CFCF 103

Episode 103

Struck right in the heart of the matter, I could only inhale silently.
He kissed my earlobe, then placed a hand on my belly.
His lips stayed by my ear as he whispered,

“Are you still trying to test me? But even if you ask a hundred more times with those cute lips, the baby inside you is mine. How could it be otherwise?”

Of course, now that I’ve chosen him, I want that to be true more than anyone, but I needed a promise beyond that.
As if knowing even that, Callisteon continued,

“Even if the child has blond hair or purple eyes, it’s my child.”

The wave of relief that washed over me the moment I heard that…
I hated my own cowardice, but he added lightly, as if it were nothing,

“My grandmother had blond hair. And my uncle by marriage has violet eyes.”

…But an uncle by marriage isn’t a blood relation, right?
But Callisteon insisted boldly,

“If the baby’s eyes are green, I’ll secretly find a green-eyed relative. Will that put you at ease?”

It was an absurd thing to say, but only after hearing it could I completely relax and lean comfortably against him.
Callisteon laughed softly.

“Don’t worry about anything. Just come to me, like I clearly told you before.”

Freege inside my belly seemed reassured too, squirming and moving.
He, who still had his palm on my belly, smiled brightly.

“Hello, little one. The day we meet isn’t far off now.”

I placed my palm over the back of Callisteon’s hand.
The baby’s vigorous movements and the man’s tender warmth, promising to hide all my flaws, spread from my palm throughout my entire body.
‘I like you, Carl.’
Because of my guilt towards Louise, I swallowed those words instead of speaking them.
Callisteon’s lips, which had moved from my earlobe to my cheek, and from my cheek to my chin, finally covered my lips again.
So, instead of confessing that I liked him, I kissed him.
Judging by how fervently he wrapped his arms around my waist, perhaps my feelings had gotten through to him a little.
It was around the time the sky turned red that we finally left the lakesidee and headed for the hotel.

“Your Highness…! Your Grace!”

Phoebe was waiting for us at the path leading from the lakeside, along with the Royal Guard and the Babenberg knights.
I blushed slightly, unsure how much of our amorous display she had witnessed, but Phoebe spoke cheerfully as if she knew nothing.

“His Royal Highness the Crown Prince will be bringing the Saint soon, and then everyone will be gathered! With everyone waiting together like this, the baby will surely come out quickly!”

Callisteon also nodded calmly towards Phoebe.

“I heard you’ve been losing sleep and working hard. You’ve done well. I sent a gift to your family; please don’t decline it.”

“Oh my, decline? Why would I?”

Phoebe giggled and bowed her head.

“I don’t know what it is, but thank you, Your Grace.”

Then she dashed off to the hotel ahead of us.
Truly, she’s a maid with impeccable tact.

The next day, as Phoebe had said, Ernst brought Helena.

“Your Highness!”

“Helena!”

We happily clasped each other’s hands.
We hugged too, but as with anyone these days, it felt distant.

“Goodness, your belly is so prominent! The baby must be very big!”

As Helena exclaimed in surprise, Ernst quietly knelt on one knee beside her.

“Truly…….”

Then he reached a hand out towards me.

“Your belly has grown. You must have had trouble sleeping. Poor Ru.”

I reached my hand out to him, and a slow kiss landed on its back.

“Long time no see, Erni. Have you been well?”

“Why such hurtful words?”

Ernst said playfully as he stood up.
He looked straight down at me and said,

“I can’t get through a single day well without you. You know that.”

Ticklish kisses landed on both my cheeks.
I forced a smile, avoiding the fierce gaze of Callisteon, who was watching us.
With everyone gathered for my childbirth, it was difficult to suddenly announce that I had chosen Callisteon.
‘Even if I say I chose Cal, I’m not sure they would easily step aside.’
Because even if my heart stays with Callisteon, it doesn’t prove he’s the father.
As seen in the letter I found on the first day of my possession, Lendo definitely spent a night with Louise too.
Perhaps it’s the same with Ernst, so they could keep insisting they are the father.
‘Please, let the baby be born with blue eyes…’
I had to fervently wish that I wouldn’t have to say harsh words to either of them.
Then I took Helena’s hand again.

“Oh, Helena. Can you still feel the baby when you hold my hand like this?”

It was a question everyone was curious about.
Helena answered brightly,

“Of course, Your Highness! I feel it much more strongly than before. The baby must be very healthy.”

A calm smile spread across everyone’s faces, who had been waiting for that answer.

“But what brings you here so suddenly?”

“What do you mean, ‘what brings me’!”

Helena sounded slightly hurt.

“The due date is so soon, how could I possibly bear the curiosity? And Your Highness must have been curious about the news from the Imperial Castle too!”

“That’s true. How is my brother?”

“He’s incredibly busy. His Majesty wanted to come too, but fortunately, he couldn’t move recklessly due to the watchful eyes of neighboring countries.”

“Oh my, thank goodness.”

Helena looked at me pretending exaggerated relief and giggled.

“But you will tell His Majesty once the baby is born, right?”

I sighed apologetically at that question.

“Is it difficult for you in the middle? I really want to tell him too, but…….”

At that point, everyone, sensing the mood, made way for us.
Only after the door was firmly closed did Helena speak cautiously.

“He will forgive—no, understand. Of course he will. In fact, when he sees the baby, he’ll probably be happier than anyone, don’t you think?”

That was my plan, for now.
I nodded, filled with hope, then asked as if I had just thought of it.

“Oh, what about the marriage? Isn’t my brother urging you?”

“We’ve postponed it a bit for now, as I have much to learn. And above all…….”

Helena beamed at me.

“I don’t want to get married when Your Highness cannot attend.”

We burst out laughing simultaneously, and the baby inside me stirred noisily.

“The baby is moving.”

Helena carefully felt around my belly, then placed her palm on one spot and closed her eyes.
I quietly watched as a smile spread across her lips.
Finally, Helena opened her eyes and said,

“They seem to be in a good mood. I feel a bright energy.”

“Really? That’s wonderful, just wonderful.”

Helena was nothing less than a symbol of luck for me.
She was the female protagonist I created by picking all the traits I liked, and also the grateful benefactor who healed my brother.
I was truly happy and thankful that she had come as my childbirth approached.

Callisteon endured the reality of Ernst and Ren both staying by my side better than expected.
Perhaps due to the tension of the approaching birth, he didn’t growl or bicker with Len.
‘I have to tell everyone… that my choice is Callisteon.’
Of course, even if Ren learns of my choice, he wouldn’t just abandon me at full term and return to the Magic Tower.
After all, he is so convinced he’s the father and has long positioned himself as my protector.
But now, at this moment when everyone is anxiously waiting for the baby, I couldn’t create chaos with such a decisive statement.
Someone might get angry, and if caught in such a situation, the baby inside me could be in danger.
It’s not that I don’t feel sorry towards Len and Ernst, but right now, the baby had to come first above all else.
‘Let’s wait just a few more days until I meet the baby, then tell them both everything and apologize.’
Excluding that burden on my heart, the days at the hotel with everyone gathered were more enjoyable than I had thought.
However, the signs of labor appeared much sooner than expected.
On the fourth night, the moment I lay down in bed, a tearing pain assaulted me, and something like a pop sound came from my belly.