Chapter: 677
Me, the Emperor, the Empress, and the situation. Even four adults brainstorming couldn’t solve the conundrum that tormented me at the mansion.
While showing off the stability of the Crown Princess’s succession, we had to figure out a suitable scale for the birth banquet of the first royal born since the Emperor’s ascension. How could we catch both rabbits without letting one go?
Honestly, the best-case scenario would be if the second child was also a daughter. If the first is the Crown Princess and the second is the Second Princess, and then the Third is a Prince? No one would really believe that the third kid would leapfrog over two elder sisters to claim the title of Crown Prince. Anyone who thinks so probably has a personal grudge against the Crown Princess.
‘But I can’t leave everything to luck.’
However, the odds of the second being a boy or a girl are fifty-fifty, and only Enen knows the truth. Trusting the royal succession and the Empire’s peace to fate is way too irresponsible.
So let’s assume the second child is a boy and work from there. A Prince appearing just three years behind the Crown Princess—that’s our future.
‘When will that be?’
And driving me even crazier is not knowing when the First Prince will be born.
The human body isn’t a machine. You can’t just punch in the pregnancy date and have a baby exactly ten months later. Babies could come earlier or later than expected.
Which means we’re holding a crazy ticking bomb with a time limit—but we have no idea when it’ll blow up.
‘How horrifying.’
My head began to spin. When would this bomb go off? If the bomb explodes before I can defuse it, I’ll be stuck dealing with the aftermath for a while—can I sort things out before that happens?
I don’t know. Nothing is certain. The only thing I can do right now is pray to all the gods I know for the second to be the Second Princess.
“Minister?”
“Huh?”
While I was staring blankly out the window at the garden, I heard Erich’s voice and turned around.
To my surprise, the now noticeably pregnant Erich and the very identifiable Pina were waddling down the hallway together. It seems like the chilly weather has driven them indoors for a stroll instead of the garden.
“Why are you walking around instead of lying down? Hayang must be tired.”
“If I just lie down, I’ll be more tired! Hayang is so lively, you know?”
I glanced at Erich’s belly.
If our child takes after both me and Erich, it won’t be shy at all. If the mom just lies in bed, he’s likely going to throw a tantrum.
“You’re not dragging Pina around just because you’re bored, are you?”
But I can’t accept the notion of sacrificing Pina just to keep Hayang entertained.
Well, if Erich were alone, I might assume she was off on an adventure for Hayang, but with Pina by her side, it just looks like Erich’s bored and brought her along. The claim that Hayang is lively could be a convenient excuse.
“Who do you think I am! I wouldn’t just go out randomly to torture a pregnant friend!”
The way she said that sounded like if she weren’t pregnant, she’d have done just that.
“Plus, Pina suggested walking with me before I could even ask!”
Sounds like if she gets bored, she’d drag anyone along with her, pregnancy or not.
Still, I tried to ignore the rising rational suspicions. Pina did volunteer first, and pulling on Erich’s lips might not sit well for Hayang’s prenatal education.
“Okay then, that’s fine, but Pina, try not to move around too much. Just lie down as much as possible. North-side babies tend to kick less, so they’d prefer to stay still.”
“Yes, I’ll keep that in mind.”
Pina replied with a gentle smile, caressing her belly.
North-side. That’s the nickname we’ve given to the child we’re having, a name chosen to commemorate where Pina and I first met in the northern part of the Empire.
Sure, naming our child North-side might seem a bit odd, but we’re already filling our kids’ nicknames with nature and colors, so adding a directional element isn’t that weird.
Anyway, I decided to think that way.
“By the way, Minister. What were you doing alone here? Is there something in the garden?”
Erich waddled closer and peeked toward the window.
“Nothing much, just sorting out my thoughts.”
While I ruffled Erich’s hair, I let out a silent sigh.
Thank goodness. If Erich and Pina hadn’t caught me lost in my thoughts about work, I might have been outed by other maids or ladies. I could’ve broadcast my personal dilemmas all around.
“Is this about the second child?”
Erich’s question froze my hand mid-ruffle.
“…How did you know?”
“Senior mentioned it. With the second child on the way, it’s a pity we can’t just celebrate purely due to adult matters.”
A bitter smile involuntarily crossed my face. Like the Empress said, it was a moment of new life arriving, yet dirty adult affairs and politics were muddying the joy of that birth.
