It was a warm morning. The sun had barely risen, yet God's consort had already been awake for some time, now sitting on a sofa facing her bedroom door, the only sounds inside the room being nervous fidgeting of hands and feet, as well as loud breathing which the woman was barely able to keep regular. Her husband's days-long absence due to important matters of state was both curse and boon, as the inevitable continued to be delayed. Until today. He would arrive in just a few hours.
But before that, there was someone else Neia Baraja was waiting to meet. Her gaze wandered the room, snapping from object to object, hoping to initiate some train of thought which may distract from the concerns overwhelming her mind.
"Your Holiness?"
The knocking and voice of the person Neia was waiting for had somewhat startled her, jumpiness being yet another clear sign of the present stress.
"... Come in, Emma."
The head maid opened the door before taking one quick glance at Neia, and immediately bowing.
"Greetings, Your Holiness. Is something the matter?"
Neia sighed internally at that gentle tone. It should be expected of a dear friend to be able to identify distress quickly, but did she really look that bad, despite all her efforts?
"Yes. Please sit down."
Still, having Emma here helped, as her iron will always had something of a calming effect. The maid closed the door and sat opposite Neia, moving quickly all the while, with a gaze that was stoic, yet somehow felt deeply understanding and kind. The reason Emma in particular was the one summoned here was because of her detailed education regarding matters of sex and reproduction, something Neia consulted her on often.
Although she already went over what was going to be said countless times in her head, Neia still hesitated, needing several moments to steel herself.
"... uhm, Emma? So... my period was supposed to start... well, almost two weeks ago..."
An almost imperceptible change occurred in the maid's stance and expression, now seeming more tense, something Neia would not have noticed at all if not for her extensive training as someone who needed to read others.
"... It might even be more, since I wasn't keeping track that well... I uhm... every day I was waiting for it to start, but..."
She took a deep breath.
"Well, since I'm healthy, this normally means... being with a child, right?"
Emma looked to the ground for a moment with an unreadable expression, pausing to breathe in deeply herself before looking back up to answer with a neutral tone.
"Yes... This likely means pregnancy."
For a few seconds, Neia simply sat there, seeming lifeless to any observer, processing the confirmation of what she already knew very well. And then, like a dam bursting, a torrent of powerful emotions flooded into her, tears forming in the corners of her eyes, and a weakened smile appearing on her face.
"I... I'm carrying darling's child... I'm g-going to be the mother of our own baby..."
New life growing within her. Being blessed with the joy of carrying Satoru's offspring. It was overwhelming. Her mind was racing, tears now flowing.
After some amount of time Neia could not discern due to her current state, a voice demanded her attention.
"Have you discussed this with His Majesty… Neia?"
The maid was wearing a weak smile of her own.
"N-no... I will today. When he arrives. Soon."
The only reason Neia could muster enough attention to respond coherently was because in truth, she already expected this sooner or later. Satoru now had a body capable of making her pregnant, after all. She was prepared for this to happen, at least to some extent.
But there was another reason for Neia's tears. That overwhelming joy was undercut by a deep, awful fear.
What if Satoru did not deem her worthy of bearing his heir?
The idea of being forced to kill their child with an induced miscarriage brought on an agonising heartache.
But of course, she would never dare argue with Satoru's decision. Not that there would be a point. But even if there was, he was the saviour of everything Neia knew and held dear, as well as herself. He was her saviour, her husband, her God. In truth, she should be spending every waking moment thanking him for everything he'd graciously given her. Should Satoru deem her unworthy, it would be the height of insolence to even have stray thoughts of protesting.
Neia now had to brace herself for this possibility. But it just hurt so much. She wanted to be a mother for so long. The mother of his children.
It has been a long time since Neia prayed. Such things did not feel quite appropriate when her God was also her husband. But just then, she prayed to Satoru. Even knowing he could not hear her, the gesture brought a small amount of peace to her heart.
'Please, darling... no, please Sorcerer King... the wisest, kindest, most magnanimous of all... please, oh please let me bear your child.'
... ...
In the early hours of the morning, the master of The Tomb of Nazarick was laying down on the bed of his private room, holding a journal while flipping lazily through the pages. But soon enough, he reached the end yet again, groaning in frustration while closing the small notebook forcefully. Satoru was awfully irked, and even rather dejected by his own inability to come up with new ways to spoil his beloved Neia.
