It's a beautiful day in the kingdom of Sequaria, chirping birds and whispering winds filled the air of the Dukedom residence.
At least, outside.
Several maids are out of their respectful post, watching the scene before them while Esme assisted the Duchess.
They are all witness the tiny, female baby struggling.
'Wait— wait, wait... oooh! *breathes in* I can do this *breathes out* Mother dear, lay off and let me accomplish this laborious duty to earn myself some dignity after pooping and peeing shamelessly for a long time in front of all of you.'
Wisteria, with round eager eyes, crawled a few steps and felt a slightly rough surface on her skin.
'Ha!' she cheered.
Elvira was just behind her, holding her waist lightly because she went off dashing her way the moment she was put down.
After achieving little steps, the smile never left her face.
Wisteria was victorious, proving to the grown-ups what she was capable of.
Her giggle was out of control when she was starting to get used to it and almost thought of running from their sight if only Elvira wasn't paying attention.
"I know you already are itching to walk on your own, Yerrie, but you are still a baby. Don't rush. That temper of yours is convincing me how much you and Freddie are alike." Elvira chuckled, giving Wisteria her favorite golden pacifier.
When she saw the small scratched on Wisteria's skin, her brows furrowed. She swished a forefinger and it glowed a cerulean light, right then, every scratch on the baby's body was gone.
"There, not a scratch,"
"Woah," Wisteria praised innocently with her hands thrown upwards and eyes widen... failing to keep her pacifier on her lips, "M-Mommy!"
'Still not getting used to it.'
"Esme,"
The assigned maid responded quickly and handled the things needed.
Elvira was grateful and Wisteria made this cute little movement to show her excitement.
"Want. Up!"
The baby lifted both of her arms, wishing to be carried.
"Yey," Mommy showed the same enthusiast and carried her to the balcony where the breathtaking view of the garden that is now overflowing with magical flower herbs.
It looks so beautiful compared to before.
Every time they visit, it gets more fascinating than yesterday.
She wonders why.
"Haven't you been spending too much time in the garden?"
Duke Waldemar surprised his wife and daughter for arriving sooner than planned.
He leaned from behind his wife and kiss her soft cheeks as he reached for her daughter's face. "Hello, Yerrie.."
"Dada~" The baby's eyes lit up, watching her father smile.
"Dada!" she spread both of her arms out for her father's reach and put all her weight on her chest so she could lean closer to him.
'Gotta act the part, father wasn't home for long. Gotta act the part! Be his baby now.'
Waldemar chuckled, catching Wisteria and making sure she was comfortable in his arms.
"She's starting to love the garden, too," Elvira informed, wrapping her arms around her husband's waist.
All the servants and knights turn their heads away, keeping the beautiful family's privacy.
The duke snakes his arms around his wife's shoulders, rubbing it softly.
"There's nothing wrong about it, but we also have libraries and lakes. You can use the boats to have a peaceful tea with them, or read them some stories." Waldemar suggested watching how Wisteria's eyes never left his face.
He copied her daughter's expression and both of them end up sharing a good laugh.
"It seems that our children were smarter than I thought. Books might enlighten her."
Elvira can't help but laugh at her husband's words and snuggle closer, "I like your ideas, hmmm... maybe I should start introducing books to her."
'Finally! More information, yeah. Stupid memories, can't work on its own... need a little push.'
She felt excited and the rush by the idea of learning more about the world.
Wisteria didn't show a giddy smile on purpose but she still did, and it was adorable.
"She loves it," Waldemar voiced out the obvious and kissed her daughter's face. "I knew it, she's a sharp one."
That sound of unfamiliarity from the father of her child snap a thread inside Elvira, her smile lowered down and was replaced by a thin line.
"You're daughter had been expressing her intelligence since her first month. Mannerisms and reactions, it was all there and you would've noticed if you're giving her a little of your time."
The Duchess gave off an offended tone. The Duke was caught off guard.
Elvira's face masks this authority that none could withstand. It was intimidating and... frightening.
"I won't apologize, because I have been noticing the cold shoulders, Waldemar. You could've at least made short visits every night or day to show your care for her."
The duke swallowed a big lump on his throat, couldn't meet her eyes.
"The Pillars and Imperial needs me, Elvira."
This caused her to step away from him, crossing her arms.
"Those two things were never gone, even before I was on track with all the responsibilities. But you will never use that excuse on my face when it's about our child, do you understand?"
Scared of her, the almighty Waldemar nodded lightly. "I'm sorry, it won't happen again."
'Oooohhhhh! Dada's butt was getting beat by mama.'
It was obvious, Wisteria was having fun.
"I accept it but do understand that I still need you... all the time." The wife's voice lowered, a little suppress.
"We have children now, it's not just Freddie. He was already a lot of work, and would you even believe that your daughter was a perfect copy of him, with their genitals as the only difference "
Stopping himself from laughing, Waldemar nodded. "I understand."
"No mockery, Waldemar. I'm serious."
"So am I, keep going. I am not going to leave," he assured... still, stifling a laugh.
"Just be there," Elvira proclaimed, tilting her head to meet his eyes. "Be with me, and make me feel you have got my back, again. I feel like I have lost you, darling, and it was torture."
His smile softens, watching the expression of his wife lovingly. Waldemar had his reasons, but he already got drawn by Elvira's pleading eyes.
"I have always got your back, Elvira, always." He pecked her forehead. "Wisteria is a brilliant child. She's our child. Of course, I know her, the moment I laid my eyes on that daughter of ours, I know the extent of her potential..."
