert for a long time.

They finally met again, and the black knights decided to work together with the maid.

They devised a plan in order to attach Albert to her.

You lotThen, what about Albert?

Yes, hes actually in love with Miss Meril too, so theres no problem there. Were in your care now.

They all together bowed their heads.

Oh dear!

Understood. Ill turn this into a happy story. Tell this to Albert too.

Thank you!

Really now, you sure know how to cause a lot of trouble..However, that maid was really cute.

Damn you Albert..and that handsome face of yours.

With my flames of jealousy fully burning, I returned to my room.

Meril and Bea were there.

Bea, you came? Meril, I heard about your story. Leave it to me.

Zest-sama, I also heard about it from Meril. However, deceiving Zest-samais a bit

Zest-sama, I am truly sorry.

Ah, that?

I laughed and brushed Beas hair.

Yes, it feels as good as ever.

It doesnt matter. Besides, Ive already decided on the punishment.

Really now, I had to do meticulous arrangements.

Anyway, the suggestion came from my master or mother-in-law, am I correct?

Startled, Meril jumped up.

As for the punishment this time, Im planning to assign Albert as those guys leader and make them all work directly under me.

This wasindeed their punishment, making them work directly under me.

In reality, Ill be something like their overseer.

Therefore, theres no need to be worried, Meril, I wont scold you. You can relax.

She constantly apologized to me; as for her pregnancy, it was actually real.

For the time being, I gave some orders to make Meril Beas exclusive maid.

They both know each other, and Albert would feel at ease knowing that shed work under Bea.

After I finished with these preparations, it was already the time for the big announcement on the palaces terrace.

A maid came to guide me to the waiting room.

Bea and I were drinking some tea, while waiting for our turn.

Toto, you really like cookies, dont you? How many did you eat already? Youll get fat, you know?

Once Toto finished her 4thcookie, the maid called us out.

Well, shall we go?

We arrived in front of the terraces opened door and heard that the Emperors speech has already begun.

The maid knelt down and approached his Majesty, who was giving his speech in front of the population, and touched his leg a few times.

I see, that was the signal.

..to be. Well, as everyone already knows, a hero who managed to achievespiritificationappeared in our empire. It is a brilliant achievement we havent seen in 300 years!

Waaaaaaaaa

I surveyed the crowd, breaking out in shouts of joy.

His Majesty did the same, then raised his right hand, at which point the crowd started to slowly settle down; the Emperor continued.

For this joyous achievement, I prepared two rewards. First, I will bestow them with the duke rank, and second, I will offer Princess Tsubaki in marriage! Everyone, offer your blessings and shouts of joy to our heroes, Duke Zest and Duchess Beatrice!!

Waaaaaaaaaaaaaa!!

The cheers this time were even greater than before.

The maid gestured us to hurry on the terrace.

Bea and I looked at each other and nodded, then started walking slowly.

(Dad, Mom, I need to pee. Itll come out.)

At this excessively clear telepathic message, we both turned around in shock..

Toto, try to endure itHa? It seems she wont be able to..