Both Zenith and Lilia were showing now, likely around six months along.
During these six months, my magic finally caught up to Rudy’s level.
At the very least, I could use Advanced Magic of all attributes.
However, my precision in magic control was far inferior to Rudy’s.
“Rudy, Rudy, I beg of you, make one for me too.”
“No way.
I already made one for you last time.
Can’t you just make it yourself with Earth Magic?”
“I can’t.
I don’t have that kind of precision.
I can’t make such a good model.”
In Rudy’s room, I was begging him with my most sincere attitude to make me a 1/100 scale great mazinger model.
Last time I went to his room, I saw several 1/8 scale figurines on his shelf.
This guy really has a talent for making models, especially using Earth Magic.
I tried to copy him and make one myself, but it turned out terrible.
Back in my old world, no one would even believe it was a knock-off.
“Sigh~ I really can’t do anything with you.”
Rudeus said this while having me help process some minor parts, while he handled the precision of the main components.
“Rudy, can you make some harder substances?”
“I can, but what do you want them for?”
“I want to make a swing and a slide, so the future younger siblings will have better toys.”
“…Fine, I’ll help you.”
Rudy was quite dedicated to the upcoming siblings.
He prepared many childcare items in advance, bringing out the things we used to use to refurbish them for Zenith’s and Lilia’s babies.
Some things he even created directly with magic.
At times like this, I couldn’t help but marvel at how versatile magic is as a tool.
When sick, it can be used for healing.
Although not all illnesses can be cured, the vast majority are no problem.
Fire Magic can be used for warmth; Water Magic can irrigate fields during dry seasons or droughts; Wind Magic can help windmills grind grain; Earth Magic can be used to till soil, change soil structure, make earth blocks harder, or even turn them into metal.
For example, Roxy used the Advanced Water Magic ‘Heavy Rain’ during a drought to irrigate the fields of Buena Village.
However, some of the things mentioned above can only be done by Chantless Magicians like Rudy and me.
For instance, shaping earth blocks or purifying elements within the soil.
Ordinary Magicians can only activate magic according to incantations, and their power and precision of control are far inferior to ours.
“Alright, Lilia.
Rudy and I can handle it here.
You and Mama should just go rest.”
“Miss Luna, how could I…”
Lilia was very apprehensive.
As a sinner who had plunged this family into a great crisis, it felt completely wrong for her to be like the legitimate wife now, not having to do housework.
“It’s okay, Lilia.
Go rest with Mother.
This bit of work is easy for us.”
Lilia helplessly sat to the side, watching Rudy and me work with a worried expression.
“Lilia, you have to trust the children.
If you want to work, at least wait until after the baby is born.”
Zenith had returned to her old self with her, affectionately grabbing Lilia’s hand and constantly comforting her.
“Madam…” Lilia wept with emotion.
“Ah, it’s wonderful that my wives can get along so harmoniously.”
The idiot Paul appeared at the door with a punchable expression.
Ever since Zenith magnanimously accepted Lilia, Paul had gradually regained his status in the family, and the dream of building a harem began to sprout in his heart again.
“Hmph!”
I turned my head away and gave Paul a cold huff.
This was half-acting for Lilia to see, and half because I was genuinely angry.
After Rudy and I helped Lilia stay in the house, I took an opportunity when Paul and Zenith were out to ask Lilia privately about her past with Paul.
I had always felt that Lilia had an intimate relationship with Paul before coming to this house.
Though Lilia was somewhat reluctant, she told me about her past with Paul and urged me not to tell anyone else.
However, after hearing it, my entire worldview was shattered.
What an absolute scumbag Paul was back then.
Simply because he didn’t like the look of his fellow disciples at the dojo, he did ‘that’ to Lilia and then just walked away.
In the years after he left, Lilia endured countless hardships, eventually arriving at our home as a semi-invalid.
Fortunately, Paul had a bit of a conscience and took her in; otherwise, Lilia would have surely been politically erased by those people in the Royal Capital.
“Miss Luna, please don’t be like that.”
Lilia reminded me worriedly.
She knew why I was acting this way toward Paul.
Now that the atmosphere at home had softened, she didn’t want me to stir up trouble again, especially since she didn’t want Zenith to find out about that past.
Paul glanced at Lilia and immediately understood what was going on; he lowered his head in shame.
Zenith, who was beside Lilia, didn’t know exactly what had happened, but she didn’t press further.
She likely felt that Paul truly did owe Lilia something regarding his past infidelity.
In the yard, it was time for another day of swordsmanship training.
After Rudy finished his usual routine, he dashed off to find Sylphiette.
Before leaving, he didn’t forget to look back and say that I could join them once I was done.
Now, only Paul and I were left in the yard.
He seemed a bit distracted, probably still thinking about what had just happened, his heart filled with guilt.
“Ha!” With a loud shout, I attacked Paul with all my might, but as usual, he parried it effortlessly.
