Book 5: Volume 1 Chapter 8, Good News

Translator: Kazumi

Editor: Silavin

 

While Sylvia and the others were meeting with King Pedro, Kousuke and his companions faced an unusual situation at Amamiya Tower.

 

“What are you thinking!?”

 

Collete’s sudden shout startled everyone. It was practically the first time she had ever raised her voice like that.

 

Kousuke stared at her in surprise. Even Collete seemed shocked by her own outburst, instinctively covering her mouth with her hand.

 

“Ah… I’m sorry.”

 

“No, it’s fine, but…” Kousuke tilted his head, studying her with concern. “Is something wrong? You’ve been acting strange lately.”

 

Collete had indeed seemed off recently. She was easily irritated, emotions surfacing over the smallest things. It was completely unlike her usual demeanor.

 

The others watching wore expressions ranging from concern to knowing comprehension. Among them, Floria’s face suggested dawning realization.

 

“Hmmm. Collete, excuse me, but could you come with me for a moment?”

 

“What? Oh, of course.” Collete, acutely aware of how everyone was looking at her, seized the opportunity to escape. She nodded quickly to Floria’s suggestion.

 

Floria turned to Kousuke. “Will it be all right if it’s just the two of us?”

 

“Yeah, don’t worry.” Floria’s expression held gentle assurance. “If my suspicion is right, this will be happy news. But if I’m wrong, it might be awkward for Kousuke to be present, so I’ll handle this separately.”

 

“That’s fine, then…” Kousuke looked uncertain.

 

Shrein lightly touched his shoulder. “If Floria has an idea, it’s best to leave it to her.”

 

“Yeah, I suppose so.” Kousuke nodded, still looking worried. “I’ll leave it to you, then.”

 

Floria nodded and guided Collete to another room.

 

As Kousuke watched them leave with obvious concern, Shrein gave a knowing smile.

 

“Don’t worry. Just trust Floria. If my guess is correct, it won’t be bad news.”

 

“So everyone else figured it out?”

 

“We talked about the last time something similar happened, and Floria explained.” Shrein’s tone was matter-of-fact.

 

Kousuke wondered when this discussion had occurred, but then again, Collete had been acting strangely for days. Of course the other members would notice.

 

The thought of the women communicating so well brought a slight smile to his face.

 

“I see.”

 

Shrein caught his expression and smiled dismissively. “Don’t worry about it. Everyone has their own role to play. Besides, this shouldn’t take long.”

 

Kousuke nodded vaguely, but his worries were soon dispelled.

 

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A short while later, Collete emerged from the other room and made her way to where Kousuke waited in the lounge area. She approached slowly, unusually so, and embraced him with a radiant smile.

 

“Collete? What’s wrong?”

 

Normally when this happy, Collete would have run to him. The careful, measured pace confused Kousuke.

 

Nearly everyone was present in the lounge, except for Sylvia’s group who remained away on their mission. Collete would not normally be so openly affectionate.

 

What confused him more was how the other members were smiling, clearly enjoying Collete’s behavior.

 

As Kousuke looked around in bewilderment, Collete spoke words he did not immediately comprehend.

 

“Kousuke, I think I did it.”

 

“…Huh?”

 

Unable to process what was happening, Kousuke simply tilted his head as Collete held him close.

 

“A baby, Kousuke! Yours and mine!”

 

“What? …Yes?”

 

Despite having had similar conversations with Floria and Sylvia before, Kousuke found himself speechless. The news was so unexpected.

 

Collete was an Elf. He had heard repeatedly how difficult it was for Elves to conceive. He had not even considered this possibility. The thought that she might become pregnant before Shrein or Peach had never crossed his mind.

 

Seeing Collete’s glowing face, understanding finally dawned, and Kousuke’s expression transformed into pure joy.

 

“Really?”

 

“Yes, it’s true. I made sure. I had a proper examination at the village.”

 

The ‘short while’ had actually been somewhat longer because Collete had insisted on a thorough confirmation.

 

Kousuke gently released Collete’s embrace and placed his hand on her belly.

 

“I see. It really is true.”

 

His voice carried deep emotion. Collete smiled, radiating happiness.

 

He had experienced this five times before with Floria and Sylvia, but the wonder and joy never diminished.

 

Perhaps sensing Kousuke’s feelings, Collete simply gazed at him in contented silence. Her expression had already taken on a maternal quality, though Kousuke, focused intently on her belly, did not notice.

 

As Kousuke and Collete finally composed themselves, the other members who have been watching approached to offer congratulations. This time, no one teased them about being overly sweet.

 

While Shrein and Floria spoke with Collete, Mia approached Kousuke.

 

“Is it strange that Collete is becoming a Mother?”

 

Kousuke looked at her with gentle amusement. “But Mia, you already have three younger siblings, don’t you?”

 

Mia blinked before answering. “That’s different. When Riku, Kokoro, and Luka were born, I was little. Now that I’ve grown up, it feels completely different.”

 

“Is that so?” Kousuke tilted his head, and Mia nodded decisively.

 

“It is. But I think this will keep happening, won’t it?”

 

Mia’s eyes widened slightly at his unusually direct statement. They had never something like this so openly before.

 

“Is that so?”

 

“Yeah. You probably don’t know this, Mia, but the other Wives have been working hard to have children. I want all of them to experience this.”

 

Mia smiled and nodded. “Yes, I think that would be good.”

 

“What? Kousuke, you’ve been thinking about that?” Shrein had joined the conversation.

 

“Isn’t that normal? What, you don’t want children, Shrein?”

 

“Of course I do. I just didn’t know you were thinking about it so seriously.”

 

Kousuke frowned slightly, realizing his intentions had not been clear. “Huh? Didn’t I say that before?”

 

“I haven’t heard anything about it. Though in my case, it’s even harder for me to conceive than Collete.”

 

“Really?” Kousuke looked genuinely surprised, and Mia gave him an exasperated look.

 

“Father…”

 

Shrein laughed. “Mia, you shouldn’t blame Kousuke. I never brought it up myself.”

 

“Is that true?” Mia tilted her head skeptically.

 

“It is. Look at the Prost Family and you’ll understand. Vampires aren’t a Race that prioritizes preserving our bloodlines. We focus more on our own longevity.”

 

This was new information to Mia, who blinked in surprise.

 

“Of course, not all Vampires are like that. But those with older bloodlines tend toward it more strongly.”

 

“I see. Is that so?”

 

“Yes. Though that doesn’t mean we don’t have children, so don’t worry. I was born to proper parents, after all.”

 

Shrein, who rarely spoke of her Family, wore an expression of distant memory, something indescribable that made Mia decide not to press further with questions.