Vol.0 Ch.146 Get the Lifebloom Relic
Vol.0 Ch.146 Get the Lifebloom Relic
Vol.0 Ch.146 Get the Lifebloom Relic
Things calmed down in the kingdom in the aftermath of the assassination attempt.
Quinus wasn't aware that his life was in danger that day. And he never did as no one talked about it around him. All he did was try to get his baby's body up to speed, as he enjoyed drinking Wina's and Rianna's milk over the last six months.
Wina was able to control her urges better after having three more days of mind-blowing sex and lovemaking with Mathew. She was able to come to terms with the fact that she loves to be tied up during sex.
They tried to keep it hush-hush for a while. But since Miss Rose and the Queen already knew they didn't see the point in hiding it anymore. Plus, they were going to get married anyway.
They decided to not hide it and told everyone that they were engaged.
Rianna and Cyndre were overjoyed that one of the best knights was going to marry one of the best assassins in the land.
They couldn't be happier for the couple and planned to give them a ceremony once the prince no longer needed Wina as a wet nurse.
***
There was a little worry that Wina was going to be attacked by assassins sooner or later but after six months of nothing. They started to relax every day when nothing happened. So, Wina began to believe that Mathew was correct about the Duke leaving her be as she stayed by the Prince's side. The Queen ordered the General to try and keep a watchful eye in the north where Wina told them that is where the Assassin's Society likes to set up their secret meetings which usually involved them going in between different city-states and even a few smaller kingdoms in the far north.
But they were good at hiding their tracks. So, even if things seemed calm, Wina and Mathew still needed to be ready to defend themselves and the Prince at a moment's notice.
***
Quinus was finally able to walk after he turned seven months old and was almost talking by the age of nine months. Everyone was stunned by the Prince's growth. Which made everyone start to believe he might have a Demi-god ranked vein. Plus, he was far smarter than any child his age. Which only made Queen Rianna's ego grow larger by the day.
This was much to the dismay of his cousin Marcus. Who was trying to do everything in his power to upstage the Prince over the past six months.
He was so desperate that he was starting to make waves in the court. And people were starting to question if he was going to try and stage a coup. Which started to make Marquess Duval Wrightwood become irritated and made the Duke panic that his son would get him in trouble.
But that all ended when Duke Alaric sent his son to the Mage's Academy located in the northern region of the Kingdom. In Baroness Ysandra Fairchild's domain in order to calm the Marquess and his people.
Alaric didn't want his son near Quinus. He didn't trust he would make the right decision after refusing him. Alaric tried to warn him that they needed to lay low and pay for his crimes. But Marcus's refusal to accept this fact made Alaric worry that his brother, The King, who would change his mind and execute him and his son as traitors to the Kingdom. Even though Duval would have panicked about an uprising.
So he sent his son to a Mage's Academy also known as the Fairchild's Arcane Institute of Magic.
He also wanted his son to learn how to harness his magic properly and hoped he could make a name for himself. Even though Marcus had a support element that most nobles and even the common folk feared. He wanted his son to get a level head and hoped he could get humbled by this. But Marcus was too much like his father. He had Alaric's stubbornness and pride but lacked the ability to lead and strategize.
He was only able to be the leader of his friend group because of his title and the fact that he had no other competition.
Marcus was furious when he was sent off to the Acadamy. He wanted to be near the capital. Not stuck at some backwater school. How was he supposed to show the court that he was the better heir than Quinus? If he was in the north of the country, how was he supposed to influence the people?
But he had no choice in the matter and it felt more like banishment just as he turned ten years old.
And his father promised to get him a tutor that was highly skilled.
He didn't have much faith in that. It was his father who failed to kill his cousin and now he was paying for his father's foolishness. So, he focused on the only thing he could do. Which was to become the best mage he could be and try to find a source of income to hire his own army.
***
By the time Quinus turned 14 months old. He was sitting with his mother in the dining room in the late afternoon.
Rianna wanted to get a head start on his dining etiquette. So she brought Quinus to the second dining room which was smaller than the main one, which was five times bigger. Quinus was sitting in an infant high chair with many different types of food spread out before him.
Miss Rose and Lady Wina were standing off to the side as Sir Mathew kept watch. There were a few maids going around bringing different food and drinks.
Queen Rianna was trying to teach Quinus proper table manners.
