Lavi carried the unconscious Sel out of the bathroom. His hands were infinitely careful as he laid her on the bed. Then he lay beside her and pulled her into a tight embrace. Her slender body disappeared into the crook of his arm.

Lavi closed his eyes. Though he wasn’t sleepy, simply hearing Sel’s breath eased his fatigue.

“Sel, it’s time to wake up.”

Though he knew she wouldn’t answer, he continued speaking.

“You said you wanted a baby.”

What if she falls asleep like this? We’ll have to start all over again.

Lavi had thoroughly washed Sel’s body—even cleaned away all the passion he had poured into her.

“Open your eyes, my lady. I know you’re awake.”

Lavi chuckled as he traced her swollen lips with his finger. Sel’s eyelids fluttered.

“So cute.”

Lavi kissed her eyelids.

“How… did you know?”

Sel asked, her voice trembling.

“I can tell just by your breathing whether you’re asleep or not.

“You’re like a ghost.”

“You told me to take responsibility, my lady. Since we started, we should see it through.”

“Mmm…”

“If it’s too much, shall we stop?”

Lavi was still full of energy, but if Sel didn’t want it, he had no intention of pressing further. He began to gently pull away from her body.

But silently, Sel wrapped her arms around Lavi’s back. Her fingertips traced the taut muscles of his back.

“…Ha.”

Lavi bit his lower lip lightly, then grinned crookedly. And he didn’t let Sel off the bed until her strength was completely spent.

****

The conception dream for their first son, Michael, was of a golden lion. Back then, the two had appeared lovingly together.

The conception dream for their second son, Gabriel, was of a golden eagle. Luxos had handed the golden eagle to Lavi, and Creta had said the two were a perfect pair and advised them to raise just the two well.

Now was the third visit. Seeing the golden apple in the hands of former Empress Creta, it was certainly another conception dream.

Lavi bowed his head like a sinner.

“I’m sorry.”

“Oh no, no need for apologies. What can I do, having married off my daughter to someone who can’t even control himself? Hoho.”

“Well… I’m not making excuses, but Sel really wants to have seven children…”

“That is an excuse, Duke Lavirus Penhac.”

“I apologize.”

“Hoho, why apologize for such a joyous thing?”

Creta rolled her neck and shoulders, loosening up. Her usually graceful movements, like a ballerina’s, were unusually bold today.

“Now, you, stand right there.”

“Like this?”

“Yes. Keep your hands neatly together just like that.”

With a chilling smile, Creta spun the arm holding the apple. Then, like a cricket player, she threw the apple straight at Lavi with a perfect pitching stance.

Thanks to his sharp reflexes, Lavi swiftly dodged the fast-flying apple. Oh my? Creta twisted her lips.

“So you dodged my throw? You have no idea what this apple means, do you?”

“You told me to keep my hands together.”

“So that means you can’t catch it?”

“Ah, that’s not what I meant…”

Lavi looked flustered and asked for the apple to be thrown again. Creta threw the apple even harder. Lavi deflected the fast-flying golden apple with his chest.

The apple bounced slightly upward, then rolled down his firm chest, and he caught it politely with both hands joined together.

“Oh my, that was a perfect hit, yet you caught it?”

“Pardon?”

“Then catch this one, too.”

After that, apples poured down like rapid-fire. Lavi, who had been catching them with ease, finally glanced over at Creta.

His mother-in-law’s expression was fierce, eyes wide and lips twitching in anger. From that moment, Lavi simply began taking the hits from the flying apples.

“Ugh!”

They were just apples, but their impact was as powerful as cannonballs.

“If you’re a husband, shouldn’t you at least experience a fraction of the pain of childbirth?”

As Creta shouted, a torrent of apples rained down from the sky.

“M-My canary? Please calm down, hahaha.”

Luxos, who had been watching from behind, stepped in to calm Creta. Even though apples had piled up to Lavi’s waist, he still smiled brightly and bowed to Creta.

“Mother-in-law.”

“What do you want!”

“If you’re going to throw them, please be selective with your aim.”

“You’ve got some nerve. You have the audacity to say that in this situation?”

“Haha, could we have a pretty daughter like Sel this time?”

Even now, Lavi’s request was shameless. Watching Lavi, who smiled without a care, Luxos silently mouthed words to him behind Creta’s back.

“Don’t worry. If there’s a next time, I’ll make sure to prepare a dream about a daughter.”

Lavi blinked rapidly after seeing that.

“Not this time, but next?”

‘No.’

Lavi instantly sensed that the third child would be another boy.

