Chapter 15: Mostly healthy filler

When we discovered that Arthur was still alive, the atmosphere at the Helstea mansion improved dramatically. My mother smiled at every opportunity, and those brown eyes that seemed to hold endless sadness and regret now sparkled with delight every hour.

My father was the same way; a relief that even he couldn't see painted his face, and he appeared younger.

Overall, the news had made the last two months better for the family, and along with my training with Ruri-which for the time being only consisted of theory-it was a rather peaceful time reminiscent of our days in Ashber's village.

"Did you get it, Kiyo?" Ruri asked, crossing her arms in front of me, her slightly raised chin and smug expression indicating that she was pleased with herself for overwhelming a 'child' with her lessons.

Unfortunately for her, I was not a child.

"I think I got it." I slowly nodded. "Essentially, the greater the purity of the mana core, the smaller the difference between an augmenter and a conjurer." She had used confusing words to distract me, but it was a simple concept in the end.

Ruri's shoulders slumped, and she pouted, though she would probably deny it. "Did you eat your family's library, Kiyo? I've only been teaching you for two months and I'm already out of theory to instruct you."

I shrugged my shoulders without replying, everything she had said I had discovered on my own in the course of my experiments, though I wouldn't tell her that.

The bedroom door burst open, and a worried Lilia gasped with teary eyes as she was about to resume the lesson. "K-Kiyo, auntie Alice... She-."

I wanted to wait for Lilia to finish explaining, but Ruri passed like a blur by my side making Lilia stumble backwards, I couldn't even see when Ruri ran and left the room.

She was actually quite powerful, she was a dark yellow core mage after all.

I approached Lilia, who looked shocked, and held out my hand. "Are you okay?"

She grabbed my hand coming out of her stupor. "Y-Yes."

After I wiped some dust off her head, I calmly asked. "What did you want to tell me?"

Lilia's eyes opened and her hands began to drag me out of the room. "Aunt Alice is sick! Her stomach hurts." She said.

I quickly put the dots together and only one thing came to mind. 'So the time has come.'

I didn't know what to think because I had no experience with situations like this; however, if the need arose, I could use my medical knowledge to assist in this type of situation; I would rather avoid it, but in this case, it couldn't be avoided. Perhaps I was growing accustomed to the idea of having a family? Isn't it true that families protect one another?

Unknowingly, I shrugged, but began to hurry because if Alice was about to have the baby, she would need someone to calm her down because father was working and it would take time to call him to come.

We found a room on the first floor of the Helstea house thanks to Lilia's directions. As soon as I opened the door, I saw Alice lying on a bed with Tabitha and Ruri on either side of her, a pained expression on her face and slight moans of pain escaping her mouth.

I approached them, keeping a close eye on my mother's condition. "Have you called the doctor?" I inquired.

"Vincent is doing that." Tabitha replied to me.

I agreed by nodding. Then it was simply a matter of making my mother feel at ease in the meantime. Keeping this in mind, I approached her and took one of her hands in mine.

"Mother. " I called out to her, and she turned to face me, but she couldn't say anything because she was almost hyperventilating from the pain. "It's important to stay calm; take deep breaths." I gave her instructions.

She nodded and began to do just that; the sweat on her brow and her pale complexion improved slightly after she calmed down, but the contractions continued to cause her pain.

"Thank you Kiyo." She said, giving me a weak smile.

I nodded. "You're welcome."

Ruri gave me a slight smile, her green eyes twinkling with fun. "Did you also read books about childbirth?"

"Who knows?" I shrugged.

Ruri frowned. "I'm starting to think that phrase of yours is a verbal tic." She accused with amusement, perhaps to lighten the mood. "Does anyone else agree?" She inquired.

Tabitha and my mother laughed lightly, nodding with amusement. Did I really mean it that much?

"Who knows?" We all turned to see Lilia standing in the middle of the room when we heard a high-pitched voice. She shrugged, her shoulders indifferent. After a while, she laughed and jumped up, raising her fist. "I'm kiyo!" She posed again, this time with an uninterested expression. "Who knows?" She said it again, and this time she laughed as she finished.

Everyone laughed, which was good for lifting the mood, but I had the impression that they were making fun of me.

(***)

After Lilia's comedy show, the doctor arrived and complimented us on our efforts to keep his patient calm. To my dismay, I was escorted out of the room. For the time being, my curiosity about childbirth would not be satisfied.

I could only sit on the sofa in the living room with Lilia, who kept repeating herself. Who knows? Every chance she got, she spoke in a thick, indifferent voice. Did I actually say that much? I began to consider expanding my vocabulary.

My father entered the house frantically, followed by the maid, who was panting heavily. My father saw me sitting next to Lilia and ran towards me.

"Kiyo! How is Alice?" he asked.

"I'm not sure, I was barred from entering," I explained. Then I pointed to a specific door. "They're behind that door."

He nodded and dashed to the door, which he opened. I could hear a pained cry as he opened it. Lilia was taken aback, but I simply nodded. I had suspected as much, but Ruri had apparently put up a barrier so I couldn't hear what was going on.

I understand her point of view, as childbirth is not an attractive experience. Hearing your mother screams can be terrifying. Ruri, it appears, had some sense.

"Kiyo, that cry."

"It's okay, Lilia, it's nothing."

"But..."

I shook my head and she just stuck to my side seeking comfort, I sighed and put my hand on her head.

"How's it going with your core?" I asked her.

"Trying." she sighed.

"Good."

After that, she fell asleep and I simply let her lay on my shoulder.

(***)

The door finally opened after more than five hours. My father greeted me, smiling but a little pale.

"Come Kiyo, come see your little sister."

I walked over to him, leaving Lilia on the couch. My father placed a hand on my shoulder as we entered the room where Ruri was drying her sweat and Tabitha was smiling at my mother, who was holding a small bundle of blankets. To give us privacy, the doctor left the room.

She smiled at me as soon as I approached.

"Look Kiyo, it's your little sister, her name is Eleanor."

I took a step forward, stretching slightly to get a better look. A small sleeping baby was in my mother's arms. I reached out to touch her face, but the baby grabbed my finger in her tiny hand. I thought she was sleeping, but my presence must have woken her up; I felt her warm grip, and her hand was surprisingly fragile.

I had never seen a baby in person, and now I was seeing my own sister, Eleanor.

I felt like protecting her when she squeezed my finger slightly, as if acknowledging her brother's presence. Not just curiosity, but a genuine desire to protect. To say the least, it was strange feeling.