“Waaah… Waaah…”
Two years into my marriage with Bertia, I finally heard the lively cries of my newborn son in the early hours of dawn. It had been a long labor, and we had nearly been awake all night. During that time, I stayed in the adjacent room, listening to my wife’s agonized groans… or rather, her exuberant exclamations like, “No way!! This pain is unbelievable!!” “It hurts, it really hurts!!” “Baby, hurry up and come out, please!!” “You are Cecil’s child, so you can do it!! Mommy is trying her best too, so let’s work together… it still hurts!!”
It was perhaps too much to expect that Bertia, anticipating the baby would hear her pleas and hasten to ease her discomfort, would get the desired response, even from my child. Yet, despite the circumstances, I couldn’t help but find her determination amusing.
Beside me, my father-in-law, who had gone pale at Bertia’s voice, whispered, “Bertia, sadly, that child shares half of your blood! Regardless of how much they get from His Highness, expecting them to comply so swiftly is unrealistic!”
Near the Marquis Noches stood Kuro, her tail puffed up. She appeared uncertain about childbirth and responded to Bertia’s distressed voice with a growl, prepared to confront whatever was causing her pain. However, in this situation, it was our child causing the discomfort, so I had Zeno restrain her with all his strength.
After a grueling night, I felt an overwhelming surge of tension when I finally met my child for the first time.
“Cecil, we did it!! It’s a cute, adorable baby boy!!” Bertia welcomed me with a face marked by joyful tears and the sweat of labor.
In her arms lay a tiny infant, snugly wrapped in swaddling clothes. As soon as I saw his face, tears filled my eyes. In that instant, I had a strong intuition… This child is “like me.”
“Look at him! His hair is a lovely blend of both of our colors, but his face is just like yours, Cecil!” Bertia exclaimed with excitement.
Our baby’s face was still scrunched from being born, yet there was a clear resemblance. As he grew and his features sharpened, he would likely look even more like me.
“This child is bound to be as intelligent as you, Cecil! And even if he isn’t, he’s so charming that he’s destined to be a beloved and kind king!”
“… Yes, I’m sure he will be,” I replied.
Seeing Bertia happily poking our son’s cheeks, I decided to postpone addressing any potential issues. Our son, as if sensing the atmosphere, laughed while Bertia fussed over him. Although I had some concerns about his future, I was confident everything would turn out well. After all, his mother was Bertia. Unlike my own childhood, he wouldn’t have a dull day in his life.
All that was left was to ensure our son didn’t vie for Bertia’s attention. I needed to find his “maiden of destiny” early on. No matter how adorable my child was, I had no intention of giving up my beloved Bertia.
I would also encourage him to explore anything that seemed fun or interesting. Having a diverse range of interests would be advantageous. By engaging in various activities he enjoyed, he wouldn’t become fixated on just one thing, which would make his life more vibrant.
No extraordinary child had ever been born to the royal family for two generations in a row. Nevertheless, connecting my experiences to my child could truly be a blessing.
“Cecil! Let’s envelop this child in love, cherish him, and bring him joy! As a mother, I will give it my all!”
“Absolutely. Let’s ensure he feels… loved.”
Gently, I brushed the sweat-soaked hair from Bertia’s face and caressed her cheek.
“Tia, thank you for presenting me with another treasure. I promise to do my utmost to bring more treasures into your and our child’s lives.”
With my left hand resting on Bertia and my right hand on our son’s cheek, I made my promise. Tears welled up in her eyes, and she responded with a beaming smile.