Work Text:
Ferdinand walk into the bedroom ready to end the day. His All-Godness was already there standing by the window with her silky hair, just shade lighter than night sky loose. Maybe they shouldn't go to sleep just yet.
-Rozemyne...
She slowly turn, her hands resting in her round belly. But she was looking wrong. Her face was blank and her sleepy eyes looked past him. He tried to reached for her, but he couldn't moved. He was assulted by sickenly sweet odor. Trunk.
-Rozemyne!
Clouds released the moon and its light illuminated metal lattice. He was choking on the air, she couldn't be here. He had promised to keep her save.
Suddenly shadow came to her. Gervasio. Ferdinand wanted to throw himself between danger and his wife. To do something! But he was still stuck to the floor.
Gervasio touched Rozemyne's belly.
-She's growing such a lovely feystone.
Ferdinand woke up covered in cold sweat. His hand automatically searched for his wife. Rozemyne laid with her back to him, her hand protectively over her baby bump. His galloping heart calmed down as he listen to her breathing. She was save. So was their baby. It was just a dream.
He carefully got out of the bed and cast washen over himself. Despite knowing how silly it was he went to the window to check if lattice was there. Of course there wasn't. Just his protection circles. Keeping anything that could harm them away.
Nagging thought that had plagued him since Rozemyne told she was pregnant returned. How to be a father? He knew how to protect his growing family, but he wasn't sure how to raise a child.
Because of his mana level he never thought he would have children. He compressed to ensure of it. They could never be safe of his bloodline.
But now standing side by side with his All-Godness in their playground, they could do anything. Including raising children without worry they could be used or threaten like they were.
Now he only had to plan how to be a good father, but he wasn't a sure what that meant.
His brother wasn't good father, so he would do opposite of everything Sylvester had done. Their... Father was even worst, although it took his a long time and Rosemyne's wisdom to realised that. Was Karsted a good father? He gave up on Nikolaus, because of his mother. Ferdinand wouldn't abandon any of his children, although that wasn't hard as they all would be also Rozemyne'.
He did interview Gunther and Benno (who raised Corinna into lady with common sense), but archduke candidate's life was different in almost every way.
His musings were interrupted by soft hands reaching for him. His All-Godness was pouting...
-Ferdinand, you should be in bed sleeping.-she glanced at his face. Concerned was swimming in her eyes as she caressed his frowning brow.- Is something wrong?
He hugged her and rested palm of his hand on her belly. Just this week the baby started to move, but he hadn't felt it yet.
-Just thinking. Did I wake you up?
-Bed was colder without you...-His wife blushed hidding her face in his chest.-What is bothering you?
He wanted to lie and say nothing, but 'communication was fundament of working marriage'. Their both were slowly getting better at it. So he confessed his latest fear.
-I wonder how to be good father.
-That could be a problem. I can see you spoiling the little ones- Rozemyne sighed and said something ridiculous and opposite of his worries. But she was usually right.- You will sing them lullaby every night and dote on them more than Dad. You will be telling them that that Aub seat would be only for someone who wants it and if they will take after either of us, they would want to do something else. And our poor daughters! You would take every suitor on the tour of your marine life habbitat and describe how the feybeast would eat them if they ever do anything to hurt the girls! And they would accidentally saw you sharpening your steel broadsword. And you will make them walk through shield of Schutzaria to even begin to court them.-she giggled- I will have to be strict parent!
Suddenly most of his worries disapeared. He wasn't alone. He had a wife, a partner, someone to watch his back and correct his mistakes. All in the shumil-like creature in his arms, talking about the their bright future.
-Those are good tests for potential suitors, but I will have to improve on them. Luckily I have over a decade to preper for that ditter.
-That's not a ditter! You should let our children get married! Well... to someone good for them.
-Of course.- They will raise them well and keep them save. As if hearing his promise, the baby start to move under his palm.
-The baby is kicking! He knows we talking about them- Rozemyne blinded him with a smile- Yes, little bean, that's your Papa! And he wants to be the best father he can.
Ferdinand kneeled to be closer to his unborn child.- Hello, my child. Papa is here.-he smiled. Rozemyne said that baby in the womb could hear them and would remember their voices after they were born. He felt embarrassed to just talk to the baby like Rosemyne, so he had chosen to read them children's books. But with just three of them here, he could swallow his reservations.-But we all should go to sleep, tommorow Mom and me have busy day, we have to preper for your arrival.- he kissed his wife' belly. Rosemyne giggled and caresed his cheek. He ignored his ears turning red. Carefully he picked her up and carried her to their bed.
With his wife in his arms he fell asleep peacefully.