It’s a disheartening thought. When the second child comes into the world, what will be the first sight it sees? Parents’ beaming faces filled with joy? Or maybe a relieved or disappointed examination of its gender?
It should absolutely be the former—yet given the current situation, it might lean toward the latter. No human being can remember their birth, but the first sight that a child sees shouldn’t be like that.
“The Empress must be having a tough time too.”
“If she weren’t pregnant, she would’ve mixed some liquor in with more liquor.”
That indictment rang clear, so I looked back out at the garden.
It was a strange thing. Though it was a rather bitter statement, it surprisingly cleared my tangled feelings.
“Erich.”
“Yes?”
“Whether it’s the Second Princess or the First Prince, they won’t be that many weeks apart from Hayang, right?”
“I bet? After all, we’re both pregnant around the same time.”
Thinking about Hayang, who is due to arrive soon, and North-side, who will be born about six months later, made my resolve even firmer.
In truth, it seems more accurate to say I’ve finally faced the answer I’d been avoiding.
*
A little while after the moon rose, the Minister came to visit.
An unexpected visit. It’s a rare occasion for the Minister to drop by twice in one day, and especially at night—that’s practically unheard of. You could say it’s a first for both scenarios hitting at once.
“We must prepare the birth banquet for the one who will arrive soon, fully extravagant.”
But just before I could even ask what was up, the Minister, with a serious look and firm words, dove right in.
“This is the first royal born after His Majesty’s ascension, and for them, it’s a once-in-a-lifetime celebration. Therefore, it’s our duty to celebrate to the best of our ability.”
“…Is that wise? If it’s a daughter, then no problem, but if it’s a son, unnecessary talks could arise.”
The Minister’s words forced a long-sealed mouth of mine to open.
It was pleasing to hear. Having the world celebrate the birth of my child, having a grand celebration, is a joy greater than anything for a father.
However, it’s a decision the Emperor can’t make lightly. Moreover, siblings might view each other as targets to eliminate, so it weighs on me as a father.
“I will take responsibility!”
The Minister waved aside my concerns in a single breath.
“I am the godfather to Her Highness the Crown Princess. The head of the Information Department, a respectable noble council member, and the owner of countless dominions. I’m a commander receiving the loyalty of the northern nomads.”
He brandished his metaphorical sword, reassuring me.
“With everything I have, I will serve the Crown Princess. My family and connected houses will rally to support your reign.”
“Minister.”
“So, Your Majesty, do not worry. If anyone dares question the authority and dignity of Her Highness the Crown Princess, they’ll have to go through me first.”
He said the words I desperately wanted to hear, the words I longed for.
All would be well, so there’s no need to worry. There’s no need for the upcoming child to be wronged due to political matters.
“Minister, do you know?”
As the corners of my mouth lifted, I patted the Minister’s shoulder.
“Seeing you as the godfather of the Crown Princess is a stroke of good fortune for Livnoman.”
“Your words are too kind.”
I chuckled, looking down at the Minister who lowered his head.
A situation where our child might suffer due to adult affairs was resolved by an adult stepping in. He even made a promise promising everything he had.
‘As a father, the Minister is above me.’
That thought echoed resonantly, one I could no longer deny. A father of six does indeed have something unique about them.
No, in fact, counting the undisclosed children, I’m a father of eight.
‘It’s only been two years since the first wedding.’
Two years. In that span, even granted three years if stretched, having six children is nothing short of miraculous.
*
Finishing my conversation with the Minister, I realized it was nearly time for the Crown Princess to drift into sleep.
An anxious moment. At this rate, I might miss out on kissing my princess goodnight as she slips into slumber.
But I wasn’t anxious. Maybe it was because I had just heard the most solid words—unbelievably, my heart was at ease.
“Appa!”
And upon reaching the Empress’s palace, a casually-dressed Crown Princess greeted me, wearing pajamas of blue.
“I see our Crown Princess has been waiting for this daddy.”
She held out her crumpled ‘little brother calendar,’ which she called her little brother calendar.
“I’m gonna ask! What’s my little bro’s name!?”
“Name, huh?”
Her pure curiosity filled me with mixed feelings of joy and guilt.
“I have a few names I’ve thought up. Do you want to choose together?”
“Wow! Yes, please!”
Had the Minister not shown up, I might have only felt guilt.
“Mommy should join in too!”
“Of course, she should.”
Perhaps the Empress too, in her sadness, would bear the second child.
Thanks to the Minister, the Imperial Family could keep both its dignity and happiness intact.
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