Kuro became pregnant around the same time as Bertia, making it difficult for her to walk around in her child form with a large belly. Moreover, pregnancy increased her energy consumption, so she preferred to spend her time in her fox form, which required less energy and was less strenuous on her body.
Nonetheless, Kuro, who cared deeply for Bertia, found it hard to stay away from her. Despite Zeno’s pleas for her to stay put, she would often slip away to share tranquil moments by Bertia’s side. Lately, I’ve noticed Zeno anxiously running around the palace, searching for the missing Kuro.
From my perspective, there’s no need to be so overprotective of Kuro, who has strong defensive abilities due to her dark attributes.
Kuro might actually find enjoyment in watching Zeno anxiously trying to locate her. If he weren’t searching so desperately, she could quickly lose interest and head back to their room by herself.
When I settled down with Anzart still cradled in my arms, my son looked up at me with watery eyes.
“Father, I want to sit on Mother’s lap.”
While his features were similar to mine, his expressions strongly reflected Bertia’s, likely due to his frequent observations of her. As his father, I found his intelligence both remarkable and somewhat concerning. “Mommy has a baby in her belly, so you can’t.”
“I’ll be careful not to bump the baby! I want to hear the baby’s heartbeat too!” He stared at me intently, but I understood his real intention. He was trying to appeal to Bertia, demonstrating his desire to be spoiled by her. And it was working. Bertia’s eyes began to shine with emotion at her son’s seemingly genuine request.
“Well, fine. I guess there’s no changing it.”
“Father!!” Anzart’s eyes sparkled with joy, reminiscent of Bertia’s delight when presented with sweets.
With a sigh, I released Anzart from my lap. Just as he was about to embrace his mother, I scooped Bertia up and set her on my knee.
“Wait! Lord Cecil!! Why am I sitting on your lap?!”
“Father!!” Both a blushing Bertia, and a disgruntled looking Anzart, protested.
Feigning a bit of sadness, I sighed and nestled my cheek against Bertia’s hair.
“I was feeling lonely because Anzart rejected my lap. Tia, will you comfort me?”
“Oh my! Is that so?” she replied.
Bertia’s gaze, previously on Anzart, turned toward me, the seemingly forlorn father unnoticed by his child.
“It’s okay! Anzart cares for you deeply as well, Lord Cecil! Don’t you both always study and play together?”
Indeed, we get along well because we share many similarities. Like me, Anzart may also find the typical tutor lacking in challenge. But do you realize why we spend so much time together? We’re both competing for your attention, Bertia, striving to impress you.
By the look on your face, it seems you might not have noticed at all. I often ponder how you see the interactions between Anzart and me.
“Father, that’s not fair!” Anzart puffed out his cheeks dramatically, clearly seeking attention.
As Bertia focused on me, Anzart’s frustration became evident; he was likely angrier than his adorable sulking suggested.
“Oh, Anzart, are you feeling jealous of your father?” Bertia laughed, playfully poking Anzart’s cheek while he attempted to hug her from the side.
It might seem like a peaceful and harmonious scene, but the only one feeling that peace was Bertia.
“Anzart, please don’t hug Mother too tightly; it could make the baby uncomfortable.”
“… I understand. Father, could you please release Mother now?”
Unlike me, who held Bertia gently from behind, Anzart found it difficult to get close to her, which clearly frustrated him. His adorable face scrunched up in annoyance as he gripped Bertia’s dress tightly.
“Sorry, but I can’t allow that. One day, Anzart, you will find your own ‘maiden of destiny’ and be able to hold her close.” I flashed him a confident smile.
Though I spoke in a light tone, this was an urgent matter for me. Lately, Anzart had honed his cunning ways and tried to take Bertia away from me. As my child, of course he was adorable, and I wanted to spoil him. But given that he shared my obsessive nature, I couldn’t ignore his determination. It wouldn’t be a joke if we ended up competing for Bertia’s affection and causing chaos in the kingdom. Besides, I couldn’t tolerate losing Bertia.
“Mother is my ‘maiden of destiny’!”
“Oh, Anzart! You’re just too adorable!” Bertia exclaimed, hugging him while completely missing the concerning weight of his words. I wrapped my arm around her shoulders and gently patted Anzart’s head.
“I want Mother all to myself!” Tears filled Anzart’s eyes as he begged like a determined child.
“That can’t happen, Anzart. Mother is for Father,” I replied, kissing Bertia’s cheek to underscore my statement.
I felt a pang of sympathy for Anzart, who had yet to find someone special to call his own. From my own experience, I understood how significant that connection was.
“Father…” Anzart said, his voice filled with resentment. I responded with a firm, intimidating smile, holding his gaze. He pouted and sulked but refrained from any extreme actions, knowing deep down that I was his father and that he respected me.
Regardless of our rivalry, these interactions with Bertia served as a means of communication for us, a way to strengthen our bond.
“I hope you meet your ‘special someone’ soon, Anzart,” I said.
“So I can have Mother…”
“No, that’s not going to happen.” I chuckled.
“Oh, I feel so blessed to be loved by both my husband and my son!” Bertia blushed and smiled brightly, seated between us.
Seeing her in this moment, I shared a knowing smile with Anzart. We then enjoyed a tranquil time together, appreciating the blue lily that Anzart had crafted. Meanwhile, Kuro, weary of Zeno’s constant protectiveness, scratched his cheek. This simple scene was also a snapshot of our joyful and vibrant family life.