Chapter Text
“T-there isn’t a-anything to be concerned about.” Mikan insisted timidly. “Y-your daughter is in p-perfectly good health.”
“Fool!” Gundham burst out. “My apprentice has yet to utter her first incantation! It is obvious, without doubt that a demon has stolen her tongue and sealed her voice with some powerful curse! You do not know of which you speak!”
“Please forgive me!” Mikan squealed, flinching away from Gundham’s intimidating voice. “It’s unlikely to be such a thing! Many children take time to speak their first word!”
“Gundham, please don’t bully Mikan.” Sonia soothed her husband, holding their three year old daughter Himiko in her arms. Himiko seemed unperturbed by the situation, completely used to her father’s boisterous behavior. She was content to sit in Sonia’s lap and stare about the room pensively, a very wise look on her face for such a young child. “I’m sure she knows what she’s talking about.”
“I would not consider it bullying.” Gundham said sulkily. “I only wish her to realize that she is deceived by a demons spell.”
Sonia kissed her daughters head. Though she supposed Mikan was right, this didn’t stop her from being concerned to a degree at their daughters silence.
Their older child, Gonta, was five, and had been speaking since he was two. his first word had been “Bugs”.
He did not speak entirely properly, being young, but he had taken to imitating his father’s commands, much to Gundham’s pride.
Sonia could still remember her husbands delight when Gonta had first happily pointed at the Four dark Devas of Destruction and announced in a small child's voice, yet somehow a perfect imitation of Gundham “Cham-P! Maga-Z! Jun-P! San-D!”
Gundham was very excited that his son had inherited his penchant for animal care, even if it was geared more towards insects, something Gundham was not as familiar with. Still, he had taken to reading bug related bedtime stories to Gonta every night (The Very Hungry Caterpillar being a fan favorite). Gonta was in fact, starting to learn the names of all kinds of bugs species, and would occasionally point at an insect and say what it was, before happily placing it in a jar to watch it for a few hours, before letting it free out in the castle lawn. Sonia made sure to take him to the library almost every day to check out new books, as Gonta soaked up bug related knowledge like a sponge.
Himiko on the other hand, remained silent and pensive. She had cried as a baby, that had been normal. But so far, she hadn’t uttered a single word.
“I don’t think your daughter is deaf.” Mikan said once their appointment with her wrapped up. “She is responsive to auditory stimuli. She’ll talk when she’s ready, I've heard children like her end up speaking full sentences instead of their first word, she just needs some coaxing.”
“Of course!” Gundham snatched Himiko from Sonia’s arms and placed their daughter on his shoulders. She giggled, proving that she did indeed, have a voice. “My apprentice may possess the wisdom worthy of a prodigy! Only to be expected from the bloodline of the Tanaka Empire!”
“Yes, of course!” Sonia said cheerfully, trying to not show her still present concern. “Thank you so much for doing this for us Mikan, I hope it wasn’t any trouble.”
“Oh no! I don’t mean to make you feel like a bother, please forgive me!” Mikan squeaked, looking ashamed. “I am sorry I was so useless!”
It took a while to assure Mikan that she had in fact, been most helpful, and Gundham even apologized, in his own way, for being harsh with her earlier.
“You are still troubled, She-cat.” Gundham looked at her gravely as they left the office, eyes soft with concern, while their daughter was preoccupied playing with his curved cowlick.
“I am being silly.” Sonia sighed. “Though it’s only natural for a mother to fret over her children, isn't’ it?”
Gundham took her hand in his, his free one still resting firmly on Himiko’s leg so she would not slide off. Despite them having two children together, Gundham still blushed at physical contact with her. It was something she found endearing that she hoped would always remain.
“I will not allow you to shoulder any burdens alone. I am confident that this trial too, shall pass.”
Sonia squeezed her husband's hand. “Thank you.” she said earnestly.
He pulled out of her grip, face red as a tomato. “And if it does not, then I shall seek out the fiend who has brought on such a curse and undo his power myself! For I am GUNDHAM TANAKA!”
He stormed rapidly down the hall, laughing uproariously, Himiko squealing with excitement at the change of pace.
Sonia shook her head, laughed, and chased after them, not caring that it was a bit unbecoming of her as a queen.
