Alice Tale in Phantasmagoria Chapter 153

The war for which great sacrifices were paid is finally approaching its end.
The fervor of commonwealth's war party has lessened, with the matter of the pa.s.sing of the Libra who meddled greatly in the politics of that country.
Though the small skirmishes near the national border have ceased, a time of a few months has pa.s.sed with each country maintaining a state of abeyance.
What comes after this is, political work.
And so, I finally returned to my mansion in the kingdom.

「Alice-san!」
「Otto, I'm back Saira!」

As soon as I pa.s.sed through the gate, I receive a Saira that came to greet me with a violence like that of a tackle.
She's built up awful circles under her eyes.
Because this child was, always supplying weapons to the front lines, I suppose she didn't have any time to rest during the war.
Truly, everyone was given a lot of hards.h.i.+p……

「Des.h.i.+～～～～!」
「Kyui!」

Rin-chan and Kyuu also came jumping in.

「Wa waa, wai!?」

The delicate me was of course unable to receive them all so, I was vigorously pushed down onto the mansion's lawn to lay down there.

「Mo～～, fufu, were you a good child～?」

Seeing everyone's healthy faces like this, relieved me.

「Un un! Rin has become 6 years old you know! Amazing right～～」

Time pa.s.ses quickly doessn't it.
While adults deal with adult circ.u.mstances, children's precious time ends up pa.s.sing in less than an instant.

「Congratulations, Rin-chan! We have to throw a birthday party don't we.」
「Ehehe, celebrate celebrate～」

I wonder if I'm pampering her too much?
I stroke her silky hair and, she goes unya～ with a wide smile.
Cute～.
We play around for a bit and, I enter a posture where I'm basking in the sun with Rin-chan and Kyuu on top of me.
Kora kora～.

「I can't move～～……Ilya.」
「Hai, ojousama.」
「Could you contact Kran and……Ransan about a visit for me.」
「Certainly.」

Ilya's at the point where I want to give her rest though isn't she.
Be that as it may, the mansion's lawn feels good doesn't it～.
I spread my arms and legs and bask in the sun.

「I'm going ahead, Alice.」

s.h.i.+on-san got out of the carriage, while biting a yawn back.

「Totou……」

s.h.i.+on-san stumbled on ground with nothing on it.
It happens to everyone but, that's not it.
She isn't grasping a sense of depth.
Because her left eye……can't see.

「s.h.i.+on～～! Welcome back～」
「Hey, Rin. You've become yet more beautiful in the short time when I couldn't see you didn't you.」
「Ehehe～」

s.h.i.+on-san doesn't show behavior like she minds such a thing though.
There's a lot and……my chest grows tight.
Injuries left on the body, pain carved into the heart.
Remaining life, lost life.
The battlefield truly lacked forgiveness.

「? Des.h.i.+, does it hurt somewhere?」

Children, watch people's expressions closely.
Rin-chan rubbed the edge of my eye, with her clothes's sleeve.

「……Koura, don't dirty your sleeves okay. If you're a lady, use a handkerchief there.」
「Hankachi～!」
「Kyui!」

I'm saved by the Rin-chan filled with energy.
If it's adult circ.u.mstances to protect this energetic smile……I want to think that it wasn't bad.
It wasn't a 100 point full score but, we did what we could.
Given that, I suppose there's nothing except to convince the heart.

「Fun, fretful face isn't that.」

A sweet somewhat nasal voice.
The one throwing scathing words at me is, the person I wanted to meet.

「Eclair!」

I jumped up so, Rin-chan and Kyuu ended up falling off.
I was showered in lively booing.
Please forgive me.

「You've returned then! Waa, so Eclair's also safe!」
「I suppose, look, don't just lie there forever.」

She came to offer me a hand so, I take that small hand.
Warm.
While getting up, my eye couldn't help going to Eclair's belly that had changed strikingly.

