Reincarnated User Manual

Chapter 300: A Tough Woman

Though all the Prients had left, giving the Dawn Castle an air of desolation, not every corner of the place felt inhuman.

A bedroom at the end of the third-floor hallway.

This room had once been where Shiron Prient resided ten years ago, but now it was used solely for Yuma.

The walls were adorned with wallpaper in vibrant tones, and the curtains, soft and fluffy, seemed out of place amidst the castle’s antique elegance.

A bed placed right in the middle.

In a room more human than it had been during Shiron’s time, a one-horned demon was knitting.

Click—

“…”

Yuma cut the yarn with small scissors, inspecting the baby clothes with a serious expression.

Though the craftsmanship was praiseworthy, worthy of admiration anywhere, the words that left her red lips were cold as ice.

Whoosh—

The rejected bundle of yarn was promptly thrown into the fireplace in the corner.

Although Yuma, who had cared for countless babies, could knit baby clothes with her eyes closed, everything she created recently seemed doomed to turn to ashes.

Once upon a time, she might have scorned such waste and felt self-loathing.

However, when she thought about who the item was for, her actions became understandable.

“I’m sorry, little one.”

Yuma murmured as she stroked her noticeably rounded belly. What she was making was none other than baby clothes for her own child. This child, born out of her affection with her beloved young master, prompted Yuma to toss aside her countless failed attempts without hesitation.

As a result, not a single baby item was completed, but Yuma didn’t think much of it.

This was her first time experiencing pregnancy, and the fact that a demon could have a child was also something she had only recently discovered.

Nonetheless, it wasn’t difficult to estimate the due date.

It had been three years since she was with the young master, and she’d only realized she was pregnant a few months ago.

With her belly barely swelling, it would be years before she reached full term.

There was no need to rush.

Knock, knock.

Just as she was about to start on a new strand of yarn, there was a knock at the door.

“Madam Head Maid, the young master has come to see you. May he come in?”

“…The young master?”

Yuma lifted her gaze from the floor.

‘Why would he come here…?’

“One moment, please! Just a moment!”

“Yes, ma’am~”

She didn’t dwell on it long. Quickly leaving the bed, Yuma started tidying up the scattered items.

She put away the open sewing kit and straightened the pillow she’d hugged all night.

Looking in the hand mirror, she smoothed down her tousled hair and tied it with a modest ribbon.

Only after buttoning up her blouse to cover her low neckline did Yuma open the door herself.

“It’s been a while, young master.”

She clasped her hands neatly, bowing deeply with reverence. Though she didn’t show her face openly, Yuma couldn’t hide her joy at the reunion.

“…You have a request? That’s unnecessary. Please leave it to me.”

In the castle’s drawing room, after hearing Shiron’s plan, Yuma looked determined.

Using the Dawn Castle as a breakwater to establish a settlement and serve as a caretaker while they settled…

It was clear that such a task would likely demand the demons’ self-sacrifice, but Yuma readily accepted Shiron’s proposal.

“Aren’t you accepting too easily?”

“Twenty years, if you look at it, isn’t that long. It’ll be a good way to pass the time while you subdue the demons, young master.”

“Even so.”

“You brought people here, didn’t you? That means you wouldn’t yield on your plans even in the face of death. So I think it’s best to end this conversation here.”

“…Thank you.”

Shiron nodded reluctantly.

Though he’d expected Yuma, as compliant as she was, to at least take half a day to think it over, she accepted immediately, unable to contain her excitement upon hearing his proposal.

Though this was certainly good news, his expression didn’t seem all that pleased.

Seeing this, Yuma asked him with concern.

“Is there something else you wish to say?”

“Well… yes, there is.”

Shiron withdrew his gaze from looking downward.

“Shouldn’t you be resting? I heard you were pregnant.”

“…Who did you hear that from?”

“Encia.”

Upon hearing the name, Yuma let out a deep sigh.

“Why the sigh?”

“…Nothing. It’s just that I’ve been having frequent disputes with that child lately. But please, don’t concern yourself, young master. It’s nothing worth your involvement.”

“Shall I tell Encia to go run laps around the demon realm?”

“I’m not at fault!”

Somewhere, Encia appeared and shouted. Yuma clutched her forehead, shielding herself from the gust stirred by the intruder.