"Now, Quinus. You need to practice eating with your knife and fork. Here, I'll show you."
"Uuu." Quinus groaned with boredom.
"Yes, it is difficult at first, but with enough practice, you'll get it." Rianna continued.
Quinus did as his mother asked.
'But I love drinking Mother's and Wina's milk! Stupid teeth! Ever since they came out. Mother won't let me drink her milk! I would never bite her! Haah... At least Wina's milk has been tasting even better lately. I'm glad she still lets me suckle her beautiful breasts.'
Quinus grumbled as he started learning how to use the utensils that he already sorta knew how to use from his past life. The only difference was there were five different sizes of forks, spoons, and three knives. Which he thought was annoying, to begin with.
But the main reason why he didn't want to learn was because he enjoyed the closeness between him and his mother and also Wina when he was breastfeeding.
Queen Rianna knew that look on Quinus's face.
"Now, now, Quinus. You can't suckle on me and Lady Wina for the rest of our lives. We both need to move on and focus on our future."
"Humph," Quinus grunted.
'I-I don't know why... But I feel like I get grumpy way too easily... I've been a grown-ass man for many years and now I'm acting like a child again! Come on Quin... Do it for Mother.' Quinus thought as he tried to compose himself. Even though he was not pleased with his mother's statement but did so as best as he could.
And when Quinus was doing what his mother told him to do. She couldn't help but be excited.
"Oh ho! See Miss Rose! I am a fantastic teacher... I don't know why you told me it was going to be hard to train children."
"Y-yes... You are doing very well, Your Majesty." Miss Rose agreed with the Queen. But then she muttered to Lady Wina.
"It's easy to be a great teacher if you have given birth to the easiest child in history."
Lady Wina tried her best not to snort at that.
"I don't know about the easiest... But Quinus is definitely above average. Especially after how fast he's learned to speak and walk. But his etiquette and manners could use some work." Sir Mathew chimed in.
Quinus heard him and turned to glare at the knight.
"I just don't understand why there are so many of the same types of silverware when one set is more than enough," Quinus said with a sigh.
Everyone in the dining room looked at the Prince in surprise.
Wina looked at Mathew and replied, "I think the prince has a point. Maybe the place setting should be simplified."
The Queen was having none of it.
"Quinus!... There are many good reasons why we go through this whole ordeal. But the main one is because the court is watching us. They want to make sure we are making the right moves and if they see us mess up, then they'll try and pounce. And the second reason is to weed out those who are not serious nobles. So you know to be wary of them."
'I guess Mother has a point, but this feels like such overkill... I mean, sure, the nobles in the court could be watching but I have a feeling there are some that are just doing it because they think they should. Or because it is their duty. Or maybe it's the pressure from their peers and parents... I guess in the end, it's not worth arguing about right now. It's not like they'll listen to a one-year-old.' Quinus thought with a sigh.
"I understand, Mother." He agreed to his dismay.
"Good. Now, You did well your first time, but you slouch. Keep a straight back. We can't have anyone think less of you."
"Yes, Mother."
Miss Rose was still stunned by how mature the 14-month-old prince was.
"I have never seen such an obedient child. Especially at his age."
"Of course. He's my son after all." Queen Rianna said as a proud mother. "Now, let's go again Quinus. I want to see you eat as elegantly as the rest of the nobles in the court."
"Yes, Mother," Quinus said with a groan.
And so Quinus continued to practice under his mother's watchful eye.
***
After an hour of practicing, Lady Wina started to look a little under the weather. But she did her best to hide it as she stood there at attention.
"Now, we shall work on eating dessert. Just for being such a good boy?... Ladies?" The Queen nodded to Wina to have the maid bring over the sweets.
The maid brought over a piece of chocolate cake and placed it in front of Quinus.
Just before they were about to start. Wina got a sense of vertigo and stumbled.
"Win!" Mathew said loudly.
"Miss Daz!" said Miss Rose.
The Queen, Mathew, Rose, and a few servants hurried over to her.
"What's wrong, Wina?" The Queen asked as she saw Mathew helping her steady herself.
"I just felt a bout of dizziness hit me all of a sudden, Your Majesty."
"Are you sure, Win?" Mathew asked with a bit of worry written on his face.
"I'm fine. Thank you. Maybe it was something I ate... This nausea will pass."
The Queen gave her a raised brow when Wina mentioned the word 'nausea'.