Then came a few more clacks of wooden swords clashing.
Paul actually left an opening.
The moment I caught it, I struck his wrist.
Clatter.
The wooden sword slipped weakly from his hand.
Paul clutched his swollen wrist and smiled awkwardly at me.
“Luna, can you forgive Daddy?”
“Heh, you should be saying that to Lilia.
If one day some punk forcibly took the purity of me or my soon-to-be-born sisters, how would you feel?”
“I…” Paul was speechless, his face showing nothing but shame.
“Fortunately, even though Lilia has endured so many years of pain, she hasn’t been broken by life.
So you need to take proper responsibility for her.
Also, don’t make Mother sad.
Put away those unrealistic thoughts of yours; next time, Mother might really take Rudy and me back to her home in Millishion.”
“Yes…” Paul knelt weakly on the ground, filled with remorse for his past mistakes.
“Also, I was the one who took the initiative to ask Lilia about this.
It has nothing to do with her; she didn’t snitch.”
Leaving him with those words, I walked away.
I’d let Paul think about the rest himself; he should bear the consequences of his own actions.
I estimated that in the future, he wouldn’t mistreat Lilia, nor would he think about cheating again.
This incident could be considered compensation for Lilia, even if I felt a little bad for Zenith.
A few more months passed, and the day of delivery arrived.
Zenith had a difficult labor; the baby’s position was extremely abnormal, and both Mother and child were in danger for a time.
With the help of the midwife and everyone else, accompanied by a baby’s cry, her child was finally born.
It was a cute little girl; though she was still wrinkled and her features weren’t clear yet, she would surely be a beautiful girl in the future.
“Great, it’s a little sister.”
Besides Paul and the others, Rudy was the happiest.
The moment he saw it wasn’t a brother, he looked immensely relieved.
However, while helping Zenith with her delivery, Lilia also went into labor.
She had actually started giving birth prematurely.
“You go stay with Mom.
Dad and I will look after Lilia.”
“Okay.”
Zenith just needed to rest now.
The difficult labor had exhausted her physical strength, and she also needed someone who knew Healing Magic to watch over her.
Fortunately, there were two people in the house who knew healing spells.
Rudy went to look after Zenith, while Paul and I looked after Lilia.
At this time, Paul helped Lilia back to her room.
Her forehead was covered in fine beads of sweat.
Luckily, the midwife hadn’t left yet.
Following her instructions, I prepared towels and hot water for Lilia.
“Miss Luna…”
“I’m here, Lilia.”
Lilia painfully grabbed my hand, seeking comfort.
It almost felt like I was the father of the child.
Fortunately, Lilia’s delivery went smoothly.
It was a baby girl; although she was smaller than Zenith’s baby, her cry was very loud.
Seeing that both children were safe and sound, Paul just stood to the side giggling to himself.
“Miss Luna, this…
child…
will be yours from now on…”
What do you mean mine?
Because Lilia had helped with Zenith’s delivery before her own, she was completely exhausted and fell into a deep sleep.
“Dad, was Lilia out of her mind just now?
Or is her eyeglass prescription not strong enough and she mistook me for you?”
“Hmm…
that’s very possible.”
It was truly a day of close calls.
With this, the Greyrat Family added two new members.
Zenith’s daughter was named Norn, and Lilia’s daughter was named Aisha.
They were Rudy’s and my younger sisters.
However, even though I often looked down on Rudy for things like being cowardly or timid, I couldn’t hold a candle to him when it came to soothing babies.
“Is this an ability brought about by being from a Japanese family with many children?”
“Uh…
not exactly.
It’s just that I’ve had this kind of experience before.
I used to take care of my younger brother.”
Watching Rudy skillfully change Norn and Aisha’s diapers and take them to Zenith and Lilia for breastfeeding on schedule, he really did a better job than a biological Mother.
I couldn’t stand the crying of these two children; my head was buzzing from the noise.
But fortunately, it was only like that at the beginning.
Gradually, I got used to the crying of the two children.
I also followed Rudy’s lead and learned how to change their diapers and make them happy.
“Norn, Aisha, it’s biabia~”
Paul had the foolish look of a doting father, making funny faces at the two sleeping in the crib.
As a result, Norn burst into tears, leaving Paul at a loss.
I quickly picked Norn up, and after a little soothing, she quieted down.
The little girl had blonde hair just like mine—or rather, inherited from Zenith—and her green eyes were as bright as emeralds.
She would definitely be a great beauty in the future.
After putting Norn down, I affectionately touched Aisha’s face.
Aisha inherited Paul’s eye color and Lilia’s hair color.
Then I picked her up; the little thing kept reaching out to grab my face, seemingly curious about who was in front of her.
I smiled, and Lilia, who was beside me, also showed a warm smile.
I hope the good times of the Greyrat Family last forever.
I hope you’re enjoying the fanfiction so far!