Chapter 555
The mother and all the children are safe.
This is the one thing a husband waiting helplessly outside the delivery room wants to hear the most.
For that one sentence, I could really do anything.
“However, having given birth to not one but three, she will be quite exhausted and won’t be able to move around much for a while.”
“Well, as long as her health isn’t compromised, I can handle that.”
I nodded enthusiastically at the doctor’s words, which weren’t really any cause for concern.
As the doctor said, it wasn’t just one but three babies. Simply put, she went through three times the pain of a regular delivery in just one day, so it was only natural for her to be feeling a bit uncomfortable.
“Oh, and…”
“What else is there?”
I desperately wanted to rush to Trixie and the kids, but the doctor was still talking, leaving me unable to decide.
After all, ignoring the doctor’s words would be just plain foolish.
“…No, never mind. I think it would be better for Your Grace to see it for yourself.”
The doctor, wearing a bright smile, took a step back to let me enter the room.
“Phew.”
The moment I stepped into the room, I understood why the doctor had smiled.
The three sisters were loudly crying as if to prove that they had arrived in this world, each holding the others’ hands tightly.
That sight made me smile too. It didn’t matter if newborns can grip anything. With Elven blood flowing through them, they could be different from an ordinary human, right?
“Carl…”
Caught up in the enchanting chorus of my three daughters, I suddenly heard Trixie’s voice and snapped back to reality.
What was I doing? I had to take care of the person who suffered the most first.
“You did great. Is there anywhere you feel uncomfortable?”
I hurried over to Trixie and gently took her hand, to which she shook her head with a soft smile.
“I was in pain until a while ago… but now I’m just happy to see those kids…”
Tears almost formed in my eyes at the sight of Trixie’s beaming face. I was grateful that three angels had been born thanks to her and relieved that she was doing well.
With the children’s names inspired by divine authority, I believed it was due to how well Trixie interceded with the gods. That’s what I thought.
“By the way, Carl.”
“Yeah, what is it?”
Trixie’s eyes lit up as if she had just remembered something, and I leaned in to hear better.
I would do anything for her. With my current determination, I could probably even smack the Emperor upside the head.
“Ha-neul is the first, Tae-yang is the second, and Cho-mok is our little one.”
“Huh?”
I glanced at the three kids who were still crying.
So, Ha-neul was born first, then Tae-yang, and finally Cho-mok?
‘How did she know?’
It’s a little embarrassing to admit, but I had given up figuring out who was who. Identifying the babies in Trixie’s belly and assigning them names was pretty much impossible since I hadn’t seen inside it.
So when I called them, I just referred to all three at once. If I singled one out, what if the baby who was Tae-yang yesterday suddenly became Ha-neul today?
But Trixie had figured it out. Surely this must be a mother’s power that fathers don’t possess?
“I can feel mana, you know. No matter how much they’re twins, each has its own unique flow.”
“Ah.”
With astonishment came a wave of self-doubt.
So while Trixie could perfectly differentiate the three babies, I’d been calling them all together, clueless.
‘Sorry, kiddos. Your dad’s a bit of a mess.’
If they grow up to say ‘I hate you, Dad!’ I wouldn’t even have the right to be sad.
As soon as our conversation ended, other people started entering the room.
“Good job, you really did great!”
Especially my grandmother, who enveloped Trixie in a warm hug, her eyes brimming with tears.
She must have been a bundle of nerves, worrying about her granddaughter during the delivery. The thought of her beloved granddaughter following her late mother would surely have made her anxious.
Fortunately, that worry turned out to be unfounded. It was only natural that she would let her tears flow now.
“As a mother who couldn’t witness her daughter’s birth… at least I could be here for my granddaughter.”
Her muttering was a mix of guilt and relief.
“Someday you’ll also get to see your great-granddaughters being born.”
“…Yes, I suppose so.”
After a moment of silence, my grandmother came to terms with it and finally spoke.
I almost laughed, understanding how she felt. With Trixie’s marriage and pregnancy, my grandmother had already experienced cultural shock. Now she has to deal with the fact that her great-granddaughters would get married too? What a whirlwind for her sense of normalcy.
Of course, she knows that the standards differ between humans and Elves, but that doesn’t mean reason and emotions always align.
“Um, Master.”
While observing the strange conversation between my grandmother and Trixie, I turned my attention to the butler’s voice.
“Shouldn’t we notify those waiting outside?”
“Outside?”