His lovely, lovely sweetheart... Such an amazing woman. So kind and sweet, hard-working and honest, loyal and thoughtful... There was no end to the virtues he could assign her, to the compliments that would all come from the bottom of his heart.
And he put her through so much awful trauma...
It's why he had to do everything he could to make Neia happy. To spoil and pamper her. And it felt he was not doing well enough.
With a sigh, one of many since the start of the day, Satoru looked to the clock. It was not quite time to meet Neia yet, but he decided he'd try asking her if she was ready anyway.
"[Message]. Neia, my love? It's me, Satoru. Are you ready?"
"Ah, hello darling. I am."
He could sense something was off.
"... I'll be there right away."
"..."
After waiting for just a moment in case Neia wanted to say something else, Satoru cut the connection, getting up and teleporting into her room, bypassing all the defensive wards that would keep anyone else out.
In front of him now stood his beloved wife, her eyes reddened and clearly showing a deep pain, wings folded behind her back, stance radiating unease... Concern overtook him.
"N-Neia! My love, what's wrong?!"
Stepping close without hesitation, he embraced her.
"Come on, please talk to me..."
It took Neia some time before she smiled weakly, eyes tearing up again.
"... you're so kind to me, Satoru. The way you're so concerned... I'm sorry for worrying you like this just after your arrival."
"Neia, stop. If there's something wrong, please tell me already. And never apologise for making me concerned. It's only natural I'd worry, it's just what happens because of how I love you so, so much and wish for your happiness, okay?"
Her smile grew larger, but so did her tears, a few now finding their way down her cheeks.
"... so kind... I often think I could not possibly be deserving of you."
"My love, please... What are you saying? It must be something else talking... let's get you to sit down, okay?"
"N-no, I... I needed to tell you tha-"
Seeing that his wife must have clearly just not been feeling well, Satoru picked Neia up, now princess-carrying her.
"Ah!"
"Come on. Let's get you to bed."
Satoru was delighted to see that the gesture made her blush, the distress in her eyes subsiding, allowing him to notice that this whole time, that distress was hiding an outpouring of pure love. Did the latter somehow cause the former? Was she uneasy about their future again? Worried that he'll lose interest in her? Did those awful self-esteem issues come back?
That was alright. He'd fix this. He'd just show Neia how much he loved her, as always. Some kissing and cuddling, maybe a nice meal... Yes, that'll erase those ridiculous thoughts.
But maybe this was all his fault? He did just leave her alone for several days because of that damn trip to get things sorted out with the changes in the Dwarven Kingdom... The mind could twist even the simplest things into terrifying doubts... Was he feeding those doubts? Satoru's non-existent chest got painfully tight. Was he neglecting her? That would have surely contributed. Not enough time together? Not enough compliments? Not enough gifts? What was he doing wrong?
Now next to the bed, he placed Neia on it gently in a sitting position, covering her with the blanket. Just to make sure there was no physical component to this, he pulled out a healing potion, as well as an exhaustion-clearing potion.
"Here, my love. Drink these."
"D-darling, I'm not ill!"
"Just to make sure. Here, I'll unscrew them for you."
Neia pulled out her necklace, using its healing spell on herself.
"See? I'm not sick. It's just that... we need to talk."
"... Alright... Which form do you want me to take?"
"... Your human one, please."
After setting the potions down within reach if they were needed after all, Satoru slowly pulled the golden pyramid out of his inventory, breathing in before using it. Bathed in rays of golden light, flesh was being knit, specific sensations returning to him. As soon as it was done, Neia looked away, seemingly unable to face Satoru's troubled expression.
"Neia. Now please tell me, what's wrong?"
Satoru took Neia's hands while she forced herself to look into his eyes again.
"I... I just..."
She gripped him tightly. He did the same.
"Satoru, I... I might be pregnant."
It felt as though everything had stopped. For a moment, the world was stuck.
Satoru replayed those words to himself again and again, trying to understand what they meant.
Finally processing Neia's words, a vast array of emotions struck him all at once. Deep within his mind, he knew this would come sooner or later. But now that it did, it was hard to take it in. After some time, he looked back to her, opening his mouth, yet not finding any words to say.
He was going to be a father.
