Chapter 472
Since the moment I recalled a name I shouldn’t be thinking about for our baby, a ghost has been wandering in my mind. Mark… Anyway, because of that name, I couldn’t think of any other options for the baby’s name.
‘Damn it.’
With a heavy heart, I closed my eyes. Damn this name, why must it come here and cause chaos while I’m trying to think of a name for my child?
“It must be hard to think of something right now, huh?”
Mar chuckled, observing the forced silence I had fallen into. It looks like she thinks I’m just pondering over my first child’s name.
“Yeah, it’s a bit difficult. I’m not sure what would be good.”
I nodded without hesitation, even if it was a misunderstanding. The ghost in my head is that specter from the world of possession. Trying to explain it to Mar wouldn’t help, and even if she understood, that’s a whole other problem.
To give our blue-blooded child such a name? Even if Mar frowned, I’d have to take that humbly.
“Then may I name it?”
“Of course! You’d come up with a prettier name than I would anyway.”
I vigorously nodded at her next words. It’s right to leave this to Mar. No matter what name comes out, it would surely be better than the one I was thinking of.
“How about ‘First Snow’?”
“Eh?”
But the word that came out was totally unexpected.
A person’s name, ‘First Snow’?
“Uh, uh… um…”
I scrambled, my eyes darting around in confusion. It’s not really a name to give a person, but looking at Mar’s expression, she doesn’t seem to be joking. If that’s the case, she seriously wants that name.
‘What to do?’
Should I show reluctance and say, “That’s a bit much,” to Mar who came up with an idea? Or should I accept this huge name for our child, ‘First Snow’?
It’s tough. Choosing the first option would make me a negligent husband, while the second would be like committing a crime against my child.
“Puhuh.”
As I struggled to make a choice, Mar burst into laughter again.
“It’s just a name we’ll use temporarily. It doesn’t have to be something like a person’s name.”
Mar, noticing my dilemma, smiled and patted my head.
Ah, right. The temporary name doesn’t need to sound like a real name at all.
‘Should’ve heard other temporary names to know that.’
Unfortunately, before possession, I was far from the concept of baby names. Being unmarried meant I never had to think of one, and with no parents, I hadn’t even known my own temporary name. So, I thought temporary names had to be as proper as normal ones.
How embarrassing. I nearly suggested something common like Ferdinand or Maximilian.
“Our child, who came to us in winter, will be born around the first snowfall. I think ‘First Snow’ would be nice.”
“Yeah. ‘First Snow’ sounds good. Let’s go with that.”
I smiled back at Mar’s elaboration and agreed.
I truly hope our treasure is born healthy, and ‘First Snow’ is the perfect name for them.
“The second name will be ‘Maple Leaf’.”
“Eh?”
Mar blinked at my words, and it seemed she finally caught the meaning, causing her face to turn red.
“If we try hard, it might just happen around that time, right?”
“Uh, uh, sure?”
Luckily, she didn’t outright reject it.
*
A few days had passed since school started up again.
This means I’ve been witnessing Erich fumbling around while keeping an eye on Sara for several days now.
‘What a sight.’
I swung my sword repeatedly until I couldn’t help but chuckle. The dynamics of their relationship hadn’t progressed at all during the first year at the academy, but suddenly, over winter break, things had changed.
It’s unfortunate. If I hadn’t returned home, I could’ve watched their progress in real-time. I sometimes wish I weren’t the Prince of Ainter when moments like these come up.
And then I felt a slight annoyance. Erich, that shameless guy. After burning everyone’s souls for a year, he should at least publicly acknowledge the relationship he has formed while we’ve been absent, right? And without even contacting anyone through a message?
‘And it’s not even an official relationship yet.’
I couldn’t help but let out a snort. They’re practically in a relationship—no, it feels like they’re more than halfway there—so isn’t it only right to admit that they’re dating?
I don’t want to say this to a friend, but this is ridiculous. Honestly, does Erich have any right to hesitate over Sara’s affection? Shouldn’t he be graciously accepting the affection from someone who likes him?
The more I think about it, the heavier my sighs become. For heaven’s sake, I hope Erich and Sara can become a proper couple before the first semester ends. If that’s not possible, at least before graduation.
‘If I graduate without seeing it, it’ll haunt me for life.’
If I graduate from the academy, I won’t have any reason to return to the empire. So, it’s essential, absolutely essential, that this affair wraps up before graduation. That way, I can go back home with a lighter heart.
“My Lord, do you have something on your mind?”
Just when I tried to calm my restless heart with a deep breath, I heard Count Perosa’s voice.
I messed up. I was suffering from too many distractions in a place where others were present, not just alone in my training.
“Ah, it’s fine. I was just gathering my thoughts for a moment.”
I hurriedly smiled and replied to Count Perosa. She’s the daughter of Lord Villar, the head of the guard. If I appeared weird in front of Count Perosa, it would surely reach Lord Villar’s ears, and then he and his knights would start looking out for me.