I tilted my head and let out a small gasp.
Right. There were so many people outside praying for Trixie’s safe delivery. I had completely forgotten in the daze of excitement!
“If it’s okay with you, should I tell the second lady’s news—”
“No, I’ll go out and tell them myself.”
I shook my head subtly at the butler’s words. I knew he only intended to help by suggesting that I stay with my family, but it was right for me to go out myself.
These people had been praying passionately, as if the birthing of Trixie and the triplets was their own matter. As the husband, it was my job to express my gratitude to them.
“Oh, and prepare a simple reception. I can’t just send the guests away empty-handed.”
“Yes, I will prepare it right away.”
Watching the butler promptly disappear, I moved forward myself.
Trixie was well taken care of by the other family members, and the triplets were surely already showered with love. I could step away for a brief moment without worry.
Just a quick expression of gratitude, then I’ll come right back.
*
After the Minister hurried back to the mansion, I found it hard to maintain my composure.
This wasn’t just any child being born; it was Marcilio’s offspring—an addition to the Katoban family after almost 120 years. If the Emperor weren’t interested in this, that would be weirder!
On top of that, I received reports that wizards from all over the continent were gathering in front of the Minister’s mansion. They must have received the news about the labor starting via their magical communication network.
‘Seems like only special folks are gathered.’
It appeared they had chosen representatives among themselves; only those of high standing in the wizarding community showed up. It would have been troublesome if a horde of unnamed wizards had rushed in.
After forcing myself to wade through the documents that were barely registering, I finally got the long-awaited news.
– Marcilio has successfully given birth. All three children are healthy, and the Minister of the Information Department has officially declared that she just needs to regain her energy.
The news that the mother and children were safe.
‘Alright.’
Hearing the report allowed me to let out a long sigh of relief.
Honestly, I hadn’t felt this relieved even when Charlotte was born. Back then, I was a nervous first-time dad. Objectively speaking, it was only natural that both the Empress and Crown Princess would come out fine.
But giving birth to three at once is a daunting task, even with the exceptional medical system of the Empire. That crisis has now safely passed; it would be too much to call it mere good luck.
“Since both the Minister and Marcilio will be in disarray today, let’s send the gift tomorrow.”
– A wise decision, Your Majesty.
Gifts received during busy times hardly leave a lasting impression. If the present is forgotten, it’s better to send it leisurely tomorrow.
As soon as I issued that command, I reached for the stack of documents left beside me. Finally, I could put my mind at ease and get back to work—
“By the way, Minister. Have the children’s names been decided?”
I casually asked, suddenly intrigued, glancing at the Dowager Minister, who was just about to lower her head. Given his character, he would have already considered several names for the children.
– Yes, Your Majesty. The first one is Maria, the second is Cecilia, and the third is Catlea.
And just as I had expected, names that would lead the future of the Katoban family rolled off his tongue.
Maria, Cecilia, Catlea.
‘So he didn’t come up with them alone, huh?’
Those weren’t names I would expect from the Minister’s more sensitive character.
*
Once I shared the good news with the wizards waiting outside the mansion, cheers erupted so loud it reverberated across the Capital.
Honestly, I was a bit freaked out. It felt like being tossed into a group of fanatics. If I had encountered them as enemies, I would have hightailed it out of there!
“Carl.”
“Oh, Mar.”
After thanking the wizards and discussing the reception, I returned to the room to find Mar welcoming me.
“Did something happen? The window was rattling.”
“The wizards.”
“Ah.”
It was a short response, but Mar seemed to understand, nodding. The birth of three little ones bearing Marcilio’s name is a once-in-a-lifetime event for them.
“Hehe, everyone was really surprised. They were worried that the babies would wake up from their sleep.”
“Were they sleeping?”
Speaking of which, I remembered the loud cries echoing through the hall when I left. I never thought that they would have fallen asleep while I was gone.
“Go check on them. There’s plenty of cuteness to go around with Pedi and the others.”
Without hesitation, I approached the babies. After all, boys and girls each have their own unique charm.
“…Oh.”
Seeing the kids sleeping peacefully while holding each other’s hands and perking their ears made me smile involuntarily.
What a shame. If Elves had those ears, it wouldn’t just be a cute factor; I’d want to touch them.
‘A little short, though.’
I couldn’t help but chuckle at the sight of shorter ears than Trixie, who is a half-elf.
Guess being a quarter-elf means they’ve got quarter-sized ears!
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