Seven months had passed since the party.
It was a day like any other, but there was something special about today. Lucia was going to give birth to my niece, and my brother had asked me to be there. At the very least, I should give my niece her name.
I finished looking at myself in the mirror and went to find Morgana; after breakfast, we would go to my brother's house. I saw her when I reached the kitchen.
"What did you prepare for today, Morgana?" I asked as I sat at the table.
"Eggs with bacon, toast, and milk," she said as she placed the food on the table. "Or orange juice if you prefer."
"Either is fine," I replied as I picked up my cutlery to start eating. While we ate in comfortable silence, Morgana placed her cutlery beside her food and looked me directly in the eyes.
"You're not happy, even though today is the birth of a new family member," she said, more as a statement than a question.
I sighed as I put down my cutlery. I knew this topic would come up, but I still wasn't prepared. I organized my thoughts before opening my mouth.
"I am happy. For my brother, for Lucia… if they're happy, who am I to oppose it?" And it was the truth. I couldn't do anything even if I wanted to. My brother forbade me; it was his wish…
I snapped out of my thoughts when I felt something wet on my face. Astonished, I raised my hand to my face and saw something transparent… they were tears. When was the last time I shed tears for someone?
Taking a handkerchief from my suit, I wiped my face and got up from the table. I'd better go see the plants while Morgana cleaned up.
Morgana could only watch as her master left without saying a word. She had never seen him shed even a single tear. She knew she had mentioned something she shouldn't have.
——————————————————————————
After some time looking at the plants, I heard the door opening as Morgana came out of the house.
"Morgana, are you ready to go?" I asked her.
She simply nodded as she continued walking towards the edge of the forest. I followed her as I summoned a car from the Gate of Babylon.
After we got in and started the car, neither of us said anything for more than half the journey. When I thought something was wrong with her, she finally spoke.
"I'm sorry, Master. It was my mistake to be so insensitive to your pain," she said before bowing her head.
I could see that she was truly sorry. The simple fact that she almost never apologized, even if she was at fault, was proof.
Smiling, I shook my head. "Don't worry, Morgana. I know you didn't mean it in a bad way, so forget about it."
After reassuring her for a while that nothing was wrong, she returned to her normal demeanor. The rest of the journey continued, and in 20 minutes, we arrived at my brother's house.
We arrived at the cabin where they lived, and I knocked on the door. Footsteps were heard before my brother opened the door with a grin.
"Brother… it's good to see you again," I said, despite the sadness already noticeable in my voice.
He smiled calmly at me. "Velzarion… thank you for coming. I'm sorry I didn't let you know that Lucia gave birth early. She's in the room with our daughter now."
I shook my head and asked him to take us to see Lucia and my niece. He took us to a room where Lucia was, and in her hands was a small baby with platinum pink hair and big blue eyes.
I felt a weight in my soul when I saw her. I knew she was the cause of what would happen… but another part of me knew she wasn't to blame for anything, that she was just an innocent child.
Approaching step by step, when I was close to her, she looked at me and gave me a silly smile. I looked back at Lucia. "Can I hold her?" I asked.
"Of course, Velzarion, go ahead and take her." Nodding, I took her from her arms and held her. She smiled at me and started playing with the tie of my suit, and before I could react, she put the tie in her mouth.
I didn't react until I heard Lucia and Morgana laughing, and then I saw my tie covered in drool. Even my brother was smiling at the scene. I could only sigh as I smiled at the baby and handed her back to Lucia.
I turned to my brother. "What name have you given her, brother?"
"We haven't given her one yet. We were hoping you would give it to her, brother." Veldanava said.
I was stunned and quickly shook my head. "No, I can't do it. You should be the ones to give it to her."
Before they could say anything, I raised my hand and said, "In exchange, I will bestow my blessing upon her."
Lucia's eyes widened while my brother smiled and hugged me. Morgana had a small smile on her face.
"Well, if you're going to bestow your blessing, then this turned out better than it could have," Lucia chuckled with her hand over her mouth.
My brother could only sigh at his wife. He turned to me and gave me a grateful smile. "I know you're not one to bestow your blessing on just anyone, Velzarion. In all these years, you've never given your blessing to anyone, and for that, I thank you."
I only nodded at his words. It was true; I didn't like giving my blessing, but there's always a first time. My brother took his daughter in his arms and gave her a paternal smile.
"From now on, you will be called Milim, Milim Nava," he said in a soft voice to baby Milim. The next moment, I noticed an abysmal amount of magicules from my brother being transferred to Milim, despite that, he continued smiling as he watched her.
At the same time, a voice was heard in the void; it was the Voice of the World.
{Confirmed, individual Milim Nava. Initiating acquisition of the [Magicule Breeder Reactor]… failure. The soul of individual Milim Nava is weak. Searching for alternatives… successful. Sealing ability in the soul awaiting her awakening.}
Veldanava staggered when he felt his ability being taken away and quickly gave Milim to Lucia. I approached and helped him sit on a chair.
My soul ached to see him so pale. He was my brother, and I spent more years with him than I can imagine. Sighing, I approached Milim and bestowed my blessing upon her.
{Confirmed. Acquisition of the Lunar Crest by individual Milim Nava successful.}
Looking at the little girl sleeping in her mother's arms, I smiled. Whatever happens, I would take care of her until she was able to fend for herself.
"Velzarion, we must go… Lucia and I. They will come for us, and we cannot allow Milim to be involved," my brother said in a very serious voice.
Lucia shed tears hearing her husband, and I… I could only nod slowly.
"I understand… I could end all of this, brother, you could end all of this if you wanted," I said seriously; he could stop it if he wanted.
But he shook his head and smiled. "Everything must run its course, my little brother. Besides, I'm sure we'll see each other again someday."
I couldn't say anything, and after a while, they left the house hand in hand. They hugged Milim tightly and kissed her before giving her to me, and with her was a small cyan dragon of barely 20cm, the identical image of Veldanava in his dragon form. I stared at the small dragon.
I hugged both of them and watched as my brother and Lucia left.
When they were far enough not to hear them, I heard my brother's voice. "I love you, brother, and I appreciate the many years we had fun together."
And so my brother left… without knowing when I would see him again.