Chapter 369: Side Story — Pregnancy (2)
[Finally, my grandchildren have been conceived!]
Recently, Galia had been smiling brightly quite often.
Especially lately, he had been flitting around in a small, crow-like body, chattering near me as I worked.
[Following Dorothy, now Luce too, everything’s going smoothly, very smoothly!]
“How many times are you going to say that?”
[Isaac, do you even realize how much I’ve longed for this? These days, looking forward to seeing my grandchildren is the purpose of my life.]
Galia flapped his wings by the window as he responded, almost like a grandfather excited about soon meeting his grandchildren.
Of course, I could understand why someone usually so reserved would act all worked up.
Since graduating from Märchen Academy, there were often times when he subtly hinted, almost to himself, about “when he would finally get to see his grandchildren.”
“Yeah, yeah.”
I chuckled softly.
With Dorothy and Luce both reportedly pregnant, Kaya will probably be next soon enough.
It seemed that children for me, and grandchildren for Thunderbird, were steadily increasing.
It was a deeply joyful event.
To meet those I cherished and to form the fruits of love with them.
It was like a dream that anyone might have only imagined was now becoming a reality.
[You are quite the fuss-maker, Galia.]
A small white dragon, Frost Dragon Hilde, laid down on top of my head.
It was a drowsy-sounding female voice.
[You are exactly like a child. Well, I guess there is no helping it since you are still young.]
[Are you talking about me? I’m not that young to hear such remarks…!]
[Hmm?]
[…Never mind. From your perspective, I suppose that’s true.]
An unexpected hierarchy was being sorted out.
[Good, as long as you understand. As the saying goes, the more rice ripens, the more it bows its head… Hmm?]
Smiling, I raised my hand and petted Hilde’s body.
[Hehe, petting me all of a sudden…!]
“Talking about age again? That’s pretty amusing, Hilde.”
[More, more, keep petting me…!]
Hilde shrieked with delight from atop my head.
For no reason, my playful mood stirred even more.
I placed Hilde on the desk and brought my nose and mouth close to her belly. Then…
Bwoo!
When I blew a mouth fart, Hilde was startled out of her wits.
[Ahh! M-Master! What is…!?]
Bwooo!
[Hehe! S-stop that! Not that I mind… of course, since you’re my master, you can do whatever you want with my body…!]
As I continued petting and teasing her, Hilde kicked her little legs around and burst into laughter.
Then, perhaps because her pride was hurt, she got a bit irritated, but when I petted her again, she happily leaned her head into my hand.
[Hmph.]
Gallia narrowed his eyes, as if in disbelief.
At that moment, a white cat with a pink ribbon tied to its tail rose from the sofa.
[Haamm.]
Ella, the magic beast, stretched while yawning.
“Ah, Ella. Did we wake you up with all the noise?”
[Yeah. Hilde seems to be having fun.]
Ella gracefully leapt onto my lap, curled up, and laid down.
“Ella?”
Ella opened her eyes slightly and glanced sideways at me.
[Can’t I be spoiled just once too?]
I smiled and stroked Ella’s back.
Ella closed her eyes and quietly enjoyed my touch.
[…Not bad.]
Ella shared her thoughts with a nonchalant tone.
When I tried to pet Hilde again, Ella placed her front paw on my arm.
So, I petted Hilde with one hand and Ella with the other.
So cute…
Being surrounded by small, adorable magic beasts naturally healed my heart.
[Haa.]
The elder Galia sighed again, seemingly uncomfortable.
“Want me to pet you too?”
[I’ll pass…]
Galia shook his head with a look of reluctance.
***