Side Story 5 One Day In This Family
Time passed slowly, and early one morning, two months later, Veronia woke up with a pain that was both unfamiliar and familiar.
“Aaah…”
Her groan woke Killion, who was sleeping next to her.
“My Dear?”
“Ugh… Killion!”
The sight of Veronia’s face contorted in pain sent a shiver down Killion’s spine. A large, shaky hand wrapped around Veronia’s forehead.
“Are you in great pain, shall I call for a doctor?”
“… Yes. I think it’s today, I think the child… is going to come out.”
“Oh…”
For a moment, Killion was at a loss for words, his mind turning as white as a sheet of paper. As he stood there dumbfounded, Veronia shouted.
“Killion, what are you doing? Call the doctor! Ugh…”
“Yes, yes! Oh, I see!”
Veronia’s shout snapped him out of his daze. But Killion’s hands were still trembling as he tugged at the rope.
***
It had been an hour since the labor had begun, and still there was no sound in the room. Only Veronia’s moans of agony could be heard at intervals.
Killion’s heart sank at the thought that there was nothing he could do for his wife despite her pitiful cries. He only wished that he could be the one to hurt her, if he could.
“Father, your hands are wet.”
Jediel, who had been holding Killion’s hand tightly, looked up at him.
“It’s… because I’m nervous.”
“It’ll be okay, don’t worry too much. The Goddess is watching over Mum and the baby.”
With his other hand, he gently patted the back of Killion’s hand. Kilion couldn’t help but be touched that his son, so young, could be comforted in this way.
“Thank you, Jediel. You’re right, but I can’t help being scared and shaking.”
“Let me give you a hug.”
Jediel stretched out his arms toward Killion, who immediately sat the child on his lap and hugged him tightly. Feeling the warmth of the child’s body against his own seemed to ease his tension and put him at ease.
Then it happened. The door burst open and the maid came rushing in. She didn’t need to say a word. Her eyes were filled with emotion.
“Congratulations, Your Majesty, Your Highness, on the birth of a beautiful baby girl.”
“Ah…!”
“Wow…!”
The mouths of the embracing father and son suddenly opened. Killion stood up and stepped into the room while holding Jediel. Even amidst the nervousness and excitement, Killion recalled Veronia’s words of advice.
‘When the second child is born, most first children have a difficult time. I’ve heard the psychological impact is significant. So, on the day I give birth, please hold Jediel’s hand at all times. Okay?’
The room was filled with the raucous cries of a newborn baby. The healthy cries made Killion’s heart begin to pound with joy.
Now, on the other hand, Jediel seemed to be on edge. The baby’s cries and the bustle of the doctor and maids must have made him uneasy.
“Don’t worry, Jediel, you were right, mum and baby will be fine.”
“Yes… Father.”
Jediel’s small frown hadn’t disappeared yet, but he nodded anyway. Killion pressed his lips gently to Jediel’s cheek.
I’ll be there for you when you’re nervous, just as you’ve been there for me when I’ve been nervous.’
That even if a second and third were born, he would still care most for Jediel, the first, the one who had brought him and Veronia to their destiny.
The doctor who had approached Killion ruffled her hair and said.
“The Empress and the Princess are both well. Congratulations, Your Majesty.”
“You have labored hard.”
Killion’s voice trembled slightly from the emotion.
Kilion walked over to Veronia, still holding Jediel in his arms. Veronia’s flushed face was beaded with sweat, and Killion’s eyes moistened at the sight.
“You’ve been through a lot, my dear. Are you feeling better?”
At the sound of his nostalgic voice, Veronia opened her closed eyes and looked up at Killion. She forced the corners of her mouth to curl up into a wry smile.
“I’m fine, so don’t worry too much.”
“But…”
“I think because it was my second time, it was a lot easier than the first.”
Veronia’s voice was weak as she said this, and Clarissa came to her side. In her arms was a newborn baby, wrapped tightly in swaddling clothes.
“Childbirth is never easy, the first or second time, yet you say it is, Empress, to ease the Emperor’s worries.”
“My mother was right…”
“Congratulations, Your Majesty, she’s a beautiful little girl.”
