Chapter 522
The first time I loved someone, it felt like I had the entire world.
The first time I got married, it felt like the world was blessing me.
And when my child was born for the first time…
“What a splendid young lord!”
Time seemed to stop, and I found myself lost in thought.
It was strange. This was undeniably a joyous occasion. The moment I had been anticipating since Mar’s pregnancy was confirmed, my little one I wanted to see as soon as possible.
But why? Why couldn’t I open my mouth? Why couldn’t I even twitch a finger?
‘First Snow…’
My child, our child.
The palace maid, drenched in sweat from the intense delivery, smiled brightly at me as she presented First Snow, who still couldn’t open his eyes properly, all wrinkly and reddish, crying as if the room was about to collapse.
“Are they both okay?”
“Yes. The lady is tired, but there are no health issues.”
The maid replied softly with the words that barely escaped my lips.
In that moment, my legs felt like they might give way. Both First Snow and Mar, who had endured hours of agony, were fine. How I had longed for this news outside the door.
“Your Grace, hurry and hold him. I’m sure the young lord would prefer your embrace over mine.”
I began to tremble, but this time it was for an entirely different reason.
‘Hold him?’
That tiny and frail boy, so delicate he might vanish if I touched him wrong?
But could I really? I was wearing the same clothes from earlier, surely dirty from wandering outside. My hands were sweaty and likely filthy too. To hold a newborn like that—
“Don’t be ridiculous, just hold him. What’s warmer for a freshly born child than a parent’s embrace?”
My father-in-law passed by with a gruff voice and a light smack on my back. From the urgency in his steps, it was clear he was off to check on Mar after her fierce battle.
That tiny jab snapped me back to reality.
“Right, I should hold him. Cleanliness doesn’t matter.”
Trixie, who had just arrived, lightly touched my shoulder, pushing away my sweaty outline, making me feel refreshed.
Of course, there was magic. It could turn any dirtiness into top-notch cleanliness in an instant.
“Let’s see, just a moment.”
With trembling hands, I carefully received First Snow.
He was light. Far lighter than I imagined. To exaggerate, I’d say he felt lighter than the wooden sword I used during training. Or maybe he really was lighter than that.
A chuckle escaped me. This tiny little guy was kicking around in Mar’s belly, fussing about like he was starving. This little rascal had everyone in our family and the mansion’s staff trembling in fear.
“Kal.”
As I stared blankly at First Snow, my father approached and opened his mouth.
“Congratulations. You are now a father.”
“Father…”
His words made me turn back to First Snow. Just as Mar had made me her husband, this child had made me a father.
This child would be the beginning of my growing family.
“There’s no need to hold back. The feelings of a parent seeing their child cannot be restrained.”
As I bit my lip, my mother gently patted my back. Her touch was calming, unlike my father-in-law’s earlier jab.
Maybe that’s why the tears started to flow.
They just came.
After the strange harmony between father and son crying together concluded, I finally passed First Snow to Mar, who had regained her strength.
“He looks just like Kal.”
Mar smiled broadly at First Snow and said that.
‘Really?’
Still wiping my tear-soaked cheeks, I pondered seriously. How was it possible to see my features on that wrinkly little fellow? Sure, he had eyes, a nose, and a mouth, so I guess that counted as resemblance.
“Our First Snow should grow up healthy and become a great sub-lord!”
Even with fatigue, Mar held onto First Snow tightly and murmured with a voice filled with mixed emotions. Joy at finally meeting our firstborn, relief that everything went well, and the lightness of having given birth to our first son.
‘It wouldn’t have mattered if it was a daughter.’
I had told Mar before that the gender of the child didn’t matter. As long as it was our child, what did it matter? It wasn’t an impossible world for a title to pass to a daughter either.
However, deep inside, it seemed that Mar had hoped for a son. Just like Trixie, Wise Duke, and the Crown Princess, while women could legally inherit titles, some nobles still quietly favored male heirs, excluding daughters. Perhaps that’s why Mar felt relieved that First Snow could inherit smoothly.
Of course, knowing Mar, she would’ve been just as happy with a daughter. She just wanted things to be safe and simple.
“Now that I look closely, I can see Mar’s features too.”
My father-in-law reacted with satisfaction, adding to my confusion.
What was he seeing that I wasn’t? I felt like I, the father, knew the least about this.
“On that note, have you thought of a name?”
“Uh?”
“A name. You can’t keep calling a healthy child by their baby name forever.”
My father-in-law’s surprise attack made my eyes dart around.
I had come up with some ideas. Parents usually think ahead and prepare clothes or toys for their babies, so naming them should be a given.
