Chapter 58: An Heir Of Luxenberg

Within 4 months, the Grand Duchess of Luxenberg was now on the birthing bed. Her pregnancy had not been a difficult one but now the real challenge began.

Clarisse, a woman known for her impeccable composure and elegant demeanour, found herself grappling with the raw, untamed power of childbirth. Sweat beaded on her forehead, her usually perfectly coiffed white hair escaping its elegant bun. The rhythmic contractions, once a manageable discomfort, had intensified into waves of agonizing pain. 

Victor sat beside her, his hand clasped firmly in hers, his usually strong countenance etched with worry. He whispered words of encouragement, his voice a low, soothing rumble against the backdrop of the nurses' hushed activity and the rhythmic beeping of monitoring machines. He knew the birth of their heir was a momentous occasion for the Grand Duchy of Luxenberg, but all he felt was concern for his wife.

Hours passed in a blur of pain and hushed whispers. Clarisse, despite her grit, felt her strength waning. The attendants and mid-wives, a highly skilled group accustomed to attending to royalty, worked efficiently and calmly, their movements precise and reassuring. 

With each push, Clarisse felt a surge of both pain and a fierce, primal determination. Victor's presence, a constant and unwavering support, bolstered her spirits. He wiped the sweat from her brow, offering words of comfort and encouragement, his love a tangible force in the sterile environment of the birthing suite. The tension in the room was palpable; everyone held their breath, anticipating the arrival of the heir.

Finally, with a last, powerful push, a cry pierced the air. A healthy baby boy was placed in Clarisse's arms. Exhaustion washed over the Grand Duchess, but her eyes shone with a profound love as she gazed upon her newborn child. 

Victor, his face alight with relief and joy, gently kissed Clarisse's forehead. The heir to Luxenberg had arrived, a moment of both personal triumph and national significance, safely delivered into the world. The tension in the room melted away, replaced by a quiet sense of contentment and the soft, sweet sounds of a newborn's cry.

Entranced by the small creature they had conceived the couple could only beam weary smiles. The birthing process was difficult and tiring but the result was perfection. A little boy with eyes as blue as the ocean stared up at his parents. Seeing the faces of his parents the boys crying subsided and eventually stopped. 

Infected by a sensation of bliss the couple could not speak. They were now parents, and more importantly, the Grand Duchy of Luxenberg had its heir. Clarisse still exhausted from her labour slowly turned her head to Victor and asked, "What should we name our little baby boy, my love?"

Victor pondered for a moment. He had thought of many names since finding out about his wife's pregnancy. Many boys' names had floated in his head, the likes of, Vicross, Jacque, Claude and Adrian. However, there was a name that held special meaning to Victor.

"Let us call our boy, Anton," Victor declared. Anton was the name of Victor's dear deceased friend Sergeant Anton Junot. He was a man who was ferociously loyal to Victor and even sacrificed himself to save his lord. Without Sergeant Junot, Victor would not be here today and the Grand Duchy of Luxenberg would not have risen to its current state.

Clarisse warmly smiled and whispered, "Anton Luxenberg, heir to the Grand Duchy of Luxenberg. Welcome to the world my little prince." After muttering that she kissed the boy on the head. 

With the couple enjoying some rest, the news of Anton's birth began to spread like wildfire. Palace servants rejoiced at such news while the soldiers began to drink in celebration of their heir. Bells rang and people partied, the entire city of Hannover was in celebration mode. The people who revered Victor as a saviour of the territory could not contain their joy. 

Even the system sent a congratulatory message along with some rewards.

'Hidden Quest Completed!: Produce An Heir!'

'Due to your rapid progress, your rewards will be delayed by 4 months'

Victor was confused and a bit upset at having to wait for his rewards, but nothing could dampen his joyous mood.

Days after the birth messenger pigeons were sent out in all directions of Victor's realm. Cedric Dupont and Lucious Cassell began preparations to immediately visit and meet their newest daily member. Generals Rapp, Bertrand and Tauentzien wrote back, expressing their sincere congratulations on the birth of a new heir. 

Weeks had passed and news of Anton's birth was spreading beyond the borders of the Luxenberg territory. All the remaining Dukedoms on the continent wrote congratulatory letters and wished to meet the newest Luxenberg. The other 2 Grand Duchys also wrote expressing their congratulations while at the same time extending invitations to meet the new pillar of the Bulgar Continent.

All this attention was overwhelming for the young couple. Neither of them had turned 21 yet, but the sea of letters and visitors was beginning to be a bit hectic for them. Anton surprisingly though was enjoying all the attention he was getting. He had met his grandfather and his great-grandparents. He also met many of Victor's inner circle and members of the elite guard.

It had been an exciting and stressful 2 months since baby Anton's birth but now the attention was slowly fading. Victor was able to enjoy a wonderful family dinner with, Clarisse, Veronica, Cedric and his grandparents.

The dinner was a lovely and tranquil time for Victor. It had been almost 4 years since Conrad took over his body and yet a mountain of things he thought impossible had happened. He took some time while eating his dinner to appreciate what he had.

Nearing the conclusion of the family dinner, Duke Cassell arose from his chair and began to lightly tap a small spoon against his glass. Everyone's attention had now shifted to the elderly duke. For a moment the duke cleared his throat and began to speak to his family.

"I would like to make a toast. To my granddaughter-in-law, Clarrise. Ever since you married my dear grandson, he and the rest of us have slowly begun to fall in love with you. Your kindness knows no bounds and you have been an irreplaceable companion for our Victor. Even now you continue to make me and my wife happy by gracing us with our first great-grandchild. So I would like everyone to raise their glasses to the Grand Duchess, Clarisse."

At his words, everyone stood up with their glasses in hand and toasted Clarisse. All the love she was receiving caused her to blush and even compelled her to walk over and hug the elderly couple. Once everyone had settled down, Duke Cassell continued to speak.

"I would like to make another toast, for my grandson. Victor, since becoming a duke you have thoroughly surprised us all. You have conquered not only another dukedom but a Grand Duchy. Even when we tried to assist you in either war we were not needed and yet you gifted us a new region for our territory. Through your rule, not only your territory but ours have flourished. So I would like everyone to rise once again and toast Grand Duke Victor Luxenberg."

Once again at Duke Cassell's words, everyone stood up with their glasses in hand and toasted Victor. He appreciated his grandfather's words. But when everyone began to sit back down, Duke Cassell had a final thing to say. What came out of his mouth next had the room quiet.

"I would like to ask you, my grandson, to accept the Cassell family as your vassal."