Chapter: 776
The labor pains, which began late at lunch, finally wrapped up after dinner, resulting in the beautiful birth of Robert.
I shouldn’t be complaining about the ordeal to Zenobia, who was probably feeling like she was dying inside, but objectively speaking, it was quite a smooth and swift delivery. After all, it’s not unusual to see people having babies just hours after labor starts. Zenobia falls well above average in that regard.
Since family had gathered, we decided to host a late dinner at the mansion. While Erich and I could meet anytime since we live in the capital, my parents and the Hiden family were different.
Thanks to that, our kitchen, which suddenly had to prepare for an army of nobles, was in a panic.
“Johoooo—kaaaaaa!”
“Ah.”
“Eh.”
Both Erich and I sprang into action at the unexpected mayhem.
‘No way.’
I froze at the unexpected intrusion.
This couldn’t be happening. Based on my experiences, I always thought the Wise Duke would show up about five days later. That was the timeline for my children’s births and even Teresa’s.
But here he was, arriving the same day. Considering the distance between his duke title and the Cheness Principality, he’d basically rushed over the moment he heard the news!
‘How did he find out?’
I couldn’t help but stare at the Wise Duke, my eyes shaking with disbelief.
Given our blood relation, it was impossible for me to hide Robert’s birth, and I had no intention of trying. But him learning about it this quickly? Had he implanted CCTV or spies in our mansion?
“JoKasunja da! Baby has been born!”
Ignoring my state of confusion, the Wise Duke waved his hands around with a bright smile.
…Right, who cares about CCTV or spies? At the end of the day, it just meant a guest had arrived earlier than planned to celebrate the birth of his distant family member, my nephew. There’s no reason to shun such a visit.
Even if our mental state was on edge, we still needed to welcome family celebrations with joy.
“Hey! Aren’t you going to greet your aunt?”
“Huh?”
“You’re the owner of this mansion, aren’t you? The host should greet the guests first.”
Of course, I meant Erich. No matter how many elders were around, the person responsible for attending to guests is the mansion’s owner.
Besides, they came to celebrate the owner’s good news, so it’s only right for the owner to welcome them with double the joy.
“No, um, the mansion’s owner is my brother.”
“Are you going to throw me out tomorrow then?”
At that, Erich quietly shifted his feet.
Though I nominally hold the title of Patriarch as the head of the Krasius family, the true owner—factually—is undoubtedly the one who lives here, Erich. If anyone wants to argue, they can find another mansion to occupy!
“Aunt! Thank you for coming—”
“JoKaa! Congratulations!”
Before Erich could finish his greeting, the Wise Duke had already scooped him into an embrace.
And then came the inevitable act of cheek squishing. Even watching it from behind was enough to make me sigh in disbelief.
‘He’s twenty-two now.’
It’s genuinely a sad situation. Erich now had two wives and one child and was a member of the Imperial Council. Instead of viewed as the little brother I once knew from our academy days, he shouldn’t have to endure such humiliation anymore.
But what could he do? When facing the Duke, he had to play the role of a child at age twenty-two.
“Uhhhhh?”
Then the Wise Duke’s gaze shifted to Teresa, who was comfortably nestled in our mother’s arms.
“Ooooh! How adorable! The youngest JoKa is here too!”
“Eeh?”
As if obliterating any previous memory, the Wise Duke tossed Erich aside and dashed toward our mother.
It was mesmerizing how he did so without hesitation. I’d hesitate even when tossing trash in the bin!
“Aunt! Can I hold the cute JoKa!?”
‘No!’
At that proclamation from the Wise Duke, I nearly screamed.
No way, Mother, please. Handing Teresa over to the Wise Duke right now would be catastrophic. It’d be worse than what Erich endured!
“Of course! Come here, Teresa. Let’s say hi to Aunt!”
“Uwwww!”
Sadly, my desperate wish failed to reach Mother. Teresa, seemingly unaware of the coming disaster, nodded eagerly.
“How cute, my little darling! Let’s squish!”
“Whaaaaaaa?”
And the consequences were nothing short of tragic. The Wise Duke devoured Teresa’s soft, white cheeks the way a greedy and evil creature would!
The poor Teresa, caught in the jaws of the Duke, squirmed helplessly, unable to escape. If even Erich and I couldn’t withstand the assault, how would a young child hold her ground? Even the energetic and proud Teresa appeared like a helpless baby in front of the Wise Duke.
“Ubuubu!”
“Ehhhh! That tickles!”
And alongside my precious sister’s wailing, I, the powerless older brother, could do nothing at all.
I’m sorry, dear sister. But this is the fate of the Krasius family, so you better get used to it fast.
*
The whirlwind of the Wise Duke has knocked both Erich and Teresa out of commission, leaving him to approach the soundly sleeping Robert and cover his mouth.
“How precious… so adorable…”
A sigh of relief escaped me; it felt like the last shred of reason in the Wise Duke was being preserved for the sleeping child.
