Chapter 581
Tannian, who had renamed the dark deities and turned them into holy beings, began his pilgrimage to the sacred sites located within the Empire.
Once he finished this pilgrimage, he mentioned he would come back to greet us again. After all, a guest who could bless our children, like the next saint, could visit anytime without trouble. Out of gratitude, we should prepare a proper banquet.
‘Speaking of which, I still have the Fire Spirit King’s blessing to fulfill.’
As I watched the triplets struggling to flip themselves over, I suddenly recalled the Fire Spirit King. After the council meeting, when the World Tree’s divinity had intensified, I had been told to bring the triplets to the Fire Spirit King. It was like he thought, being a spirit king himself, that he could at least bestow a blessing.
Though I hesitated to take the infants out since they couldn’t even crawl yet, soon they’d be moving around the mansion on their own. By then, I might be able to show my great-granddaughters to their great-grandmother.
Of course, their great-grandmother was present when the triplets were born, but at that time, they were just little bloody blobs who could hardly open their eyes. I figured that they’d need to interact properly so their great-grandmother could really feel that great-granddaughters had indeed arrived.
“Bbia!”
While I was thinking about when to visit the Elven Residential District, Maria, who had just flipped over, flashed a great big grin.
“Our eldest has learned to roll over.”
It was such a cute sight that I instinctively reached out my finger. Those chubby cheeks and tiny hands made it impossible for me to resist touching her.
“Byau!”
However, my little desire remained unfulfilled. Cecilia, who was blinking beside Maria, snatched my finger instead.
I was a little taken aback. Our second daughter had quicker reflexes than I expected.
‘That’s a good sign.’
A warm feeling washed over me. I couldn’t tell whether Cecilia would follow in my footsteps and become a knight or take after Trixie and become a mage. But one thing was for sure—quick hands are essential no matter which path she chooses.
That’s definitely my daughter. She’s already showing the makings of a master!
“But you shouldn’t steal from your sister, okay?”
“Byau?”
At my little admonition, Cecilia tilted her head.
‘So cute.’
My heart swelled with overwhelming feelings. What could this child possibly understand? She probably just grabbed my hand because Daddy was reaching out.
So I smiled and extended my other hand toward Maria—
“Bbia!”
This time, Katreia snatched it away.
“…Uuu…”
After having my hand snatched away twice right before my eyes, Maria’s previously joyful expression began to darken, and she started to whimper.
It’s so unfair! Why can’t humans have three arms? I mean, shouldn’t we have a spare arm or two for cases like mine with triplets?
I lamented the evolution of humanity. Just like we evolved past needing tails, wouldn’t it have been great if we’d evolved an extra arm?
“Our daughter, wanna see something?”
“Huuh?”
I quickly contorted my face into a funny expression. I don’t know why, but babies seem to love stuff like that.
“Aoouu!”
My facial art, infused with my soul, brought Maria back from her watery eyes to a smile.
Phew, thank goodness. If my dignity can bring happiness to my daughter, then that’s a deal worth making. I’d toss away my pride a hundred times over for my kids.
“Kids… Daddy is getting tired…”
“Aoou!”
“Bbiaaa!”
“Bwaou!”
“Alright, alright, I’ll keep going, so don’t get mad.”
But I had no idea I’d have to perform my face art for two whole hours.
I guess I’ll just have to endure, thinking of it as my daughters’ love…
As Peddi dashed around the mansion with the previously stingy and jealous—no, now generous and kind—beasts, and the triplets giggled at my hands and face, the days rolled on.
Before I knew it, the colorful leaves had fallen, and the season of cold was gently knocking on our door.
“I’m definitely feeling pretty stuffed now.”
“It wouldn’t be strange for me to pop out any moment.”
I smiled back at Rizie, who was patting her belly with a grin.
Autumn had reached its peak. No, it was beyond that, almost entering winter. Rizie was at the stage where it wouldn’t be odd to call her near-term, and it meant Cherry Blossom would be with us soon.
“Are you feeling uncomfortable at all?”
“I’m alright, but I think Cherry Blossom is eager to come out since she keeps squirming around.”
At that, I gently rubbed Rizie’s belly.
When the triplets were about to be born, I worried they wouldn’t come out, but it didn’t seem like Cherry Blossom would do that.
“I bet Cherry Blossom’s birthday will be similar to Peddi’s.”
“Isn’t Peddi’s birthday close to Mar’s? Starting next year around this time, the mansion will always be boisterous.”
“If it’s that kind of commotion, I’d welcome it anytime.”
Rizie nodded her head with a smile.
If the chaos comes from troublesome matters, that would indeed be dreadful. But a ruckus celebrating the family’s birthdays is a joyful occurrence. I’d even consider turning an entire month into ‘Birthday Celebration Month.’
