Chapter: 714
They say humans are creatures of adaptation.
Once an event occurs, it can happen again, and if it happens twice, it’s bound to happen three times. And here I am, the seasoned veteran who’s experienced the same situation five times. Yes, I’ve racked up quite the collection of valuable experiences.
Maybe that’s why I could face the sixth delivery with calmness. Over the past three years, I’ve witnessed five births and seven children come into this world. By the time the sixth rolls around, I should be well accustomed to it, right?
In the empire, there are probably not many husbands more seasoned than I. Narrowing it down to my age group, I can confidently say there’s no one better than me. A perfect and flawless me trembling? That’s just absurd—
“Stop stomping if you’re not going to break the floor. It’s distracting.”
‘Ah.’
I gently grabbed my vibrating leg at the Judicial Minister’s remark.
Honestly, I was just talking nonsense. Even if it were the sixtieth delivery, I doubt I could suppress this tension. Every time my wife gives birth, I’ll bow my head like a sinner, anxiously praying for a smooth delivery. I might not have the ability to see the future, but I can at least see that far.
“It’s not like bad things have happened, and medical staff aren’t the issue. Why are you being so dramatic?”
“Worrying is just inevitable…”
“Go look in a mirror. Who’s worrying about whom here?”
I nearly tried to retort to the Minister’s words, but I gave up. I caught a glimpse of the slight tremor in his folded arms.
This was probably the Minister’s way of comforting me. He probably thinks my frazzled nerves are eased a bit by his bluntness. It’s ridiculous and a bit sad that he’s trying to look out for others while also being on edge himself.
“…I didn’t expect things to turn out this way when I first saw Penelia. You really never know how life will unfold.”
In the midst of the awkward silence, the Minister spoke again.
“When you said you were going to rebuild the Fourth Division and started picking up people here and there, I thought you’d finally gone mad and chosen the path of a slave trader. I just couldn’t fathom how you’d raise a commoner into the Fourth Division.”
“Since when have you claimed to understand things?”
He’s always called me a madman, so this was quite the dramatic turn.
“Yeah, it’s always been hard to understand what’s going on in that head of yours. I’m still baffled as to how someone like you came from the former Count and his lady.”
The Minister clicked his tongue briefly, staring at the firmly closed door.
He was gazing at the room where Pina and the northern one were—where new life was on the verge of entering the world.
“Well, it’s hard to understand that the rascals you brought in have actually resurrected the Fourth Division.”
“All thanks to Pina.”
“You know well. To be honest, you haven’t done much.”
The Minister’s words made me chuckle.
Honestly, all I’ve done is gather orphans who lost their homes due to war or families of fallen Fourth Division members. The Fourth Division, which was on the brink of dissolution, has revived spectacularly, evolving into Special Operations Division 1, all thanks to Pina as the leader.
Pina firmly held the center, leading the Fourth Division. She showed enough force to be called the head of a division.
“A war orphan commoner saves a failing division, receives a title, and becomes the wife of an Imperial Count… Isn’t that the stuff of romantic novels?”
“So, am I the male protagonist of a story?”
“The male protagonist?”
The Minister’s eyes quickly scanned me from head to toe.
“Honestly, you look more like a dark figure or a villain.”
“That’s not something the final villain should say.”
As soon as the words left my mouth, both the Minister and I burst into a laugh.
We’re both relatively objective people. I’m not ugly, but we both know we’re far from the charming and suave impressions. My dark circles probably make me look like I belong in the underworld, and the Minister’s muscular and brutish figure doesn’t help his case either.
“A villain who kidnapped a princess and ended up marrying her, so you’d better get along with her for life.”
“I’ll make sure to keep that in mind.”
Though the conversation ended a bit oddly, my anxious heart gradually calmed down.
Anyway, it’s always his unique way of comforting people.
“Jangsaeng! Push harder for Pina’s mom!”
“Go, Pina’s mom! You can do it!”
As I absentmindedly touched the corners of my mouth, I noticed the kids receiving care from the servants lifting Jangsaeng high into the air.
“I only have the name Jangsaeng…”
And in that moment, looking at Jangsaeng flying helplessly in the air, I felt a mix of solemnity and gratitude.
Once called Death but now known as Jangsaeng. It somehow feels like if ‘Jangsaeng’ is guarding the delivery room, both mother and child will be healthy. Thanks to that, Jangsaeng was dragged to the delivery room by the kids.
It’s quite something. These little ones understand the concept of Jangsaeng. What smart kids!
“Hmmm.”
“What’s wrong?”
“That guy hasn’t even been here for a year, right?”
“Isn’t that so?”
“Then why is he still that size?”
That’s an utterly reasonable question, and I turned my gaze back to Jangsaeng.
‘True?’
I had deeply etched into my mind that ‘Jangsaeng = small,’ but it’s not normal for him to still be so small. A year is a long time in the life of a puppy. Just look at Titi; in a year or two, she grew from a tiny little rascal into a magnificent full-grown dog.
