523 – Sogaju – 3

Before we knew it, the night had passed and it was time to call it dawn, but neither I nor the Empress could fall asleep.

– Countess Tyglehen went into labor.

I heard an incredible report from the empress’s maid who was dispatched to the minister’s residence.

It was around the end of February that the Countess found out that she was four weeks pregnant, so she guessed that around this time would be her due date. It feels a little bit faster, but I can’t even say this is the margin of error.

‘Why am I shaking?’

Unlike the Empress, who sat next to the sleeping Crown Princess and remained silent, I wandered around the room and touched the back of her neck. I don’t know if it was because of tension or because I stayed up without sleeping, but the back of my neck felt stiff for no reason.

No, it’s probably because of the former. The birth of a minister’s child is not simply a problem for the minister and the Crasius family. To exaggerate a little, it is an important issue connected to the safety of the empire and the imperial family.

If the child is born safely, the succession of the Crasius family, loyal subjects who have supported the imperial family for generations, will be strengthened, and the crown princess and her friend her her, who is her her age her, will become the chancellor’s successor. There is no need for me, the emperor, to personally read the congratulatory speech.

However, what if something goes wrong with the minister’s child or wife during childbirth?

‘I don’t know what will happen.’

Although he is generally a gentle minister, there is no way to know how he will change if he experiences such a tragedy. If you have barely recovered from past wounds but suffer even greater wounds, no matter how strong you are, you cannot help but go crazy.

That shouldn’t happen. A tragedy without any emotion or lesson is something that neither a father of a child nor an emperor of an empire would wish for.

“Ah.”

Meanwhile, the Empress let out a low exclamation.

As I hurriedly turned my gaze, I could see the Empress quickly operating the communication tool.

‘Are there any results?’

Before I knew it, cold sweat broke out on my forehead. The weather is on the edge of fall and winter, so it’s not an environment to sweat, but for some reason, I feel nervous, similar to when the Empress gave birth to the Crown Princess.

The Empress must have been feeling the same way, as she checked her communication port with a stern expression.

“It looks like Charlotte will have a great friend of the opposite sex.”

Seeing the empress smiling brightly, she let out a sigh of relief.

Fortunately, it seems that the head of the Crasius family came out safely.

‘Friend of the opposite sex.’

And as the tension eased, an indescribable feeling of displeasure came over me.

Of course, my son was born. He is the son of a minister and no one else.

‘It would be difficult if I grew up to be a man like my father.’

It’s really hard to put into words, it’s a worry that I can’t tell anyone, but strangely enough, I feel like my only daughter has already been taken away by some thief.

Of course, I admit that this is a grandiose delusion and an ugly worry. But isn’t the Minister a man with a devilish spirit who has bewitched Ma Jong-gong? Let’s go back a few years and say, ‘Ma Jong-gong and the inspector general are getting married.’ If you go around saying that, you will be pointed at as crazy.

Therefore, we cannot ignore the possibility that the heir of the Imperial Baek family will become the husband of the next emperor. You have to consider all possibilities so your daughter isn’t suddenly taken away.

…

‘You have to think about the future in the future.’

Just before the minister’s son, whom I had never seen, evolved into a petty thief, I gently shook my head and shook off my thoughts.

It’s foolish to throw away the present because of the future that may or may not exist. It is important not to think about anything else now and to send a gift and congratulations to the minister who has become the father of a child.

‘It’s impossible to go in person.’

First of all, going to the minister’s mansion is an idea not worth discussing. There’s a countess who has exhausted all her energy giving birth, and I’m making a fuss just because she’s visiting? Even if I were the minister, I would be displeased rather than grateful. I have no intention of becoming the first emperor in the history of the empire to be beaten by a subject.

However, if I go and cause a commotion, the same goes for other people as well. The person who will congratulate the minister on the birth of a son instead of the emperor must be a high-ranking official, but it is rude to send a low-ranking person to avoid uproar.

‘I guess I’ll just have to send gifts for now.’

In the end, after much deliberation, I came to an ordinary conclusion. Until the Countess regains her strength, she might as well send only gifts. It’s just a gift, so all you have to do is have a servant carry it.

And as soon as she finished one worry, she started to worry about another.

‘What foods are good for stamina?’

For a minister who is expected to have six wives, the most important thing is energy. What kind of food should we send to the minister so that he will be truly moved and bow to the imperial palace?

It can’t help but be fun just to imagine it─

“Your Majesty. I see you are happy.”

After hearing the empress ‘words of her, she unconsciously touched the corner of her mouth.

It was so high that it caught my ear without me even knowing.

***

The expression that you never get tired of watching something is familiar. In the past, I felt that way every time I saw Hecate, and these days, I feel it every day when I see lovers.

