Chapter: 819
Having a child is the greatest gift for all living beings. For humans, the pinnacle of creation, and even for ordinary beasts.
But knowing it in theory and feeling it in practice are worlds apart. Even though I knew before marriage that children were the best gift, when Pedi was cradled in Mar’s arms, I felt happiness that was beyond words. And when Pedi came to join us, I nearly cried.
No, wait, did I actually cry? It’s a bit hazy, considering this is my sixth child.
Anyway, welcoming a new life is a joyful event that never becomes boring or familiar, no matter how many times you experience it.
‘What is happening?’
It seems that Nar wanted to surprise Daddy a little, or maybe a lot. I definitely didn’t expect a royal daughter to pop out the very next day. Shouldn’t I be grateful that Nar at least didn’t decide to arrive on the same day?
Yeah, let’s think positively. If Nar was really determined, she would have been born yesterday, and she probably would have timed it to come while I was out, not after I got home. Just imagining rushing home with eight kids in a frenzy is dizzying.
“Looks like you’re not trembling anymore.”
“Oh, Father-in-law.”
While I was blankly staring at the delivery room door, I heard my father-in-law’s voice along with his familiar footsteps coming from down the hallway.
Right now, embarrassment outweighed any tension. My usual anxiety and nervousness had vanished thanks to Nar. What a thoughtful child.
“I believe with Mar and our child, they will be healthy. Feeling anxious would mean I don’t trust the family.”
Separating my small emotional touch from my words, I gave my father-in-law the textbook-perfect response. After all, it’s his new grandchild being born, but here’s the youngest son-in-law distracted by someone else’s kid. How disheartening that must be for him.
So let’s not say I was thinking about the princess, but rather that I trust Mar and Nar. That’s a win-win for both of us.
‘Is it because he’s retired that he arrived so quickly?’
Seeing my father-in-law rush over faster than anyone else was a bit strange. I knew he cared for Mar, but I didn’t expect him to show up in under five minutes after receiving my message. Was he secretly prepping a five-minute readiness squad for Nar’s birth?
“You’re right. Enough trembling for the first time. After that, just trusting the family and waiting is all one needs.”
As I admired the miraculous sight of the former Duke’s five-minute readiness squad, my father-in-law nodded in satisfaction with my response.
Thank goodness. For a spontaneous answer, it turned out well.
“Father!”
“Oh, our Pedi is here too!”
Just then, my father-in-law’s serious expression melted away as he noticed Pedi greeting him from my side.
Is it just me, or does he seem more amiable since handing over the title of Duke? Without his title, he looks almost like a regular grandfather if you ignore his towering frame.
“Pedi, soon you’ll have a new little brother!”
“Yay! I’m so happy! I saw my little brother, and now we’ll have another sibling!”
“You saw a little brother?”
My father-in-law raised his brows slightly at Pedi’s words, then turned to me, as if asking, “What’s this about?”
“Princess was born yesterday. The Empress is still recovering, so the official announcement shouldn’t come until tomorrow or the day after.”
“Oh wow.”
My father-in-law was taken aback by my response.
“You already knew before the official announcement?”
“Well, I do visit the palace quite often.”
I chuckled sheepishly, and my father-in-law clicked his tongue softly.
The truth is, if it weren’t for Erich, I would still be in the dark about it. I found out right away since the Empress’s honorary sister was in our mansion.
“Well, that’s fine. If she’s just one day older than our Nar, it means they’ll be great friends.”
“Absolutely.”
I turned my attention back to the firmly shut delivery room door.
The Crown Princess and Prince are already living as siblings with our kids. It’s obvious the little princess born yesterday will join the friendship circle too, especially since they share a birthday. They might just become inseparable soul friends!
‘Will they be friends of the opposite sex or the same sex?’
It doesn’t really matter, but I hope they’re the same sex. I already have a son who looks like me, so it’s time for a daughter who resembles Mar.
Of course, it would also be fine if the son took after Mar as well. Whether a son or daughter, all of them are still my kids.
And thus, the second princess Caroline’s friend was decided to be a same-sex companion.
“Waaaah!”
The little girl who inherited the blood of Krasius and Valenti sounds like she’s going to blow the delivery room away with her cries.
With thin, short hair like fluff, she has also inherited Krasius’s dark hair.
‘Does Mar and my genes combine well?’
Most other kids end up with their mother’s hair, but interestingly, the children Mar gives birth to seem to favor their dad’s black hair. It’s fascinating.
