Episode 102
Perhaps because he believed himself to be the father, the attending physician wasn’t particularly favorable towards Len.
“As I keep saying, the due date is not precise.”
Even though, in my view, being afraid of Ren is a natural human instinct.
Thinking that way, the physician is quite brave.
Of course, that’s probably why he participated in the charade of deceiving the Prince.
“The important thing is that the baby is fully grown and movements are decreasing. That’s because the space inside the womb is shrinking. You need to drink more water to increase the amniotic fluid.”
Since Ren said there was no magic to increase amniotic fluid, I had already been drinking water whenever possible.
The physician continued.
“Let’s summon the midwife and wet nurse. Even if labor starts now, the baby can come out. They’ve grown enough to be fine if born.”
According to the revised, earlier due date, the baby was expected to enter the world in just one week.
I gasped with tension, and Ren frowned and went outside.
‘Probably getting a call from the Imperial Castle.’
After Rurik’s ascension, I had specifically asked Ren to support him well.
Because of that, Ren could no longer delay Imperial communications like before and had to take them immediately.
“Get some light exercise as well. Then.”
Zita bowed.
After he left the room, Ren returned.
I thought he’d be annoyed, having received some bothersome request, but Ren’s face was unexpectedly bright.
“They say Lady Helena is coming.”
Like almost everyone else, Lendo had started using honorifics and tried to address her politely after learning Helena was the Saint.
“What? When?”
“His Majesty asked me to assist with her travel. Since it’s difficult right away, I suggested she use a gate to the Edessa Royal City. Once she arrives there, Erni will somehow escort her here.”
Ren seemed quite pleased.
‘Of course I’m happy Helena is coming, but I didn’t expect Len to be too…’
I looked at him curiously, and Ren laughed out loud.
“Why? Is it strange that I welcome her?”
“Uh, no. Not exactly that, but…”
Before I could find an excuse, Ren said,
“Didn’t she say she felt the baby’s energy just by holding your hand before?”
“Yes, she did.”
“The baby has grown a lot since then, so that ability will definitely be helpful. She might be able to tell if the baby is safe and comfortable. We should try to keep her here until the birth, if possible.”
There was no room for反驳, but it was the kind of talk that would sadden Rurik if he heard.
Ren, seeming anxious, fiddled with another communication device.
“I should tell Erni to get ready.”
Last week, Helena was officially recognized as the Empire’s only Saint.
I heard Rurik held a banquet to honor her contributions; I wonder what excuse she used to come see me at a time like this.
As I placed my hand on my swollen belly and stroked it, Phoebe offered me water.
“Can you drink, Your Highness?”
“Of course, Phoebe.”
I forced myself to swallow and drank a full glass.
Lately, the baby pressed so heavily on my organs that even drinking water made me feel bloated.
I got up and slowly walked out of the room, with Phoebe quickly following.
“Where are you going?”
“He said to exercise. Let’s take a slow walk by the lake.”
Ren gestured to the guards to follow quickly.
Lately, the guards had been completely ignoring my request to walk at a discreet distance to avoid attention.
‘Probably on Ren’s orders.’
So, I headed towards the lake with the guards trailing behind me like a string of candies.
Edessa Lake, welcoming spring, grew more beautiful each day.
Flowers that had paused during the short winter were bursting into bloom here and there, and along the lakeside where fresh sprouts grew verdantly, waterfowl quacked busily back and forth.
Perhaps because of this, Phoebe asked regretfully,
“You probably won’t be able to take walks for a while after the baby is born, right?”
“I suppose so…….”
I didn’t know the postnatal customs here, so I could only be vague.
‘I heard that even in my previous life, postpartum confinement was an Eastern culture.’
Phoebe quickly clapped her hands and changed the subject.
“No! Once you give birth, Lord Ren will make you perfectly healthy in no time! Then of course you’ll be able to take walks!”
I laughed and said,
“Yes, I hope so.”
But since the future is always unknown, my steps gradually slowed.
