I’m an Ordinary Returning Student at the Academy

[Translator – Angel Dust]

[Proofreader – Prototype]

Chapter 171

Third year. Somehow, I’ve become a third-year student. Unbelievable.

And perhaps, the start of this school year will be the most hectic and busy.

What’s happening at the academy? No. Did the four troublemakers cause another incident?

Hardly. Those guys graduated a while ago and left the academy.

They’re probably preparing to formally receive their titles from their families now.

“Her Highness, the Crown Princess, has gone into labor.”

Just last night, the head butler personally came to the academy to deliver this news.

Hearing that, I felt inexplicably anxious and my heart kept pounding.

If I’m feeling this way, I can only imagine how my parents and the Crown Prince must be feeling. I’m really worried.

“Karl, have you heard anything yet?”

Selena, who first heard the news from me, has been asking almost every hour.

This isn’t just any birth, it’s the birth of this empire’s imperial heir.

Because of this, both Selena and I stayed up all night in the lounge, clinging to the communication device.

“I don’t know. It’s morning now but there’s still no news.”

I know my sister is stronger than anyone else.

She’s always been more impressive than me. Even when we were young, she possessed the skills to best most knights.

But that’s one thing, and giving birth is another.

I can’t even imagine how difficult that process is. But if I dare to guess, even my sister must be going through a tough time.

Click!

“I’m here. Our sister… no, I mean, Her Highness the Crown Princess went into labor last night?”

“I’ve arrived, Master! I heard the news! How is Her Highness?”

“Ah! I’m not too late, am I?”

Following them were Eloise, Lav, and even Lefia. If the four troublemakers hadn’t graduated, there might have been nine people gathered in this lounge.

“What time is it now?”

“Now? It’s 7:15 in the morning.”

“The news came in just before midnight yesterday, so…”

“Don’t be too anxious, Karl. As far as I know, the duration of labor is the same for us elves and humans. From that perspective, this is a perfectly normal process.”

“Still, it would be nice if it were over quickly.”

I’m worried. Thinking of my sister, I wish my new niece would be born soon. But as a noble of this country, I can’t very well rush the imperial heir.

Just then…

“Karl! The communication device!”

“Master! There’s a call!”

“Yes! Everyone, quiet!”

After silencing everyone and connecting the device, the head butler’s face appeared on the other end.

[ Young Lord. ]

Having known him since I was very young, I’m well aware of the head butler’s usual expressions.

From that perspective, the head butler was clearly smiling now.

“Yes, head butler. Go ahead.”

[ Moments ago, the imperial heir blessed the empire with their arrival. It’s a beautiful princess. ]

[TL/N: Ay Congratulations! My man is an Uncle now.]

“Ah…!”

Starting with my exclamation, Selena, Eloise, Lav, and even Lefia…

Everyone clapped or smiled brightly, thanking the goddess for this blessing.

“By any chance, my sister… I mean, Her Highness the Crown Princess…”

[ Don’t worry. According to news from the imperial palace, both the Crown Princess and the imperial heir are in perfect health. ]

“That’s… that’s wonderful. Truly wonderful.”

My pounding heart feels like it’s melting away. Thank goodness. It all went well.

[ The Count and Countess have just finished their preparations and have departed for the Imperial Palace. They say that this joyous news will be announced to the entire empire this morning. ]

“Joyous. Yes, that’s right. It is indeed a joyous occasion.”

[ And the Count has instructed you, Young Lord, to also prepare to go the palace. ]

Of course, of course. Naturally, I must go. Even if the Imperial Palace told me not to come, I would insist on going.

It’s not just any child, it’s my sister’s child. A beautiful daughter, they say. My niece!

[ Then I must go. I need to help the Count and Countess with their travel arrangements. ]

“Understood, Head Butler. Thank you.”

As the communication with the head butler ended, everyone who had been holding their breath erupted in cheers.

Especially Selena and Lav, who were from the Empire, their shouts were the loudest―

“Wooohooo!! An imperial heir! This is a celebration!”

“Wait, hold on. Why are you the most excited, Eloise?”

“Huh? Of course I am! The imperial heir! The future ruler of the Empire! Isn’t it a good thing they were born healthy?!”

I wanted to ask why she, an elf, was so happy about this.

But I decided not to be a petty man who nitpicks on this joyous occasion.

* * *

“…”

My mind is blank. I’m not sure what I’m holding in my arms.