“Papa, wake up!”

At that moment, Michael’s voice rang out.

“You need to play with Michael, Papa!”

Michael? Lavi opened his eyes with effort. He was greeted by the dazzling sight of four-year-old Michael. Michael was shaking Lavi’s leg to wake him.

Lavi, who had been half-reclined in an armchair, checked the baby in his arms. A baby, one year old, lay dozing soundly against his broad chest. It was Gabriel Penhac.

The boy, who looked exactly like Lavi, clung to him like a cicada. Strangely enough, the children preferred Lavi’s arms over Sel’s. Thanks to that, Lavi was the one raising both of them in his embrace.

“Papa, were you dreaming?”

“Why?”

“Because you were smiling in your sleep.”

Michael stretched his arms out to Lavi. Lavi stood up from the chair and easily lifted Michael. He held both children in his arms, but there was no sign of strain.

“I dreamed that you might get a new sibling.”

“This time I want a little sister!”

Despite Michael’s wish, Lavi had a feeling it would be a little brother again, but he said nothing. Michael giggled and clung to Lavi’s neck like a monkey. Even at four, he had a surprisingly strong grip.

“How should we play today?”

After setting Gabriel down, Lavi walked toward the training yard. There, Michael’s toys were scattered everywhere.

“I’m going to be a mage, Papa!”

“Okay.”

“Yesterday, I used magic with this!”

“Really?”

Only clerics were supposed to be able to use magic.

‘Could it be because he inherited Sel’s blood?’

Lavi widened his eyes and looked at Michael intently. Michael, who was clinging to him, suddenly jumped down and picked up a random stick from the ground. He pointed it at Lavi.

“I’m going to cut Papa’s pants with magic!”

“Go ahead, try it.”

“Hiya!”

Michael shouted as he swung the stick with energy.

“Maramaring shira maramaraang!”

A nonsensical incantation flew out, and a faint blue light enveloped the stick and touched the hem of Lavi’s pants.

Lavi’s eyes widened.

The hem of his pants had slightly torn.

“Michael, who taught you that?”

“Uncle Eric did!”

He told him that if you chant with all your heart, magic will come out.

‘If a kid can do this, shouldn’t you tell the parents first? That Eric, honestly…’

Lavi chuckled in disbelief and knelt on one knee

 “Our proud son might become a great swordsman.”

“I’m not a swordsman! I’m a mage!”

Michael shook his head wildly, insisting it was magic.

‘Magic, huh.’

But that was clearly sword energy. Lavi pondered whether it was even possible for a four-year-old to emit sword energy…

“I’m going to grow up to be a cool mage and marry Mama!

Michael declared something completely absurd. 

‘Oh dear, Michael.’

Lavi pressed his lips together.

Still, he couldn’t get mad at a child.

“Oh no. What shall we do, Michael? Mama’s already married Papa.”

“Then marry twice!”

“No can do. Papa’s never letting go, not until the day I die.”

Though Lavi smiled, his eyes were serious.

“No! I’m marrying Mama!”

“That’s the one thing Papa can’t concede to you.”

Even the smile faded from Lavi’s face.

Michael swallowed hard and stepped back.

“How about you just be Papa and Mama’s precious son?”

“Papa, you’re greedy.”

“That’s right. I’m greedy.”

“You always bother Mama!”

“That’s not bothering—it’s love.”

Lavi, his expression softening again, patted Michael’s shoulder.

***

Two years later.

Dressed neatly in a suit, Lavi was attending the central assembly held at Bashke Palace.

‘Such greedy fools.’

To think there were still people trying to fill their bellies with the taxes of their own citizens. Not only were they pushing for a tax hike, but there were absurd claims to tax even deceased citizens. Those proposals had to be scrapped.

Lavi looked around the room with a stern expression. Chancellor Logan, seated at the head table, struck his gavel.

“With that, the proposal for a tax increase is dismissed. The existing unfair tax laws will be revised in the next assembly.”

The meeting concluded in that manner. It was a sweeping victory for Lavi, who had opposed the proposal.

“Please reconsider!” 

“If we don’t raise taxes, how are nobles supposed to make a living!”

Those dressed in the most luxurious attire voiced their dissatisfaction.

“Make a living, you say? You seem to be eating quite well already, Count Mond.”

Lavi smiled as he glanced at the protruding belly of Count Mond, the leader who had insisted on raising taxes. Without a moment’s hesitation, he stamped the proposal documents with a seal of rejection.

The other nobles followed Lavi’s lead. The nobles advocating for a tax increase had to accept their defeat.

