CHAPTER 89……………………………………
Ivelina woke up early in the morning.
Beside her, Arsen was sleeping with his eyes closed.
She wriggled slightly, turning her body to stare at his face.
The cheeks that had grown hollow from morning sickness had thankfully filled out a little again.
Thinking about the nausea made her laugh softly.
Perhaps sensing her gaze, Arsen’s eyelids twitched, and he slowly opened his eyes.
The moment he saw Ivelina, he smiled warmly.
“Did you sleep well?”
“Yes. Did you sleep well too, Arsen?”
“Of course.”
As soon as he woke, Arsen naturally leaned in and pressed a brief kiss to her lips—an unconscious habit of his.
Ivelina held her belly and slowly sat up.
For some reason, it felt as though her stomach had grown even rounder than yesterday.
“Ah, His Majesty will be sending a gift soon.”
“A gift?”
“Yes. When I told him you were expecting, he said he would send baby clothes.”
“Then I should write a letter to thank His Majesty once we receive them.”
Ivelina chuckled as she climbed out of bed.
Ever since she became pregnant, she had been bathing in the bathroom attached to the couple’s bedroom.
Normally, she would have used the one in her own room, but Arsen insisted she should be as comfortable as possible.
“I’ll come get you later,” he said.
“Alright.”
Arsen left the room to prepare, and not long after, Berry entered.
“Did you sleep well, Duchess?”
“Yes. Did you sleep well too, Berry?”
“Yes! Please wait just a moment while I fill the tub.”
Listening to the sound of water, Ivelina unconsciously kept stroking her belly.
The roundness still felt unfamiliar, almost awkward.
Pregnancy had slowed her movements, and she had to be extra careful, so even washing took twice as long as usual.
Her dress was no longer one that tightened at the waist, but a straight-cut gown.
Her swollen belly was clearly visible beneath it.
“Are you uncomfortable at all?” Berry asked.
“No, I’m fine.”
Since there was a risk of falling, high heels were absolutely forbidden.
She wore flat shoes instead, adjusting her clothes when a knock sounded.
“Ivelina, it’s me.”
It was Arsen, coming to escort her after finishing his preparations.
She hurriedly put on her hat.
“I’m almost done. Please wait a moment.”
“Understood.”
Berry tied a cute ribbon beneath her chin to finish.
Ivelina stood before the mirror, looking herself over.
“How is it?”
“You look so beautiful. Please be careful out there!”
“Okay. I’ll be back.”
When she opened the door, Arsen stood there motionless like a sculpture.
His cold expression melted the moment he saw her.
“Shall we go now?”
“Yes.”
Arsen offered his arm, and Ivelina quickly linked hers through it.
With his support, she carefully descended the stairs.
Today’s carriage was the largest one owned by the grand ducal house.
The cushions were incredibly soft—so much so that she could barely feel any shaking at all.
Karina was waiting in front of the carriage.
She had been gazing into the distance, but slowly turned her head when she heard footsteps.
“You’re here?”
Karina smiled gently.
Noel opened the carriage door.
Karina boarded first, then Ivelina followed.
“Sit comfortably. If you feel uncomfortable, you may even lie down.”
“Yes, Mother.”
Ivelina pressed her palm lightly against the cushion.
She knew it was soft, but it was even more plush than she expected.
With cushioning like this, any road would feel smooth.
Since they weren’t bringing any servants along, Arsen sat at the driver’s seat himself.
Outside, the servants had come out to see them off.
Ivelina cracked the window open slightly and waved softly.
Her chest swelled with excitement.
The seaside villa was not far away.
Ivelina, who had been dozing against Karina’s shoulder, slowly opened her eyes.
A gentle voice reached her ears.
“Awake? We’ve arrived.”
At those words, Ivelina quickly looked out the window.
Beyond it, a vast ocean stretched endlessly.
Sunlight reflected off the waves, making the sea sparkle brilliantly.
“Wow…”
Ivelina pressed herself against the window, letting out a breath of awe.
It felt different from the sea she had seen in the Kingdom of Astina.
Soon, the carriage came to a slow stop.
Arsen jumped down from the driver’s seat.
He opened the door and helped Ivelina step down.
Once outside, she looked around.
Not far away, she could see the white sand beach and the ocean beyond.
Her face lit up as she asked,
“May I go to the sea for a moment?”
