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| Renta |
‘Congratulations!’
‘Congratulations?’
‘Congratulations. Now two months pregnant!’
Pregnant?! Me?!
✨
Summer was in full swing.
Six months had passed since the Cranbert incident. I had been promoted to chief as a recognition for my achievements with the Cranbert matter. I was now in charge of a squad of Kingdom Guard knight beasts, but not the dragons. I was feeling accomplished, and certainly had no thoughts of changing careers.
Work was going well and my personal life is going well. Lucas and I were engaged, and moved in together. We have a house that was smaller than his old one but way larger than my old one. I was deeply involved in the Rejude Brigade. We live like newlyweds.
Lucas hasn’t been on bounties lately because of the protected beasts.
Almost every evening after my work, I went to the Rejude Brigade.
‘Hold on, are you pranking me?’
On one of my visits, I was suddenly congratulated that I was pregnant. It is true I wasn’t feeling well lately and didn’t have any appetite, but I don’t think I am pregnant or am I?
‘No, she’s pregnant.’ Douglas replied shaking his head, ‘I was just showing off our friendship.’
‘So just now?’
‘No, two months to be exact.’ He turned to look at Laila how was looking a bit dull.
Unfortunately, it wasn’t me who was pregnant, it was Laila.
‘Wasn’t that heat cycle over in April?’
Beasts have a period in which they were in heat, and they rarely get pregnant outside of it, but Laila had been forced into heat by the Cranbert company. Still the cycle ended four months ago. This was an exceptional event for Geist and Laila.
‘Well, because of the forced heat, her internal balance would be out of order so did suspect something like this might happen. Fortunately, she’s recovered enough to withstand pregnancy.’ Douglas replied leisurely, even though he was a little worried for the female. Her birth must be taken with great care. Although the Rejude Brigade was well equipped and staffed, he still wondered if Laila would be allow herself to be vulnerable in birth with people around her.
‘Would she really be okay?’
‘With your encouragement, Inspector, she’ll be fine. She’s most fond of you.’
‘Of course, I will do everything I can. Although I think I have to inform the registration office of this.’
Because Laila was in custody while the case was still pending, we had to let the authorities know. Ownership of Laila wouldn’t be transferred to Lucas until after the trial. Did Lucas know this? Where was he? He was usually back by the time I arrived, but he hasn’t shown up yet.
‘Have you told Lucas?’
‘No. He’s in another country right now, but I will tell him when he returns.’
‘Is it because of the grall mares?’
‘Yes, one of them will give birth in a few days.’
Breeding season for grall horses was in spring, so the brigade was busy at this time preparing for the mares. Because the grall horses have so many legs, they have to be watched over because dystocia was expected.
‘When is Laila likely to be due?’
‘Probably mid-autumn.’
That was when Geist would be in heat. Wasn’t that going to be tricky? If Geist was going to rampage while Laila was pregnant, it was better to isolate him. It was sad to place them apart but it would be necessary.
I went to in to see Laila, who was lying placidly.
‘Laila, you have cubs in your tummy.’
The wolfe whined in reply.
‘You have to eat properly and get fit for birthing.’
She barked softly.
I scratched her chin and she closed her golden eyes looking satisfied.
Next to her, Geist slammed his tails restlessly.
‘Geist-chan, you’ll have to leave Laila for a little while.’ I said to him. Geist laid his head over the back of Laila’s neck. So cute! His ears twitched.
I stroked the back of his head,
‘Don’t worry. Laila isn’t sick – she has a baby.’
Geist looked at me in puzzlement.
‘Geist will become a daddy.’
He growled softly seemingly in reply. Did he understand? He bumped his nose against my hand wanting me to stroke him.
What a spoilt baby. A great beast who can easily carry two adults cutely showing his belly for rubs.
‘This is the king of the forest – no dignity at all.’ Douglas said watching them roll around.
I was about to say that wasn’t the case, but the two black and white heads were looking up at me with innocent round eyes. Was this the dignity of the king?
Well, their summer coats were very glossy.
I watched Geist roll about with his mouth open. He wasn’t showing his fangs with his tongue hanging out. Needless to say, he looked like a beloved pet that had forgotten the wild. I suppose, since he was a knight, I should be a little worried.
‘That’s not true, Geist-chan. You’ll be a knight from this fall.’
‘Ku~’
‘Will you be a poster knight for the brigade?’
