How a Realist Hero Rebuilt The Kingdom

Book 16: Chapter SS

Bonus Short Stories

Maria Visits the Senior Queens (Liscia Version)

Hello, everyone. Im the Maria who people used to say was married to her country. Now that I was going to get married to Souma, I wanted to chat with my senior wives more so that we could live together happily. This afternoon, I was visiting the daycare to learn about child care from First Primary Queen Liscia.

Liscia was pulling along a pair of twins with the same color of hair as her.

This is Cian, and this is Kazuha. My kids with Souma. Theyre four now.

Wow, what cute twins.

I bent down to look at them. Kazuha looked at me with interest, while Cian hid behind Liscia. They were both adorable.

Kazuha pointed at me before cocking her head to the side.

Mommy. Is she my mommy too? she asked.

Huh? Im your mommy?

While I was still surprised at suddenly being called a mommy, Liscia slapped her own forehead in dismay and let out a sigh.

I gave birth before the other queens, so we all doted on these two. Roroa got carried away and started saying, Mommys here, and the twins started thinking all of us were their mommies.

O-Oh, is that right?

Yes. Once even my own mother started saying Mommys here to them, I did everything I could to stop it though.

I...can see why youd feel that way.

Cian, who had been hiding up until this point, said, Mommy? quietly and toddled towards me with a smile.

Oh, wow, this kid is just too cute, I thought. Lady Liscia... Can I have him?

No! What are you saying crazy things out of nowhere for?!

I mean, he was scared of me just a moment ago, but the moment he thinks Im his mommy, he smiles at me with no wariness whatsoever! I want to mother him!

Settle down, Liscia said, punctuating it with a light karate chop to my head.

Ow ow ow... Ah! What was I saying?

I see youve come back to your senses. Cian, Kazuha, go play with everyone.

The twins responded with an energetic, Kay! and took off, hand in hand.

Aww, I wanted to talk to them more... As I was thinking that, a blue-haired girl who was around three years old came over with a chestnut-haired boy who was maybe two or three. Oh! Theyre cute too!

This blue-haired girl is Souma and Junas daughter Enju, while the chestnut-haired boy is Souma and Roroas son Leon. Theyre both around two years old.

Hello, Enju, Leon.

I got down to their eye level to greet them, as Id done with Cian and Kazuha.

Hewwo, said Enju in a slightly drawn-out way, giving me the smile of a future pretty girl. Meanwhile, Leon fidgeted shyly.

Oh... Theyre cute too.

Hee hee, they really are. Enju is fearless, as youd expect from Junas daughter, while Leon is introverted, unlike Roroa. He must get that from Souma.

Enju and Leon both hugged Liscia.

Mommy Cia!

Mommy Ciaaa.

They wanted attention. I stared at Liscia.

Youre making them call you mommy too.

I-I dont see the problem, Liscia stammered, beginning to turn red. They make my kids do it.

I chuckled at how flustered she got. Lady Liscia then handed Enju and Leon off to a lady with wolf ears (I later learned she was Tomoes real mother) and brought a baby who was less than a year old to me in their place.

This baby with faintly blue hair was sucking its index finger, looking at me as Liscia held it in her arms.

This is Souma and Junas second child, Kaito. Would you like to hold him?

Yes. Very much so.

I felt the weight of the child I accepted from Liscia, along with a warmth in the air around him. Kaito looked at me and smiled.

Overcome with emotion, I looked at Liscia. You all raise the children together and have a community of women who provide mutual support in child-rearing. Its the sort of thing that could serve as a guiding principle for a nation-state.

Thats some complicated stuff youre thinking about there. I can tell you used to be an empress, Liscia remarked, sounding impressed.

I chuckled. I want my own children now too.

Once you do...Ill adore them with all my might. Just like the others.

We looked at one another and smiled.