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In Alexandria, the news of Rozemyne’s pregnancy spread, and both nobles and commoners erupted in shouts of joy.
The administration of Alexandria was incredibly stable. The frantic, busy days were a thing of the past, and Ferdinand was living a life where he only had to handle a moderate amount of paperwork.
However, there was one major change in Ferdinand’s life.
Triggered by Rozemyne’s pregnancy, he had begun visiting her family in the lower city alone more frequently.
And so today, Ferdinand changed into commoner clothes and equipped a magic tool to change his hair and eye color.
"Dino" the commoner was complete.
There wasn't a hint of noble aura left about him. One could say he had erased it entirely; he was an incredibly versatile man.
Dino stepped onto the teleportation circle that led to the family's home in the lower city.
Gunther: "You’re here. I’ve been waiting for you, Dino."
Dino: "Yeah. I’m back again, Dad."
Over the course of many visits, Ferdinand had mastered commoner speech and had taken to calling Gunther "Dad" (Oyaji). This was because Gunther had a physical aversion to being called "Father."
Benno: "Dino, how is Myne’s health?"
Dino: "Her morning sickness was severe, but she’s completely better now."
Gunther: "Myne is becoming a mother... that really hits home."
Benno: "Gunther’s already drinking. He had started by himself before I even got here."
Dino: "Haha. That’s just like Dad."
Effa: "Lately, whenever he gets drunk, all he talks about is Myne."
Effa came from the kitchen carrying some light home-cooked food.
Dino: "Mom. Sorry for the late greeting."
Effa: "It’s fine. You’re staying to eat, right?"
Dino: "Yes. I’d love to."
Gunther: "Dino. You drink too."
Dino: "Thanks. Dad, Benno—cheers."
The three men clinked their glasses together.
Suddenly, the door burst open.
Meera: "Dino~!"
Meera, the daughter of Tuuli and Lutz, leapt onto Dino’s lap.
Tuuli: "Hey, Meera! You can’t do that! Dino-san, I’m so sorry."
Dino: "Don’t worry about it. This is a regular occurrence."
Dino gently soothed Tuuli as she scolded her daughter.
Dino’s calm smile never frightened children. Meera had become completely attached to him.
Meera: "Dino, are you off work again today?"
Because Dino visited Gunther’s house so frequently, he had earned the status of a "mysterious uncle of unknown profession" who never seemed to be working.
Dino: "Uncle Benno is off work every day too, isn't he?"
Benno: "Hey! Dino! Don’t go teaching Meera such nonsense!"
Benno tried to argue, but the innocent Meera had already believed Dino’s words.
Lutz: "Dino-san... Meera’s going to believe you."
Meera: "Eh~ Dino, did you lie?"
Dino: "Hahaha. Why would I ever lie to you, Meera?"
Meera: "Right! I love Dino!"
Dino gently stroked Meera’s head as she beamed with a wide smile on his lap.
Gunther: "Hey now, Meera. You said you liked me more than Dino."
Meera: "Ehh, Dino is better than Grandpa. I’m going to marry Dino."
Dino: "Meera. I already have a beloved partner named Myne to whom I have sworn to all the Go—"
Benno: "Hey, Dino! Just go along with her. She’s a kid; she’ll forget she ever said it in a few years."
Gunther: "Myne still tells me she wanted to marry me, though."
Benno: "...She is the exception of all exceptions."
Effa: "You all seem to be having a great time."
Effa returned to the living room after finishing her chores.
Gunther: "Want a drink too?"
Effa: "Goodness, you know I’m not good with alcohol."
Dino: "Mom. Haven't you tried the liquor I brought the other day?"
Effa: "I’m just not fond of the taste of alcohol."
Dino: "This is a good opportunity. Since we’re all here, let’s open it."
Tuuli: "Dino-san, I’ll go get it."
Tuuli went to the kitchen and returned with the bottle Dino had brought and two glasses.
Effa: "Tuuli, are you drinking too?"
Tuuli: "If Mom is. Dino-san recommended it, so we might as well."
Dino: "It should be very easy to drink. Lady Rozemyne was very pleased when this liquor was completed."
Dino unsealed the bottle and poured it into the glasses. It had been refined to a quality very close to plum wine (Umeshu).
Effa: "It has such a lovely scent. I might actually be able to drink this."
Dino: "Yes. And the alcohol content is quite low, so you don’t have to worry about getting heavily intoxicated."
Effa and Tuuli tilted their glasses.
Effa: "I can drink this!"
Tuuli: "It’s delicious!"
Dino smiled at their reaction.
Dino: "I’ll make a snack that goes well with that. Let me borrow the kitchen for a bit."
With that, Dino headed to the kitchen.
Gunther: "Is it okay, Effa? Letting Dino use the kitchen?"
Effa: "Yes. Dino cleans up properly afterward, and he puts the knives and pots back exactly where I keep them."
Lutz: "Dino-san really can do anything. Is there anything he can’t do?"
After a while, a delicious aroma wafted through the room. Gunther and Benno were well into their drinks. Effa and Tuuli were savoring the plum wine.
Dino: "Sorry for the wait."
Dino had prepared something similar to an ajillo using seafood and mushrooms. Each ingredient was cut into bite-sized pieces, making it easy to eat with a fork.
