Chapter 74 : Newlyweds (3)

About three months into my pregnancy…

My belly was starting to show.

Enough time had passed that calling it our “honeymoon phase” felt awkward.

“It feels… a little strange. My body feels heavy.”

I smiled faintly, caressing my swollen belly.

Other people talked about the hardships of pregnancy, but I hadn’t experienced anything particularly difficult. Aside from my growing belly, there weren’t any other physical changes.

“I’m glad. I was worried you’d suffer.”

Caspar said, gently stroking my belly.

“…Honestly, I think it would have been better if I had suffered. It’s… too different from what I expected.”

Wouldn’t the joy of seeing my baby be greater if there were hardships and trials? But considering I’d be pregnant for at least another ten years, perhaps it was for the best.

Lately, I’d been more worried about the baby than myself.

“Huu… He’ll have a hard time, being the eldest. What if he struggles when he grows up…”

Wasn’t it too early to be worrying about my second child when I hadn’t even given birth to the first? Hmm… It couldn’t be helped.

A mother’s heart, I suppose.

Coming from a large family, with a mother who was… lacking, I couldn’t help but worry. Could I raise my children properly?

…I hadn’t even raised Caspar properly…

I glanced at my husband, my second family, the one I’d raised.

“What? You want to do it again?”

Caspar, misinterpreting my gaze, reached for me.

Hah.
See? I hadn’t raised him properly. He took me too lightly.

“…I’m… worried I won’t be a good parent.”

I stared pointedly at Caspar, and he chuckled awkwardly.

“Ah, haha. Well, thanks for the concern, at least.”

“…Thanks?”

“Well, if I mess up, it’ll be your responsibility, right? Means I can mess up more without worrying.”

That… was one way to look at it. Smooth talker.

It wasn’t wrong, though.

“Anyway, please keep your hands to yourself during the day, my dear husband.”

I gently pushed Caspar’s hand away, and he smiled and stepped back.

“Alright. And… you raised Enhen perfectly, didn’t you? That proves you’re good with kids. And if it really doesn’t work out, you can always ask Enhen or others for help.”

…Enhen.

Of course, Enhen was kind, virtuous, intelligent, talented, beautiful, and friendly—an all-around perfect person—but…

Her habit of eyeing her unborn nephew with… possessive intent kind of negated all her other good qualities.

Come to think of it, Caspar was also my family, in a way… Maybe I was just too irresistible.

…Hmm. Probably not.

I hadn’t really considered Caspar family in the past. He’d seen me as a potential partner from the beginning, so I couldn’t blame him for that.

Hah. It didn’t really matter.

I shook my head, stopping that train of thought, and asked Caspar. Perhaps because the war was over, it felt like more people were visiting now that I was pregnant.

“Who was coming over today? Seolhyang?”

“Yes. Seolhyang and Yulha are coming together. For Seolhyang, who’s always busy running around, to make time for a personal visit means things are peaceful these days.”

A smile spread across my face.

He was right. Even if I didn’t do anything, there were so many talented people in the world. The world kept turning even if I stood still.

Some might find this despairing, but for me, who’d spent half my life burdened by crushing responsibility, it was a tremendous relief.

…I felt a renewed sense of gratitude towards Seolhyang and the others at the Association, who were carrying that burden in my stead. I gently stroked my belly, whispering to the baby who couldn’t hear me yet.
This peaceful world… is a world protected by the sacrifices and dedication of Mom, Dad, and countless others. For you. For future generations.

So…

Grow up healthy and kind, my baby.

As always, Seolhyang made a grand entrance.

“Magical Sword Star, reporting for duty!”

—Ta-da!

She jumped into the house, brandishing her sword.

—Thud!

…With her shoes on.

“Hey. Take your shoes off and come back in.”

It wasn’t like I was the one cleaning, but that was a bit much.

I grabbed Seolhyang by the ear and dragged her outside. She flailed her short limbs, yelling,

“Ow! Ow! Hey! Let go of my ear!”

