**Chapter 32: The Harbinger of a Storm**
“Enough! I don’t care about Mother anymore!”
“I’m going back to take care of Rest!”
With those loud exclamations, Viola and Primula stormed out of the parlor.
The remaining parents fell into a momentary silence, but eventually, Albert broke it.
“…They’re quite forceful in their insistence. That’s unusual.”
The discussion revolved around whether to take a third wife for Rest. Should he be given a mistress or concubine solely for the purpose of bearing children?
The contentious debate had reached an impasse. While it was decided that Viola and Primula would marry Rest, the matter of a third wife or mistress remained unresolved. Airishu had managed to secure a temporary compromise, ensuring that no woman other than those approved by her sisters would be wed to Rest.
“There’s nothing unusual about it. I’m a pushy and terrible mother, after all.”
“That’s not true. It’s rare for you to ignore Viola and Primula’s opinions and prioritize the family’s advancement like this.”
Airishu was a strong-willed mother, but she rarely imposed her will on her children. Despite her demeanor, she was a soft-hearted mother. It was unlike her to consider pairing her daughters’ husband with another woman.
“Does your condition have anything to do with this?”
“…Oh, you’ve seen through me.”
“Of course, I’m your husband. Has something happened in the neighboring country?”
During the earlier confrontation between Rest and Airishu, Albert had sensed something was off with his wife’s health. Her movements were sluggish, and the flow of her magical energy seemed obstructed. He wondered if she was unwell.
“…It seems the world’s situation is changing rapidly.”
“…………?”
“It won’t be resolved immediately. However… in ten or twenty years, our country and the neighboring one will likely go to war.”
“What?!”
That was unthinkable. The relationship between the Aiwood Kingdom and the Geisel Empire was amicable. They had been allies for many years, united against the common enemy of the northern barbarians. The emperor, known for his moderate temperament, had served as a mediator to maintain peace among the surrounding nations.
“That only holds true as long as the current emperor is alive, doesn’t it?”
“What…?”
“It appears the emperor is suffering from an illness. He may have only five years left.”
“…………!”
Once the emperor passes away, a struggle for succession will ensue. The next emperor may not be a moderate individual.
If a warlike and aggressive person were to ascend the throne, they might declare war on neighboring countries. The first target would likely be the northern plains inhabited by the barbarian tribes, but there was no guarantee that our kingdom would remain safe.
“Even if we don’t face direct conflict, the weakening of the empire could prompt other nations to take action. Our alliance with the empire has allowed us to maintain peace along our borders.”
“So our country isn’t safe either…”
“The northern tribes have shown suspicious movements in recent years. Moreover, we have fools within our own borders. There are even those who wish to elevate that foolish prince.”
“Internal strife and external threats… I see. So that’s why you were considering giving Rest a mistress for the next generation…”
“There’s no guarantee that a war will end in ten or twenty years. It’s better to have more heroes for the next generation, wouldn’t you agree?”
“…………”
Albert fell silent. He didn’t necessarily believe that his wife’s approach was correct, but it was undeniable that the world’s situation was heading in a troubling direction. A great storm that could engulf the continent might be approaching.
(A rare talent for magic like Rest’s appearing could be a sign of that. The emergence of an outlier who will stand at the center of the impending chaos… Surely, that’s just an overblown thought.)
It was not some heroic tale. Albert dismissed the absurd notion that had briefly crossed his mind and began to contemplate the path that the House of Marquis Rosemary should take.