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　My mother Tanya is about to give birth.

　Molly, the maid, starts preparing for the birth, and the house seems a little hectic.

　The men, including my grandfather, are going about their usual routine, but for some reason, they are caught up in Molly’s activities and feel like they are busy.

　At that time, they heard from a peddler coming from Kilnarc that the army of the Kingdom of Lux was headed for the Kingdom of Caum.

It was not that the Kingdom of Lux was invading, but that they were on their way as reinforcements after the Demon Folks broke through the Caum Kingdom’s fortress.

　I had heard rumors about the demons, but when I heard that reinforcements were actually being sent, I was concerned about the safety of this area.

　When I mentioned this to my grandfather, he said

“It is several hundred kilometers from Fort Tower to here. Besides, the Caum Royal Army is good at defensive battles. They will not invade this far. Even if they did pass nearby, they would take the road. It would have no effect on us.”

　My grandfather laughed, but I thought he was forcing a smile out of concern for my mother, who was about to give birth, and for us children.

　June 8th.

　The weather in Rathmore Village has been rough since late last night, with strong winds and heavy rain pounding the roof of the house.

　Since early morning, my father and grandfather have been busy dealing with the storm, and their squires are also running around the village.

　Inside the house, the sounds of Molly and Tricia’s cooking were overpowering the sounds of the storm.

　My mother, who is in the last month of her pregnancy, is sitting in a comfortable chair in the dining room, knitting, although it looks a little painful to move.

　My brother, Liddy, and I were sitting beside her, reading books, with nothing to do.

　In the afternoon, the storm showed no sign of abating, and my father was dealing with the incessant reports of damage.

　At that time, my mother told me to call Molly in a painful voice, probably because she has started her labor.

“Zack, please call Molly. I think I’m about to give birth.” (Tanya)

　I didn’t have time to nod and just ran to the kitchen.

“Molly! Come! To mother! She says it’s coming!” (Zack)

　Molly heard my words, slowly wiped her hands on her apron, and smiled at me, “Don’t worry. They won’t be born that fast.” She smiled at me and then headed downstairs to my mother.

　Molly looked at my mother and then instructed her daughter Tricia in a slow calm tone to go get Grandma Dorothy, the healer, “Walt is outside, please tell him to go get Dorothy.”

　Molly is usually chatty and jovial, but today she looks very calm and dependable.

　She slowly helps my mother to her feet and heads to the bedroom to accompany her, putting her arm around her.

　My brother Rod has told my father, and he rushes into the dining room.

“I think will happen tonight. I just sent for Dorothy.” (Molly)

　When Molly said this, my father stood on the other side of her and supported my mother.

　When the three of us were gone, it was just me, my brother, and Liddy left in the dining room, but there was nothing to do, and the air was delicate.

　I tried to say something and asked my brother, “Do you remember when I was born, Brother?” I asked my brother.

“I don’t remember much, but… I think everyone was kind of busy? Hmmm, I still don’t remember it clearly.” (Rod)

　The topic of conversation died down and a delicate pause once again covered the dining room.

　With nothing to do, I start reading again, but I can’t seem to relax.

(This is the first time I’ve been in a place where children are born. Even when my brother had a baby, I didn’t go there until much later… because I really didn’t have any experience with kids…) (Zack)

　Tricia returned and soon Nicholas’ wife Kate and her daughter Jean arrived at the mansion.

　Normally, Mel’s mother, Polly, and Sharon’s mother, Claire, would have come to help, but they are both waiting at home because of their upcoming birth.

　Jean too, was seven months pregnant, and her belly was getting bigger, but Kate had brought her along as she thought it would be a good experience.

　Kate and her family started to get ready, and the three of us were once again feeling out of place.

　Then I said to Liddy, “I haven’t heard a word from you,” she replied,

“I’m a guest. Besides, I’m useless until she gives birth… but I’ll be useful when she’s given birth…” (Liddy)

　Grandma Dorothy is a healer, but being an old woman in her seventies, she is no longer able to use recovery magic like before. The other healers in the village are her daughter Camilla and her husband Elmer, but at this time they are in the middle of a storm and cannot come to our house so they can deal with any sudden injuries.

　This is where Liddy’s recovery magic comes in handy.

