I Became A Black Merchant In Another World-Chapter 236: Auditing and Absolute Power (10)

I had known that this would eventually happen someday.

I had prepared myself countless times in my mind, but when I heard that Chloe’s labor had started, my head went blank, and I had no idea what to do.

“Baron, please take a deep breath and calm yourself.”

I followed those words and took a deep breath.

The pounding of my heart and the tension in my body slightly eased.

“I won’t tell you not to be nervous and to stay calm, but isn’t it the most terrifying and unsettling for the mother, Chloe?”

I’m just an observer here, but Chloe is the one undergoing the pain of childbirth.

Of course, she must be far more frightened and exhausted than I am.

“And your anxiety will only be contagious to the midwives helping Chloe with her delivery, won’t it?”

It’s generally useless to yell at an inexperienced subordinate to get the job done faster.

In fact, often after being severely scolded, their performance drops, and work slows down.

Would the midwives helping Chloe with the birth be any different?

If I were glaring from the next room like I might start shouting at any moment, they could become intimidated without even realizing it.

“There’s no urgent problem right now. The rest of the tasks will be handled by me, so Baron, please hurry back to the mansion.”

“Then I’ll leave the rest to you.”

When I returned to the mansion, the first person to greet me was Erica.

Normally, she would have asked how my day went, but today, instead of that greeting, she immediately updated me on Chloe’s condition.

“The midwives said the progress is quite fast.”

As long as it’s not a case of stillbirth, a quick labor is always better.

The less time the mother spends in pain, the less risk there is of excessive bleeding, complications, or exhaustion leading to death.

In a difficult birth, one of either the mother or the child might have to be sacrificed.

So, the chances of all these worst-case scenarios are exponentially reduced.

“I’m so relieved, that’s great news.”

A sigh of relief escaped my mouth.

“You’ve saved so many mothers across the empire, but it’s cute to see you lost and unsure now that Chloe is giving birth. The midwives said that since the mother is healthy and young, the chances of an unfortunate incident are nearly nonexistent. Now, we just wait for the baby to be born.”

Erica took my hand and led me towards the sitting room.

“It will be disruptive for us to wait here, so let’s go inside quickly.”

She was right.

If this were a modern hospital with all the medical equipment, I would have held my wife’s hand and stayed by her side.

But in a world without antibiotics, what good would it do for me to be there?

I could very well transfer germs from my body and cause a secondary infection, potentially killing both Chloe and the baby.

As I hesitated for a moment due to my anxiety, Erica gently embraced me.

Then she carefully reached up and placed her hand on my face.

“Excuse me for a moment.”

She then buried my face in her chest.

It was unexpected, and I was very embarrassed, but I didn’t mind.

Even in a tense state, as a man, I felt a bit of that tension ease.

I remember reading somewhere that just seeing a woman’s chest could improve a man’s health.

I never thought I’d experience that theory firsthand.

Erica pulled my face out and, blushing bright red like a ripe apple, couldn’t bring herself to meet my gaze.

“When Chloe first went into labor, she called me over and said, ‘Since you like breasts, if you’re too tense from my labor, let him do this.’”

Did Chloe think of me even in this situation where she was about to give birth?

Should I laugh at how typical that is of her, or should I feel touched that she thought of me and nearly cry?

Either way, I was relieved of unnecessary tension and worry.

“Thank you.”

Several hours later, I was informed that Chloe had safely delivered a son.

Chloe smiled as if she had everything in the world, breastfeeding the baby.

“Eat well and grow up healthy.”

Instead of wishing for the child’s success, Chloe only asked for good health. That was so typical of her.

It felt like she cared more for the child’s happiness than anything else.

It was a sight rare in other noble families...

Looking at that, I thought to myself that I had truly protected the Rothschild family well.

Chloe was diligently nursing the baby as the midwife had instructed.

It was a heartwarming sight.

Once the baby had finished feeding, despite being exhausted from childbirth, Chloe managed to burp the baby while holding him.

“Good job, well done.”

As soon as Chloe finished her first breastfeeding, the midwife took the baby from her.

Although the birth had gone relatively smoothly, Chloe was so exhausted that it wouldn’t be surprising if she fell asleep on the spot.

But what if she collapsed while watching the baby?

“Before we take the baby to another room, may I hold him?”

The midwife handed me the baby.

As soon as I held him, I eagerly practiced the baby-holding techniques I had learned in the brief moments I had to prepare.

He was heavier than I expected, but much warmer than I thought.

Most importantly, he was a boy who carried half of my genes, and I found that incredibly endearing.

I felt like I could do anything for this child.

For him, I could use any wisdom of the empire, or perhaps even more.

“Alright, that’s right. That’s right. Daddy’s here, daddy. Forget everything else, just grow up healthy.”

If he proves capable, I could have him oversee accountants or even become a finance minister someday.

If he likes adventure, I could send him to be the governor of the frontier, pioneering colonies.

If he simply wants to live a relaxed life...

‘It would be a little disappointing, but...’

I could issue a massive amount of stock in his name and pass it on to him.

“Master, you need to name the baby.”

As my child, it’s only natural that I name him.

With the hope that he grows up healthy and strong...

“You’re Leo. Leo de Rothschild. Be strong and brave like a lion.”

After living through all that I’ve done, I’ve learned that most things in life can be dealt with if you have ‘evil and guts’ behind you.

Whether it was gifting Tulip Coins to the Holy Empire, scooping up real estate through stock issuance, or making the Maasai Union an economic colony...

With rational judgment and courage that doesn’t waver in the face of danger...

‘Things always get done.’

“Leo, what a wonderful name. I hope you grow up to be brave like a lion and become a great man, just like the Baron.”

As a father, I was honestly a bit dizzy from the thought.

I’ve spread the wisdom of the empire across the world, but to think Leo would follow in my footsteps?

If he can do that, I believe he’ll survive wherever he goes, no matter who he fights.

But still, something about it feels... off.

I remember an old Chinese historical drama where the emperor told the crown prince before passing the throne, “Before you become emperor, I’ll make sure all the thorns in the thorny tree are removed.”

I need to do my best so that my child doesn’t live the same life I did, spreading the wisdom of advanced nations.

To do that, I’ll need overwhelming wealth and power.

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The midwife took the baby from my arms and placed him in the cradle.

“Master, there’s now the fruit of our love between you and me. It’s like a dream. All the pain and hardship before feel like nothing compared to this happiness.”

Chloe had lost her family in a tragic accident at a young age, so she had become somewhat obsessive over me.

Seeing a new object of affection in her life must have given her many thoughts.

“But still, I think two is better than one.”

...

What do you mean by that, Chloe?

Even though I’m happy about the baby, I never thought she’d want to have another child right after her first labor.

“I think the more the better, don’t you? Having as many fruits of love as possible is better, right? Two is better than one, three is better than two.”

Even though this is an era where having many children is considered a great blessing.

This is a lot of love to handle.

“I know I need to recover first, so I can’t have a new child just yet.”

Chloe gave me a playful smile.

“I think it would be nice to have a daughter next. While it would be great to have a son like you, I think a daughter with features from both you and me would be adorable. Will you make that wish come true?”

I think it will come true.

But I’d prefer it to happen at least three years from now.

After Chloe’s safe delivery, I headed to handle the final settlements.