"How long have you been feeling under the weather?" She asked.
"Just a bit in the morning, Your Majesty. I've never had it happen this late in the day."
"Hmm. When was the first time you felt this nausea?"
"Maybe two weeks ago? But it hasn't happened in a few days."
The Queen gave her a quizzing look.
"Miss Rose... Can you grab my family's heirloom?" asked the Queen.
Miss Rose looked at the Queen with a raised eyebrow.
"You don't think..."
"I'm not sure yet. But we won't know until we test her. Hurry."
"Yes, Your Majesty."
Miss Rose left the room in a hurry. And while she was gone, Queen Rianna ordered Wina to take a seat at the table.
"Please, Your Majesty... You're making this into a bigger deal than it is. It was probably something I ate. It happens sometimes. I'm a little sensitive sometimes. It'll pass." Wina said as she tried to reason with the Queen.
"That might be, Wina. But I want to make sure."
Wina wasn't sure what the Queen was getting at.
"What are you-"
Miss Rose came back into the dining room holding a small artifact that looked like a clam shell with a nice round crystal sitting on top of the shell.
"Your Majesty. I have the Lifebloom Relic. How shall we proceed?" Rose said as she held up the artifact.
Quinus was curious about this artifact. For all the time he's been in Tertius. He hasn't really witnessed anything magical. There were some small things here and there. Like the candles never seemed to burn out and the rooms never seemed to get cold. And the bathwater is always hot. But that just felt like modern technology but with a Renaissance aesthetic.
'Huh... Will this be the first time I'll see something truly magical?'
"Hmm. Have Lady Wina touch the stone, Miss Rose."
"What is going on here, Your Majesty?" Mathew asked, looking at the clamshell artifact.
"The Lifebloom relic is one of the artifacts that is passed down from my royal family. It will glow when it comes in contact with a woman who is with child."
Wina started waving her hands, "I appreciate the concern, but it's just a bit of fatigue. You're overreacting."
"Wina, please, trust me. I've had this happen to me a few times before. And if it is as you say, then nothing will happen, correct?" Rianna said.
Wina gave in and sighed. "Fine..."
She took a breath and reached out and touched the crystal.
The crystal lit up and turned green.
Wina and everyone else in the room froze.
Queen Rianna smiled, "I wonder if it will be a boy or a girl? I mean, either would be fine."
Wina and Mathew were stunned.
Mathew was the first one to come to his senses.
"We're having a baby!" Mathew shouted in excitement.
Wina snapped out of her stupor, "We? I-I'm the one who has to push this thing out of me!"
Mathew chuckled, "Yes, I'll help you in any way I can."
"Oh, this is wonderful news!" the Queen exclaimed.
"I will send word to the castle seamstress and we will get started on a wedding dress and a suit for you Mathew. Oh, and a nursery, of course."
Wina is still stunned, "Y-your Majesty... What if I'm not ready?"
"Nonsense, dear, you're going to make a fine wife and mother. But it seems you will have to step down as the Royal Wet Nurse."
"WHAT!" yelped Quinus who had become accustomed to the warm and pleasant feeling of Wina's breasts and nipples.
"Now, Quinus. Don't be dramatic. You are not a baby anymore and you shouldn't act like one."
"B-but, Mother!"
"No, buts, young man. Wina and Mathew will have to focus on their baby. It would not be fair to take them away from their child. And it's not like Lady Wina and Mathew won't be by your side. They will still be your protectors until Lady Wina gives birth to her child."
Quinus was happy for Wina but he felt stupid for not playing dumb and enjoying being treated as a baby again. But in his haste to see if he could use magic has outed himself to be far more advanced than any child his age should be.
He sighed.
'At least I can use this as an opportunity to get Mathew to teach me more about magic. I need to use this to my advantage.'
Quinus changed his posture and stared at his mother with the most regal and mature expression possible. It made him look super adorable which wasn't his intention.
"Yes, Mother. I'm sorry. I was just surprised. But if I'm to lose my wet nurse then I wish to learn about magic. That way I can be ahead of schedule before I need to go to the Academy... That is your wish, is it not?"
Queen Rianna was stunned that her son wanted to learn magic.
"W-Well, that's only if you are a mage, Quinus. And you are far too young to go off killing monsters. I will not have you risking your life."
