LIGHTNOVELONLINE Chapter 228
“Upon giving birth to the third, a fourth also appeared.
It was an unexpected gift.
With two children, the fatigue of child-rearing was significant.
Fortunately, it wasn’t exactly double the trouble.
Thanks to Spei, the third son.
According to the comparisons made by Judas and Eliya, who had already raised Amor, the first, and Fides, the second, Spei resembled Amor.
He hardly cried and didn’t demand much.
He was endlessly gentle.
To be precise, since Amor took after Eliya, Spei also took after Eliya.
On the other hand, the youngest daughter, Donum, resembled the second child, Fides.
She cried, threw tantrums, and demanded a whole lot.
Their appearances were also similar.
The most prominent feature was the eyes.
Just as Amor, resembling Eliya, had red eyes, Spei did too.
Contrastingly, like Fides, who resembled Judas and had golden eyes, Donum’s eyes were the same.
Through that, Judas inferred memories of his past that he couldn’t remember.
‘…Could it be that I was like this when I was young?’
He had no recollection.
After all, no one remembers their baby years.
There was no one to tell him how he was when he was little.
So, just a guess, but it was likely that he was.
Anyway, raising two kids simultaneously wasn’t as hard as he had worried.
‘Maybe about 1.5 times harder than raising Fides?’
It was also thanks to Judas and Eliya becoming adept at child-rearing.
Most importantly, having raised a lively child like Fides before, managing Donum, who was similar, was quite doable.
“Why are you looking at me like that?”
Eliya asked.
Judas had just finished playing with Donum and handed her to Eliya.
“Nothing, just….”
The twins, Spei and Donum.
When their feeding times overlapped, the siblings each took one of Eliya’s breasts.
Every time Judas saw that, he felt something strange.
“It was mine in the first place….”
It felt like something had been taken from him.
When he had just one child, it was bearable to occupy one side.
‘But taking both sides…. somehow leaves me feeling empty.’
Eliya looked up at him and chuckled.
“You’re going to declare it yours as soon as they wean anyway.”
“Of course.”
While a child is nursing, the husband must be careful too.
It’s because cavity germs can transfer.
For similar reasons, parents should also refrain from kissing babies.
During that challenging time, Judas couldn’t express how relieved he was when the two kids finally weaned.
“Uung….”
Having finished her feeding, Donum whined.
Judas immediately scooped Donum into his arms.
Interestingly, the youngest daughter Donum preferred her dad over her mom.
She always tried to stick to Judas.
“Are you full? Time for a burp.”
Judas gently patted Donum’s back.
Amor was already self-reliant and calm, plus he was older than his siblings.
So he had never felt envy toward his younger siblings.
Fides was different.
A needy baby with little age difference with his siblings.
He felt jealous of them.
When he first saw Spei and Donum being held by their parents, he even cried.
It was quite heart-wrenching.
It took a lot of effort to soothe him.
But these days, he had somewhat adapted and didn’t cry anymore.
Instead, he watched them with suspicion.
In the meantime, another problem arose.
“Hm….”
Eliya started feeling a tinge of jealousy towards the youngest daughter, who clung to her dad almost 24/7.
Judas subtly glanced at Eliya, who was gazing up at him.
“…Why are you looking at me like that?”
“Nothing. Just nothing.”
Of course, that was what she said.
It was a feeling that couldn’t be brought up in front of the kids.
Instead, they expressed it freely at night.
The number of kids had increased, but the two tried their best to carve out time to love each other.
In fact, they could love each other without having to wait for nightfall.
“Fides is likely with Gallahaid, right?”
“Yeah. He should be playing.”
With the increase in children, they often took assistance from close ones.
Usually, Maria.
Right now, Amor was taking a nap with Maria.
Gallahaid sometimes helped out too.
Especially since Fides, being so energetic, was adored by Gallahaid and the royal guards.
They believed he was surely a candidate for a future great general.
“If I go with you, he will feel uncomfortable. Can you go and bring him back? It’s getting close to dinner.”
Eliya was about to fetch Maria and Amor.
“Sure. I will.”
Judas lightly kissed Eliya.
“I’ll see you later.”
“Yep. Come back quickly.”
Even though it was just a matter of a few minutes, Eliya always longed for him.
Judas understood that overly affectionate sentiment well.
Because he felt the same way.
To his adorable wife, who always wanted to be together, he kissed her once more.
Spei, who was cradled in his arms, waved his little hand at Judas.
“Abububya.”
His nonsensical babbling was simply cute.
Judas pinched his chubby cheeks lightly.