He had no idea what that would be like, but... With Neia, he saw himself having a very happy family.
But this... well, he'd have some explaining to do in Nazarick. It seemed he'd have to trick them by saying she was just tricked with illusions, and he was not the father.
"... Satoru? I uhm..."
Neia was tearing up again.
"D-do you want me t-to... w-will we raise our child?"
This was another shock. Did she not want this?
"M-my love? What do you mean?"
"W-well... I didn't know if you uhm... wanted me to give birth, or..."
"Ah, that's... you mean... induced miscarriage… No, Neia, I want us to become a family..."
Her eyes lit up with excitement immediately. Still, he felt it was necessary to be certain.
"... but, well, what do you want, honey? I mean, are you sure you're ready? We can always wait. Raising a child is a big commitment, after all."
"M-me?! What do I want? But I- I'm just a lowly... I could not possibly make this decision! You had already decided just now!"
"Wait, what do you mean?"
"I-if you deemed me unworthy of bearing your progeny, I would have no right to protest! Likewise, e-even if I didn't want this, I would have no right to refuse your seed! And so... as you said, I must birth your blood."
"You mean... no, that's wrong! Neia, what are you saying?"
Satoru was disgusted. That wasn't right. His beloved Neia should not be forced to carry and give birth against her will. What were the implications of this? That her body belonged to him? That he could force her into whatever he wanted? Following that line of thought only led to more upsetting places. That's not what he wanted for her. She was his beloved, wonderful wife, not chattel! No one should force unto her something she did not want, least of all a piece of shit like him. He did not even deserve her.
Satoru's breathing was getting more intense. Rage at the idea of her dishonour. Deep disgust with himself. His head was starting to spin.
"W-what I think doesn't matter! Refusing your seed would be heresy of the highest-"
"Stop! Now!"
His earlier tone, one of pleading and kindness was now gone, replaced by angry shouting. Before Satoru realised what he'd just done in the moment's fervour, Neia recoiled with an expression of pure, utter horror.
This was the first time Satoru shouted at her.
She was now shaking intensely, tears flowing freely, breathing turning to hyperventilation. Such an extreme reaction was only to be expected, considering Neia's already impassioned, vulnerable state.
In a quick panic, the already shaken up Satoru did the first thing that came to mind. He kissed her.
One hand held Neia the back of her head, while the other gripped one of the wrists. Satoru forced her into this position for a long time, until the shaking started slowing down, breathing returning to normal little by little.
Pulling away, Neia's eyes were still full of panic and despair.
It felt awful. He felt awful. About himself. He was such a fuck-up. He should have known better. He should never raise his voice at her. Neia outright worshipped him. His position over her gave him a great deal of responsibility, and he fucked up.
"My love... I'm sorry. I love you. So much. Everything's okay. I'm here. I love you. It's alright. You did nothing wrong. We're going to be parents, okay? We're going to be a happy family. Everything is alright."
Neia slowly seemed to be calming down.
"Honey. My beloved wife. Are you okay?"
She opened her mouth, but could not speak, eventually nodding instead.
And then, Neia smiled, yet with a look barely less pained than earlier. At least happiness now tempered all those ugly emotions.
"... Thank you, Satoru... I... wanted to be a mother to our children for so long..."
"Shhh... it's okay. Let's just calm down now, alright? Just hold me, okay?"
"Y-yes..."
They embraced tightly.
... ...
It was just past noon, but the room was lit only dimly, as closed curtains arrested most sunlight from seeping in. At least for now, everything was still, the only noises being those of quiet breathing, clothed bodies of the married couple rubbing against each other, as well as their occasional hushed voices.
"... Neia... sweet Neia... I love you... my beautiful flower... you're soon going to be mother to our baby..."
Satoru had now spent the last few hours cuddling with Neia to calm her, intermittently whispering sweet declarations of his adoration, tender reaffirmations of her worth, rosy encouragements that their future as a family was bright, gentle promises that he would always do his best to make her happy and never to abandon her; that all will be well forevermore.
Neia's sobbing has unfortunately come back once or twice during this time, but at least for now, her breathing was regular and slow, eyes shut firmly. His beloved was calm... maybe even asleep?
Moving quietly and carefully, Satoru slowly moved his face close, giving Neia a kiss on the forehead. Immediately, his wife returned a weak smile. Opening her eyes with a calm stretch of her legs under the blanket, they now looked into each other's eyes intently.