“Crown Prince.”

My father, the Emperor, who hastily concluded his court meeting upon hearing the news, calls for me.

“What are you doing? Quickly call out the imperial heir’s name.”

“Ah…ah.”

Right. Of course. I forgot. I was too overwhelmed, and she’s too lovely. Too beautiful.

My daughter. Rika’s daughter. The imperial heir of this empire.

The Crown Princess who will succeed me, who will become the Empress of the Empire.

“Lily.”

The name given by none other than Karl. My brother-in-law and the imperial heir’s maternal uncle. The greatest hero of this empire.

A name chosen for no one else but our imperial heir. The one and only name, carefully considered and deliberated upon.

“The heir of the Friedrich County has given her a very good name.”

Chuckling, Father takes a step closer.

He tries to hide it, but it’s all over his face. He’s my father, after all.

“Would you like to hold her, Your Majesty?”

“Would that be alright?”

“In private, you are the imperial heir’s one and only grandfather. You must hold your granddaughter.”

“Hmm. Very well, then. Crown Prince, go and see the Crown Princess for a moment.”

Just then, the head maid entered and informed us that I could go see Rika.

With a joyful heart, I entered the room and saw Rika lying comfortably.

“Rika!”

“Your Highness.”

I heard the labor was quite long. Moreover, it was the first time for both of us.

But despite hearing how difficult it was, Rika looked so peaceful.

“Are you… feeling alright?”

“I’m fine. Just a little tired…”

“Don’t lie. Your hands are trembling, and your face is still pale.”

“I’ll be fine soon, so don’t worry too much.”

As I was talking with Rika, Father entered the room.

“Your Majesty.”

“Ah ah. What are you doing? I’m not so foolish as to make a new mother stand up.”

After quickly having Rika lie back down, Father handed me the imperial heir, our daughter.

I carefully took her and placed her beside Rika.

“Truly, she is beautiful.”

Both my father and I smiled, watching a mother holding her newborn daughter with joy.

May you grow up beautiful and strong. This entire empire will be yours one day.

“Your Majesty.”

The Chamberlain bowed respectfully from beyond the door.

Normally, he would report directly, but this was the space of a newborn and her mother.

My father, aware of this, stepped outside himself.

A moment later…

“…Count Friedrich and his wife have arrived, Your Majesty.”

It seemed my parents-in-law had rushed over as soon as they heard the news.

After a short wait, they appeared.

“Long live His Majesty the Emperor. I, Count Friedrich…”

“That won’t be necessary today, Count. At this moment, allow me to be not your Emperor, but a father to a daughter. And a grandfather who has just met his granddaughter.”

“Your benevolence is overwhelming.”

The room became a bit noisy. But our little princess slept soundly through it all.

Just a moment ago, she had been crying so loudly that the world seemed to shake.

“Your Majesty.”

Vee looked at me, holding the princess and teary-eyed.

[TL/N: Crown Prince calls her Vee. (Sometimes)]

Did she need something? Was she uncomfortable?

I approached her, and she smiled slightly before speaking.

“Has my brother not arrived yet?”

“Ah, he should be here any minute now. I made sure to inform your parents, so I’m certain your brother was notified right away.”

As I predicted, after a short time, the Chamberlain peeked in again.

He announced the arrival of Karl Adelheit. The war hero of the Empire. My brother-in-law. The princess’s uncle.

* * *

“Phew…”

I’m nervous. I never imagined I’d be this nervous.

Today, neither the Emperor nor the Crown Prince, nor anyone else matters to me.

Only my sister, and only my niece. They are all I care about.

“Karl.”

My sister called me. As I approached, she held out my niece to me.

“Say hello. This is your niece.”

Feeling incredibly nervous, I carefully accept the tiny life wrapped in a blanket.

“Her name, as you suggested, Karl. Lily.”

“Lily…”

Such a small, yet incredibly lovely creature.

How is this even possible? How can she already have such a hold on my heart?

I unconsciously reach out my hand towards my niece.

The newborn, as if with surprising strength, grasps the tip of my finger.

Honestly, it’s barely a grasp… but still.

‘Please.’

Please, Goddess. Grant your warmth and love to my niece.

Even just a fraction of what you’ve given me. May this child also be blessed with such fortune.

And so, I stood there for a long time, a captive of this tiny life.

[Translator – Angel Dust]

[Proofreader – Prototype]

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