Chapter 113
Chapter 113
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 113
Chapter Title: Family Revelations and New Birth
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Upon returning to Rainpole, I immediately summoned my retainers.
I also asked my family to gather at the mansion. Fortunately, Father—who had been in Libel—along with Miller and Fudge had returned, allowing our whole family to reunite after so long.
Not just my family, but Estelle was there too, beaming happily for some reason. Well, whatever.
‘This feels unexpectedly tense.’
I took a deep breath and headed to the drawing room.
“Als!”
“You’re back!”
Max and Fudge greeted me with urgent expressions.
“We heard the news. What on earth happened?”
“Please calm down. I’ll explain everything step by step.”
Before recounting my dealings with King Gares, I decided to reveal Wade’s true identity first.
Miller, who hadn’t known, along with Mother and Yulia tilted their heads in confusion.
“Baby, what are you talking about? It was cute when you earnestly spun that wild tale, but Wade? Really?”
“Sigh... I figured you’d say that. Just so you know, Max, Fudge, and Father already knew.”
“Really?”
Mother and my sister whipped their heads around, shooting suspicious glances. Fudge and Max nodded awkwardly in response.
Mother looked utterly betrayed.
“Why didn’t you tell me?”
“We didn’t want to worry you like this. At least Father and Max knew, so please forgive them.”
Mother still wasn’t appeased and wore a rare stern expression.
But her ire turned elsewhere.
“You and I are talking later. Max and Fudge, you too!”
“Er, um. Claire, let’s hear Als out first.”
At that moment, Miller raised his hand tentatively.
“I still can’t wrap my head around it. Als was Wade? And Wade’s someone they say could join the Ten Heroes! Of course, I know you’re talented, but...”
Yulia nodded in agreement.
“Exactly! If that’s true, then bring out that Eonia Mirabel or whoever!”
“Sis... Eonia was often by my side.”
“What?”
“This is the perfect time to introduce everyone. ...Come in, all of you!”
At my signal, the retainers waiting outside entered the drawing room. Everyone except Master Illya, who was nearing her due date, and Anton by her side.
My family gasped at the overwhelming lineup.
Yulia sprang up, pointing at Eonia.
“Why is Ms. Rania here!? Wasn’t she just the temporary housekeeper we hired to watch Els and Chelsea?”
“W-well. Lord Als asked me to... Allow me to reintroduce myself. I am Eonia Mirabel.”
“I used to ask Ms. Rania for late-night snacks sometimes... Was that actually super rude...?”
“Not at all. It was part of my duties. Think nothing of it.”
“Whoa, what class...!”
Yulia marveled in admiration.
The introductions continued with Olaf, Gaspar, and Lutger in turn.
Estelle piped up during Lutger’s introduction, adding that he was her father.
“Sis, do you believe me now?”
“Y-yeah. I mean, you can tell at a glance they’re all incredible.”
“Oh, and there’s Master Illya and her husband too. She couldn’t make it today since her due date is so close.”
A brief silence fell over the drawing room.
Father then rose and approached my retainers.
“It seems my son is in your debt. Please continue looking after him.”
Lutger shook his hand on behalf of the group.
With Father lightening the mood, conversation flowed naturally.
Max and Miller buzzed excitedly about “Jade Rosenberg!”, while Father seemed comfortable chatting with Lutger, who was around his age.
The surprise came from Fudge and Yulia.
“Bayolaf Dresden... It’s been a while.”
“Hm...? Do I know you? We’ve never met, have we?”
“Of course you wouldn’t. To you, I was just another pebble rolling in the dirt.”
Apparently, the three were classmates at Pensilon Academy.
Bayolaf had been academy-famous, while Fudge and Yulia were, as described, just ordinary students.
“Haha, what an amusing coincidence. Well, I’ll remember that face and name from now on, so don’t take it too badly. Fudge Ilrain.”
“Yeah, take good care of my little brother.”
Things were working out well. I sighed in relief, but then Mother whispered to me.
“Dear, who’s that one?”
“Oh, you mean Gaspar.”
Gaspar sat isolated like a lone island, munching on snacks.
“Yeah. He gives off a bit of a... dangerous vibe.”
Mother eyed Gaspar warily.
Fair enough—Gaspar’s demeanor wasn’t the most polite, and pureblood beastkin had that innate intimidating aura.
“This might sound surprising, but he’s actually Ymir’s real father.”
“What? Is that true!?”
“Yep. He’s got this secretly devoted side—says he’ll watch over his daughter without revealing himself as her dad. So don’t worry too much.”
“I see...”
The wariness toward Gaspar vanished in an instant.
Mother smiled warmly and approached him.
“Would you like another cup of tea? Ymir grows her own leaves. I’ll brew some for you.”
“Uh. Th-thanks.”
Gaspar, reading the room, sat as meekly as possible.
Confirming the atmosphere had warmed, I decided to tell my family about my birth secret and everything with King Gares.
Their reactions varied. Father and my brothers muttered in astonishment.
“To think Als has imperial blood. So that’s why King Gares...”
