Chapter: 850
The guardians dispatched to Erich’s habitat all predicted the emergence of a second Teresa, but since Edward had his own parents, it didn’t weigh on my mind too heavily. If Erich and Sarah truly wanted to become parents, it was a trial they’d have to overcome. Plus, I was sending them guardians every day, so the worst-case scenario probably wouldn’t come to pass.
With the wedding of Rutis looming, there’s the whole cutting-the-sky thing planned at the Swordsmith’s Hall, but thankfully, there’s still some time to prepare my mind for it. Even if time is short, it could fly by in the blink of an eye; still, anything is better than having to leave for a business trip to Armein right now.
So, I tried my best to enjoy a bit of calm amid the storm. No matter how ridiculous a typhoon is, isn’t the eye of the storm supposed to be calm? That’s exactly where I am right now—sipping my tea, pretending I’m living the good life while surrounded by chaos.
‘Just one step outside, and I’m swept away by the hurricane.’
A bitter smile crept onto my face as I let out a small sigh at this cruel truth.
I may feel centered like the eye of the storm, but everything around me is falling apart! It’s not like I’m planning to stay in one place for my whole life; I’ll have to move eventually. The future has already foretold my catastrophic collision with that very storm, a fate that’s totally unavoidable.
It’s frustrating. Everyone was worried that Edward would be weak and frail like Sarah. Who would have thought he’d become the second Teresa?
And who could have guessed that a king would request a foreign swordsman to come to our symbol and sacred ground to perform a sky-splitting act?
‘Of course, I would assume Rutis is the mutant here.’
The concern gnawed at me. Could it be? Could it be that Rutis is, dare I say, average even among the Robens royal family? A mutation or just plain old hereditary traits at play?
No, that’s definitely not it. Considering the illustrious lineage of the Robens family, there’s no way he could be average. Rutis has to be extraordinary among them—he absolutely must be!
But even if Rutis stands out, most of the Robens family seems a little… off. Excluding Rutis, the average quirkiness level among them is concerningly high.
‘That seems plausible.’
The theory’s quite solid. Given that unusual blood runs through the veins of the Robens family, it makes sense that the current King of Armein isn’t exactly normal, resulting in a towering existence like Rutis emerging. After all, you need good soil to grow healthy crops, right?
Even if it raises the question of whether using “sturdy” to describe Rutis is a stretch, it is what it is.
‘It’d be problematic if the average keeps rising, though.’
But what’s scarier is that the royal average itself being high rather than having a mutation pop up. If that average keeps lowering, we might be fortunate, but if it goes up instead? What if, with the passage of time, the Robens family’s eccentricity keeps soaring?
Just thinking about it is terrifying. One day, Rutis might be the king of a strong neighboring country, the second-largest power on the continent.
“Wow.”
A sigh escaped my lips without me realizing it.
Whoever it ends up being, the current Emperor and ministers might just kick the bucket from high blood pressure.
If recorded in history, that would be the tragic fate I’d never want to face.
*
Today, I went to see Jenny!
The little masters and their little friends are at the master’s house! Even though there are plenty of friends to play with the little masters, I need to go see Jenny! There are plenty of friends to play with the little masters, but I’m the only one for Jenny!
“Oh, Titi you’ve come?”
– Woof!
“Jenny’s been resting where she always does, waiting anxiously for you!”
– Woof woof!
I barked with gratitude toward those protecting Jenny’s house!
Thank you for always looking out for Jenny, her friends, and her master! Jenny is really grateful too!
Jenny can rest easy because strong people are protecting her home! I’m thankful!
– Woof!
After barking to express my thanks once more, I dashed toward where Jenny was!
Just like the guardians said, she was resting in her usual spot! Of course, even if she was in another location, I’d easily find her by following her wonderful smell! Her scent is that distinct and lovely!
– Woof!
– Woof.
As I reached where Jenny was, she lifted her head to greet me from where she was quietly lying down.
She couldn’t get up, but that’s okay! Just her lifting her head makes me happy! I know her body feels heavy!
“Oh, Titi, you’re here?”
And when Jenny welcomed me, the big person beside her also greeted me.
A small person who is a friend of the little master! One of the people who live in this house! I know her well; she’s one of the people Jenny likes! And she likes Jenny too!
“It must be hard to come here every day, but you’re here as usual. You’re amazing.”
The big person stroked my head. As expected from someone who Jenny likes, she’s kind! Thank you for patting me every time I see you!
“If you had been negligent while making Jenny pregnant, I would’ve been mad!”
– Woof!
That comment made me a bit angry, even as someone who loves people.
