episode_0210

A friendly voice penetrated my hazy mind.

“Hello~”

Someone is shaking their body.

I opened my sleepy eyes with difficulty.

Beyond my narrowed vision, I saw Vivian tucking her red hair behind her ear.

It’s a familiar morning.

When I sleep with Vivian, she always wakes me up before me.

“Honey, it’s morning.”

Vivian placed her upper body on top of me.

The feeling of being pressed softly reminded me of last night for a moment.

‘… ‘Heh, heh.’

I burst out laughing inside.

My life, my life, that kind of thing… I never even thought about playing it.

‘what… I didn’t hate it… . hmm… .’

Vivian leaned towards me and kissed me on the cheek like a sparrow.

I pulled her and hugged her.

Vivian’s body, hugged, was warm and soft.

“Umm… . little bit more… .”

“Oh my. When did you become such a spoiled brat?”

She smiled happily and lightly pressed her lips against my cheek or mouth.

I said I would sleep a little longer, but it was good, so I left it at that.

I felt Vivian’s warm body temperature and curled up in a half-asleep state.

“Honey, you have to eat breakfast.”

Vivian gently caressed my face.

I touched her soft belly.

When it crunches in your hand, it feels like playing with warm jelly through a cloth.

Vivian, who was laughing brightly, suddenly asked seriously.

“What should I do if my baby was startled yesterday?”

That question suddenly woke me up.

I suddenly lost sleep.

“… Well, uh, um. I said I was being careful… . It wasn’t just yesterday… .”

“That’s right, right? Still, I need to ask my doctor before I go.”

“I do that.”

After breakfast, I went to see my doctor.

Fortunately, it wasn’t dangerous.

However, I was warned again to be a little more careful.

Neither Vivian nor I had anything to say.

*

Today, Vivian and I came to the Agnes Monastery in Spevia.

This is the place where I first found Aria, and it is also the monastery where Vivian left the children she cared for.

After her marriage, Vivian visited this place quite often.

It is said that he showed his face to the children, told them stories, and made many donations.

Sometimes I was there too.

I had nothing to do here, but Vivian wanted to come with me, so I went along.

When I first got the news that I was getting married, the kids were so excited.

Even thinking about it now makes me scared.

Anyway, it’s been quite a while for me, and the facility has changed again.

“A lot has changed.”

Abbot Petra, who was next to him, answered.

“Yes. We worked hard to ensure that the children lived in a better environment. Wood was added to the stone wall to make it warmer in the winter. Instead, we increased the number of windows to ensure better ventilation in the summer.”

In addition to that, the children’s tools such as chairs, desks, beds, toys, etc. are all new.

It’s not just Vivian’s donation.

I heard that Aria, an uninhabited territory in the east, also sends donations periodically.

“Are you doing well?”

“I just send money every time. Unfortunately, I don’t know the news.”

“Hmm.”

There may be a reason why they are busy as they have just started exploring the uninhabited landscape.

Well, I’m sure you’ll be fine.

Because they are not people who cannot go anywhere and stay there.

A few steps away, Vivian was chatting happily with the children.

Clearly she likes children a lot.

The warm laughter among the children never leaves.

At Agnes Monastery, not only the children Vivian cared for stay.

There are also several orphans who came from other places.

At first, they felt awkward around Vivian, but after visiting several times, even the children opened their hearts to Vivian.

“Is there really a baby in your stomach?”

“Amazing… !”

“But how do babies come about?”

“I know! They say that’s what happens when you sleep holding hands!”

“Aha!”

Vivian just smiled brightly at the children’s excited and innocent reactions.

“Then he is our younger brother!”

“Can I touch your stomach?”

“No-!”

In response to a child’s innocent question, Emma, who was sitting on Vivian’s lap, shouted.

She, who is currently the Holy Knight in charge of Agnes Monastery and who helped Vivian during the last war, took time off every time Vivian came to visit.

The way he showed on the battlefield at that time was quite polite, but if you look at him being hugged and pampered by Vivian, he is still a child.

“Do not touch a pregnant woman’s belly carelessly! That’s rude!”

“Oh, I see… . Sorry… .”

“Oh, no. are you okay. It’s not something to be that angry about… .”

Vivian, who was more involved than Emma, was more embarrassed.

Looking at the triumphant Emma, I nodded without realizing it.

‘He’s a reliable ally. ‘It’s mine and I can’t let just anyone touch it.’

I made eye contact with Vivian, who was embarrassed.

She smiled and motioned for me to come closer.

The children around us all turned to look this way.

Eyes full of interest and anticipation.

Emma is the only one different.

When she saw me, her body became tense and stiff.

‘The kids can’t adapt as expected… .’

Director Petra, knowing that I was embarrassed, laughed next to me.

When I glance at him, he clears his throat and pretends not to notice.

“Honey.”

Vivian called.

Children who were very interested in dating and sex started an uproar at the nickname “Honey.”

“Come here.”

He smiles and calls me.

She also enjoys knowing that I get in trouble in front of the kids.

However, I couldn’t refuse it.

“Ah, hello. Ian… .”

Emma saluted from Vivian’s lap.

