Chapter 68 - 068: Little cry

Night came faster, after everything that had happened since Ana’s birth, the house had finally become quiet. Rylan and Kai had gone to their rooms to sleep, while Kenai had decided to remain with Anaria in case she needed anything during the night.

Anaria had no objection. She was still recovering, and having Kenai nearby wasn’t exactly unpleasant.

Eventually, the quiet conversation between them faded, and the room settled into peaceful silence.

For a while, everything was calm. Then a loud cry suddenly broke through the silence.

Anaria’s eyes opened immediately. She lay still for a second, confused and half-asleep, listening to the unfamiliar sound. Another cry followed. Her eyes widened "Ana!!"

She quickly pushed herself up and looked toward the small baby bed. Ana was crying. Anaria immediately got out of bed, ignoring the slight weakness in her legs, and hurried over. She carefully picked her daughter up and held her against her chest.

"Shh, sweetheart. Mama’s here."

But Ana only cried harder. Anaria gently rocked her from side to side. Nothing. She tried patting her back. Nothing. She even began humming a soft lullaby. It didn’t work.

Anaria looked down at the tiny crying face in confusion. "What do you want?"

Ana answered with another loud cry. Anaria sighed. She turned toward Kenai. He was still sleeping. Peacefully. Completely unaffected by the crying baby beside him.

Anaria stared at him in disbelief. "Kenai."

He didn’t move "Kenai!"

Still nothing, her expression darkened. She walked over and kicked his leg.

Kenai jolted awake. "What happened?"

"The baby is crying!"

Kenai immediately sat up. "I didn’t hear her."

Anaria stared at him. "You didn’t hear her?"

"I was asleep."

"Is this how you’re going to help me at night?"

Kenai immediately looked guilty. "I’m sorry." He got up and took Ana carefully from Anaria’s arms. "Give her to me."

Anaria handed the baby over. Kenai tried rocking her. Ana continued crying. He changed his hold and he patted her gently. Nothing.

By then, the noise had attracted the others. The door opened, and Rylan and Kai hurried inside.

"What happened?" Rylan asked.

"Is Anaria hurt?" Kai asked at the same time.

They stopped when they saw Kenai holding the crying baby while Anaria stood beside him.

"She’s been crying," Anaria explained.

Kai immediately walked closer. "What does she need?"

"I don’t know," Kenai admitted.

The three men exchanged helpless looks. They tried everything they could think of, but nothing worked.

Finally, Rylan rubbed his face. "We need to find out what beast babies eat."

Kai nodded immediately. "I’ll look."

Kenai handed Ana back to Anaria. "We’ll find something."

The three men hurried out together.

Anaria stared after them. She couldn’t help laughing despite her exhaustion.

Ana continued crying in her arms. Anaria’s smile faded as worry returned. "Alright, little one. Mama will figure it out."

She sat down with Ana and called the System. The familiar panel appeared almost immediately.

Anaria’s voice was anxious. "System, is something wrong with her?"

[Host, please remain calm. The child is healthy.]

Anaria released a breath. "Then why is she crying?"

[The child is just hungry.]

Anaria blinked.

The System immediately provided her with basic newborn-care instructions.

Anaria looked down at her daughter. "You’re hungry?"

Ana cried again. Anaria quickly adjusted her position and began feeding her from her breasts.

Almost immediately, the crying stopped.

Anaria froze. Then she let out the biggest sigh of relief. "That’s all you wanted?"

Ana quietly continued feeding, completely peaceful now. Anaria couldn’t help laughing. "You nearly scared Mama to death." She gently touched the baby’s cheek. "You might grow up to be a little crybaby."

Ana continued feeding contentedly. For the first time since few minutes Anaria relaxed.

By the time Rylan, Kai, and Kenai returned, Ana had already stopped crying. The three men entered the room carrying several different kinds of food, looking tired and slightly stressed.

Kenai was the first to notice the silence. He looked toward Anaria then to the baby. Ana was peacefully resting in her mother’s arms.

Kenai stared. "We found food," he said.

Anaria looked at the things they had brought. "What’s all this?"

Kai held up one of the small portions. "This is what beast babies usually eat when they’re hungry."

Anaria laughed softly. "So you three went searching for baby food?"

Rylan nodded. "We didn’t know what else to do."

Anaria shook her head. "She was only hungry."

Kenai looked at Ana. "Thank God, she is calm now"

"Yes," Anaria replied. "She just needed to feed."

Kenai looked relieved, but Anaria suddenly felt a wave of dizziness. She blinked and steadied herself.

Rylan immediately noticed. "Anaria, are you alright?"

"I’m fine."

"You don’t look fine," Rylan said.

Anaria glanced at herself. She did feel strangely weak. "Maybe I’m just tired."

Kenai frowned. "You need to eat."

"I’ll eat later."

"No," Kenai said firmly. "You need food now."

Anaria opened her mouth to argue, but Kenai had already turned toward the others. "Help me prepare something for her."

Kai nodded. "Of course."

Rylan followed them.

Anaria watched the three of them leave and shook her head. "Might as well eat before I collapse"

It wasn’t long before they returned. This time, they carried a plate of roasted pork and several fruits. Kai placed it in front of her. "Eat."

Anaria looked at them. All three were watching her. She knew immediately that they weren’t going to leave until she obeyed. "Fine."

She picked up the food and began eating. The meal helped. By the time she finished, some of the dizziness had eased.

Kenai carefully took Ana from her arms. The baby was already sleeping peacefully. "You should sleep too," he told Anaria. "It will soon be morning."

Anaria nodded. Kenai helped her settle back into bed and tucked the covering around her. She closed her eyes. Before she drifted off, she heard the three men quietly discussing who would handle which duties the next morning so that neither she nor Ana would be disturbed.

A small smile appeared on Anaria’s face. Then she fell asleep...

The next morning, she was awakened by the herbal woman. "Anaria, wake up. I’m here to check on you."

Anaria opened her eyes slowly. "It’s already morning?"

The herbal woman nodded. "Kenai instructed me to come early."

Anaria sighed but sat up. The herbal woman examined her carefully before checking Ana as well. After finishing, she nodded. "Both of you are doing well."

Anaria relaxed. "Good."

After the herbal woman left, Anaria stared long at the door before she regained herself and called the System. "How long will the Recovery Essence take to restore me completely?"

[The Recovery Essence has already reduced the pain and physical weakness caused by childbirth.]

Anaria frowned. "Then why do I still feel like I need more?"

[The Push Gift contains another item that can assist the Host’s overall recovery.]

Anaria’s eyes brightened. "Give it to me."

The System produced the item. Anaria used it immediately. Warmth spread through her body. Her strength returned, her pale skin regained its healthy glow, and even her hair looked brighter. The tiredness that had lingered seemed to lift.

Anaria stared at her reflection. She looked like herself again. Perhaps even better. She smiled. "Much better."

Now that she felt stronger, she decided it was time to take a proper bath. But first, she looked toward Ana. She needed to bathe her daughter too. Anaria stared at the tiny baby. Then she sighed. "System. Tell me how to bathe a newborn."

The instructions appeared immediately. Anaria carefully followed them, washing Ana gently before dressing her in clean clothes.