I would never do that! How could I ignore Jenny and our pups? I want to happily live with Jenny and our cute little ones, just like the master!
“Ha ha, yes. Titi wouldn’t do that kind of thing.”
– Woof woof!
My mood brightened again!
That’s right! I wouldn’t do that! If I ignored Jenny and the pups, I’d hate myself! I’d definitely be hated by the master, the ladies! And the little masters too! That much is certain!
Besides, every time the master sees me, he says he hopes I have a lot of pups that look like me! For me and Jenny! And for the master’s sake, I definitely want to see those pups!
– Keeeeing…!
“J-Jenny?”
– Keeeing?
At Jenny’s whimper, the big person and I both turned our eyes towards her.
Something’s amiss! Something’s wrong! She was fine just a moment ago! And now she’s sniffling, pressing her head to the ground and whining!
W-What do I do? What’s happening? Why is she suddenly like this?
‘Ah.’
I remember something! Sometimes this happens at the master’s house too! When the ladies’ bellies were extremely large, they would suddenly wail in pain!
And each time that happened, tiny little masters would appear! New little masters would show up!
So it must be the same this time too! Since Jenny is in pain like the ladies, then soon there should be new little ones arriving, right?
– M-Mem! Woof woof!
It has to be! There should definitely be some good news if Jenny is feeling this way!
“Ti-Titi! Stay here! I’ll call for help right now!”
– Woof!
At the big person’s words, I barked earnestly.
Got it! I’ll protect this place! I’ll protect Jenny and the pups!
No one can touch my family!
*
I was watching the kids play when I suddenly made my exit.
The reason was simple yet important. I received a message from Luciano that Jenny had started giving birth.
– My wife has contacted the veterinarians beforehand! Fortunately, they work nearby, so they’ll get to our mansion shortly!
“I’ll go myself, so don’t get flustered. It’s one thing for an official swamped with national affairs not to pay attention to what happens at home. It’s the wife’s job to manage things in the house while her husband is outside, so trust your wife.”
– Yes, yes! Understood, Your Grace!
Yet once again, should I call this fortunate? Childbirth is an event I’m very familiar with.
Of course, it’s my first time witnessing the birth of a non-human creature, but knowing to contact the experts ahead and calling them the moment something happens, isn’t that enough? It seems that telling Luciano’s wife beforehand paid off since they’ve already been called.
‘Finally, this day has come.’
I carefully smoothed out the corners of my lips that were incredibly twitchy with excitement.
Jenny’s pregnancy meant immense happiness for both my mansion and Luciano’s. I’m thrilled that my loyal and adorable Titi is finally bearing the fruits of love, and Luciano is happy that cold Jenny has made a family!
However, since many things overlapped and piled up since Jenny’s pregnancy, I had somewhat forgotten about it, so hearing the news of the delivery caught me off guard.
‘If only we could have such joys every day.’
Tears almost sprang into my eyes. While Edward’s healthy birth was such a joy, it was the only joyful thing that happened in recent memory. On the flip side, there were a series of headaches with troubles one after another.
In such times, the arrival of Titi’s pups into the world feels truly overwhelming.
…
‘How many will be born?’
In an instant, my thoughts turned from the joy of childbirth to the actual number of pups.
Many people aim for Titi’s lineage, and considering we’re sending several to different places, how many will be born? Even assuming multiple deliveries, it seems like I’d need at least seven or eight at once for it to be smooth sailing.
‘Seven or eight at a time, huh?’
That’s quite a daunting number, but since Jenny is a large dog, it might just work out.
Dogs usually give birth to many pups at once, and large breeds tend to have even more.
Upon arriving at Luciano’s mansion, the situation had already concluded.
“Both Jenny and the pups are all healthy.”
“Ah, that’s a relief.”
I nodded, still in shock at the good news.
As soon as Jenny began the labor, Luciano’s wife contacted him, he notified me right after, and as soon as I got the message, I hurried out. Even if I stretch that timeline, it couldn’t have taken more than an hour.
But they say the delivery is already complete. Do dogs typically deliver quickly? I’m not sure…
“…Ah, where’s Titi?”
In response to my question, Luciano’s wife chuckled softly and pointed behind her with her hand.
“Titi never left Jenny’s side while she was giving birth. I think he takes after his master as a good husband and father.”
“He takes after me, huh? That makes me happy yet a bit embarrassed.”
Grinning, I walked in the direction she pointed and—
“Oh…”
There, snuggled in the arms of Jenny, were countless little furballs wriggling around.
Is it just me, or does it look like there are over ten of them?
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