'No... I—M-Me? Do I have potential? Come on! Don't joke around, Father, I might believe it. Stop~"
The two closed their distance and the Duke comforted her beautiful wife by wrapping his free hands around her, still carrying Wisteria with the other.
The daughter looks bored, now that they're not fighting.
Elvira only shake her head and smiled after. "Her obnoxious behavior was from you.." she reached her daughter's face.
"Then I will be having fun teasing her once she grows up since I, too, saw how your stubbornness got inherited by both of our children."
'What?! I'm silently watching here, not intervening in anything. Why am I suddenly being involved? Feeling backstabbed here.'
"I doubt, " the mother had spoken, watching how her daughter's face went sour.
Elvira knew what Wisteria was thinking by the eyes alone.
"I can already tell how unduly protective her father and brother will be as she grows. Even Klaus and Portia were devoted to her. I know you will never have the nerve to tease your baby girl."
Unsure of what to feel, 'If I didn't write this man as a depressed duke, would he be that kind of father for Wisteria?' Wisteria thought strongly.
Waldemar caresses his daughter's head, eyes are now doubtful. "You trust me too much."
"It is what it is," Elvira answered. Slightly bothered by how his humor dwindled. "What's wrong? Did I say something bad?"
He shook his head, no. "It was because I couldn't get off of my head how... I almost lost you."
Under the comfort of her father, Wisteria felt attacked.
It is the real reason why the Duke was never at ease since her daughter was born. Waldemar felt the power that was released when Wisteria was born.
It was an extreme, and cold lingering sensation he had never felt all his life.
A knock on the death's door, he described.
Elvira was then bewildered, not anticipating those words from her husband. "Oh, Dem. It's not going to happen."
She hugged him, with their daughter. He embraces her back, feeling her warmth and inhaling her scent. "I am not going anywhere." She whispered.
"I was keeping my mind steady by pouring time in loads of work to stop thinking about that possibility," he admitted, half scarcely.
"Even the thought of blaming our daughter passed through my mind. It was horrible. I am disgusted by even thinking about it."
It was the moment of truth for both of them. The fear that happened that night of Wisteria's birth.
"No, darling, no." Elvira's voice lessened the burden in Waldemar's heart. "We're both scared, we're both taking all the things that happened slowly. I was scared and hurt, almost afraid to even think of trying another... I'm afraid."
The duke was silent and felt to be blamed for letting his wife feel this way in his absence.
"But, we still have our child and I'm alive. Dwelling in fear would do nothing."
"Alright," the duke nodded at a slow pace, smiling with comforting words to try and forget the subject.
After a long time of worrying and reflecting about the birth of Wisteria, the two can't hide from the people of their home.
They are aware of the untold side of the Duke and Duchess.
They wore their smiles and kept their duties, but it was obvious that there's a silent turmoil evading their hearts.
In the end, the Duke refuses to change the subject and decided to admit his true feelings.
He can't lie to his wife, and he wants to let her know what's in his mind just like how she poured hers.
"I was afraid to hold her,"
Elvira understood what it meant and didn't ask further.
Both of them turned their attention to their child, and Wisteria was dumbstruck. She blinked her eyes twice, innocently.
"The look on her face resembles yours when worry arises. She is your daughter."
"I did risk my life for her," The mother stared at her daughter, now, without fear in her heart.
She is alive and well, and her baby was healthy. That is what's happening now, and that is what's important.
"It was not what we expected, but we survived it, Dem."
The duchess was a known educator and optimist. She may be professional, but she's also acknowledged for her wise perception.
Her taking care of Wisteria was her way to cope with the trauma of almost losing her life. Because she did feel as if she would die at that moment.
With that, she had forgotten what it may do to her loving husband.
"Our daughter needs us. She needs our strength and guidance and we will do it properly this time."
The Duke was more focused on his works that lessen her time with his daughter. As the duchess couldn't find her time for her work because she's been beside her daughter all this time.
Waldemar knows what's going on that is why he remained silent, and only spoke today.
"We will," the Duke muttered under his breath.
"Hmmm..." The mother held her daughter's hand, "There's always a reason why the bad things happen anyway."
The couple both shared a silent agreement just by staring.
While inside that baby's head was a realization about why she had done it. The decision to let her main character's mother die in childbirth.
It was not for Wisteria, but the Duke.
The Duke was strong and a known genius, yet his emotions were too exposed. It was the Duke's struggle, a struggle for him to learn that Elvira's death wasn't for nothing.
It was to show how valuable Wisteria's life was.
How he shouldn't have turned his back on his daughter, because behind that child, was a great loving mother.
Waldemar did only realize it later in the book.
Author Wisteria's idea about Elvira's role was just to give birth to Wisteria and live her character inside her daughter's life. How their resemblance was uncanny.
There was no plan for her, but to be the mother of her children and be an image for her daughter.
In the book, there were scenes including Elvira in the past and her readers would lament about it passionately. They say it would've been a better life for book Wisteria if her mother didn't die.
But if her mother was alive, the story would be different.
'It's not that I want her to die, but it's just what her role was in the book.'
Her eyes watched her parents, now lifted from the burden of their conscience.
'If that's the case, why did she survive on this one?'
*Loud gasped*
"What's this?! Why am I not invited?!"
Winfried rushed his way in the middle of his mother and father.
After his time playing with Portia and Klaus, he thought about giving his sister some attention and yet he uncovered a beautiful position of his family and he wasn't even included.
'The audacity.' he mentally accused.
They were just laughing at his reaction but his eyes squinted, he felt the different air between his parents.
Thinking that there was a trouble they didn't tell.