Chapter 83
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 83
Chapter Title: Lugeron Village - 1
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“Elsia!”
Sylvia clung to Elsia, flustered by her words.
“What are you talking about? Sian hasn’t had a son yet.”
Even though I could love all my women equally, for the sake of the family’s future, the distinction between principal wife and concubine had to be clear. It was to prevent future discord among the children.
That was why I’d maintained contraception through Hestia’s miracle until Chloe gave birth. But instead of a son, a daughter was born.
‘Well, it’s not like having a daughter means I can’t carry on the family line or anything.’
It was a mindset this era hadn’t accepted yet, which posed a problem. Ah, the Holy Kingdom might be a little different.
In any case, out of consideration for Chloe, the principal wife, we’d all been cautious about having children. Yet even with a daughter born, Elsia brought it up.
“You’re not thinking something weird, are you?”
“From the beginning, you know better than anyone that Sian isn’t the type, Sylvia.”
“Th-that’s true, but…”
“And we can’t keep putting off having children forever.”
Elsia’s words made a certain degree of sense.
Elsia was 34 this year, and Sylvia was 40.
Even by modern standards, it was an age that carried considerable burden for bearing children.
“I-I’m not particularly…”
Catching Elsia’s point, Sylvia glanced at me as she spoke. It seemed she had some reluctance about bearing her son-in-law’s child…
“But if Sian wants it, I’ll have it!”
Apparently not.
“A second child… Well, the sooner the better for me.”
At first, I’d had reservations about having many children. But after our daughter Siel was born, my thinking changed.
I’d come to realize through this just how much fulfillment—and accompanying responsibility—came from having my own child and rooting my existence in this world.
It’s no wonder forming a family is held up as the benchmark of happiness.
“But I won’t decide rashly. Having a child is a big deal.”
I said it while looking at my women.
My loves, whom I treasured so much I could hold them in my eyes without pain; honestly, they were all too good for me.
I couldn’t force pregnancy on such women just to satisfy my own greed.
“Think it over some more before deciding.”
“Um, Sian.”
Seeming lost in thought after my words, Sylvia slowly parted her slightly trembling lips.
“I want to have your child, Sian.”
“M-Mom?!”
Clara looked utterly flustered.
No matter a physical relationship with her son-in-law, bearing his child carried a whole different weight.
“I know it’s shameless saying this in front of my daughter. But this time, I really want a son.”
Everyone fell silent at Sylvia’s words.
Because they knew how many sacrifices she’d made in pursuit of a son.
“I tried so hard to have one and even prayed to Lady Hestia.”
“Sylvia…”
“But it all failed, and my ex-husband beat me for it. Then I miscarried.”
“…”
My hands clenched tight. Was it fury at her ex-husband? Or anger at myself for failing to help her despite being right there? I couldn’t tell. Sylvia kept pouring out her heart.
“I know it’s late for me. Still…”
I took her tear-glistened hand and said,
“It’s fine. I want a child between us too, Sylvia.”
I knew full well it was mad talk to my mother-in-law, but if it made her happy, I wouldn’t shy from any insanity.
“I want to bear your child too, Sian.”
“Elsia?”
“I became your concubine from the start because I saw your talents. I absolutely want to bear the child of such an extraordinary man. Would you hate it if that was my reason?”
“Of course not.”
Unlike Sylvia, Elsia wanted my child after purely weighing the gains.
It was just like her—and that was her charm.
“What about you, Clara?”
“Me?!”
“Yeah. Might as well hear everyone’s thoughts.”
“W-well, you see…”
Clara pondered a moment before confessing her feelings.
“Ah, I still don’t know.”
“You don’t know?”
“You know too, Sian. I was raised as a boy. So I lack confidence.”
Clara glanced at Sylvia.
“I feel like compared to Mom, Chloe, or Ms. Elsia, I’m still not ready to be a great mother.”
“I see.”
“Sorry.”
I hugged Clara and said,
“No. I’m grateful you’re taking it so seriously.”
“Me… thank you too.”
Next was Vivian.
The only one who couldn’t follow along due to the language barrier—we gave her a rough explanation via Sylvia, and finally heard her thoughts.
Naturally, Vivian…
“I want it. A strong warrior’s child.”
True to the woman who’d lusted after my seed from the start, she was keen on having a child.
However.
“But not ready to have one yet.”
“Why?”
“Think must learn your language first. Before child.”
She wouldn’t irresponsibly rush into parenthood. Fair enough—for a child of ours, dismantling the language barrier came first.
“Got it. I’ll teach you imperial.”
