Chapter 75 - Episode 74: Arqvist Territory Women's Association ①
The year had turned, and January had arrived, with winter increasing in severity. Mai, a retainer serving the Arqvist Baronet family, was planning to hold a certain event.
Mai had once lived through the midst of battle as a member of a mercenary group, but after becoming the wife of the Chief Retainer Yuri and giving birth to their first child, a boy, before winter—and thus becoming someone devoted to childcare—she felt that she was no longer a "person who fights."
Even now, she continued a minimum amount of training, but having established a home and having a child to raise, she realized that she would likely never return to the front lines.
Consequently, after considering what she could do as a retainer, Mai established the "Arqvist Territory Women's Association." Today, as the first activity of that organization, a buffet-style dinner party was about to be held.
The venue was the central plaza of the capital city, Noeina. The sky was clear with sunlight, and several bonfires had been prepared for warmth, so the cold of the winter outdoors was not that severe. Tables were lined up in the plaza, laden with food and alcohol.
"Um, well then, we will now begin the Arqvist Territory Women's Association dinner party. Today, let us interact regardless of position or status—whether retainer, commoner, or slave. Let us make new friends, deepen bonds with old friends, and contribute to the society of the Arqvist territory by strengthening the solidarity among us women. Cheers!"
As Mai declared this and raised her glass, the women participating in the dinner party also raised their voices.
In the Arqvist territory, which had been established primarily around refugees, the majority of women lacked the mothers or mothers-in-law they should have been able to rely on for household management or childcare.
This included Mai, who had married the year before last and already had a child, as well as new brides like Anna, Gina, and Michelle, who had married last year and would likely have children soon; they all likely experienced moments of anxiety.
To improve such problems, Mai had established this Women's Association. Its purpose was primarily to share worries and know-how regarding childcare and domestic life, and to help one another.
This Women's Association was the result of Mai, one of the veteran female retainers, thinking about the form of contribution she could make. Its significance was recognized, and the lord, Noein, had granted the operating budget for this dinner party.
"Creating a mutual aid organization for women is very innovative, but it's a great idea, isn't it?"
"It really is. I've only just migrated to this territory, and Bart-san is often away from home... so being able to interact with the other women is a big help."
"Hearing you say that makes it worth holding. Today, as women, let's talk about whatever we want without hesitation. Complaints about the household, bragging about husbands—anything goes, okay?"
Mai smiled at Anna, who had married Edgar, and Michelle, who had become Bart's wife.
Though it was called a mutual aid organization for women, for now, it was a loose community. The greatest goal was to interact and become friends without feeling pressured.
"Do you two have any worries about married life so far?"
"Worries, huh... none so far. Edgar-san is very sincere and kind."
"I also have Bart-san treat me as kindly as if I were a princess."
"Oh, Michelle, that's wonderful. I want to hear more about that."
The fastest topic for deepening friendship is talk of love. That is an immutable truth regardless of generation or gender.
"B-but, it's a bit embarrassing..."
"Let's talk openly with each other today without being shy. I'll even talk about Yuri's behavior inside the home."
"Eh, Yuri-san's?"
"T-that's actually a bit intriguing..."
Yuri, who usually showed a dignified demeanor as the Chief Retainer and was reliable enough to exchange frank opinions with Noein. Anna and Michelle were drawn to curiosity regarding his face within the home.
"That man, you know, is surprisingly spoiled at home. Since his mercenary days, as a reaction to having to be a strong man normally, he'd want to cling to me immediately when it was just the two of us. He hasn't changed even now."
"Heh~"
"That's a bit unexpected..."
"Right? On top of that, since Yakov was born, the first thing he does when he comes home is hold him, make funny faces to amuse him. And then, after that, he starts acting spoiled toward me, so it's like I'm taking care of a big child and a small child at the same time."
Yakov was the name of Yuri and Mai's son.
"Yuri-san has a cute side too, then."
"Bart-san said that men are spoiled no matter how old they get, but it's true, isn't it?"
"Keep it a secret from him that I talked about this, okay?"
Mai smiled mischievously at Anna and Michelle, who looked surprised.
"Anna, how about Edgar? Does he have any unexpected sides?"
"Edgar-san... is almost exactly the same as my impression before marriage. He's always disciplining himself, fired up to be an example for all the farmers, that kind of feeling."
"He's exactly as he looks... an honest person."
Among the retainers, Edgar's reputation was, for better or worse, "deadly serious." While they admired him, it was to the point where they worried that he should relax and be slovenly once in a while.
"But, when I occasionally show concern and pat his head, asking 'Are you pushing yourself too hard?', he says 'I am fine' while his face becomes very slack. He seems to think he's keeping a tight expression, though."
"What's that, that's incredibly funny..."
"Edgar-san is also spoiled... as I thought, Bart-san's words were the truth."
The eyes of Mai and Michelle sparkled as they listened to Anna's revelation.
"Now then, Michelle, I asked earlier, but Bart is still acting like a prince at home, right?"
"A prince... yes, it really feels like that. Every day it's 'You're cute today too, Michelle,' 'Your cooking is the best in the world,' 'I can do my best because you're here'... being praised that much, I really feel like I've become a princess from a fairy tale."
"Uwah..."
"As expected of a smooth-talker."
Mai, who knew of Bart's womanizing days, showed a slightly repulsed face, and Anna, who had heard from her family about his popularity in Retovik, gave a wry smile.
"Still, as a former colleague from the mercenary days, I'm glad that Bart, who I worried about because he was always drifting, finally found a lifelong partner and is making her happy."
"Come to think of it, among the former mercenaries, Pence-san is the only one I don't hear any talk of romantic relationships from, right?"
When Anna voiced the question that had suddenly occurred to her, Mai frowned.
"Pence-san, huh... I wonder what that man will do."
"Is Pence-san not popular?"
"I think he's reliable since he's always patrolling within the capital city Noeina, but..."
"Certainly, he's a dexterous person who can handle any job flawlessly... but how should I put it, he has no openings? He lacks cuteness? I wonder. For some reason, he's never been popular. I don't think he's bad at all as a man, though."
As Mai sighed saying this,
"However! There is good news!"
Mary interrupted the conversation. Behind her were her fellow maids, Kimberly and Rosetta.
"Good news? Does that mean there's been progress in Pence-san's romantic relationship?"
"Pence-san himself doesn't seem to have noticed yet, but a girl who has feelings for Pence-san has appeared!"
"Is that..."
When Mai and the others looked behind Mary, Rosetta was hiding behind Kimberly, blushing and fidgeting.
"I-it's Rosetta!?"
Seeing this and realizing everything, Mai involuntarily cried out at the unexpected budding of love.