“Great job, Mar. This time a beautiful girl.”
“Hehe… I thought as long as they’re healthy, I wouldn’t mind if it’s a boy or girl, but I’m so happy to have a daughter. Human greed is endless.”
Mar gave a small laugh and carefully propped herself up.
This time, she received magic to ease her pain, and since it’s her second delivery, it went smoother than the first. She was even able to sit up instead of lying down.
“Thank you for coming despite your busy schedule.”
“Busy? What could be busier? Your brother and sister-in-law are handling the banquet preparations.”
His confident reply made me chuckle.
Currently, the Valenti Duchy is preparing a feast to celebrate my brother’s elevation to Duke. As the former head of the family, my father-in-law is now a free man, extricated from all responsibilities.
He probably came alone without the mother-in-law because of that. She’s likely nagging him from the back, but my father-in-law is happily—
“Why the stare?”
“I was wondering if our Nar would grow up as strong as you, since the Iron-Blooded Duke is watching over here.”
From my reflexive flattery, my father-in-law’s lips curled into a smile.
It’s been four years since I became the son-in-law to the Duke. Now, I can unconsciously spill sweet words into my father-in-law’s ears.
“Waaaaah…”
“Oh, she’s stopping her cries already.”
In the meantime, Nar’s loud wailing gradually faded away.
What a remarkable child. Skipping noisily through the necessary stages, she’s now entering the peaceful sleep phase. Indeed, our Nar is a devoted daughter.
*
Is this a dream?
“Minister. What did you just say?”
– I too welcomed a small, precious youngest yesterday. Just like the beautiful Princess.
I blinked in confusion at the Minister’s words and rubbed my chin.
Yesterday was when the Minister brought his kids to the palace. If I haven’t wrongly slept for three or four days, that much is accurate.
But it’s such a coincidence that after seeing the princess, the Minister got to see his own child on the same day. What an extraordinary happening.
“What a marvelous coincidence! Who would have guessed the youngest of the royal family would be born just a day apart from our Krasius family?”
– Consider it a late New Year’s gift; isn’t it joyful? A precious gift you can’t buy even if you sell off your title.
“Ha, true enough.”
I couldn’t help but laugh at the Minister casually expressing his hopes. Normally, one wouldn’t just slip such thoughts out loud unless they really wanted to sell their title.
“So, what’s the name of the youngest?”
– We named her Yulia.
“Is that so?”
Yulia. Yulia Krasius.
‘They’ll be good friends.’
In a situation where all the children of the royal family are older siblings to the princess, a child born on the same day as the princess is bound to become special friends. How many more children the Minister may have this year remains to be seen, but for now, this girl is the only one born on the same day as the princess.
No. Considering their birthdays are separated only by a day, even if other peers join later, the bond between the princess and Yulia might be extra special. Plus, they share the same gender.
“When Yulia is able to go out, bring her to the palace. We need to introduce her to the princess.”
– Yes, Your Majesty. I will do that.
As I watched the Minister bow his head, I suddenly thought of the Crown Princess standing next to the princess.
How would the Crown Princess react to hearing about Yulia’s birth? Would she jump for joy over the arrival of a new sister, only to be surprised again that another sister has come along?
And once she’s done being shocked, she’ll probably be torn over whether to stay in the palace or go to the Minister’s residence.
‘We should probably keep this under wraps for a few days.’
It would be harsh to put such a heavy decision on the young Crown Princess. For her smooth transition, let’s keep this news secret for a while. I want her to connect with the new sister and fully accept her.
‘Come to think of it, Ainter will be having a child this year too.’
I’m sure it’s sometime this year, but the exact due date is fuzzy in my memory. I found out about Barandi’s blissful new marriage weeks after the fact. It was a challenge trying to calculate the due date from that.
Though I can’t place the crucial due date in my mind, such is human memory.
‘Well, as long as it’s this year, that’s what matters.’
The princess and Yulia, and Ainter’s child due this year.
I can faintly envision a future where those three joyfully play around at the Academy.
…
“Minister.”
– Yes, Your Majesty.
“How many of your wives are currently pregnant?”
– Two.
So that’s the princess, Yulia, Ainter’s child, plus two more from the Minister.
I can faintly see all five of them running around at the Academy.
Wait, thinking back to when the Duke with the title of Marcilio had triplets, it’s not impossible for several to be born at once.
‘I wonder who will be the head of the Academy then.’
Whoever it may be, I’ll definitely need to provide them with a variety of rewards along with their existing salary.
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