I'd Do Anything To Protect This Child

Oh, no…

Swallowing my disappointment, I asked instead.

“Why is that?”

Her Majesty Sakura slowly shook her head.

“As you know, I have no influence anymore. Despite being the Saintess, I’ve neglected this country for ten years. Even if I were to appear now, rather than helping you, I’d only end up damaging your reputation.”

That was certainly something Yuri-sama and I had been concerned about, too. However, Her Majesty Sakura had once been a truly kind and outstanding Saintess. Surely the people who remembered the Queen Dowager from those days might still…!

“If Your Majesty is willing, I’m sure the people will support you. Ten years may have passed, but the years you spent working so hard for this country haven’t simply disappeared.”

Despite my appeal, Her Majesty Sakura shook her head once again.

“No, Ederine. Ten years is more than enough time to lose people’s trust. Rather than relying on me, you must find another way. …I’m sorry. I truly wish I could help you, but I simply can’t.”

Her eyes held a determination that could no longer be swayed. …There was probably no point in pressing her any further. My shoulders slumped.

“…I understand. We’ll take our leave for today. …But I haven’t given up yet. If you change your mind, please contact me at any time. …I believe in your abilities, Your Majesty Sakura.”

With that, I bid the Queen Dowager farewell. Ai was still glancing at Her Majesty Sakura, but when I took her hand, she quietly said, “Bye-bye.”

“…Ederine.”

Just as we started walking away, Her Majesty called out to us. When I turned around, her dark eyes were fixed intently on me.

“Tell me, may I ask you just one thing?”

“What is it?”

I asked, puzzled.

“When that child called someone ‘Mama’ earlier, was she referring to you?”

“…Yes. I’ve adopted Ai as my daughter.”

When I stroked Ai’s head, Her Majesty narrowed her eyes.

“Then are you truly intending to raise that child yourself?”

Her Majesty Sakura’s expression turned stern.

“Ederine… Raising a child is entirely different from doting on a pet. You must teach and guide her so that she can survive even when her parents are no longer around. Can you truly do that? You aren’t related to that child by blood, are you? Do you really believe you can love her?”

Her unexpected words left me blinking in surprise. Then I straightened my back and faced Her Majesty Sakura directly.

“Then allow me to ask Your Majesty a question in return.”

I proceeded to name the princes and princesses who were Her Majesty Sakura’s children.

“Raul-sama, Luca-sama, Dantley-sama, and Marina-sama. They’re all Your Majesty’s children, but if you discovered that one of them wasn’t actually your biological child… would your love for that child disappear?”

Of course, I was speaking purely hypothetically, but even among royalty, there was no guarantee that such mistakes could never occur. If one searched through history, there were numerous cases of children being switched because of some conspiracy or another.

If that truly happened.

If the bond of blood was lost.

…Would love really disappear over something as simple as that?

Her Majesty looked startled by my question.

As I watched her, I gently stroked Ai’s head.

“…You know, I’ve been thinking. Perhaps what matters most when becoming a parent isn’t a blood relationship, but determination. Isn’t the most important thing an unwavering resolve to ‘protect, raise, and love this child’?”

Beside me, Ai’s dark eyes were fixed intently on my face.

When I held out both hands, Ai immediately realized I wanted to pick her up and reached toward me. As I lifted her into my arms, her little head gently settled against my shoulder. Her silky hair brushed softly against me, carrying a faint, sweet scent of milk, while her warm, gentle breaths tickled my skin.

I tightly embraced the warm little life nestled in my arms.

—I’d do anything to protect this child.

Watching me, Her Majesty Sakura let out a long sigh.

“…You’re right. I asked a foolish question. What matters isn’t blood after all.”

I nodded and continued.

“I’m still inexperienced, so I’m sure there will be times when I struggle, despair, and perhaps even make mistakes along the way. …After all, I’ve caused my own parents no end of trouble over the years. But I’ve sworn that I’ll never let go of this child’s hand. So when I find myself in trouble, I’d be very grateful if Your Majesty would lend me your assistance.”

Her Majesty’s eyes widened momentarily at my shameless request before she chuckled.

“Goodness, what a shrewd young lady you are. …But you’re right. Supporting young people who are doing their best is part of our duty as adults.”

“…Then perhaps you would consider attending the unveiling ceremony?”

I seized the opportunity to ask, but apparently, that was still out of the question. Her Majesty chuckled softly as she replied.

“Unfortunately, those are two entirely different matters. It’s still true that I might end up holding you back if things go badly.”

“I see… But I still haven’t given up, you know. If you change your mind, please contact me whenever you wish.”

“Yes, if I ever change my mind.”

“Oh, and Your Majesty… Would it be all right if I brought Ai here to visit from time to time?”

“Her?”

Her Majesty Sakura’s gaze settled on Ai. This time, Ai didn’t hide but met her gaze steadily.

“I don’t mind, but… wouldn’t this place be boring for her? There’s nothing here, after all…”

Her Majesty suddenly looked flustered, as though she had only just remembered that fact.

“In that case, why don’t we all go on a picnic sometime? It can’t be good for Your Majesty’s health to stay cooped up indoors all the time.”

At the word “picnic,” Ai’s ears perked up. Her little hand hurriedly tugged at my clothes.

“Mama, are we going on a picnic?”

“Let’s all go together sometime, shall we? What would you like to bring for a snack? Some sweeet muffins? Or perhaps a quiche filled with lots of delicious ingredients?”

“Ai wants that one! The soft, fluffy white bread!”

I laughed. Apparently, no matter when or where, Ai’s love for white bread would never change.