「Wa wa……somehow, moving.」

I had always been in contact but, by looking at it up close like this it felt real for the first time.

「Incredible right? Giving birth to life.」
「I see……life, is being born.」
「That's right, in this world, everything isn't only about disappearing and ceasing to be you know.」

Eclair narrowed her eyes and, was smiling kindly to an extent that wasn't like her.
Somehow……it makes my heart rush.

「Ekurea?」
「Nn, so you see? Welcome back, you did well you know.」

……What is this～.
When did you, clad yourself in this kindness that seems so enveloping～.
My tears are coming out……
Is it really, because of becoming a mother?

「Eclair～! I'm back～k.」
「Seriously, please keep yourself together Alice. Because you're just about to become a mother.」

I jump into her b.r.e.a.s.t.s like a child and, I'm given an embrace mixed with a sigh.
It cann't be helped can it, she pampered me like that.
My head is given a stroking.
Aah, I'm melting.

「I, won't separate from Eclair anymore.」
「Really, because just your mouth is good.」
「That's wrong you know, these are my true feelings you know.」
「Hai hai.」
「What is this, that apathetic reply.」
「Hai hai.」
「Muu～～」

While saying that sort of thing, the hand Eclair's stroking me with is incredibly kind.
That's right isn't it……there are still things that I protected.
If I'm not proud of that at least.

「……h.e.l.lo, Luminchan. We'll meet soon won't we.」

Being filled with emotion, I try stroking Eclair's stomach.

「Does this child, already know her own name? Because she occasionally moves when called doesn't she.」
「Even though, I called out to Luminchan for the first time today……It's cheap for Eclair alone to make lots of conversations with her!」
「Then, you should also give her lots of conversations, from here on.」
「That is of course! Look forward to it～, Luminchan! Because father-san……not that mother-san is waiting okay?」

Thinking that I'll meet that angelic smile again, my heart throbs.
Because this time she'll start as a baby-chan, it seems things will become busy.

「Obsessive parent.」
「It's fine! More importantly is Eclair's body alright? It's been rough right?」
「The morning sickness has settled down so, it isn't all that much of a big deal you know. Maa I kind of have to be careful of turning in my sleep though you see.」
「Fu～n, because Eclair's sleeping posture isn't good is it.」
「Idiot! Ecchi!!」

I'd thoroughly forgotten but, this was a publicly visible courtyard with Rin-chan included.
The maid-sans tactfully distanced themselves from our side and, s.h.i.+on-san is playing with Rin-chan though.

「But that's good……It's truly good, that Eclair's safe……」

Killing people, causing a great many deaths, is it fine for me alone to be happy.
The darkness behind me won't disappear no matter what.
Even so the smiles of my precious people always saves me.
I put my ear on Eclair's stomach and, my head is immediately stroked.

「It can't be helped can it……I'll pamper you for a while, Alice. Please make your resolve.」
「Eclair is kind……will hail fall――owww!」

I ate a chop to the top of my head.
It was just like always.

「Has the period of pampering ended then?」
「It starts and ends while adapting to the occasion so, you should take care?」

Scaryー.

「……Nn～」

Chu.

「――What is this, all of a sudden!」

Ah, she became pure red.
I tried doing a slight peckish kiss on the lips.

「For once in a while, skins.h.i.+p.」
「……You really, all of your thought patterns jump.」

Saying that sort of thing when you don't flee when my face comes close～.

「Saying such things, even though Eclair isn't as opposed as she lets on～」
「Hai hai, I love you Alice.」
「Light!」

I'm also saved with Eclair's natural mannerisms.
Just a little, my heart became lighter.
Aim's matter, the fact that she acted more spectacularly than anyone, I should convey it with a lot of pride.
I look up and, puff my chest, because I suppose that conveying this to the people who were left behind is, the role of the me who survived.

「Eclair……just a little.」

I clung to Eclair like I was borrowing her b.r.e.a.s.t.s and, she truly kindly kindly gave me a stroking.

