Chapter 434
“Viviana!”
Romandro practically tumbled into the mansion, his coat caked with dirt from having already fallen once in the garden.
The warriors signaled for silence, but Romandro was beyond noticing. His eyes were brimming with tears, blurring his vision. As he tried to rush straight to Viviana’s room, the warriors grabbed him in alarm.
“You can’t go in now. The midwives are helping her breathe—she’s about to give birth.”
“I understand your concern, but please sit here quietly. You’re covered in sweat and dirt. Is this really how you want to meet your child for the first time?”
“Did you just come back from plowing the fields at the palace? Go wash up and change your clothes first.”
“W-what about our Viviana? Is she okay?”
Before Romandro could finish, a piercing, agonized scream echoed from inside—raw and animalistic. He gasped, covering his mouth in shock, tears streaming anew.
“Oh, my love, you’re dying! Vivi! I’m here!”
“Please be quiet.”
“Vivi! Just hold on a little longer! Please!”
“Should we sedate him? If he can’t stay still, we’ll help.”
The warriors’ warnings forced Romandro to bite his lip and swallow his sobs. Tears, snot, and saliva dripped uncontrollably—an embarrassing sight.
The warriors folded their arms, solemnly praying to the gods, while Romandro kept glancing at his watch, wishing for this painful moment to pass quickly.
How long had it been? As Viviana’s cries began to fade, a new, unfamiliar sound caught everyone’s attention.
“Aah!”
The newborn’s cry—the tiny song of life just beginning.
The midwives giggled, amused by something, while Romandro pressed his pounding heart against the door. Please, someone open this door.
Creak.
“Romandro!”
“Philia! Is Viviana alright? And our child? All ten fingers and toes intact?”
“Yes, yes. She looks just like Viviana. Congratulations. You’re now a father.”
“Thank you! Thank you so much! Vivi, can you hear me? I’m so grateful for your strength. I love you! I promise I’ll be the best father I can be!”
“Viviana fainted right after holding the baby. Come this way. The midwife will show you the baby soon.”
“Congratulations, Romandro. It’s a relief the baby resembles your wife.”
“So that’s why the midwives were laughing?”
“Congratulations on your beautiful daughter!”
“Ah, thank you, thank you!”
While the warriors congratulated Romandro, Philia went to the washbasin, scrubbing her damp hands and forearms. The room was thick with tension and heat, leaving her drenched in sweat. Catching her reflection in the mirror, she suddenly thought of Ian.
“Romandro, what about Ian?”
“Hm? Ian?”
“Yes. I heard through Beric that he got caught up in some scandal at the palace. Is he alright?”
“Ah, the investigation is probably underway now. It’s absurd to think it involves the royal family.”
“So there’s no problem?”
“Well, there was a disagreement with the Crown Prince, but I don’t know the details.”
“A disagreement?”
Philia wiped her sweat with a towel, frowning.
“The Crown Prince visited the Magic Department and seemed very angry. But it was out of concern, so you don’t need to worry too much. Once the investigation ends and we get the report, we’ll know how to proceed. You should head to the border soon, before it gets any hotter. Your belly will start to show.”
Sniff! Romandro wiped his nose repeatedly as he spoke. Philia handed him a towel just as the door slowly opened. An elderly midwife appeared, cradling the baby wrapped in a clean cloth.
“Daddy’s here?”
“Here I am! I’m the father!”
“Oh, just in time. Here you go—a lovely little girl.”
Romandro’s eyes shone with anticipation as he carefully peeked inside the swaddling. He had imagined soft, pale skin and delicate features, but reality was a bit different.
“W-why is she so swollen?”
“That’s normal for newborns. Still, she’s a very pretty little girl—just like her mother.”
Romandro, a little shy, gently took the baby into his arms. So light, so fragile—tears welled up uncontrollably. Seeing this tiny new life stirred a storm of emotions in his heart.
‘I can’t let her die.’
Unlike before, when he had simply survived, now he was determined never to die. At least not until this child grew into an adult, until he could carve out a life for himself. As a father, he would be her pillar, her protector.
Sniffling, Romandro spoke softly to the baby.
“Nice to meet you. I’m counting on you. I may be a flawed father, but I’ll do my best to be perfect for you. I’ve waited so long for this moment… my heart feels like it’s going to burst—it hurts so much.”
The warriors gathered behind him, peeking over his shoulder at the newborn—a sacred life sent down by Gaia.
The midwife wiped her hands and asked for the baby’s name.
“Viviana said they haven’t decided yet.”
“Yes, we planned to choose together, but I’ve been too busy. I have some ideas, though. We’ll decide once Viviana wakes up.”
“Good. It’s best to name her quickly. Without a name, it’s as if she doesn’t exist.”
The midwife handed the baby back to Romandro and turned toward the nursery. As Romandro instinctively followed, Philia grabbed his sleeve and whispered.
“Romandro, I need to visit the palace briefly.”
“What? But—”
“I wanted to go earlier, but Viviana went into labor. My son barely survived the battlefield, and I can’t just stay here. Even a quick visit would be good. Please lend me a carriage.”
