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HEL SCANS
[Translator - Angel Dust]
[Proofreader - Prototype]
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Side Stories 26
I think it all started with my first daughter, Luen's, first birthday.
Since then, good things have been pouring in for our family and our lineage.
There have been many things, but the best of them all is the news of my older sister's second pregnancy.
I hear the Crown Princess was jumping for joy, saying she's finally getting a younger sibling.
There's still a long time before the baby is born, but hey, as long as she's happy, that's all that matters.
"Congratulations, Your Majesty."
So, while offering my congratulations, I couldn't help but sigh inwardly.
I remember how the Emperor was already quite burdened with all sorts of work.
But on top of that, it seems he's been getting quite the workout at night, fulfilling his marital duties.
"Thank you, brother-in-law. If it weren't for you, I would have collapsed first."
Seeing the Emperor looking as withered as a sap-drained old tree made my heart ache.
I think I'll have to push the elves a bit more to get more elixirs.
That way, I can have a third and fourth niece or nephew after my second one!
"All of this must be the Goddess’ love for the Imperial Family."
"It seems your prayers as a Blessed One have been well received by the Goddess."
"Your words make me think I should pray even more fervently."
In short, he's telling me to plan for a third and fourth child.
The Emperor recoils in horror, waving his hands.
He says he thinks two is just the right number.
Anyway… Not long after hearing the news of my sister's second pregnancy...
Shudder Shudder—
"..."
Once again, I found myself trembling uncontrollably outside the door.
"Karl, calm down."
"It's too late. She should have been out by now."
"That was just an estimated time. You know it doesn't always work out perfectly, right?"
Selena, sitting next to me, reassures me, holding my hand.
Across from us, Lav and Lefia, trying to smile and pat my shoulders.
But still. It's been two hours past the due time.
I can hear Eloise's groans through the door as it occasionally opens and closes.
Every time, my lips burn and my blood runs cold.
"Son-in-law, it's alright. Elf births tend to be a bit slower."
Perhaps I looked pitiful, as my father-in-law pats my back.
He tells me it's nothing to worry about, that it's just how things are.
Thanks to him, I feel a little bit reassured. Just a little bit…
"Say, Karl. It seems all four of them couldn't make it this time?"
"Ah... yeah. They're all busy this time. It just so happens that their busiest time overlaps with Eloise's due date."
"That's a shame."
"For me? Nah. Why would I be disappointed?"
"Not you, Karl. Shulifen, Wilhelm, Alexander, and Joachim."
They were here when Luen was born, but not this time.
My first wife says they'd feel terrible about it if they knew.
She advises me to take good care of them.
Indeed. They've all been in a frenzy for days.
They really wanted to be here, but they couldn't find the time.
Alexander even considered skipping the Imperial Assembly.
They say even close friends drift apart as time goes by.
Fortunately, it seems we haven't grown that distant yet.
We're still apologizing and accepting apologies over something like this.
Suddenly, I thought to myself that I'm a lucky guy.
Of course I am. I've done my part, so I deserve it.
So this will work out too. I just need to wait a little longer.
Creak!—
"Count!"
I couldn't help but jump to my feet in shock as the door opened.
* * *
Hah. Hah—
Exhaling ragged breaths, Eloise stared blankly to the side.
It was a pain she had never experienced before. Without exaggeration, she almost fainted.
She thought she was used to enduring, but it seemed she had been mistaken.
She could understand why Selena said that moment was so vivid and stuck in her mind.
Her body felt light. Was it because what was in her belly was gone?
Or was it because she had sweat pouring down from her entire body like rain?
One thing was for sure, her mother was smiling brightly beside her.
And in her arms, something small was wriggling.
"Eloise!"
Karl, who had been waiting outside the room, must have heard the news and rushed in.
Selena, Lav, and Lefia followed him with worried looks.
'Why are you all making such a fuss? I'm not dead.'
She tried to say that. She really tried to smile as if nothing had happened.
But it was just wishful thinking. She was so exhausted that she couldn't even speak properly.
