NOVPUBThe baby didn't cry. She didn't even move.
Even as the doctors cut the umbilical cord and gently wiped the blood from her tiny body, she lay motionless, her chest rising and falling in a slow, steady rhythm. Silent, but breathing.
Yet Claude's eyes never left Dalia.
He knelt beside her, wiping the cold sweat from her brow, his fingers trembling. Her wounds were healing faster than expected, and color had begun to return to her lips.
"You're doing great, Mother," he whispered, voice hoarse. "Please… stay awake for a while longer."
In the modern world, there was an old superstition—that if a mother fell asleep too soon after giving birth, she might never wake again.
A myth, nothing more.
But in Claude's heart, that fear gripped him like a vice. The thought of losing her now, after everything… he couldn't bear it.
A doctor stepped forward, cradling the quiet infant in a soft cloth. "Your Majesty, the baby is healthy. She's breathing… just asleep."
Claude looked up, then reached out carefully, taking the newborn girl into his arms. She was so light. So fragile.
Her hair, damp and soft, shimmered silver under the chamber lights—just like her mother's.
Her tiny face was peaceful, her cheeks tinged a soft rose, as though she hadn't just torn herself from her mother womb.
"She's just like her mother," Claude murmured, a rare softness in his voice as he laid the baby gently beside Dalia.
Dalia blinked, still weak, but when her gaze found the child at her side, a smile bloomed on her face. Tears streamed down her cheeks.
Her hand reached out, trembling but filled with warmth, brushing along her daughter's delicate features.
She was alive. Her baby was alive. The pain, the blood—it had all been worth it.
"What do you want to name her?" Claude asked.
Dalia's fingers stroked the child's silver hair as she whispered, "Lyra… I think it's a good name. Do you agree?"
"Lyra…" Claude echoed the name softly, tasting its meaning.
It was simple and beautiful. It fit her perfectly. "Alright. She'll be Lyra then. The First Princess of Elysium… Lyra Calego."
As if she understood her own name, the baby stirred for the first time. Her crimson eyes—his eyes—fluttered open. Then, suddenly, she let out a soft, gurgling laugh.
Claude couldn't help but smirk. "Already showing off, huh?"
He leaned forward, placing a light kiss on her forehead, then turned to Dalia with quiet pride in his eyes.
"I hope you grow up to be not only beautiful, but a strong mage… or a knight. Someone who can lead this land and raise it to glory."
***
Once Claude had ensured that both Dalia and Lyra were stable, he stepped out of the chamber.
He could already hear the commotion from the next room, voices rising and falling with excitement and tension.
As he opened the door, the noise ceased immediately. All eyes turned to him.
"Your Majesty, congratulations on the birth of the First Princess," Llyold and his brothers greeted, bowing their heads with deep respect.
"We'll take our leave now," said Samson, with Hendrich nodding beside him.
Despite being on another kingdom, both had made the journey to witness the birth of their niece's child—an heir not just to Elysium, but to the esteemed Xalvach family.
According to their agreement, whether Layla bore a boy or a girl, her child would become the heir of the Xalvach family.
Meanwhile, Lilac's future offspring would compete for the throne of Elysium. As was custom in this land, the crown did not pass through simple lineage.
It was claimed by strength—earned through power, proven even in blood.
Claude approached the bed slowly, eyes falling on Layla, who cradled a swaddled newborn in her arms
A boy.
Still bald, but with crimson eyes—his bloodline unmistakable.
He gently reached down, brushing her hair back with a tenderness. "You've done well, Layla. I'm proud of you."
Layla's cheeks flushed as she stammered, "T-thank you, Your Majesty!"
"Focus on your recovery first, alright? I know your pregnancy was difficult... I regret not being there when you needed me most," he said, his voice low with guilt.
"It's alright." She smiled warmly. "I know you're building a kingdom. I'm doing my part, too."
Nearby, Llyold sniffled loudly, his face blotchy with tears. "I can't believe it... You've grown so much, Layla! My little girl is a mother now!"
"Father! Stop crying!" she groaned in embarrassment.
She turned back to Claude, her tone softening. "Would you like to hold him?"
