Chapter 266: Colorful (8)

"Explain it. As briefly and easily understandable as possible."

Soya was acting restless in front of me. Since they said Soya was present as a representative of the territory during Eve's physical examination, I had to hear the explanation from her. Soya was sweating profusely while meeting my gaze. The cold sweat running down her forehead indicated the level of tension she currently had. She urgently began her explanation.

"Ah, yes. Originally, mermaids have a somewhat unique method of difficult birth, well... it's a structure where they synthesize eggs inside their bodies depending on the type of fish they consume during their fertile period. So, if you look at the research thesis published by the Magic Tower 13 years ago, [Comparison of Fetal Conditions According to the Organisms Consumed by Mermaids], there are results showing that mermaids who ate shark species during their fertile period laid eggs containing more ferocious and muscular fetuses, and the fetuses of mermaids who consumed ornamental fish species were very small and light in weight."

"Then what happens if they eat pork?"

Would a mix of a pig and a mermaid come out? At my question, Soya shook her head and spoke.

"There was actually someone who tried that experiment, but it's said that pregnancy didn't occur in that case. There's a clear distinction between the types that cause pregnancy and those that don't. Now, regarding the reproduction method of mermaids, academia generally understands that they give birth by absorbing the traits of the fish... through an unknown principle within their bodies."

"I see."

Since it was a complex story, I decided not to ask further questions about it. If it was common sense in this world, there was no objection I could make. Fuck, they do asexual reproduction, but the type of offspring changes depending on the kind of fish they fucking eat? What kind of virgin-specialized race is this?

"So, it was generally known that a mixed-blood with a human was also impossible. If you look at the thesis [Copulation Experiment Between Mermaids and Human Slaves] published by Professor Buckler 8 years ago, they secured a total of 6 mermaids and conducted copulation experiments during their fertile periods a total of 108 times, but since there was not a single successful case of mixed-blood childbirth, there's a record stating that they consider it impossible for a mixed-blood to be born between a human and a mermaid."

"So Eve is a child conceived with extreme difficulty, breaking through that slim probability."

"Yes. So, this time, the kingdom and the Magic Tower, um... offered to do it for free on the condition of writing a thesis about that story..."

"Fuck, the story of my wife having infertility is going to be published as a thesis? Soya. Are you out of your mind?"

"Ah, um... p-please calm down! My Lord! Um... Ms. Eve requested it like that. She said she wanted to undergo the examination in a way that wouldn't cost money if possible! So the Magic Tower side proposed that instead of making the entire examination cost free!"

"Why go that far? It's not like the territory is short on money."

"That's... if money is spent, an approval record would inevitably remain. She said it would be embarrassing if you, My Lord, saw it before the results came out..."

If I had seen an approval record for a doctor or a Magic Tower summon, I definitely would have called Eve immediately. Regardless of what the result was, Eve was the type to feel embarrassed to even talk about the fact that she was having such a worry. I understood her, but it left a bitter taste in my mouth. Seeing that she even got the examination, she must have already stamped her seal on the contract, and those Magic Tower bastards had probably gone off to write their thesis. Fucking awful.

"So, the people of the territory colluded behind my back and called someone from the Magic Tower to examine Eve?"

"P-Please calm down. My Lord. I know how this kind of examination is conducted. They have female doctors and female mages specially prepared to examine this field. Because, well, it's not just special cases like Ms. Eve getting examined for infertility issues, but other noble's wives as well... there's a separate task force within the royal palace."

"I don't really care about that. What I'm annoyed about right now is why she didn't say a single word to me while having such worries. She could have told me, couldn't she? I don't think Eve has to be responsible for an heir, or do some great task. She just needs to stay by my side. That's what a wife's role is. Just staying by her husband's side."

"Um... because you looked busy lately, My Lord, she ordered everyone to remain absolutely silent..."

"Tsk."

I didn't worry about things like whether the doctor was a woman or a man. If this kingdom had any sanity, they would have created a medical system dedicated entirely to noble's wives. Rather than that, I was just so disappointed that Eve kept her mouth shut about my worry. It would have been nice if she had just said a single word.

I spoke.

"Keep explaining. So why do they say it's infertility?"

"Um... well, humans have a uterus, and mermaids have a different organ inside their bodies that functions similarly to a uterus. But Ms. Eve, um... I mean, Ms. Eve's upper body is human, but her lower body is neither mermaid nor human, so it's that kind of feeling, right?"

"Right?"

Since Soya was doing her best in her own way to find a euphemistic expression, I roughly affirmed it and moved on.

"So they say the function of that uterus itself is in a broken state. In other words... her body is too similar to a mermaid's to give birth to a baby, and too similar to a human's to lay eggs, so it's a state where she lacks the function to synthesize eggs in her body."

"She can't lay eggs, and she can't make a baby either?"

"Yes..."

