Just as a concubine who bore a son wielded more influence than a queen who bore only a princess, sons were treasured. Especially in the medieval era, where war was both duty and glory, family lines were snuffed out in the blink of an eye.
So many men died, in fact, that the custom arose of releasing captives in exchange for ransom.
Dying in battle couldn't be helped, but many nobles survived simply by paying ransoms. Personally, I preferred a daughter over a son, but I couldn't truly relax until a son was born first.
"We both dreamed of the wolf, so it's definitely a boy."
"It must be, right? That was no ordinary dream. I've never seen such a magnificent wolf."
"It was a most sacred and noble wolf. Surely a holy beast that dwells in the Lord's kingdom."
I comforted Hilda to lift her spirits.