He barked.
‘I wonder if he’s too spoiled.’
‘He is.’ Douglas replied.
‘Eh~!’
It seems he was spoiled. The other knights didn’t want the trouble of dealing with the wolves so they left it to me. I never thought I would turn them into softies!
Laila was still wary of people and always tried to shy away from them, but with me, she always wanted strokes too. Geist at this moment was on his back showing his belly. But with Lucas, he was his dignified chase wolfe self.
What the hell is this difference?
Douglas finished writing his report.
‘It’s a good change for Geist to leave Laila for a while.’
‘His registration will be complete at the end of summer. Will you be sending Geist on missions soon after?’
‘Something long term that will keep him distracted.’
A long term mission in autumn will allow Laila to focus on the birth, and allow Geist to make a name as the prime beast of the Rejude Brigade.
‘Do you think Lucas will agree?’
‘If you suggest it, inspector, I’m sure he will agree.’
I decided to go to the ranch to see Lucas.
‘I’m going. Is it alright to tell him about Laila?’
‘Yes, can you tell him on my behalf?’ Douglas replied with a teasing wink. I was only his fiancée, was it okay to be poking my nose in the brigade’s business. (Zuben: You already are)
✨
‘Lucas, are you in?’
At the ranch, I went to Lucas’ office. He hadn’t been at the Grall stables, I had gone there first, the stable master told me he was here.
‘Lu…’ he was lying on the sofa with his legs sticking out. He eyes were closed and his hair was messier than usual. He was sleeping.
The mare showed no signs of giving birth yet, so he was probably taking a break. I took a seat on the armchair directly across the sofa, so I didn’t interrupt his sleep. Once the mare began to push, they would have to see it through so he needed his rest.
This was the first time I had seen him sleeping at work. He still looked imposing.
I had really been looking forward to telling him about Laila, but it was best to wait till he woke up on his own. And it was quite fun to watch him sleeping. I usually fall asleep first, and when I woke up, he would wake up as soon as I moved. So this time was kind of valuable.
Ah so cute.
While watching him, I became sleepy too. As I fell asleep I kept waking up to look at Lucas, but eventually I went off to dreamland.
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I suddenly had a sense I was floating. I was wrapped in warmth. I opened my eyes sleepily and saw a thick strong neck, and reached out to put my arms around him.
‘Lucas…’ His black hair was tousled from his sleep. He looked down at me and smiled softly.
‘Did I wake you? I’m sorry.’
Lucas sat in the large sofa with me in his arms. I rested against his strong body. He was so warm and it felt nice. How come his body temperature felt so good. After all the time together, Lucas carried me a lot, so I don’t blush anymore. But I miss those days that I was carried about like luggage. (Zuben: Caveman, huh?)
‘Why didn’t you wake me up when you arrived? I wouldn’t have minded.’ He said.
‘Because you looked tired.’ I said. I was still very sleepy.
‘We don’t have enough staff for all the births happening. I’ve had to work three roles.’
‘Still sleepy.’
‘Hm. I’ll sleep more too.’
He lay down with me. I was half on his body, resting my head on his pectoral muscles. I could hear his regular heartbeats. I loved this sound. When we fell asleep together in this way, I had his heartbeats lulling me to sleep, like a baby listening to a lullaby.
‘Are you cramped?’
‘Not at all. Your softness and warmth are the best.’
‘Is the grall mare okay?’
‘If anything, the others will come to get me.’
Lucas gently patted my back. With his heartbeat and his back pats, I fell into a tortoise dream again. I slid my hand up to his forehead and massaged the middle of his head in circles gently. Was this an effective way to calm the beasts? Whatever. But Lucas seemed to enjoy it, sighing comfortably. It was like playing with a friendly breast.
As I drifted between sleeping and waking, I realised that I had
forgotten to tell him something. What was it? It was important.
As I drifted off I realised i had forgotten something; what was it? I’m sure it was very important…the foal…cubs…Yes, Laila was pregnant.
‘Lucas…’
‘Hmm?’
I was too sleepy to say what i wanted to say; Laila was pregnant, but when she is about to deliver we would have to take Geist on a mission.
‘...pregnant.’
‘What? Really?’ Lucas lifted his head.
I giggle inwardly, Lucas was so surprised. I had also been surprised. Laila and Geist’s first cub will be born mid autumn.
