Chapter: 634
Before I knew it, this was my fourth time going through childbirth. You’d think I’d be getting the hang of it by now, but nope! Each time is just as nerve-wracking as the last.
Every time, I’m anxious and worried, terrified that something will go wrong. And each time, I find myself looking for a sign from the gods.
“It’ll be fine.”
Still, I took a deep breath and pushed away the negative feelings.
After all, nothing went wrong in my first three experiences. Even little Rizie, who was weak as a child, managed to give birth to Friedrich without any issues. So of course, Lin, who is stronger than Rizie, would pull through just fine too.
Lin has been healthy and strong even before her pregnancy. She enjoyed walks without overdoing it, so surely—
“It’ll be okay.”
I gently gripped my shaking legs, reassuring myself.
Let’s focus on positive thoughts. Lin will wake up healthy and ride Blackie to shake off that heavy body. My sixth child will grow up surrounded by the attention of the others who are already walking.
I’ve even decided on a name: if it’s a boy, he’ll be Leon; if it’s a girl, Alina. Unlike the triplets who carry Katoban’s name and Friedrich who carries Nairad’s name, this one will carry the name of Krasius.
“Leon Krasius of Wieridia.”
Or maybe it could even be Alina Krasius of Wieridia.
Of course, I did say to Lin that if there’s another child, I’d pass down Wieridia, but honestly, it doesn’t matter whether there’s one or not. It’d be nice if there were, but even without it, this child will be precious. A child inheriting their father’s territory? No problem at all.
So all I need is for you to be born safely. This dad has everything prepared for you. Just show up smiling by our side.
“D—Daddy.”
“Pedi?”
As I calmed myself down, I spotted Pedi waddling towards me from down the hallway.
I had earnestly instructed the semi-divine beings to keep him entertained, but it looks like Pedi was determined to see the adults.
‘Kids pick up on everything.’
Even if they forget most of it as they grow, young children still have eyes and ears. If there’s an unusual atmosphere and all the adults who always smile at him are tense, of course, even Pedi would notice something was off.
Or maybe, since he’s still innocent, he could be even more sensitive to others’ feelings.
“Little Lord, how did you get here?”
“Are you bored? Why don’t you come with us for a walk in the garden? Titi would want to play with you too.”
At that moment, the two maids in the hallway hurriedly rushed to Pedi.
This space isn’t quite the best for a child. Everyone here is tense, and I can even hear sounds of pain coming from behind the door. That could be traumatizing for Pedi, who has no clue about childbirth.
“Pedi, come to Daddy.”
“Y—You, Master?”
However, my arms instinctively reached out to Pedi.
Thinking logically, it would be better for the maids to take him somewhere else. But Pedi came here of his own accord, on his own will.
Little Pedi, still so young, came because he was worried about his mom. That thought made it impossible to send him away.
“Carl, is this okay?”
As Pedi rushed into my arms, Marghetta looked at me with concern etched on her face.
“It’s okay. The eldest son can be there for the birth of his little sibling.”
“Still…”
“I’ll keep him entertained.”
As I patted Pedi’s back in my embrace, I smiled warmly.
Marghetta was probably worried Pedi would get traumatized just like me. And as she anxiously worried about Lin, she must be feeling overwhelmed with concern for Pedi too.
That’s why I intended to hold Pedi tightly. I wanted today to stay in his memories not as a stiff day, nor a day when his fourth mother screamed—but rather, as the day his cute little sibling was born.
“Hey, Pedi. Do you want to see your little sibling later?”
“Do—do—sibling?”
“Yep, little sibling. Your fourth mom is going to give you a brother or sister.”
At my words, Pedi nodded vigorously.
Now, he’s familiar with the concept of a sibling as he’s been playing with the triplets and taking care of Friedrich, who’s still lying down. Thanks to that, instead of being reluctant to welcome a new sibling, he even seemed to approve of it.
“Now, in that room, your fourth mom is making your sibling. Shall we cheer her on?”
“Yay! Fourth mom! Fighting!”
With Pedi’s cheerful voice, the tension in the hallway seemed to dissolve.
I noticed my own face relaxing as I enjoyed the atmosphere. If I could keep this mood up, I could give Pedi nothing but good memories—
“Your Highness!”
Suddenly, the tightly shut door swung open.
At the same time, everyone who was in the hallway froze in place.
‘…Why is it opening so soon?’
Before I realized it, the hand holding Pedi began to shake.
It had only been three hours. Just three hours had passed. It wasn’t even nighttime yet; the sun hadn’t even set.
So why was the door that absolutely shouldn’t open before the birth was done opening?
‘Why?’
Could something have gone wrong? Was there a critical issue with the birth?
If that was the case, what should I do? Should I send the best medical personnel from the Magic Tower and Cathedral? But the ones in that room are already the best…
“Congratulations! You have a beautiful daughter!”
Huh?
…
In that moment, my head went blank.
