I Became a Childhood Friend With the Villainous Saintess

211 – Side Story – New Family

Daily life in the Grand Duchy of Illencia was a monotonous repetition of time.

To keep my skills from rusting, I did a moderate amount of training every morning, and around lunchtime, I met with Sirien and had a meal.

Afternoon tea time was Sirien’s favorite time of the day these days.

No matter how busy I was, I never missed this part of my schedule.

Well, if I don’t have time to open my eyes, I won’t be able to stay in Reheim.

The location is, of course, the winter garden of Reheim.

Sirien took over and managed the land that the late Archduchess had tended.

The new garden resembled the one we saw as children, but was imbued with the calm atmosphere that is characteristic of Sirien.

So, before we knew it, Sirien’s hand was present everywhere in Reheim.

This must be the reason why we cherish certain places.

There are many memories of Reheim, both good and sad, but now, wherever I look, I am reminded of Sirien.

The hallway we walked together. The small talk we had. I loved Sirien so much that I even loved this place where I was with her.

Now, if you turn this corner… … .

Sirien, who arrived first, will greet me with a smile.

like this.

“You’re here? You’re a little late today?”

“Because Isha couldn’t give in to the fight.”

“Aren’t you bothering the child too much?”

“Erani. She’s way past the age where she can be called a child.”

“Wow, that’s right. It’s already like that.”

Sirien laughed hysterically.

After shaking the cup of rooibos-scented tea once, her hand went to her round, swollen belly.

Eyes filled with affection, as if honey was dripping down. Sirien gently stroked the hem of her fluttering clothes before meeting my gaze.

“The doctor came this morning and said the baby will be born soon.”

“I guess we should hire a midwife. Should I have the doctor stay in the castle for a while?”

“That would be great. Ohhh… I want to meet you soon, my baby.”

The current Sirien was pregnant and about to give birth.

Maybe it’s because I had the child I wanted so badly, but I’ve been hearing from people around me lately that my personality has become much gentler.

The aftermath was much more blatant to me.

A gentle hand gesture as if to call someone closer.

As soon as I got near her, Sirien quickly hugged my arm.

While her cheek rubbed against my forearm, I gently stroked Sirien’s silver hair.

A pleasant smile appeared on her lips.

These days, Sirien is happy about such trivial things, and more than anything, she laughs often.

“Our child. Will it be a boy or a girl?”

“Which one would you prefer?”

“I don’t know. Whether it’s a son or a daughter, there are so many things I want to do for her. I can’t decide because I think I’ll be so happy either way.”

A delicate hand guided mine over her stomach.

Bean. Bean. As she felt the baby move, another smile appeared on her lips.

To be honest, I also had a hard time controlling my facial expressions.

It was a happiness that could not be compared to anything else.

Love is something that comes to fruition.

The fruition of this was revealed to us in the form of new life – something that at times felt almost surreal.

All the magic in the world, all the miracles of God, cannot create life.

So life must be the greatest blessing in this world.

“What about Rajen? Have you ever thought about whether you would prefer a son or a daughter?”

“That’s right. Now that I ask, I can’t choose.”

“I see. He’ll be so lovely, since he’s our child. I wish I could have twins and see them both.”

Am I being too greedy?

Sirien burst into laughter.

I put a cookie in her mouth.

Sirien ate the snack and then sucked my finger with her soft lips.

Because her smiling face seemed to be tempting me, I naturally kissed her lips.

* * *

A day when peaceful times continued.

Sirien’s labor pains began during her favorite tea time.

“Ugh… … !”

The whole of Reheim became busy with the news that childbirth had begun.

The Knights Templar raised their alert level sharply, and maids were constantly on the move to ensure there were no shortages of warm water or towels.

Sirien was lying on the bed, holding my hand tightly.

A face that seemed a little afraid. The complexion turned pale, as if it was more painful than expected.

However, a faint smile appeared over the cold sweat as if he was trying to look like he was smiling.

“Razen. I think our child is coming. I’m sure… … she’ll be a cute daughter. I can feel it.”

“Yeah. When the baby is born, let’s love him together. Is there anything that is uncomfortable? What do you need?”

“What do I need… … Hmm. I’m a little thirsty.”

There was no need to elaborate.

I turned my head slightly and the maid was already handing me a glass of cool water.

I took the bowl and fed it to Sirien slowly.

The water I drank was slower than usual.

It seems like he’s trying not to show it, but I can’t believe I don’t know Sirien.

When I stroked his slightly more hunched back than usual, his expression improved a little.

