How The Sub-Male Lead’s Stepmother Teaches Love Chapter 355

“Noah, it’s you.”

 

Oliver smiled warmly at Noah, then held out his finger to the small bird sitting on the boy’s shoulder.

 

“And Rake too. Have you been well?”

 

—Of course I have! What about you, Liv? Have you been well too?

 

“Of course. I’ve been well. Now, both of you, come inside.”

 

As if he had expected this, Oliver took out a pouch of snacks from his luggage.

 

A variety of dried fruits spilled out onto a clean white handkerchief.

 

Rake chirped happily and fluttered down onto it.

 

“Here, this is for you, Noah.”

 

“For me?”

 

Noah looked surprised at first, then broke into a wide smile as he accepted the box Oliver handed him.

 

“Thank you, Uncle! Can I open it now?”

 

“Of course.”

 

Inside the box was a thick book—worn from being read over and over again.

 

“Oh, this! Is it the adventure story you told me about in your letter?”

 

“Yes. That’s the one.”

 

It was a book Oliver had loved as a child, now out of print and impossible to find in bookstores.

 

Back at the end of winter, he had promised in a letter to give it to Noah, who had been disappointed about not being able to find it.

 

“Thank you, Uncle. I’ll read it carefully and send you my thoughts in a letter.”

 

“Good. But if it’s not to your taste, you don’t have to force yourself to read it.”

 

“No way. I’m sure it’ll be fun.”

 

Noah hugged the book tightly, his cheeks flushed with excitement.

 

Watching him, Oliver glanced at his half-unpacked luggage, thinking of someone who might make a similar expression.

 

‘Is she really not going to show herself?’

 

Just like when he left the Howard territory, Layla hadn’t come out to greet him today either.

 

Even though she had written such long and frequent letters.

 

‘It’s not like the age gap will shrink just because three years pass… does she really think it matters that much?’

 

The book she had wanted to read would probably have to be delivered through a servant.

 

The moment he thought that, a quiet feeling brushed through his chest—like an autumn breeze.

 

Something like disappointment… or maybe something deeper.

 

But before Oliver could dwell on it—

 

Loud footsteps and frantic knocking echoed through the door, which burst open before he could respond.

 

“Right now—!”

 

“Ma—Marquise! The labor has started!”

 

Oliver forgot what he was about to say and jumped to his feet.

 

Noah did the same.

 

The two looked at each other, then without a word, grabbed Rake and ran outside.

 

* * *

 

Fortunately, when Raenel first felt the contractions, Briliana, Violet, and Layla were with her.

 

“Nell? What’s wrong?”

 

“Th-the baby… I think it’s coming…”

 

The moment those words left Raenel’s lips as she clutched her stomach, Violet sprang to her feet and lifted her up.

 

“Where is the birthing room?”

 

“This way, this way!”

 

Layla and Briliana, who knew the way, immediately led the path, while Violet carried Raenel through the corridor.

 

Just as Raenel was laid onto the bed in the birthing room, her water broke.

 

The sudden situation threw all three of them into panic, despite their efforts to stay calm.

 

Briliana was the first to regain her composure.

 

“The midwife! Where is the midwife?”

 

“I-I’ll go get her!”

 

“Shouldn’t we call a doctor too?”

 

“Yes, there should be a maternity specialist on standby in the ward.”

 

“Then I’ll go call them!”

 

“Please do.”

 

Thanks to their quick actions, the midwife, doctor, and even healing wizads gathered in the birthing room in no time.

 

Soon after, Leonhard, Oliver, Noah, Alexander, and Benjamin—all five men—arrived.

 

“What’s the situation?”

 

From behind the closed door, Raenel’s strained groans could be heard.

 

Leonhard clenched and unclenched his fists, unable to do anything but wait.

 

“The situation is stable so far,” a maid said politely.

 

“An experienced midwife and doctor are with her, so please don’t worry too much.”

 

But the moment she finished speaking, a short scream came from inside.

 

Everyone was startled— but the most shocked of all was Rake.