She could only manage to raise her hand, wave it once, and laugh weakly.
"You did well. You really did well."
"Now you're a mother, Eloise."
"Congratulations, Eloise."
"Congratulations!!"
Yes, yes. Thank you, thank you. Again, the words wouldn't come out right.
Even if she had the strength to speak, her throat was so hoarse that they might not have understood her anyway.
"Ah."
Eloise, finally finding her voice, urges Karl with her eyes to speak.
She was the mother who gave birth today. The crying baby over there was her child.
Yet, she hadn't even heard whether the baby was a boy or a girl.
Fortunately, Karl, noticing this, comes closer and whispers quietly.
"It seems your prediction was right, Eloise."
"...Oh."
"It's a girl. And she looks just like you."
"Oh dear. My mother must be very disappointed."
"Huh? Disappointed? Your mother is overjoyed."
My mother is happy? But she said she couldn't raise another daughter like me? She said a granddaughter who resembled me would be too much, and she preferred a grandson who looked like her son-in-law??
Turning her head with difficulty, Eloise saw her mother beaming.
She held the baby tightly in her arms, overjoyed.
"My mother is a liar."
"It just means she loves her daughter that much."
"Hmph. It would be nice if she showed that kind of love when I was home."
Ah, ah! Mom! I want to see my daughter too!
I understand you're happy to see your granddaughter, but let me see her too!
Her mom, amused by Eloise's outburst, lets out a hearty laugh.
Soon, Eloise sees a little angel sleeping soundly beside her.
"...This was inside me?"
"Yes."
"Like Luen was inside Selena?"
"Why am I suddenly being brought up?"
Selena tilted her head, but it didn’t really matter.
The important thing is that such a beautiful baby came from her. A healthy baby, born without any problems or complications.
"What's her name?"
"The same one we picked out together, remember? Marien."
"Marien. Hehe. Cute.”
"...You actually remembered that?"
"Four-syllable names are too long! Three syllables are the best! Selena! Lefia! Isn't it nice?!"
"Um, Eloise. My name also has four syllables."
Lavrenti tits her head, and Eloise grins.
Then she bursts out laughing, saying, ‘That's right! That's why I don't like you either!’
Just a moment ago, she was in so much pain she thought she was dying.
And now, in such a short time, she's regained her strength and is making silly jokes.
Lavrenti pouts for a moment, but it's only fleeting.
"Heeeey...!"
"Hey, hey. You're too loud. You'll wake your own baby."
"Oh my. Give her to me. Marien! Come to your mommy!"
"Waaaah...!!"
"Ah! She's really crying! Eloise! Marien is really crying!"
"Incredible. The first person to wake up a sleeping baby is the mother herself!"
The scene is somewhat strange, yet it feels right.
He thought this would be a moment of pure emotion, but it turns out it can also be fun.
Thinking this, Karl quickly starts to soothe his second daughter.
* * *
"...Dada?"
Luen, who had been sleeping soundly, suddenly opens her eyes wide.
With a determined look, she takes a step.
The sight of her doesn't seem like a child who just woke up from a nap.
Toddling—
Luen waddles over and soon reaches her destination.
There stood Karl, who was catching up on work after welcoming his second daughter.
"Dada! Daddy!"
"Luen? Isn't it nap time?"
"Dadaaa!!"
Karl immediately picks up his daughter, who is fussing to be held.
He wonders why his firstborn suddenly woke up.
"Count."
The door opens and the head butler cautiously delivers a message.
"The Crown Princess is here again."
"My niece? Ah, she must have heard about Marien."
Karl nods, saying he'll be right down.
"Bwaaaah!!"
Luen pouts, clearly displeased.
A moment later.
"Hehehe! Uncle! Unnncle!!"
"You speak so well now."
"Mhm! I can be a good niece now!"
Crown Princess Lily enters, nestled in Karl's arms, taking up half of his embrace.
On the other side, Luen grumbles, expressing her displeasure.
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[Translator - Angel Dust]
[Proofreader - Prototype]
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