“The doctor said he’d prescribe a little medicine. He said it’s only a small amount, so it won’t affect the child. He said it’ll help the pain a little.”

“Really? Then I’ll eat it. But… … Please check one more time to make sure it’s really okay for the child. I’d rather be a little sick than have the child suffer.”

“I’ve already checked it several times. But, I’ve been told that it won’t taste good. It tastes terribly bitter.”

“Phehe. That much is okay.”

Even though I hated bitter tastes so much.

Sirien took the medicine the doctor gave her without complaint.

The pain of childbirth was something that Sirien had to endure alone.

All I could do was stay by her side, but Sirien seemed happy with that and leaned lightly into my arms.

Sometimes, my body would tremble and I felt miserable.

The nanny brought a warm towel and wiped Sirien’s sweat.

Sirien kept her lips tightly shut as the pain continued.

“Razen, nanny. Our child… will he be okay? Will I be able to do well?”

“Of course it’ll be okay. Everything’ll be fine. You said you wanted to hold the baby when it’s born.”

“When Your Majesty was born, your wife had the same worries. But look, Your Majesty grew up healthy and came all the way here.”

“Thank you. … … Ugh!”

Sirien’s waist shook with the pain that followed.

The hand that held me as if I was being driven to the edge of a cliff also felt strong.

I took her hand in mine and prayed earnestly to God for the first time.

I hope Sirien is safe.

I hope she can give birth safely, just as she desperately hoped.

After some time, real labor pains began.

“Ugh. aaah… … !”

Sirien let out a painful groan.

The more I did that, the more desperate the hands that held me became, and the maids continued to change the bloody towels.

“Just slow down a little. You need to catch your breath. The baby is coming out. I can see it from my side. Just hold on a little longer.”

“Ahhh! Huh… … . Haa. In front of you… … I didn’t want to show you how I was in pain. It’s not working, I’m sorry. Ugh… … !”

“It’s okay. If it hurts, don’t hold it in. Just scream. Just catch your breath a little. You’ve been doing a great job so far.”

Should I call this impatience? Or should I call it anxiety?

The more Sirien suffered, the more it felt like a corner of my heart was being squeezed along with it.

I was afraid that something might go wrong with Sirien.

But just having that thought in my head feels blasphemous.

I had to banish distracting thoughts and send them to a corner of my subconscious.

Sirien’s expression became distorted, and her two arms grabbed my hands.

When I finally opened my eyes, which were tightly shut in pain.

The child’s crying echoed loudly throughout the room.

“Look here. A cute girl has come out.”

The nanny wrapped the baby in a soft cloth and handed it to me.

The child who had been crying loudly stopped crying quickly after being soothed by shaking his body several times.

My and Sirien’s eldest daughter.

The name we decided on in advance was Serena.

Serena seemed to be looking around with curious eyes.

As expected of a newborn, its chubby body was wiggling. I couldn’t help but smile at its cute appearance.

When I lowered my posture and showed the child to Sirien, her mouth fell open in a daze.

“Wow, woah… … !”

“What do you think? It’s our daughter. I guess she finds us strange.”

“You’re cute. Me too, I want to hug you too.”

“Are you okay? Are you in pain or something?”

“Right now… … It’s okay. It’s the day our baby first came into the world. If not now, it has to be now.”

There was no reason to stop Sirien if he said so.

He placed Serena on his arm, which he approached very carefully, and Sirien slowly led her into his arms.

Because of the pain she had suffered until just now, the cold sweat on Sirien’s face had not yet dried.

But a bright smile appeared on her face, as if she had long since forgotten all that pain.

Sirien felt the child’s breath on her cheek and smiled softly.

“Serena. You don’t know how much I’ve missed you. I’m your mother. From now on… … I’ll love you as much as I can.”

Still, it seemed like he didn’t have the strength to hold it for long.

Sirien soon handed the child back to me, exhaustion evident on her pretty face.

The bleeding was not small. He is probably barely holding it in even now.

Even in the midst of all this, Sirien smiled at me.

“I love you, Rajen. I’m so glad you’re always by my side.”

“Me too. You must have been very sick today. You’ve worked so hard. Get some rest. I’ll be by your side when you wake up. That’s a promise.”

“Uh. Then, can you stay like this for a little while until I go to sleep? When I wake up… … I’ll hug Serena again.”

“I will do that.”

I thought I had already seen the most beautiful smile in the world from Sirien.

Today’s Sirien was a little prettier than yesterday’s Sirien.

Sirien quickly fell into a deep sleep, and as promised, I was there to welcome her when she woke up.