Chapter: 774
After finishing our honeymoon with Rizie, life settled into a peaceful routine. If I had to pick out an event in that tranquility, it would be how Titi and Jenny’s relationship was slowly getting a bit closer.
Jenny, who had been sulking and laying around, started wagging her tail—albeit just a little—whenever Titi paid her a visit. She even got up from her spot and made her way toward Titi at one point!
It was clear to anyone watching that she was welcoming Titi, who was previously just seen as a stranger—no, an outsider dog. If this relationship develops further, who knows? They might make it from close friends to darling lovers, and eventually to life partners!
“Just a little more effort and it’ll work out,” I thought.
– Bark!
So, as I petted Titi on the head, she let out a sweet little whine with her usual bright eyes shining like little stars.
Yeah, Titi would be thrilled about this gradual development. Who wouldn’t be happy if their beloved welcomed them with open paws?
‘Maybe by next year or the year after, we’ll see little pups.’
That thought brought a satisfied smile to my face. By that time, Titi might even marry a lovely girl and have lots of adorable puppies! Just imagining it was delightful.
Now, how should I celebrate Titi and Jenny’s wedding? It’s unrealistic to throw them a traditional wedding like humans, but this is a big day for Titi, who’s basically family now. A beautiful day like that shouldn’t just go unnoticed.
But how do dogs even decide on their wedding date? Humans can choose, but animals that can’t talk—what do they do?
‘Should the day of their first mating be their wedding date?’
I was so serious I even considered that. If Titi and Jenny bond, that would indeed be the day they truly become a couple. So why not celebrate the union on that day?
No matter how you think about it, that day seems best. Instead of being all anxious, celebrating Titi and Jenny’s wedding on a definite date makes more sense.
“Carl!”
“Hmm?”
In the midst of daydreaming about Titi and Jenny’s grand wedding, Marg, who was in the mansion, rushed into the garden.
“What’s going on?”
I stood up from my sitting position due to her urgent shout. Titi, sensing something was off, started whimpering too.
“B-baron! I just got word from Lord Erich! Sister-in-law has started her labor!”
“What?”
– Bark!
The news Marg brought was indeed serious.
I had an inkling the due date was approaching, but this was earlier than expected. I thought we still had a few weeks before a baby announcement.
‘Kids really know how to keep you on your toes.’
After all, kids could appear at any moment. Thinking you can perfectly predict a due date with adult standards is pure arrogance.
In my experience with six births, not once did we hit the due date perfectly. They were always a bit earlier or later than anticipated.
“She just started labor, so we need to go now—”
“I’ll head there first. If we all rush in, it’ll just overwhelm him.”
Marg seemed ready to dash off to the Krasius family mansion as soon as I gave her the green light. I decided to calm her down for now.
It’s natural for family to gather for a birth. But Erich, the husband, would be in a panic. And if everyone rushed in, it would only shake his nerves even more.
As someone with experience, I knew this well. Right now, it’s more essential to have a small group to reassure him rather than a full-on crowd of relatives.
“Well, but…”
“I’m not saying don’t come at all. Give it a few hours; Erich will calm down, and I’ll let you know.”
At that, Marg, who had been restless, finally nodded slowly.
‘A birth, huh.’
I gave Marg a light hug and gathered my thoughts.
Unless Sera had some kind of legendary quick delivery, this had to be Zenobia’s baby coming into the world. The child would inherit the blood of both the Krasius and Hiden families—the future Count Horfelt was about to be born.
This meant my first niece or nephew was about to make their grand entrance into the world.
‘My niece or nephew.’
I started getting a bit shaky. I should be calm, but somehow, the thought of having a niece/nephew is making me nervous.
This is troublesome. If I get all flustered, how will I comfort Erich?
“Carl. You’ll be fine. Just like always.”
As I began to tremble, Marg, who was snuggled in my arms, patted my back.
It was embarrassing to receive comfort from her.
*
I dashed over to the Krasius family mansion, where Erich was.
Given the circumstances, I didn’t bump into any staff besides the gatekeeper. Even in this massive mansion built by the Count family, I rushed straight to the delivery room without seeing a single soul.
“Erich.”
“Bro?”
As I headed toward the sound of footsteps, I saw Erich anxiously pacing the hallway, Sera standing beside him, surrounded by servants.
“Baron, my Lord!”
“Welcome, esteemed Lord!”
“Enough! I’m here for my sister-in-law and the soon-to-arrive nephew, so focus on that and forget about me.”
