Raised in Dungeon



As they returned from the physician's place, a sombre air hung over them that afternoon. Huddled around the dining fireplace, the afternoon sun's rays shot through the window as they remained silent, processing the news.

The advanced healing amnis had successfully resolved Iva's bleeding, but the situation was still grave. It was a relief to know that the fetus was unharmed, but the explanation from the doctor wasn't much of a comfort. It seemed like a common occurrence, especially for mothers pregnant with twins or older moms. However, it still brought a heavy weight to their hearts. The physician also said the bleeding wouldn't harm the baby but was dangerous to the mother and would affect the labor process.

As they pondered what the future held, the reality of the situation had started to sink in.

"Actually… I wasn't really want to play with Allen..." muttered Pascoe, breaking the silence.

"I actually want to play ring toss with mom..."

"I actually want to show my sword play with mom..."

"I actually want to show mom my archer accuracy..."

"I actually wanted to talk to mom about a lot of things..."

"But Allen said that I shouldn't worry her. Allen said that I would be a burden to mom and could make her die; that's why I endured it. I don't want to become a bad boy and kill mom

I refrained from playing with mom."

"Allen, is that true?" asked Rodion.

Allen was silent as he bowed his head. He didn't know what he did was a bad thing.

"But look now! Mom suddenly fell and is now unconscious! Is everything really okay?!"

"Take it easy, Pascoe; the doctor said she's still fine."

"I KNOW IT! The problem is, will mom really be able to survive once she gives birth?!"

No one could answer that; no one was really sure of that. They all still didn't know if Iva could give birth safely.

The bleeding this time might be normal, but it only proved how weak Iva's body was. That made it impossible for her to give birth safely.

"Aaa...aaah..." Iva suddenly woke up, opening her eyes.

"Wh-what happened? Are my baby save?" she asked.

Everyone immediately stood up and approached, except Rodion, who just sat in front of the fireplace and moved the charcoal.

"Mom!" Pascoe jumped to Iva and grasped her hand tightly.

"Are you okay?" asked Peter.

"How do you feel?" asked Susan.

"Do you need a drink?" asked Allen.

"Don't worry with your baby, they are fine," Rodion said.

"Thanks god," Iva murmured as she heard it from Rodion. Then, she shook her head and said,

"I'm fine. In fact, I feel very healthy right now."

"This must be the effect of the healing amnis. I hope it's not a temporary effect," said Rodion.

Pascoe hugged his mother's hand tightly, bowing his head as he sobbed. He couldn't help but feel a deep worry welling up inside him. His tears flowed a little as Iva gently stroked his head, trying to comfort him. Iva was surprised by her son's tears and couldn't help but wonder what was causing him such distress. "Pascoe, why are you crying? Mom is now healed," she said gently.

"Mom... this is enough, right? You've really recovered, right?"

"Yes, mom is already cured..."

Pascoe let go of his mother's hand and turned to face Rodion. Rodion lifted his head, and in front of him he could see Pascoe was crying, "Mr. Rodion, mom is already cured, that means starting tomorrow she won't be doing any exercise, right? Mom can already play with me all day outside, right?"

He knew what Pascoe was thinking, and dreaded the task of telling him the truth. If he lied now, it would only cause more heartache in the future.

"I'm sorry, Pascoe," he said, his voice heavy with regret. "The doctor said he would come and check on her for an hour a day. Then Iva should do light exercise without getting out of bed.

Your mom can't get out of her bed anymore."

"What the hell... So mom can't even move from the bed anymore?"

Iva tried to get off the bed and approached Pascoe. "Pascoe-"

"ENOUGH! LETS STOP ALL OF THIS!" shouted Pascoe, looking at his mother with water streaming down his face.

"MOM, Why?! Why did you have to get pregnant? Why did you have to give birth to a child?!"

"Pascoe!"

"I don't understand! Why did you have to give birth to them?! Why do you think pregnancy is good luck?! Giving birth to them will only kill you!"

"Don't worry Pascoe, I'll be fine."

"Lies! Lies! Lies! I know that mom could have died. How important are they to you? Those babies aren't even born yet! Are they more important than me?!"

"Pascoe is important to mom too, I love you very much Pascoe."

Pascoe rushed over to his mother, his heart pounding with emotion. Then, he spoke the words that had been simmering inside of him for a month, "IF YOU TRULY LOVE ME, THEN ABORT THEM!"

A sudden silence fell over the room as his words echoed in everyone's mind. Iva, was particularly taken aback, unable to believe that her son had just made such a request.

"Abort? Where did you hear such a thing?" she said it in shock and disbelief.

Allen immediately shut his mouth; there was a time when he asked Rodion about another way to save Iva. And that way was to abort the baby. Allen knew Pascoe was present behind them when he talked about that, but he didn't know that was something that Pascoe shouldn't have heard about.

Apparently, if the baby died, then Iva would be saved, and everything would go back to normal. But since that was definitely not what Iva wanted and not what Allen wanted, Allen didn't think about using that method at all.

"Just abort them! Just kill them! That way mom will be safe!"

-SLAP

Iva slapped Pascoe across the face.

And that slap, for Pascoe, was a slap that hurt many times more than his father's punch.