CHAPTER 87…………………………………
When Anais asked, Ivelina looked puzzled.
She didn’t know why Anais was asking such a question, but she thought carefully.
Come to think of it, her period hadn’t started even though it was past the expected date this time.
She had only assumed it was late due to stress.
“…Asking about my period all of a sudden?”
Ivelina opened her mouth slightly and looked at Anais.
“Ivelina, could it be…?”
“Congratulations, Your Grace. You’re pregnant.”
The room was filled with silence.
Karina, Arsen, Ivelina, and even Berry all froze, unable to say a word.
Ivelina was the first to regain her composure.
She held Anais’s hand and asked,
“Really… am I really pregnant?”
“Yes, Your Grace. Since you skipped this month’s period, it’s been about four weeks.”
The dazed expression on Ivelina’s face slowly turned into a smile.
Soon, she was beaming.
“So all the symptoms I’ve had until now… were because I was pregnant?”
“Yes. It seems you didn’t realize because morning sickness hasn’t started yet.”
Anais cautioned her to be very careful, saying it was still early, so she shouldn’t overexert herself. She also advised her to prepare mentally, as morning sickness would come soon.
“Then… when can we travel? I was planning a trip to the seaside.”
“Not at all right now. Around week 16, you’ll enter a stable period, so that would be the safe time. But you must not overdo it. Camping outside is absolutely forbidden as well.”
“I understand. Thank you for telling me.”
“I’ll be going now. Take care of yourself.”
Anais bowed and left the room.
Immediately, Karina smiled brightly and gently hugged Ivelina.
“Congratulations, dear. I was worried because you seemed low on energy lately, but you’re pregnant… It’s amazing that a child is growing in this tiny body.”
“I still can’t believe it,” Ivelina said, lowering her head to look at her still-flat stomach.
She cautiously placed her hand over it, and though it was unlikely, she almost felt the baby move.
But Arsen still hadn’t said a word.
Karina, noticing this, quietly suggested Ivelina rest and left the room, leaving only Ivelina and Arsen.
Hesitant, she finally called him softly.
“Arsen.”
“…….”
“Arsen?”
When there was no answer, Ivelina reached out and took his hand.
“Arsen.”
“……Ah.”
Finally, Arsen startled as if waking from a dream and looked at her.
Ivelina asked with a concerned expression,
“Are you okay? Does something hurt?”
“No, I’m fine.”
Arsen sat down beside her slowly, still looking dazed.
For some reason, his expression didn’t look good.
Ivelina’s heart sank.
A sudden, terrifying thought crossed her mind: what if Arsen wasn’t happy about the baby?
She was afraid to ask, worried about what he might say.
Still, she needed to know how he truly felt.
After a long pause, Ivelina finally spoke.
“Arsen, could it be… you’re not happy about the baby?”
“…What?”
“Please be honest.”
“……”
Arsen grabbed her hand firmly with a serious expression.
“Not at all.”
“…Really?”
“Really. My expression is like this… because I’m too surprised. I can’t believe there’s a child in your tiny body.”
He carefully placed his hand on her belly.
“It feels unreal. Our child… I never imagined this.”
“……”
“I’m so happy.”
Hearing his sincere yet calm words, Ivelina’s face gradually brightened.
She placed her hand over his.
Her heart was overflowing with emotion.
The news of Ivelina’s pregnancy spread throughout the mansion.
All the servants stopped by her room to offer congratulations.
With so many well-wishers, she couldn’t stop smiling.
Berry chattered,
“Do you hope it’s a girl, Your Grace, or a boy?”
“Hmm… I like either. Just having my child is happiness enough.”
Ivelina gently rubbed her stomach.
“Do you want to eat anything? Morning sickness will probably start soon, so you should eat plenty beforehand.”
“Hmm… I think I want salmon steak…”
“I’ll tell the kitchen right away!”
As soon as she said that, Berry hurriedly left the room.
Although the thought of morning sickness was a bit scary and worrisome, Ivelina wasn’t afraid—it was part of becoming a mother.
She only wished for the child to grow strong and healthy.
That evening, the table held the salmon steak she had wanted.
The savory aroma made her mouth water.
“You wanted salmon steak, right? Eat a lot, dear. Tell me if it’s not enough.”
“Yes, Mother.”
