After Retirement, Living a Stud Life in Another World - 210

Chapter 210: The Name of the Third Princess

“Long live the Third Princess!”

“The magical light from her baptism was incredible…”

“The elder princesses are all gifted with exceptional magic and have grown up to be wise… This secures the future of the Dark Clan!”

Members of the Dark Clan voiced their hopes for the future one after another, freely indulging in drinks they usually refrained from. The extraordinary results of the baptism had surpassed all expectations, igniting a long-awaited celebratory feast. For now, the newborn was still unnamed, so everyone called her “Third Princess.” It sounded like something from the Heian period, which was rather cool.

“The Third Princess has stronger powers than us?”

“Does that mean Honoka won’t be cherished anymore?”

Kaori, the elder sister, remained calm, but Honoka, on the verge of tears, looked to Ayaka for reassurance.

“That’s not true. The Third Princess was born with strong magic, but to your father and me, you are all equally beloved.”

“Really, Mother?”

With teary eyes, Honoka clung to Ayaka. Though barely over a year old, this child had grown remarkably sharp. She no longer carelessly cast charm spells indiscriminately but instead had learned to win people’s affection by adorably seeking attention. I felt nothing but gratitude toward Ayaka for raising her so well and to Hotaru and Saya for their help as nurses.

“Yes, it’s true, isn’t it, Lutz?”

“Of course. I named both Kaori and Honoka myself. They’re so precious to me—my pride and joy.”

“Honoka’s name was given by Father? It’s because I’m cute, isn’t it?”

“That’s right. So, the three of you must get along and be good children.”

“Okay, Father!”

Ayaka suddenly put me on the spot, but it seemed like my response hit the mark. Honoka beamed and gently stroked the soft black hair of the Third Princess, who I held in my arms. Next to her, Kaori, the eldest, looked a little downcast.

“Kaori doesn’t have strong powers like Honoka and the others. I can’t be of any help to Mother or Father.”

This child amazed me. Despite being only two years old, her concerns sounded like those of a much older child. Honoka, too, spoke with a fluency that belied her age. It seemed my lineage had a knack for precocity.

“You’re still a child. There’s no need to think about helping your parents yet. There will be something only Kaori can do. You just need to find it.”

Ayaka’s response was philosophical, almost overly complex for a two-year-old. The Dark Clan’s education involved treating children like adults, but I couldn’t help thinking such words might confuse a child. Yet, Kaori’s intelligence proved me wrong.

“Yes, I’ll find something only I can do, as Mother said. And someday, I will be of help to Father.”

Wait, she accepted that so readily? Her maturity was startling. But why was her goal specifically to help me? Ayaka would be a much better focus.

“Because Father gave me my wonderful name.”

Ah, I see. In the Dark Clan, naming held special significance. Having another family name a child symbolized submission, and the name-giver was revered even more than the birth parents. While naming children was usually the mother’s role in this world, the Dark Clan had bestowed that honor upon me. I should be grateful for their trust.

“Father will name the Third Princess too, right?”

“Of course. It wouldn’t be fair if only you two received names from him.”

Ayaka’s casual confirmation left me no room to protest. Before I could argue that she could name the third child herself, Saya appeared out of nowhere with parchment and ink, setting them before me with practiced precision. Clearly, they had been prepared for this moment.

The entire clan, who had been merrily feasting moments before, now stopped eating and drinking to watch me intently. This was bad. If I couldn’t come up with a good name, my reputation as their “Lord” might plummet.

Feeling a cold sweat down my neck, I tried to buy time by grinding the inkstone. The characters for “Kaori” and “Honoka” both used the kanji for “fragrance,” which I didn’t want to omit. I wanted a name that suited the Dark Clan but also fit this vaguely Germanic world. Yet, nothing came to mind.

As I searched my memories, an image of a small alley near my old workplace surfaced—a modest snack bar run by a kind old lady. The faded building had a purple signboard with two simple characters. Without hesitation, I picked up the brush and wrote those two characters on the parchment: 香琳.

“Lutz, is this pronounced ‘Karin’?”

“Yes. I thought a name that would work even in Berzenbrück would be nice.”

“I think it’s lovely.”

In truth, it was just the name of a bar I frequented, but that secret was best kept to myself. Ayaka smiled warmly, accepting my impromptu decision.

“Karin is so cute!”
“I think it’s a beautiful name,” chimed Honoka and Kaori.

The Dark Clan members also praised the name, calling it poetic and elegant.

But let me repeat this one more time—it’s just the name of a bar!