Chapter 469
Titi, with her exceptional sense of smell and intelligence, quickly brought the steward. She seemed to have appeared at almost superhuman speed as if she had been nearby.
“I will call for someone immediately!”
As soon as she was dragged over by Titi, the steward, upon seeing Mar’s retching, had a look of shock that mirrored mine, and he pulled out a communication device, calling for the doctor, the mage, and the priest with fervor. I thought one would suffice.
“It’s best to have cross-verification from the experts!”
“That’s true.”
But I couldn’t help but nod in response to the steward’s impassioned plea.
Thinking back, he was right. Calling just one could lead to a misdiagnosis, but if three were summoned, even if one made a mistake, the other two could sort it out. Since it concerns pregnancy, being thorough is definitely the way to go.
“Madam, do you have any discomfort? Any aches, chills, or anything like that?”
“I-I’m okay. There’s no problem at all.”
In the meantime, the steward seemed to have already convinced himself that Mar was pregnant and vigorously checked her condition. It was noteworthy that Mar, who usually gave the steward a hard time since becoming a countess, was now opting for formality again. For someone as sensitive about etiquette as Mar to show respect to a subordinate definitely meant she was taken aback.
– Kyiing, kking…
Amid the chaos, Titi, nestled in my arms, whimpered pitifully.
‘Even with high intelligence, it becomes a problem.’
I chuckled at Titi, stroking her fur. Sadly, thanks to the steward’s enthusiasm, Titi almost got evicted from the room.
His excuse was that animal hair could be harmful to pregnant women, and he was trying to shoo Titi away from the room. However, Titi managed to hold her ground by tucking herself behind my leg with her ears drooped, tugging at Mar’s sympathy.
And perhaps sensing she was almost kicked out by the very steward she called, Titi had no intention of jumping out of my arms.
“I won’t let you go, so stop crying.”
– Kyiing…
Looking down at her, I comforted Titi, but she just let out a more sorrowful whimper.
If she took an IQ test, she might score around 80 or 90.
*
The first to arrive was the mage who could teleport.
“Madam, not only your mana flows through your body.”
Of course, it was the mage who first delivered the positive news.
The mage’s smiling words made me feel my legs give way with relief. I hadn’t yet heard from the doctor and priest, but the mage’s testimony was already nearly a sure confirmation of pregnancy. If only Mar’s mana existed in her body, it meant she was expecting a child.
“Congratulations. A new life is in your embrace.”
“That’s joyful news. Thank you.”
I barely held myself from collapsing as I expressed gratitude to the mage, the first person to confirm that Mar and I were having a child. I’d happily offer my thanks a hundred times over.
“Such kind words. It’s thanks to Your Grace and the Madam’s efforts. I merely confirmed it.”
However, the mage shook his head at my gratitude, saying that all he had done was use magic.
While technically correct, I still felt elated. It was only natural to view someone kindly who delivered good news, especially when that person remained humble and polite, thus boosting my fondness for him.
“Ah, it seems you’re around three to four weeks along. Naturally, refrain from any intense activities.”
“I’ll keep that in mind.”
He even didn’t hold back on advice that’s vital for health. What an outstanding mage he is.
‘Hocon Millywood.’
I silently repeated the mage’s name several times in my head. He provided me with such joy, and it’s only right I repay him somehow.
Of course, I wouldn’t need to personally intervene. I could just drop Trixie a hint about finding a good mage, and she would handle the rest. There’s no better reward for a mage than that.
“It seems you’re just about four weeks along.”
“It’s a child born between blessed persons. Truly a blessing from fate.”
The doctor and priest, who arrived next, came to the same conclusion as the mage.
If there hadn’t been witnesses, I think I might have cried.
*
Gently stroking Karl’s head as it lay against my belly, I thought, ‘I’m pregnant?’
Doctor, mage, priest—the three specialists in the medical field stated unanimously that I was going to have a child.
It was way too sudden. I mean, since the wedding, I’ve shared passionate nights with Karl, so it’s not entirely impossible—but still, it felt like a vague guess. I hadn’t expected it to happen so soon.
Yet here it was. Inside me grows a treasure that proves the love between Karl and me.
‘A baby.’
Rather than feeling dazed, I was filled with joy. The discomfort of retching even felt like a blessing from Enen.
‘Our child.’
Tears welled up in my eyes. To shed tears of joy felt so extravagant.
“It’s a happy occurrence! To conceive immediately after marriage, it truly must be a child blessed by the gods.”
Beatrix, gazing at Karl and me with a warm smile, spoke.
“By the way, if you needed a diagnosis, you could have just told me. There’s a mage living in the same mansion.”
“I’m sorry. I was just so out of it…”
I smiled back at my sister’s playful remark.
In truth, I really was frantic. Once I thought I might be pregnant, all I could see or hear was Karl in front of me.
