Chapter 31: A New Family
“What the hell is going on? You don’t need to panic; it’s not like the baby is going to come out right away! Why is someone who seems to pick fights with the kingdom so flustered? Get it together!”
“Y-yes! I’m sorry!!”
I bowed deeply after being yelled at by Mr. Bennett.
The reason for this was that, usually, I would teleport outside the town and then visit Mr. Bennett’s house to bring him back. However, due to the emergency, I had teleported directly to his home.
When I suddenly appeared, Mr. Bennett was enjoying his tea time and ended up spitting out his drink in surprise.
Ignoring Mr. Bennett’s shock, I quickly brought him along, leaving him holding a teacup and saucer.
It was definitely breaking and entering, and it was almost like kidnapping, but since we were acquaintances and it was a critical situation for Meileen, I thought it was justifiable. However, when I explained that, I got scolded even more.
“Oh… Kenta is bowing and apologizing…”
“That’s super rare.”
While I was being scolded, I heard Ivern and Yulia whispering behind me.
You two… you were just as flustered a moment ago!
“S-so, Mr. Bennett! What should we do now!?”
Seeing Meileen in labor, the usually calm Mona was unusually panicked.
Now that I think about it, Mona had mentioned she was unmarried and had no experience with childbirth, so she probably didn’t know what to do.
Of course, I didn’t know either.
“Anyway, the actual birth is still a ways off. If you keep panicking like this, you won’t have the energy for later. First, calm down.”
“Y-yes.”
Mr. Bennett calmed Mona down and headed toward the bedroom.
“Alright, I’m coming in.”
As Mr. Bennett entered the bedroom, Meileen was sitting up in bed.
“How are the contractions?”
He asked while sitting in a chair beside the bed.
Seeing his calm demeanor made it seem like everything was under control, which was strange.
“I had one earlier, but it’s gone now.”
Hearing Meileen’s words, Mr. Bennett nodded, “Uh-huh.”
“We talked about this before, right? The contractions are still long. That means the baby isn’t coming yet. So, don’t exert yourself too much right now; just relax a bit.”
“Y-yes.”
Now that I think about it, Mr. Bennett wasn’t just checking on the baby; he was also giving a lecture on childbirth.
Thanks to that lecture, Meileen didn’t seem as anxious as we were.
…But Mona should have received that lecture too.
I guess it’s hard to stay calm when your beloved master is in pain?
…I feel the same way.
In any case, Meileen’s labor had begun.
At first, things were relatively calm, and Yulia was encouraging Meileen by her bedside. But as the contractions became shorter and it was finally time for the baby to be born, Mr. Bennett asked us to step outside.
Since Yulia was also pregnant, it was possible that watching Meileen give birth could stress her out.
So, Ivern and Yulia were to wait outside the room.
As for me?
I was told to stay because I could use Healing Magic and I was Meileen’s husband.
Thanks to that…
“Hang in there! Just a little more!!”
“U-uuuh… Aaaahhhhhh!!!!”
“Ahhhhhh!!”
“Alright! It’s here!!”
I was able to witness the moment our child was born.
“Haah! Haah!”
“Meileen, Meileen! Thank you! Thank you! You did so well…”
“Haah… Kenta…”
Holding Meileen’s hand as she lay exhausted after giving birth, I expressed my gratitude and encouragement. Even in her dazed state, Meileen managed to smile at me, though she looked utterly worn out.
Mr. Bennett was already preparing the newborn for a bath, so I hadn’t seen the baby yet.
The child was important, but first, I needed to take care of Meileen.
As I focused on caring for Meileen, Mr. Bennett called out loudly.
“Kenta! The postpartum care is done, so Healing Magic right away!!”
“Y-yes!!”
Childbirth inflicts significant damage on the mother’s body.
In some cases, it can even lead to the mother’s death.
Giving birth is a matter of life and death.
So, to prevent such a situation, I cast Healing Magic on Meileen’s body after the postpartum care was completed.
Thanks to that, Meileen seemed to be recovering, though she was still exhausted.
“Haah… Thank you, Kenta. I feel much better now.”
“Are you really okay?”
“Haha, I’m worn out, but the pain is gone.”
“That’s good to hear.”
Feeling relieved that Meileen seemed to be alright, Mr. Bennett spoke up.
“Alright, sorry to keep you waiting. Here’s a healthy baby boy.”
As he said this, Mr. Bennett brought in a swaddled infant.
“Wow…”
Meileen took the baby from Mr. Bennett, awkwardly yet firmly cradling him.
“Ahh.”
The baby had cried loudly when he was born, but now he was quiet, gazing intently at Meileen.
Though his eyes probably couldn’t see yet, it seemed like he recognized his mother.
“Haah… so cute… finally, we meet. Hello, I’m your mom.”
“Ahh.”
“Hehe.”
…What is this?
Is it really okay for such a precious scene to exist?
I was almost spiritually cleansed just by witnessing this incredibly sacred moment.
“Hey, why don’t you say hello too, Papa?”
“…Papa.”
I was moved to hear myself called “Papa” for the first time, and I felt like I was about to be spiritually cleansed again, but I managed to hold it together and approached the baby.
“…Nice to meet you, I’m Papa.”
“Uu?”
Ugh… so cute…
I couldn’t help but pinch the baby’s cheeks.
“Ahh.”
“Haah, so cute…”
As I absentmindedly kept pinching the baby’s cheeks, he started to cry, probably finding it annoying.
“Whoa! S-sorry!”
“Oh dear. It’s alright, it’s alright.”
As Meileen soothed the baby, he quickly stopped crying.
“Goodness, I might end up being the type of parent who gets disliked for doting too much.”
“What!? No way!”
“Hehe. Oh, by the way, Kenta.”
“What is it?”
“Have you decided on a name for this child?”
“A name, huh…”
I revealed the name I had in mind for a boy.
“…How about Leon?”
I said it hesitantly, and Meileen gazed at the baby.
“Leon… Leon Maya… Yes. From today, you are Leon.”
“Ahh.”
It seemed Meileen liked the name, as she immediately called the baby Leon.
Then, as if responding to Meileen’s words, the baby made a sound, causing everyone present to laugh.
At that moment, there was a knock on the bedroom door.
“Hey! Let me in already!”
“Sounds like a lot of fun in there! Can I come in now!?”
Oh, I had completely forgotten that I had left Ivern and the others outside.
It seemed everyone in the room had forgotten about them too, as they all had surprised expressions.
Mona hurried to open the door, and Ivern and Yulia entered the room.
As soon as they saw Meileen holding the baby, Yulia’s eyes sparkled as she rushed over.
“Congratulations, Meileen! Wow… so cute… Is it a boy or a girl?”
“Thank you, Yulia. It’s a boy.”
“I see. Have you decided on a name yet?”
“Yes. From today, this child is Leon.”
“Wow… Nice to meet you, Leon-kun. I’m Aunt Yulia. I look forward to seeing you grow!”
“Uu?”
“Ahhh, so cute!”
Yulia was completely smitten with the child born to her best friend, Meileen.
Meanwhile, Ivern, who was watching from behind, remarked…
“Looks kind of like a monkey.”
He made that tactless comment and was promptly sent flying by Yulia.
Well, well, Ivern, you just dodged a bullet.
If Yulia hadn’t taken care of him, I would have done it myself.
Looks like he’s destined to remain a traveling merchant.
And so, a new family member was added to our home.