CFCF 104

Episode 104

Len arrived immediately, and the moment he placed his hand on my stomach, the pain subsided.

“It’s okay. I’m here.”

Len held my panting cheeks and made me look at him. His deep purple eyes were calm even at this moment. He grabbed my trembling, fearful hand and spoke to Phoebe.

“Call the physician, Phoebe.”

Then he continued to reassure me.

“Look at me. Who am I?”

I whispered once more the identity he had always claimed.

“…The Imperial Magic Tower Lord.”
“That’s right, the Imperial Magic Tower Lord.”

Len held my hand tighter and smiled brightly.

“I am in this position solely for you, and I will protect you with everything I have, no matter what.”

The reason Ren, who neither particularly respected nor envied the Imperial Family, took on the burdensome role of Tower Lord at a young age.

‘In the end, it was for Louise.’

I had suspected, but it was the first time Ren had said it so directly.

Before I knew it, Phoebe, who had gone to fetch the physician, returned. The physician appeared with a midwife, and after examining me in turn, they said.

“It seems your water has broken. You need to give birth right away.”

I was worried if it was okay for the water to break first during childbirth, but Len asked for me.

“Is that alright?”

Fortunately, the midwife nodded.

“For now, yes. Did the Tower Lord lessen the Madam’s pain just now?”
“Yes.”

Then the midwife hesitated slightly before asking.

“Does that mean you will remain in this room…? It’s rare for the husband to stay in the delivery room, even if he is one…”

The midwife seemed to assume Ren, holding my hand, was naturally my husband. Now that I thought about it, Callisteon or Ernst might find it unfair for Ren to be the only man staying in the room.

Ren asked me.

“Is it alright, Ru? I can maintain the magic from outside the room too. But if you’re scared, I’ll stay by your side.”

While I was pondering, Phoebe approached and said.

“I’ll be here, Lord Ren. If help is needed, I will come fetch you quickly.”

From Phoebe’s perspective, she probably couldn’t allow an unmarried princess to have a man stay in the delivery room.

Len attached a sparkling magic stone to my bedside and said.

“I’ll be nearby. You can call me even in the smallest voice. If you call, I’ll come right away.”

It seemed he would use the magic stone to amplify sound.

‘I can’t even scream freely.’

Though I thought that, I nodded.

“Yes, alright.”

The physician was the first to leave. Just as Ren was about to step out, a knock was heard, and Helena peeked her head through the door crack.

“If it’s alright, may I stay as well?”

Ren nodded gladly.

“Please come here. Can you see the baby’s condition?”

Helena approached, placed her palm on my stomach, and closed her eyes. An eternity-like moment passed, and her emerald eyes opened again.

“The baby is fine. Full of energy.”

As the midwife hesitated, unsure of what was happening, Helena smiled and greeted her.

“I am Sister Helena Garnier from the Caesarea Abbey. Please take good care of… our baby.”

The midwife gasped in surprise, clasping her hands and bowing.

“P-perhaps… are you the Saint people have been talking about lately…?”

Helena seemed startled that the woman knew of her, but she couldn’t bring herself to deny it and simply smiled. The midwife’s eyes widened, and she almost panted.

“W-what an honor, Saint. It seems I am attending a very important birth.”

Len, relieved by Helena’s appearance, left the room. Now, only women remained inside. The midwife looked at our faces alternately and swallowed a nervous breath. But then, as if nothing had happened, she spoke cheerfully.

“Well now, all the nuisances are gone. Shall we get to our work?”

Before I knew it, dawn was breaking.

“One, two, three, hoo! Breathe, Madam!”

The midwife’s voice, heard dozens of times, buzzed in my ears. Then Phoebe, who was assisting the midwife, sniffled.

“I can see the hair, Your Highness. It’s a light color.”

Phoebe had slipped and called me ‘Your Highness,’ but frankly, in that moment, I didn’t have the presence of mind to think that was wrong. Probably none of us did. Finally thinking I could meet the baby, my heart swelled and I shed tears.

“You heard, Madam? We’re almost there. You’re going to meet your baby now. Understand?”

The midwife urged me on again.

“This is the last one! One, two, three!”

Perhaps because Ren had dulled all my senses, my body felt heavy and my mind hazy. For a moment, everything went quiet, and I worried something terrible had happened. Then, a cry erupted.

“Waaah! Waaah Waaah!”

Soon, Phoebe came close to me and dropped to her knees.

“It’s a girl, Your Highness. She’s so beautiful.”

A newborn baby couldn’t possibly be beautiful. But even Helena agreed, her eyes reddening.

“Her skin is like a pearl, and her hair is pink. Oh my, anyone can see she’s Your Highness’s baby. She’s so beautiful.”

Good heavens…

‘Now that I think about it, didn’t they just call me “Your Highness” two, three times in a row?’

The midwife wrapped the baby in a swaddle, cradled her, and brought her over.

“I don’t know who you are, Madam, and I will not know in the future either.”

The midwife smiled meaningfully.

“But this baby is the prettiest and healthiest I’ve ever held. Congratulations, Your Highness.”

Feeling stunned, I laughed hollowly and held up my arms to hold the child. The moment our eyes met, I understood the meaning of love at first sight.

‘No, well, the baby can’t even open her eyes yet.’

The midwife continued explaining.

“She has all ten fingers and ten toes. She’s plump and quite tall. Shall I help you try breastfeeding?”

I nodded, sniffling.

“Hello, Frilis.”

Frilly nuzzled into my embrace, searching for milk.

‘To be honest, I had hoped she would be born with silver hair and blue eyes, to add legitimacy to my choices…’

But the moment I saw the pink hair, how could I express the overwhelming joy that washed over me like a wave?

‘She looks like me.’

Phoebe hurried outside to deliver the happy news, but I forgot to breathe, only looking at Frilly. Watching the tiny baby clinging to me, striving to live, brought a flood of tears. Belatedly, I prayed to Louise.

‘I’m sorry. And thank you.’

I’ll do well, truly.
I’ll become a really good mother.
I’ll love her enough for your share too.

The first clumsy feeding ended, and as I straightened my disheveled clothes, the hectic room tidying was also finished. Outside the window, morning had fully broken. The first to enter the room was, of course, Ren.

“Are you okay? Your complexion is so…”

He placed a trembling hand on my forehead. A cool yet cozy sensation seeped from my forehead and soon swept through my entire body. Even though he had lessened the pain, I must have been exhausted from the labor. My heavy body finally regained vitality, and my limbs began to feel like my own again.

“…How are you feeling?”

Ren asked worriedly. His deep purple eyes were affectionate. I looked up at him and smiled.

“Much better. Thank you. I might not have made it without you.”

He looked at me with a pitying gaze and gently brushed my cheek.

“Don’t say that, Ru. You would have made it even without me. But…”

Len softly kissed my forehead and said.

“I’m glad I could help by your side. I’m so relieved you’re okay.”

Just then, a knock was heard.

—Knock knock.

It was Callisteon and Ernst. Now that I looked, everyone, including Ren, looked haggard. These men, who always shone brilliantly no matter where they were, all looked exhausted and weary today. It was a natural result, as they must have all spent the night pacing the corridor, burning with anxiety. The two, seemingly oblivious to their own state, spoke almost simultaneously.