‘Mira, what did you say just now?’
Lucas voice was mounting in excitement. But I was so tired of talking.
‘Pregnancy…second month.’
‘Second month…’
Laila was pregnant, I wanted to say but i was too sleepy and only, ‘Baby…’ came out.
‘Baby! Mira!’
‘Yes, a baby. Are you happy?’
‘Of course, I’m happy!’
‘Good.’
‘Are you still sleepy? Don’t fret and take your time.’
‘Yes.’
‘Mira, this is like a dream.’
‘It’s not a dream.’
I’m glad Lucas was happy for Geist and Laila. (Zuben: Why wouldn't he be?)
‘Mira, my beloved.’ He called gently. His large hand patted my back as i snuggled closer, giving up fighting the sleep. His hands, which were always up to no good, were kind and careful. While i was a bit disappointed, it was nice to be babied like this once in a while.
‘Night night, Lu.’
He looked happy as my eyes shut.
‘Mira, I love you.’
Did I answer?
I drifted off to blissful slumber.
✨
‘Commander,’ I heard someone running to the door and knocking. ‘What?’ Lucas whispered.
‘The foal is coming.’
I was now half awake. Lucas left my side and the door opened without hesitation,
‘It’s urgent now!’ I heard Kane’s voice say.
‘What’s happened?’
‘The foal is about to be born, but the mare is fretting.’
‘Is it a breech?’
‘Yes, the front legs are caught in the amniotic membrane.’
‘It’s the mare’s first foal. If it takes too long, we’ll have to pull it out.’
‘I understand.’
Who’s about to give birth? Laila’s months away.
I sat up and looked around the room. Yes, I was in Lucas’ office at the breeding stables outside the ramparts. Lucas was at the door.
‘Lucas, is the mare about to give birth?’
Lucas looked back at my voice.
‘Mira, sorry I woke you. How are you feeling?’
‘I’m fine. The grall mare…?’
Lucas looked worried about me. When I fell asleep, I forgot about the grall horse. He must be worried about the mare. I’m sure Lucas didn’t know it wasn’t the first time i had witnessed a birth. I was rather more accustomed to it than the average person.
‘I’m going to the manger now, you carry on relaxing in the nap room.’
‘I’ll come and help.’
‘Aren’t you working tomorrow? It’s absolutely forbidden to over do it.’
‘But I’ve slept enough. I want to help.’
‘No, grall horses are dangerous when they rampage.’
He was being too overprotective again, but I swallowed the words when I saw his stubborn expression. Perhaps a grall horse birth was more than i had imagined, it was dangerous when a beast rampaged. If I was an amateur, I could be in the way. Maybe I was a would be a hindrance. After all, the Rejude brigade specialised in breeding. There was no choice but to wait quietly as Lucas instructed.
‘Okay, I will wait in the nap room.’
‘I’m sorry, Mira, your safety is my number one priority,’
Lucas hugged me. It wasn’t as tight as usual, but gentle and fluffy, and he dropped a kiss on top of my head.
‘I don’t know how long it will be so don’t wait up for me.’
‘Alright. I’ll pray for a healthy foal.’
‘Thanks. I’m off.’
He left with the other guys. I sat up. Even if he told me to rest, my eyes were clear. I tried to remember if there was a washroom in the back as well. Even if i cleaned up and went to bed, what time was it?
I was surprised when I looked at the clock; ten in the evening. It
was seven hours since i arrived, I slept a long time. Perhaps because
i checked the time, my stomach suddenly reminded me i was hungry. I
wondered if I could make something simple in the canteen. There was a
small canteen in the stables, so I decided to head over and see if I
could use left over ingredients for a small dinner.
Let’s prepare something Lucas can eat quickly.
Let’s prepare cold drinks and put that aside.
Leftovers from dinner was in the cold storage in the kitchen, but it was a little short for two. What should I make? I suppose I could borrow vegetables to make a soup? There was some dried Moffett beef that I could chop into small pieces for stock.
I did just that, keeping the fire at medium so it wouldn’t overboil.
Did they say it was the first birth? The first birth of any beast usually took a lot of time.
I pray the foal is born safely.
I’m sure it would be okay because Lucas was there, but unforeseen things could happen. Hoping a new foal will be hopping around in the morning, I began to peel the root vegetables for soup.
Thanks for the chapter!
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