I glanced alternately between Lin lying on the bed, catching her breath, and the baby crying in the midwife’s arms.
It’s real. The childbirth is over. And both of them are healthy.
“Ha.”
As I stared captivated, laughter bubbled forth. I certainly didn’t expect this, but what a pleasant surprise! I’ll welcome any surprise like this.
‘Who would’ve thought it would be done in just three hours?’
I know my mother took about two hours when she gave birth to Teresa. But my mother had experience since she had given birth to Erich and me before Teresa. You can’t really compare Lin, who’s giving birth for the first time, to her.
“Your Highness, would you like to hold her?”
“Oh, sure.”
While I was wondering if Lin was stronger than I thought, the midwife handed me the baby.
A beautiful and cute daughter. My sixth child and fourth daughter.
“Alina.”
I muttered the name that I had already decided with Lin.
Let’s put Leon’s name on hold for now. If Lin has another boy later, we’ll bring it up again.
“Waaah!”
And in response to my muttering, Alina cried even louder as if she realized I was calling her name.
‘Alina…’
I felt my eyes getting misty at that sight.
This marks four times. This is the fourth time I’m experiencing this. A newborn infant, my blood, crying in my arms for the fourth time. I suppose you could say this is the sixth since we count each of the triplets.
But it never gets old. It’s always new and joyous, every time a child is born. Just like how the wives get tense when entering the delivery room, it’s pure joy every time a child is welcomed.
“Hey, our Alina. Let’s go see Mommy.”
I smiled at the crying Alina and walked over to Lin.
It must feel bittersweet for Lin to have the daughter she carried for ten months slip from her embrace. While I’m holding her, she should be able to hold her child again in her arms.
“Lin, you’ve worked hard.”
“Ah, Oppa.”
As I said this and handed Alina over, Lin welcomed her with a soft yet bright smile.
“She’s beautiful.”
“Isn’t she? Whose daughter is she?”
Lin’s grin deepened at that.
“Are you feeling okay?”
“Uh… I’m better than I thought. I’m tired, but it’s not to the point where I can’t move.”
I gently pushed Lin, who was trying to get up, back onto the bed.
No matter how fine she claims to be, she’s just given birth. It’s best to let her rest.
“I really am okay though.”
“I’m not okay, so just rest. You have no idea how surprised I was when that door suddenly opened.”
At that, Lin let out a chuckle while caressing Alina’s chubby cheeks.
Now that I think about it, I haven’t even touched Alina’s chubby cheeks yet. Caught up in the excitement of having my fourth daughter, I completely forgot this simple yet delightful task.
“Looks like our Alina was eager to come out and see the world. Thanks to that, Mommy is doing well.”
“Pedi cheered for Lin and Alina too.”
“Pedi?”
When I nodded, Lin turned her gaze to the door, where Pedi entered, held in Marghetta’s arms, reaching out toward Lin.
“My fourth mom! Fighting!”
With his somewhat delayed cheer from earlier, Lin’s eyes went wide.
“Pedi.”
“Yup!”
“Is there a little brother or sister here?”
This time, Lin looked at Pedi with wide eyes.
“Sibling! Do—do—sibling!”
Waving his arms excitedly at Lin, the sight made the tension in the room fade, and even the maids and other women started to smile one by one.
What a heartwarming sight. This must be what makes enduring those ten long months worthwhile.
“Lin!”
At that moment, I heard my father-in-law’s voice coming from a distance. It seems like my mother-in-law is with him too, judging by the overlapping footsteps.
She said she was running late because she had some business to take care of, but I didn’t expect her to arrive only after the childbirth was over. Of course, no one could’ve predicted Lin would finish giving birth in just three hours.
“It looks like you made it just in time.”
I chuckled at the sight of Lin making a sulky face.
It seems Lin will wield absolute power in front of them for a while to come.
*
Our daughter Alina.
A precious child who carries on the name of my brother, Krasius.
“Alina Krasius.”
Observing the peacefully sleeping child, I couldn’t help but smile.
I was happy when this child was in my womb, but being able to see and hold her makes me feel like I’m flying. I finally understand the feelings of my first two wives and Rizie after they gave birth.
‘So precious.’
She hasn’t even opened her eyes properly yet, but she’s already so lovable. I feel like I could do anything for her.
“Fourth mom?”
“Hmm?”
While I was savoring the moment watching Alina sleep, the door swung open, and Pedi dashed into the room.
“My fourth mom! My fourth mom!”
“Uh-oh! Uh-oh!”
“Sibling~”
Following close behind, the triplets tumbled into the room in a rush.
It felt like little chicks were flocking around; my heart raced. The moment the kids started walking, the entire mansion instantly brightened.
“Did you come to see Alina?”
“Yup! Yup!”
With Pedi answering in the lead, the triplets looked up at me with wide, sparkling eyes.
Well, they’re really looking at the bundle in my arms, but still.
“Sure, go ahead and take a look.”
That’s fine. It’s a joyous thing when the kids get along.
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