"How can I allow that?"
"I have to ensure the safety of both you and our daughter."
"That is my duty as your husband and as a father."
Ide sat beside Ur, his expression serious as he spoke.
"Ide, you said 'daughter'?!"
"Wait... am I carrying a girl?!"
Ur smiled at first, then processed his words and looked at him with genuine curiosity.
"Of course."
"Ur, trust me~"
"Our daughter will be a healthy, beautiful, and adorable baby."
"Just like you, Ur."
Ide leaned in and gently kissed her forehead.
"You smooth talker."
"I'm not as amazing as you make me sound."
Ur's cheeks turned as red as a ripe apple. Ide's words made her heart flutter, leaving her feeling light as a feather.
"Hehe."
Ide grinned mischievously.
Since Ur was only in the early stages of pregnancy, Ide took the opportunity to cuddle with her a while longer.
---
Time flew by.
Nine months passed in a flash.
It was now June, X764.
The town in the northeast of the continent was still cold.
In the delivery room.
"Waaaah~"
A loud, clear cry pierced the silent, cold night. Ur had successfully given birth to the baby she had carried for ten months.
"She really is an adorable little baby."
Ide sat by the bedside, cradling his newborn daughter in his arms. No matter how he looked at her, she was perfect. He couldn't stop grinning.
"Ide."
"Quick."
"Let me hold her."
Ur, who should have been resting, pushed herself up with surprising strength. once she was steady, she gently took the baby from Ide's arms, holding her as if she were the most fragile, precious treasure in the world.
"Hehe."
Perhaps sensing her mother's embrace, the baby stopped crying immediately and let out a little giggle.
"Ide, look!"
"Our daughter smiled at me!"
Ur gazed at the smiling baby in her arms, her face radiating pure, maternal happiness.
"I'm so happy, Ide."
As she smiled, tears of joy welled up in her eyes and rolled down her cheeks.
"I'm happy too, Ur."
Ide gently wiped away her tears with a tissue, his heart swelling with the same emotion.
"Ide."
"How about we call her Ultear?"
"She is my most precious treasure, and she is my tear."
Ur looked up excitedly, hugging her daughter close.
"Okay."
"Ultear it is."
Ide paused for a split second, then nodded vigorously.
He didn't know why, but it felt right—like a whisper from destiny telling him that his and Ur's daughter should be named Ultear.
And so, Ide and Ur's daughter was born safe and sound.
After Ultear's birth, Ide transitioned smoothly into a full-time dad. His days were spent either taking care of the baby or pampering Ur during her "confinement" period.
Even though Ur's culture didn't really practice "confinement" after birth, and her Wizard Saint-level physique meant she didn't actually need it, Ide insisted.
Ur accepted it happily. After all, if her husband wanted to spoil her, who was she to refuse?
While resting, Ur felt her vitality recovering rapidly. She also sensed that her understanding of Ice-Make Magic was on the verge of another breakthrough.
She truly believed Ultear was a gift from the heavens—her little lucky star. With Ultear's birth, everything seemed to be going smoothly.
---
Three months later.
September, X764.
Mountain behind the town.
BOOM!
A powerful, biting aura exploded from Ur's body. Her magic power had taken another step forward into a deeper realm.
At this moment, Ur's strength had reached the "Limit of Human Potential."
She was now on par with the famous "Titan" Makarov, the 5th ranked Wizard Saint (at the start of the series).
Of course, Makarov had been at this level for decades. His reserves of mana and depth of magical knowledge far outstripped Ur's.
The only reason Makarov hadn't crossed the threshold into the "Inhuman" realm was that he was bogged down by guild affairs.
As a Guild Master, Makarov was arguably the strongest and most responsible leader Fairy Tail ever had.
But that's a story for another time.
"Ide, fight me!"
Fresh off her breakthrough, Ur became even more aggressive—not just in bed at night, where her demands had become insatiable, but also during the day. She was like a fierce lioness, challenging Ide to battle.
"Alright!"
"I've been waiting for you to say that!"
Ide didn't hesitate. He grabbed Ur's hand and they sprinted toward the mountain.
Truth be told, Ide had been holding back for too long. He was dying for a passionate spar with Ur.
"Eh?"
Susan, who had just come by to drop off some fruit, stood there holding the baby Ide and Ur had thrust into her arms. She watched them run off to "fight" on the mountain, completely dumbfounded.
"What the hell?"
"Aren't you two the parents?!"
"She's not even three months old, and you're already bored of her?"
"What kind of irresponsible parents are you?! You jerks!"
Susan yelled angrily at their retreating backs.
In her arms, three-month-old Ultear tilted her little head, watching her parents disappear into the distance. Her big, watery eyes were filled with confusion.
So much for growing up in a loving environment.
So... Mom and Dad are true love, and I was just an accident, huh?
Cough.
---
Under Ide and Ur's rigorous training regime, time flew by.
Another three months passed in a blur.
During these three months, whenever they weren't feeding the baby, they were sparring constantly.
Thanks to this, Ur managed to stabilize her magic power at the "Limit of Human Potential."
Of course, whenever they trained, they shamelessly asked their good friend Susan to babysit.
December, X764.
As the year drew to a close, Ide and Ur encountered a massive problem.
Little Ultear, who had been growing happily under their care, suddenly fell ill.