Chapter 60

At least, the empire no longer sends marriage proposals, but I still feel uneasy.

According to the information from merchants, the empire's security has deteriorated significantly. The current emperor must not be good. Still, even though its influence has somewhat declined, it remains a powerful nation.

"The empire is incredibly skilled at gender selection, and the high-ranking nobles are almost exclusively filled with boys. That's why they target young ladies from other countries. Odine will likely receive marriage proposals from the empire in the future."

Nobles from the empire and the Dolsen Kingdom have been seeking brides from the Anzela Kingdom for a long time. Recently, stories have spread about mistreatment of brides, leading to an increase in rejections.

"That's annoying."

Amarie furrowed her brow deeply.

"Having so many boys, they go to extremes. The empire is meritocratic, and even the youngest sons have a chance to inherit, so they naturally want to have boys. I heard this from Liza."

Amarie placed her finished cup back on the saucer, recalling her memories.

"Yes... please don't say that."

Noel thought of Liza and looked slightly embarrassed.

"Sorry, but it's kind of famous."

"It's the aunt who pushed the cheating man that's to blame. She was from a marquis family and couldn't refuse."

The cheating man underestimated the Merrison family's investigative abilities. He was quickly caught, and a huge amount of compensation was demanded. As a result, his family went bankrupt. Among his affairs were his step-sister, which drew even more attention.

Due to numerous scandals, Liza's broken engagement became well-known.

"That's ridiculous.

The Merrison family owned several trading companies."

Amarie picked up her knitting again.

Before fully engaging in the conversation, Noel marked her knitting.

"The other family was apparently after the dowry and connections to the wealthy Merrison family. But it ended up being a huge loss. It was a failure to educate their son. The woman who dated him knowing he was engaged is equally at fault.

So, Liza used the compensation to start a small shop.

Liza has always loved designing cosmetic pouches and party bags. She ordered small items from craftsmen who frequented her family's store, and they were very well-received."

"Was it the bag I received as a birthday gift the other day?"

Amarie looked up from her knitting.

"Yes, that's right. Wasn't it beautiful?"

Noel nodded proudly.

"Everyone complimented it. It goes well with my clothes and is easy to use, so I really like it.

It's impressive that she designs her own products and runs a store."

"Now, the store isn't small anymore. The branch she opened in Condroa has been successful and is well-known there. She travels to various places during her breaks to look at foreign goods and fabrics and gathers local information.

By the way, there's a herb in the empire that is exceptionally effective for gender selection."

"Really?"

"It's said to alter a woman's body to make it optimal for conceiving boys."

"Alter?"

Amarie frowned at the word.

"Yes... it makes it easier for boys to be conceived.

There have been methods like this for a long time. However, this herb has been refined to ensure success.

After taking it for a few years, a woman can only conceive boys."

"That sounds a bit scary."

Amarie instinctively pulled back, looking displeased.

"Right? When I heard this from Liza, I got goosebumps.

I don't think it's necessary to go to such lengths.

But, high-ranking noble wives and mistresses want to have boys with as few pregnancies as possible because the longer the pregnancy, the less attention they receive from their husbands, who might then be attracted to other women.

So, they need a reliable method for gender selection.

They are desperate to the point where they don't care about their own bodies."

Noel felt a heavy heart as she spoke.

"I see.

The state of affairs in different countries is varied. The Alres Empire is tragic."

Amarie's agreement was tinged with a sigh.

"The Dolsen Kingdom seems to be similar."

"I won't let Odine marry into such a country."

"That's good."

Noel nodded.

"Jules says he won't let any of the women marry into the knight's order either."

"Really? Why?"

"I used to be in the knight's order. I helped create a consultation window to address the lewd harassment female knights face from their male colleagues.

But it didn't really help and eventually disappeared."

"Lewd harassment? Does that exist?"

Noel stopped her knitting, surprised.

"Of course, it exists. I think it happens everywhere. The lower-ranking knights in the order are like beasts. You probably only know the upper echelons."

"The commander and deputy commander are gentlemen."

Noel was slightly flustered.

"Well, the commander is a fan of Noel, so it's even more so.

And the deputy commander is quite dashing and a gentleman, indeed. He's handsome. Many of the captains are also fine men.

But compared to the commanders, there are truly beast-like men in the knight's order.

Jules happened to come across me being harassed and spoke up, which is how we got together..."

"Wait, really? I thought the story was that Jules gallantly appeared and saved you from a persistent suitor..."

Noel was confused by the difference from the story she had heard.

"Why did it become such a heroic tale..."

Amarie laughed weakly.

"It's a mix of what I heard from Amarie and what the maids gossiped about."

"No, that's not it.

I was cornered by a senior knight who was a habitual harasser. Jules asked, 'What are you doing here?' The senior knight flinched, and I kicked him in the groin and escaped. I was planning to do it anyway, but it was easier with Jules there.

Then, Jules said he fell in love with my coolness. I don't see what's cool about a kick to the groin."

"The story is quite different...

But the rumor is more romantic, so it's better to leave it as is."

Could Jules have intentionally spread a more favorable rumor? Noel tilted her head. The knight who was kicked was the son of a marquis and was sent to a remote area, so no one pointed out the mistake.

"Is that so?

Well, a refined healer was brought in to handle the consultation window, but it seems they couldn't manage it."

"...So, what happened to the harassment issue in the knight's order?"

"When a suggestion box was placed in the commander's office, it disappeared like the tide.

The commander declared he would 'hit' anyone who caused trouble."

The maids standing behind them quietly thought to themselves.

They were surprised that the Empress Amarie had misunderstood the "dummy suitor incident." It was well-known that the man who had been harassing Amarie had been pining for her for a long time. Prince Jules had fallen in love with Amarie at first sight and was more devoted to her than the marquis' son. The heartbroken marquis' son had chosen to go to a remote area.

Moreover, the king and the prince were concerned about the two empresses and were trying to prevent their wives from overreacting.

Empress Noel believed she would have a girl, while Empress Amarie believed she would have a boy. However, since the pregnancy was natural without any gender selection, it was unknown which would be born. The king and the prince were worried that the empresses might be disappointed if their expectations were not met.

Our country is very peaceful.

About half a month later, Noel gave birth to her second child, and about ten days later, Amarie also gave birth to her second child.

After giving birth,

Noel and Amarie exchanged the baby clothes, swords, and hats they had prepared for each other.

Noel and Sirius named their second son Ecart, and Jules and Amarie named their second daughter Valerie.

The kings were worried, but the two empresses were not disappointed.

They were happy to have exchanged the items.

Noel and Amarie had thought that if they had extra baby clothes or yarn, they could give them away, but exchanging them worked out perfectly. Plus, they knew where the future knights and ballerinas would be.

They later learned that their husbands had worried and told them, "Don't expect too much," but this was their secret.

Thank you for reading.

I will post again around 8 or 9 AM tomorrow.