That would be annoying. It’s already stressful having guards nearby, but having them watch me, too? Just imagining it is frustrating enough.
“But it seems I’ve been too relaxed. If even Count Perosa noticed something odd, I’ll need to step up my game.”
“No, my Lord! You are already the best knight among us!”
I threw out a casual jest to appear unbothered, but Count Perosa reacted vigorously.
Oops, wasn’t that supposed to be the case? I could say anything in the club, but…
‘…There’s a difference between friends and subordinates.’
I felt a bit bittersweet. I had fun over the past two years hanging out with like-minded friends, and now there’s only one year left before I have to spend the rest of my time in a dull palace surrounded by stiff knights.
“Flattery in excess. Calling me the best knight when there’s a mentor around.”
“W-well, that’s… Strength and a knight’s heart are separate things…”
“Haha! That’s true!”
At least I’m glad I found an interesting knight among the stiff ones.
It’s rare to find someone around my age who is also a knight, and being young makes him a lot livelier and more fun compared to the other knights who are stiff and formal. Instead of just apologizing when poked, he offers truly unique responses.
So, whenever Count Perosa is around, I find myself wanting to talk to him a bit more since he’s a fresh face.
“The knight’s heart! A very important element! It is the very reason why Ainter is called the kingdom of knights today!”
I laughed heartily as I patted Count Perosa on the shoulder, and she promptly lowered her head.
I could feel a subtle tremble through the hand I patted, but I didn’t mention it. I didn’t want to overwhelm Count Perosa by talking too much at once.
‘Gaining a lot from the academy.’
If I hadn’t come to the imperial academy, I wouldn’t have had the chance to meet Count Perosa.
Indeed, studying abroad in the Empire was the best choice of my life.
*
There’s nothing like the mornings when Mar, First Snow, and Titi see me off before I head to work. No matter how many times I experience it, it’s the best moment. A wife, a child, and a pet seeing me off—it’s the kind of scene you’d see in a typical drama or movie.
Even though First Snow can’t talk yet because they’re still in Mar’s arms, I believe in my heart they’re seeing this Daddy off in spirit. It must be so.
“Your expression has brightened up these days. It seems becoming a father is a great blessing.”
Ainter’s words brought a natural smile to my face.
Yes, it’s a blessing. There’s no greater happiness for a couple than the arrival of a child. Unless we’re talking about having grandchildren.
“Your posture is off.”
“Hmm.”
So, I gently pointed out Ainter’s posture, as he was slackening it with a generous attitude despite my happiness. My joy doesn’t mean you can slack off over there.
“Posture is the foundation of everything. Some people blabber about how in actual combat, immediate changes are more important than textbook posture, but those changes ultimately come from the basics. If you can’t master those, how will you pull off advanced techniques?”
However, it would be harsh to pressure Ainter, who is still a beginner, so I explained the justification behind this training. The feeling is different when you know why you’re working hard as opposed to not knowing at all.
“I’ll remember that.”
It seemed Ainter understood my advice, sweating profusely without putting up a rebellion.
‘Good.’
It feels satisfying. It’s natural for a newbie to struggle with physical exertion. What matters is that even if it’s tough, he continues to hold that resolve not to give up.
“What’s going on? You’re still at it?”
“A count teaching a marquis. It’s an incredible sight no matter how many times I see it!”
In the meantime, Erich and Rutis, who had been sparring among themselves, sauntered over.
“Are you seriously considering moving on to the next stage? Ainter isn’t too shabby compared to the others in his age group.”
Then they tossed out some devilish temptations to Ainter, who was diligently focused.
Such a sly little brother. You can never have enough basics, and yet, how dare a martial artist like him even suggest such a thing?
“It hasn’t been long since you started training, so how can you say he’s fine.”
“Sure, you’ve only been taught by the mentor for a few days, but you trained during winter break, didn’t you? Besides, you laid some groundwork when you were younger, so it’s about time you started serious sword training.”
Rutis’ sneaky addition nearly made me sigh out loud.
It’s not wrong. Ainter did train over winter break at the palace, and since he was there, apparently the knights of the imperial knight order subtly offered their advice. Their teaching abilities are surely superior to mine, so he must have gained a lot.
Moreover, Ainter had some experience learning martial arts when he was an ordinary prince, even if it didn’t last long. Whatever the case, he has learned, and that experience helps him improve rapidly.
Even so, the reason I’m insisting on basics over sword techniques is straightforward.
‘Once he grabs that sword, he’ll be a punching bag.’
I couldn’t just toss Ainter into those veteran sharks who are hungry for fresh meat.
Even now, I could see strange eagerness in Erich and Rutis’ eyes. Having been used to the same sparring partners, suddenly having a fresh newbie in the mix would be thrilling for them. They must be itching to clash swords, even for just a day.
That’s not acceptable. No matter how rapidly Ainter has been growing, he’s not ready to duel those two just yet.
“Not yet, so just wait.”
“Tsk.”
Rutis clicked his tongue, sounding a bit disappointed at my firm rejection.
Those eager veterans.
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