Steel and Mana

Chapter 101 – A Delighted City

When the last day of the festivities came, I made sure the people knew I was going to announce something important at the end of the day. Nobody was worried that it would be troubling or bad, especially because I had paid for the multiple free snacks and drinks offered to everyone who came to the main square.

Many rumors were already spreading about what it would be about. Some guessed it would celebrate the establishment of Avalon. Some said it would be about the ongoing war, wanting to raise the people's spirits. I knew that there was one version where someone even theorized that the saboteurs had returned after more than three years. I wish, but that ship sailed a long time ago. Lastly, by Merlin's remarks, there were some who guessed correctly, predicting the announcement of an heir.

"What should I wear?" Sasha asked, interrupting my thoughts while we were getting ready to head to the main square.

"Something fancy." I chuckled, watching Luna, who now was dressed as a proper maid, picking out the clothes for Sasha, waiting to finally start dressing her up.

"Again...?"

"For now, yes." I nodded, kissing her cheeks, "This will be an official, major event. Oleg and Yuri are already there, securing the podium. Soldiers will escort us out and stand guard throughout the roads leading from the palace to the square! Everyone is going to show their most elegant side!"

"Events like this need to look and feel official, Sasha!" Luna agreed with me, beginning to undress her, this time without any lewd light in her eyes, "It is essential! You are the principal wife, and your firstborn will inherit Leon's position one day. It has to be announced by following the protocol because it will also raise the people's morale! They will see it as something to be celebrated and as a showcase of our strength."

"You know a lot... I sometimes forget that you are from the Capital." Sasha answered with a soft whisper, making Luna grin with pride.

"I have been taught as an appropriate maid for a noble family within the Capital, mind you! I know many of these things because my family once served multiple important figures of the Empire! Be lucky you are here at Avalon; within the major cities, some strange customs exist, following centuries-old concepts. Ancient laws of long gone emperors, like the right to wed someone on the first night, before the husband could."

"What?!" She cried out, but for me, it was not a surprise. I heard it was a weird custom sometimes in my old world, too. And they wonder why some royals lost their heads here and there. "How could they let it happen?!"

"No laws of previous Emperors were ever revoked. If one wanted to do it, they made it happen... and if a noble feels like invoking it, they can. I know that it is rare and frowned upon, but it can happen." Luna continued, shrugging in the end. "And that is a law for the nobles. People without any ranks? Yeah, that is even more uncertain regarding what will happen to you if one of the influential people's eyes falls upon you."

"Okay, stop!" I intervened, patting their heads because Sasha was getting angrier and angrier; I could see it in her eyes. "Don't sour the mood; we should be celebrating this night! We will walk out and announce the great news to my people!"

"Y-yes, you are right!" Sasha nodded, quickly reforming her smile, tiptoeing, and kissing me before we returned to dressing up appropriately for the occasion.

My parents and Elliot were already at the square, sitting with my ministers while the rest of the famous, influential people of the city sat behind them. Among Perth, Marca, Kraus, or Dorian, the latter was the most excited. He and his family were finally fully fledged citizens, and being invited personally to the occasion and given a fixed spot showed everyone that I valued his skills just as much as those of those who were locals from the get-go.

When we finally left the palace, the guards were silently waiting for us, wearing their uniforms, buttons, swords, and boots in an immaculate fashion, still shining from how well they polished them. I couldn't help but smile, looking over them. I was proud and excited.

"How are you, Pion?" I asked as we walked past him, their leading figure, while the rest of the group flanked us from both sides and escorted us to the main square.

"All good, My Sovereign! As you asked, many of us visited Lady Mikan, talking with her about what happened, and... I have been sleeping like a baby! No worries there, My Lord!" He laughed, adding it with a salute, which was followed suit by the rest of the soldiers.

I recognized all their faces and names, as they were the same guys I went with to get my Yuri back. I specifically ordered Oleg to arrange for them to be our escorts, as I wanted to give them this unique opportunity.

"You did great work; I'd also like to thank you for it once again!" Sasha exclaimed, bowing her head towards the soldiers, making them even more embarrassed; it was funny to witness how multiple giant soldiers suddenly blushed and acted like children in front of her.

"It... it was, is, our job, My Lady!" Pion stuttered, his voice finally overshadowed by the crowd's shouts.

After we walked out of the palace's grounds, the streets were full of people gathering to try and look at us, even sitting on the rooftops, waving, shouting, and clapping. It was like a parade, and although Sasha wanted to hide and run back to our room, I firmly held her hand while we began waving back.

"Sasha, your smile is too stiff! Relax a little!" Luna whispered, walking behind us, ensuring our fancy clothes didn't get dirtied along the way.

Of course, her open comment further stiffened Sasha's smile as she became increasingly conscious of herself. I was glad to hold her hand because otherwise, I feared she would trip and fall.

"You were less afraid facing beasts on the wall~" I whispered to her, which she only answered with a tiny moan, not wanting to argue about her stage fright.

The walk was not long, but it still took a good amount of time to finally arrive, where Oleg, Merlin, and Yuri were waiting for us. Taking over from the escorting contingent, they led us up to the podium, and Merlin quickly produced the microphone for me. The moment I raised it to my mouth, without me saying anything, the people present in the square began settling down as if an invisible wave had swept over them.

"My dearest people!" I began, giving them time to applaud again, raising a hand to slowly signal them to stop. "I hope each and every one of you enjoyed these past few days within Avalon. I was so glad to see all of you enjoy yourselves and listen to Lady Mikan's lovely music; I think all of us can agree that life has never been this good before!" Once again, it was welcomed with a wave of applause and this time, I let it go a bit longer before I continued. "I want you to remember what you all felt in the past days! The emotions within you, the values of Avalon, and I want every one of you to impart them to your descendants, your grandchildren... because that is what I also intend to do!" I heard the instant murmur break out, but I didn't give them time to start guessing and finished my short speech. "I'd like to announce, before everyone, at the end of this lovely week, that my wife, Sasha, is pregnant! By this fall, Avalon will welcome my child and the one who will take my place when I am old and no longer can serve my city and my people!"

While holding Sasha's hand and raising it, we were greeted with the loudest applause yet, which became even more frantic when I leaned in for a kiss. Of course, I didn't want to leave my other two wives out of it, so next, I pulled Luna forward, giving her a kiss before everyone. She was even wiggling her butt, wanting to do more, the little masochist, but before she would forget herself, I let her go, and it was Yuri's turn next.

"W-wait, but-" She suddenly protested but then melted in my arms, surprised at how self-conscious she was all of a sudden. Did she and Luna switch places while I wasn't looking? That can't be; their lips tasted the same as usual.

"It is rare to see you shy." I whispered to her, making her roll her eyes, looking away while I raised the microphone once again. "Also, my Dear People. I wish that everyone had more than one child so we could fill our city with the laughter of children! We for sure will try our best~" With a laugh, I finished my speech, holding all three of them, enjoying the happy, wonderful atmosphere of my city.

This was what I wanted—it was exactly what I wished for in my old life. I just hope this can last forever, even if it is a naive desire...