Clarissa handed the newborn to Veronia. Tears formed in the corners of Veronia’s eyes as she took the baby.
“Jediel, this is your sister! Say hello to your sister.”
Jediel stared at the baby, then opened his mouth cautiously.
“But she’s red and wrinkled.”
“That’s how all newborn babies are.”
“Did I look like that?”
“Of course.”
Veronia nodded at Jediel’s question. Jediel gently stroked the baby’s twitching cheek and whispered.
“Don’t worry, little sister. You’re red and wrinkled now, but you will be white and fluffy like me in time.”
The adults in the room burst out laughing at Jediel’s sincere comfort for his little sister.
***
Charlotte, the baby Princess, was now more than two months old.
“Oh, my God, how can a newborn baby’s eyes be so clear!”
“My Jediel was like that when he was a baby!”
Luisa and Hugo came to the palace today.
They have been knighted Viscountesses in recognition of their role in providing a haven for the Empress during Veronia’s difficult time away from the palace. This allowed her to live out her days in a small, beautiful mansion near the palace.
Luisa and Hugo’s eyes welled up with tears as they held baby Charlotte. It was even more emotional when they remembered the first time they held Jediel five years earlier.
“The baby is so beautiful, she looks just like Her Majesty the Empress.”
“She must look even prettier because she’s my great-granddaughter.”
Embarrassed by the constant stream of compliments, Veronia shook her head slightly and smiled quietly.
“Is that so?”
“100 points because you look like Her Majesty the Empress, and 200 because she is my great-granddaughter?”
“300 points!”
Luisa and Hugo’s smiles widened. The birth of a new life is always a wonder. She has seen many births in her long life, but each one is always new and mysterious.
“I heard you found your lost daughter.”
Luisa and Hugo nodded at Veronia’s question. Onyx found her a month or so ago and brought her back, after she was lost to debtors.
What Luisa and Hugo didn’t know was that Veronia’s desire to repay their favor was what had set Onyx in motion. Veronia had wanted to keep it a secret.
“Onyx, you’ve done a lot for us, and I can’t thank you enough…”
“How is your daughter?”
“She’s been traveling all over the place and has had a very difficult time. She hasn’t been at peace in either body or mind, but she’s gradually settling down.”
“I know this is all due to the grace of Her Majesty the Empress. I am so grateful.”
Luisa and Hugo’s eyes were now moist at the corners. Veronia took their hands in hers. They were wrinkled and rough, but Veronia felt nothing but warmth and gratitude in them.
“If there’s anything I can do to help, I will, because you two are my benefactors, and you’re my grandparents.”
***
“I don’t think I’ll be needing any more massages.”
“Didn’t you say that the first three months after giving birth require more intense care than ever before?”
“… I did.”
Veronia stifle a sigh and held her tongue. No matter what she said, it was unlikely Killion would listen.
Veronia’s face soon relaxed contentedly as Killion’s hands slowly pressed and rubbed her stomach and waist, then her calves and feet.
She said she didn’t mind, but the truth was that Killion’s skilful, loving touch made her feel better.
Seeing the smile tugging at the corners of her mouth, Killion grinned and asked.
“Do you like it?”
“Yes, very much.”
Their gazes locked, and they smiled at each other affectionately. Killion opened his mouth shyly.
“I love you.”
“I love you more.”
“…”
Veronia’s eyes narrowed slightly at Killion’s lack of response to her confession.
“You thought that wasn’t the case, didn’t you, that you loved me more?”
“… No, I didn’t.”
“You lied.”
“I can’t fool… you either.”
Eventually, Killion sighed and gave up. Veronia felt smug, as if she had won, even though she hadn’t won or lost. With a smirk on her face, she continued.
“See, I can see through you, I can recognize your lies, and I love you in spite of them, which means I love you more.”
“Yes, I suppose so, thank you, My Lady.”
This time Killion nodded obediently. He would always be the underdog in front of his lovely wife. And that made him happy.
Killion lowered his lips to kiss Veronia’s forehead, hoping she would recognize the fullness of happiness he felt.
– Side Story Complete –