After waving off the bows from the servants, I approached Erich and gave him a pat on the shoulder.
“Congrats! You’re about to be a dad!”
At my words, Erich’s eyes twitched wildly.
He must feel all flustered and lost. I understood perfectly—despite experiencing it six times myself, it never got easier. What husband wouldn’t feel anxious when their wife is in labor?
But for Erich’s sake, I needed to keep my cool. Instead of frantically saying “It’ll be okay,” it was more important to express that it’s a natural occurrence.
Soon, the baby would come into the world, and he’d organically become a dad.
“I have eight kids, but I’ve never had a niece/nephew. That’s been a bit of a bummer, but now it’s finally happening.”
“You have eight kids, and you want more?”
At my light-hearted jab, Erich’s mouth began to soften a bit.
“Having hopes is fine. Just imagining our first nephew waddling around looking for his uncle makes it impossible not to hope.”
I almost spilled the name I thought of but caught myself at the last second, resorting to calling it the first nephew instead.
Guess I’m just as nervous as Erich. Who would’ve thought I’d forget such an important name?
‘If we ask each other, it’ll be awkward, right?’
Honestly, I bet Erich wouldn’t even recall his own name right now. So asking him would only put him in a tight spot.
“By the way, who’ve you contacted?”
“Just our parents, your father-in-law, and mother-in-law, besides you.”
That was just as I expected, so I nodded. There wasn’t really anyone else to call.
“Since you’re the only one in the Capital, you got here first. At least one person being here puts my mind at ease.”
Erich gave a bittersweet smiling reply, yet his eyes were still shaking.
I totally understood how he felt. Those of us waiting outside can’t really help the mom in labor, but at least we can offer consolation to each other. I might not be of any help to Zenobia, but I could be for Erich.
“Well then, since I’m here first, I need to make a gift too!”
“Gift?”
Ignoring Erich’s puzzled expression, I stepped toward the delivery room and knocked on the door.
“To our greatness, the Lord of the Heavens, to whom shining light envelops all, I pray to Enen. Make your humble servant’s request come true: let the woman inside triumph as she fights for new life.”
I raised my voice loud enough for everyone in the room to hear.
If I can’t use the title of ‘Blessed’ now, when can I? I’ve silently prayed dozens, if not hundreds, of times whenever my wives went into labor.
“O High Heavenly One, and to the nature that beautifully covers the earth—please allow this new life to grow under your divine protection.”
Then, I offered prayers to the eternal blue sky and Constantina.
How effective my prayers to the gods are, I cannot tell. But in a world where they exist and have powers, wouldn’t it be wise to appeal to them?
As the Blessed of the Sun, Honorary Priest of the Heavens, and Benefactor of Nature, while I usually chuckle at such grand titles, I’m fully prepared to use them for our nephew.
“Feeling a bit calmer now?”
“Absolutely.”
After my short prayer, I turned my head to see Erich smiling a little as he nodded toward me.
“Thank you. If the gods bless us, even the weakest child will grow strong.”
“Thank you very much, Brother-in-law.”
Sera, who had been flustered, also nodded as she glanced at me.
I felt warm inside. If a short prayer could bring comfort to two people, that’s a definite win.
“Just remember to be grateful. If our nephew is born healthy, don’t forget the donation!”
As I said that, I playfully slapped Erich on the back, and he flopped down to the floor in shock.
What a drama king. Sure, Erich is weaker than me, but he’s still one of the strongest in his peer group!
“Um, Brother-in-law?”
“Yeah?”
“Erich… I think he fainted?”
At Sera’s words, I lowered my gaze slowly to the floor.
Sadly, Erich was sprawled out on the ground without a hint of movement.
‘What the…’
I was so baffled I couldn’t even form words. Could he seriously have fainted from a light tap?
*
When I momentarily closed my eyes and reopened them, my parents-in-law and normal in-laws had arrived. Even my siblings and nieces/nephews were there!
‘What’s going on?’
I stared in confusion at the guests who apparently appeared out of nowhere. I remembered thanking my brother, but after that bump to the head, I couldn’t recall anything else.
But what did that matter? When there’s a baby crying loudly from the other side of the door, my memory is the least of my concerns.
“Baron! You have a marvelous son!”
Then, the delivery room door swung open, and the long-awaited news burst forth.
It was strange. I had been waiting with bated breath, yet now words failed me.
“It’s okay to cry. This is the perfect time to let it all out.”
Even so, my brother’s comforting touch made my vision blur.
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