Chapter: 682
Hayang was born past midnight.
If we think about when the labor pains started, it was an average duration. However, considering how smoothly Lin had her child just before, I unconsciously set my expectations based on her and Alina. I was getting more anxious myself as I tried to soothe my father-in-law.
But in the end, the delivery was safe and sound.
“Maybe in the future, there will be magic that lets you just pull the baby out…?”
Erich, lying on the bed, was coherent enough to make her usual strange comments.
“Waaah!”
After keeping everyone on edge, Hayang cried out with a voice like her mother’s—an impressive, loud wail.
It was a cry many times louder than the recently born prince. Yet, that sound was just as sweet as a delightful opera; it heralded Hayang’s birth and health.
“What a wonderful son!”
The midwives, smiling, handed Hayang over after carefully wiping her clean.
A son, my son. Following my eldest, Ferdinand, and my second son, Friedrich, this is my third—my seventh child, sharing my blood.
“Now, we have three sons and four daughters.”
As I carefully cradled Hayang, I smiled faintly. Thanks to Trixie’s active role, I was living as a father of daughters, but Hayang’s birth had somewhat balanced the gender ratio.
While I wasn’t against having daughters, it would be nice for Pedie and Friedrich to have more brothers. No matter how friendly siblings are, same-gender brothers and opposite-gender siblings are treated differently.
“Our Hayang, I hope you can be good friends with the prince.”
I gently poked Hayang’s cheek, who was still wailing.
Hayang and the prince were born a few weeks apart, and their mothers, Erich and the Empress, were close since their academy days. They even share the same gender, so they’d likely grow up as playmates.
…
“I have to raise Hayang normally.”
I made a silent vow. I can’t raise our Hayang to be like Erich. For the reputation of our family and the prince’s mental state, she needs to grow to be an ordinary and kind child.
At least Erich and the Empress have a hierarchical relationship to rely on. If they were the same age, I shuddered to think about how that would turn out.
“Minister… I want to see Hayang too…”
“Oh, right.”
In the midst of keeping my resolve, Erich’s voice brought me back to my senses.
Let’s carefully think through Hayang’s upbringing later. Right now, the priority is to comfort Erich, who endured so much to bring Hayang into the world, and celebrate the first meeting of the mother and child.
“Hahaha.”
With Hayang in her arms, despite looking exhausted, Erich lifted the corners of her mouth into a smile.
It was as if Hayang was the prettiest gift she’d ever received after carrying her for ten months.
“We decided to call our son Ferentz if he was born a boy, right?”
“Right.”
I quickly nodded in response to Erich’s words.
Ferentz Krasius. A true name that would soon replace the name “Hayang” that I had called her up until now.
Of course, I planned to name her differently if she was a girl, but since Hayang is a boy, let’s keep that name buried in my heart for the time being. It’s not like Erich is going to only have Hayang.
“Ferentz, huh.”
Now that I think of it, all my sons’ names have “F” in them—Ferdinand, Friedrich, and now Ferentz. It wasn’t intentional, but it seems they’ve inherited the will of “F.” Should I make sure to start the next son’s name with an “F” as well?
It felt like I was accidentally sticking to the pattern, which made me chuckle. My daughters also have “L” in their names, so I should try to maintain that with future names.
“Huh, sniff, waah…”
“Father-in-law?”
As I contemplated all this while looking at Erich and Hayang, I heard my father-in-law trying to stifle his tears.
No, it seemed he was beyond just holding back; tears were flowing freely.
“Our daughter… this year she got married and is now showing me my grandson…!”
Yet, his heartfelt words naturally stilled the room with solemnity.
I knew well how troubled my father-in-law was before Erich and I became a couple. Even the proud Marquis of the Empire had suffered over his daughter’s marriage.
Finally, my father-in-law’s longing was being fulfilled. From the wedding earlier this year to witnessing the birth of a grandson before the year was up, it must feel like he has ascended to heaven while still living.
“Now, I don’t think there’s anything more I could hope for than seeing my great-grandchildren…”
“It seems like you have quite a wish list, though.”
In response to his words, Erich muttered quietly.
But it was just a little mumble. She knew well she was her father’s most delicate worry, so she couldn’t afford to raise her voice.
“Son-in-law.”
“Y-yes, father-in-law?”
