Madam Bella.
Lady Cathy's mother.
She stood near the bedside, dressed in dark noble robes, hands clenched together in silent anxiety.
"She's not wrong, Head Maid," Bella said softly. "It's been hours. What if something has gone wrong? What if the baby…?"
The head maid's tone softened—only a little.
"You worry too much, Madam Bella. We have every medical enhancement available. If anything had gone wrong, the system would've warned us."
Still, Bella's eyes stayed locked on her daughter. The worry in them did not fade.
Time passed. The thunder outside rumbled on. Rain began to patter softly on the balcony doors.
And then—
"I can see the head!" the head maid called out, eyes lighting up with relief. "Lady Cathy, just one more push! You're almost there!"
Cathy nodded weakly.
Her limbs trembled. Her eyes burned. Her face twisted in sheer, desperate focus.
Four hours.
Four excruciating hours.
But she was almost there.
With one final cry, drawn from every aching corner of her being, she pushed.
The newborn lay silent in the grand chamber, its stillness a haunting contrast to the storm that raged beyond the walls of the Ashborn estate. The air held still... thunder rumbled in the distance, as if the heavens themselves paused to witness the birth of something beyond understanding
The head maid, still acting as the midwife, gently caught the newborn in her arms. With practiced care, she held him close, cradling the fragile form as she examined the child for any issues. Her eyes scanned quickly, searching for the telltale signs of health—or danger.
"Congratulations, my lady," she said softly, turning to Lady Cathy, exhausted but glowing on the bed. "It's a boy."
Cathy smiled weakly, tears welling in her eyes.
But the head maid's brow furrowed just slightly. The baby wasn't crying anymore. He was oddly quiet.
Too quiet.
She carefully cleaned him, wrapping him in a soft fiber-cloth blanket, while keeping a close eye on him. Then, just as a sliver of concern started to worm its way into her thoughts—
The baby opened his eyes.
Two large, curious eyes looked around, unfocused but aware. As if he were already trying to understand the world he'd just been thrown into.
The head maid blinked in surprise.
Then gave a quiet sigh of relief.
"Look at you," she whispered, smiling down at him. "Just came out and already causing trouble, huh, little guy?"
She gently tapped his nose with her finger. The baby blinked, looked straight at her with a slight frown… and then—
He laughed.
A bright, bubbly, almost musical giggle filled the air.
The whole room froze for a second.
The tension that had gripped everyone—the maids, the medical staff, even Lady Bella—melted instantly. That tiny laugh lifted the pressure like sunlight breaking through storm clouds.
Lady Bella's eyes widened in surprise and then softened into something deep and tender.
"Oh, my grandson," she whispered, emotion swelling. "He's here. Finally."
Without waiting, she hurried forward, arms already open, reaching instinctively for the baby.
The head maid smiled and nodded, carefully placing the child into Bella's waiting embrace.
"Here, Lady Bella. Meet your grandson."
Bella held the baby close, rocking him gently. He squirmed, laughed again, and reached up toward her face.
"Aww, look at you," she cooed. "So handsome. So full of spirit already." She tickled his nose lightly. "You're going to be trouble, aren't you?"
The baby responded with another little giggle that seemed to light up the entire chamber. Even the storm outside seemed to soften its growl.
After a few precious minutes, Bella gently handed the newborn to his mother.
Cathy took her son in her arms for the first time. She held him close to her chest, the heat of his small body melting into her skin, his tiny hands already reaching for her face, her hair.
Tears rolled down her cheeks—soft, silent tears of joy and awe.
All the exhaustion from labor, the hours of pain and struggle, the fatigue gripping her muscles—it vanished. Gone, washed away by the warmth of her son's presence and the sound of his laughter.
"Look at you," Cathy whispered, brushing his hairless head with her fingers. "Just minutes into this world and already this energetic. What will I do with you, hmm?"
She smiled and leaned in closer.
"You're going to be a handful, I can already tell."
The baby responded with what could only be described as a delighted squeal, grabbing onto a strand of her hair with surprising strength. Cathy winced, then laughed with him.
Everyone in the room watched the moment unfold, smiling with genuine warmth. The atmosphere—once tense and heavy—now buzzed with quiet happiness.
Then, a small cough cut through the air.
Lady Bella looked at her daughter with a raised brow, her lips curled into a grin.
"Well? My daughter… what shall we name our little star?"
Cathy blinked.
' Her smile softened.
She looked around the room… and then out the window.
Lightning flashed. Thunder rolled faintly.
A small shadow passed through her eyes.
Her husband wasn't here.
She had hoped—desperately—that he'd arrive in time to witness this moment. But she hadn't seen him since labor began.
Her eyes dropped, sorrow creeping in at the edge of her joy.
"He's… not here yet, is he?"
Lady Bella's smile faded as well, replaced by sympathy.
"No. He isn't. He was summoned by the Federation just hours ago. An urgent call. No one could have expected it."
Cathy closed her eyes.
She knew where her husband was stationed—far out, on the Federation's contested front. Not the safest of places.
Her heart ached.
Bella, noticing her daughter's silence, gently placed a hand on her shoulder.
"Don't worry, child. He'll be back. And once he hears you've given birth to a strong son, he'll fly home faster than a cruiser with twin warp cores."
Cathy laughed softly through her tears and nodded.
She looked down at her baby again—his bright eyes now focused entirely on her. His little fingers gripped at her robe, at her hair, anything within reach.