Ch.398Chapter 398 – Becoming a Large Family

Today is a very special day.

What makes it so special, you ask?

It’s the day I truly become a father.

“Your Grace. Both the Grand Duchess and the two other Duchesses have begun their labor pains.”

The imperial physician dispatched from the imperial palace came to report to me.

This world differs from the medieval era in many ways, and in some aspects, it resembles the modern world.

However, childbirth still remains a dangerous affair where both the child and mother could face death.

That’s why my father-in-law sent imperial physicians and midwives to the mansion as the due date approached.

“This is for my grandchildren, so don’t feel burdened.”

He even said that all their dispatch costs would be covered by the imperial treasury.

That’s how deeply His Majesty the Emperor loves his grandchildren.

Grandparents always cherish their grandchildren. They only need to give love since they don’t have to raise them.

Now that labor has begun, His Majesty the Emperor and Her Majesty the Empress said they would finish their affairs as quickly as possible and come here.

They meant they absolutely didn’t want to miss the moment their precious grandchildren were born.

The Crown Prince and the other imperial princes and princesses also wanted to come, but they all agreed when His Majesty said, “I’ll call you later when there’s time.”

So right now, only the imperial physicians, midwives, the other wives, and I were here.

Emelda said she was preparing medicine based on the midwives’ and physicians’ advice to alleviate pain and protect the mothers’ bodies for a stable delivery.

Since they weren’t giving birth to just one child but twins and triplets, the burden on the mothers would be tremendous.

Of course, considering Regina’s and Etherna’s physical abilities, I didn’t think there would be much danger.

But human affairs are unpredictable.

No matter how strong someone is, it becomes difficult to cope with unexpected attacks or unforeseen events.

Moreover, we’re now helping new lives enter the world.

Something unexpected could happen in the process, so we’re thoroughly preparing for that.

The imperial physician, the midwives, and Professor Emelda the alchemist.

And me, who can fix anything.

If the mothers’ or babies’ conditions became dangerous, I planned to step in directly in the worst case.

I couldn’t just do nothing and lose my beloved wives and children.

“Huff…”

“Kyaaaah!”

While the physicians and midwives moved around preparing for the delivery, Karen’s cries of pain could be heard through the non-soundproofed door.

I wanted to go inside, but for safety reasons, the interior was sterilized, and those who hadn’t been sterilized couldn’t enter.

Everyone entering that room was thoroughly sterilized to prevent any possible infection.

‘Your Grace. You may want to see your children being born, but you must restrain yourself.’

‘Why is that?’

‘Many husbands who witnessed their wives giving birth suffered serious aftereffects that strained their marital relationships. Of course, some aren’t affected, but to be safe, I recommend you don’t enter.’

I had heard the physician’s words in my previous life too. Childbirth isn’t as clean as one might think, and witnessing it could become traumatic, affecting one’s marital relations.

To be honest… I wasn’t confident I wouldn’t be affected either, which is why I was waiting outside.

Of course, just in case, I had a hammer made by Ironbeard next to my chair so I could break down the door and save my wives and children if necessary.

‘I heard your child is being born? I’ll gift you a new hammer to elevate the family head’s authority!’

A hammer personally made by Ironbeard to celebrate my children’s conception.

Holding this hammer somehow gave me reassurance.

With this hammer and my abilities, I felt confident I could save my wives and children from any dangerous situation.

As I sat quietly holding the hammer, I could hear people moving busily inside.

“Go get clean cloths!”

“Prepare warm water!”

“Bring sterilized bandages too!”

“Now, take deep breaths! Deep breaths!”

It seemed that after the labor pains had started and time had passed, the actual delivery was about to begin.

Since I couldn’t know the details of what was happening inside, I could only wait outside.

How much time had passed?

I looked up at the sound in front of me and saw His Majesty the Emperor and Her Majesty the Empress.

“Son, still no news?”

“Father-in-law…”

“I can hear people moving busily inside.”