“Really, truly thank you. I’ve said I’m living without any regrets since Epsilon’s demise, but now, all my worries are gone.”
As he held my hand, my father-in-law’s tears streamed down as he nodded repeatedly.
While it might sound disrespectful, it almost seemed like he was crying more than Ferentz was. Could it be that this day marked his new birth too?
“When that child entered the prosecution office, I just hoped he would live healthily, but who would’ve thought it would turn into this within a few years? It’s all thanks to you, son-in-law.”
“That’s too kind of you. It’s all because you raised Erich with love—”
“Don’t say such things. If it were because of my love, I wouldn’t have let those feelings ignite in the first place.”
His words were irrefutable, so I kept my mouth shut. Erich had grown distant, focused on stroking Ferentz’s cheeks and hands during this moment.
“Erich.”
“Yes?”
“I want to hold my grandson too.”
My father-in-law, who had gently knocked us on the head with the truth, held Ferentz with a look of pure happiness.
A freshly born crying baby and a grandfather crying at the sight of him—what an incredibly surreal combination.
“Waaaaa!”
However, moving from the midwife’s arms to dad’s had Ferentz crying even louder.
Just as he was getting used to one arms, he was promptly switched to another, making his displeasure clear.
“Ha ha, my grandson! You have quite the spirit!”
Though, my father-in-law was delighted by Ferentz’s wails.
*
The Emperor’s congratulatory message arrived that afternoon.
– I hear both mother and child are healthy.
“Yes, Your Majesty. Thanks to several gods and the Great Deity, we were able to have a safe delivery.”
– Several gods, you say?
His words made the Emperor chuckle lightly.
I admit it sounded overly paganistic, but since the Dawn Sect acknowledges the existence of other gods, I thought it was permissible. Plus, I’m a blessed disciple of Enen and also the honorary priest of the Eternal Blue Sky, as well as a benefactor of Constantina. If Enen’s blessings were present, surely the blessings of those two were as well.
To be honest, it feels like the Eternal Blue Sky lacks the power to bless anyone, but gods are gods. So, I figured I’d just include them.
– Indeed, with so many gods’ blessings on the Minister, I trust your sixth wife’s child will be safely born too.
“It’s an honor to hear that from Your Majesty.”
– By the way, the Crown Princess is happy to hear her aunt has given birth!
This time, I couldn’t help but chuckle.
Knowing her biological sister had been born, the Crown Princess must be overjoyed with the news of another sibling. If there’s a ratio for happiness, I bet the Crown Princess’s joy is off the charts!
“If it’s the child born by her aunt, then wouldn’t it make them cousins to your Highness?”
– That’s quite the insight. If we’re talking about my children, they’re basically siblings already.
Ah, I see. The Crown Princess is the eldest in a big family already.
– Anyway, congratulations again. The Empress would like to visit the mansion to offer her congratulations, but we can’t tire out the newly delivered mother. I’ll tell her to wait until your mother raises her spirits.
“Thank you for your consideration, Your Majesty.”
I bowed my head in gratitude for the Emperor’s words.
Truthfully, considering Erich’s personality, whether the Empress comes or not, she might lay back comfortably, but the servants busy with caring for Erich and Ferentz are going to be worked to death—
– Although this might be a bit embarrassing to say in exchange…
Suddenly, an unusual topic arose.
– Now that the delivery is over, could you come to the Imperial Palace for a bit?
“Excuse me?”
– Of course, I don’t mean to bring the mother and young one along. Just your eldest son will suffice.
The Emperor quickly added, feeling the need to clarify as he stroked his chin and let out a quiet sigh.
– As I mentioned before, once the Minister’s youngest settles down, I wanted to say to bring the kids along, but the Crown Princess has been dying to see Pedie.
“Pedie, you say?”
– Exactly. Although she has a younger brother, her first little brother is Pedie. Because of that, it seems she has a strong affection for him.
It was an unexpected comment, and I couldn’t help but understand it better. The Crown Princess had been particularly close with Pedie out of all my kids.
“Well, if that’s the case, I’ll head over any time. However, since the other kids will want to play with the sacred creatures, I don’t think I can bring them along.”
– That works. Right now, just Pedie will be enough.
With my response, the Emperor breathed a sigh of relief, nodding gratefully.
While I was anxiously fretting over Erich, it seemed the Emperor had also been worried quite a bit.
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