After Retirement, Living a Stud Life in Another World - 148.1

Episode 148: Clara’s Reputation [End of Volume Three]

Even as spring finally arrived in the Baden territory, there was no sign of pregnancy from Gretel. It saddened me that all I could do was comfort her by gently stroking her back as she came out of the washroom with drooped shoulders this month.

During those days, adventurers returning from the forest brought rumors that were now the talk of the capital. It was said that Princess Clara, the first princess, had joyously become pregnant… but strangely, the father’s identity had not been disclosed.

Ah, so it’s been about six months since she was bred. Her belly must be showing now, prompting her to finally announce the pregnancy.

But this situation was unprecedented. While it’s not uncommon for royals to use a stallion solely for the purpose of producing an exceptional child, as Queen Hildegarde did with Beatrice, revealing the stallion’s identity is rare. Yet, Clara, without ever formalizing a marriage, has borne a child with a man whose name remains unknown, a situation that has occurred only once in recent generations. She was severely criticized for her “promiscuous behavior” at the time by the reigning queen and demoted from princess to baroness for this misstep.

Well, Clara and Beatrice must have anticipated such consequences. As long as Clara peacefully steps down from the next queen race, it will be fine for them.

Even if she is demoted, she can establish herself well enough as a top-tier pharmacist and raise my child. Her potions, crafted with exceptional magic control, are top-notch… and her only weakness, low magical ability, should be compensated by the benefits of being born from my seed, likely reaching a class A level.

“So, how are the reactions from the First Princess’ faction?”

“For now, it seems like they’re keeping quiet. Perhaps they’re quite confused by this unexpected announcement,” Ayaka-san, who had gathered information from her subordinates, replied somewhat uncertainly to Gretel’s inquiry. She, too, probably couldn’t predict the actions of the anti-Beatrice faction.

“What about the reaction from the capital’s people?”

“It varies, but there are many voices expressing concern like ‘whose child could it possibly be?’ It seems Princess Clara’s reputation is taking a hit.”

“What does Her Majesty say about this?”

“She hasn’t made any statements yet. Since Princess Beatrice has already been designated as the successor, perhaps Her Majesty considers it inappropriate to take action at this point.”

Well, so far it seems to be going according to Beatrice’s plans.

The backlash against Clara, who herself disrupted the “bl00d legitimacy,” which was the sole argument of the anti-Beatrice faction, is likely to intensify in the future. Already established as the Crown Princess, Beatrice’s position is becoming rock solid, and although Clara’s reputation may suffer somewhat, she won’t have to engage in an unwanted struggle for the throne.

But… will the anti-Beatrice faction, led by the Prime Minister and comprising the majority of high-ranking nobles, really give up so easily?

“Probably not.”

“Then, Gretel, what kind of reasoning do you think they’ll come up with?”

“Well, they’ll probably fabricate something about how the princess desired a child and became pregnant using the finest stallion… Either way, having a royal who’s an ‘unwed mother’ won’t be supported by the people. Their tactics, as devised by the two of them, are actually effective.”

As expected of Gretel, the daughter of a high-ranking noble, she quickly predicts the aristocratic reaction in times like this. From her perspective, Clara’s retreat from the throne is understandable, although it’s a bit unsettling to think of tarnishing Clara’s pure honor. But this was the development the sisters desired; I guess I’ll just have to accept it for now.

◇◇◇◇◇◇◇◇

In the end, the anti-Beatrice faction of nobles acted exactly as Gretel had predicted. Lord Bruno on the third page of the studbook was declared the true father… But the common folk were far from convinced by this hasty and contrived announcement.

And regardless of whether the stallion’s name is known or not, a child born from a woman without a spouse will still be treated as a bastard. The “legitimacy” of bloodline, valued by nobles, will overwhelmingly favor the daughter born a few months later by “Crown Princess Beatrice” and “Prince Ludwig, the next consort.”

“So, does this settle the issue of the successor?”

“No. From the perspective of those of us who dwell in the underworld, I think things are about to get dangerous.”

Ayaka-san, whose belly still isn’t noticeably showing, kneels down and looks up at me with a serious glint in her black eyes.

“Why?”

“Until now, there was a possibility of winning a straightforward debate with them, so we didn’t resort to risky methods. But now that’s lost… They’ll come relying on unofficial and dangerous direct means, just to gain power at all costs.”

“You mean…”

“Yes. Assassination, kidnapping, extortion… I’ll make sure Chief Kanako is fully aware.”

Ayaka-san’s voice lowered another notch. Scary!