Hitomi had never really been a screamer. One might consider that girls these days just didn't have all that much cause to scream, but Hitomi's was a unique situation, and certainly no one around her would have begrudged a scream in the situations she had faced (though Merle, despite screaming herself had no such qualms about making fun of Hitomi).
In fact, several people had noted, Hitomi was well within her rights to become one of those 'delicate ladies' who lost consciousness at the slightest provocation.
But as Van well knew, Hitomi was not much of a screamer. It hearity (every 5 minutes, the midwife noted) but otherwise she would just smile at Van, and then at her belly, and give his hand a squeeze.
Van was not wincing of course.
And then, several hours after this cycle, a shrill cry broke the eerie sense of anticipation and two loud sighs were heard.
And then a whoop of joy.
Hitomi meanwhile, smiled all the while, and brought her baby close to kiss.
The heir of Fanelia.
Ilario Goau de Fanel.