She'll definitely hate me... My wife.

My Cressida...

I stared at the body of our child. His whole body is so white, and so cold as well...

"I will kill them..."

"I will fucking kill everyone who entered the Imperial Palace..."

I was caught off guard when suddenly the child that I kidnapped from the slums revealed herself. It was so weird to see her doing well despite my divine power circulating inside my room.

"Calm down..." I noticed the sudden change of her voice, it was different. It sounds like a fully grown woman's.

As I stare at her, I noticed some differences she have from the other twin, and came to know that she's the eldest of the twins, Asridielle...

"Regan Alistair Bizeviron, are you willing to do anything in return for your son's life?" She asked.

I gulped nervously "Yes, can you save him?"

"I will in one condition..."

"Y-Yes! A-Anything!"

Her golden eyes glowed as she stared at the dead body of my child, she crouch and her finger touched my child's throat.

"You must offer this child to me."

Offer? What does that mean?

"When the child grows up, you must take this child to the temple and make him the Paladin."

Paladin... They're the knights of the temple who has the purest souls. It is said that the more the purest souls resides inside the temple, the more likely that the Goddess's power will be shown in the continent, it benefits those who can wield divine power.

Since my child inherited my power, he'll most likely be the strongest Paladin that this continent would've ever seen...

I gulped and held my son's nape with my other hand and with the other I supported his lower body.

"I, Regan Alistair Bizeviron swore to Goddess's Mieaila..."

Offering something to the Goddess means that she blessed them, as well as she owns them the moment you swore on her name.

The child who's body is possessed by the Goddess, touched my son's throat again.

At the end of her finger, a light showed up before going inside of my son's throat. Soon enough gold insignia appeared on my son's throat.

Then I noticed that the pale body of my son started to have a faint hue, his limp arms started wriggling and then his face slightly frowned.

"U-Uwaaaah!"

Thus I heard my son's first cry...

"Waaaahh!! Uwaaahh!"

"Come on son, you might wake up your mom if you cry that loud you know?"

It's as if he understood what I said and he suddenly stopped.

"Ah~ you want to look good in front of her too huh? Too bad, I'm your dad, and also your rival."

The baby just drooled while staring at me.

I giggled and looked over the bed where Cressida is peacefully sleeping. It's been a week since she fell unconscious. I remembered that I even threatened the physician, but even she, couldn't understand why...

Unconsciously I released a long sigh in front of the child.

"Father!" I snapped out of my thoughts when I heard Calix.

I turn to him and he's peeking from the door. I smiled at him and sat on a chair. "Son, come here."

He was hesitant but he eventually came inside Cressida's room and walked to me.

When he's already at my side, his eyes sparkled as he stare at his sibling.

"Woah, he's... He's beautiful."

My smile grew "Well, he takes after his father after all."

"Not at all, he looks like mother!"

"Ah geez! How could you play favorites on me?"

"Hmmp!"

I'm glad that he's comfortable with the baby. I'm afraid that he might not want him...

"My son, what do you think about your little brother?"

"My, little brother? Hmm, I hope he doesn't get mad at me?"

"Huh? Why do you say that?"

"Well, I have always accepted that I am not Mother and Father's real child, so I am afraid that when he grows up and find the truth, he might not want me as his older brother anymore?"

I sighed and opened my other arm where I don't hold the baby. Calix immediately went inside my arms with the baby. Both of them staring at each other.

"You're both my son no matter what happens, I won't allow discrimination in my house..."

Calix sniffed and then he looked at his silent little brother who looks at him with shining eyes.

"Grow up healthy and let's play soon!"

As if a response, the baby squealed and held his older brother's finger.

A smile appeared on my face and then I look over at my wife.

I'm sure she would be happy to see this right now...

And just like that, Cressida opened her eyes...

"Mother! Let me play with my brother!"

I looked at Calix's pouting face as he stares at his little brother that is resting in my arms.

"Sweetheart, we can't do that yet. Your little brother is still too young to play." looking at the 1 month old baby in my arms, I worriedly look at Calix. I know that children his age tends to be eager to play with their newborn siblings, so I am quite restless if he suddenly throws a tantrum.

We are currently in the garden, every morning, I personally take Derrick outside for a sunlight. Regan was the one who used to do this when I was unconscious, but because I'm already here, I took over that position.

"Oh, I see..." Calix replied, disappointment was laced in his voice.

"Don't be sad, soon enough you'll be able to play with him alright? for now we can't do that because babies are extremely weak."

He nodded and caressed his brother's cheeks.

"Duchess!" a cheerful voice was heard from behind us, Calix hurriedly look back and I saw how his face blush as he stare at someone who's behind us. I also look back and saw Asrid and Rielle.

"We greet the Duchess." both of them say in sync.

"It's nice to see the both of you together. Would you like to join us?"

Rielle looked at her sister hesitantly but her sister obediently sat on the mat and stared at the peacefully sleeping Derrick.

"You have a bright future ahead of you, I am sure that we'll often see each other." Asrid said as she stares at Derrick. My eyes widened at what she just said in front of me.

"Uhm, do you want to touch him?" I asked, Asrid looked me in the eye before looking back at my son, I also noticed my son Calix staring intently at Asrid. Pfft.

Asrid's fingers caressed Derrick's throat. Soon, a mark appeared.

"W-What is..."

"This child is the one whom the Goddess chose to protect the temple." with that Asrid stood up and went away.

"S-Sister! what about a breakfast with the Duchess?" despite Rielle's calling, Asrid didn't turn back and she continued to walk.

"I'm very sorry in behalf of my sister, she's always like that ever since she got sick." I can only nod at her, even though I feel vague about her sister Asrid, I still want her to act like a normal child instead of maturing at a young age. Living in the slums must've been hard for the both of them for her to get mature like this.

I glanced at Calix and saw him, looking at Asrid's retreating back...

Unedited

July 28, 2020

LizzannaWrites