“Of course. I’ll organize the luggage, so go with Mother.”
“Yes!”
Normally, she would have stayed behind to help.
But right now, she wanted nothing more than to dip her feet into the sea.
“My dear, walk slowly. You might fall,” Karina warned.
“Yes, Mother.”
Ivelina slowed her pace.
When they reached the beach, she removed her shoes and carefully stepped onto the sand.
The fine grains slipped between her toes with a soft whisper.
The sensation tickled, and she giggled.
Karina followed closely behind, watching over her.
As Ivelina wandered along the shore, she drew closer to the water.
The waves brushed against her feet before retreating again and again.
After hesitating, she stepped forward.
Clear seawater soaked her feet.
“It’s warm…”
she murmured blankly.
She had expected it to be cold, but it wasn’t.
Karina, now beside her, spoke.
“This sea is famous for being warm all year round. That’s why we built the villa here.”
“Even in winter?”
“Yes. If we have the chance, we should come in winter too. The water never freezes.”
Ivelina’s eyes sparkled.
Next time, she would probably come with the child she would soon give birth to.
For a long while, she simply enjoyed the gentle tide.
Eventually, realizing how much time had passed, she turned to Karina with an apologetic expression.
“So much time has passed… I’m sorry, Mother.”
“It’s fine. If you’re happy, that’s enough.”
Karina chuckled and held out her hand.
Ivelina carefully took it.
Karina held firmly so she wouldn’t fall.
When they returned to the villa, Arsen had already neatly finished organizing the luggage.
“You’re back. How was the sea?”
“The water wasn’t cold at all—it was warm. Mother said it stays warm all year?”
“That’s right. The night sea is beautiful as well. How about we go out together tonight?”
“I’d love that.”
Since they were traveling, the pantry had already been stocked full of ingredients the day before.
There was no need to worry about what to cook.
“Sit and rest. I’ll call you when the meal is ready.”
“But I want to help…”
“It’s alright.”
Arsen refused to let Ivelina enter the kitchen at all.
Truthfully, she was a little worried.
Surely Arsen had never cooked before.
Perhaps sensing her concern, Karina smiled.
“Don’t worry, dear. Even if he doesn’t look it, he can manage more than enough.”
“Has Arsen cooked before?”
“He once learned a little as a hobby… I think.”
Karina searched through her memories.
(It was probably the day after Arsen skipped class and went out.)
He suddenly announced that he wanted to learn cooking, leaving Jonas and Karina stunned.
“Brother… what did you say?”
“I said I want to learn cooking.”
“…Cooking? All of a sudden?”
What use would a royal have for cooking?
Neither Jonas nor Karina could understand.
“Why?”
“Because I need to be good at everything for her to look kindly on me.”
“Who?”
“That’s none of your concern.”
Jonas thought Arsen was joking.
A royal learning cooking was unthinkable.
Jonas shrugged and patted Arsen’s shoulder.
“If you’re doing it, at least learn properly.”
After Jonas left, Karina spoke with an uneasy expression.
“Are you truly going to learn?”
“Of course.”
“…Because of that fairy?”
“Yes.”
Arsen nodded without hesitation.
Karina was so shocked she couldn’t hide it.
Even with his brutal schedule, Arsen added cooking lessons.
After that, he visited the chef regularly.
Jonas assumed he would quit after a day or two.
Arsen always cut away anything he found useless—servants, teachers, anything.
But he didn’t stop.
A few months later, he had mastered most dishes.
“…It’s delicious.”
Jonas murmured blankly after tasting Arsen’s steak.
At this point, it was hard to imagine what Arsen couldn’t do.
Arsen smiled in satisfaction.
‘This should be useful to her someday.’
He didn’t know when, but he was certain the day would come.
‘And that day is today.’
Arsen gripped the knife skillfully.
After that, everything flowed smoothly.
Even though it had been a while, cooking felt as familiar as if he had done it yesterday.
Soon, a savory aroma filled Ivelina’s nose.
Karina looked outside.
The sunset sky was breathtaking.
“The weather is so nice… shall we eat outside?”
“Yes. The sky is so beautiful.”
A table and chairs had already been prepared outside, so there was no extra effort needed.
Ivelina tried to help Arsen carry the dishes, but he acted as though disaster would strike if she did, so she gave up.
Soon, a delicious meal was laid out on the table.