“Lord, thank you.”
And so it was decided.
The women who would next bear my children.
“Honey, you’re here?”
In the divinely crafted maternity room, Chloe rested comfortably amid the faint herbal scent and warm lighting.
Truth be told, this place outdid the house I’d built myself.
‘Ouch, that stings the pride.’
A temporary shelter lasting just half a month surpassing the home Tom and I poured sweat into? As head of the household, I couldn’t stomach it.
‘Next house I build, it’ll be twice as good as this.’
Setting passion aside for now, I slowly approached Chloe.
“Body feeling okay? They say right after birth is brutal.”
“I’m good. The Nymph teachers helped a ton.”
No empty words—Chloe’s condition was better than expected.
Courtesy of Nymphs you couldn’t hire for billions. True to their moniker as divine proxies, their miracles impressed.
‘So this is the payoff for the expedition grind.’
I sat by Chloe and recounted the recent meeting.
“This time, Sylvia and Elsia wanna have my kids.”
“Really?”
“Yeah. Sylvia’s dead set on a son, and Elsia wants to lock in her concubine spot.”
“Rough road ahead for you, honey.”
“It’s fine. That much is… But you okay with it, Chloe?”
“With what?”
“Me knocking up other women.”
Even in this husband-dominant era, I couldn’t dismiss my wife’s feelings. She might resent it; her principal wife status could feel threatened.
But Chloe betrayed no unease.
“It’s okay.”
“For real?”
“Yeah. You’re that incredible, and they’re all family anyway.”
Chloe smiled as she spoke. Grateful for her grace, I kissed her forehead.
“Thanks, always.”
“Thank you.”
A week passed since Siel’s birth. Everyone’s routines shifted in that time.
First off, Chloe handled Siel’s childcare alongside the Nymphs.
“Sorry I’m the only one out working.”
“No worries. The Nymph teachers make it easy.”
As Chloe said, the Nymphs weren’t flattering—they had pro-level baby-handling skills. Probably from childcare training at Nymph Academy.
‘Look young, but over 200 years old.’
Siel especially loved Helia’s holds. Fitting for a Nymph of the love-and-family goddess, wielding childcare miracles.
“Lady Siel, no pulling hair~”
‘Or maybe not?’
Maybe just enchanted by the Nymph’s beauty.
Sylvia stuck to housework as always, Elsia to asset management. These two stayed busiest.
Sylvia prepped ten-person meals per sitting; Elsia sorted the haul of loot I’d brought.
“You two have it rough.”
“Hehe, thanks.”
“Sian, if I may—what monster’s this hide from?”
“Ah, that’s ogre balls.”
Next, Clara and Vivian.
Clara farmed with me at dawn, hunted mornings, helped Sylvia evenings.
“Farming’s sorted with Clara. Done already.”
“Nah, your stamina overflowed it quick.”
“Hm? Seducing me?”
“No!”
Vivian, meanwhile, aided Sylvia at dawn with her twin sisters while learning letters, studied via Elin mornings, hunted with me evenings.
“Studying going okay?”
I asked in clumsy northern; Vivian answered in clumsy imperial.
“Not good. Imperial hard.”
Little study aptitude—she struggled hard, so I gave her a brain massage.
“Better? Refreshing?”
“Hng… Good.”
The house kids pitched in diligently too.
Clia fixated entirely on niece Siel.
“Siel! Auntie’s here!”
“Eek?! Lady Clia! Can’t touch Lady Siel’s hair yet!”
Interference, not aid, of course.
She just couldn’t contain her niece-love, so I warned her.
“Baby bodies are underdeveloped and fragile. Careful.”
“Got it, bro!”
Unlike hyper Clia, Elin behaved primly.
She eyed Siel longingly now and then but held back, watching from afar.
She hustled to help the adults however.
Sorting assets with mom Elsia, teaching imperial to Vivian, Becky, and Bess.
“Elin’s our house treasure.”
“Thank you. I’ll work harder, brother Sian.”
“Don’t overdo it.”
Last, Vivian’s twin sisters Becky and Bess learned letters via Elin while aiding Sylvia’s chores.
I hadn’t bonded much with these kids, truth be told.
Language barrier aside, too swamped.
But they gelled well—close with Clia and Elin. Next chance, get friendly.
“Mr. Sian!”
“Hm?”
A familiar village face approached as I multitasked.
Right—the Lugeron graveyard keeper.
“Big trouble!”
“What happened?”
“Corpse is gone!”
“What corpse?”
“The one you specially requested!”
?!?!