Moon hung in the inky black sky, above Eldrya, Hirata Estate. Moonlight washed over the Hirata Estate, turning stone and spire into something almost divine
But, inside the grand halls of Hirata Estate, the air was heavy with tension that seemed to press like a physical weight. Enchanted lanterns dimly glowed, painting halls in luminous colors. Air shimmered faintly with residual Arcane Energy in the atmosphere that looked like motes of microscopic gold dust in the air.
Arcane Sorcerers. Powerful, invulnerable, and fearless now – snapped to perfect attention as their lord passed. A man whose one glare could make necromancers step back, now was circling the halls in desperate striding steps. His hands clasped behind him, damp with sweat, his face carved by decades of battles, his leadership now etched with profound and aching concern.
Usama Hirata
Head of Hirata Clan
Now, he is just a powerless man waiting with desperation outside a closed room. From across the hall, a newly arrived sorcerer his robes still dusty from the eastern border patrol, watched his lord's agitation with surprise. He had never heard of their mighty Head of Arcane Kingdom – not as the ruler whose name sent, the man whose name alone shivers down the spines of rival clans. But... now as a man vibrantly, vulnerably just human.
The Sorcerer leaned close to his comrade standing beside him. "Why is Lord so... unsettled?" He asked in a low whisper.
Another Sorcerer doesn't glance at him, but he leans close to answer, "Didn't anyone tell you?"
That Sorcerer's eyes slightly widened in surprise. "No. I was called immediately from the border. I came straight here".
The other sorcerer's right eye twitched in a wince expression. He stared at him for a second longer, then lowered his voice and said, "Idiot! You didn't know Hirata's head wife, Lady Miraya, was pregnant. The entire estate has known for months. Tonight, the heir to the Hirata Clan is to be born".
He slowly nodded as understanding settled into him like a cloak. This was no war council or political gathering. This was the night that would decide the fate of their clan, and perhaps... the fate of Eldrya itself.
Then, it happened.
From behind the closed door came a sound, not the piercing wail of a newborn. They heard a soft, clear giggling sound of a baby.
Usama's expression shifted from concern to one of pure perplexity instantly. "A newborn? But... giggle instead of crying?"
This strange giggling hung heavy in the air, and every sorcerer in the hall knew. This is not normal.
The shoji door slid open.
The midwife stood in the frame, her wary features softened by a knowing smile. Usama's chest tightened, years of longing and prayer constricting. He swallowed hard.
She walked towards him, slowly and deliberately. "Congratulations, Lord Usama", she said, her voice gentle. "Miraya gave birth to a beautiful and healthy son".
Usama finally sighed, released that long-held breath in concern and anxiety. "How was she? How was my son? Are they both alright?" he asked softly, voice trembling with unspoken worry. His words were barely above a whisper, yet heavy with emotion.
The midwife gestured towards the room.
"They both are alright. Miraya was resting. Now, I thought you needed to go, Lord Usama. They both need you".
With a respectful bow, the midwife left. Clicking of her heels echoed in distant halls and then faded away in silence.
Usama wiped sweat from his face, straightened his robes, and approached with a careful and slow pace. He slid open the door.
And there he saw them.
Miraya, her eyes like a peaceful midnight pond, radiated a beauty so radiant and kind that even goddesses blush with envy. She was a sorcereress powerful enough to have defeated Usama himself and held a tally of seven victories to his zero with a playful grin. But…
Now, she lay on the bed. Pale, exhausted, but a weak smile of pure happiness was playing on her lips. And, beside her was that tiny wiggling bundle, from which another soft giggle emerged.
Usama moved with deliberate quiet steps, not wanting to disturb them, and approached. He sat at the edge of the bed, and he reached his hand to gently stroke Miraya's damp hair.
"After our prayers, years of longing. We finally... finally have our child. It's... it's my life's most beautiful day, my love". He said his voice was thick with emotion and a long-awaited happiness.
"Yes, my love, yes... I am too grateful we finally have our child. After all these decades of longing, our prayers... finally granted". Her eyes tear up.
"Usama... you are the father of our child, and I... I want you to give our son a name," she whispered, tenderly handing Usama the baby.
She handed the baby to him.
Usama's hands, that could unleash an Arcane explosion that could vaporize cities and scatter entire legions of Tyrants. Now trembling slightly as his hands took the baby's fragile weight. He cradled his son with Infinite care. The baby, with his wide, innocent eyes glinting with amusement, met his father's stern gaze, which was now softened by the light weight of the baby in his arms.
"He... he is perfect," he low-whispered to Miraya, and with his one hand, he pulled Miraya into a warm embrace.
Usama, at this moment, held his entire universe in his arms. His wife, his newborn son. For this moment, he forgets everything: Sorcerer Supreme, Arcane Kingdom, Hirata Clan, and every burden. There was only the warmth of them against his chest.
When he pulled away, he wiped away her tears on her cheeks with a gentle swipe of his thumb. Usama looked at his giggling son. The first memory of sound, a giggle instead of crying, still lingers in his mind. But, he did not see the shadows darken this happiness.
Not yet
But the truth remained, quiet and insistent:
A newborn's giggle is not normal.
And never can be.