Ahh, now this is heaven.
Aren’t there a lot of people like me?
That dreamlike story of getting a hundred million won for staying shut up in a room for a month has become reality.
I’m forbidden from leaving the bedroom because I’m supposedly unclean or extremely frail, but whatever the pretext, it’s a legitimate chance to rest.
The temperature in the room is pleasantly cozy, too.
“Reading maid.”
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
At the moment, the court ladies have gone to eat, and no one else is here.
“Could I not get just a little fresh air?”
The only drawback is the lack of sunlight.
“If you take in the wind or receive sunlight during your postpartum confinement, it will instead hinder your recovery.”
Right… It can’t be helped.
A short while later, the ladies returned, and the maids began carrying in the food.
Today’s aperitif is beer.
Shall I take a light sip to wet my throat?
Khh, how strange. Warmed beer…
They would have been better off bringing warm wine.
How does it make any sense that Germans don’t know how to drink beer?
“…I want to go to Oktoberfest.”
I’ve never been, but right now it’s practically the town next door.
Would it be difficult because it’s another country?
As expected, I have no choice but to carry out Anschluss.
Even as I grumbled, I forced it down.
Since I went through all that suffering, shouldn’t I at least be allowed to decide on dessert?
“Sorbet—”
“Cold foods are absolutely forbidden, Your Majesty.”
Even Škoda, the court physician who didn’t believe in the four humors, had opposed it, so I had no justification.
In a fight against the ladies who were trying to protect me, I had no choice but to lose.
Because now I know they aren’t doing it because they dislike me.
I heard the door open, and Esterházy drew back the canopy slightly to let the wet nurse into the bed.
“Her name?”
I took the child and asked her name.
We had named her Sophie, but since she had just come back from the baptism, it must have become absurdly long.
“Sophie Friederike Dorothea Maria Josepha Elisabeth, Your Majesty.”
Sophie Friederike Dorothea must have been included after Archduchess Sophie, according to custom; Maria is her baptismal name, and Josepha must be the feminine form of Joseph?
By the way, did she originally have Elisabeth in her name too?
I don’t know. She was usually only known as Sophie.
But isn’t maternal love supposed to appear the moment you give birth…?
She is cute, though.
People said maternal love was a holy, self-sacrificing emotion, didn’t they?
The eyes looking up at me are bright, and I like that she doesn’t cry, but…
“Ah!”
“Your Majesty!”
I waved my hand, telling them I was fine.
“I am all right.”
Saying so, I slowly struggled to pry her off.
Her grip is stronger than I expected. If I use any more force, won’t Sophie’s fingers break?
The wet nurse hurriedly approached me, brought her own finger near Sophie’s hand, and freed my daughter’s hand from where it had been clutching my hair.
So this is why one keeps a wet nurse.
***
Esterházy and the other court ladies looked at the young empress with warm expressions.
‘We were so worried because she became a mother so suddenly at such a young age, but it was needless concern.’
Fortunately, maternal love existed in her as well.
They could sense it in the way she smiled softly at the child, in the way she did not grow angry even when her treasured hair was touched, and in how carefully she acted while removing the child’s hand.
They, too, had experience having children, and they knew well enough that the beautiful maternal love found in books did not exist in the world.
“You want food?”
“Uu.”
“I think that’s right.”
Just as the empress was about to lower her clothes, Esterházy quickly stepped forward to dissuade her.
“Your Majesty, Her Highness the Archduchess seems hungry. Please entrust her to the wet nurse for a while and let her attend to her.”
Sisi looked at Esterházy with a puzzled expression.
“Is it perhaps because of Archduchess Sophie?”
Esterházy already knew how to handle the empress.
Bringing up custom here, or saying that it was manual labor or something animals did, would only invite Sisi’s resentment.
‘If I say that everything regarding the child’s upbringing, health, meals, and so on will be handled with the help of the wet nurse, the court physician, and the elders of the court such as Archduchess Sophie, she will treat nursing as a symbol of victory and refuse.’
“Your Majesty, please understand. Nursing will not only weaken Your Majesty’s vitality, but it may also interfere with conception.”
“Is that so…?”
The slight drawing together of the empress’s eyebrows meant she was not certain of herself.
Esterházy did not miss that moment.
“Yes, Your Majesty. The court physician was of the same opinion.”
She strengthened her justification by invoking Škoda, the only medical authority the empress trusted.
“Your Majesty’s august body is not merely that of one child’s mother; it is the empire itself. His Majesty the Emperor and the entire empire are rejoicing that Your Majesty has given birth to the beautiful Archduchess, while also eagerly awaiting Your Majesty’s swift recovery.”
She even brought in Joseph, with whom the empress seemed to be on good terms.
“Now is not the time to expend your strength, but the most crucial time to preserve your august body so that you may one day conceive and give birth to His Highness the Crown Prince. Your Majesty’s health is the future of the empire.”
Esterházy bowed even more deeply.
“We will attend Her Highness the Archduchess without the slightest negligence. Please, Your Majesty, preserve your august body for a greater duty.”
***
If that’s how it is… then it can’t be helped.
I handed my daughter back to the wet nurse.
“Take good care of my daughter.”
“Do not worry, Your Majesty.”
“I do not say this simply because she is my daughter, but she is calm and quiet.”