「……Eei, you really did your best didn't you.」

Just for now, I want to be pampered.
For a little while, truly like a child, I left my body to that comfort.

◇■◇■◇

Ransan was composed.
When I informed her of Aim's matter, those large eyes wavered for just a moment but, she only showed a smile after silently closing her eyes.

――That child, saved everyone of her unit, didn't she. Clumsily, befitting of that child.

Recalling precious memories, she put her hand to her b.r.e.a.s.t.s and her form like she was handling a treasure gave a strong impression.
After several hours, having spoken of Aim's contribution without leaving anything out, she conveyed that she had something she was responsible for as the orphanage's manager and excused herself.
When I was about to get on a carriage to ride back, I heard a wailing voice come……

「Next, please go to Kran's place……」
「Ojousama……」

My voice couldn't avoid becoming dark……
I'm always causing Ilya to worry arren't I.
The shaking from our made to order carriage was minor as we set out, like a cradle, when gazing out the window I'm struck by drowsiness.
I wasn't in a mood where I wanted to talk much so, I left myself to slumber in that manner.
As I nodded off, it seemed that a blanket was placed on my knees and it felt good.

「I, always fail to protect ojousama……」

I seemed to hear some sort of resolution in, that voice filled with bitterness――

◇■◇■◇

Alseid Kingdom's royal capital Centoria, the royal palace constructed in its center is a national icon.
The current young crown prince lives there.
Planned by a renown architect, around the resplendent building constructed over long months and years are ca.n.a.ls and well maintained woodland paths circling it, the outer environs has become a public walking or running course and is lively every day.
Waking from my slumber, I gaze at that peaceful scenery and comfort myself as my destination approaches.
The center of management for political economics, this is the imperial court where ruler and subject gather.
It's also Kran's workplace.
Important matters are being discussed here as we approach.
The treatment of the saintess Sitra who was taken as a prisoner of war and, the war aims of the commonwealth.
Marisan is also expected to attend from Wilmington.
There's nothing better than a peaceful end but, the flow of battle is on our side.
With the situation becoming as such the people's feelings of hatred toward the commonwealth and, the profiteers of the absolute resistance faction are becoming noisy.
It seems that Kran has a lot to deal with.
No, Kran always has a lot to deal with I guess.
There's no way I can be the only one making a tired face.
Thinking that while looking forward to our meeting, a shocking reality was conveyed to me when I arrived at the imperial court.

――Krancesca・Wilmington has not come to the imperial court, for the sake of recuperation.

Like having water poured in my ears as I slept, this is truly my first time hearing this.
Perhaps the person was close to Kran as ruler and subject, the reality that is being concealed outside was spoken of with a bitter face.
In any case I couldn't just stand there so I hurried my greetings and, turned to Kran's residence.
It's a sudden visit but since Ilya had contacted her, we're guided directly to her residence by a middle aged butler and, pa.s.sed through to the room Kran is in.
My heart was noisy from tension.
Should I a.s.sume, she's sick?
I have to keep a firm hold on my thoughts, I enter her personal room in that way while displaying a light face and――

「Ara, Alice. Your safety is better than anything. Your efforts on this occasion were, arduous.」

In that manner, she greeted me with a cheerful smile like there was nothing particularly wrong.
Just, while laying on her bed.

「Kran! I, was surprised when I heard from the imperial court……are you alright!?」
「Eei, please be at ease Alice. I am healthy. Meticulous care is being taken.」

She said so but, she seems somewhat haggard so, I can perceive fatigue around her eyes.
Are you not extremely exhausted?
Her room is constantly attended to so a maid is standing by and, there's even a maid there as a baby sleeps in a cradle.
There's no indication that anything will happen today or tomorrow but……

「……Nn?」

There's……a baby, in a cradle.