Effa: "It’s delicious. And it pairs perfectly with the drink."
Meera: "I want to eat too!"
Tuuli: "Here, Meera. Be careful, it’s hot."
A lively dinner scene. Something Dino had longed for but never had—it was right here.
Perhaps because the drink was so smooth, Effa was starting to get a bit tipsy despite the low alcohol content.
Effa: "Myne is going to be a mother too... But she was always so frail, I’m worried. ...Because I miscarried my first child."
Effa looked down as she spoke.
Gunther: "Effa and I were depressed for a long time after that. You never know what might happen. If Myne were to miscarry..."
Gunther’s remark hit home. Everyone’s expression froze as they imagined Myne in that state.
Dino: "Mom. I am by Myne’s side. There is no need to worry."
Dino swept away the heavy atmosphere. His voice was firm and reliable.
Effa: "You’re right. Dino is there. I’m sorry for bringing up such a gloomy topic."
Tuuli: "But I hope Myne doesn't struggle after the baby is born. I had such a hard time breastfeeding because my milk wouldn't come out."
Effa: "You too, Tuuli? I was the same way."
Dino voiced a question at their exchange.
Dino: "Eh? Does breast milk not simply come out in a fixed amount?"
Effa and Tuuli looked at each other and smiled at Dino’s confusion.
Effa: "Men wouldn't know, would they? It depends on the person. Those who can't produce it really struggle."
Tuuli: "And it’s hard because you can't tell exactly how much the baby is getting."
This came as a shock to Dino. He realized he had to consider a substitute for breast milk, just in case.
Dino: "I think it’s time I head home. I have things to do."
Meera: "Ehh? Dino, you're leaving already?"
Dino: "I’ll come again, Meera."
Dino gently patted Meera’s head, said his goodbyes to everyone, and left the lower city family.
Back at the castle, the aura of "Dino the commoner" had completely vanished from Ferdinand.
He headed straight for Rozemyne’s room.
Ferdinand dismissed the attendants and activated a soundproofing magic tool.
"I have something to ask. In the world you came from, did there happen to be a substitute for breast milk?"
"Eh? What’s this all of a sudden? I’m not producing milk yet... wait, Ferdinand-sama, do you have some kind of special interest in—"
"I have no such hobby. Though I suppose I am to blame for phrasing it in a way that invited misunderstanding. I heard from Effa and Tuuli that they struggled with breastfeeding."
"What? Did you go to the lower city family again? That’s not fair! I want to go too."
"Sigh. That is not the point of this discussion. What did women who had trouble producing milk do? That is what I want to know."
"Oh! Milk! In my old world, we had something called 'powdered milk' that you dissolve in hot water."
Ferdinand murmured "I see" and placed a hand to his chin, lost in thought. Rozemyne continued.
"In Yurgenschmidt, people sometimes use goat milk, but considering hygiene and availability, powdered milk would be incredibly convenient. Are you... actually going to make it?"
"Naturally. That is why I returned so hastily. Furthermore, I have realized my knowledge regarding infants is insufficient. I must learn more about these matters."
"You are way too reliable! I was worried about things like that since babies have no immunity. Yurgenschmidt doesn't have vaccines, after all..."
Ferdinand froze.
"Immunity? Vaccines? What are these unfamiliar words...?"
Ferdinand proceeded to grill Rozemyne for information about babies until nearly midnight.
Upon investigating with his scholars, Ferdinand found several old research papers regarding infants that contained useful knowledge. As expected of a Greater Duchy like the former Ahrensbach.
Ferdinand succeeded in analyzing breast milk and refining a powdered milk that was extremely close to its natural composition.
He used guinea pigs to observe the effects of the milk. Usually, this would take an immense amount of time, but Ferdinand solved this using time-manipulation magic. He obtained a vast amount of data and confirmed its safety.
He also set to work on creating vaccines and successfully completed them.
(If the child were to pass away, Rozemyne might follow them to the heights of the gods out of grief!)
With this thought in mind, Ferdinand also involved himself in medical research for childbirth, contributing to a significant decrease in maternal and infant mortality rates.
While everything was done solely for Rozemyne’s sake, it is said that Ferdinand’s entry into this field advanced pediatric medicine in Yurgenschmidt by several decades.
Ten-odd years later, in the lower city of Alexandria.
Alexandria had made vaccinations using public funds mandatory for all households raising children. Naturally, it became common knowledge that babies are vulnerable to allergies and infectious diseases, and the utility of vaccines spread far and wide.
A mother was walking, cradling a baby.
"How many months old is the child?"
Suddenly addressed by a stranger, the mother was instinctively on guard. However, the man’s features, dress, and aura quickly put her at ease.
"Four months."
"I see. Then it is nearly time for weaning. Be mindful of allergies, but also take care regarding food poisoning in the coming season. Eggs, in particular, should be fresh. If possible, obtain them directly from a poultry farm."
After giving this advice, he gave the baby a gentle smile and walked away.
"Dino! Please stop approaching every woman holding a baby!"
As he walked away, he was being scolded by a woman who appeared to be his wife.
In the lower city of Alexandria, there are many reported cases of a mysterious man who offers helpful advice about babies before vanishing into the crowd.