‘Of course, it’s also because my belly is heavy.’
While walking along the lakeside like that, I turned around and saw a group of people standing at the entrance of the path we had taken.
Even from a distance, they didn’t look like locals.
“Are they knights?”
Just as Phoebe asked, squinting at them, someone from the group suddenly started walking quickly towards us.
The man’s steps grew more hurried as he got closer.
A black cloak fluttered behind him, and his bright silver hair shimmered under the clear sunlight.
“…Carl.”
Now he was running towards me.
It took no time at all for the dot-like figure in the distance to transform into Callisteon before my eyes.
Yet, my own steps seemed to have quickened too.
“Lou.”
Finally, at a distance where his voice was audible, he called my name.
Callisteon, with remarkable restraint, knelt respectfully on one knee even when I was right there.
“It’s been a long time, Your Highness the Princess.”
With a choked feeling, I waited for him to kiss the back of my hand and rise again.
But the moment he stood, I reached out my arms, pulled him by the neck, and hugged him.
“Carl.”
Of course, my swollen belly prevented us from getting as close as before.
Callisteon’s laughter spread by my ear.
“Seeing you welcome me like this makes the run from over there worthwhile.”
It was fully spring now, but he still carried the scent of winter.
Unable to control my flustered heart, I looked up at him and asked,
“How did you get here without any notice?”
” ‘How’? Do I need to notify you before I come to see you?”
Though he said that, affection and longing dripped from his eyes as he looked at me.
As if he couldn’t bear it any longer, Callisteon gently kissed my earlobe.
“Our castle’s head maid said there’s no rule that a baby must arrive exactly on its due date. I heard the doctor moved up the due date right after I arrived, and I thought, ‘See, I was right to come.'”
Hearing his voice face-to-face, the longing I had suppressed came pouring out.
Avoiding his gaze out of shyness, I whispered my pent-up feelings.
“I missed you… so much, Carl.”
I felt him stiffen.
I hesitated, wondering if I should look up at him again, when a gloved hand gently cupped my cheek.
He lifted it slightly, making our eyes meet again.
Callisteon murmured lowly,
“Was I the only one?”
He had an unfamiliar, thirsty look in his eyes.
I froze, suddenly scared.
I couldn’t even check who was around.
Slowly, bit by bit, but clearly, he was getting closer.
His shadow fell over my field of vision.
‘Ah, whatever.’
The moment I tightly closed my eyes, cool lips brushed past like a fleeting wind.
I kept my eyes closed for a while, but that was all.
When I slowly opened them again, I met the blue gaze that was almost touching me.
Perhaps because he was standing against the light, his sapphire irises were slightly darker than usual.
Not giving an inch, he asked in an amused voice,
“And you still say you can’t choose?”
The old affection I had stubbornly suppressed poured out like a heavy shower.
I couldn’t move.
I just tightened my arms around his neck and closed my eyes again.
Callisteon didn’t even chastise me for trying to substitute that for an answer.
Without demanding a clearer response from me, he simply pressed his lips to mine again.
The cool breath seeped into me, soon becoming hot and wet.
I’m sorry, Louise, but I have made my choice.
I hadn’t seen when or where Phoebe ran off to, but when I came to my senses, no one was around.
We walked hand in hand for a short while.
When a low hill appeared, Callisteon sat on the grass and patted his thigh.
“Come sit here.”
I thought it would be difficult with this heavy belly, but as he pulled me swiftly, I was instantly trapped in his embrace.
A flurry of small kisses rained on one cheek and my forehead.
Callisteon seemed to want to pour out all the kisses he had missed, but I had something I needed to say.
“You know, Carl.”
“Hmm…….”
He answered absently, busy rubbing his lips against my forehead even then.
Not knowing what to do, I spoke again.
“What if, just what if…….”
But the words wouldn’t come out easily; my voice just hesitated and refused to continue.
Then Callisteon finally stopped kissing me and chuckled softly.
He looked straight at me and asked,
” ‘What if our Freege isn’t my child?'”
