A Flat-Chest Believer Reincarnated in a World Where Women with Small Breasts Aren't Treated as Women ~ I Ended Up with a Flat-Chested Harem. - Chapter 15

Duke Timon Stola Manjula returned to the Manjula estate in the royal capital after the banquet. However, he wasn’t heading to bed just yet. After spending a short while adjusting his schedule in his private room, he moved to the hall within the estate where gatherings and parties were held.

In the hall, influential nobles from the Manjula faction had already gathered. Many of them had attended the wedding banquet earlier in the evening. The Duke’s retainers were busy serving food and drink to the guests.

Duke Manjula himself took a seat, holding a glass of wine in his hand. The other nobles began to gather around him.

“Duke Manjula, you must be tired after tonight. What is your opinion of this marriage?” asked a white-haired, slightly overweight count.

The Duke responded calmly, “Hmm, what do you think?” turning the question back on the count.

“I had assumed that this marriage was the result of the good-natured Marquis Gustique being unable to refuse the royal family’s request. I felt deep sympathy for Lord Folca, being forced to marry a woman like that with such… a lack of assets. But seeing Lord Folca’s smile at the banquet, it didn’t seem like an act. I’m confused,” the count confessed.

Another noble, a different count, chimed in.

“Yes, I had hoped that, in the long term, this marriage might cause a rift between the royal family and the Gustique family. However, there doesn’t seem to be any indication of dissatisfaction from the Gustique side. While it’s possible they are simply putting on a masterful act, it seems they were even seen strolling together in the royal capital market, acting like lovers,” he added.

At that moment, a viscount’s daughter, who had attended the banquet in place of her ailing father, stepped forward.

“Excuse me for speaking out of turn, but I had the opportunity to speak briefly with Lady Lyla. I didn’t sense any anger or frustration toward the royal family from her. She seemed a bit puzzled by the situation, but that’s all. At her age, she wouldn’t be capable of putting on such a flawless act. I suspect this is a normal marriage, with both families in agreement.”

Lady Lyla, the eldest daughter of the Gustique family, had attended the banquet. Since the younger daughter, Aria, was not present, Lyla was effectively the youngest member of the Gustique family at the event. If one were looking for information, she would be a prime target.

Duke Manjula nodded deeply. It seemed the quality of his faction’s intelligence was still intact.

“I agree. This marriage appears to be a union of true affection between Lord Folca and Lady Risty. It’s clear they both desired it. This marriage has undoubtedly strengthened the bond between the royal family and the Gustique family,” the Duke said.

“But… with a woman like that?” questioned one of the counts, still in disbelief.

“You’re aware that there are rare men who are fine with it. Lord Folca is truly someone to be reckoned with. He’s a close friend of Lord Alvy from the Periste family, gained favor with Duke Domeia during the war with the Pomeis Kingdom, and with this marriage, he’s effectively created a major debt with Duke Famagusta. Out of the Six Founding Families, four are now firmly on his side. We have to admit the situation is looking rather difficult for us,” Duke Manjula said with a grim expression, causing a silence to fall over the room.

“So, what do we do…?” one of the nobles ventured cautiously.

“We put all our efforts into the other option. But being able to focus on one front isn’t entirely bad. This marriage will work to the benefit of ‘them,’” Duke Manjula replied, downing his wine in one gulp.

“Well then, gentlemen, let’s play this smart. No matter what, Griffis will not be forgiven.”

◇◇ ◆ ◇◇

After the banquet, Risty and I rode in a carriage to the Gustique mansion in the royal capital.

We’d be living here for a while. The marriage had been so sudden that we hadn’t had time to prepare for a move. Plus, Risty was the kingdom’s top healer, and she had obligations to treat some high-ranking nobles. We couldn’t head to the Gustique territory right away.

We stepped out of the carriage, and I took Risty’s hand as we walked through the garden toward the mansion’s entrance.

The doors opened, and we were greeted by the mansion’s key retainers and servants, all lined up and bowing respectfully.

“Risty, welcome to the Gustique mansion. We’ll do the proper introductions to the staff tomorrow. For now, let’s change and wash away the day’s fatigue,” I suggested.

Risty nodded with a gentle “Yes.”

Her maid, Mariel, stepped forward and said, “This way,” before leading Risty inside. Mariel had already been briefed on the layout of the mansion and had everything arranged in advance. I knew I could leave this to her without a worry.

The Gustique mansion had six bathhouses, so there was no need to wait turns—we could each bathe separately. Of course, the idea of bathing together with Risty was tempting, but she must’ve been tired, so I decided to save that for another time.

After parting ways with Risty, I went to my room, quickly stripped out of my formal attire, and slipped into the bath.

I poured hot water over my head, scrubbed my body clean, and lowered myself into the tub, stretching out my legs. A long exhale escaped my lips.

I was exhausted. In my past life, I’d heard from married friends that “weddings are incredibly exhausting,” and it turned out they were right. Still, no matter how tired I was, the officials who handled all the preparations had it way worse.

For a while, I just let my mind go blank, soaking in the warmth. Before I could get lightheaded, I climbed out of the bath, dried myself off, and changed into something more comfortable. The bath had done wonders for my fatigue. Being young, I recovered quickly.

Once I was done, I headed to the bedroom. I sat down at the small round table in the room and waited for Risty.

A knock sounded, and the door opened. Risty entered, wearing a light pink nightgown. She quietly took a seat across the table.

“Risty, you must be exhausted today,” I said.

“Thank you, Folca. You must be tired too… and thank you for everything today,” she replied, smiling gently, her face still slightly flushed from the bath. She was beautiful—her long eyelashes framing her warm, smiling eyes. She was the very image of an elegant, intelligent princess.

Tonight would mark our official first night together. There was no more need for restraint—I could be with Risty for the entire night.

“Thank you as well. From here on, let’s take care of each other as husband and wife. Risty, just so you know, I’m thinking we should try for our first child soon. How do you feel about that?” I asked gently.

After the “confirmation,” I had heard that her cycle had returned, so it seemed that she hadn’t gotten pregnant from our first time. In this world, it was naturally expected that a married couple would have children, but I wanted to make sure Risty was on the same page.

“Um, yes… I mean, I’d like to have your baby too, Folca,” she stammered, her face turning red all the way to her ears.

She was so adorable.

Suppressing the urge to push her down right then and there, I stood up and took her hand. Gently, I led her over to the bed and laid her down. Her silky golden hair spread out across the bed, glimmering like sunlight.