6. Kids Sure Are Cute

We had gained a new addition to our family at the Fisalis manor: Mimosa and Bellis’s baby.

This little girl who took after Bellis so strongly was given the name “Daisy,” and everyone in the mansion adored her. Myself included, of course! Whenever I had a moment to spare, you better believe I spent it hanging out in Mimosa’s chambers☆

But man, I never imagined I’d see that tight-lipped, scary-looking Demon King—ahem, Bellis—running around changing diapers and cradling a baby in his arms.

Who could blame me? On a first impression, he seems like the sort of guy to think “a woman should shut up and follow her man’s lead.” Yet in reality, he was a caring husband who loved his wife dearly.

While I was watching Bellis rock Daisy to sleep, he flicked his gaze my way as his cheeks suddenly flushed red. Not a moment later—and without any prompting on my part—he rushed to explain himself (or make an excuse, maybe). “I used to take care of Mimosa when she was little.”

Oh, that makes sense! Despite the age gap, these two were childhood friends.

Meanwhile, that comment of his sent Mimosa into a tizzy. “Eek! Belliiis! I can’t believe you still remember that!”

Oh, get a room, you two!

Still, I guess that means Bellis and I have something in common! I’ve got experience looking after my siblings, so bring on the parenting—I’m ready! Why, if you’d like, I’d be happy to start babysitting Daisy this second!

* * *

“How cute! I could just eat her up! Why, she’s so adorable, I hardly know what to do with myself!”

You have no idea how badly I wanted to gobble up Daisy’s teensy hand when she gripped my finger. Or how badly I wanted to gobble up her little legs when she wriggled about as I tickled her. Or how badly I wanted to kiss her on that itsy-bitsy mouth when it puckered up as I squished her soft baby cheeks.

Oh, crud. I’m drooling again.

While I was wiping my mouth, Mimosa gave an amused laugh and said, “Please don’t eat Daisy, Madam. Hee hee!”

Whoops. Caught red-handed!

“I can’t help myself! Just look at her—she’s teeny-tiny and pudgy and sooo cute!”

“I swear, every other word out of your mouth is ‘cute.’ If you’re this crazy about someone else’s child, I’m sure when you have one of your own—”

“What’ll happen?! I can hardly even imagine!”

Really, though—it was hard for me to imagine having an actual baby of my own in the first place.

I must have been making a pretty serious face, because Mimosa started giggling at me. “It can’t be too far off in the future. Didn’t Master Fisalis say he wanted a baby too?”

“Yeah, he did.”

“Then it won’t be long now! No matter which of you the child takes after, I’m sure they’ll turn out absolutely gorgeous.”

Excuse me, what?

If the kid took after Mr. Fisalis, I didn’t doubt they would grow up to be a real looker, boy or girl. But if they got my genes? Good luck.

My husband is so darn good-looking that I’m almost tired of saying it. Mother Fisalis is a dazzling beauty on par with her son, and Father Fisalis is a sophisticated hottie. Within this brilliantly gorgeous family, I alone am average, unremarkable—no, even plain! That in itself is painful enough; now just imagine if our eagerly anticipated baby inherited my looks. There’s no bouncing back from that!

“I sure hope Mr. Fisalis’s genes win out...”

“Oh, what a silly thing to say! If the child takes after you, they’ll make for either a cute boy or a lovely, refined girl. You possess a different kind of beauty from Master Fisalis’s family, that’s all. You really can’t see it, can you?” Mimosa heaved an exasperated sigh.

I was pretty sure she was overselling my appearance. She was the one who couldn’t see the reality.

I know what I look like better than anyone, thank you very much!

* * *

With everything going on, a whole month had flown by before we knew it.

Mimosa had recovered from the birth without issue, so she and Daisy were allowed to go out and about the manor now. Daisy was obviously too young to start working as a maid, so she and her mom teamed up to provide me with some companionship instead.

One day, we were all hanging out in the parlor together. Quince had joined our ranks, since he had the day off school.

“Whoa...” the boy marveled. “I’m almost afraid she’ll break if I touch her.”

“Don’t worry—she’ll be just fine.”

With Mimosa’s supervision, Quince oh-so-gingerly reached out to touch Daisy’s hand. It was simply adorable.

“She’s so tiny and soft and cute.”

“Isn’t she? You know, I’d love it if you could come to cherish Daisy like your own little sister.”

“My little sister?!” Quince’s face instantly lit up at Mimosa’s suggestion.

“You heard me.”

“I’m so happy... It feels like my family’s grown a little bit bigger.”

“Aww... Oh, Quince...!” I was nearly moved to tears by the darling smile on his face!

He was right. She practically was a new member of his family.

You’re more than welcome to think of me as your auntie too—just saying!

“The manor’s grown a good bit more lively these days, what with all the children around,” Stellaria reflected as she was watching Quince and Daisy play.

“True. The kids have truly breathed new life into the place. I’d even say it’s made the manor young again!”

“I’m not sure about that one.”

“Oh? Well, either way, it’s certainly lifted the mood around here. It’s good to see the servants smiling a little more often.”

“Yes, I agree.”

Seeing Daisy’s smile made all the adults around her smile back, and whenever Quince came home to the manor, he’d talk and eat snacks with everyone. Ever since the two of them had entered the picture, the mansion had become a much brighter place.

“Children are such little angels, aren’t they?”

“Indeed, Madam. I do hope you’ll be visited by a little angel of your own soon.”

“Ugh... Dahlia’s been saying the same thing. Like mother, like daughter.”