“I’ll be right back.”
Leaving Spei, who waved his short and chubby hand, Judas smiled as he walked away.
*
“Uruururu Cakung! Uruururuk, kakk!”
“…….”
Judas watched Gallahaid from a distance.
It wasn’t the first time he had seen him playing peekaboo with Fides.
Yet every time, it felt as strange and intimidating as the first.
He couldn’t just approach them.
Above all, Fides had long surpassed the time for peekaboo.
‘Hm…. I can’t come back later….’
Though the time had passed, Fides still loved peekaboo.
He giggled every time they played.
Then Gallahaid, wearing a smile that seemed to melt, looked at him in a way Judas had never seen.
‘He looks like a grandfather who’s losing his mind because his grandchild is happy…. Not just a feeling, it’s actually happening.’
Gallahaid made a high-pitched sound as he spoke to Fides.
“Did you enjoy it? Do you like it when I play peekaboo?”
It’s a complicated emotion.
I’m genuinely thankful that he enjoys playing with the child like that.
But experiencing that sight firsthand feels, how to put it.
Uncomfortable.
It’s like watching someone else’s private affairs that you shouldn’t see….
Anyway, since he came to take Fides, Judas had to fulfill his duty.
“Sir Gallahaid.”
He called out to him casually, making a loud noise with his footsteps.
Gallahaid startled slightly and looked up.
“…Ah. Judas.”
His expression changed as if putting on a mask.
He had turned into a stern middle-aged man in no time.
While he hesitated a moment, Fides rushed over.
“Daddy! Daddy!”
Now three years old, Fides was well-spoken and even better at running around.
Judas squatted down, holding Donum in his arms, and hugged Fides.
When lifted, he fit snugly on Judas’s shoulders.
Fides, cuddled up, glared at Donum, who was still in his arms.
‘When will he stop being jealous of his siblings?’
At least he wasn’t crying like before, so that was a relief.
Meanwhile, Donum stayed calm in Judas’s arms, regardless of Fides’s glaring.
Gallahaid watched the scene with a warm smile and said.
“You’ve come to pick up the young prince.”
Judas decided to preserve his dignity.
He had already come to know him well enough to recognize his sentimental side.
But there was no need to voice it outright.
Sometimes, just pretending not to notice is the polite thing to do.
It’s a way to go through life.
“It’s getting close to dinner time.”
“Hmm. Yes. Meals are very important. Especially for children.”
“Daddy! Daddy! Granddad played with me!”
He spoke well, but his expressions were somewhat awkward.
However, he was understandable.
Fides seemed to think of Gallahaid as a grandfather who often played with him.
“Should we say thank you then?”
“Thank you, granddad!”
Gallahaid nodded with a kindly smile.
Judas gazed at him quietly.
There was hardly any resemblance to him.
His reddish-brown hair.
Green eyes.
Yet he was the closest thing to a father figure to him in this world.
The next words he uttered felt a bit impulsive.
“Would you like to have dinner with us?”
“…Huh?”
Gallahaid wasn’t a member of the royal family, even though they were close.
He had never sat down for a family meal.
“Well, unless you have other obligations….”
Having said it, Judas became embarrassed and added quietly.
Gallahaid chuckled, watching his once-disciple now become the head of the household.
Too honest sometimes, yet not in moments like this. He was quite a funny fellow.
“It is a proposal from His Majesty, so how could I refuse?”
Gallahaid’s teasing acceptance eased Judas’s embarrassment.
*
Eliya and Maria were fully comfortable dining with Gallahaid.
In fact, they felt they had every right to.
Gallahaid had also played with Amor when he was young.
Even recently, he still did so occasionally.
He had established a pretty close relationship with the royals.
“Feel free to relax.”
Before the meal was served, Eliya pointed out.
“Yes…. Your Majesty.”
Judas had come because he was called, but he still found it hard to talk to Eliya.
The royal guards saw Judas often, chatting away, while they seldom got to see Eliya.
It was hard to get accustomed to, yet Gallahaid tried his best to act comfortably.
“Granddad! Granddad!”
Fides waved his little hand in recognition.
That made everything feel a bit easier.
…However, Donum, who was being cradled by Judas, was staring intently at Gallahaid.
The twins, Spei and Donum, were about eight months old.
At this stage, where they would need all the care from Judas and Eliya, Gallahaid hadn’t had the chance to properly meet them.
So, Donum was now looking at Gallahaid as if he were a stranger.
Judas patted Donum gently as he said.
