Chapter 79: Making a Child (4)

There is a theory among the many theories about “Where do babies come from” called the “Stork Delivery Theory.”

Literally, the theory suggests that babies are born when storks bring them.

They say the stork puts the baby in a basket and delivers it to married couples.

And that’s it.

No more explanations are needed.

It’s a ridiculously simple, even irresponsible theory in some sense.

Obviously, if you think about it even a little, you’ll find countless contradictions in this theory.

If humans could only reproduce through storks, would that mean that if storks went extinct, humans wouldn’t be born either?

Were we actually enslaved to this random bird species for our survival?

Furthermore, it’s strange to think that storks could somehow find and recognize married couples.

How would a bird brain that’s never met these people know to bring them a baby?

Were these storks actually intrusive stalkers spying on people’s private lives?

And yet, no matter how much she looked around magically, Isabella couldn’t find a single feather of a stork.

More importantly, this theory doesn’t answer the fundamental question.

Let’s assume that storks do deliver babies.

Then where and how are the babies they deliver created?

Even if the Stork Delivery Theory were true, the stork’s role would be as a distributor, not a producer.

There has to be an origin where the babies themselves are made.

Yet, the theory entirely sidesteps this point, as if trying to slip past it.

The intent to cover up the truth is so obvious it’s laughable.

Of course, the sharp-witted Isabella didn’t let this blatant hole go unnoticed.

From a young age, with her sharp intelligence, she noticed these contradictions and often baffled her attendant with endless questions.

Eventually, through persistent questioning, she managed to have a proper lesson on sex education, gaining the correct knowledge.

This could be seen as a victory of her boundless curiosity.

Moreover, thanks to her continuous research, she was able to acquire broad knowledge in various areas, even as a maiden.

But what if her personality had been different?

What if, instead of questioning the system, she had conformed to it, seeking stability over adventure?

What if she had been the type to believe that everything happened for a reason instead of trying to uncover the truth?

If that were the case, Isabella might still be stuck in the outdated paradigm of the Stork Delivery Theory.

As she watched Sion reaching out to her so openly, she couldn’t help but imagine that alternate version of herself.

“Why are you just standing there staring? Are you coming up or not?”

“……….”

Hearing the angelic voice tempting her, Isabella felt cold sweat run down her back.

In a way, she was incredibly lucky this time. Sion’s innocence had saved her from the worst risk of being caught red-handed.

If she hadn’t been purely innocent, she would’ve been killed already.

‘Come to think of it, my sister easily passed that irritating unicorn’s test.’

Though it brought back an unpleasant face, it also reminded her of Sion’s value, shining even brighter for having tamed him.

It truly meant that her sister’s soul was without a single speck of impurity.

And this sister, from now on…

“Princess, your face seems much redder than usual… Do you have a fever? Should I call a priest?”

“Huh?!! No, no, no!! I’m fine! Totally fine! It’s just because I’m hot, that’s all!”

Isabella, her face burning, shook her head frantically to cover up her feelings.

The sense of taboo—just that one emotion—made Isabella’s heart pound.

The mix of tension and excitement felt like electricity rushing through her from head to toe.

Even though they were secretly holding hands, it was a world of difference when the other person was awake instead of asleep.

If someone asked what the difference was, she couldn’t exactly explain, but something was definitely different.

At the very least, it was much more complicated on her side.

‘Don’t, don’t, don’t waver, Isabella! The plan remains the same! Just stick to the resolve you had when you first walked in!’

Isabella gave herself a pep talk, tapping her cheeks lightly.

It was an awkward situation, but she had a legitimate excuse.

After all, the other side had suggested “holding hands and sleeping.”

Now was the time to play innocent and go along with the request, and if she were questioned later, she could simply deny everything.

Who would say otherwise?

It’s been eight years since her last lesson on these matters; even a genius could forget over such a long time.

So, it’s fine.

The plan can proceed.

From now on, she would maintain an innocent concept and act accordingly.

As long as she acted as if she never imagined that holding hands would lead to anything, she could dodge any blame…

‘Alright, let’s do this! Isabella de Salem, it’s time for the performance of a lifetime!’

With clenched fists, Isabella mentally steeled herself.

‘Why is she acting so strangely tonight?’

Of course, Sion couldn’t understand Isabella’s behavior at all.

She had crawled into her bed, saying she couldn’t shake off the horror from reading a scary comic, yet instead of sleeping, she kept acting strangely.

She’d poked Sion’s eyelids, and when she responded, Isabella had startled so badly she rolled off the bed.

Anyone would think Sion was the ghost from the story.

Look at her even now.

She insists she’s fine while visibly trembling, her face as red as a beet, and her voice wavering like a goat.

Her joints creak as if black smoke might rise any moment.

A golem would probably move more naturally; Isabella’s state was that severe.

‘She doesn’t seem sick… but it doesn’t seem like she’s scared either.

But then, what’s wrong with her…?’

Considering she’s sleeping with her beloved sister, it shouldn’t be nerves.

After all, this wasn’t the first time they’d shared a bed.

Whenever there was an excuse, she’d snuggle in happily.

At the very least, this innocent reaction doesn’t suit Isabella at all.

Given that, she must be hiding something…

‘Ugh, I’m getting sleepy.’