“My, do you think so? Oh ho ho ho!”

It was always strange to think about, considering they didn’t look a bit alike at a first glance. But in the end, the apple hadn’t fallen far from the tree.

“You know, there’s always the chance that you could become a mother before I do.”

Stellaria smiled back at me sweetly. “Hardly. I’m still just engaged, not married; I doubt I’ll be the first of us to have a child.”

Here I’d been hoping I could strike back against her, but she had effortlessly sidestepped my attempt.

“Still, having all these little kids around really hits a girl with Baby Fever, whether I like it or not...”

“That’s a good thing, if you ask me. It’s not just Master Fisalis, you know—the former duke and duchess, your own parents, and we manor servants are all excited to see you become a mother.”

“Whoa there! That’s way too much pressure!”

“Forgive me. I didn’t mean it that way,” said Stellaria, hurrying to apologize.

“Yeah, I know. It’s fine.”

It’s okay—I know you just meant that everyone’s looking forward to it! Still, even if I were ready for one, it’s not like I can pump out a baby on command. Oh, if only it were as easy as having someone come drop one at my doorstep!

“There’s nothing I can do but leave it to chance.”

“Don’t worry! It won’t be long now—I’m sure of it!”

What makes you so confident about that, Miss Stellaria?

* * *

“Now that you’ve had enough time to recover, why don’t you go stay with your parents for a bit?”

Right after Daisy was born, both Mimosa’s and Bellis’s parents had stopped by for a visit (or to be more precise, I had invited them over), but they hadn’t come by since then. I could only assume they were hesitant to do so—and for good reason. Both sets of parents were commoners, so I couldn’t imagine they felt too comfortable dropping in at a duke’s manor.

If it were me, I wouldn’t set foot in here until someone forced my hand.

All the same, they were probably dying to see Daisy; hence why I had suggested that Mimosa go back to her parents’ place instead.

“I told your parents they’re free to come by whenever they like, but I don’t think they were ready to take me up on the offer; I haven’t seen them even once. So how about you go home for a couple days? Oh, though you’re free to stay longer, if you’d like.”

Mimosa came from a family of tailors, so her parents were probably too busy to entertain guests for very long. That’s why I had recommended a short stay.

While they’re at it, they ought to pay Bellis’s parents a visit too. I bet they could stick around for a little bit longer there.

“Are you sure, Madam? I really appreciate the thought! Then would you mind if I take you up on that offer and spend three or so days at my parents’ house?”

“Of course not!”

“Thank you so much!”

The look of surprise on Mimosa’s face soon turned into a broad, delighted grin. Ooh, great job, Viola!

It wouldn’t have been a good idea to let Mimosa and Daisy travel unaccompanied, so I let Bellis in on the deal and sent the whole family unit off on vacation.

* * *

“I’m suffering from a Daisy Deficiency. I miss her. I miss her so, so, so much.”

It was the night after Mimosa and company had left to visit her parents. I was already withering away for lack of my little buddy.

When he saw the way I was picking at my dinner and moping, Mr. Fisalis gave a dry laugh. “Come now, Vi, they only just left the manor earlier today. Besides, they’ll be back in two or three—”

“I don’t care!” I argued, cutting my husband off mid-sentence. “I still miss her!”

“That Daisy has certainly done a number on you.”

“She sure has! Every little thing about her is just too precious!”

Cuteness is justice!

All this thinking about Daisy sent me right back to sulking...

“Why don’t you attend an evening party to take your mind off the matter, Madam?”

And that was when Rohtas took the opportunity to spring a social event on me.

“Excuse me?”

“You’ve received an invitation for an evening party to be held a week from now,” he replied, producing a familiar-looking envelope from his breast pocket. Oh, that’s from the royal palace! I’ve seen their invitations enough times by now to remember what they look like!

But how’s that supposed to help? I’m missing her now, not a week from now!

“Yeah, no. Daisy should be home by then, so I’ll pass on the party.”

Undeterred by my polite refusal, Rohtas went on. “Now, now, Madam. With all the coordinating to be done, the time will fly by before you know it. You won’t have a moment to spare thinking about Daisy, I assure you.”

“Yeah right! There’s no way there could be that much to do!”

Don’t say something that terrifying with a smile on your face, Rohtas!

While I was staring the butler down, Mr. Fisalis took a quick look at the invitation before stepping in to back him up. “Now, now, Vi. It’s hosted by the royal palace, so you might have to resign yourself to this one.”

I’d attend any social events I couldn’t afford to decline. That had been the agreement since the very beginning of our marriage. Guh...

Just as I was getting ready to surrender myself to my fate, Rohtas dealt the final blow. “Moreover, going to the royal palace will give you the chance to see the crown prince.”

“Oh! That’s a good point!”

He’s right! Prince Dianthus lives in the royal palace!

The crown prince—who was certain to grow up into quite the looker—was a six-year-old angel in the flesh. Given his age, he’d only just begun making appearances at the royal soirées. I had yet to ever see him up close, but even observed from a distance, his angelic demeanor was a balm for the soul.

If you lined him up next to his gorgeous sisters (though the first princess wouldn’t be there, seeing as she had recently gotten married), he was bound to look simply sublime!

I was confident the prince would be more than able to fill the gaping hole in my heart (read: my Daisy Deficiency).

All right, time to go get me some spiritual healing!

I, for one, was totally on board now. However...

“I suddenly don’t want to go anymore...”

My husband was staring off into the middle distance. Oh? Whatever could have gotten into him?