"Of course," Claude replied.
He took the child carefully, arms a bit stiff and unsure, but firm. In time, he would grow used to it.
The boy was soft and warm in his arms, gazing up at him with curious crimson eyes, calm and observant—as if trying to memorize the face of the man holding him.
"Have you decided on a name?" Claude asked, his gaze never leaving the baby.
Layla smiled faintly. "My father thought... it would be best if you gave him one, Your Majesty. He won't carry the title of prince, but we hoped his name could still be a gift from you."
"I see," Claude murmured. He paused, falling into thought.
It was harder than he expected. Names were powerful—especially here. They carried legacy, identity, fate.
His mind wandered back to his old world, there wasn't any magic in it, but there was one things that even more beautiful and wonder than magic itself.
Stars and galaxies in the sky.
Remembering the nights he spent stargazing through a telescope. No mana, no monsters—just stars. A sky full of mysteries he once wished to reach.
Then, with a small smile, he spoke. "Vega. That will be his name."
He looked down at the boy. "May you grow to be the mightiest knight. A protector of this land. A victor in war. A hero remembered in every story."
Layla and Llyold exchanged glances, their eyes shining with quiet joy. A bright name, with a hopeful future—just as the Xalvach heir deserved.
***
After visiting Dalia and Layla, Claude made time to see his other children. Though most were ranked only E or D, and therefore unqualified to be princes or princesses, they still enjoyed considerable privilege.
They were entitled to the best education and resided in palace quarters alongside their mothers—ladies-in-waiting who served the higher-ranking concubines.
However as he was done with meeting his newborn and concubines, on the way to his chambers, Claude was stopped by a familiar figure—Rosetta.
Her wavy red hair framed a face pulled into a disappointed frown, arms crossed tightly under her chest.
"Your Majesty," she said, glaring up at him, "why won't you make me pregnant?"
Claude laughed, amused by her boldness. "Because you're too weak. I'm afraid your body wouldn't survive bearing my child."
Rosetta's frown deepened. "I-I've gotten stronger! I attend Lady Lilac's magic class every week, and I've even been hunting monsters to raise my rank!"
She stepped closer, voice firm. "So please, sleep with me, Your Majesty!"
Claude had indeed ordered Lilac to train the concubines—to raise their mana levels, enhance their magic, and ensure those who bore his children would be strong enough to survive. It wasn't just training; it was preparation for survival.
As he appraised her, he noted the change. Her mana level had clearly risen.
He placed a hand on her shoulder, smiling gently. "Of course I will. Just not tonight. I've just returned and need some rest."
His calm, affectionate gaze made her blush as she nodded, flustered.
"T-then… I want a private night. Just the two of us. I don't want to be in a group."
Claude laughed again. "Alright, you'll get whatever you want."
Her face lit up with happiness as she walked away with a spring in her step. Finally, Claude reached his chambers—only to find Morion asleep on his bed, likely having waited for him and dozed off.
He didn't wake her. Instead, he quietly changed into fresh clothes. The sun was still dipping low on the horizon, but fatigue weighed on him like a mountain.
Still, there was one more thing he had to do: check the bloodline skills of his newborn children.
He lay on the bed, summoning Keira with a thought.
[Congratulations on the birth of the First Princess and the heir of the Xalvach family!]
[You're calling me because you want to check the attribute points and bloodline skills, right?]
"Exactly. Now give me the details, Keira."
[Alright!]
[Both of your children are S-rank descendants. Their attributes will range between 800 to 1000 each.]
[In total, you've earned 105,000 attribute points to distribute as you wish!]
Claude blinked, then chuckled. "Damn, that much from just two kids? This system is something else." He shook his head in disbelief.
"Alright, before I start assigning points, show me their bloodline skills first."
[Got it!]
[Vega Xalvach – Undead Dominion: Grants absolute control over undead lifeforms. The stronger his mana, the more powerful the undead he can command.]
[Lyra Calego – Omnivorous Mind Plunder: Can consume and assimilate memories, skills, or knowledge of any sentient being, including magical abilities, by direct contact.]
