Artia chuckled at Kesha’s astonished expression.

“I practically gave birth to him with my heart. I studied so much about prenatal care… Haha.”

Touching the newborn son who announced his presence in the world with cries, Artia gently tapped his tiny nose.

“I’ll raise him to avoid getting into trouble elsewhere, at least not by being hit.”

Kesha, who was standing nearby, opened her mouth with a bewildered expression.

“No…! Who would dare to hit the Duke’s son?”

“Why? You never know. The kings of other countries might try to hit his head.”

“Madam, really…”

“You never know what will happen in life. He has to take care of himself.”

Knock, knock, knock.
After a while, Casus, who had been pacing outside the room, knocked cautiously and entered.

Artia had asked Casus to stay outside, expressing her desire to give birth comfortably, so he was standing right in front of the door.

Seeing Artia holding a healthy son, Casus, touched by emotion, teared up.

“Ah… You’ve really been through a lot.”

As Casus welled up with tears, Artia also seemed on the verge of tears.

Concerned more about Artia than the newborn baby, Casus spoke.

“You weren’t in pain, were you? I feel terribly sorry as if I’ve caused you unnecessary suffering.”

“No, please don’t say that. Having a cute son born is a blessing.”

Artia smiled warmly, showing Casus his son.

“Look. Doesn’t he resemble you?”

Casus looked at the baby in Artia’s arms with moist eyes.

The overall appearance unmistakably proved that the child was Casus’s son.

“He takes after me and looks handsome. Let’s name him ‘Kevin.'”

“Kevin Wellington. I really like it.”

Artia smiled brightly with narrowed eyes.

The baby born in the Wellington Duchy marked the beginning of another blessed chapter.

????????????

It was now spring.

Even in the northern region, there were seasons.

Although it was usually covered in snow, when spring arrived, the snow almost completely melted, and green grass sprouted.

The fluffy clouds in the blue sky were peacefully drifting.

“Thump! Thump! Thump!”

Black, the wolf who had been turning the Duke’s mansion’s lawn upside down, playfully shook his body around Kevin, who was just starting to walk.

Artia, enjoying a picnic on a mat with Casus, looked contentedly at the scene.

For Black, who was full of energy, Artia threw a frisbee that he liked far away, shouting.

“Black! Fetch it!”

“Thump! Thump!”

Black quickly ran towards the frisbee that Artia had thrown into the distance.

Meanwhile, Artia had grown even more robust.

Casus thought that it didn’t matter what choice she made now.

Even if she became similar in stature to him, Artia remained Artia.

Just then, as Kevin, who was walking with his chubby arms and legs, stumbled and fell to the ground with a thud.

“Oh my! Oh dear!”

Observing the situation, Artia got up from her seat and rushed towards Kevin.

“Let’s see. Are you hurt anywhere?”

Although Artia checked if Kevin was okay, she didn’t lift him up.

She judged that it was better for him to develop the strength to get up on his own.

Sure enough, Kevin, with his plump arms and legs, struggled to stand up using his own strength.

“I can do it!”

Artia cheered Kevin on with clenched fists.

At that moment, a shadow was cast over her encouragement.

Before Artia could raise her head, the owner of the shadow spoke.

“The child is truly adorable.”

“?”

The familiar voice belonged to none other than Owen.

“P-Prince Owen…?”

Surprised, Artia raised her eyebrows before Owen continued speaking.
“I sent a letter in advance. Didn’t you know I was coming?”

“Ah…”

Artia didn’t know.

That Owen would visit the Wellington Duchy.

Owen, seeing Artia surprised, spoke with a sly smile.

“Others mentioned that there’s no better place to have your body checked. That’s why.”

“?”

“I wish you’d check my body too.”

Casus, who had approached unnoticed, burst into awkward laughter.

“What country’s etiquette is it to show one’s body to someone else’s wife?”

“Wellington Duke, it’s been a while.”

“Even if you call me Prince Owen, I cannot fulfill unreasonable requests.”

Casus said with lively eyes.

“Oh, seeing you after a long time, isn’t the greeting a bit too rough?”

“Rough? I thought I was being as gentle as possible.”

Artia intervened, preventing an impending clash if not stopped.

“Alright, calm down. Let’s have a sweet tea and snacks while talking.”

Eating something sweet puts you in a good mood.

So, Artia decided to stuff their mouths with sweets whenever she met them, who always seemed ready to fight.

“If we eat, we can talk, eat.”

Artia said, smiling with raised corners of her mouth to Casus and Owen.

“No… W-What is that…”

Owen’s face, which had just been relaxed, suddenly stiffened.

A large beast was running towards them, holding a frisbee in its mouth.

“…C-Cerberus?”

With a puzzled expression, as if questioning why the high-ranking magical creature Cerberus was appearing here, he took a few steps back.

Artia laughed nonchalantly.

“Oh, it’s Black. You’re seeing him for the first time.”

“W-Well…? What the heck?”