「――Eh? Eh?」

As I unintentionally pointed my finger, I compare Kran and the baby-chan's face.
Kran is smiling brightly.
The baby's pink silver hair is beautiful, she's probably a girl.
Her adorability is enough to have expectations for the future even at this current point.

「This, this can't be――!!」
「Eei, of course――She is I and Alice's child.」

I felt like shouting so, I instantly sealed my mouth with both hands.
It's dangerous, in front of a baby-chan that's sleeping while seeming at ease.
I staggered.

「I, I and……?」
「My, so called crystallization of love is she not.」

My feelings can't catch up.
Etto, wait wait.
Luminchan seems, like she'll be born soon.
So?
With that being the case I certainly did wonder, how it is with Kran.
It concerned me, for this half year where I couldn't directly contact her.
And so now――

「Baby-chan……」

I staggered over to the cradle and the maid-san came to congratulate me with a wide smile stating「Congratulations, Fairy of Silver Lightning-sama.」.
I turn around and look at Kran's face.
Ah, she has the same soft smile as Eclair.

「Please hold her okay, Alice.」

I nod replying only with my head.
To be sure, she can't hold her head up so hold her securely in the arms and……shaking her is no good right?
I timidly lift the baby-chan.

「Fue――」

The baby-chan raises a voice that's neither sleep talk nor a crying voice.
However while she isn't crying out, she begins peacefully letting out sleeping breaths in my arms.
There's a weight of happiness that I can't describe in words, within my arms.

「Kran……」
「What is it?」
「……Thank you very much, I, somehow……truly.」

My vision wavers, drops trickle down onto the baby-chan's cheeks.

「……Let it be the two of us for a time.」

Kran called out to her maid-sans and, had them leave the room.

「Alice, please come over here.」

Being unable to reply, I went to Kran's side.
While still being in a daze with the baby-chan held at my b.r.e.a.s.t.s, I took meticulous care.

「Alice, do you have nothing to say to me?」

My head can't keep up……

「It's too sudden so……」

But, sensing the weight and warmth within my arms, my chest certainly does become hot.

「That is so is it not. When I think of it I had trouble enduring the meeting before setting out for the front due to morning sickness and, I apologize for the matter of keeping this secret even from you, because I did not want to cause unneeded foreign and domestic agitation, Alice.」

I, see……
Certainly Kran was strangely quiet at her seat during the meeting.
She kept it hidden at that time, for that sort of reason then……

「But this child is not an existence that must be hidden, as if daunted by the world. Watch for an opportunity and announce this boldly. Are you fine with that, Alice?」

That she is my child, I suppose she is telling me to announce that sort of thing.
Frankly, my head is still discordant.
It is but……

「Un, that is fine……this child, that's right……my」

I try being attentive and, even though she's such a baby-chan I can sense magic power.
There's no magic power in Kran.
In short, this magic power is something she inherited from me.

「Then Alice, let us leave the difficult conversations for later. Putting the conversation back on track. Do you not have something to say, to me?」

Glance between Kran and the baby-chan.
Kran is expressing an elated face, that feels like it's not something I see very often.
Normally, Kran is more mature than her age but, just this time she's clad in an atmosphere that I can't describe as anything but cute.

「I love you Kran. Thank you, very much.」
「Ufufu, you are welcome. Creating children is a duty of the n.o.bility but, surely I am a blessed person to have greeted this current time with such joyful feelings.」

She struck the end of her bed to say come closer so, I sat down there.
While Kran leaned against my shoulder, she poked the baby-chan's cheeks.
Right now I somehow……got a sense of reality.
I might be, extremely happy……

「This child's, name is?」
「I've considered it but, I've been waiting for Alice.」

Etto, Luminchan's oneechan?
It becomes that sort of thing doesn't it?
Remember.
What did Luminchan say?
Nee-sama?
That's not it, I'm certain Makina murmured something……
Right――

「Silvi.」

I murmured that and, Kran was as surprised as a pigeon being struck by a peashooter.
I suppose that's so……

「I am surprised……is Alice's heart actually in communication with my own?」
「Eh? No, ahaha.」

I could do nothing but laugh vaguely.

