556 – The Sun! Sky! Vegetation! – 4

Since Trixie gave birth, the number of guests visiting the mansion has increased.

To be precise, there were customers who came up to the main gate guarded by guards, prayed briefly, and then left.

And of course, the guests were all wizards.

‘Is this a pilgrimage?’

Of course, from the magicians’ point of view, it really feels like they are making a pilgrimage.

I want to congratulate my respected senior in the magic world for giving birth to children, but it is not polite to bother someone who has just given birth. Therefore, it seems that this strange pilgrimage culture was born as a compromise.

It is said that he does not just pray and go back, but also gives pocket money to the guards to protect His Majesty King Ma and his wife. It is truly a strange thing.

“For some reason, it seems more noisy than when our pedi was born.”

“Woo?”

“Still, they are all pretty little sisters that Peddie needs to take care of, so you shouldn’t be jealous?”

“Aww!”

When she said this while touching the cheek of Peddie, who was in her arms, Peddie smiled brightly and answered.

Cute. If you think rationally, you may not have understood what I said and responded, but in Abi’s mind, it seems that her eldest son is giving a solid answer for her younger sisters.

Yes, our Pedi will be able to become a cool and dependable older brother. A child who looks like me and Mar will definitely grow up like that.

‘The duke’s brother is Imperial Baek.’

The only concern is that her older brother is expected to inherit a lower title than her younger sister. Maybe the kids are fighting among themselves and say, ‘I don’t listen to people of lower rank than me.’ What if the same thing comes out?

I believe that won’t happen, but I’m anxious for no reason. Fedi is also of ducal blood and is scheduled to inherit the title of Imperial Count, but dukedom is an invincible title that no one can compete with no matter what lineage he comes from.

‘I hope Mary grows up to be a gentle child.’

So, our Maria, our eldest daughter.

For the sake of the peace of your family and empire, please grow up to be a gentle and good child. The sky named after you was the god of the beginning, but it was also gentle.

“Aww—”

“What’s wrong? Do you want to see your sisters?”

“Woo!”

He smiled at Pedi, who suddenly started whining, and headed towards where the triplets were.

She might be mistaken, but Peddie loved watching her younger siblings. She especially stared at her twitching ears while she was sleeping.

‘Honestly, it’s cute.’

I also lost track of time when I looked at those children’s ears.

If it weren’t for the ears of real elves, I touched them hundreds of times.

After Trixie regained some strength.

“Since last year, we have prepared a room for our little lords to stay in.”

Count Sicilla, the head of the Catoban duchy, fired a big ball.

“Currently, Your Excellency the Duke and your Excellency are newlyweds and your lords are too young, but shouldn’t you live in the duchy someday?”

What a ball of controversy over where the triplets live.

As soon as he heard those words, his head tingled as if he had been hit in the back of the head. I have finally noticed a problem that I should have considered a long time ago.

‘Where should I stay?’

If both father and mother are land holders, where should their children live?

In fact, in principle, it is true that the triplets should live in the Duchy of Servet. The children’s last name was already decided to be Catovan, not Crasius, and it was ‘natural’ for the vassals and subjects for the children of the Catovan duchy to live in the Duchy of Servet. It’s a bit weird when the duke who will rule over them in the future grows up in a different neighborhood.

But unlike his head, his heart, he could not acknowledge it. Should I send my precious daughters to another place? Children who can’t even bite and suck in the same mansion?

“…Can’t we just stay in the system?”

“It’s okay because our vassals can come to the island at any time, but the people are facing a minor duke for the first time in over 100 years.”

Considering the public sentiment of the people, I was sobbing when I heard that they must come to the Duchy of Servet.

I hate to admit it, but it’s true. Contrary to the perception that the succession of a noble family is something that only fellow nobles care about, the succession of a lord’s family is also of utmost importance to the local people.

If the lordly family that ruled them was cut off without a successor, other families would intervene, and there were many nobles who wanted to own the abandoned estates without an owner. If that’s the case, a disaster will suddenly occur in which their home will be reduced to a battleground for nobles.

Therefore, considering the well-being of the Duchy of Servet that our Maria will inherit, it is right for her to stay in Servet rather than in the islands.

‘Servette…’

With a sad heart, I imagined the triplets who would be separated from me.

Triplets surrounded by vassals and receiving all kinds of cuteness, triplets receiving cheers from the subjects, triplets receiving the blessings of successful Dukes of Serbet.