Soya tightly shut her eyes again. My head hurt. As I casually made a hand gesture, Soya stood up from her seat and spoke.

"U-Um, I should have stopped it, but um..."

"You don't have that kind of authority. Soya. Stop talking nonsense and get out. I need to organize my thoughts."

"Ah, yes... b-but..."

"Soya?"

"Yes. Understood..."

Soya opened the door and walked out with her shoulders slumped. My mind was complicated in its own way. Actually, it had been strange from the beginning. Because despite having sex with Eve so much, she hadn't gotten pregnant even once. It was a stark contrast to Erina, who got pregnant in a week, or Ati, who got pregnant in one hit during a dragon's fertile period.

However, harboring suspicions and having the fact firmly nailed down like this were slightly different matters. I tapped on the desk and then kicked off my seat and stood up. Taking my anger out on other people would only pointlessly drag things out. I had to go find Eve again.

"Eve. Are you okay?"

I had barely managed to soothe Eve and put her in her room earlier. As if to announce she was in the room, the sound of bed covers rustling could be heard. As if reacting to my knocking sound, a bustling movement touched the mattress. How much time had passed? The door opened. Eve's eyes were puffy, showing she had been crying in the room as well. She shrank her body and spoke.

"W-What is it?"

"Let's talk for a bit. I'm coming in."

"Y-Yeah..."

It wasn't her usual confident appearance. She was depressed, and a gloomy atmosphere lingered in the room as well. The pillow was damp and wet. Tear marks in the shape of a human face were stamped into it, making the atmosphere in the room complicated. It felt like I had dropped right into the middle of a comedy right now.

As I sat in the reception chair, Eve sat demurely on the edge of the bed. I asked.

"Eve. Why are you crying so much? Hm? There's no need to cry. Do you think I'd beat you or get mad because our Eve can't have a baby?"

"No..."

Eve shook her head and spoke. The sight of her sniffling was exactly like a child. A child who had grown despondent after being scolded. I wiped her tears and spoke again.

"Why were you in such a rush? Hm? Eve. It's okay. I just need you to stay by my side. Where else is there someone who understands me as well as you do? That alone is enough. I'm telling you, I just need you."

"But... but... Heuk..."

"But?"

Eve's face contorted. Tears streamed down from her eyes. She started crying wildly, as if her sorrow had exploded. Even as she cried, she opened her mouth.

"I... wanted to have... it... groom's baby. So, I wanted to give you... all the good... things... things that mom... Heuheuk did for me... I-I'm the lord's wife now... I won't get beaten anywhere, and no one will hit me... I don't... need to escape... so... I really... wanted to... treat you well... Heuheuk... Heuk..."

I had no words to say. What should I say at a time like this? How was I supposed to give consolation? I hugged her tightly and patted her back. Eve hugged me and began to cry even more sorrowfully.

"Groom... I'm sorry... Heuk... I know groom... l-likes me... Heuk... giving me things... even without a baby... but... I was greedy... and I... I... so..."

"It's okay. Hm? It's okay."

Tears soaked my collar. But it didn't matter. I held Eve tight and continued to soothe her. She cried for a long time. I held her for a very long time. I stroked her hair and wiped her tears. I laid down with her on the bed, hugged her tight, and whispered that I loved her. Eve sniffled and hugged me tight.

"It's okay. Hm? I'm here."

"Eung..."

Eve hugged me even tighter. As if I were going to escape somewhere. She hugged me so tight my back slightly ached and spoke to me.

"Groom."

"What is it?"

"I'm sorry."

"For what. Hm?"

"Just, everything."

Eve was held against my chest and her shoulders trembled. I spent the night patting her shoulders.

****

Early the next day morning, Cellu came out to the edge of the swimming pool and was watching the rising sun. I slowly walked to her side. Cellu briefly glanced at me and then looked back at the sun. I sat down next to her. Cellu came slightly closer to my side and leaned her body against me. Chalsak, her wet hair clung to my sleeve. A faint water mark remained in the shape of her hair.

"Cellu."

"What is it?"

"Living is quite profound."

"Indeed."

We kept our mouths shut and were looking at the sun. This time, Cellu opened her mouth first.

"I didn't know I would come to have this kind of worry."

"Me neither. I thought things like infertility were just other people's stories."

Cellu firmly grabbed my arm and spoke.

"I don't want to become a grandmother, but still, I wanted to see Eve tease me by calling me grandmother. Holding a small baby, she'd come in front of me and say this. 'Baby. Look. You should greet your grandmother.'"

"I would have liked to see that too."

"I wanted to remain as Eve's mom for the rest of my life, but still, it's a sad thing to only be called mom."

As the sun rose, its warm rays swept over us. I spoke.

"Cellu."

"What is it?"

"I'll still love her, though. You will too, won't you, Cellu?"

"Chuckle."

Cellu grinned.