“Ah, if it’s four weeks along, that means the baby could arrive this winter. Perhaps just in time for the first snow.”
“True, that might be the case.”
Again, with Irina’s words and my sister’s laughter, I started to stroke Karl’s head. A child born alongside the first snow would be an unforgettable happiness, even if born in the most ordinary way.
“It may even be close to my birthday.”
I smiled once more at Louise’s remark. My birthday is at the end of November, so the likelihood of my child being born around that time was high.
It’s merely fitting for my child to share a birthday with their mother. If Father heard this news, he would burst into laughter—
‘Oh.’
Wait a moment. I’ve got to keep this joyous news quiet among us for now.
“Karl, could you sit up for a moment?”
“Can’t we just stay like this? Thinking about going to work AND leaving this baby behind is just awful.”
Trying to coax Karl, who still had his face buried against my belly, I instead received a somewhat whinier answer than expected.
It was a close call. For a moment, I almost said, “Then let’s just stay like this until tomorrow.” With Karl melting away like this, I needed to pull myself together.
“Just bear with me a little longer. It’s a bit too joyous a thing to keep to ourselves.”
Upon hearing that, Karl sluggishly lifted himself and pulled out the communicator.
He could contact his family, and then I just needed to reach out to the Valenti family. They’d all be happy about this—Father, Mother, Brother, and Sisters alike.
Holding that expectation, I picked up the communicator from the desk.
*
I used to think the title of “Blessed” was just a term arbitrarily assigned by the Dawn Sect to a select few, but it seems it might be a title even acknowledged by the gods.
With the Academy’s opening just around the corner, I was about to endure torment from Rutis, Lather, and Tannian again. And suddenly, I find myself with a child? Perhaps Enen sent this treasure to encourage me. After all, there was no happiness like this in the past two years, but a blessing as the “Blessed” sparked this joy!
“If only I didn’t have to go to the Academy, it would be perfect.”
I couldn’t shake off the feelings of regret nestled in a corner of my heart. Of course, since I wouldn’t be residing there, the commuting format means I can see Mar and the baby in her arms daily, but still, as a husband, it’s only natural for me to wish to stay by my wife’s side.
But what can be done? While there might be honeymoon leave or parental leave for a husband, imperial law doesn’t recognize pregnancy leave. To put it bluntly, if pregnancy leave were issued, it’d mean twelve months off, which is only logical.
“Aren’t you calming down yet, Father-in-law?”
Amid my efforts to keep my emotions together, I heard Mar’s voice as she was still in contact with her father.
– How could I calm down? You’ve already become a mother to a child! Time flows so cruelly!
And then came a voice even an outsider could tell was mixed with tears, prompting me to turn away silently.
I didn’t hear anything. I didn’t see anything. The reality of that iron-hearted noble crying their eyes out? I know nothing of it.
– With those tiny hands bringing me flowers, swearing to live with me forever—
“Ah, Father-in-law!”
I buried my face at the revelation of Mar’s embarrassing backstory, realizing that my ears had started to fail me recently.
– …Anyway, thank you for delivering such good news. If it were up to me, I’d want to come see you myself, but it would be unbecoming of a father to visit his daughter-in-law’s new home uninvited.
After a good while of showing emotion, her father quickly straightened his expression and spoke calmly.
“I’m fine. Rather, I’d be grateful if you could stay close to Mar while I’m at the Academy.”
Upon hearing that, I subtly stepped closer to Mar and leaned into the communicator. She would be alone in the mansion from morning till evening for months; it’d be comforting for her to have family nearby.
Yet, upon hearing what I said, her father snorted and shook his head.
– Are you trying to make your father-in-law an unwelcome guest in a home without its owner?
I couldn’t argue back at such an undeniable rejection, unable to open my mouth. Surely it would be odd for a guest to linger around the house when the host isn’t home. Even if that guest is the father of the lady of the house.
– When the vacation begins, send an invitation. I’ll come together with my lady.
“Can’t we just head over to you, Father-in-law?”
– By then, Mar’s belly will have grown quite round. Would you really want to bring her over with that?
His retort indicated annoyance as if to say, “Don’t be ridiculous,” causing me to close my mouth once more.
I didn’t need to mention that teleporting would be quick.
*
The day of the Academy opening arrived.
“If something comes up, contact me immediately.”
“Understood.”
Now I had to leave my pregnant wife behind as I headed off to a distant place.
“Since it’s still chilly outside, make sure to keep warm, and be careful of slippery floors in the bathroom.”
“Ha ha, don’t worry. I’ll be fine.”
Having received my heartfelt concern as a loving husband, my poor wife has to spend time alone in the mansion.
“If anything happens, even if it’s no big deal, don’t hesitate to contact—”
“…Karl, you’ll be late. Hurry up and go.”
Mar suddenly pushed my back as I was still quietly listening.
I hadn’t even gotten to say, “If there’s anything you want to eat, be sure to tell me!”
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