***
When they returned home, Sonia went upstairs to check on their napping son, dismissing his nanny with a smile. Being a queen had its perks, like easy access to babysitting.
“Gonta sweetie… It’ll be dinner time soon.” she stroked her sons fluffy head, soothing him awake.
Gonta was a very sweet child, all smiles and curiosity, even when woken up from a nap. He grinned up at her with gap teeth, hair frizzy from sleep and raised his arms to her happily. “Mommy!”
“Oh dear.” Sonia grunted as she lifted him up. “You’re getting to be so big and heavy!” her tone was teasing, with pride. “You’re going to be able to pick mommy up soon.”
“sorry gonta heavy.” Gonta frowned, looking genuinely remorseful.
“Don’t be sorry so much, or you’ll be like your aunty Mikan.” Sonia chuckled, heading towards the dining hall with him clutched firmly in her arms. “I’m very happy that you’re getting bigger.”
Himiko had already been placed in her booster seat by her father, who was delightedly informing his daughter about how as soon as she started speaking he’d be able to teach her all the powerful spells he knew.
Gundham had taken to being a father very well, despite his misgivings when Sonia had first discovered she was pregnant. Gundham had insisted his children would be cursed as he had, and that he might not be able to give them the love they needed when his blood was so poisoned.
Sonia assured him that his children would of course like him very much and that there was no need to be concerned about it. She understood Gundham’s true meaning behind his persona by now. After all, she knew all about how he had been shunned by both sides of his family for being an illegitimate child.
After rebuilding her kingdom, with Gundham’s help, Sonia had stepped into her role as Queen of Novoselic, with the Ultimate Breeder as her king. She had been unsure if she was worthy to rule her people after what she had done as a remnant of despair, but her efforts to make amends for her wrongdoings had gone rewarded eventually, though she knew there were those still skeptical of whether or not she was fit to rule.
Sonia had been unsure whether or not she and Gundham were even capable of having children to be heirs to the kingdom, considering all their bodies had gone through in the past. She felt as though this was further confirmed two miscarriages later.
her eventual pregnancy had felt like nothing short of a miracle, and Gonta had been perfectly healthy and happy, much to her relief.
Himiko on the other hand, had been born premature, and they had been unsure whether or not she would make it. The two rulers of novoselic watched over their princess like twin hawks, constantly checking her at night to make sure she continued to breathe and did not fall under the terrifying grasp of SIDS. Both of them had gone through plenty of sleepless nights before they were positive that Himiko would be fine.
Himiko had eventually become strong and healthy, a normal child- aside from the fact, she refused to speak. Sonia decided she would not worry, after all, if their child was mute, they would still love her all the same.
Gonta beamed up at his father and waved a pudgy hand in greeting.
“Was your power charged properly through your slumber?” Gundham demanded of Gonta.
Gonta had grown up around Gundham and understood him perfectly. “Gonta had nice nap.” he said. Then glanced at his sister. “Himiko okay?”
“She’s fine, it was just a check-up.” Sonia assured him. “We figured you’d be bored if you went along.”
“Aunty Mikan nice, Gonta like her.” Gonta smiled. “Himiko get lollipop?”
“She’s a bit too small for one.” Sonia chuckled. “She might choke.”
Gonta gave his baby sister a sympathetic look. “Aw. get big soon Himiko, lollipops are the best.”
“Indeed.” Gundham ruffled his son's hair affectionately. “But she is not too weak of power to be unable to partake of this ritual feast we hold at the midday to replenish our energy. So rejoice my apprentice, and devour that which is spread before you!”
They ate dinner, Gonta chatting between bites about how he and the nanny had searched the garden for his new bug friends, while Sonia helped him cut his food, patiently reminding him to chew and swallow between his words. She couldn’t bring herself to discourage her sons chatter, not when he was so passionate about it.
A clatter caused them all to pause and glance at Himiko. The tiny red-headed girl was staring over her booster seat at the ground. Her sippy cup had fallen off the table, and the lid had accidentally popped off, spilling apple juice everywhere.
Himiko stared at it for an unusual amount of time, before she looked at her parents, and opened her mouth.
“Nyeh. What a pain.”