After Retirement, Living a Stud Life in Another World - 187

Chapter 187: Is This Child Dangerous?

Although I wasn’t completely unconcerned about the situation in the Baden Territory, we ended up staying in the royal capital for about a week.

There were plenty of things I had to take care of, like the supplies from the kingdom that would last for another three months, and the delivery plans for the magical silver mine that had started producing. There were also many details I had to discuss with the bureaucrats. Additionally, I needed to make sure to take turns showing the female guards around the city, since they had worked so hard.

Well, I figured I could leave the territory matters to Max.

There was also a reason for staying a week. I wanted to attend the baptism of Clara’s child… Luize.

Of course, as a father, I couldn’t actually participate in the ceremony. I was there as a relative, just as “the spouse of my sister.” But, I wanted to quietly witness my beloved daughter’s “special day” from a little distance.

Just before the ceremony began, I secretly slipped into the church’s waiting room where Clara was. Of course, I had Beatrice’s permission, so it wasn’t cheating… right?

“How exciting, Clara,” I said.

“Yes, she’s such a lovely child. I’m sure her talents will shine through,” Clara replied.

I wanted to comment that looks and magical talent were unrelated, but when I saw Clara’s happy smile, I held back. I also enjoyed watching Luize, who was desperately trying to hold onto my finger with her tiny hand, almost like a little animal.

“Whatever the outcome, she will always be loved with all my heart. That will never change,” Clara said, speaking firmly. She had become so strong. She had been so unreliable before, but it seemed that having a child had changed her.

Then, the ceremony began. The Queen and Clara were seated in the front row, while Beatrice and I were in the second row.

Since this was a royal baptism, the ceremony was presided over by the highest-ranking priest in the country, that elderly cardinal. She gave me a meaningful smile, but… could she have figured out that Luize was my child?

“O goddess who rules over the eight attributes, show this noble child’s power and bless her future!” the cardinal announced, as she immersed Luize’s small body in holy water. The colorful rainbow light that filled our eyes was vivid.

“Oh, like Clara, she has the golden attribute… how fortunate,” one noble said.

“With such brilliance… she must be an A-class. As expected of Sir Bruno, the S-class stallion,” another added.

“Wonderful. Depending on Princess Beatrix’s child, the discussions about the next king might heat up again…”

The nobles behind us were talking freely. Now that I think about it, this child was officially recorded as Sir Bruno’s offspring on page three of the studbook.

“Wait, what’s that light?”

One noble gasped. I quickly looked back at the basin. Multiple platinum beams of light were shining through the rainbow light surrounding Luize.

“Platinum light, that’s a sign of the light attribute… Does Luize have the priestly attribute?”

“But the rainbow light hasn’t disappeared. That’s unmistakably the golden attribute.”

This impossible sight left the nobles in a state of confusion.

“Could it be… is she the legendary ‘dual-attribute’ child?” one noble exclaimed.

“Huh? Does that mean she has both the golden and light attributes? That’s impressive, but according to what I heard from Siegfried, there hasn’t been anyone with both attributes on this continent…” I thought.

“Yes, Luize has dual attributes!”

“There’s a legend of a sage who had two attributes,” another noble said.

“How amazing! To think such a rare talent is born in the royal family!”

“Long live Luize!” they cheered.

So, this child really does have such a rare gift. I was a little happy, but… the way the nobles were praising Clara’s child made me uneasy.

“Long live Luize! Long live Clara!”

“Clara!”

“Perhaps the kingdom’s future should be entrusted to the legendary sage…”

At this point, the nobles, mostly supporters of Clara—or rather, the prime minister’s faction—seemed to see this incredible event as a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to turn the tide in the ongoing battle for the throne. Of course, their aim wasn’t to have the sage Luize lead the country, but to use Clara as a puppet and enjoy the power and riches that came with it.

Just then, the Queen, who had been silent up until now, stood up. The nobles, who had been making noise, immediately quieted down at her presence.

“I am pleased that a new and rare talent has been born into our royal family. This child will surely support the future of Berzenbrück,” she said.

That was a clear signal to stop talking further. Normally, the Queen would let her ministers say whatever they wanted, but today, her rare display of authority made even the nobles hold their tongues.