“Oh dear, Director Gothberg!”
“Seeing you, Teacher, makes my knee pain vanish, ho ho ho.”
“This is quite something. Thanks to you, my husband is feeling much better now.”
Going on rounds, I chat with the patients. In the surgical room, I only meet anesthetized patients, so being able to directly see the results of my medicine during this time is the most fulfilling.
“I see the young teacher next to you for the first time. Are you new here?”
“Oh, I’m Nightingale. I’m the attending physician starting today. Nice to meet you.”
“Ho ho ho, it’s my turn to speak!”
Nightingale was immediately hired as a cardiothoracic surgeon.
The hospital has grown quite a bit, and we have enough doctors by now, so I’ve been easing off to about three days a week, taking a breather.
Since Nightingale was especially eager to learn about heart surgery, I decided to forgo my reduced hours for a while and work full-time to pass on my skills to her.
“Heart valve surgery. It’s a procedure where a specific damaged area is replaced with an artificial device.”
“What if a patient’s artery is compressed like this, making it inaccessible?”
“Do you think there are patients like that? Just pray for their souls.”
“Oh no! My dad said a doctor never gives up on a patient!”
Oh dear, hearing that from your daughter makes my ears flush.
She has a point. The situation Nightingale is hypothesizing is certainly difficult, but I decided to consider it seriously.
“We need to conduct an artery bypass first and then proceed with the valve replacement. The bypass connects here, to the opposite side. In theory, that’s how it works, but usually, the heart can’t withstand it until the suturing is finished.”
“It might be possible if the patient is healthy.”
“They’d have to be incredibly healthy.”
Nightingale was remarkably enthusiastic. There have been plenty of eager friends along the way, but this is the first case where someone is keeping up so well, making me excited too.
Is this the fun of leveling up a side character?
Without even realizing it, I started sharing more and more with her.
Nightingale became a huge boost to my daily life.
Of course, it wasn’t like my life in the Former Country had been boring until now.
When I think about who my wife is, life can’t be monotonous.
“Lars, look at this!”
One day, Acella dragged me along excitedly.
It was her newly set up Magic Workshop in the basement of the Annex of the Mansion.
Basically, only Acella can enter, and unless it’s an emergency, even the guarding knights can’t go in.
I’m also blocked by the barrier unless she takes me along.
But the fact that she’s so eager to show me right away means she has something to brag about.
“I’ve succeeded in recording!”
Acella excitedly showcased a shimmering full-length mirror that swirled with all colors.
Hmm.
I see.
“Congratulations. That’s really awesome.”
“Right? It’s totally me.”
With a boastful smirk, Acella shrugged her shoulders.
Whatever it is, it must be impressive.
“I synchronized the multi-locations of our timeline. If it’s a substance in a quantum state, we can observe it simultaneously from multiple points.”
“Well, you can do it, right?”
“Ah, observation. Of course.”
“It’s not about moving to the past. It’s about existing in two time frames at the same time. Truly, I’m a genius.”
“That’s fantastic. If not you, then who?”
As I lightly wrapped my arms around her waist, Acella smiled with the corners of her mouth lifting.
She probably knew that I couldn’t understand a word.
“I love it when you call me that.”
“What? You don’t like ‘baby’?”
“The baby spot is right here.”
Acella playfully stuck her tongue out while pressing her lower abdomen against me.
She’s been spilling it everywhere these days.
“I prefer calling you ‘self’—at least when we’re alone. Anyway, since we have evidence, if we study more, we should be able to send someone to a specific time frame reliably. Plus…”
Suddenly, Acella stopped speaking.
Her expression changed for the worse.
“What’s wrong?”
It was clear that something was wrong with her. I rubbed her back and supported her so she could breathe better.
“Calmly take a breath.”
“Ugh.”
Suddenly, Acella clamped her mouth shut, as if she was going to vomit.
I calmed her down by giving her water.
“First, let’s get out of here. We need stabilization.”
“Why am I suddenly feeling dizzy? What’s happening?”
“You might have overworked yourself.”
“Even so, I don’t usually feel nauseous. Why? You swallowed mine for an hour and you’re just fine.”
“No, that’s more concerning… Ah.”
I instinctively started to rub Acella’s lower abdomen.
She recognized what it meant and her eyes widened in surprise as she looked up at me.
“…Really? Not joking?”
“Well, considering Nightingale’s age…”
“…Ah.”
That must mean our fruit has taken root.
Her hand gently overlapped mine, warming it.
She showed a calm smile, lovingly looking down at her belly.
Then she slowly leaned into me.
“I love you, Lars.”
I patted her back and held her gently.
To keep this warmth going forever.
“I love you too, Acella.”
We swayed lightly, feeling each other’s warmth.
“What should we name our daughter?”
“Nightingale.”
“I like Aisley.”
“Then won’t that create a problem?”
“It will.”
We both laughed at the silly exchange.
*
“Congratulations, Director.”
I clinked glasses with Tanya.
A few days later, we held a party at the mansion.