Romandro scratched his head, unsure. Without knowing Ian’s intentions or the strategy ahead, he couldn’t predict how Philia’s visit to the palace would be received. But—
“Go quietly. Take my carriage to the Magic Department to meet Ian. If he’s somewhere else, don’t move—wait in the office. Anywhere but the Magic Department is too dangerous.”
Having just become a father, Romandro understood Philia’s feelings. How could she just wait far away when her son had survived death on the battlefield? He couldn’t refuse.
Philia gave Romandro a light hug, then hurried to prepare, gathering her cloak.
“What about Beric?”
“I told him to guard the carriage while the driver changes. Knowing him, if he got inside, it’d be chaos.”
Romandro pictured Beric’s mouth hanging open in surprise. Philia smiled softly, nodded, then kissed Nersarn on the cheek before rushing out.
Creak!
Pitter-patter!
“Beric!”
“Philia! How’s the baby? Is she out?”
Beric, half-lying on the driver’s lap, jumped up at the sight of Philia.
“Yes. Viviana and the baby are both healthy. Sorry, but we’re heading back to the palace. Romandro gave us official permission, so no worries.”
“Ah, I want to see the baby!”
“After you return. Now hurry up.”
Philia climbed into the carriage. Beric stretched and frowned but quickly urged the driver to turn toward the palace.
As dusk settled, Philia arrived at the Magic Department and hurried up the stairs, cloak wrapped tightly around her. The building was brightly lit, a stark contrast to the desolation she’d seen just days ago when bringing supplies to Romandro. The presence of returning mages brought her a sense of relief.
Pitter-patter!
“Oh? Philia?”
“Hello, it’s been a while. Where’s Ian?”
“Ian is in his office. But, ha… Philia, you came at just the right time. Go give him a good scolding.”
Philia stopped in her tracks, surprised by the tense atmosphere among the mages. She hadn’t noticed before, caught up in the joy of seeing her son.
Curious, she pulled back her cloak and tilted her head.
“Did Ian make a mistake?”
“If only it were a mistake, it’d be easier to understand. This is serious. He caused a huge scene at the conference. The Crown Prince even stormed out halfway through.”
“What? The Crown Prince?”
“Only a day after arriving in Barielo, he’s already heading back to Clifford to personally investigate the rift. It’s driving me crazy. And—”
The wizard abruptly stopped himself, unwilling to bring up the royal bloodline and the Idgal issue in front of Filia. Those matters were too complicated to discuss here.
“W-what exactly is this rift investigation?” Filia asked.
“It’s literally going into the rift to examine it. It’s extremely dangerous and takes a long time. If possible, please try to talk Ian out of it. Honestly, I don’t know what he’s thinking.”
Filia glanced around with wide eyes for a moment, then quietly nodded. Slowly, she turned and headed toward the study.
Knock, knock.
No one was at the door—not even a servant to open it. It seemed Ian had sent everyone away. Filia made a small noise herself and gently pulled the door open.
Creak.
“Ian?”
He was slumped over his desk, his blonde hair softly glowing in the moonlight as it spilled down naturally. Was he asleep? Filia approached cautiously, and Ian spoke without lifting his head.
“What brings you here, Mother?”
“Ian. Are you alright? What’s wrong? Are you hurt?”
Still burying his face, Ian muttered something. Filia stepped closer and wrapped her arms around his shoulders. Instinctively, she knew.
His voice was locked tight. His head stubbornly bowed. Ian was discouraged. For reasons unknown.
“Ian, look at me. Hmm? What happened at the tournament?”
“…”
“I heard a little from others, but I want to hear it from you.”
“I’m just a coward.”
“What nonsense is that? There’s no one braver than you.”
“I made up my mind, but my heart keeps wavering like a reed in the wind. It’s cold. I’m afraid to walk this unseen path, yet it’s the path I must take. I believe there’s someone I want to meet at the end, but faith can always betray you in the end, can’t it?”
Filia didn’t fully understand what Ian meant, but one thing was clear: a storm was raging inside him.
She held him tightly and softly sang.
“Little moon upon the hill, shining bright on my child’s nape. Ah—do not cry, do not cry. My little one, greet the moon with laughter instead of tears.”
It was a song she used to sing almost every night when they lived together. She’d gently pat his back as she sang, and Ian would hum along. When he was imprisoned in the Bratz estate, this was the secret song she used to send him messages.
Filia rested her head on Ian’s shoulder. Slowly, he lifted his upper body and gave her a faint smile, worried eyes meeting hers.
“The song sounds lovely, Mother.”
At that moment, the moonlight illuminated Ian’s green eyes so brightly that Filia felt her heart drop. Why did he act as if hearing this for the first time?
For Ian—her son Ian—that was an oddly strange response. Without realizing it, Filia stepped back, staring at him intently, then whispered.
“…Does Ian not really know this song?”
It was the first time he’d said something so puzzling. Could that be why her heart was pounding wildly?
Ian hesitated briefly, then nodded casually.
“Yes. I’m familiar with it, but I don’t really know it.”