Chapter 452 - 450: Daughter’s Birth
Since she had arrived, several elders had checked in on her every day, fussing over her well-being.
They sent all kinds of Spiritual Medicines, Magic Treasures, and other fine things, paying for them out of their own pockets. It was clear there was a throne to be inherited, and they genuinely cared about the child in her womb.
Unlike her first pregnancy, which had been full of hardships, this one was quite easy. Aside from some tightness in her chest that caused a bit of shortness of breath late in the pregnancy, she felt perfectly fine.
Time flew by, and in a flash, more than half a month had passed. It was now the beginning of the month, and her due date was drawing near. By her calculations, she could give birth any day now, though she didn’t know the exact date. After all, not every baby arrives right on schedule; some come early, and others come late.
As her due date neared, her belly was quiet, showing no signs of impending labor.
She gently caressed her belly.
Celeste Grant thought of Nerida and couldn’t help but murmur, "If only Nerida were here."
Nerida had been by her side when she gave birth to Annie, so now that her due date was near, she instinctively thought of her. ’It’s probably just a habit.’ To Celeste Grant, Nerida was like a second mother to Javier Sinclair, which made her family. She had raised Javier Sinclair, and she had raised Celeste’s son. That was why Celeste Grant relied on her so much.
Just as Javier Sinclair approached with a bowl of black chicken soup the Third Elder had personally prepared, he found Celeste Grant sighing on a lounge chair on the terrace. He had even heard her say Nerida’s name.
He chuckled softly and walked to her side. "Missing Nerida?"
Celeste Grant gave a small nod.
"Yeah, a little."
He said, "I’ve already instructed the disciples of the Demonic Domain to watch all the ascension passages that connect to the Lower Realms. If Nerida appears, they’ll bring her to you at once."
Celeste Grant raised an eyebrow.
"Ascension passages that connect to the Lower Realms?"
He gave a small nod. "Yes. This place connects to countless Cultivation Worlds in the Lower Realms. Both the Immortal and Demonic Realms have ascension passages to the Lower Realms. As for which passage a Cultivator from a Lower Realm will ascend through, that’s up to them."
"Wait, something feels off." Hearing his explanation, Celeste Grant thought about her own experience. "So, you’re saying the ascension passages to the Lower Realms are in fixed locations. If that’s the case, how did I end up in such a remote place when I ascended?"
’Could one of the ascension passages be located at Kheris?’
Before she could dwell on it, Javier Sinclair spoke. "Your case was an accident. There’s no ascension passage where you appeared. To be honest, I’m also quite curious as to how you showed up there."
Celeste Grant was speechless.
’No ascension passage? I couldn’t have just appeared out of thin air, could I?’
’Could it be...’
A possibility occurred to Celeste Grant.
’It must have something to do with that power inside my body.’
Thinking of this, she asked, "Could it have been the power inside me?"
Javier Sinclair glanced at her and gave a small nod. "The power inside you is unstable, flaring up and then vanishing. It’s possible that when you ascended, you triggered it. That would explain how you came to the Upper Realm on your own, rather than through an ascension passage."
Hearing this, she looked down.
"Heh, that’s just unbelievable." ’If I can’t figure it out, there’s no point in dwelling on it.’ She shook her head. "Whatever, it doesn’t matter. The important thing is I’m in the Upper Realm now."
He hummed in agreement.
He sat down beside her.
Javier Sinclair held the bowl up to Celeste Grant. "Don’t worry about that anymore. Here, try the soup." As he spoke, he scooped up a spoonful and lifted it to her lips.
She smiled, leaned in, and took a sip. "Being waited on hand and foot like this... are you trying to spoil me completely?"
Javier Sinclair chuckled. "It’s good for you. The Third Elder made it himself."
Hearing that, Celeste Grant smiled. "Well, in that case, I’d better drink up. I can’t let the Third Elder’s kind intentions go to waste. I’ve been troubling them all so much lately, I feel a little guilty. Please thank the elders for me."
He fed her a few more sips.
Finding him too slow, Celeste Grant took the bowl and finished it herself.
He summoned a handmaiden to take the bowl away.
Once again, only he and Celeste Grant remained on the terrace.
Javier Sinclair’s gaze shifted from her face to her stomach. He reached out and gently placed a hand on her round belly. Even through her clothes, he could see it moving. The baby inside was healthy and very active.
"Have you felt any discomfort today? If you do, you must tell me right away."
Hearing his question, Celeste Grant waved a dismissive hand. "Nope. Same as usual, no activity. I probably won’t be giving birth in the next few days."
He said in a low voice, "It’s fine. It will happen when it’s time. We’ve waited this long; a few more days won’t make a difference."
The thought of meeting his daughter soon brought a smile to Javier Sinclair’s eyes, and the corners of his mouth turned up. "Daddy’s little princess, when are you going to come out and meet me?"
The baby in her womb was very familiar with Javier Sinclair’s aura, so whenever he rested his hand on Celeste Grant’s belly, the child would kick its tiny feet as if in response. Perhaps this was a trait of a Cultivator’s child—to be born with the ability to sense their parents’ auras.
"It’s Daddy."
"My little princess, Daddy’s waiting to meet you."
This little scene played out almost every day. He never seemed to tire of it. It was obvious how much he cherished his daughter-to-be.
Celeste Grant glanced at him and suddenly smiled. "Hey, Archfiend, have you thought of a name for our daughter yet?"
"What are you talking about?" He tilted his head up slightly, his gaze meeting her mischievous eyes. Javier Sinclair reached out and gently tipped her chin up. "Celeste Grant, don’t tell me you’ve forgotten?"
He said, "I decided on our daughter’s name fifteen thousand years ago. Elise. Elise Sinclair."
"Oh!" Celeste Grant chuckled. "Heh, Old Fiend Sinclair, you remembered. I thought you might have forgotten. For me, it wasn’t that long ago, but for you, that memory must be ancient."
"I would never forget."
His eyes were fixed on her face, his expression utterly serious. "I will never forget anything that concerns you." As he spoke, Javier Sinclair gently rested his forehead against hers.
Just as they were speaking, she let out a soft cry.
"Hss... Ouch."
Startled, Javier Sinclair gripped her shoulders. "What is it? Is your stomach hurting? I’ll take you to the delivery room right now."
She waved her hands.
"No, no. The baby just kicked me."
He patted his chest.
"My dear, you gave me a fright."
With her due date so near, Javier Sinclair was far more nervous than the calm and composed Celeste Grant. "As long as you’re okay." He pulled her into his arms as he spoke.
Leaning against him, Celeste Grant said, "Javier Sinclair, our fate is a wondrous thing, isn’t it? I feel like if even a single link in the chain were missing, I might never have met you."
"My love."
He hummed in acknowledgment.
"Yes, I’m here."
"Our daughter is about to be born, and I’m suddenly missing our son. I wonder when he’ll ascend."