Chapter 585
Today was just another usual day.
Padie, riding around in a bundle of charity and kindness, zipped through the mansion while Titi chased closely behind. Meanwhile, I watched with a mix of envy and amusement.
“Boo-oo!”
“Sir? What’s wrong?”
“Shall we stop?”
“Uh-huh!”
But then, unexpectedly, instead of the two serene ones getting tired, Padie was the first to signal to halt.
Now that’s unusual. Our Padie, a bundle of endless energy, had never been the first to stop during such wild escapades. No one could halt Padie’s triumphant march until charity and kindness implored him to quit their playtime.
‘Is he getting bored now?’
My heart started racing.
Our Padie surely prefers crawling around having a cozy time with dad and Titi over playing with those beasts, right? After all, those only serve to distract him! Padie’s just curious about the new toys he’s found.
Now, it’s time for a happy return to normalcy. A blissful family adventure… right…?
“Huh?”
“Hmm?”
“Wow.”
All three of us stood there, mouths agape, staring at the miraculous sight unfolding before us.
“Pow!”
Padie stood up.
‘Is this a dream?’
In an instant, my mind struggled to process what my eyes were showing me. The bundle that had just rolled out now stood upright, a feat he accomplished all by himself while wobbling slightly, jauntily approaching Titi on his own two legs.
– Woof?
Even Titi, panting and catching her breath, tilted her head in bewilderment at this sudden miracle.
But heedless of Titi’s astonishment, Padie hopped onto her back like an officer atop a steed.
“Ti-ty! Ti-ty!”
‘What.’
He even awkwardly called Titi by name!
Unbelievable. In just a day, he learned to walk and talk too? Is our Padie a genius?
‘Why did it have to be Titi first?’
But my heart was torn at the fact that Titi was the first word out of Padie’s mouth. Sure, Titi is our beloved family member, but why couldn’t he call us mom or dad?
I had wracked my brain trying to get him to call me Dad, crawling around like a four-legged creature, awaiting the moment I get a chance to hear it – only to be robbed of that moment by two beasts!
I felt tears welling up. Was this how the Emperor felt when he couldn’t hear ‘Dad’ from the Crown Princess?
“Master, are you about to cry?”
“Shut it.”
I shot a glare at Charity, who ran her mouth heedlessly, then turned back to Padie and Titi.
With Padie securely perched on Titi’s back, she carefully got up. Padie erupted into giggles now that his view had risen high.
‘…So what.’
Just watching them filled my heart with warmth. Sure, I was a little disappointed, but after all, I witnessed Padie’s first steps and first word. He might be calling Titi for now, but someday, he’ll say “Dad.”
So, I can wait and bide my time. Day by day, I will continue to hope for that sweet moment when Padie calls me Dad.
“Don’t let him fall, brace him from the side.”
“Yes, sir.”
“Just stick close, alright?”
Charity and Kindness swiftly rushed to protect Titi from either side, blocking off any space Padie might tumble into. Although sadly, being smaller than Titi, they couldn’t fully barricade him. But should he fall, they’d use their bodies as airbags to cushion his landing. That’ll do just fine.
“Apu!”
With Titi carrying him and those two flanking, Padie puffed out his chest triumphantly.
It looks like I’ll be seeing Titi carting Padie around quite often now.
‘Should lay down some mats.’
Just in case of any unexpected falls—well, more like tumbles—I should definitely cover the ground in something soft. Of course, laying a mat down will take a day, so I’ll have to prioritize areas where Padie tends to roam.
“Ti-ty!”
– Woof!
Then, calling out Titi’s name again, he bounced joyfully as she padded around the mansion.
This all took place three days before Padie’s first birthday.
*
If my kids are going to turn one, there’s something I’ve always wanted to do.
“Master, here’s what you asked for.”
“Oh, thanks for your hard work.”
I grinned as I accepted the box from the butler.
A ceremony to celebrate a child’s first birthday. It’s not found in this world, but it exists in another world—a unique event known only to me.
‘Everything’s right here.’
Upon opening the box, I found everything I’d requested, just as the butler had said.
A small wooden sword, a blunt-feathered quill, soft silk thread, and even coins sized perfectly for swallowing!
‘Doljabi items.’
Yes, items for the doljabi, a tradition to bless our Padie for his future.
With a heart full of joy, I started handling each of the items in the box. I believe Padie will be talented in both martial and civil affairs, live a long and healthy life, and enjoy a comfortable existence with the fortune I pass on to him.
If he grabs the wooden sword, there’s a chance he’ll become the Empire’s greatest swordsman, and if he grasps the thread, surely he’ll live past a hundred—maybe even up to a hundred and twenty, right? I prepared in hopes for all those possibilities.
‘What if he grabs all of them?’
I suddenly pondered that thought. If he grabs everything, does that mean all possibilities will blossom? Then the world won’t be able to leave Padie in peace.
I realize I might be sounding like a doting father. Of course, I know doljabi is just a superstition, a mere game. Honestly, it’s a little embarrassing to bring a culture from my old world into this one while I’m adjusting here. It feels a bit like I’m saying, “Whoa! This otherworld culture is amazing!”
