Chapter: 678
No matter the gender of the second child, the arrival of new life deserves to be celebrated with all our might as adults. Thanks to this obvious and heartwarming conclusion, both the Emperor and I could enjoy peaceful days.
Looking back on it now, it’s pretty ridiculous. I spun my wheels over an issue that could’ve been solved so easily.
‘What if the nobles get jittery?’
All I had to do was firmly support the Crown Princess enough to crush that jitters.
Yeah, that’s the answer. Just like it was the adults’ fault to impose the title of Crown Prince on a newborn, it’s also our duty to ensure the safe ascension of the Crown Princess.
Perhaps because of my experience dodging annoying responsibilities, I found myself trying to shirk this moment of adult responsibility as well. Honestly, it’s a bit embarrassing for a father of six.
‘I need to be a proud dad to my kids.’
I watched the kids playing—with Titi, clinging onto spirits and fast asleep, and those who wobbled through the hallway before plopping down. I couldn’t help but smile at their antics.
A negligent guardian can turn a blind eye to the happiness of their biological children. However, a guardian who does their utmost to protect even a ward can risk it all for their own kids.
I’ve finally become that father. One I can hold my head high in front of both the Crown Princess and my biological children.
‘Vacation’s gonna leave me tired, though.’
Of course, that honor and pride didn’t come free. While I’m enjoying a break now, I’ll have to own up to my words once the vacation’s over.
As the Minister of the Information Department, an Imperial Count, a member of the noble council, a landholder, and a northern faction leader, I must wholly support the Emperor and assist the Crown Princess. I won’t let nobles doubt the Crown Princess’s succession plan. I won’t let them use the imperial family as their pawns.
And ensure that the succession disputes that occurred in this empire just a few years ago don’t resurface.
‘Well, with the Crown Princess, that shouldn’t happen.’
The chaos was rooted in the coexistence of the illegitimate First Prince and the legitimate Second Princes. As long as the rightful heir, the Crown Princess, is around, there shouldn’t be any issues.
I am just grateful that the Crown Princess was born quickly.
“Time’s up!”
While lost in thought, the Crown Princess floated through the hallway, her eyes sparkling.
“Look! I’m flying higher today!”
“Congratulations, Your Highness.”
Upon closer inspection, she was indeed flying a bit higher than before.
Which is to say, about 5 cm.
Just as the Crown Princess was about to head back to the palace, I received a message from the Emperor.
– Minister. I apologize, but could you take care of the Crown Princess a bit longer? There’s a chance she might need to stay at your house tonight.
The Emperor spoke in a hurry, looking genuinely concerned.
It was an unexpected request, but I nodded calmly. If this doting father was asking for a sleepover, it could only mean one thing.
“I’ll inform His Majesty appropriately. I pray for the health and safety of the Empress and the soon-to-be-born Prince.”
The Empress had gone into labor.
– Thank you, Minister.
The Emperor smiled wryly at my words.
The Empress’s second labor. While it should be better than the first, the atmosphere around the palace won’t be light. For the still young Crown Princess, it’s probably far too heavy a mood to bear.
So, keeping the Crown Princess at my mansion until after the birth is best. No one in the palace will be able to soothe her worries.
– I’ll let you know once the delivery is over. Please, just hold on until then.
“Yes, Your Majesty. I look forward to meeting the new prince.”
With those words, the Emperor’s face vanished from the connection.
I didn’t have any worries about things going wrong. The Empress is from the renowned Durin Ducal House, known for their healthy lineage, and she hasn’t faced any illness. She’s already delivered the Crown Princess safely, so this time should go just as smoothly.
That’s what I decided to believe. All I could do now was wish for a positive outcome.
‘… What should I do until nightfall?’
I began contemplating how to keep the Crown Princess’s attention away from the palace and fixated on my mansion.
If labor had just started, the palace would be turned upside down for at least 2 or 3 hours. So, keeping the Crown Princess entertained until after dinner would require… what means should I employ to keep her here?
‘Ah.’
I do have one idea. In fact, it’s something I could only do at night.
‘Spirit drone show.’
During the day, the spirits sparkle brightly. They shine like fireflies in the night.
If I take Katreya into the garden, the spirits will come out too, blanketing the night sky with their glow.
Of course, the spirits follow only Katreya’s commands. So while I can’t promise an efficient drone show, at least it should buy us some time today.
‘Who knew keeping them around could be helpful at times?’
