Chapter: 775
Waiting for the birth of a close one is something I’m used to.
I’ve been through the births of my six wives and even witnessed my mother’s late-in-life delivery. Although my mother managed to pop one out without us even realizing, for me, the arrival of new life isn’t a special or rare event. If you ask me whether it’s a joyful occasion, I’d acknowledge it without hesitation.
But even I have never experienced the birth of a niece or nephew. Not my child, not my sibling, not a cousin, not even a family friend—this is the birth of my brother’s child.
‘Nephew.’
I looked at Erich’s back as I repeated that beautiful yet unfamiliar word in my head.
Erich was walking into the delivery room almost on all fours. I probably looked the same way each time my kids were born.
All nobility and dignity flew out the window; only the delivery room loomed in focus. If my wife and kids are safe, I’d be okay even if misfortune fell upon me. The joy of gaining something more precious than anything else in this world.
I stayed silent, knowing well what Erich was feeling. I have experienced such a strong emotion six times over.
“Sarah. You go in too.”
“C-can I really go in?”
“Of course. You’re family, right after Erich.”
In the midst of all this hesitation, I gave Sarah a gentle push toward the delivery room.
She certainly wasn’t empty-handed, so I nudged her lightly, just enough—not with the force I used when comforting Erich, or our second nephew might come out all wrong.
‘Just wait a second.’
Once I confirmed that Erich and Sarah had gone in, I opted to stay in the hallway rather than following them.
What good would it do to go in now? Erich would be focused solely on Zenobia and their baby. Instead of cluttering the delivery room, it makes more sense to wait until things settle down.
Fortunately, my parents remained steadfast in their experience, only flinching slightly, but—
“Viya! My daughter! Our grandson!”
Unfortunately, the excitement of seeing their first grandchild proved too much for at least one elder to manage.
I get it. Even my parents, having already seen eight grandchildren, were struggling to hold back. If a person seeing their very first grandchild could stay composed, that’d be outright weird. It’d mean they didn’t care about the birth at all.
‘That kid is going to be the next Count Horfelt.’
Thinking about it, if this is Zenobia’s firstborn, then that child is set to inherit the Hiden family lineage and become the future Count Horfelt. In a few decades, they’ll be basking in the glory of being part of the Imperial Council’s noble assembly.
Perhaps they’ll even team up with Pedi to lead the Imperial Council. I sincerely hope these cousins get along well.
“It seems my prayers did the trick.”
“Right? Thank goodness I maintained my Blessed status.”
I chuckled at Marg’s whispering comment that appeared from the side.
It’s true. The living Blessed called out to Enen directly, pleading to the eternal blue sky and Constantina. If an adverse event occurred even after that, the faith of everyone in this mansion would take a nosedive.
Maybe that’s why I was given such a task? To uphold faith in the gods?
‘Going forward, I’ll stick to public prayers only.’
If I ever have something essential to pray for, I’ll set up a portrait of the Emperor in the Plaza and call out in a voice that echoes through the heavens.
The ultimate way to hijack both imperial and divine authority—my ingenious plan made me nod in approval.
“Dad, Dad.”
“Huh?”
While seriously considering buying a corner of the plaza for future occasions, Pedi, who came with the wives, tapped my leg.
“Can I go in too?”
He pointed excitedly toward the delivery room.
I couldn’t help but smile at his earnestness. Every time the delivery room door opened, Pedi got a new sibling, so for him, the equation “delivery room = new brother or sister” is set in stone. So, it’s no surprise he wants to join in.
A wonderful older brother already showing interest in his cousin. Once again, our Pedi proves he has the makings of a true big brother.
‘It’ll be fine.’
I intended to suggest to wait a bit more for Erich’s sake, but since someone already hopped into the delivery room, it wouldn’t hurt to add Pedi.
“Let’s go in together. But remember, we need to talk to the baby first. We’ll say hi later, okay?”
“Okay!”
“Me too! Me too!”
“Dad! Me too!”
But once one kid got the green light, the rest followed like a herd. Pedi’s entry ticket triggered a bidding war for entry rights among the others looking to jump in.
This could get tricky. One is manageable, but more than that? The delivery room could turn into total chaos. Wouldn’t want to ruin Erich’s emotional moment!
“Why don’t we all go in together?”
“Mom?”
“It seems unnecessary to sit quietly any longer.”
At that suggestion, I looked toward the delivery room to see someone, whose name shall not be spoken for honor’s sake, holding Zenobia and the newborn amid a flood of tears.
I understood. Trying to maintain silence and composure at this point felt pointless.
‘Even they started to shed tears?’