“Are you waiting here?”

I nodded in response to His Majesty’s question.

His Majesty closed his eyes after seeing me.

“That’s somewhat fortunate. Seeing you outside suggests it’s not the worst situation.”

That’s true.

If something truly dangerous had happened in there, I would have rushed in immediately.

“Looking at you reminds me of when my children were born.”

“Did you also wait outside the door like me, Father-in-law?”

“No. At that time, I was on an imperial tour and couldn’t be present for the Empress’s delivery.”

…Oh. Well, as Emperor, he would be busy with state affairs, but to think he was on an imperial tour at that particular time.

“I was told there was about a month left until the due date, so I planned to quickly tour only the strategic points of the empire and return, but the child was born during that time. So I returned to the imperial palace as soon as I heard the news.”

That’s fortunate at least, that he returned immediately upon hearing the news.

“What did you do next?”

“Fearing I might negatively affect the child, I thoroughly washed my body and changed into the cleanest and finest clothes. Since a child of my blood was born, I didn’t want even the slightest imperfection to affect them.”

I understood my father-in-law’s feelings.

A child carrying the blood of myself and the person I love.

One would want to meet such a child in the cleanest state possible to avoid causing any harm.

To be honest, I too was wearing the cleanest clothes so I could enter immediately once the children were safely born.

“What do you want to do for your children when they’re born?”

“Rather than doing something specific, I want to let them do whatever they want to their heart’s content. As long as it doesn’t go against social moral order or ethical principles.”

“That’s the right answer.”

My father-in-law laughed heartily and patted my shoulder a couple of times.

Then he sat beside me, and we waited and waited until the children were born.

As the sun disappeared from the sky and darkness fell beyond the window,

“Waaah~ Waaah~”

Finally, the sound we had been waiting for was heard.

“Your Grace! Congratulations! The young masters and young ladies have been born! All seven of them are healthy!”

As soon as the physician opened the door, the first thing I heard was that the children had been safely born.

But wait. Seven?

“Seven? Did you say seven?”

“Yes, that’s right. The other two Duchesses have also safely completed their deliveries. Congratulations, Your Grace.”

“Ho ho ho, go on in, son-in-law.”

His Majesty pushed my back, and I carefully walked into the room.

Inside, I saw Karen, Regina, and Etherna exhausted on the bed.

When I asked about the children since they weren’t visible, I was told the babies had been wrapped in swaddling clothes and taken for examination to ensure their safety.

I approached the three women who had worked hard to give birth.

“You all did well.”

“It’s nothing. We did it because we wanted to.”

“Of course. They’re children between you and us, so it wasn’t difficult.”

“You two are amazing. You waited until I gave birth, and only after my child was born did you both deliver yours.”

I looked back and forth between Regina and Etherna at those words.

“Anyway, it’s right that the child to continue the family line should be born between you and Karen. That way, other nobles won’t be able to treat them carelessly.”

“Although Regina and I are remarkable people, if we want to prevent nobles who value bloodlines from wagging their tongues freely, it’s appropriate that Karen’s children succeed you.”

I tried to say something, but their resolve seemed extremely firm.

“Do as we say. To eliminate conflict among family members, the hierarchy must be clearly established.”

“Let’s leave such rigid talk for later.”

After briefly talking with my wives, I accommodated their need for rest when they expressed fatigue.

Then I went to meet the children, but His Majesty the Emperor and Her Majesty the Empress were already there.

“Oh, these precious little ones. I’m your grandfather. When you grow up, I’ll show you just how great a person this grandfather is, so grow up quickly.”

“They’re so beautiful. Grow up healthy and strong to become this grandmother’s companions, won’t you?”

Hmm. They’re asking for quite a lot from children who can’t even open their eyes or support their bodies yet.

Still, I was relieved to think they would love all the children equally, without discriminating between Karen’s children and those born to the other two.

“My beautiful babies! Daddy’s here!”

That’s one thing, but now I need to rush over and see our babies too!