WCMBI - Chapter 213: Sweet-Scented Baby Adella (Patreon)

"Hoo, hoo..."

"Fret not, Mel. We are here."

As the impending childbirth drew near, all the wizards atop the Matap gathered. Their words of reassurance echoed like a refrain, urging me not to worry.

Though it was my second childbirth, I couldn't escape anxiety. I had never felt my father's pheromones, having been born without experiencing them, and that worried me, fearing any possible complications.

Praying silently within, I pleaded for a safe and healthy birth, and at that moment, the twisting pains of labor struck.

"Hnngh!"

Lucia held my hand as I clenched my teeth, enduring the process of giving birth. Encouraged by the supportive gazes of the wizards around us, I proceeded with my second childbirth.

After enduring nearly ten hours of labor, I finally met my adorable, omega daughter.

"Huuuaaah!"

"Oh, my goodness."

Lucia, who had just bathed the newborn and held her in her arms, let out an exclamation of awe. She gently nudged the baby girl into my arms with a fond expression.

"Mel, you always show me something new."

"What is it?"

I wanted to ask her, unable to continue speaking due to my hoarse voice from all the screaming. However, even without my question, Lucia, along with all the nearby wizards, spoke with ecstatic expressions.

"It's the first time I've seen an extreme omega born."

"Congratulations, Mel. A sweet-scented omega daughter like freesia has been born to you."

"Wow, her hair looks just like Mel's."

"I wonder about her eye color; they still can't open yet, right?"

"Amazing, such vast pheromones emitting from this tiny creature."

"To think a baby is born in the Matap, and an extreme omega at that!"

"Truly remarkable, Mel."

"Congratulations!"

Amidst the lively chatter, with voices overlapping, I heard clearly. Extreme omega, they said. With a surprised expression, I gazed at the baby in my arms. At that moment, Lucia sat next to me and asked:

"Have you thought of a name?"

"Uhm..."

Cradling the little girl, who was searching for something to suck on, I raised my upper body. After wetting her lips with breast milk, I softly murmured.

"Adella."

I wanted to give her a noble name, one that held the meaning of being distinguished. A name that, even if the world saw her as an omega, would encourage her to think highly of herself.

"Hooho, it's a fitting name indeed."

As if understanding Lucia's praise, Adella did more than just drink milk; she smiled sweetly. Her thin eyes closed for a moment, revealing a glimpse of her eyes. The splendid golden irises, reminiscent of her father, vanished in the blink of an eye.

In another circumstance, I might have felt happy and relieved that she resembled him. But right now, that thought didn't occur to me.

Yes, without any family name, just pure "Adella."

Living solely for herself, unlike me, I gently kissed Adella's forehead.

* * *

Henry could no longer restrain his agitation at the sight of Ian, whose eyes were turned inward. Having stealthily ventured into the ravine, he disbanded the unsuccessful search party that had thus far failed to locate Melissa, replacing them with a fresh contingent.

Together with the new search party, they commenced a renewed investigation of the village near the gorge, expanding the scope of their search to encompass the stretches leading to the sea.

"Your Excellency, not only the neighboring villages but also the entire coastal region have been meticulously scoured. Nevertheless, not a single strand of the lady's hair could be found," conveyed the remaining knight of the previous search party, to which Ian responded gravely.

"Could it be that your ineptitude is to blame for this?" Ian inquired with a touch of consternation.

"We have done our utmost, Your Excellency," the knight replied.

It was true that the search party had done its best. Perhaps they were reluctant to admit the possibility that Melissa had been wounded and concealed herself.

Ian distinctly recalled Henry's poignant words, acknowledging his own foolishness, being oblivious to his true identity until the butler spoke. Harsh as it was, it was an accurate assessment.

Even if he bore the mark, his rutting season would undoubtedly arrive. There was no doubt about that, even if he were to vent his frustration fruitlessly.

Hence, Melissa's survival was assured.

Until now, he had merely assumed that the woman, under threat to her life, had hidden in terror, never once considering that she might be avoiding him. But now, he seemed to understand.

No matter how diligently he searched, she would not reveal herself.

The mere thought of it was maddening. His claimed omega rejected him.

"Your Excellency, what shall we do?" inquired the new head of the search party, who had been standing by. Ian, with a pallid countenance, gazed vacantly at him and replied in a low voice.

"Venture forth into previously unexplored territories."

"Yes, I shall make the preparations."

He could not yet accept the fact that she had pushed him away. Please, even if only from afar, grant me permission to observe her... he silently pleaded as he weakly moved his footsteps.

Time was too precious to be wasted frivolously. He hastened to mount his horse and relocated to another location. He would scour every corner of the empire if need be to find Melissa.

That was his foremost priority. Then, he would hand everything over to her, be it forgiveness, wrath, or anything else. If she wished, he would kneel and pretend to die.

Furthermore, if she truly desired his demise, he might comply with her wishes.

His irises were already contorted by madness and fixation.