“Having seen Your Majesty, it seems Her Highness the Archduchess has finally found peace as well.”
What if she grows up to be like Joseph later and refuses to say anything in that frustrating way?
“Wet nurse, speak to the child often from now on.”
“I understand, Your Majesty.”
After the wet nurse left, my free time returned.
I guessed that if it had been up to Archduchess Sophie, even seeing the child would have been difficult.
Should I read Don Quixote…?
“Reading maid. Today, I would like to read a chivalric romance.”
Today’s reading is—
“Your Majesty, envoys sent by the Kingdom of Prussia and the Kingdom of Saxony have delivered letters and gifts for Your Majesty.”
Then I won’t be able to read the novel.
“Read the letters to me.”
The reason Prussia and Saxony sent them is simple. They’re family.
Ida slowly broke the seal.
“To the lady who is my wife, my sister, and my cousin—”
I stopped her at once.
“I would like to hear another letter first.”
Nine out of ten such letters are merely official congratulations.
Ida Ferenczy put the letter aside and picked up a slightly smaller envelope.
“To my beloved Sisi. Your aunt’s heart is with you. How hard it must have been… I am filled with joy at the news that you have become a mother, yet worry comes first. Please give my regards to Ludovika. Your godmother, Elisabeth Ludovika.”
This was the letter from the Queen of Prussia, and next was the letter from the Queen of Saxony.
“With a first child, everything is clumsy and frightening. But you have inherited the blood of the Wittelsbachs, so I believe you will do well. If Sophie says too much to you, go to Sister Auguste and ask for help. Do not forget your place as empress. May this small gift bring you even brief comfort, Maria Anna.”
This was from Queen Dowager Maria Anna, Archduchess Sophie’s twin.
The letter Ida Ferenczy took out bore the coat of arms of the Saxon royal family again.
“I cannot tell you how delighted I was to hear the news of your first child’s birth. Surely everything must feel new, and at times unfamiliar and frightening. When you are exhausted and weary, it is all right to rest for a while, so I hope you will not forget to care for yourself. May this small gift bring you even a brief smile and comfort. Your aunt, Amalie Auguste.”
So both my aunts are on the Saxon side?
Well, there’s nothing strange about that.
Empress Dowager Auguste and Archduchess Sophie are my aunts too.
When the reading of the letters ended, Esterházy showed me the list of luggage the maids had brought in.
“First, this is the list of gifts sent by the Queen of Prussia.”
Berlin royal porcelain from the Königliche Porzellan-Manufaktur Berlin, and amber crafts.
“Prussia is the center of Baltic amber. I shall draft a reply thanking her for the precious gifts, including the exquisitely carved amber jewelry box and ornaments.”
From Saxony came a finest-quality custom tea set from Meissen, as well as exquisite porcelain dolls to decorate the Archduchess’s room.
“These are the official gifts. Next are the personal gifts.”
Unlike the dazzling porcelain pieces, somewhat simpler items continued to be brought in.
A gown and shawl of the finest silk, as well as a set of cosmetics said to be fashionable these days.
“This is a necklace made of South Sea pearls.”
They say pearls are famous as childbirth gifts because they signify the recipient’s health and purity.
“As the Queen of Prussia is Your Majesty’s godmother, she must cherish Your Majesty very much.”
Did they say a godmother is practically like an adoptive parent?
While I was thinking that, Joseph entered the room.
Unlike usual, the ladies performed a Hofknicks and then moved to the corners of the room.
“Empress, how is your body?”
To be honest, it hurts a lot.
Even this is only bearable because I took painkillers. I absolutely cannot even go to the bathroom without the ladies’ help.
“I’m all right.”
“I am glad you are all right.”
That’s it?
When I only stared at him, Joseph chose his words.
“I received a report from the court physician. He said your recovery is progressing smoothly.”
Joseph looked around the room for a moment.
“Did the wet nurse take the child?”
“Yes. It hasn’t been long since the wet nurse took her to feed her.”
“It would have been even more meaningful if you had attended the baptism as well, but Archduchess Sophie watched over every step of the process carefully, so be at ease.”
The flow of the conversation is strange, and who on earth is he making eye contact with while speaking?
Only then did I realize that Esterházy stood at the end of Joseph’s gaze.
What are those two doing?
“Chief lady-in-waiting.”
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
“I would like to speak with His Majesty the Emperor alone.”
The ladies approached and carefully drew the bed canopy.
“Your Majesty.”
“Empress.”
“You used to have no trouble looking me in the eye.”
“That is…”
“Did Archduchess Sophie scold you?”
Joseph shook his head.
Hmm. Then what is it?
“Can you move me over a little?”
If this were Joseph of just a year ago, he would not even have come here.
The moment his hands touched me, I wrapped my arms around his neck without hesitation.
“It’s because it feels awkward, isn’t it?”
When I whispered into his ear, Joseph hesitated and then nodded.
“Then shall we talk about the military, since you like it so much?”
“Would that truly be all right?”
Wipe that smile off your face first.
“There’s nothing for me to do here anyway.”
“I have decided to enter the war.”
Enter the war? I told him to talk about the military, and suddenly he brings up entering a war?
“I think I will be unable to come for a while because I will be taking part in the Eastern War…”
Ah, is he trying to say he came because he felt sorry?
But what is the Eastern War?