I had momentarily forgotten, but I was nobility. My sister was the king, and I had enough power to meet the emperor of the empire without any issues.
And the news of the former princess, the hostess, being pregnant?
Of course, a grand party should be held. After all, I worked to play during times like this.
I told everyone at the Marquis’s Estate not to alert the outside nobility since I don’t like stiff gatherings.
“I prepared snacks by type! Sister, eat as much as you like!”
“This walnut pie is a work of art. Hostess, may I take some home?”
“Oh dear, what if the Commander eats it all?”
Neria and Gishta were particularly happy. Today’s star, Acella, had set up a place where she could enjoy herself comfortably.
“Cough, cough.”
“What’s up, Guard Paula?”
“I’m just jealous.”
Paula has been Tanya’s little sister since their days in the slums. Since Tanya got busy, she enjoys snacking and chatting with Acella with charming ease.
Looking at her this way, Acella surprisingly has quite a few friends despite her personality. Gishta, Tanya, Paula, and sometimes Lau and Freda come to visit.
Wait, am I the real outsider here?
“I’m here, aren’t I? Let’s eat together.”
“You’re the only one, Hugo.”
Thinking about it, Hugo always tags along wherever he goes.
Bruno, with three wives and a steady income from the guard corps, quit being a knight to become a fisherman. Pretty disloyal.
“I’m here too!”
Suddenly, I felt a heavy presence behind me. It was Nertia.
“It must feel strange for you, Neria.”
“Uh, I guess so…? It’s fascinating.”
Neria stared at Acella while Acella seemed too surrounded by people to notice her gaze.
“Nice to meet you, I’m Minister of Defense Tanya. You’re said to be a distant relative of the Director.”
“Ah, yes. That… Minister.”
Neria awkwardly shook hands. Tanya was naturally friendly, usually following closely like an aunt, but since they were meeting for the first time here, she seemed at a loss.
“I see. A cardiovascular surgeon…”
“She’s skilled. I’d want to hire her officially at our hospital.”
“Oh, no. It’s not to that extent. I’m still an intern and haven’t even participated in an actual surgery…”
“You can trust Director Gothberg’s judgment. I’ve heard you’re hesitant about real practice, but is there a reason?”
Neria appeared flustered by Hugo’s question.
I recognized her face.
It was me reflected in the mirror when my hand got ruined.
Something’s going on.
“At first, it’s overwhelming. Hugo, don’t talk about work at a drinking party. I’ll be called an old man.”
“That’s quite a big issue. As you said, let’s talk about cocktails instead.”
“Hey, Neria, do you have a favorite drink?”
“Oh, I don’t drink! Look, this is lemon punch. Dad said not to drink if I don’t want to tremble.”
“Oh dear, that’s a pity.”
I also don’t drink for the same reason.
I’m so impressed that she’s sticking to such things.
It makes me even more curious about why Neria isn’t practicing medicine.
She doesn’t seem lacking in practical experience. Did she quit her medical career?
While sharing the story, Nightingale kept glancing over at Acella.
Was she worried?
“Go talk to her.”
“U-um, no. I want to play with Dad.”
“Mom would love it too.”
“…Maybe.”
Resolute, Nightingale slowly approached Acella.
Gishta, who was with her, warmly welcomed her. The Thunder Tribe gathered attention at the party venue, dancing for Nightingale.
That seems a bit embarrassing.
Acella treated Nightingale with her usual haughty demeanor.
The party was noisy, so their conversation didn’t reach me, but soon after, Nightingale slowly started to pat Acella’s belly, making me think they must have had a good chat.
*
“Our eldest seems to be a pretty good doctor.”
During the summer, when her belly visibly began to swell, Acella leaned against me while crunching on an apple.
“She’s good. She assesses patient conditions well and makes judgments swiftly.”
“I was a bit disappointed that she didn’t learn magic. I’ll raise the second one to be a wizard. Just so you know.”
Acella didn’t know that Nightingale had mana insensitivity.
Well, it wouldn’t make much difference since I was already spoiled with many spoilers from the future Nightingale’s appearance.
“If the second one also says they don’t want to learn magic, don’t be too disappointed. I’ll learn it instead.”
“Ha.”
Is it okay to laugh at my husband’s genuine consideration like this?
Well, no matter how soft it gets, black is still black. Acella’s innate wicked woman traits can’t be hidden.
“Yes, my lady. I have no talent for magic.”
“Don’t be so hard on yourself. You’re overflowing with other talents.”
“I do quite well with patients.”
“Oh, that was another story.”
“Alchemy?”
“Every time you pretend not to know, I just want to devour you.”
With a crunch, Acella bit the apple and held it out to me.
The fresh aroma tickled my nose, so I quickly accepted it.
Her soft tongue brushed over my lips.
“It’s delicious.”
“You too.”
Hmm.
“There are various symptoms that can appear during pregnancy. My lady, you’re doing quite well as you have almost no unpleasant side effects. Tangy foods like this are great for nutrition. The increase in libido has its pros and cons, but in the long term for health…”
“Wake up when you say things like that.”
Acella complained, pulling on my wrist.
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