“Didn’t you say hello earlier?”

“Ah, ah. you’re right… .”

I understand.

To Emma, I am Vivian’s husband and at the same time an apostle of the Church of Seonghwa.

It is natural that you cannot treat it carelessly.

“Honey. The kids want to hear about honey.”

“I don’t have anything very interesting to say… .”

I’ve already done this many times… I didn’t complain that much.

I found out about this while stopping by Vivian and Agnes Monastery.

Children like to hear things over and over again, even if they have already heard them.

No matter how many times I heard it.

“Hey, you said you had a question for my husband, right?”

“Me, me!”

The children raised their hands.

Short arms stick out upward.

The children were jumping and chatting as if asking for help.

“How did you kill the Demon King?!”

“Please tell me the story of how you scolded the devil!”

“I want to hear your last conversation with the Demon King-!”

This is a regular topic that always comes up first.

Since the person who killed the Demon King is right in front of you, it makes sense… .

“Hmm. It’s not a good thing for kids to hear.”

“Still, I want to hear it!”

“Please let us know!”

“I’m curious!”

“Umm… .”

Vivian chuckled next to her.

I started the story from the moment I was inevitably called by the devil.

It was a repetition of the story I always told my children.

Vivian sometimes stepped in to assist.

This is also a repetition of what always happened when telling stories to children.

What is so amazing and enjoyable?

The children’s eyes lit up and they focused on my story.

Even though it is a story that has already spread widely in the market through novels, fairy tales, and even bard songs.

Even the child who had already heard this story focused as if it was his first time hearing it.

Even when the story finally ends, there is no time to rest.

Even though the children were immersed in the lingering mood, they quickly came out of it.

“I want to become as strong as you!”

“… First of all, I am not an old man.”

“I want to defeat the devil and become a hero like you!”

“You’re not listening to me. The devil is no more.”

“How can I marry a pretty and kind girl like Vivian?”

“Well. First of all, I don’t know if there’s anyone else like Bibi, and Bibi can’t be anything other than me.”

“Ugh! Chicken flesh is growing!”

“Thank you for the compliment.”

“How many times did you hold hands?!”

“… I don’t know because I can’t count them.”

“What do you think is the outlook for today’s humankind’s exploration of western maritime trade routes and eastern no-man’s land?!”

“Whose question is this sharp? Who is it?”

“How much you love Vivian!”

“That’s… .”

Without realizing it, I paused for a moment.

The children are silent, their eyes shining, waiting for an answer.

Vivian, who was sitting next to me, also looked at me, twitching the corner of her mouth as if she was looking forward to it.

“… I can’t tell the kids.”

Vivian lowered her red face.

From afar, Director Petra also cleared his throat and turned his head.

Among the children, Emma was the only one who understood what it meant and looked into the distance.

“What is that! Where can I find something like that?”

“Tell me properly!”

“You don’t have to know yet, you boogers.”

A hectic hearing followed.

In the past, I had no idea what to say to kids.

After coming here a few times, I guess I got used to it.

If you look at the fact that you can answer any question like a snub to the kids.

The topic of conversation quickly moved somewhere else.

Sometimes Vivian talks, the kids talk.

I never became the center again.

Meanwhile, Emma said.

“Sister, you are going to become a mother now?”

Vivian blinked for a moment, then smiled happily.

“Yes. that’s right. I’m going to become a mother.”

Then he pulled my arm and hugged me.

“My honey is going to become a father.”

Mom, Dad… .

It’s a heavy word.

Perhaps because I have children in front of me, it feels especially heavy today.

When Vivian and I left the monastery, it was after lunch.

“Honey, your skills in dealing with children have improved a lot?”

“I came after Bibi… . It happened like this.”

“Heehee.”

Vivian, who was walking side by side, wrapped her arms around me.

“How are the kids? Is it still difficult and annoying?”

“Hmm… . To be honest, it’s not comfortable. annoying… I don’t know, but it’s still difficult. however… .”

I took a moment to think back on the time I had with my children today.

Children chattering like birds.

Overflowing with vitality like a puppy.

Sometimes, when I looked at those children, I thought of my own child that Vivian was carrying.

“It’s cute too. Somehow.”

“… … .”

Vivian was silent for a moment.

I walked slowly and waited for her.

“Honey.”

“Yes, Bibi.”

“Honey will definitely be a good father.”

“Hmm. It takes a lot of effort, but… .”

“Honey, I will try my best. So, obviously, that will happen. I will be a good mother too.”

Vivian carefully stroked her lower abdomen.

“I will make sure my baby is not lonely and grows up happily.”

“There must be a lot of work to do.”

A thing to do.

In other words, obligation.

It’s heavy, but I don’t hate it.

Rather, it is a weight I am willing to carry.

Vivian smiled and pulled me by my waist.

She raised her tiptoes and pressed her lips together.

“I love you, honey.”

“I love you too.”

“It’s good to try hard as a father, but you didn’t forget to work hard as a husband tonight, right?”

“Even if I want to forget that, I can’t.”

I walked again with Vivian, who smiled brightly.

As a husband and father, I place my duties and responsibilities on my own shoulders.

It’s not a bad weight.