Chapter: 716
Poor little Ferentz, still unable to crawl, was left lying alone while his older siblings dashed around the mansion. But today, a special companion came to spend the day with him.
Our youngest, Mary. Since the newly-born Mary can’t crawl either, she joined Ferentz in bed. This way, both Ferentz and Mary could keep each other company and be less bored.
‘They do look alike like this.’
Ferentz, with his white hair resembling Erich, and Mary, with her gray hair starting to sprout like Pina’s.
Though their mother is different, their father is the same, and with half their blood being shared, it’s no wonder they have a strangely similar hair color. They clearly look like siblings!
“Wow!”
While I smiled at the sight of the two lying side by side, Ferentz abruptly opened his eyes, wide awake.
“Did our Ferentz wake up?”
“Awoo!”
As Ferentz sprang up energetically, I playfully wiggled my finger, and he grinned brightly, grabbing it with enthusiasm.
Our little Ferentz, despite still being a baby, is brimming with energy. Once he grows up a bit, he’ll be racing around the mansion with his big siblings.
“Awo?”
After some time tugging at my finger and giggling, Ferentz turned his head sideways, curiously peering at his new little sister.
“First time seeing her, huh? That’s your little sister you need to look after.”
“Wuu?”
Ferentz babbled as if still puzzled by my words.
Of course, it makes sense. How could this tiny creature be understood as a little sister? He’d have to be able to talk and walk around a bit more before grasping that concept.
Yet, it’s amazing how destiny connects family bonds, even blood ties.
“Awo!”
Ferentz blinked at Mary, then broke out into another bright smile, flailing his little hands toward her.
Ferentz had no idea that Mary was his little sister or even part of his family. To him, she was just this magical little being that appeared by his side after he woke up.
Still, he showed interest and affection toward Mary. Maybe instincts are guiding him even if he doesn’t consciously realize it.
“Since your moms are friends, you two should get along too, right?”
I gently stroked Ferentz’s head while making an unspoken request. I hope Ferentz and Mary can grow up as close siblings just like Erich and Pina. They are only a year apart, so I want them to live in harmony without squabbling.
“U!”
Ferentz smiled brightly as if he understood me.
This dad feels incredibly happy to have such kind and smart children.
“Uuuuh…”
“Aha.”
But I had momentarily forgotten that Mary was asleep due to focusing too much on Ferentz.
Whoops. What a blunder to chat so long in front of the sleeping kid! If she becomes even a bit sensitive, it could become quite bothersome.
“U-”
“…Did you sleep well?”
I awkwardly greeted Mary as she slowly opened her eyes. She blinked a few times before promptly closing them again.
Thank goodness… our Mary is so relaxed than I imagined.
‘But I need to be more careful from now on.’
Just because I got lucky this time, she may very well respond with cries next time.
*
My wife and I made a promise even before Mar’s wedding.
All the wives, except for Trixie, promised not to aim for a second child until at least one child had been born for each.
The reason was both simple and important. If one wife had two or three children, while another wife had none, it would be lonely and painful for her. While I wouldn’t love my wives any less based on the number of kids, it might stir anxious feelings if one felt left out as the only one without a child.
Moreover, this world is not modern; it’s a more advanced super medieval era. So, passing on family lineage is significant, which could lead my wives and me to see things differently regarding pregnancy.
‘Still didn’t expect Trixie to give birth to triplets all at once.’
The reason Trixie was excluded from this gentleman’s agreement was due to her species difference. To be honest, back when the agreement was made, I, Trixie, and the other wives, along with the servants of the Duke of Katoban, all considered Trixie’s sterility. The barrier between species is rather high.
Nevertheless, Trixie also gave birth to triplets, making every wife a mother. The gentleman agreement that lasted around four years has finally come to a fair conclusion.
“…Well.”
After the gentleman’s agreement concluded, I faced a little trial.
“Yes, Carl. What is it?”
“Lately, our meals seem somewhat similar. Is it just my imagination?”
Despite my reasonable question, Mar simply smiled and began dishing food onto my plate without any response.
Oysters, eel, salmon with asparagus, kale, and other foods that blatantly imply meanings.
‘Just the smell makes me feel nauseous.’
I unconsciously shut my eyes.
Days passed—many days—where this diet persisted. It wasn’t just during dinner; every single meal looked like this.
I may pride myself on stamina, but waking up every morning feeling jittery from this diet is a bit much. What if I face problems from overeating?
“Can’t we eat a bit lighter today?”
I gathered courage to finally voice my concern after staring blankly at my meal.