“Young Master! Listen to me! The head maid tried to hide the fact that she’s pregnant from you until the very end!”

“Is that true?”

“Yes, isn’t it hilarious? She acts like she’s some kind of tragic heroine or something!”

“Silence, Encia. When did I ever say such a thing?”

Yuma firmly denied it, but her face turned bright red, as if something struck a nerve.

“If you don’t remember, I’ll spell it all out for you!”

Was it because Shiron, Yuma’s only superior, was present? Instead of feeling intimidated, Encia’s confidence only grew stronger.

“She prays facing the direction of the young master, claiming it’s her fault for tempting him with her shameful body, saying she’ll raise the child well until it’s old enough to serve you so as not to burden you! And then she’s making everyone around her miserable with her serious attitude!”

“It’s common sense that foul language is bad for prenatal education! And it’s disruptive! To act so disgracefully in front of the young master…!”

“The only one behaving disgracefully is you, Head Maid!”n/ô/vel/b//in dot c//om

Yuma sprang up in a fit of rage, but Encia tauntingly hid behind Shiron’s back, adding fuel to the fire.

Though she was nearly as old as Yuma, it seemed Encia hadn’t stopped talking until Shiron finally had enough and asked her to leave.

“…This is exhausting.”

“I apologize, young master. I am truly ashamed.”

Yuma, sweating from the unintended commotion, kept bowing her head repeatedly. Though she had been thrilled to see the young master’s face after such a long time, her excitement was quickly overshadowed by embarrassment.

“No, Yuma, I’m sorry for letting you bear the weight alone. I never imagined a mixed child would come into being.”

“I-I didn’t know either. In fact, I had no idea that demons could even have children…”

“Hmm…”

“But please, don’t worry yourself over it. I, Yuma, may not know much about giving birth, but when it comes to raising children, I’m more than qualified. I raised not only your grandfather but his grandfather as well! I promise to raise our child, yours and mine, in a way that would make us proud!”

Yuma held Shiron’s hand with a determined tone.

‘I was planning to offer her comfort, but it seems I’m the one being comforted.’

Perhaps because he was usually surrounded by young women, he rarely had anyone he could truly rely on, but being with Yuma, a woman of experience, set his mind at ease.

Though Seira was also mature, she didn’t act her age… And Latera, though older, also didn’t quite measure up… Not to mention, Lucia…

‘Come to think of it, everyone around me is older except for Siriel and Yoru.’

It wasn’t a fact he particularly wanted to dwell on, but he did anyway.

“Is something wrong? You’re shaking all of a sudden.”

“…As long as you’re beautiful, it’s fine.”

“Excuse me?”

“It’s nothing. May I… touch your belly?”

“Of course, please…”

Yuma gently leaned in, presenting her belly to him. Her crown was at the level of his nose, carrying a pleasant fragrance.

Shiron kissed Yuma’s cheek and gently stroked her belly.

Though it wasn’t very obvious, it was curved enough to make its presence known. It would still be some time before the baby would arrive, so there was no movement yet, but the life within was palpable.

‘A father, huh. It’s finally starting to feel real.’

“Sir Shiron. Sir Shiron.”

At that moment, a woman who had been watching their conversation approached. Thanks to the magic absorbed by everyone in the Dawn Castle, Louise no longer suffered from even mild dizziness.

“I’m also carrying your child, so why don’t you stroke my belly as well?”

“Oh? Right.”

“It’s not just ‘right’! Hurry, come over and stroke mine too. Your child is feeling lonely.”

Louise, pouting, moved to the opposite side of Yuma and presented her swollen belly.

‘…Should I ask to have mine touched too?’

Yoru, observing the conversation, simply drank her tea, feeling a pang of loneliness.

It had been a long time since she had seen so many demons in one place.

Normally, with so many strong demons gathered, the dark energy would make it unbearable, to the point where ordinary people would find it hard even to stand…

‘That woman is quite tough.’

It was admirable that someone who claimed to be the emperor’s woman had followed Shiron even to this harsh land and now flirted without a care amidst all the demons.

Yoru finished the last of her well-baked strawberry pie and wiped her lips.

She usually didn’t care for sweets, but after such a grueling march, it went down smoothly today.