Oh no! After I Reincarnated, My Moms Became Son-cons! - Volume 4 - Chapter 52

Chapter 52

“Onii-sama . ”

When I returned to the outer court, Freya had already changed into a formal purple evening gown . The dark purple evening gown was very befitting of her, especially with her white skin . While she had a young appearance, her gaze and dress-up was much mature . She also carried the aura of a venerable lady .

She was only fifteen, but her calm smile didn’t contain the naivety of a child . Her gaze was so deep that I couldn’t see through her thoughts . She was pretty, but what was her heart like? I don’t know, but I’m willing to trust her . Although I don’t know, maybe I didn’t suspect her because she called me “onii-sama” .

I walked up to her side . She raised her head up to look at me . She then wrapped her arm wearing a white-silk glove around my arm and smiled as she said: “Let us head to the banquet, onii-sama . ”

“Wait, this is for you . ”

I took out a jar from my cloak and handed it to her . She looked at it blankly at first, but when she took it, she reacted with surprise: “Honey cherry tomatoes?! Onii-sama, this is……”

Oh, these cherry tomatoes are different to the ones we know . If I had to compare, it’s more similar to our peaches . Okay, the cherry tomatoes here are just our world’s peaches . It was one of the things I loved to eat when I was sick . However, these cherry tomatoes were boiled with refined white sugar . In this world, honey and white sugar are considered luxury commodities, so this cherry tomato was very expensive .

I spent forty gold coins for one and it was tiny . This cherry tomato should be really soft . It’s very likely to go bad if it meets with hard impact so it’s hard to store it . That must be why it’s so expensive .

“This is my present for you . I haven’t given you anything as my adopted-sister yet . I thought about buying you a present when I went out with her majesty this time . ” I watched her grip it tightly . I don’t think even nobles get to eat it often, one because of supply and two, because of its steep price . I don’t know if she’s had it considering she’s from a fallen noble family .

She lowered her head and looked at the simple glass jar . She reached her hand out to open the lid and took out a pulp infused in the white sugar liquid…… It’s supposed to look like a peach, but it looks like a tangerine…… She put it in her mouth . The combination of sugar and honey made the simple fruit sweeter . She slowly chewed it and a layer of water formed in her blue eyes . Tear drops then coursed down her face one after another .

“Onii-sama……”

She smiled with tears in her eyes as she looked at me . She wiped away her tears and then raised her hand with the jar up high as she looked at me with the happy smile of a child . She choked on her words as she said: “It really is sweet . ”

“Yeah . ”

I slowly chewed on the pulp in my mouth as I smiled and wiped away the tears on her face . I then allowed her to wrap her arm around mine . She wrapped her arm around mine tightly and stuck closely to me . Tonight is her majesty’s banquet . I’ve already given her majesty the best birthday present . It’s enough that mom and I both had fun today .

When we got to the ballroom, I gently let go of Freya and said: “I need to go and find her majesty . I’m in charge of holding her cape today . After it’s over, I’ll come and look for you . ”

“Alright, onii-sama . ”

She smiled, tippy-toed up and gave me a gentle kiss on my cheek before letting go of my arm and going away . As she walked away she turned around to smile at me . I touched the spot she kissed and smiled helplessly . Did that kiss contain the sweetness of honey and white sugar?

There’s nothing more suitable than for her to go and see those nobles . Freya is good at socialising unlike me . I’m terrible at socialising, probably because I’ve never attended an event like this I guess . According to my understanding, the Vestalia household had always relied on her to sustain itself . She is but just a kid so how could she control an alcoholic-gambling father?

She failed once, so I don’t think she’ll fail again this time .

I circled around the large hall and arrived at the preparation room . Nier stood at the door and shivered at the sight of me before turning around and trying to run away . I looked at her hopelessly . I was the one that had a kiss forced on him, and a cheek-kiss is no big deal . You saw Freya kiss me . I don’t really care .

But Nier didn’t seem to agree with that .

“Nier . ”

When I greeted her, Nier jerked her body . She stared at me blankly . Her lips budged a few times and then seemingly said something, but maybe not . I smiled helplessly . I ignored her for the meantime and knocked on the door before entering .

“Ah, son, you came at the perfect time . If you were any later, I would’ve had to call Nier to go and get you . ” Mom looked at me with a bright smile . She had changed back into her military uniform and was adjusting the position of her face-veil . Alice made space behind mom . I walked over and held her cape .

Alice looked at mom’s smile and said: “You look very happy today, your majesty . ”

“Yeah since this is the happiest day I’ve had in years . With my son by my side and the gift he gave me as well as the gift my husband left for me, how could I not be happy?” Mom laughed happily and then stamped her feet . The maids came to her and adjusted the ornaments on her one last time . Once they were done ensuring that all was well, they stepped back . Mom waved her hand and said: “Let’s go!”

The evening party was still the same as always .

Although it’s said that it’s a banquet for the empress’s birthday, I felt like there was nothing special, other than there being more people than usual and the dishes being more sumptuous . Nobody complimented me this time either . It was like everybody was trying to approach the empress . Being able to say just one sentence to her was a great honour . But this is good too . I like being free . I took a cup of wine and went to the balcony where I once shared my thoughts with Nier and looked at the lights of the houses in the distance .

Not only was it a celebration for the palace tonight, even the people were celebrating like it was a national holiday .

“Your majesty . ”

When I suddenly heard a voice from behind I turned around and saw Nier . She was slightly blushing . She stood there holding a bottle or wine and a cup . She bowed and asked: “Would I be disturbing you if I drank with you?”

I froze up . It was the first time Nier took the initiative to invite me to drink . I shook my head and replied: “Of course not . I’d be very glad if you could drink with me, Nier . Come . ”

I shifted to the side and Nier walked up to my side . After a moment of hesitation, she lifted the bottle up to her mouth and gulped mouthfuls . I looked at her completely startled . I didn’t know what to say . She let out a sigh of relief and then placed the bottle down . She then looked at the lights outside in silence . I waited for ages but she never spoke . Hopeless at the situation, I picked up my cup of wine again .

“Your majesty, I think… I’ve fallen in love with you . ”

“Pfffttt!!!!”

I spat a mouthful of red wine out, and then turned my head to look at Nier with utter shock . Nier’s face was completely red, although I didn’t know if it was because she was drunk or blushing . But she looked at me seriously and continued: “That’s how it is . This is the first time I’ve felt myself fall in love with someone, so I want to know your answer . ”

I looked at Nier and stuttered: “Ah… this is a little too sudden… no… It’s not that I don’t love you . I really like you too . It’s just that I already have a fiancée and we’re going to get married soon, so sorry, Nier . ”

“I see . I’m sorry for disturbing you . I wish you a happy marriage in advance . ”

Nier bowed and then returned to the hall, leaving me at a complete loss for what to do .