‘It ended later than expected.’

Lavi checked his pocket watch and hurriedly left the conference room.

“You put them in their place again today, Lavi.”

Eric followed him, twisting one corner of his mouth into a smirk.

“Put who in their place?”

What he really needed to feed was his youngest, Raphael’s baby food.

Lavi tiredly rubbed his face. Today was supposed to be the day for the family outing. If the meeting had ended on time, they would be pitching their tent in the forest by now. He would be soaking in happiness while warming baby food over a campfire.

“By the way, why are you following me?”

Lavi glanced sideways at Eric as they walked down a long corridor.

“I have an appointment.”

“An appointment?”

“Oh, it seems Her Highness has already arrived.”

Eric brushed off Lavi’s question and pointed outside the corridor window.

“Oh my, how could my precious wife come all the way to a place like this…!”

Contrary to his concerned words, Lavi’s expression lit up like a child’s. He adjusted his collar and smoothed his hair as he checked his reflection in the window.

“How do I look, Eric? Am I handsome again today?”

“Idiot.”

“Thanks.”

Gaining confidence, Lavi strode forward in style. Though several years had passed since their marriage, Lavi still tried to be the most charming man in Sel’s eyes.

****

“Big brother is going to be a cool mage when he grows up, Gab.”

Michael toddled through the garden of Bashke Palace, holding his younger brother Gabriel’s hand.

Sel watched them while cradling their third son, Raphael, in her arms.

“Magic no marry. Uncle no marry.”

“Uncle Raynus is a priest, that’s why. I’m not a priest, so I can get married.”

“Big brother no marry.”

“I-I can too! Papa said he couldn’t get married either, but he did with Mama!”

Michael’s eyes welled up with tears. Seeing this, Gabriel shook his head firmly.

Gabriel, the second son of Sel and Lavi. His jet-black hair and sharp features were the spitting image of Lavi. Though just three years old, he was remarkably bright. Even with his short phrases, he could communicate fairly well with Michael, and they played together often.

Just then, Lavi exited the building after his meeting. The two boys beamed with joy and ran toward him.

“Pa!”

“Papa!”

At that moment, Gabriel’s little foot caught on a stone, and he tipped forward.

“Gab!”

Sel, who had been standing behind, ran forward quickly—but Lavi was faster. Descending the front steps, Lavi leapt forward. In a blur of motion, he landed and effortlessly scooped up the falling Gabriel. The stone pavement where his foot had landed was shattered to pieces.

“Me too, Papa! I want to fly too!”

Michael giggled and ran up. Lavi lifted Michael with his free arm and playfully tossed him into the air.

‘Is that even possible?’

The nobles who witnessed it stood wide-eyed in amazement.

Meanwhile, Gabriel curiously fiddled with Lavi’s handkerchief with his tiny fingers. His father’s formal suit must have looked unfamiliar to the boy who was used to being carried on his back.

“Was it tiring to come all the way here, my dear?”

Carrying both children, Lavi strode over to Sel. He placed a gentle kiss on her forehead and then pulled back.

“Eek!” Sel slapped his arm, glancing at the surrounding nobles.

“Don’t be like that. People are watching.”

“I can’t help it—my wife only gets prettier the more I look at her.”

“Did the meeting end well? I came to meet you because it was running late.”

“It ended just as expected.”

Lavi glanced at the carriage parked behind Sel. Seeing the supplies piled up for the picnic, it looked like they could head to the forest right away.

Just then, Eric, who had been slowly following Lavi, passed by and headed toward the carriage. As if it were his own, he climbed into the Penhac family’s carriage and waved at Lavi.

“What are you doing, Lavi? Hurry up.”

“…Why are you getting in that?”

“Godfather Eric!”

“Uncle Eric!”

Michael and Gabriel both jumped out of Lavi’s arms and ran to the carriage. Eric, faintly smiling, helped the two children climb aboard.

“I invited him, Lavi.”

Sel beamed and poked Lavi in the side.

“You did, my dear?”

“Yes, everyone’s been so busy lately, we haven’t had time together.”

Eric had been overwhelmed ever since receiving a fiefdom near the border. He had suddenly become a border count. Though it was right next to the Penhac territory, Eric dismissed it all as coincidence.

“Now that I think about it, you’re right. Making memories in the capital before returning to the territory isn’t a bad idea.”

The one responsible for Eric’s busyness nodded along without a hint of guilt.

“Shall we have fun like the old days in the mercenary corps?”

“Sounds great, Lavi.”

And with that, Sel and her group cheerfully set off for the forest.