I had worried he might disrupt the poor kid’s nap just for a cuddle, but it seemed he recognized that Robert was just born and the grandson of another noble family.
Thank goodness, but it was also a little sad. If he could spare even 1% of that reason for us siblings, I’d be grateful.
“Such a good boy, it’s okay.”
“Ugh… snoooo…”
If he’d done that, the little duke wouldn’t have to comfort Teresa like this.
Wait, the little duke is now fourteen, right? He had to be around that age since he was only ten the last time I saw him at the Cheness Principality. He was still a child by any standard!
To see a kid cleaning up his mother’s mess was both commendable and pitiful.
“Heh.”
While ruffling Teresa’s hair and chuckling, I thought even a drunken child would behave better.
“I’m sorry! I actually planned to come by after about a week, but your aunt was just so stubborn.”
As I alternated my gaze between the Wise Duke and the little duke, our uncle, who had been greeting the Hiden family, approached.
“No problem! Family visits are always welcome.”
“I appreciate you saying that. I’ll try to hold him back next time.”
“Haha, no need to push yourself.”
At his words, our uncle chuckled lightly as well.
Yes, indeed. Uncle seemed to have acted as I expected. It was the Wise Duke who shattered that expectation. As always, the Wise Duke was the problem.
“By the way, how did you hear about today’s birth…?”
“Ah.”
Upon my uncle’s short gasp, I turned my head back toward him from the Wise Duke.
“Actually, Nia gave me the heads up. I casually mentioned it to your aunt…”
“I see.”
So it was my uncle who was the cause, but I didn’t hold any resentment toward him.
For grumbling over such a little detail, the contribution of my wise uncle, the Duke’s ultimate weapon, was just too immense.
“I’ll be more careful next time.”
But I didn’t reply that it wasn’t worth causing a fuss this time.
If it weren’t for my uncle’s minor slip-up, today’s calamity would not have happened.
*
The son of Baron Hardiner and Count Horfelt has been born.
The next heir of the Horfelt family, carrying the bloodlines of two noble families. A symbol of the ties between the Krasius and Hiden families.
‘Guess I’ll have to send a little present soon.’
As the Emperor, it’s essential to respond to the joyous events within the imperial noble families, especially when it concerns two families at once and the Minister’s family!
‘Is this the Minister’s first nephew?’
Just thinking about the word “nephew” brought a smile to my face.
Although the Minister already has eight children, adding one more nephew hardly seems like a big deal, but didn’t they say children and nephews have their own unique charms? Since those were the words of the Empress, they surely hold truth.
‘But I saw my own kids first.’
Suddenly, a pang of frustration hit me. While it was me who saw a child first, the Minister managed to see a nephew before me. I could’ve had a 2-0 lead, but now it’s 1-1.
Yet, I would soon get to see my own nephew, so while it’s a bit disappointing, I’m not heartbroken about it.
My nephew, the first child of Ainter, is destined to become the next Marcilio.
‘I’m looking forward to it.’
For that child’s sake, I should send a splendid gift for the Minister’s newly born nephew. Knowing the Minister’s nature, he would reciprocate in due course.
‘Maybe I should give him a fief fit for a knight?’
I briefly entertained that desire but shook it off quickly. If I were to grant land, the Minister might just lose his mind and have a fit.
Instead, I should ensure both quality and quantity but stick to the safer option of jewels or silk. There’s no telling what kind of miraculous situation might arise if I end up getting cursed for gifting something unacceptable.
“By the way.”
As I considered a statue made of birthstones, a memory that had been lodged in my brain suddenly popped up.
[The second prince of the United Kingdom of Yuben, Lather Ostia, is scheduled to marry on the last day of November.]
It was sensitive information shared secretly by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, just before summer ended.
The marriage was requested to proceed quietly without guests present, but the royal wedding couldn’t be held without at least a token representation from the Empire. Thus, we would send at least a minimal delegation.
Though we initially wanted to send a large delegation for the occasion, since the couple wished for something more private, there was little we could do. We had to respect the wishes of the main characters.
Besides, if Prince Lather is getting married, Baron Hardiner must also make his move.
‘He should be given ample resources to support him.’
To congratulate him on the birth of his first child and for the fact that he’ll soon be off to a foreign country for his honeymoon.
Of course, I wouldn’t think of only comforting him over this; it would be merely a down payment.
However, there is one slight issue—
[The next saint of the Dawn Sect, Tannian Enen, is set to marry in mid-December.]
This means that barely a month after Baron Hardiner returns from the United Kingdom of Yuben, he’ll be off again to yet another foreign land.
It’s indeed a regrettable situation, but what can be done? It’s true that Baron Hardiner has a close relationship with both Prince Lather and Tannian.
‘A mere baron whose connections spread across the continent.’
A chuckle escaped me.
Which baron in this world gets to mingle with royalty, a prince, and the next saint? Baron Hardiner must truly be a remarkable figure, just like his brother.
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