And now, I feel that way as I look at the tiny life that has inherited my blood.

“You really look like an angel.”

Occasionally, seeing Ferdinand sleeping while wriggling his fingers or toes made me smile.

Cute. So pretty. I thought that way even when I looked at the Crown Princess, who is not my child, but my child must be so miserable. It feels like an angel came down from heaven and is sleeping right before my eyes.

I wanted to hold him in my arms 24 hours a day, but I held back. If you hold a newly born baby carelessly, the bones may become damaged.

“Ugh.”

‘Oops.’

Meanwhile, Ferdinand, who was soundly sleeping, probably heard me muttering, and frowned slightly.

I’m sorry dad. I’ll be quiet.

“He has a short temper and is even sensitive.”

When Mar saw me hurriedly close my mouth, she smiled and adjusted the blanket that Ferdinand was covering.

Then, Ferdinand’s expression his his, which had been strangely frowning, suddenly became calm.

‘What is it?’

Why are they already discriminating against fathers? If this happens, dad will cry.

“Me and Pedi have been together for 10 months. I think I’m still more comfortable.”

“That’s right.”

But she had no choice but to be convinced by Mar’s logic her her her her. How can I refute a mother’s love that a father cannot surpass?

Still, I was a little disappointed. If Ferdinand wanted something to eat, he would run out even while he was sleeping, and if he couldn’t be seen by the authorities, he would go out of his way to get it from Section 2. I would be grateful if they recognized my father’s efforts…

‘Pedi?’

Now that I think about it, didn’t the nickname flow very naturally? You get your name and nickname on the day you’re born, so that’s fast.

‘Pedira.’

I was satisfied because it had a cute tone. Ferdinand is not a bad name, but it is too grand and dignified a name to keep calling this little b*stard.

‘Marang Pedi.’

I unconsciously looked at Mar next to me and Peddy lying in the cradle.

No matter how many times I watch it, I never get tired of it.

Even though Pedi was born, going to work didn’t stop. It is difficult to take parental leave in a situation where you feel like crying or when graduation is just around the corner, so it is unavoidable.

Still, I am glad that the people here are taking care of Marang Pedi while I am away, with the intention of immortalizing her soul. Having loyal employees is convenient in many ways.

“If the first baby is okay, I’d like to help, is that okay?”

“Of course. I think I will feel relieved if my mother helps me.”

Moreover, her mother even said that she would come for a pedi every now and then to make up for my absence. Among her parents and her wife’s parents, her mother is the only one who has time and is easy to come to.

That’s why every time I wanted to see Pedi, I gritted my teeth and endured it. Our baby angel would still be smiling in the arms of her grandmother and her mom even without her dad. Even if this father doesn’t bring food, the employees are the best… Oh, he’s still a baby, so he can only eat breast milk.

‘Are you full from that?’

Of course, because of tea, babies all over the world grow up well.

“Teacher advisor, what are you thinking?”

‘Ah.’

Just when I was amazed at the fact that my meal could be made with just liquid, I heard Ryutis’ voice and turned my attention.

“What are you thinking? Of course you are thinking of your son, third place.”

At the same time, Laterer’s natural provocation was also heard.

Since the War against Anti-Semitism, Later had lived with the word “Third place” On his lips. Considering that he has suffered so much in chess, this is a natural action.

“…Do you want to taste third place?”

“I’m sorry, but I’m too busy aiming for first place, so I don’t have time to fight with the third place below.”

I looked at Lyutis’ trembling hands and tried to look away.

Although it may seem like a causal statement, it was a statement that I, as a third party, would have been shocked to hear. The exasperation and humiliation of the person involved cannot be imagined.

Let’s see cause and effect.

***

When Nia said she was going to see her grandson, it was a wise choice for her to take the time to accompany him.

“Ehhhhh!”

“Uh, mother! What should I do in times like this!?”

“Hey, calm down first. Don’t they say that a baby’s crying is a sign that he or she is hungry?”

“I ate it just now!?”

“Well, then, let’s see…” ” “

“There is no smell!”

She is a daughter-in-law who is a new mother, and a mother-in-law who has two grown sons but has virtually no experience raising them. It was a combination that made her laugh just by looking at it, making her feel frustrated.

‘I am not in a position to help anyone.’

When I saw Nia struggling, I had that question. I took care of Karl and Erich’s childhood, and after that they grew up on their own. To be honest, Nia’s involvement in raising the two can be seen as minimal.

At this rate, isn’t he just coming because he wants to see his grandson? Otherwise, it is an unreasonable situation.

“I’ll take a look.”

First, I carefully looked at the little Sogaju who was crying sadly.

If I leave it to those two, Carl might be crying until he gets home from work.