Of course, Jangsaeng isn’t an ordinary animal but a divine beast, yet even the humble chick has grown larger than before. It’s odd that Jangsaeng remains the same size compared to others.
‘…Is he drained of energy?’
It’s a somewhat sad guess, but it’s the most plausible. The poor guy’s probably too exhausted from the kids’ antics to have any energy left to grow.
If that’s the case, I’m sorry. You might have to live your life small.
Or maybe he’ll grow after our kids get a bit bigger. No way they’d still be hanging off him when they’re all adults, right?
“Jangsaeng! Jangsaeng!”
“Let’s go, Jangsaeng!”
“Ahhh…! Please come out safe…”
Watching Jangsaeng’s desperate cries, I quietly turned my head away.
May the blessing of the divine beast reach Pina and the northern one.
*
Outside, I could hear the worried voices of family and servants. The medical staff were busy moving around right beside me.
Everyone was doing their best for me and the northern one. They were striving to ensure that neither of us would suffer any mishaps. It was a heartwarming and touching thing, but—
‘Why… am I feeling totally fine?’
My body, on the other hand, felt embarrassingly calm.
It doesn’t mean the northern one isn’t struggling inside. I could definitely feel the signs of the birth occurring, but my body remained in perfect condition.
It wouldn’t be a lie to say I felt some pain, but it wasn’t enough to have me screaming or crying. It was just a mild discomfort?
‘They always said it was the worst pain of a lifetime.’
Is my memory somehow off? I quickly tried to go over the memories.
But the outcome remained the same. Excluding one miraculous birth, all the birthing experiences I’d heard described in detail the pain of childbirth.
They mentioned how hard it was but also how there would be a precious treasure waiting if they endure. Would have preferred to just cut myself open and pull the baby out. If their wives were present, they’d be pulling their hair out.
‘Am I blessed or something?’
While pondering this, I glanced down at my belly.
It seems our northern one is thinking of being considerate and coming out quietly. I can only assume I’ll have a smooth delivery like Lynn.
‘Thank you.’
So, I expressed my gratitude to the northern one, whom I hadn’t even seen yet.
Such a considerate child, being respectful even while being born. It seems she definitely inherited her mother’s good traits.
“Madam, are you feeling any discomfort?”
Just as I was about to softly close my eyes, I nodded at the voice coming from beside me. It seems my lack of response has made them worried that something might be off.
‘Do I need to scream for decorum’s sake?’
But if I can’t manage the screams properly, it might only cause more worry.
Childbirth really is a difficult task.
The pain, though not large but steadily accumulating, began to loom heavier on me.
If this situation continues, I might just start feeling the weight of childbirth myself.
“Uuuaaaah!”
“What a pretty daughter!”
“You’ve done well, milady!”
Just before I reached my limit, the northern one was born. Our beautiful, cute daughter arrived at just the right moment, like she was promising not to make things hard for her mother.
“Your Excellency! You have a precious daughter—”
“Pina! Northern one!”
And just as the midwife pushed open the door, my wife burst into the room.
A smile instinctively crept onto my face. It’s a sign that they’ve been so concerned for me and the northern one, not even spending a moment away from the corridor.
“Wow! Jangsaeng did a great job!”
“Jangsaeng is amazing! Way to go, buddy!”
“Again, I’m just named Jangsaeng…”
Seeing the children rush in with great enthusiasm brought even more warmth to my heart.
These kids waited for the northern one to arrive. They held off for their newborn sibling.
“Kiddos, Jangsaeng must be tired too, so let’s give him some space now.”
“Okay!”
“Thank you, Jangsaeng!”
Jangsaeng, though I’m unsure what you’ve worked hard on, landed on the ground, showered by the kids’ enthusiastic praise and petting.
Right now, it’s a joyous moment with the northern one’s birth. Jangsaeng is also family, living under the same roof, so he wouldn’t want to see the family looking weary. Today is a day of celebration!
“Pina, are you feeling any pain? Is there any numbness or discomfort?”
“I’m fine. No issues at all.”
As my wife approached me while cradling the northern one, I wore a broad smile.
It was a sight to behold, my wife and my first child coming toward me together. Is there any view more perfect than this in the world?
“Oh, you haven’t held the northern one yet, have you?”
While trying to etch this unforgettable moment in my eyes, my wife carefully handed me the northern one she held.
“A pretty daughter. I guess we’ll have to call her Mary now instead of the northern one.”
Now, the child I should call Mary was nestled in my arms.
“Waah!”
It’s strange. She’s crying as if the room might burst apart, and there’s nothing cute about her tiny, scrunched-up face—weirdly, I feel this tiny, red child is the prettiest of all flowers.
‘Mary…’
My beloved Mary. My precious first child.
Even though her grandparents can’t hold her, I’ll cherish her enough for them.
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