/
[Mintz] “Chika-kun, you can do it the same way you did before. Just stay calm and take your time.”
[Chika] “Yes. Then, please…”
The heat that reappeared in my belly was slowly guided outward using the same process as before.
The flow of magic power was unstable, possibly because Douglas-san was still feeling overwhelmed.
However, once experienced, there was nothing difficult. Another child was born from me much more easily than before.
In place of Douglas-san, who was still agitated, Hector-sama picked up the other child in his arms.
The child, who was screaming and crying loudly, was a human baby.
He was a newborn, so it was hard to tell for sure, but it looked like he had a little bit of Douglas-san’s dusky blonde hair mixed in with his black hair.
“Chica-kun, you’ve worked hard. They’re cute lion and human children. I will go tell everyone in the next room, so please take your time with your family.”
“Thank you so much, Mintz-san.”
Mintz-san waved his hand lightly and left the room.
“Chika, you did a great job. Thank you so much for giving birth to Douglas’ child. But I’m surprised that they are twins.”
Gail-san stroked my head slowly and kissed me on the forehead.
” Honestly, I was surprised too. But to have two at once is like a dream come true.”
“Douglas, what are you dilly-dallying for? It’s pathetic considering that you’re my son. Chika-chan has given birth to such lovely children. However, a black lion and a black-haired human… Chika-chan! Chika-chan is really the best! Hey, hey, look! It’s your grandpa!”
Holding one child in each hand, the “Quiet and Wise King” was spinning around in place.
Seeing that, Douglas-san finally came to his senses.
“Hey, Dad! It’s dangerous! Give me my son!”
“No way! That’s what I’d like to say, but I’m afraid I can’t do that. Here are your lovely children.”
After receiving them from Hector-sama, Douglas-san brought them to my side.
“Chika, these are our children, the three of us1, that you gave birth to.”
Douglas-san’s voice trembled a little as he said that.
“Thank you, Douglas-san. Such a sweet child… for me2. Really… Really…3“
When I saw the children sleeping happily in Douglas-san’s hands, for some reason, I remembered the things that happened in my original world and the many things that happened in this world, and my tears started to flow.
“I’m the one who should be thanking you. Chika, please don’t cry. I don’t know what to do when you cry.”
“I’m sorry, I’m so happy and joyful…”
He handed the children over to Gail-san. Then Douglas-san hugged me tightly as I continued to cry.
I nuzzled my face into his thick chest and continued to cry for a while.
Just like that, Douglas-san picked me up and placed me on his lap. We sat on the edge of the bed, and he hugged me tightly from behind.
“I was really happy just by being saved by the two of you and being by your side… And yet, the two of you love me so much, and even gave me such a wonderful treasure…”
“You’re more than that. For us, Chika is also an irreplaceable treasure.”
“He’s right. If the mother cries so much, the children will be worried too. Come on, hold them in turn.”
Before I knew it, Gail-san, who had come to my side, held out the human child from his hand.
I could feel the weight of life in my arms as I received the child while I was still in Douglas-san’s arms.
As if it was a lie that they had been crying so much, the child seemed to be smiling a little as it slept peacefully in my arms.
I realized that this child is really the one I gave birth to, and joy welled up again from the depths of my body.
“Look, it’s a human child that looks just like Chika. He’s soooo cute.”
“He’s got a little bit of Douglas-san’s color in his hair. I hope he doesn’t grow up to be like me but grows up to be a healthy child.”
“You worry too much. It’s my baby. There’s no way he’s going to be that weak. Even if he did, don’t worry, Gail and I will protect him well.”
“That’s right. After all, he’s Douglas-san’s child, isn’t he? I’m sure he’ll grow up to be a strong boy.”
As I savored the warmth of the child I held in my arms, Gail-san gave me a lion cub this time…
“This one is waiting for you next. But a black lion, huh… It wouldn’t be strange if it is Chika and Doug’s child, but…”
I entrusted the human child to Gail-san and received a small lion cub this time.
Unlike the human child, his facial expression was not very clear. But the lion cub’s whole body was covered in soft black fur, and his little ears were twitching energetically.
The little lion did not seem to mind being held, and he was breathing comfortably while moving his little nose.
Human children are of course cute, but this one’s visual attractiveness is by far the most destructive.
Perhaps Douglas-san and Gail-san feel the opposite way about human children4.
“Sure, he’s got black fur, but what’s wrong with being a black lion?”
[Gail] “No, I’m sorry, I shouldn’t have said that… There’s nothing wrong with it. The only thing is that there is a legend that the founder of the lion tribe, including Doug, was a black lion. It’s just as legendary as Chika’s black hair and eyes.”
[Hector] “Yes, there is a legend that our ancestor was a black lion… It is fortunate that Douglas has renounced his claim to the throne, lest someone wants to install the legendary Black Lion as king.”