 

—What was that?! Nell screamed!

 

Alexander’s face turned pale.

 

“What was that? Did it just talk? Brother, did you hear that? The bird just spoke!”

 

“Alex, your sister is in pain right now. Is *that* really what matters?”

 

“I-is it not a problem…?”

 

No, it definitely is a problem.

 

While Alexander was still confused, Rake suddenly flew up.

 

—She’s in pain like that, why aren’t they healing her? I’ll use magic! I’m going in!

 

“Rake, no! Nell isn’t sick—well, she is, but—”

 

—What if Nell dies like that?!

 

“Don’t say that!”

 

Noah shouted loudly, making Rake freeze mid-flap.

 

Tears were already welling up in Noah’s eyes.

 

As they began to fall, Rake spoke in a shaken voice.

 

—I-I was just worried about Nell…

 

“Waaah…! Waaah!”

 

—I’m sorry! I was wrong! Don’t cry!

 

As Noah burst into tears, Rake started crying too.

 

Amid the chaos, Oliver picked Noah up, and Leonhard grabbed hold of Rake.

 

Benjamin took on the job of calming down the bewildered Alexander.

 

“I mean… the bird talked. Am I the weird one here? Is this normal in the north?”

 

“Alex, you’re about to become a father. For the sake of your child’s creativity, let’s discard all preconceived notions.”

 

“Isn’t ‘birds can’t talk’ common sense, not prejudice?”

 

Meanwhile, Noah and Rake were still crying loudly.

 

Finally, Briliana came out of the birthing room.

 

“…I understand you’re worried. But the one having the hardest time right now is Nell. Everyone agrees, right?”

 

No one could argue—even if they wanted to.

 

Briliana’s eyes were blazing.

 

“So instead of standing here—everyone, disperse!”

 

“But…”

 

“It wouldn’t help even if you stayed here anyway.”

 

Leonhard’s mouth shut tight like a clam. Honestly, it was true.

 

So the men gathered in front of the birthing room moved down to the reception room below.

 

By then, Noah and Rake had finally stopped crying. Rake, still looking completely down, drooped its tail feathers and asked Leonhard,

 

—Nell is really okay…?

 

“Of course. She’ll be fine.”

 

—But she was in so much pain…

 

“…She’ll be fine.”

 

Leonhard kept repeating those words.

 

It was less for Rake, and more like he was trying to reassure himself.

 

“Today is going to feel very long…”

 

At Benjamin’s murmur, everyone nodded instinctively.

 

Until they heard news, it really would be a long day.

 

‘Please let them both be safe.’

 

Everyone silently repeated the same prayer dozens, hundreds of times, as they anxiously waited.

 

The sun that had been high in the sky set, and the moon rose. Even the moon began to tilt westward—

 

Only then did it happen.

 

“Your Excellency! The baby has been born safely!”

 

Leonhard jumped to his feet and immediately asked, his eyes bloodshot,

 

“Nell?”

 

“Madam is safe as well.”

 

“Thank goodness…”

 

His legs gave out, and Leonhard collapsed back into his seat.

 

—I want to see Nell!

 

“Yeah. Let’s go together, Rake.”

 

Rake fluttered down onto Noah’s outstretched hand.

 

Even though it was late, no one was asleep. So they all moved together.

 

—Nell!

 

“Rake…”

 

It had only been one night, but Raenel looked terribly worn out. Leaning weakly against the head of the bed, she looked exhausted.

 

Rake clung tightly to her and started sobbing.

 

—Why were you in so much pain? I thought you were going to die!

 

“Why would I die? I haven’t even found a friend for you yet.”

 

—Even if I get a friend, you can’t die. You have to stay with me for a long, long time.

 

As Rake sniffled, Noah also moved closer and clung to the bedside.

 

“Mother, are you okay?”

 

“Of course. I’m really okay.”

 

Gently patting Noah, Raenel lifted her head and looked at Leonhard.

 

Then her eyes widened.

 

“Um… are you crying?”

 

* * *