Chapter 249 – A Little Story

"Let's go sit down," I say. I really could use some time off my feet. The manor's garden has a group of chairs and tables off to the side to sit in, and Irlo drags me over to them. Jumping into my lap without question, she rests against my belly with a cute little smile. "It feels good to have a kid on my lap again. Do you feel your brother and sister?"

"Yes!" Irlo says.

"Good, I think they're happy to be so close to their strong big sister. Now, about your Daddy. He was a wild kid like you. He loved to help me. I was lucky to own a little food store near our house. She loved to be a server, handing out my dishes and cleaning up for me. The store kept me busy, though, trying to keep up with money and living. I was busy like your Mother is, so Alzi had a lot of time to herself. It let her run around and find flowers, chase the butterflies, and play without worrying that her Mother would yell at her. But she was always in the kitchen when I came home. She might have been dirty from running around, but she was always there with a big smile, happy to see me. And yes, her hair, wings, and tail were all glowing and shifting their color. Her hair was never dirty, but her clothing would be. I was able to find the time to teach her how to sew a bit, and she was so happy about that. She loved it when she was the one to patch her clothing. Daddy was a great kid."

I look down to see what Irlo thinks and find the little cutie fast asleep. I guess I'll need to pick a more exciting story next time.

"Sorry, it is close to Irlo's nap time," the maid says. "You were a single mother when raising him? You don't have to answer. We can just relax and let Irlo sleep until dinner."

"No, we can keep talking. I didn't pick a very interesting story, but there's no need to make you sit in silence. I haven't gotten to talk much about Alzi, and I should put the stories into words. I'm sure all the grandkids and kids will want to hear about it. I wasn't married, so I was lucky to get pregnant. Pure chance, really. The pregnancy was hard, but she was easy in the womb, even if she was very active from the moment she could move. Still, everyone looked down on the woman who couldn't get married, and I didn't have any help when I was getting close to my due date. I was supposed to move in with a midwife who was willing to help me. She was so kind. But Alzi came early, but was ready to come out right away. When she came, I didn't have time for anything. All the women I've heard talk about labor said they knew it was happening for at least hours before it truly started. For me, it just started, and I barely made it to my bed. I- I didn't think I was going to make it, and I didn't know if anyone would be coming to find my baby before she died. I thought she would die right beside my womb. And then Alzi made it out, and I saw that light, and I was so confused. I thought I had really died."

"I'm sorry for bringing up a painful memory, but you're a strong woman for making it. I've heard a lot about Alzi, and you raised an amazing woman. I'm sorry that Irlo makes you say he so much."

"I think this is an important story to share, but I'm scared to tell it to Alzi cause she would hate herself for almost killing me. So, thank you for letting me speak about it. Oh, and Alzi doesn't mind being called a man."

"I've heard she does."

"That is just from Alzi hating the nobles' requirements for men. In the village, Alzi would always be close to her kids and choose her mates herself. She'll never say a thing about it to Irlo, and she'll respond with a smile to it. If she's in a pretty dress, you should say she. But otherwise, Alzi won't care as long as you're nice to her and her family."

"Thank you. I can try to bring Irlo down to see you more and let you build more nice memories with her. I may be overstepping my bounds with this, but remember, you have wives now. You don't have to shoulder it all by yourself anymore. You've done that long enough."

"I guess. I didn't think I was holding in so much," I say. "It would be best to get it out so I don't put all the kids to sleep with my stories. It would be great to have Irlo visit us, and I'm sure Mai and my wives are happy I'm not working over the stove right now. It's just the only way to improve my class."

"You have a class?" the maid asks, her confusion clear on her face. I hope it's safe now to share that I have a class.

"Yes, late bloomer, the priestess said. I think it's due to having a champion for a kid."

"Champions are strange beings," the maid says, hopefully accepting that answer. It is true, in a way, except it was a Goddess who told me the information.

"It seems dinner is ready," the maid says. "Let me carry the Princess."

"Thank you. She's a little big for me to carry in this state." I don't know how she knows, but I'm sure they have a good system for letting other maids know if they need help or are finished with something. The maids easily have more mana than I do, and they have to have some creative ways to use it.

"Don't worry. This is my job. Yours is getting those kids out, with all of you safe and healthy."

Are all of the maids so nice? Alzi's maids seemed kind of nice, but she was so on edge around them. I hope they can help my baby relax somehow during the war.

The table is already set, with more food than I had prepared somehow. The soup I was getting ready now has a salad beside it and some meat to go along with it. My wives are already sitting around the table with Mai. Kelly got sent off with the Queen like Alzi. I hope they're alright. "Thank you for improving my meal," I say. "It is hard to get meat when there's a war going on and it's winter."

"Yes, I wanted your first meal with Princess Irlo to be good," the cook says. "Please enjoy."

"Thank you," I say, taking my seat. The maid gives little Irlo a kiss to wake her up. The little Princess flinches to attention after seeing the dinner table, doing her best to sit still.

"What do we do with the napkin?" the maid asks.

"Lap!" Irlo shouts, getting a raised eyebrow in response. "You put it in your lap."

"Yes, your Highness. That is right. Then what do you do?"

"Wait till the head of the table eats," Irlo asks, her eyes burning into me. I didn't know I had such an important position at the table. Should we be learning all of this, too? "Then I can eat, Grandmother."

"Then let me take a bite, sweety. You seem hungry," I say.

"Thanks! I think my siblings are hungry, too."

"Haha, yes. They are kicking around a lot. The young need to eat to grow strong," I say, taking a bite of the salad.

"Then I need to eat a lot! I'll be the strongest. A fierce Dragon."

"Yes, you will," Akhae says. "Your parents are powerful, and I can see they both gave their gifts to you. But you have to work hard to grow into that strength."

"Your daddy did work hard, helping me every day. You remind me of him a lot, and I know your Mother had to work hard to earn her position. So, you've got to listen to your maids to get there. They've got a lot to show you and help you with."

"Mommy says that too," Irlo says. "But it is so boring. And the rules are stupid. It's a lot more fun to run around and play."

"That it is," Ilka says. "But life isn't all games. This is an easy time to learn how to handle that challenge. But I can think of a way to help you with them if the mighty dragon isn't able to complete the challenge."

"I can! I'm a mighty dragon and can complete any challenge!"

"Oh, can you, now?" Ilka asks. "Your maid's smile seems to be saying the opposite. Are you sure you don't want help? Even your parents need help sometimes, and I think we would love to help you out while they're busy protecting the Queendom."

Irlo gives her maid a hard look, squinting as she tries to figure out what Ilka is talking about. The maid keeps her look neutral, careful to hide her thoughts from the young Princess.

"What is the plan?" Irlo asks. "Not that I need the help."

"We could also use some of these lessons, I think. So, why not see if you can come down here occasionally and have us join in on your lessons? We can be a good example of how to get through the tough lessons you have."

"Grandmother, could we play after the lessons?" Irlo asks. Alzi, you infected your daughter.

"Yes," I say. "I'll see what I can do. Your siblings are making it difficult to move, but I would love to play with my sweet Granddaughter."

"Then we can do it. To help you all," Irlo says. "Right?"

"Yes, your Highness," the maid says. "We can find some time to have them join you in the lessons. It would be good for you to branch out; your Mother kept you to herself for a little too long. But I'm warning you now: many of your teachers won't let them join. Not until they officially get their titles. I'll work on it."

"Thank you," I say. "That would be nice. I don't want to drag my daughter down due to being a commoner."

"You won't," the maid says, refusing to explain. I wonder if Alzi struggles in her lessons like her daughter.