War and Fortune 2.254

Time passed and the first to give birth was Viggo's mother, Hephaestus, the goddess of forging. She gave birth to a red-haired baby named Marcus in the mansion she had built for her family.

Kain stood at the bedside while Hephaestus held her baby with a day's life in her arms. In front of the foot of the bed were Viggo, Sakura and Ana. Viggo carried Uriel and Bell in his arms with eight months of life each. At the same time, Sakura was carrying two-year-old Caenis in her arms. The little Amazon with tan skin, white hair, and rabbit ears looked at the room curiously.

—An exchange, boy?— asked Kain, rising from the edge of the bed. The tall elf with white hair, pointed ears and blue eyes made their way to Viggo. The latter gave him to Bell and Uriel who were fascinated with their grandfather. Viggo walked to the edge of the bed, saw his mother lying down and breastfeeding his brother. A small demi-god with fine red hair with his eyes closed and for now, ugly as a potato.

—Can I?— asked Viggo.

—Of course, son— Hephaestus replied from the bed with a smile and a tired expression.

Viggo sat on the edge of the bed and looked at his little brother drinking milk from Hephaestus' breast. Kain came to him, Viggo turned around and looked at him. Kain first delivered her to Uriel, Viggo received her and then showed her to his brother Marcus.

—His name is Marcus— Viggo said to Uriel in a soft tone of voice —he's your uncle, but he'll also be a friend in the future—

Little nine-month-old Uriel, red hair, and blue eyes like her father's, looked at the baby and her grandmother Hephaestus, but as much as Viggo said things to her, she was more worried about Hephaestus' breasts. They were a power source that for now they were trying to take away.

Viggo passed Uriel to Ana, who was to Kain's left, and Kain handed Bell over. The white-haired baby and red iris looked at the red-haired woman and looked at the baby lying on the bed while sucking his thumb. Finally, Viggo received Caenis in his arms and introduced him to Marcus.

—Marcus?— asked Caenis, who after a few long months of education had begun to talk and ask questions. Unlike the malnourished, naked little Amazon Viggo found, she now wore a white chiton with gold edges. A robust build, with rosy cheeks and a look full of life.

—Yes, that's his name, it's your uncle and a friend—

—Uncle?—

—Uncle means he's Daddy's brother— replied Viggo —just as Bell and Uriel are Caenis' brothers—

Caenis stared into Viggo's eyes with a surprised expression, put his hand to his mouth as Bell did, and sucked his thumb.

—No, it's not good for Caenis to do the same as Bell. Caenis is a big girl— Viggo said, pushing his hand away from her mouth. She stared into his eyes reproachfully, but Viggo smiled and hugged her.

Viggo looked at Hephaestus and asked —How do you feel, mother?—

—Well, son, I didn't remember having a child being so complicated—

—Maybe it's the years— Viggo said half-jokingly.

Hephaestus turned her eyes to the ceiling in an expression of annoyance and amusement. She looked at Viggo again, moved her arm without disturbing Marcus, and pinched Viggo.

—Ouch— said Viggo —those hurts—

—Well, for you to save those comments. Besides, I'm sleepy. I'm sorry, you can leave us alone—

—Yes mother, don't worry, I just wanted my kids to meet my brother. See you, I'll see you more often—

—I hope so—

Viggo got out of bed with Caenis in his arms, looked at his father, and nodded. Then he walked to the exit along with Sakura and Ana who were taking Uriel and Bell. In the hallway they found Isabel, one of Kain's wives who helps Hephaestus with her needs. She was Flora's mother and like her daughter had blonde hair, neatly arranged in a braid. At this time, she wore a blouse and cloth pants, which made her look very similar to Flora, but instead of wearing boots up to her knees she occupied low shoes, in addition to looking older.

—How are you aunt?— asked Viggo.

Isabel smiled at the sight of so many children and walked over with a friendly expression. She held out her hand to Caenis and the girl returned the gesture. Isabel shook her hand in a gentle gesture, then brought her face closer and kissed her on the cheek. Caenis did the same with a beautiful smile on her lips. The children felt, Viggo thought. After all, Caenis didn't understand, but she could feel Hephaestus' animosity towards children who were not "from her family" Viggo let out a sigh hoping that she would be more open-minded.

—I'm fine, Viggo— Isabel said, looking at the huge red-haired boy who was now almost as tall as her husband. Inside she wondered why Flora came out so short, was it because she herself was short?

—Have you gone to see Flora?— asked Viggo.

—Yes, but those guys plan to travel to the big city. So, now I don't know how to reach them. That daughter of mine is so cold to her mother—

—Don't worry, Auntie, Rosewisse and I are working on something and when it's ready, we'll help you catch up with Flora—

—I wish she were as considerate as you were—

—Well, Flora was always independent of you—

—Yes, but her child is so young, why can't she calm down?—

—I don't know, auntie, when I have time, I'll visit her with you, and we'll find a way to make everything easier for you—

Isabel nodded, said goodbye to them and entered the room where Hephaestus, Marcus and Kain were. Viggo walks down the hall remembering how a little over a year ago he lived here with his wives. Everything remained the same, with the long corridor of long rectangular structure. Windows overlooked the external courtyards overlooking the forest surrounding the mansion. However, the place felt huge for one person.

—Daddy, Tsuki— said Caenis.

—Oooh Tsubaki?— asked Viggo with a smile. Caenis struggled with complicated words, especially those of other cultures such as those of the Far East. However, this word was allowed by Tsubaki herself. Tsuki meant moon, but the way Caenis pronounced it seemed to say Suki, which means "to want" in terms of love.

Caenis nodded and hugged Viggo's neck with a big smile.