　She has no experience in childbirth, but she is a first-rate healer, and we are counting on her skills.

“But I’m just going to do as Dorothy says.” (Liddy)

　Liddy is giggling before sticking her tongue out.

　Dinner time passed, but there was no sign of life.

　The storm outside continues as usual, with the water levels of the Earn River to the north and the Finn River to the west increasing considerably, and even the level of the reservoir to the east rising, and the village men are all out to deal with the situation.

　So far, no serious damage has been reported, but the village is still busy evacuating livestock and reinforcing their houses.

(I have a bad feeling about this storm on the day of the birth… I can’t help but wonder if this could be the work of the gods’ enemies…) (Zack)

　Three hours after dinner, my bedtime is long past, but I can’t sleep under the circumstances. My father went into the bedroom and didn’t come out, probably leaving my grandfather to deal with the storm.

　After another two hours, the bedroom suddenly falls into a frenzy.

“Tricia prepared the hot water. Kate, bring me a tub to wash my hands and some soap. Jean, get the clean sheets out of there.” (Molly)

　Molly’s crisp instructions flew in quick bursts.

　I’m a little relieved that she remembers me telling her to be extra clean during my delivery.

(I’m sure it has a lot to do with the mother’s postpartum recovery, as well as the unborn child’s. I hope that we also cross that safely…) (Zack)

　In fact, I have four containers of distilled alcohol ready for this birth.

　I think it is at least fifty percent, but I have no way to measure it, so I don’t know the exact concentration. I don’t know if it’s a comforting thought, but I’ve taught Molly and the others how to use it.

　I think it was around the time the date changed when Liddy was summoned by Molly and went into my mother’s bedroom.

　I was lying on the bed in my room, half asleep at the time.

　My body was begging for sleep, but my head was refusing it, and it was quite painful.

　My father also seemed to have been kicked out of the room and was hanging around in my room, which was another reason why I couldn’t get a good night’s sleep.

(I guess it’s the same in every world that there is nothing for a man to do at times like this…) (Zack)

　I don’t know how many hours have passed since then, but the hallway became hectic and I woke up to the sound.

　Shortly after, the sound of a baby’s cheerful crying echoed through the mansion.

　My father heard it and rushed out of my room. I followed with sleepy eyes.

　In the hallway were my brother, who had also come out, and my grandfather, who had come out of his office.

　All the Lockhart boys were standing in the hallway, a sight that no one could bring themselves to laugh at.

　We hear the baby crying, but at no point do we get permission to go inside. Just as the anxiety begins to spread among the four of us, we hear a baby crying again.

(If I’m not mistaken, that’s two individuals crying. Could it be… twins?) (Zack)

　My father was about to say something when the bedroom door was opened.

　Molly, with a big smile on her face, said,

“They’re healthy twins! A boy and a girl. And the Mistress has no problem with them!”

　My father immediately jumped into the bedroom, followed by my grandfather.

　My brother and I wondered if we should come in, but when we looked at Molly she nodded broadly and invited us in with a smile, “Look at your cute god-sent little brother and sister.”

　I breathed a sigh of relief when I heard that my mother and brothers were safe. Immediately after that, however, the words “God sent” came to my mind, and I felt uneasy again.

(If one of them is the “fated child”… I wonder what I would feel…)

　Suppressing my anxiety, I follow my brother into the room.

　My father thanked my mother for her labor, and also thanked Grandma Dorothy, Liddy, and the others.

(Father really loves mother, doesn’t he? He almost looks like he’s about to cry. Now, for the moment of destiny…) (Zack)

　There’s a little baby wrapped in a cloth with a crumpled face next to my mother.

　To be honest, I can’t even tell which one is my little brother and which one is my little sister, but I guess that’s how it is with newborn babies.

(Huh? I don’t feel anything in particular. Well, I am happy that my mother is safe since it was hard because they were twins, but I didn’t feel like I was having a revelation from God. God said I would know if I met them, but I don’t feel like either one of them is the ‘one’. …Are these two not them? I’m not sure…) (Zack)

　Then I notice the way my father and grandfather look at me.

　I shook my head and told them they were different, and they both looked relieved, releasing a grateful sigh.

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