“Sir Gallahaid. He’s the head of the Royal Knights. He’s also my teacher. You’ll be seeing him a lot from now on.”
Even with that explanation, Donum merely stared blankly.
Her round face shone with her golden eyes.
As she looked at the girl resembling him, Gallahaid awkwardly greeted her.
“Um, ahem. Princess. Ah, hello!”
“…….”
Donum blinked and quickly turned her head, burying her face in Judas’s shoulder.
“Cough…”
“She’s a bit shy, you see.”
“That’s understandable….”
Gallahaid felt a bit awkwardly hurt.
Seeing him trying to act nonchalant made Judas chuckle inwardly.
‘I bet he’ll cry any minute now.’
Soon, Maria and the servants brought out the meal.
The table filled with children was as lively as ever.
Gallahaid blended naturally into that warm scene.
“Amor. Make sure to eat this too.”
“Yes, mommy.”
Maria put meat on Amor’s plate.
Judas thought that Maria believed Amor was a bit too thin.
‘…He is a bit skinny. He could afford to gain some weight.’
Judas somewhat agreed.
Meanwhile, Eliya, holding Spei, was feeding Fides.
“Ah~”
Now three years old, Fides could spoon-feed himself, yet he sometimes pouted for his mom or dad to feed him.
Today was one of those days.
“Make sure to chew properly, okay?”
Eliya said, wiping Fides’s mouth.
As he chewed the food and swallowed, Fides offered a piece of meat to Eliya too.
“Mommy, eat too!”
“Thank you.”
Eliya, smiling, took a bite of the meat.
“It’s even tastier because my son fed it to me.”
“Why don’t you feed me too, Daddy?”
Judas, who had been watching, cheekily chimed in.
“Dad wants a bite too!”
Fides offered the piece of meat again without hesitation.
“Hmm. It really is more delicious because it’s from you!”
“I want to feed mommy and daddy too!”
Amor jumped in as if he had been waiting for that moment.
These days, Amor took delight in feeding Judas and Eliya.
Originally, he had only received from his parents, but giving back was more fun.
“Oh my, you’re so sweet. Who do you take after to be this pretty?”
“I look like mommy.”
“You’re smart and know well. Your mom is a bit pretty, after all. …Oh, Donum. You can’t touch that. You can’t eat it yet.”
Despite being so chaotic, the atmosphere was cozy and cheerful.
As Judas chewed on the noodles that Amor had given him, he suddenly glanced at Eliya.
She was happily eating her food with a smile while holding the placid Spei, engaging with the children.
The most important person who made it possible for him to be in such a scene.
After wiping his lips slightly, Judas wrapped his arms around Eliya’s waist and kissed her cheek.
Startled by the sudden kiss, Eliya asked.
“Why suddenly?”
“Just because. I like you. Do I need a reason?”
“Hmm. That’s true. I like it too.”
Eliya boldly pressed her lips against Judas’s.
It was no problem for them whatever others might think.
“I love you, Judas.”
“I love you too, Eli.”
“Just you two are kissing! I want a kiss too!”
Amor quickly interjected, and Judas scooped him up.
“Come here. I’ll kiss you until you say you don’t want any more.”
Meanwhile, Maria spoke cautiously.
“During meals, we should concentrate on eating….”
But no one followed her advice.
In the end, even Maria couldn’t help but laugh.
Seeing them so happy was simply a good thing.
What she desired was Eliya’s well-being and happiness.
If that was achieved, other issues didn’t matter.
A harmonious meal continued amidst the cheerful chaos.
Gallahaid watched his disciple, who sat at the center of it all.
Suddenly, the first impression came to mind.
What was it like?
At first, the boy seemed flustered and confused, probably out of nerves.
Before long, he began to assert himself with an expression filled with fierce determination.
He proved who he was amidst all the tests and interruptions.
Ever since he had fortuitously taken him on as a disciple, he remembered that unwavering spirit, no matter how many times he fell.
It was an unyielding tenacity that shook his head in disbelief.
Before he knew it, he became Eliya’s knight, and now, he was her husband, who had become an emperor.
He knew a lot had transpired.
It must have been tough for him.
Thus, the sight of him resting so peacefully was delightful to see.
Gallahaid, smiling with pride, accidentally locked eyes with Maria.
The Empress Dowager who was not to be treated carelessly.
Gallahaid reflexively bowed his head, but Maria shyly waved her hands, as if to say that it wasn’t necessary.
As if saying there was no need for formality.
Consequently, Gallahaid also showed a sheepish smile in return.
The ruckus and warmth of the evening meal carried on.”