“How dare you bring those filthy shoes into our house… Hmm?”

They’re clean?

I stared at the spotless floor. It was sparkling clean, just as Lilith had left it after mopping earlier.

Seolhyang glared at me, feigning anger.

“Hmph! Do I look like the kind of scoundrel who’d track dirt into someone’s house?”

There was a strange mix of pride, smugness, and barely concealed superiority in her expression…

It reminded me of Caspar when he leveled up.

“…”

Lost in thought, I just stood there blankly for a moment. Caspar, who had been lounging on the sofa, jumped up and rushed over to Seolhyang.

“Ooh! So this is the Heavenly Demon Domination Stance…!”

…Something was off.

It wasn’t just that Seolhyang, a Mugong practitioner, would never learn such demonic techniques…

Caspar, why were you so into this martial arts nonsense? You couldn’t even read Hanja…

“Ahem. Refrain from uttering such vulgar terms, my disciple. This is my ultimate secret technique, a combination of the demonic arts and the righteous path…!”

Why would you combine those two?

Leaving aside the “demonic” part, judging by her short stature, the other part seemed accurate.

“Ooh!”

“A hero landing!”

“…?”

I left the two children to their incomprehensible antics and went to the kitchen. They were guests, after all. I had to offer them something.

—Clatter.

“Seolhyang. Stop that and have some fruit.”

I also beckoned to Yulha, who was peeking from behind the door, observing me.

“Yulha, come here too.”

Yulha finally took off her shoes and came running over, casually picking up a piece of fruit with a fork.

“Mmm. This apple is delicious. Fruit is expensive these days.”

“Is it? They’re over 50,000 won each, so objectively, yes, but we have plenty of money. You could easily afford it if you wanted.”

Yulha shook her head.

“No. The Association pays poorly. Thanks to President Sara, our healthcare benefits are decent… but not enough for such luxuries. Besides, I donate half my salary.”

She glanced at Seolhyang as she spoke. Unlike her usual indifferent demeanor, she seemed slightly awkward.

There was a definite sense of nervousness and guilt.

“Ahaha. This fruit is delicious! I never thought you’d be so thoughtful, Agathe. And those dead eyes of yours are sparkling now. Enjoying married life, are we?”

Seolhyang munched on the fruit, her expression seemingly devoid of any darkness…

But I knew. There was a history between Seolhyang and Yulha, and between Seolhyang and most of the people at the Association. A history of favors and debts.

That’s why everyone at the Association treated Seolhyang with such respect and deference. Even aside from her popular persona, that was the reason no one at the Association dared to cross the “Magical Girl.”

No one who believed in protecting humanity could harm Seolhyang.

She’d already proven herself. A truly good person, willing to forgive her enemies and fight alongside them to protect others.

“Married life… yes. It’s enjoyable these days.”

There hadn’t been a single day since Caspar’s return that wasn’t enjoyable. There were moments of fear, moments of sadness… but those were just drops of blue paint on an otherwise bright and vibrant canvas.

Every morning, I woke up to a beautiful sunrise. I greeted my unborn child and my husband with excitement, enjoying the hazy state between sleep and wakefulness, a feeling I’d missed so much.

The ambiguity of dreams and sleep that Enhen had restored. The warmth of the sun, the dry, cool breeze devoid of the chill of death. The flowers blooming by the roadside, the vibrant colors of the world. Everything brought me joy.

Flowers… flowers reminded me of that day. The day I revived Caspar with the breathtaking flowers of the Seocheon Flower Garden. Thankfully, luck was on my side, and I succeeded.

Speaking of which, I should visit the Jade Emperor sometime. But I’d think about that later.

“…”

For now, it was time to pay my respects to those who’d dedicated their lives to maintaining these bright days.

“Seolhyang. Thank you. That’s why I called you.”

I spoke sincerely, abandoning my usual cold and cynical demeanor.

“Oh? Uh… um… yes.”

Seolhyang hesitated, then slowly nodded.

Her face flushed slightly, as if she hadn’t expected it.