During December, I kept focusing entirely on perfecting my healing magic. With the inverted baby situation resolved—that's what they call it in this world—I was able to relax a little. But not too much. I still continued reading and researching the subject obsessively.
The new doctor overseeing Mylene's labor, Doctor Katia, is much better than the old fart one. I prefer her approach to handling things—calm, precise, and without any unnecessary pride. Plus, she brings me interesting books every time she visits, which is a huge help since I've already read every medical book in the library.
Today, after finishing another consultation with Mylene, Katia gave us her usual update.
"Right. Everything looks normal here. The due date is still set for February. Since we're entering the last week of December, let's schedule the next appointment for early January. Does that sound good?"
"Understood, Doctor. Enjoy the end of the year with your family!" Mylene replied warmly.
"Thank you. I wish the same for all of you," Katia said with a kind smile before gathering her things.
With that, she headed back to the nearest city.
/////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
During the last week of December—on the 28th, to be exact—the house was buzzing with activity. Rubens was expected to return in the next few days to spend the New Year with Mylene, and the servants were busy preparing decorations for the celebration. In this world, they don't have Christmas, but they do celebrate the New Year. Honestly, the fact that they even use the same calendar as my previous world is surprising enough.
At the moment, I was finishing feeding Mylene when she spoke to me.
"Alexio, is it okay if we skip the exercises today? I'm feeling a bit tired..."
"Hmm..."
I gave her a slight glare, pretending to be angry, but after a few moments, I sighed in defeat. There was no winning against her.
"Okay... but are you sure you're not feeling anything strange?"
"There you go worrying again... Relax, it's nothing."
"Hmm... okay."
Mylene opened her arms and motioned for me to lie down on her lap. I placed my head there, and she gently began stroking my hair.
"Are you excited, Alexio? I know we still have a little time, but in just two months, you'll have a little brother or sister."
"Yes, I'm really excited."
"You'll have a lot to teach them. I hope they'll be as well-behaved and polite as you."
"You exaggerate, Mom..."
"Of course not! You've been worried this whole time, haven't you?"
"Hmm?"
"Worried about me. All the books you read, the diet you found, the exercises you introduced, even figuring out the baby's position... You've been working so hard, haven't you?"
"Hmm..."
"You can rest now. I'll be fine, I promise. I can see it in your eyes—you're exhausted."
Maybe... maybe I should rest. I am tired. The last time I slept was two days ago, and I've been focusing entirely on perfecting my healing magic ever since. With the new doctor, everything should go smoothly. She even promised to stay at the mansion during the last month of Mylene's pregnancy so she'd be ready when the time came.
Maybe I can afford to rest.
"I'm sure you'll be a great big brother."
If only you knew how terrible the original Alexio would have been... the worst big brother imaginable.
"Do you think it'll be a little brother or sister?" Mylene asked.
"Little sister..." I answered absentmindedly. But it didn't matter; it was just a guess in her eyes, after all.
"I see! I think so too. Rubens insists it'll be a boy, but I just feel that he's wrong."
He's wrong about everything... incompetent foster father.
"You'll protect her from everything, I'm sure," Mylene continued, her voice soft. "But don't overdo it, okay? She'll need her independence to grow into someone important."
Hahaha... If only you knew how important she'll be. In the game's routes where Clarisse survives, she becomes one of the kingdom's heroes.
As Mylene stroked my hair, my eyelids grew heavy.
"She'll be so attached to you. A handsome and intelligent older brother? Her friends will be jealous for sure." She smiled wistfully. "I always wanted an older brother, you know. But I was an only child. My mother wasn't able to have more children, and neither could my grandmother. That's why I'm so happy you're here, Alexio. You're going to be very special to her."
I see... As long as Mylene is happy, everything is fine.
"You'll both end up attending the academy together, even though you'll be older," she continued dreamily. "Ah, just thinking about you leaving home makes me sad already..."
It's way too early to be sad about that. We still had time—years, even. I needed to make the most of every moment we had together.
These almost four years I've lived here... they've been nothing but hard work. Hahaha...
I'll need to start thinking about my future in this world soon. For the past few years, my only focus has been on Mylene's safety. But maybe, in the future, I'll have to distance myself from them... After all, I'm one of the villains in the story. Ugh... I'm tired of thinking about it. I'll just sleep a little...
"Alexio, since you'll be four years older, you'll unfortunately be in the fifth period when she starts her first at the academy. But you'll still have two years together to study!"
Wait... two years?
My eyes shot open, startling Mylene, who had been gently watching over me.
"Alexio?"
Two years? She said Clarisse would join the academy when I would be in the fifth period? But in the game, Clarisse enters the academy while the protagonist is in the fourth period—his first year in the second dorm. There are two dorms at the academy: one for students in the first three periods and another for students in the last three. And Alexio, the original villain, is in the same class as the protagonist.
I shot upright, my mind racing.
"Alexio? What's wrong?"
Did I change something? Did my presence somehow delay Clarisse's birth? If so, by how much? Months?
This didn't feel right. I thought I had resolved everything, but now it seemed like I was missing something. Anemia, breech baby... but there's more. I know there's more.