The triplets are unfamiliar with their father because they live separately from him, the triplets who burst into tears when their father comes to visit, and the triplets who hide behind the backs of their retainers and greet their father awkwardly.

…

“If you want to take my daughters, kill me and take them.”

“Yes, yes?”

Count Sicilla was taken back by the sudden rush.

Still, my intention remains the same. Separated families are unacceptable. I can’t stand being an awkward, unfamiliar father to my daughters. These are the children I have prayed so earnestly for, but I can never do that.

“A father must protect his children! I will keep them by my side until they enter the academy!”

Count Sicilla’s eyes trembled at the desperate cry.

The Count’s feelings are understandable. Considering the territory, I wonder if I should take the children, but wouldn’t it be embarrassing if their biological father caused this mess?

However, if you are a warrior, you will experience a battlefield from which you cannot retreat even if you die at least once. For me now, this moment is the battlefield.

“…Hey, Carl?”

Trixie, who had been silent at my confident declaration

“In fact, her maternal grandmother even said it would be nice to raise her children in the elf residential district.”

“…”

At those words, the burning fighting spirit subsided like a lie.

It’s a bit difficult when it’s my maternal grandmother.

Since they are triplets, let’s raise one in the Islands, one in Servet, and one in the elf residential district—no such crazy conclusion was reached.

The determination of someone who simply did not want to become a separated family, the Count of Sicilla’s concession that the people only need to be able to recognize the children’s existence, and the maternal grandmother’s request that just showing her face occasionally was enough, all combined to create the ‘Servet for a certain period of the year’ I came to the conclusion that it was in an elf residential district.

To be honest, I didn’t want to give up that certain period of time, but just as I care about my daughters, doesn’t the same apply to my retainers and maternal grandmother? Giving up to some extent is the way for both sides.

Yes, definitely, but…

“I have to live separately from these kids?”

I cried. I cried in my heart because I was afraid that the children who had fallen asleep wringing their hands would wake up, but it felt like my heart was breaking.

How can I break up with these kids? How important is the presence of a father to children who need to grow up receiving love from their parents?

“It’s not like I’m leaving right away, it’s from the age of 5. It’s a month at most.”

I closed my mouth at Trixie’s words.

Unfortunately, I was the only one sad. If my mom, Trixie, had supported my opinion, she would have changed it to 10 years instead of 5, and to one week instead of one month of the year.

“Carl, it’s a little ugly.”

However, my heart was broken by Mar’s decisive blow to her.

If she looks ugly even in Mar’s eyes, how ugly is she? She’s almost afraid to look in the mirror.

Damn.

***

A smile was drawn at the sight of Karl looking at Maria, Cecilia, and Catlea with a gloomy face.

It is said that Abira is more vulnerable to her daughter than to her son, and it seems to be true when she looks at the sword.

‘Those children will become independent someday.’

Maybe that’s why I’m already worried. Servette is an area adjacent to the archipelago and is close to the County of Tylglehen, so it is not far enough to be worth living away from. Moreover, even the elf residential district located in the Duchy of Chenes can be reached quickly using teleportation.

Nevertheless, Carl is agitated and doesn’t know what to do. In the future, when the children get married, they will faint.

‘…Can I enroll?’

He said that he will keep it by his side until he enters the academy, but wouldn’t he hold on to it and say that he will teach it at home when the time comes to enter the academy?

That’s difficult. The children who will become the next Duke of Servette and his sisters cannot be given preschool names.

“Trixie.”

“Oh, yes. Why are you doing that?”

While I was seriously worried about the children’s future, I hurriedly turned my head when I heard Karl’s voice.

“I guess they don’t want to be separated from me either. They’re holding on tight like this.”

At those words, I glanced at Carl and his children. Cecilia’s hand was definitely holding Carl’s finger.

‘No matter what I give them, they catch me.’

But children also catch her maid’s toys when they come into their hands, not their father’s fingers. Rather, only the sad aspect of the sword was highlighted.

It was sad, but I laughed. At least I don’t think Karl will give less love to our children.

Even though children might get tired of their father’s heavy love, I don’t think they will crave affection.

“I also caught Cattleya…”

He walked up to Karl, who was mumbling as if he was moved, and gently stroked Maria’s cheek.

In the meantime, she gives her father’s finger to her younger siblings because they are her older sister. It’s also amazing.

‘Please keep growing like this.’

We are good sisters who are loved by everyone and hold each other’s hands even when we sleep.

A lovely child that my father, his retainers, and my maternal great-grandmother would like to take in and raise.