Chapter 90……………………………………….
Ivelina sat down and looked around the table.
Every dish was something she liked.
“How did you make all of this? There are so many different kinds…”
“I practiced for today,” Arsen replied.
He brought a large bottle of apple juice as his final touch. Normally it would have been wine, but since Ivelina was pregnant, it wasn’t an option. Instead, he prepared wine glasses for the occasion.
Arsen poured the juice into the glasses himself and then, a bit belatedly, sat beside her.
“Try some.”
“Mm… okay.”
Ivelina carefully picked up her fork and knife and cut into the steak.
The meat sliced easily, releasing its juices.
She cautiously took a bite.
The perfectly cooked steak melted in her mouth.
She barely even chewed before it went down smoothly.
Looking at Arsen, she said,
“It’s really delicious.”
“I’m glad.”
Arsen smiled faintly.
Earlier, when she took her first bite of steak, she seemed a bit tense, but the moment she said it was delicious, that tension disappeared completely.
Ivelina ate everything without any fuss. Not just the steak, but also the stew, salad, bread, and seafood dishes—she enjoyed it all.
Seeing her eat so well, Arsen and Karina both smiled contentedly.
“Here, try this too.”
Karina pushed a plate toward Ivelina.
Then, as if in friendly competition, Arsen pushed another plate toward her.
When Arsen and Karina’s eyes met, sparks seemed to fly.
Before Ivelina could even refuse, the two of them were taking turns pushing plates closer to her.
In no time, all the plates had moved within her reach.
She awkwardly smiled and pushed them back.
“I’m fine, so you eat first.”
Realizing they may have gone overboard, Karina cleared her throat and picked up her fork.
Arsen also resumed eating and asked Ivelina,
“What would you like to do tomorrow?”
“I want to try fishing. And cook the fish we catch myself.”
“Fishing, huh…? Conveniently, there’s a famous fishing spot not far from here.”
“Really?”
Ivelina’s face lit up. She had never fished before, and she wanted to try if she got the chance at a place like this.
“It will taste great grilled or steamed.”
“I’m really looking forward to it.”
As they chatted while eating, the meal soon came to an end.
When Ivelina put down her fork, Arsen jumped up as if waiting for the moment.
“Arsen? Where are you going?”
“The pies should be ready by now. I’ll go get them.”
Ivelina’s eyes went wide at the mention of pies. She hadn’t expected to have dessert here as well.
Watching Arsen head back inside, she asked Karina,
“Did you know Arsen could bake pies too?”
“Seems like it.”
Karina’s expression was somewhat reluctant.
A moment later, Arsen returned with the pies, steam rising from them as if freshly baked.
Curious, Ivelina asked,
“What kind of pie is it?”
“Apple pie.”
It looked incredibly appetizing, with a rich, sweet aroma.
Ivelina sniffed it instinctively.
“You can bake pies too?”
“I learned from the chef a few days ago,” Arsen replied with a faint smile.
He gently cut a slice and placed it on her plate with a pie server.
Ivelina carefully cut a piece.
The soft apples inside were sweet from being cooked in sugar.
“This is so delicious too!”
Even though she had eaten plenty earlier, she kept eating the pie.
Before long, she had eaten three slices right there.
Realizing she might have eaten too much, she put down her fork.
Arsen noticed and asked with a concerned expression,
“Ivelina, are you feeling unwell? Is your stomach upset?”
“No, it’s not that. I just think I ate too much,” she said with a sheepish smile.
Karina and Arsen immediately responded,
“Pregnant women need to eat plenty. It’s perfectly natural, so there’s no need to resist your cravings.”
“Exactly. With a baby in your belly, eating more than usual is completely normal. There’s no reason to feel embarrassed—you’re nourishing your child.”
Unable to resist their insistence, Ivelina took another slice of pie. Finally, she felt fully satisfied.
When she put down her fork with a contented expression, Karina smiled warmly.
“Are you satisfied now?”
“Yes, I’m really full now.”
Ivelina instinctively patted her swollen belly.
Suddenly, she felt a kick from inside.
Startled, she opened her eyes wide and froze.
Seeing her reaction, Arsen got up immediately, looking serious.
“Ivelina, what’s wrong? Are you in pain?”
“No, it’s not that…”
Before she could explain, she felt another kick.