Even Erich, seeing his father-in-law’s participation, soaked up more tears; we likely wouldn’t disrupt the emotional flow by entering.
More than that, it felt a bit strange to witness it from a third-party perspective, realizing I had been just as emotional before.
Our first nephew was named Robert. Since the child should carry the Hiden family name, we decided not to use Krasius.
‘Robert Hiden.’
I gazed down at my nephew, who had finally fallen asleep after crying for a long while.
Someday he would be known as Robert Hiden of Horfelt—one of the thirty counts in the Empire.
“Having such a robust wail means Robert will grow into a healthy knight.”
“Of course. He’s inherited the bloodlines of both Hiden and Krasius.”
Hearing the conversation between Robert’s grandfathers made me smile involuntarily.
It’s true. Infants do cry loudly, but Robert had a particularly powerful and imposing wail, showcasing the grandeur of a newborn capable of overwhelming the mansion.
Coincidentally, both the Krasius and Hiden families are renowned warrior families. Moreover, his grandfathers each have combat experience from two wars!
‘It’d be odd if he didn’t become a warrior.’
It almost feels like fate marked him to become a knight. If Robert were to choose a different path, that would mean he possesses an exceptional talent far outstripping his ancestor’s lineage—something we should support for the benefit of the nation.
Of course, even if he’s not the knightly type, I’d still help him pursue his dreams. It doesn’t seem like Erich and Zenobia are particularly stubborn about raising a warrior as a child.
“Are you done crying?”
“I think there’s more to come, but it’s not coming out anymore…”
As I looked down at the newborn, I patted Erich on the back.
Erich had been crying so much I was worried about dehydration. I’d gotten emotional each time my kids were born, but to be honest, I don’t think I cried anywhere near as much as Erich.
…Right?
If I did cry that much, I’d be embarrassed. Better hold back next time.
“Oh right. Prepare yourself in about five days.”
“Prepare?”
Erich tilted his head as he wiped his tears with a handkerchief, confused.
“That’s when your aunt will hear the news and come running over.”
“Oh.”
The mere mention of “aunt” made him freeze up.
As adults, we’re involved with the wise duke. This meant that when Teresa was born and even when my kids came, things got wild. Robert wouldn’t be any different.
No, it might actually be more intense since it’s Erich’s first child. The firstborn always tends to be the most special.
“If I say I’ll go, she’ll beat me there.”
“Don’t even try to stop her; she might show up with the entire knight order. Just accept it.”
At my kind advice, Erich nodded ruefully.
If someone could be deterred, they wouldn’t be the wise duke. The Duke is a runaway train that cannot be stopped.
The only way to stop it would be to involve the uncle, but upon hearing the news that Erich had a child, he would almost certainly tag along. Probably holding a little lord’s hand too.
‘A fate the Krasius must bear.’
It felt a bit gloomy, but what else can we do? Since we have a blood relationship with the wise duke, we’ll have to carry that fate until the end of time.
On the bright side, our kids and nephew will receive that duke’s love. The more supportive adults they have, the better!
I mean, the Krasius and Hiden families may falter, but the Salron dukedom will remain constant until the moment the empire collapses.
“By the way, will Robert have blue eyes or red?”
“…That’s a good question. He fell asleep while crying, so I haven’t seen yet.”
As I slightly shifted the topic, Erich, who had been wearing a complicated expression, couldn’t help but chuckle as well.
Celebrating a glorious day by discussing the potential invasion by the wise duke—what a unique twist!
And the color of Robert’s eyes is indeed a hot topic. While his hair is black like the Krasius, which shade will his eyes inherit?
Black from Krasius? Or blue from Erich’s mother? Or perhaps Zenobia’s red?
Whichever it turns out, I can’t wait to see how well it complements his dark hair!
*
“Hey! It’s time to go!”
“Let’s go! We need to see my aunt waiting for us!”
“Hold on. We just had a baby. We need to give her some time to recuperate.”
“I’m telling you, she’s probably already waiting! She’ll go crazy if she doesn’t see the baby!”
The kids all piled up and tried to barrel into the delivery room!
Even if I tried to stop them, the sheer force of their eagerness was overwhelming.
“Lily wants to see too!”
“I, um…”
“Let’s see?”
“…Yeah.”
This is crazy! They are siding with Lily now!
Why are they teaming up against me, the bad guy?
“That doesn’t make sense.”
But how could I stop their innocent excitement? Their enthusiasm is indeed charming!
Our nephew is not only my brother’s son but also the first grandchild of the Hiden family. Just don’t cause a ruckus, okay? Understood?
“Don’t worry! I’ll be discreet!”
With that, the kids eagerly accepted their invitation!
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