Chapter 14 : Ready to Be a Mom?

Nothing was going smoothly these days.

A sudden summons and private meeting with Lord Whale, followed by a spontaneous decision to allow Bersia to join the training—Usher’s day was, quite frankly, a disaster.

He never imagined Bersia would grasp his weak point.

As a result, Usher was thoroughly subjected to Bersia’s infuriated harassment.

– Though he’s still baffled as to why he must atone for his sins through harassment.

Either way, that was how the day passed.

He fell asleep without even knowing how, and when he woke up the next day, he felt completely drained.

It was the first time since joining the Order that even the morning sun didn’t lift his spirits.

With a deep sigh, he burrowed into the blanket, clutching an extra pillow tightly and trembling slightly.

The thought of facing more harassment today made him shiver with embarrassment.

‘I don’t want to get up…!’

Maybe because of his mood, his body even felt a bit sore.

He felt back pain and a languid fatigue that sapped his energy.

Was his mind’s anguish causing physical symptoms?

Caught in his lethargy, he sighed heavily.

“Lady Saint, you must wake up!”

Whoosh!

Darlin, no longer bothering to consider his feelings, yanked the blanket away.

Usher groaned, lifting his head with a moan.

He shot a look of resentment, but Darlin only smiled brightly and made an announcement.

“It’s time for you to wash up! The sun is already up!”

‘…I don’t feel well.’

“That’s precisely when you need to move around more!”

Darlin slid her hands under Usher’s armpits and lifted him with a whoosh!

Usher’s toes left the ground.

Seeing her like this, he noticed for the first time how tall Darlin was. Maybe he hadn’t noticed because her face was so round.

Or perhaps, just maybe, Bersia was short in comparison. If he recalled correctly, his original body was about a head and a half taller than Bersia’s.

‘…This is making me feel even worse.’

Why was he feeling like this today?

Thinking about how he lost his tall frame suddenly made him feel sorrowful.

Ironically, despite all this, he felt hungry.

His stomach growled loudly.

Darlin bathed him as he drooped limply.

After changing clothes, he sat in front of the mirror as she gently brushed his hair.

At least this part was okay. He enjoyed it with half-closed eyes.

Then, he took a bite of the sandwich Darlin had prepared and chewed slowly.

But, of course, that good mood didn’t last.

It was because of what Darlin said next.

“Did you know? Lately, there’s been a lot of talk about Lord Trevion.”

“Hmm?”

“They say he’s been exuding a wild charm lately, and everyone mentions it in conversations!”

Thump!

An arrow struck Usher’s heart!

The wound Lord Whale had patched up was ripped open, doubling the impact!

“Some even say that the bad-boy vibe makes him really appealing!”

“…!”

– Triple damage!

“They say their hearts skip a beat when he walks by with that lazy gaze!”

No, quadruple! Maybe even more!

Usher’s face twisted in irritation.

His shoulders trembled.

From Darlin’s perspective, she probably just wanted to express pride that their protector was gaining recognition, but the effect only emphasized Usher’s loss of masculinity.

Seeing Usher’s reaction, Darlin wondered, ‘Is she jealous?’ Her eyes sparkled at the thought.

Usher was unaware that his recent expressive reactions had endeared him to Darlin.

“Hehe…!”

With that, Darlin’s morning service ended.

She left to wash the blankets, and shortly after, Bersia appeared.

“Good morning.”

“Guh…!”

“Oh, muscle pain? Guess it’s not such a good morning.”

Her crooked smile was brimming with mischief.

Usher glared up at Bersia.

Internally, he shouted.

‘Wild charm equals masculinity? I refuse to accept that!’

Look at her—her hair wasn’t even neatly groomed, her eyes held nothing but malice, and her posture was just plain sloppy.

She was far from the dependable male figure he imagined.

Usher took an aggressive bite of his half-finished sandwich on purpose.

He glared at Bersia in a silent standoff, causing her to tilt her head in curiosity.

And then she said:

“Why are you so on edge this morning? Is it that time of the month?”

Plop.

Usher dropped the sandwich.

