Chapter 681 Life with a Newborn
Edited by: Kanaa-senpai
It was midday, with a clear, brilliant blue sky stretching out above. About a week had passed since the sound of a healthy infant’s cry began to echo through the Wolf family mansion.
Renka hurried over to the crib, which was crafted from soft, natural wood, as her red-haired daughter began to wail. She wasn’t wearing the maternity dress from her pregnancy, but a simple, everyday outfit. Behind her followed Shuro, a maid of the Wolf household.
”What’s wrong, little one? Is it time for a snack already?” Renka asked with a soft, concerned smile.
Renka scooped the baby up, swaying gently as she sat on the sofa. She loosened her clothing, exposing her breast and guiding it to the infant’s lips, but the baby showed little interest in latching. She adjusted her hold and tried changing the angle of the n**ple, but no matter how many times she tried, the baby only grew more fretful.
”It sounds like a diaper, my lady. I will prepare the change immediately,” Shuro said, her voice skillful and quick.
”Yes, please do,” Renka replied.
Shuro, a petite maid with brown hair that partially obscured her eyes, moved with practiced skill to gather what was needed. She laid down a protective cloth to keep the crib sheet clean, and readied the basket for the fresh and soiled diapers. Her movements were seamless.
In truth, Shuro was far more used to this than Renka, a novice mother. Having spent time at an orphanage, changing the diapers of the younger children had been a daily routine. In less wealthy areas, it was not uncommon for newborns to be brought to such places.
Being used to infants—that was exactly why Shuro, and not the widow Neru, was chosen to serve Renka.
”Oh, you’re right. Dahlia, let’s get you changed, shall we?♪” Shuro cooed, her tone light and professional.
Even as she spoke with a gentle voice, her movements remained slightly awkward. It was the same with the cradling and the nursing—all part of the natural struggles of being a first-time mother.
Milis, who was raising her own child in a separate room, was much the same. However, she was supported by two professional nursemaids, so both mother and child were perfectly taken care of.
Usually, the tradition among nobles was to hire a wet nurse, but because Milis had asked to breastfeed herself, she had chosen extra servant maids instead.
”There, all done. Shuro, could you take the diapers?” Renka asked.
”Understood. I will go wash them by hand,” Shuro replied with a polite nod.
Watching Shuro leave the room with the basket of soiled cloth diapers, Renka began to nurse the baby once more. This time, the infant latched on quietly, and Renka let out a sigh of relief. As she looked down at her child, who was nursing with such earnestness, her expression softened into a smile.
(Truly, she’s so precious… But the only reason I have the luxury to feel this way is because of Al and Mil.)
The cloth diapers, which needed to be changed often, were washed along with those of Milis’s child. Beyond that, Shuro handled all the household chores, allowing Renka to focus entirely on her child.
Renka held the position of a vassal to the Wolf house, but her situation was clearly different from that of an ordinary servant. A normal vassal would be expected to deal with the problems of their personal life on their own, yet she was given complete support. It went without saying that this was due to the kindness of Alvin and Milis.
This was only natural, given the path Alvin had taken to build the Wolf house, and the other vassals serving the family felt the same way, so there was no need for her to feel guilty. Still, having been raised in a perfectly ordinary commoner household, it was hard to let go of a certain worry.
While she was thinking about these things, her daughter (Dahlia) had fallen silent.
”…She’s asleep,” Renka whispered, smiling down at the child.
Renka laid her sleeping daughter down in the bed and tucked a towel around her to keep her stomach warm. After gently stroking the child’s soft red hair, she stretched her arms overhead, arching her back slightly.
”Hmm… Well then, normally I would be doing housework now, but… for now, there’s this,” Renka murmured to herself.
Since Shuro handled the cooking, laundry, and cleaning, Renka found herself with plenty of free time, so she picked up the book she had been reading.
During the final months of pregnancy, when Milis and Renka were no longer able to exercise outside, Alvin had bought a huge collection of books. They were mostly for fun—ranging from poetry books to sweet romance novels—all packed into the library.
Renka hadn’t been in the habit of reading much, but she had since become a book lover. She sat in the chair right next to Dahlia’s bed and began to read. For a long time, the only sounds in the room were the rustling of pages and the soft rhythm of the baby’s breathing.
”Excuse me, I apologize for the delay,” Shuro said, re-entering the room. However, Renka noticed it had taken her longer than usual.
”Did something happen?” Renka asked.