「I thought to proceed with the name said as Silvia but, with the wish that I want to raise a child that is slightly tougher, more regal, I thought I should name her Silvis. What do you think, Alice?」

I nod.
It's a good name.
This child is Silvis・Wilmington.
A princess-sama from birth.
The promised child expected to do the act of following after the princess-denka Krancesca・Wilmington who's called the idol of the people.

「Uwaa, that seems difficult. I feel bad for Silvi-chan……」
「Wait Alice, what do you mean by that? Can I ask you not to suddenly pity Silvi.」
「It's alright, because if it's too strict around Kran, I'll give you pampering and protection with my full power okay? Let's run away together when you feel like it, Silvi.」
「Seriously, could you please avoid suddenly making plans to elope with my child? She is a bad mother-sama is she not, Silvi?」

And then this time Silvi started crying, as we conversed over her head.

「Wa, wawaa! What is it? Is it my carrying method? Or perhaps, you need to urinate?」

As I knew nothing of this matter, I became fl.u.s.tered.
But it seems those called mothers, stay composed on a biological level.
Kran isn't disturbed in the least.

「Please calm yourself Alice, surely this is because she wants milk.」
「Milk?」

Milk.
Fumu.
Hou?

「Go ahead.」

I offered Silvi out to Kran with a serious expression and, Kran turned toward me with a fed up sort of fixed look.
And then she smiled sinisterly.

「I feel that, Silvi surely desires Alice's milk. That is why she is crying now, while she is being carried by Alice.」
「My, milk?」

What's with that?
Does such a phantasm, exist in this world?

「No since it isn't the case that I gave birth……it won't come out you know?」

It won't come out will it?
I'd be scared if it came out.
I'm scared of my own body.

「Then let us test it.」
「Te, test?」

Test means?
Silvi is energetically crying while I'm confused.

「Maa? She is an bad mother-sama even though you want dinner is she not, Silvi?」

Kran and Silvi are conspiring.
No Silvi is unrelated.
She's just hungry.

「……I understand.」

No do I understand?
Do you really comprehend this?
I put in a tsukkomi within my heart.

「I am also female, probably.」

Probably?
Kran is tilting her head, like that.
Having made my resolve, I entrusted Silvi to Kran so as to take off my clothes for the time being.
Having removed my jacket, I take off my underwear.
My appearance becomes that of a lace tank top.
Yosh, preparations complete.

「Silvi」
「Eei, Alice. By the way you are strangely a.s.sertive when you decide to act are you not.」

Don't praise me like that Kran.
I'm a man――no, woman who gets things done when it's time to get things done.
I hold Silvi in my arms once again.

「Saa Silvi, it's milk time okay?」

By opening my tank top, I bring Silvi up to my small b.r.e.a.s.t.s that have become exposed and――

「Fua――」

Silvi quickly latched on.
Baby-chan's instincts are incredible, they use every possible technique to squeeze out milk.

「Fuwa……wai, nnn, ah, Sil, vi……」

It, it feels good……No I mean, it isn't coming out.
No, I knew.
But Silvi's latched on and won't come off.

「Fuaaaaa……Kran～～」

Kran was holding back roaring laughter while watching my watery face.

「Fufuu! Even if you are called an elf, you really do have to give birth to provide milk do you not. I see this has become a lesson.」

You absolutely knew didnn't you, you!?

「Chuu chu.」
「Fuaaa～～～～」

Feels good……not that.

「It, it won't come out Silvi! Forgive me okay, mother-san, milk, won't come out Silvi――i!」
「Chu～」
「Hawaaa」
「Kuu, fufuu.」

It's said that on that day, a slovenly voice which had totally lost it's power and, explosive laughter could be heard coming from the princess-denka's personal room.