I sighed with relief without thinking. The spirits cause their share of chaos for the servants, making them complain, but they show up in crucial moments to save the day.
Thank you, fireflies. From now on, if I bump into you in the bathroom, I’ll hold back on cursing.
*
After several deep breaths, I strolled through the hall.
Even after experiencing it once, I still wasn’t used to it. I really don’t understand how the Minister managed to endure this four times.
‘Surely it’ll be fine.’
After wandering a bit, I took a seat and let out a deep sigh.
Logically, I concluded that both the Empress and the baby would be safe. The Duke has healthily delivered triplets, so our Empress should have an extremely low probability of complications with a single birth. The empire’s medical capabilities and magic are definitely not weak.
So, if I just wait patiently, everything will work out. A loudly crying baby and a beaming Empress should be waiting for me.
I know that in my head, but…
‘My heart just isn’t keeping up.’
But that’s to be expected. Unfortunately, when the gods created humans, they made both rationality and emotion. If someone were to operate purely on reason, they wouldn’t be human.
“Your Majesty. Please, try to stay calm.”
“Sang-hwang?”
I began to tremble in anxiety, legs shaking, when Sang-hwang spoke softly beside me.
“The Great Emperor is watching over you, and you are under the protection of Enen. Moreover, the mages, priests, and doctors who are filled with devotion are doing their utmost for Her Majesty the Empress. So the concerns weighing on you shall not come to pass.”
Sang-hwang’s reassurance made me finally lift the corners of my mouth.
It’s a familiar consolation. A kind of soothing anyone could offer. Yet when Sang-hwang says it, it feels different from the typical words.
It’s hard to imagine him saying those same trivial words before he ascended.
“And unlike the direct line disrupted by unfortunate accidents, our bloodline has continued without any unease or threat.”
“True that.”
I chuckled at his incoming words.
While issues plagued the Livnoman bloodline, our ancestors who branched off remained steady. Even if they had fewer children, there’s never been a case where a pregnant mother or baby faced trouble.
Thinking about that gave me courage. It felt like the bloodline under the care of the Great Emperor and Enen continued to flow through our second child.
“Sang-hwang’s words ring true. Our blood will safely…”
“Dad! Grandpa!”
Huh?
Suddenly, my head froze. The voice that shouldn’t be heard echoed in my ears.
“…Crown Princess?”
Unfortunately, it seemed I didn’t just mishear, as Sang-hwang turned his head too, revealing faint surprise on his face.
“I’m here!”
As I turned to follow Sang-hwang’s gaze, I nearly sighed in exasperation. The Crown Princess came running with a bright face, holding a clear plastic bag in one hand.
There’s no mistake—it’s our Crown Princess. I would recognize her with my eyes closed.
And right behind her, the Minister walked with a face akin to that of a condemned criminal.
‘What happened, Minister?’
‘That happened…’
I quickly shot him a questioning gaze, but his reply was tragic.
It seemed the Crown Princess’s stubbornness overwhelmed even the Minister.
“I brought this! I wanted to show Mommy!”
In the middle of all this, the Crown Princess dashed right up to us and lifted the bag she was holding.
“Huh?”
Only then did I spot the peculiar creatures inside the bag.
Four glowing creatures danced like fireflies, each emitting a different colored glow. It was quite the sight.
‘Are these spirits?’
I suddenly recalled what those fireflies might be. Are these the spirits that follow the Minister’s third daughter?
“They glow even brighter at night! I didn’t want to see them alone, so I brought them!”
With a giggle, the Crown Princess smiled brightly.
That short sentence helped me piece together the situation. The Minister had deployed the spirits to capture the Crown Princess’s attention, but seeing them at night led to her thinking, ‘If it’s cool, I should share it too!’ So she must’ve run over here, disregarding the Minister’s objections.
While bringing spirits in a bag seemed a tad extreme, I figured that reflected her genuine intention.
“What pretty little things. I’m sure Mommy will love them too.”
“Right? If Mommy likes them, so will my little brother!”
The Crown Princess’s statement gradually put my bewilderment to rest.
She rushed over, thinking of her mother and little brother in the dark hour. I couldn’t just send her home now, so it’d be best to welcome her.
“Your Majesty!”
And not long after, the previously shut door swung open.
“The Prince has been born! The Prince has arrived!”
As if they had been waiting for the Crown Princess to arrive, our second child had made his entrance.
My second, our First Prince—the same baby I had named Carolus, along with the Crown Princess.
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