"Eh......?"
That one word was spoken by everyone present.
Souta, the Queen, Elrain, and the guards, all leaned forward in surprise. The only exception was Phyllis.
"Ehh, is that... true? Phyllis-san?"
"Yeah. W-well, We won't know for sure unless we consult the priest, but I think that's probably the case."
Sota was filled with joy, astonishment, and anxiety.
These three emotions circulated simultaneously within his mind and heart.
Considering how much semen he had poured into Phyllis, it was a natural consequence. However, Sota was too young to fully grasp this fact.
"...fufufu"
...However, Phyllis blushed and had a truly happy expression on her face. As Souta watched her in that state, his negative emotions gradually receded like the tides, and in their place, a powerful energy and determination filled his body.
Becoming a father and a family with Phyllis.
He was trying to accept this reality that seemed too unrealistic.
Marmora gently caressed Phyllis belly.
Her face had a somewhat stern expression.
"Phyllis, if it is true that you have conceived a child, there are a few things I must confirm with you."
"Yes, Your Majesty."
Phyllis expression also became more serious.
It was her face as a knight of the kingdom.
"First, congratulations on your pregnancy. However, it is necessary for you to go to the temple and have it confirmed. It is possible that it could be a misunderstanding on your part, and if you truly are pregnant, there will be many things you must do from now on."
Seeing Phyllis nod, Marmora continued, "I will keep going."
"Despite being on a mission, you engaged in sexual intercourse with a man. And if this was done without Souta-sama consent, you would have committed a serious violation of discipline. Do you understand this?"
"I understand."
Philis is not ignorant of the sin of betraying the kingdom.
She intends to bear the guilt that should be borne.
However, as if protecting her, Souta stepped forward.
"Your Majesty, please excuse my interruption.""
"...... of course"
There, in his strong, determined eyes.
Even in front of the queen, Souta showed no signs of hesitation.
He spoke what needed to be said and protected what needed to be protected.
Because Souta was a "man."
"Your Majesty, the events that have transpired were done so by my own volition. And... I willingly, with Phyllis... engaged in certain activities despite being in a time of war, it was my own fault for impulsively committing such an act with someone who is an important asset to the kingdom. Please do not blame her."
Souta said this, bowing deeply.
His actions and words caused a commotion among the guards.
To think that a man, who everyone drools over, had declared that he willingly engaged in intimate acts with Phyllis, who, by this world's standards, is considered old-fashioned. Furthermore, he claimed responsibility for it.
... It was inconceivable.
If he were a "man of this world," such actions and circumstances would be unfathomable.
"Please, I beg you."
However, Souta attitude was so sincere that there was no room for complaint. In this situation where a mere statement could result in severe punishment for Phyllis, he was standing up for her..
The guards truly understood that he had done it out of genuine consent. And yet, despite their own feelings of longing as men who have a shortage of such encounters, the mere thought of this beautiful young man being with Phyllis stirred a dark excitement within them.
And deep down, they envied Phyllis.
They were so envious that they couldn't stand it.
"Souta......"
"I understand. I have confirmed that it was done with Souta-sama consent, and above all, it is not my place to judge when Souta-sama himself has spoken. Therefore, this matter will not be questioned. However, if there is anything that you feel hesitant to say here, please feel free to tell me later. The kingdom is an ally to men," the queen spoke.
"Thank you, Your Majesty," Souta bowed deeply once again. The tension in the air began to dissipate. Marmora smile softened, a smile of a person happy about Phyllis pregnancy.
"Congratulations, Phyllis. Everyone in the castle will be surprised when they hear about this,"
"I still can't believe it myself..."
"But, you realized that you were pregnant so soon after we met. During this short amount of time, how were you able to..." Souta inquired, perplexed.
"It's a common belief that you can feel it immediately after implantation, and the timing is appropriate for it. It was my first time too, but I just knew. It was like receiving a revelation," Phyllis explained, to which Souta had never heard of.
This was also another mystery of the women's body in this different world. Souta had no other choice but to accept it as a realistic problem.
Phyllis then mentioned a surprising fact. "Oh, but it will be quick from now on. In at most a week, I should be able to give birth."
"W-What? In a week...! To give birth...!?" Souta exclaimed, shocked.
Sota round eyes were about to overflow.
In Sota original world, the pregnancy period was said to be about nine or ten months, so giving birth only ten days after implantation was way too early. Although it was too early, Sota could somehow sense why the humans in this world did not decline.
However, becoming a father and hearing his child cries one week later was truly overwhelming for Sota.
"Oh...I'm going to be a father in a week..."
"Did you...not want it?"
"No, no! Of course, I'm happy! It's like a dream that a beautiful person like you, Phyllis, is giving birth to my child..."
"A dream...yes, it really feels like a dream..."
Phyllis said this as if she was savoring every word. Her eyes, filled with warmth and love, were directed towards Sota as she rubbed her pregnant belly.
"Sota...from you, I have received so many, so many truly important things. There are so many things I can't even begin to express my gratitude for."
"Phyllis..."
"To me, having a child was like a dream. I thought it was something I couldn't have anymore..."
Phyllis voice trembled slightly. It was clear that she was carefully choosing her words. She was trying to figure out how to express her overflowing gratitude in the best way possible, how to choose the best words from millions of words.
"Thank you...ah, I don't know why. I want to show my gratitude for everything I have received, but...I...only have those simple words..."
Although "thank you" was the most appropriate to express her gratitude, even those words seemed too simple and inadequate for Phyllis.
These were the golden days. Phyllis had spent 28 years in this world, but the days she had spent with Sota in the past week seemed to shine brighter than any other days in her life. Phyllis aigur had "begun" since she met Sota.
Sota was undoubtedly a godsend for Phyllis. He treated her with such kindness, beauty, and a pure love that was like a mother. He was the ideal man who never got angry even if she treated him badly and always forgave her with a smile. He had given her praise, which was irreplaceable, for protecting her by fighting with everything he had. The days were like sweet honey and nectar.
...But now, Phyllis had even been blessed with a child. It was too much happiness for a person like her, who could only fight and had no other skills. She couldn't possibly return this happiness to Sota, no matter how she tried. She was frustrated by this, and she felt like she was trembling like a puppy with the overwhelming reality of being beside him.
Phyllis couldn't find any words other than
"Thank you...thank you...!!!"
As she sobbed, she bowed her head. She felt like she was a sinner who had been allowed by God to return after a long time. Sota supported body, and Marmora, the queen she served, stroked her head. Phyllis was overwhelmed by the happiness that was too much for her and could not help but tremble like a puppy.
"..."
Elrain, who was watching it beside, clenched her trembling fist tightly, tightly.
No one noticed the color change in the eyes behind her glasses.