Ivelina smiled and responded.
Then, she casually glanced at Arsen, whose expression was tense.
He frowned, looking as if he couldn’t bring himself to eat.
Ivelina tilted her head and asked,
“Arsen, are you okay? You don’t look well.”
“I… I’m fine,” he replied with an awkward smile.
Ivelina frowned with concern.
“Is your stomach upset?”
“No, I’m fine. You go ahead and eat first.”
Although she picked up her knife, she kept glancing at him anxiously.
Eventually, Arsen slowly moved his hand to cut the salmon.
Just as he was about to take a bite, he gagged.
“Ugh!”
Ivelina and Karina were startled, eyes wide.
“Arsen? What’s wrong? Are you okay?”
“I’m f-fine, ugh!”
He covered his mouth with his hand.
Karina jumped up.
“Call Anais immediately!”
The maid bowed and quickly left the dining room.
Arsen furrowed his brow and turned his head sharply.
“Arsen, are you feeling unwell? Since when?”
“I… I should leave the dining room. The smell of the food makes me nauseous. I cannot stay.”
Arsen stood up abruptly.
He must have been struggling, because before Ivelina could stop him, he dashed out of the room.
Ivelina awkwardly raised her arm and looked at Karina.
Karina, deep in thought, gave a faint smile.
Ivelina asked with a worried expression,
“Why is Arsen like that? Is he really in pain?”
“Hmm… I have a guess, but Anais will explain it clearly. It probably isn’t serious.”
“Alright…”
Ivelina, still worried, got up.
Even though she hadn’t eaten a bite, she couldn’t ignore her concern for Arsen.
Outside, Arsen waited with a serious expression.
“Arsen.”
“Ivelina, why are you out already?”
“I’m worried about you. Are you feeling better now?”
“Not smelling the food helps.”
Ivelina carefully observed his expression.
He definitely looked more relaxed than before.
Soon, Karina also stepped out of the dining room.
Shortly after, the maid returned with Anais.
Clapping her hands, Karina said,
“Let’s not stand here. Let’s talk in the room.”
Following her suggestion, they headed inside.
Arsen sat on the bed while Anais began examining him.
“What symptoms did you have exactly?”
“Until recently, I was fine. But smelling the food made me nauseous and I gagged.”
“…The smell of food?”
“Yes.”
Anais asked with a puzzled expression.
“Is this the first time you’ve gagged today?”
“Yes. I was fine until lunch.”
“Hmm…”
Anais’s lips twitched slightly.
Karina’s did too.
Ivelina tilted her head, confused. Anais cleared her throat and said,
“It’s not a serious illness.”
“Really? That’s a relief…”
Ivelina sighed, relieved, her heart relaxing.
She had worried he was seriously ill earlier.
“So it’s just indigestion?”
“Not exactly.”
Anais shook her head at Arsen’s question.
Glancing at him cautiously, she said,
“It seems like morning sickness…”
At that, Karina couldn’t help but laugh.
“I never imagined this, but you’re experiencing morning sickness instead.”
Hearing “morning sickness,” Ivelina went blank.
Looking at Arsen, he had the same expression.
She asked again,
“A man can have morning sickness?”
“It happens sometimes. Some men experience it out of love for their wives, sharing the symptoms.”
Arsen asked seriously,
“Then Ivelina won’t have morning sickness?”
“Probably not. The Duke is experiencing it on her behalf.”
“That’s fortunate.”
Arsen nodded.
It was better for him to experience the hardship than for Ivelina to struggle while needing nutrition.
Ivelina, being pregnant, needed to eat well, so this was a good outcome.
“When does morning sickness usually stop?”
“Most stop around mid-pregnancy. Rarely, it lasts until delivery.”
Anais added as she packed her medical bag,
“Don’t force yourself to eat anything. It could be harmful. Eat what you feel like, but don’t eat too little either. Broth-based, soft stew without solids is best.”
“Got it.”
After Anais left, Karina said with a teasing smile,
“Your love for Ivelina is remarkable. Morning sickness will be tough, so you must be prepared.”
“It’s far better that I suffer than Ivelina,” Arsen said.
At this point, he didn’t think morning sickness was serious.
Skipping a few meals doesn’t kill anyone, after all.
But he would soon realize just how severe it could be.