“In a way, more shocking than the Wade thing.”
Mother and Yulia, however, looked saddened.
I gave a wry smile.
“Don’t worry. Knowing the truth changes nothing—my family will always be House Ilrain.”
“Sniff! Baby!”
My sister teared up and hugged me. Mother squeezed Ymir tight, saying she’d been through so much.
Once they calmed, I shared my future plans.
“I intend to pacify the chaos ahead. Not as an imperial, but by my own will. Nothing’s set in stone yet... but to do that, I might need to ally with Crossing.”
“What about Caliper?”
Father’s question.
“If possible, I’d like to join hands with Caliper too. I’ve maintained good relations with Duke Helian.”
I could guess the king’s intentions in backing me.
‘Once I win over Duke Helian later, merging Caliper Kingdom won’t be hard.’
But now wasn’t the time.
“I wanted your opinions on this too, Father, brothers. What do you think I should do?”
The family meeting stretched into the evening.
*
*
*
By the time we finished consulting, night had fully fallen.
Mother suggested staying the night, but word came that Master’s labor pains had intensified, so we headed back to my mansion first.
“Fine people.”
Lutger commented.
“I never imagined nobles could be this upright.”
“Haha, do you fall short of that standard yourself?”
“I was more ruthless than upright. Before Estelle fell ill, I clawed my way up relentlessly. But when my wife died in an accident and Estelle got sick, I realized it meant nothing. Too late by then. Sometimes I think if I’d lived content with what I had, like your family, I might’ve avoided that tragedy.”
“No words of comfort come to mind.”
“No need. Just the ramblings of a fool who realized too late what matters.”
Lutger gazed at Estelle with newfound resolve, vowing to do better from now on.
Estelle, for her part, was overjoyed for some reason.
“Lord Als. This is a secret you can’t easily share with others, right?”
“Of course.”
“Even Erina?”
“Especially not her.”
This fact couldn’t reach anyone beyond retainers and family. In some ways, it was more dangerous than revealing Wade’s identity.
Estelle was Lutger’s family, so fine—but not Erina.
“Our little secret, then. Hehe. Hihihi...!”
Estelle giggled slyly.
That’s when we were en route to my mansion.
Ymir, who’d gone ahead to check on Master, appeared.
“Young master, the midwife says Lady Illya’s pains have noticeably worsened. The birth is imminent.”
“Really? Then straight to Master’s house. Lutger, Olaf, Gaspar—you can head back first.”
Gaspar insisted there was nothing for him at home anyway and tagged along. As if—he just wanted to be near Ymir.
Thus, with Eonia, Ymir, and Gaspar in tow, I headed to Master’s home.
Master’s place—shared with Anton—was a modest two-story mansion.
With a midwife and priest present at the birth, we donned masks to conceal our faces, just in case.
I half-expected agonized screams, but there were none.
Master endured the pains silently with a stoic expression. Even the midwife was stunned.
“Sh-shouldn’t you scream? It’d actually help the birth.”
“I’m fine. It’s bearable. ...Ah, you’re here. Wade.”
The priest and midwife whipped around at “Wade.”
“Ignore me and carry on.”
Still, they kept stealing glances.
“How are you holding up?”
Master nodded nonchalantly.
“Nothing compared to being stabbed or slashed.”
“Please, no comparisons like that...”
“Heh, don’t worry. I’ll deliver a healthy child. More importantly, have you thought of a name?”
“I have.”
No sooner had she spoken than the pains intensified. Sweat beaded on her face.
Anton swallowed dryly, parched.
To avoid distracting them, I stepped out.
Soon after.
“Waaah!”
A lusty cry—clearly a boy’s. Reentering, I saw the midwife holding him aloft.
“A healthy baby boy!”
She sighed in awe. She’d never imagined a silent labor.
Master took the blanketed infant and smiled.
“See? Told you. Now, the name?”
“How about Gawain?”
“Gawain?”
“From a renowned knight I know.”
“Hm, first I’ve heard.”
“Haha, you wouldn’t.”
“Gawain... Not bad. Gawain Quinter. That’s your name now.”
Anton smiled, pleased.
The midwife and priest offered postpartum advice before leaving. Most mothers collapse from exhaustion, but Master showed no such signs.
She seemed eager to talk. I broached the topic cautiously.
“Master, can you spare some time soon? I have something important to discuss.”
“Talk now?”
“Not quite... Feels like bad timing. Just a moment later.”
“Hm. Looks serious. All the more reason to say it now. I don’t mind.”
I regretted bringing it up. Anton’s eyes widened curiously.
“No, it’s not that grave. Next time...”
But then.
“Shh!”
Gaspar signaled silence and yanked my collar urgently.
He sniffed—sniff!—nose to the window, then scowled.
“Damn it!”
“What? Suddenly?”
“Rookie, cover your face! Anton! Mirabel! Weapons ready, just in case!”
“What is it?”
“Guderian’s here!”
“...!?”
Guderian Chester of the Three Great Generals.
The key figure in this saga had arrived unannounced.