When do students start the academy? They join the year they turn twelve... so if Clarisse is born in February, she'd start twelve years later, in the same year I'd be in the fifth period.
But that doesn't happen in the game! Clarisse starts earlier.
Could she have lied about her age? No, there's no reason for that.
Unless...
"Mother!" I exclaimed, causing Mylene to blink in surprise.
"Alexio?"
"The discomfort you mentioned—describe it to me. Please!"
She tilted her head, confused. "Alexio?"
"Describe it to me, please!"
"I... I feel tired. I have no energy. My body aches, like I'm being stretched."
These are contractions! Damn it...
Mylene has never given birth before—she wouldn't recognize the signs. And the doctors wouldn't expect it, not this early. Of course... It's a premature birth.
Clarisse must be born this year if she's to enter the academy on time. That means Mylene is about to go into labor.
"Is something wrong?" Mylene asked, concern creeping into her voice.
I forced a smile. "No, don't worry. I just had a bad dream, that's all."
"Oh, I see... Don't you want to sleep a little longer?"
"I'll sleep later," I said quickly, standing up. "I need to speak to Sebas about something. I'll take the dishes back to the kitchen."
She gave me a gentle, tired smile. "That's a shame... but thank you, Alexio."
I nodded, grabbed the tray, and left the room. As soon as the door closed behind me, I bolted toward Sebas's office. I threw the door open, startling him.
"Young master?" he said, alarmed.
I quickly shut the door behind me, making sure no one could hear.
"Mylene is going into labor today," I said urgently.
"What?!" Sebas shot to his feet, his face filled with disbelief.
"She's only in her seventh month! What are you talking about?"
"It doesn't matter—she's going into labor. I need you to take a horse or carriage and go to the city to get Doctor Katia immediately. You're the fastest rider we have!"
Sebas stared at me, still trying to make sense of what I was saying.
"Sebas!" I barked, pulling him back to reality.
He blinked, regaining focus. "Have the contractions started already?"
"Not yet—but they will. Soon."
"How do you know this?"
"Because the baby will be born today or tomorrow at the latest," I said, my voice firm.
Sebas hesitated for a moment, his eyes narrowing. "But..."
Before he could say more, I met his gaze head-on.
"Please, Sebas. Trust me."
For a few seconds, Sebas stood completely still, weighing my words. Then, with a nod, he darted toward the exit.
"Understood. Take care of Miss Mylene until I return. I'll inform the servants that you're in charge while I'm away."
"Thank you, Sebas."
He mounted his horse and raced toward the city, disappearing down the path in an instant.
/////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
I headed to the kitchen and found Rita washing dishes.
"Rita, I need a favor."
She looked up, surprised. "Young master?"
"I believe Mylene will go into labor today."
"What?!"
"Calm down," I said, raising a hand to steady her.
"Oh? Okay..." she stammered, taking a breath.
"Go stay by her side, and if anything happens, let us know immediately. I'll handle the preparations, and Sebas has already gone to the city to bring Doctor Katia."
"Understood."
"Don't let her notice anything unusual—she doesn't know what's happening yet. If she asks why you're there, just tell her that I was worried about her complaints and sent you to keep her company."
"She doesn't know anything?" Rita whispered, her brow furrowing.
"No. If she gets agitated or anxious, it could trigger labor sooner."
Rita nodded, the seriousness of the situation settling in. "Understood."
Without hesitation, she dried her hands and hurried toward Mylene's room.
I exhaled and turned my attention to the other servants standing by, all of them surprised by the last scene. It was time to get everything ready.
"I need six women with steady hands—if any of you have assisted in a birth before, even better," I said firmly.
Six women who had experience in various births stepped forward. I gave them specific instructions.
"In addition, I need six men waiting outside the room to bring anything we might need, as quickly as possible."
"Yes, young master!"
I continued issuing orders without missing a beat.
"Prepare clean sheets and cloths—choose the cleanest ones you can find, and if there are any that have never been used, even better. Make sure to wash your hands thoroughly before touching any of them! Also, start heating water—we'll need a lot of it."
"Understood!"
The servants sprang into action, gathering the necessary supplies and heating water. I approached the six women who would assist with the birth.
"Go to your rooms and clean yourselves thoroughly. Wash your hands carefully, and when you're done, cover most of your body with clean, white clothes. Use a cloth to cover your hair—make sure no strands are sticking out—and wrap a scarf around your mouth."
"Understood!"
The women nodded and left to prepare, moving with urgency.
I stayed behind to monitor the preparation of the materials, making sure everything was as clean as possible. But I knew we were up against more than just a premature delivery. In the original route of the game, Mylene died during childbirth. The most likely cause was a hemorrhage.
If Doctor Katia arrives in time, I believe we'll have a chance. Combining her expertise with my healing magic might help control the blood loss.
But the real challenge will come later—infection. This world has little understanding of infectious diseases, and the books I've read offer only basic guidance: wash your hands, use clean clothes, and apply fresh bandages during medical procedures.
Unfortunately, there's no information about how effective healing magic is against infections. I haven't had the chance to test it.
But that doesn't matter. I'll figure it out. I'll save her.