”I was asked to help with washing for Loomis-sama on the way…” Shuro explained politely.
Loomis was the name of Milis’s daughter. It went without saying that the priority of the Wolf family’s beloved first child came first. Even though Shuro was assigned to Renka and Dahlia, she could not ignore a request involving Loomis.
”Dahlia is asleep, so it’s fine here, you know?” Renka said reassuringly.
”No, I am the maid in charge of both of you. I will restock the diapers now,” Shuro insisted.
”I understand. Thank you,” Renka said with a smile.
After storing the diapers in the special shelf, Shuro bowed and left the room.
(I wonder if Shuro will be back next at lunchtime?)
It wasn’t as if she were watching every second of the day; by visiting the room often to tend to her duties, Shuro made sure Renka didn’t feel overwhelmed. She felt truly taken care of.
Suddenly, the sound of a baby’s cry drifted down from the floor above. Thanks to the distance from Milis’s room, it was faint, requiring one to listen closely to hear it.
Renka’s face broke into a smile at the image of Milis hurriedly scooping up her beloved daughter to soothe her.
(Loomis is just a tiny bit older, isn’t she? I wonder if I should ask to arrange a meeting once she can hold her head up and grows a little more.)
Renka wished for their daughters to grow up as close childhood friends, just as they were. Alvin and Milis held the same hope.
However, there was always the matter of personality differences. She had heard stories of childhood friends in her hometown who had stopped being friends. She knew that being childhood friends didn’t guarantee success, and she felt it wouldn’t be right to push the parents’ ideals too far.
Besides, being Milis’s daughter meant she was a daughter of the Wolf house, a high-ranking noble. Putting aside their own generation who had founded the house, the children would certainly have to be careful about their rank. Alvin and Milis would likely say there was no need to worry, but whether the world around them would allow it was another matter entirely.
”I don’t know what the future holds… but mother and Father will be right there with you,” Renka whispered softly.
Thinking of Shinji, who had come to her side right after the birth to say “thank you for your hard work,” Renka smiled and gently stroked Dahlia’s head.
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Summary:
Renka navigates her new role as a mother within the Wolf mansion, balancing the help of her maid, Shuro, with her own internal adjustment to life as a parent. Despite her humble roots, she is deeply grateful for the support provided by Alvin and Milis, though she remains mindful of the social hierarchies that define the lives of their daughters. She hopes for a friendship between her daughter Dahlia and Milis’s daughter Loomis, while acknowledging the complexities that their noble status may impose.
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Trivia:
- Shuro has specific experience in child-rearing from her time at an orphanage.
- The Wolf household employs nursemaids and extra servants instead of a wet nurse per Milis’s request.
- Loomis is slightly older than Dahlia.
- Renka has recently developed a habit of reading due to the collection of books provided by Alvin during her late pregnancy.
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Translation Notes:
Notes:
• Wolf – The noble family name, carried by Alvin and Milis.
• Renka – Shinji’s pregnant, red-haired wife lives at the Wolf mansion. A former commoner, she feels unease over the support she receives but maintains a calm demeanor. She shares a deep love for her husband, feeling profound relief upon his safe return, and has a close bond with Milis, with whom she works on handicrafts.
• Shuro – A petite brown-haired maid whose eyes are partially obscured, she is a loyal subordinate who assists in the household and executes Alvin’s orders. Having gained extensive experience in child-rearing during her time at an orphanage, she now dedicatedly serves Renka.
• Neru – A widow who is not assigned to serve Renka.
• Dahlia – The infant daughter of Renka with red hair.
• Milis – Alvin’s wife, who maintains a calm demeanor despite being pregnant with Shinji’s child, now raises her offspring in a separate room of the Wolf mansion.
• Alvin – The head and founder of the Wolf house, this honorary knight and Lord of the Wolf Territory transitioned from adventurer to a noble leader and fatherly figure. While managing administrative duties for a new port town, he remains deeply devoted to and anxious for his family, balancing these heavy responsibilities with a familiar, friendly attitude toward his subordinates in private settings.
• Loomis – The infant daughter of Milis.
• Shinji – A stoic, calculating Apostle of Goddess Arian and son of a succubus, this white-clad, armored strategic mage balances Alvin’s anxiety. Recently back from an alternate dimension, he is a reliable, high-stamina spell-refiner who restrains lewd magic. While he preys on women, he deeply cherishes his companions, offered kindness to Renka after her labor, and vows to care for any child he fathers.
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Edited by Kanaa-senpai.
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