However, after the incidents with Lu and Titi, I had lost confidence in my naming abilities. I could end up getting roasted again if I opened my mouth.
“Just tell me if you have a name in mind. With everyone here, even if it’s weird, we’ll come up with something good quickly.”
But my father-in-law’s not-so-disguised encouragement gave me courage.
Right, everyone was gathered: my parents, in-laws, and other loved ones—an amalgamation of collective intelligence. Even if I made a blunder, plenty of capable hands were available to catch the mistakes.
“Well, if it’s a boy, I was thinking of naming him Ferdinand.”
Initially, I had considered a soft and safe name like Kris, but dialing it down would transform it into something resembling Kal Mar or whatever, leading to a workers’ uprising in Aussen.
So Ferdinand it is. My grandfather’s name was Reinhardt, my father’s Wilhelm, and my brother’s Erich. All have German names, so it’s only fitting for my grandson to have a German name too.
‘Wait a second.’
Thinking back, why am I called Kal? Shouldn’t it be Karl to match the German theme?
I subtly glanced at my mother, recalling that she picked out the names of my siblings.
“What a lovely name. There was even a Ferdinand among the ancestors of the Krasius family. He was brave and wise, beloved by his acquaintances.”
However, my mother, sensing my glance as a call for help, supported my decision with a warm smile.
‘What does it matter?’
As soon as I saw my mother smile, my earlier question about my name vanished like snow melting under the sun.
In a world without Germany, worrying about German names seemed silly anyway.
“Ferdinand…”
Mar seemed to genuinely like the name, repeating it several times while gently stroking First Snow’s cheek.
From today onward, First Snow is Ferdinand Krasius.
*
The booming cries of our First Snow—now named Ferdinand—finally quieted as he fell asleep, exhausted from crying.
“Congratulations on becoming a grandfather. This year seems to be filled with joyous occasions.”
“It’s the first grandchild, so I’m still in shock. I’ll need plenty of advice.”
“There’s not much for a grandfather to do. It’s the parents’ job to raise them; all we need to do is shower them with love.”
I chuckled overhearing the conversation between my father and father-in-law.
Ever since they officially became in-laws, my father had started using respectful language towards my father-in-law, the Count. For someone who had ruled as a duke, it’s heartening to see him showing respect to a fellow noble, especially recognizing the significance of children’s marriages.
“Of course, as a novice couple, we may be clumsy at times, so we’d appreciate your gentle guidance.”
“That’s the toughest job of all.”
“Raising a new life is always challenging.”
Listening to their harmonious conversation, I lowered my head again toward Ferdinand.
‘This little guy was in my arms just moments ago.’
I was still in shock. To think this life had been in my embrace just a few hours ago. The human body is truly miraculous.
‘Ferdinand.’
And it amazed me that Kal had actually named him appropriately. This from the guy who shortened Louise to Lu and named his dog Beatrix. Who would’ve thought he’d do something like this?
I was a bit touched. Maybe it was a matter that concerned our child and sparked a awakening?
“He’s so cute…”
My short reverie was shattered by the voice of Elizaveta.
“This cute little one can’t possibly be the Executive Manager’s child. If he weren’t Mar’s, I wouldn’t believe it for a second!”
“Hoo, is that so?”
I couldn’t help but smile back at my sister’s sparkling eyes.
Thank goodness Ferdinand was born amidst celebrations rather than jealousy. Everyone rejoiced at the arrival of the future Count of Tailglehen, whose legitimacy was no longer in question.
To be honest, I had been a little worried, just a hint. The conflict of emotions for my sister or Penelia being envious of a younger boy having children could have been complicated.
“Ugh, too cute… I was exhausted from work, but I feel healed…”
“Your Grace, Your Grace’s child…”
Luckily, that worry ended only in my head. It must have been the excitement of having my first child that left me feeling mentally uneasy.
‘How embarrassing.’
To think I’d think that with such lovely sisters by my side—a blush-inducing memory to carry on forever.
“…And I have to return to work again in the morning.”
Elizaveta’s mumble struck a solemn note in my heart.
It was already dawn, and to head back to work? That seemed a bit much.
‘Bureaucracy is no joke.’
I had realized this again, even while looking at Kal.
Our Ferdinand shouldn’t be steered towards a bureaucratic path unless he desperately wants it.
“Eh?”
While I was lost in thought, Sophia, who was tidying up, exclaimed in surprise.
“Wow, it’s snowing!”
Soon after, the conversations among those gathered turned toward the window where Yuris had pointed.
A blanket of pure white blessings was falling from the sky.
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