One of them was one of the few human race and the other one was the legendary Black Lion…
These kids might end up having a hard time.
I was a little anxious and that seemed to have gotten through to Douglas-san.
“Gail and dad, you worry too much. Don’t worry, he’s my son and he’s a lion. He’ll live his life strong in his own way, no matter what color his hair is. Look at me, don’t you see?”
“I didn’t mean it that way, but I’m sorry if I made you feel uneasy.”
“You’re right even though you’re just Douglas. Well, as long as I’m not blind, I won’t let your children get into trouble. Because that’s what I promised Chika-chan.”
“Thank you so much, Hector-sama.”
“Yosh… yosh… It is I who should thank you. By the way, Chika-chan, have you decided on the children’s names?”
When they5 decided on Glanz-kun’s name, I also had discussions with Gail-san and Douglas-san6. But Gail-san said that it would be better to leave it to both of us7, and Douglas-san said he would rather leave it to me.
I had thought of several candidates, but I didn’t think it would be twins, so my plans went awry.
However, there was one name that I came up with because of the twins.
“I’m thinking of Hikaru for the human child and Licht for the lion child. Both have the same meaning in my world, but Hikaru is the language of the country where I was born and raised, and Licht is from the language of the country I studied medicine in. What do you think, Douglas-san?”
“Hikaru and Licht, huh? That sounds beautiful. So, what does it mean?”
“It means “light”. Douglas-san and Gail-san are the very “light” that I found in times of despair. I think these children will be the “light” that shines on us even more in this happy and hopeful life we have now. I thought they could be a “light” that shines on us even more in our happy and hopeful lives.”
Gail-san patted my head with a bit of strength.
“It’s a little embarrassing to say that we’re the light, but it’s progress for you to be able to think of happiness in that way now. I think it’s a very good name, too.”
“Licht and Hikaru, huh? What good names. Alright then, to commemorate the birth of my grandchildren, I’m going to name the parks in the east and south districts Licht Park and Hikaru Park–“
“Please don’t do that!” “Stop it, you idiot father!”
I yelled out unintentionally, but Douglas-san seemed to feel the same way as I did.
“Why not? The park is too small, right? Okay, then, let’s name the great forest that extends to the boundary of Ulfair the Hikaru Great Forest–“
“That’s not the point! Don’t you get it…?”
Hector-sama puffed out his cheeks with a dissatisfied face even when Douglas-san warned him.
Really, where has the “Quiet and Wise King” gone?
“Even if you look like that, you’re not cute at all! How creepy.”
“What a cold son you are. You can’t understand the heart of an old man who cares for his grandson. I don’t remember raising such a son.”
“I think you should be glad that I grew up properly.”
“Umm… Hector-sama, your affection is enough for us, so long as you take good care of them.”
“Ooh, even Chika-chan… Oh, fine, I’ll think of another gift for you to look forward to. You can rest assured that I will raise both Licht and Hikaru well.”
“You’re just a helper, dad. They will be raised by me, Chika, and Gail with enough love.”
As usual, Douglas-san and Hector-san started a noisy argument that never seemed to end.
Gail-san who was unable to bear the sight of this opened his mouth.
“I’d like to remind you that everyone is waiting next door to take a look at the children. I’m sure Sebastian, in particular, has been waiting anxiously for them for a long time now.”
“Ye-yes, I’m sure they are! Let’s go! Let’s go!”
“All right! Douglas, you take care of Hikaru and Licht. I’ll carry Chika.”
Come to think of it, both Hikaru nor Licht didn’t woke up to the loud sounds around them, nor did they cry. Both of them were sleeping comfortably and soundly.
Perhaps, they were more wonderful children than I thought.
Douglas-san held Hikaru and Licht in his arms, and I was held by Gail-san.
“Um, Gail-san… it’s really not inconvenient for me to walk by myself… but it’s a pretty bad idea, isn’t it?”
“Yeah, it is. Anything can happen to your body. So, for now, you’re not allowed to walk for the rest of the day.”
As expected, the overprotectiveness is not likely to change even after I gave birth.
After that, the two of them carried me and my children to the next room, where we received heartfelt congratulations from everyone waiting for us.
Perhaps it was because I was at the peak of my happiness that I remembered those painful days after I came to this world.
I don’t know how many times I have wanted to die or be killed, and even now, I still have nightmares about those days.
However, I never thought that a day would come when I would be so happy and content.
Aah, I’m so glad I couldn’t take my own life at that time… I’m sure I’m happier than anyone else right now.
1
The word “three” refers to Chika, Douglas, and Gail.
2
To gave me such a lovely child.
3
Really… really thank you.
4
Chika thinks that the lion child is cuter than the human child. But maybe Gail and Douglas feel that the human child is cuter than the lion child.
5
Mintz’s family.
6
Regarding Chika’s child’s name.
7
Leave the naming to Chika and Douglas.