But having been an orphan, I want my children to experience what I couldn’t. I yearn to see my child go through doljabi with their own hands.
That’s why I took the plunge and indulged myself a bit—for me, for my kids.
‘Let’s use this for the other kids too.’
As I closed the lid, I vowed to use these not just for a one-time event but as treasures of the family.
These items will be passed down from Padie to the triplets, Friedrich, through the Sea, and onward to our future youngest child, much like the bouquets passed down among the ladies.
“By the way, Master.”
“Hmm?”
“The ladies were curious about what those objects are for.”
That made me grin even wider.
I can boast about these items that would allow me to fulfill my dreams!
As if I were a door-to-door salesman, I enthusiastically explained the significance of the doljabi items to the ladies.
It was a bizarre scene where a husband introduced an unheard-of culture to his bewildered wife, but thankfully, their reactions were positive.
“Oh, that sounds fun! So the object he picks will decide his blessings.”
Even Mar, Padie’s real mom, showed interest when she heard, “The object picked at the first birthday determines the child’s potential!”
“But do they have to pick just one?”
“Pfft.”
Mar’s question, laced with slight greed, made me laugh.
Looks like she and I are on the same wavelength! I had thought of Padie sweeping all the doljabi objects too, so it seems Mar might be thinking something along those lines too.
“It’s about choosing the most outstanding talent Padie will have. If he grabs more than one, it would lose its significance.”
“If it’s our Padie, he’ll excel in all of them…”
Seeing Mar mumble in disappointment, I felt pleased. I was worried she wouldn’t take kindly to my strange superstitions, but she was so cooperative, I couldn’t help but feel grateful.
“It’s a bit disappointing there are only four. Wouldn’t it be better to have a few more?”
“Still, health, wealth, studies, and martial arts are pretty much covered, right?”
Meanwhile, Rizie and Trixie, who were watching Padie waddling along, whispered among themselves.
Rizie made a valid point. I’ve heard tales of people sometimes grabbing judges’ mallets or stethoscopes too. It’s not just about studying hard but about which path they choose, their specialties too.
But I don’t want to put those items in there. I refuse to add items that represent specific professions like a judge’s gavel or a stethoscope.
‘Our Padie will live like a wealthy layabout.’
Not a civil servant like me, bogged down by work.
“Can you tell that by what the child grabs…?”
In the midst of this, Lynn’s comment drew everyone’s attention towards me.
I almost blurted out “Why are you looking at me?” but held my tongue, recalling that I had become a monster who had two sons and three daughters in just two years of marriage.
*
Our beloved Padie. My prideful firstborn and son.
And, in the future, the sub-lord who will take up the mantle of the Krasius family behind Karl.
“Uh-oh! Mama!”
“Yes, sweetie, I’m right here.”
He’s grown big enough now to walk and even call for me, our precious son.
And today was Padie’s first birthday. It’s already been a whole year since our little treasure joined us!
“Mama!”
As Padie waddled towards me and flung himself into my arms, I couldn’t help but beam.
Karl had previously grumbled that Titi and Mama had no trouble talking, but why hadn’t Padie called him yet? But I believe our clever Padie will call him soon enough.
“Mar.”
Just then, Karl, who had been mingling with the guests at the banquet, approached.
As soon as I thought about Karl, he showed up. We really are in sync as a couple!
“Let’s sit him down. The guests haven’t even seen the protagonist’s face.”
“Yeah, we can’t let our honored guests leave without seeing anything.”
Most of the guests hadn’t laid their eyes on Padie’s face yet as he zoomed around, and it was ridiculous, considering this was a banquet celebrating him.
“Karl.”
“Hmm?”
“I hope Padie grabs the thread and lives a long, healthy life.”
I don’t need him to be exceptionally intelligent, famous as a warrior, or wealthy. As a parent, all we wish for our child is to live a long, healthy life.
“I feel the same way.”
Karl smiled softly as he caressed Padie’s cheek.
“As long as he’s healthy and lives long, I can give him everything else.”
With that confident statement, I couldn’t help but chuckle softly.
Padie, however, did not pick the thread at all.
“Do you want to pick something that you like, Padie?”
“Uuuh?”
He remained in Karl’s embrace, gazing at the items with wide eyes, tilting his head in confusion.
Sure, it’s a bit unexpected, but it’s completely normal for babies to do what they want instead of following adults’ wishes. Everybody, including Karl and the guests, smiled at Padie’s perplexed expression.
“Okay, pick your favorite!”
“Jo— ah!”
“Right! What you like!”
With his adorable yet clumsy pronunciation, Karl leaned in, nodding enthusiastically, and casually moved closer to the thread.
Now, that’s a bit embarrassing, Karl. What kind of father decides his kid’s favorite?
“Appa!”
“…Huh?”
But oh, it didn’t take long for Karl’s awkwardness to evaporate.
Padie, with big eyes blinking, grabbed Karl’s sleeve and grinned widely while calling out for him.
“Appa! A-Ba!”
“Uh… uh…”
As Karl faced the overwhelming “Dad” attack, he froze, unable to string together any words.
“Appa! Jo- ah!”
“Aww.”
It’s happening; Karl is losing it!
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