Please, no matter how good the food tastes, eating the same thing continuously becomes a burden. Eel or salmon isn’t exactly light fare either; those are pretty rich foods.
“Light? Just in case, I made oatmeal from oats. How’s that?”
“I think I’ll just stick with this…”
Seeing Mar grin widely, I quietly picked up my fork.
From my limited knowledge, I think oats are similar to eel in terms of substance. The flavors may differ, but the effects aren’t too far off.
‘Our Mary… won’t be the youngest for long…’
As I popped an oyster in my mouth, a bitter smile crept onto my face.
It looks like our mansion will soon be filled with children’s cries.
*
Watching Karl enjoy his meal brought a smile to my face.
Our mansion’s head chef is a talented individual who receives endless praise from guests. Just imagining how excellent the meal prepared with the finest ingredients would be was something quite exciting.
If anyone gets fed up by daily meals, that’s inevitable, but food being bad enough to avoid? That’s unthinkable.
I even helped the chef in the kitchen! Well, helping meant flipping oysters so they wouldn’t burn, but still, my hands had touched the food.
“Food made with Madam’s affection! Surely, Your Grace will be moved!”
Just as our jovial chef boasted, Karl carried on, determinedly eating.
Initially, he frowned slightly, but thereafter, he made a satisfied face while enjoying his meal.
‘This should be enough, right?’
Watching Karl, I unconsciously gulped.
I recalled my third sister’s advice, suggesting I should definitely try it.
– Didn’t the Duke go to the Holy Kingdom for his honeymoon? It’s like going abroad for a honeymoon, and you should mention that you want to go too. Your brother-in-law would likely apologize for not taking you sooner!
“Should I…?”
– Indeed. Just don’t forget to mention you want to go alone. Even if he’s perceptive, he could easily miss that point.
Having completed the family pact peacefully, now is the time to hope for baby number two.
Upon hearing this news, my third sister urged me to travel abroad with Karl. Somewhere without anyone meddling in our affairs. With Trixie having gone already, it also won’t seem like I’m lagging behind.
And to be in a space with only the two of us… well, that’s where I’d aim for a second child.
‘…That should do.’
So for a while now, I’ve been treating Karl to only the best meals.
For the second child. For our happiness together. To keep his stamina up during our travels.
“Um, Karl?”
“Yeah?”
After taking a deep breath inside, I decided to casually speak to Karl, who was wrapping up his meal.
Never shy. Never hesitant. After all, Karl and I are a couple. I am his first wife. I have every right to ask something like this. Like my third sister said, “Karl is likely to apologize for not doing so earlier.”
“Now that Mary has been born safely… and Pina has recovered, healthy and well…”
Now all I have to ask is, ‘Would you like to go traveling together?’ Just that one sentence should suffice.
Yet, my lips wouldn’t move. Just one sentence is all it takes, I just need to take a breath and ask…
“By the way, I also had something to say.”
“Oh, yes, yes! Please go first!”
Nodding eagerly at Karl’s words, I felt a bit flustered.
What’s wrong with me? It’s not like we’ve been married for three months; we’ve been together for three years! Yet I can’t even muster the words I want to say.
‘And here I am…’
With an uncontrollable blush warming my cheeks, I realized how nervous I was around Karl.
But what can I do? I always get fluttery and excited when standing before him.
“Since it’s food made with Madam’s affection, why not go on a leisurely trip together?”
“Wait, what?”
“Considering we rarely travel together just the two of us, what do you say we take this opportunity to go away for a bit?”
As Karl proposed exactly what I was hoping to say, I found myself nodding blankly.
Guess couples can sync thoughts without even speaking, huh?
*
Seeing Mar’s gleeful expression made me feel warm inside.
‘Thank you, sister-in-law.’
At the same time, I sent a silent thank you to my third sister, now in the Duchy of Wulken.
Last night, she suddenly contacted me through the communication portal, and I was shocked. When she suggested I take Mar on a trip, I was utterly taken aback.
“I actually told Mar to try and charm her brother-in-law. But you know how our Mar is, super shy and hesitant in crucial moments.”
“That sounds about right.”
“So try and prompt him to bring up the trip while you help little Mar. If Mar takes charge of it, we might not hear about the trip until next month.”
However, my third sister’s advice was wise and filled with family insight. In truth, Mar had hesitated and remained silent.
‘We should have gone earlier.’
Seeing Mar so thrilled at the prospect of traveling with Karl, I felt both affection and guilt. How long had she been wanting this? She looked so happy, like a child.
All of this chaos was due to my negligence. I should reflect on it well.
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