"... Sorry love. I hope I didn't wake you."
"Oh, not at all, darling... Say, do you think Pandora's Actor will appreciate his new sibling?"
Satoru chuckled. Not just because he found the question cute, but also because of relief. Neia thinking about other things was a good sign.
"Well, I suppose I can't be entirely sure. I suppose his reaction can't be entirely negative, but we'll just have to see how he reacts to the-"
His own thoughts cut him off mid-sentence as he was reminded that this all somehow needed to be explained away to the denizens of Nazarick. But that was something to worry about later. His primary concern now should be Neia, who needed him right now, at this exact moment.
"... to the news."
"Hmm... I think he could be a kind of 'cool' big brother. He is uhm... stylish, after all. Oh, and also, do any names come to mind?"
"Names? Hmm… not really. I never expected to be a father. I don't have anything I'd want to name my children after."
Neia nodded, then broke eye contact to look around for a bit before speaking again, tone now slightly uneasy.
"So uhm, I suppose we're going to be announcing this…"
Once again, now by her doing, Satoru was forced to think about the future instead of Neia's current problems. Well, the two were now one and the same, but it was still not ideal. After some deliberation, he answered the only thing that really made sense.
"I will first make this known to Nazarick... Have some one-on-one talks with... a select few. But that's nothing you need to worry about. Soon enough, we'll discuss this with Pandora's Actor. And in the meantime, I suppose it'll be good if you start drafting something up in private, ideally keeping it all secret for now?"
"Of course, darling."
This answer seemed to be expected, yet not desired. Neia probably wanted to tell everyone, especially her friends, as soon as possible. Although it took some time, Satoru now understood, and even shared the cravings to "show off" such a fulfilling kinship to others, whether they be close ones or strangers. Neia's desire for parade was still far heftier, however.
"Well… I suppose you can tell a small number of those closest to you right away."
"Ah, thank you, Satoru."
After a momentary happiness, Neia seemed to be thinking again, only to once again grow visibly uneasy. In response, Satoru started gently stroking her cheek.
"Is something wrong, love?"
"W-well... I... I'm sorry. I'm so sorry. I mean, you taking time to calm me down after a stupid case of female hysteria... I should not have acted as I did. It's all my fault. I'm sorry."
Satoru could not understand. Why was she blaming herself?
It was not Neia's fault she was so deeply afraid for her first baby. That was only natural, especially with how passionate she was about the prospect of motherhood. She could not have known his stance on the matter of its life.
It was not Neia's fault she had such awful doubts about herself. That was because of how others had treated her, often just because of those eyes.
It was not Neia's fault she broke down crying. That was because he shouted. It was his fault.
"No, my love. I'm at fault. I... I yelled at you. I'm sorry. I'm really sorry. I hope you can forgive me."
"B-but I said something erroneous, so I-"
"Neia. We're equals. That's not how disagreements are solved among equals."
In response to being declared his equal, something Satoru often said about her, Neia looked away with a complicated expression, one he recognised, one that made him tense up. An internal strife.
Eventually, after exhaling deeply, Neia gazed back into his eyes with a weak smile.
"Equals... Yes, of course I forgive you, Satoru. Please don't feel too bad, darling."
He immediately smiled. Neia did not protest her worthiness to be called his equal, or insist an apology to someone as lowly as her was unnecessary. It wasn't long ago when she would have done both.
"Thank you, love. I'm glad."
"Oh, of course I'd forgive you! It's just a minor thing, really!"
Following a prolonged silence, both spouses slowly leaned in for a kiss.
... ... ...
With a deep sigh, Satoru seated himself in the chair of his office on the 9th Floor.
He was only supposed to be with Neia from yesterday's morning to the following sundown, but overextended his visit to more than twice the length due to her state, staying until the afternoon of the day after Neia set forth that piece of news.
Thankfully, judging by the state of his desk, it scarcely made a difference. There was nothing that seemed sensitive enough to cause problems if it was dealt with less than a day later.
But before he could even look at the piles in detail to see in what order he'd prefer going through them, there was a knock on his door.
"My beloved?"
It was Albedo, in her tone an obvious irritation, mixed with... something else. He could not tell what, but she was obviously emotional.