"Mother, I do not wish to go hunting monsters. I wish to learn the theory and how to harness magic. That is all. And Mathew is a skilled teacher. I'm sure he can keep me busy with other studies."
Quinus said, doing his best to be as convincing as possible.
Sir Mathew was confused by the prince's request. He was a Maja and a knight. He didn't have the ability to be a Mage.
"I'm honored that the young master wishes to learn magic. But I'm a Maja. Not a Mage. I'm not skilled enough to teach you. Maybe Sir Cedric will be able to."
"Sir Cedric is not a good choice. He's not patient enough to teach children." Miss Rose said.
Quinus was confused, "So you're saying that not everyone can use magic? Only a select few can?"
"Correct. The Mage's guild would have to test you, to see what kind of element you can control. And not that many people can do that in the first place. So if you were not a mage, which is most likely, then you are most certainly a Maja like your father," Mathew said.
'I might be a Maja? I need to read up on that... It sorta sounds like a mage but I don't know what the difference is... Whatever, I would like to get tested and see if I am a mage first. So, I can plan something else if I'm not.'
"Then I will go see the Mage's guild and have them test me," Quinus said with determination.
"No," Rianna said firmly.
"But Mother. I-"
"No. You need to slay monsters to grow your mana vein and you are too young, Quinus. And I won't let you put yourself in danger. I'm your mother and I'm telling you no... I have spoken."
Quinus took in this information.
'Hmm... Mana vein, huh?... Well, I still want to find out more about this world... But I can understand why Mother would be worried. Who in their right mind would allow a 14-month-old to go out slaying monsters? No one, that who... Haah... I need to be more patient... I wonder when I will be allowed to go see the Mage's Guild... I hope it's when I'm five?' Quinus came out of his thoughts and saw his Mother staring at him with a stern look.
"Yes, Mother. I apologize. I didn't know."
Rianna's attitude flipped back to happiness once her son didn't continue to argue.
"Good. You will get your opportunity to slay monsters when you reach a proper age. Now, Wina, you'll have to stay here for now and get some rest. Your duties of being my son's wet nurse have been fulfilled and you may be his guardian until you aren't capable. Then you can have time to prepare for the birth of your child... Does that sound satisfactory?"
Wina looked at the queen with a puzzled look. In her life, she never imagined getting pregnant. Even though during love sessions with Mathew. She would say in her dirty talk that she wanted to have his baby. She knew it was just dirty talk and that it wouldn't happen. It was fun to pretend.
But now it was coming true.
"Your Majesty. I... I'm not sure what to say... But, thank you, for giving me this chance. I won't let you down." Wina bowed her head.
"Good. I expect a healthy child. Hopefully a girl? We could use more women like you in this world," Rianna said, rubbing her belly.
Wina didn't like it when people touched her out of the blue, with the exception of Mathew. But it was the Queen. So, she put up with it.
"If the Gods are kind, then it will be a beautiful daughter." Mathew chimed in.
"Excellent... I think we had enough of an etiquette lesson for today... Don't you think, my son?"
Quinus quickly nodded his head. He hated sitting in this awkward high chair that was supposed to be a throne for him.
'Oh thank God! Now I can get back to reading more about what types of monsters are in this crazy world. Plus I should find out what Majas are too.'
Miss Rose had some of the maids help Quinus out of his chair.
"Alright. I know that look in your eyes. Sir Mathew. Watch over my son. He wants to go to the library. Make sure he doesn't do anything rash. And make sure he eats."
"Yes, My Queen," Mathew said as he bowed.
"Quinus, I want you back in your room and asleep in an hour."
Quinus nodded before he hurried out of the dining hall and headed to the library. Mathew followed after him as he looked back and gave Wina a warm smile.
Wina and Mathew both waved goodbye as the Queen watched Quinus run off down the hallway.
"I think that went rather well," Queen Rianna said, satisfied.
"It did," Miss Rose agreed.
"But what do I do now?" Wina asked as she wasn't used to resting.
"For now, we'll have you meet with the doctor. OH! You look so radiant Lady Wina. I can't wait to see you in a wedding dress."
Wina had never seen the Queen so excited about her getting married.
"I- Thank you, Your Majesty."
***
And with that, Quinus tried to learn as much as he could before his curfew. While Wina went on with her new duties and met the royal doctor.
It was a few months went by as Mathew and Wina got married.