But then I’d probably end up making every month a celebration, so I’m holding myself back. Birthdays have a special significance because they only come once a year; celebrating every single day would feel a bit excessive.
“By the way, Brother.”
While continuing to pat her belly, Rizie suddenly brought something to mind.
“Isn’t it about time Mother gives birth to the baby too?”
“Oh, that’s right.”
I nodded in agreement with Rizie’s words.
The youngest. At this very moment, our youngest is likely growing in Mother’s womb, waiting to come into the world, their instinctual name in mind.
‘Why haven’t I heard any news?’
Thinking back, it’s strange. Mother’s timing for this youngest child was just a tad earlier than when Rizie had Cherry Blossom. So it’s likely that the youngest will be born before Cherry Blossom.
Yet, there’s still no word. Shouldn’t there at least be some signs by now?
“…Well, sometimes things can be delayed, so if we wait, we’ll get news soon enough.”
I tried to dismiss my slight anxieties.
Yeah, a human body isn’t a machine. Every pregnancy can vary, so the youngest might simply be taking longer than Cherry Blossom.
And just as no news has come in about when they’ll be born, I haven’t heard anything about abnormalities with Mother’s health. At least that means I don’t need to worry.
*
As Rizie’s belly grew rounder, I felt emotions that are hard to express in words.
I felt happiness when I had Carl and again when Erich was born. But this time? The word happiness wasn’t even enough to convey what I was feeling. I regretted my lack of literary flair more than ever.
“Wow, I knew the Krasius family was genuinely noble…”
“Krasius’s firstborn will have a younger uncle. Wait, or it might be an aunt.”
And every time I crossed paths with Georg and Walter, who, like me, were nobly unemployed, they loved to poke fun at me.
Those scoundrels. Instead of celebrating a friend’s joy, they’re preoccupied playing pranks on me. What a pathetic sight, really.
But had the roles been reversed, I would’ve likely done the same to them, so all I can do is be patient.
“Congratulations, truly.”
“It’s truly a blessing for the Krasius family.”
Ultimately, what stings the most isn’t the distant gaze of friends but rather the close, scrutinizing looks from the servants.
The delighted expressions of the vassals as I passed by or the whispers from maidens with intrigued eyes were more than enough mental anguish. Of course, it’s not that they were being disloyal or rude, but it was simply embarrassing. Such are the feelings that any human would inevitably experience.
“Thank you. It could only have been possible because of your dedication.”
But it wouldn’t be proper for a nobleman to respond coldly to vassals and servants sharing in the family’s joy. Thus, I answered every congratulation appropriately,
“They say tofu is good for pregnant women!”
“They say leafy greens are also essential.”
“And if your mouth gets bored, snacking on nuts is always a good option.”
The advice and interest from those around me grew increasingly fervent.
I was overwhelmed. I only had one pair of ears, but there were dozens, hundreds of mouths offering advice. If I were to take in even a fraction of that, Rizie would have to eat eight meals a day!
“There aren’t any servants who’d care so much for their former lord’s family.”
However, Rizie smiled at such attention and seemed delighted.
This interest was proof that the Krasius family had been moving in the right direction, and it was evidence that our youngest would grow up in love.
“I underestimated this. You’re right, my dear.”
So I began to embrace this interest with gratitude. If you can’t avoid it, you might as well accept and enjoy it.
And thus, days turned into weeks, and weeks turned into months. Time flowed, and we reached the brink of autumn and winter.
“Ugh…!”
“Lady!”
It was about time for the youngest to arrive.
“Everyone, don’t panic! Stick to our preparations!”
As Rizie clutched her belly and fell, the head maid shouted to the others.
Unlike me, frozen in shock, everyone reacted swiftly. Without the head maid, I’d probably still be standing in daze, leaving Rizie to suffer all alone.
“B-Billy…”
“I’m here! Speak up, my Lady!”
“Please don’t let Carl and Erich know… They’ll just worry for nothing.”
“What?”
Her unexpected request left me staring at her in confusion.
“It’s not my first time… It’ll be over quickly and safely. I just want to deliver the good news and not worry the kids…”
But with Rizie wearing a faint smile, I couldn’t bring myself to refuse her.
*
While playing with Peddi, our youngest sibling made their debut.
According to the nurse, it took only two hours from labor to delivery.
‘What is this?!’
I was left utterly dumbfounded. When Mar and Trixie gave birth, it felt like it took the whole night, but this time, the baby was out in just two hours?
‘Turns out experience really makes a difference.’
That was an astonishing speed. I had worried whether Mother would face complications due to age, but it turned out to be unnecessary concern.
…
‘And I wasn’t even there for the birth of the youngest.’
I feel as though I’ve fallen into the worst kind of unfilial son. While my parents intentionally left me out of the loop, it still feels strange.
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