Arsen quickly came to her side, and Karina rushed over as well.
Holding her breath, Ivelina whispered,
“I just felt the baby move.”
“The baby… moved?”
“Yes. The baby kicked my belly while moving.”
A warm smile spread across her face.
She placed Arsen’s hand on her belly.
A few seconds passed before the baby kicked again.
Feeling the movement firsthand, Arsen’s eyes widened in surprise.
Ivelina chuckled and said,
“I guess the baby is satisfied after all that delicious food. Anais said I might feel the baby move, but I didn’t expect it to be now.”
She turned to Karina.
“Mother, you should feel it too. It’s amazing.”
Hesitant, Karina gently placed her hand on Ivelina’s belly.
As if responding, the baby kicked again.
A warm smile appeared on Karina’s face as well.
“I’ve been pregnant too, but feeling the baby move is incredible. It’s a direct reminder that your child is alive.”
“I think so too. I was so surprised. I guess the baby knows Arsen prepared the food.”
Ivelina smiled happily.
“I’ll clear the dishes. You two should go rest.”
“But there are too many dishes to manage alone.”
“That’s fine. Go ahead and rest—I’ll clean everything quickly.”
Karina stood and said,
“Right, darling. A pregnant woman shouldn’t work. Leave it to Arsen and rest.”
Ultimately, Ivelina didn’t even touch the dishes and went inside.
She felt a little guilty for leaving all the work to Arsen.
Karina sat beside her and said,
“Don’t worry. Overexerting yourself could be dangerous.”
“Yes, Mother,” Ivelina nodded, understanding that Karina wasn’t trying to make her uncomfortable.
As she rubbed her belly, she suddenly said,
“Come to think of it, Anais said my belly is bigger than most pregnant women’s.”
“…Really?”
Karina made a peculiar expression.
“The baby must be growing healthily.”
“That could be, but… it might also be twins.”
“Twins?”
Startled by the unexpected comment, Ivelina’s eyes went wide.
“Yes. That’s what I thought when I noticed your belly is bigger than usual. You might need to prepare yourself.”
Ivelina stared at her full belly, still in shock. She wondered if the unusually active movements were because twins were kicking alternately.
“I’ll tell Arsen, so please keep it a secret.”
“Alright, I understand.”
Since Karina rarely spoke to Arsen anyway, it wouldn’t be difficult.
A short while later, after finishing the cleanup, Arsen approached Ivelina.
“How about we light a campfire tonight and watch the stars?”
“I’d love that! We can watch the stars and then go to bed.”
Karina slowly nodded in agreement.
As they chatted, darkness gradually fell.
Arsen went outside, expertly setting up a fire.
The flames quickly blazed bright red.
Ivelina, supported by Karina, stepped outside.
“Ivelina, sit here. This spot has the best view of the stars and is safe from sparks.”
It was a chair that leaned back slightly, perfect for stargazing.
Ivelina carefully sat and leaned back.
The plush chair made her body relax automatically.
She lifted her gaze to the sky.
Countless stars filled the night sky.
“So beautiful…”
She murmured softly without realizing it.
There were so many stars it felt as though they might pour down upon her.
She stared at the sky for a long time, lost in wonder.
The sound of insects, the crackling of the fire, and the distant waves made her heart feel calm.
Arsen and Karina didn’t disturb her until she had fully enjoyed the view.
Patting her belly, Ivelina whispered softly,
“My little one, do you see them too? The stars are beautiful. Let’s come here together again someday.”
As if answering her, the baby kicked.
Though her lower back ached slightly with each kick, it was a sign of a healthy baby, so she didn’t mind.
Then, she noticed a shooting star.
Ivelina pointed at it.
“Look! A shooting star!”
At first, a few streaked across the sky, then suddenly dozens fell in a shower.
Overwhelmed by the spectacle, Ivelina could only stare silently.
Arsen spoke with a laugh in his voice,
“They say if you make a wish on a shooting star, it comes true.”
“Really? I need to make a wish before they’re all gone.”
Ivelina closed her eyes and made a wish immediately.
“Please let the baby in my womb be born healthy, and may our family live happily without any trouble.”
She opened her eyes.
When she glanced to the side, she realized Arsen had been watching her all along.
A natural smile formed on her lips.