However, the chain of thoughts that branched out began to be cut one by one by the scissors of sleep.

‘Oh well, whatever. It’s fine no matter what she’s thinking.

There’s no way Isabella would harm me. Even if she did, I’d have countermeasures.’

This wasn’t the time for delving into mysteries.

It was time to give her brain a break.

With recent events being hectic as they were, she didn’t have time to waste on trivial concerns.

Thinking that, Sion lay down again, and Isabella, who had quietly approached her, began to speak hesitantly.

“Um, sis…”

“Yes?”

“The thing you said earlier… is it still valid?”

“The thing I said earlier? What do you mean?”

“That it’s okay to hold hands and sleep…”

Oh, that’s all.

With a smile at the innocent request, Sion wordlessly grabbed Isabella’s hand and pulled her close.

“Eek?!!!”

Isabella let out a high-pitched squeal as she was pulled in close, curling up as she was brought to Sion’s side.

Completely unfazed, Sion lay down beside her and, closing her eyes, whispered quietly to Isabella.

“Then, good night, Princess.”

“Uh, yeah.”

And silence followed.

In the quiet, dark room, only the alternating breaths of two people filled the space.

One was calm, the other slightly rough, as if excited.

Through their touching hands, they felt each other’s warmth.

‘Ah, being like this reminds me of the old days.’

Memories of the time when Sion reigned as the Demon Queen began to resurface.

As a true demon, she had sired many children, but one daughter particularly stood out in her memory.

A girl who always called her “Father, Father” and followed her around like a pet.

She boldly declared, without hesitation, that she would claim her father as her own once she became an adult.

Demons typically lack soft concepts like affection or family bonds, but that doesn’t mean families must be distant.

Under certain circumstances, demon family relationships can be as close as human ones, especially if there is no conflict of interest between them.

This was precisely the case for Sien and his daughter—a seemingly ideal father-daughter relationship, with a gentle father and a pure daughter.

Of course, she could later come for her throne, sword in hand (a common occurrence in demon society), but Sion wasn’t too concerned about that.

When strong, she would rule, and when she inevitably weakened, she’d step down after being defeated by her offspring.

By demon standards, that was a reasonably successful life.

Besides, she was confident she wouldn’t be so easily overpowered.

The girl… a silver-haired, red-eyed girl who resembled her.

The one Demon king Sien Astaroth adored the most, the one everyone believed would be his successor.

Though her personality was somewhat timid and fragile, she possessed exceptional talent and potential.

Yes, her name was—

“…Big Sister.”

“Hmm?”

At that moment, Isabella’s whisper interrupted her thoughts.

“Um, there’s something I’d like to ask….”

“A question? What is it?”

“Well, it’s just….”

Isabella fidgeted nervously with her hands.

“Please don’t think I’m weird, okay? I’m only asking out of curiosity. There’s no deeper meaning. Got it?”

“….…?”

What question was she so hesitant to ask?

Though Sion wore a questioning look, Isabella continued hesitating, unable to speak up right away.

Finally, after a long pause, she gathered the courage to ask.

“Uh, Big Sister… if you were to have a child… what would you want to name them…?”

“What?”

What kind of strange question was that?

Sion opened her eyes slightly, looking at Isabella with a hint of a frown.

She hurriedly tried to explain in a flustered voice.

“N-No, it’s nothing! I-I was just curious! Like I said, it’s only out of curiosity, so you don’t have to take it seriously!”

“You sure have some odd curiosities. Anyway, I can’t have children.”

“I know! I know that! It’s just idle talk, okay? But if a miracle happened and you could have a child, is there a name you’d want to give them?”

“Hmm…”

Sion closed her eyes again, thinking for a moment.

After a pause, she answered.

“…Raizein.”

“Raizein?”

“Yes.”

Actually, it wasn’t a name she wanted to give—it was a name she once did.

But she kept that part to herself.

Still, it was the name she preferred most, so it didn’t really matter.

“Raizein… is that for a boy or a girl?”

“I don’t know. It could be either. It’s a gender-neutral name.”

“Hm.…”

Isabella quietly repeated the name to herself.

Raizein.

Even though it was a name with no apparent origin or meaning, hearing her sister say it made it seem so bright and precious.

It was far better than any of the 108 names she had thought of.

Unique and special—how wonderful.

Yes, Raizein. She’d remember it for sure.

It would be the name of the child she would give birth to in ten months.

The precious child who would soon be a part of her.

“So why did you ask that? Are you naming someone else’s child?”

“No, it’s nothing.”

Isabella shook her head with a smile.

For some reason, the anxiety she’d felt earlier had vanished, replaced by a light-hearted sense of anticipation and happiness.

Naming a child with someone you love—such a simple act brought an indescribable sense of fulfillment.

In that moment, Isabella realized:

Ah, this must be what love feels like.

‘Thank you, Big Sister. I’ll be a great mom, I promise.

I’ll raise them with all my strength, without bothering you or asking for help.

So please… watch over us with your warm gaze from afar, okay?’

With that thought, Isabella held her sister’s hand tightly, smiling as she nestled her face against Sion’s chest.

The gentle scent of acacia surrounded her, lulling her into a peaceful sleep.

After that, it took Isabella a month to realize the truth and beat up her brother Martin….