He looked up at Bersia with a blank expression.

His face began to fill with growing disdain.

Eventually, Usher spoke.

“…Saintess, no matter what, you shouldn’t say things like that.”

“Excuse me?”

“That’s not teasing; it’s harassment! And it’s an awful lack of respect toward others! To say something like that just because I don’t look well—it’s no better than a third-rate thug on the streets!”

Usher jumped to his feet.

Yes! Just because she’s a woman doesn’t mean she can say whatever she wants!

Especially on a topic like this, some restraint is necessary!

With a stern look on his face, he felt it was high time for a serious reprimand.

“Things like that should be…!”

But his words didn’t continue.

“…No, I was actually asking genuinely? It’s about that time.”

“?”

“Aren’t we at the end of the month? By this week….”

Bersia propped her chin on her hand, rolling her eyes as if trying to recall something.

Usher’s expression froze.

No, his mind froze.

“Isn’t your back aching? Or maybe your chest feels sore?”

His mouth fell open, gaping.

“Maybe you crave things you don’t usually want to eat.”

What in the world was she talking about?

“Feeling cranky, don’t want to get up…?”

The life drained from Usher’s eyes.

Could it be, could it really be…

He was thinking hard.

“…Ah.”

Bersia seemed to realize something, smirking slyly.

Her eyes formed a gentle curve as she made her declaration.

“Congratulations on your first period.”

“AAAAAH!!!”

“Wow, that’s a real girl scream.”

Usher was engulfed in terror…!

Usher Trevion, the pride of the Order.

A man who enjoys swordsmanship and good deeds dreams of being a knight of the righteous Lord, starts his day with a light jog and a bath, and feels most fulfilled during evening prayers.

He was the epitome of diligence and sincerity, and he had never, ever imagined—

—that he’d have to prepare to become a mother.

He couldn’t even muster a retort to Bersia’s statement, which showed just how deeply shaken he was.

Usher stared blankly out the window, his gaze unfocused.

His body slumped, half-draped over the chair.

Trying to snap him out of it, Bersia attempted conversation.

“So what? Having a period doesn’t kill you. I’m saying this from experience.”

“……”

“If you want, I could even try having a wet dream? Though I’m not sure if it’d work as planned.”

“……”

It was useless.

Nothing Bersia said seemed to reach Usher.

Did Bersia feel a sudden sense of challenge?

She glanced him up and down, then smiled and spoke.

“Want me to teach you how not to have one?”

“Is there really a way?”

Usher shot up from his seat.

A desperate glint appeared in his eyes.

With those words, it felt as if his scattered mind had finally returned, and the room’s atmosphere grew somewhat hopeful.

Seeing Usher’s eager response, Bersia’s smile grew even brighter as she replied.

“Not to stop it completely. But you can delay it.”

“Oh, ohhh!!!”

“For about nine months or so?”

“…Oh?”

Time to Comprehend: Just 3 Seconds

Usher blinked, then let out a scream.

“Ahhhhhh!!!”

He collapsed to his knees, his eyes welling up with tears.

“Maybe try praying about it. Who knows, if you ask for mercy, you might be spared.”

Bersia’s words were just a casual suggestion.

But sometimes, people need something, anything, to cling onto in desperate situations.

That evening, Usher prayed earnestly to the Lord.

‘This trial is too great for a servant of yours! I am already shaken by a challenge I never anticipated, so please have mercy and relieve me of this burden!’

And thus, Usher despaired.

“…Ah, it’s that time. I’ll bring a new blanket!”

God was cruel.

His stomach ached with dull throbs.

His whole body felt out of sorts, and even walking was difficult due to calf pain.

Amidst this agony, Usher longed more strongly than ever.

‘I have to…’

He had to find a way to return quickly.

Did all the women in the world endure this pain every month?

It was no easy feat. If it were a fierce battle, he could grit his teeth and endure the pain, but this constant barrage of internal and external discomfort was exhausting.

His cheeks had thinned, and even his walk was less steady than usual.

“Are you… feeling alright?”

“H-How can anyone endure this every month…!”

“You get used to it. A couple of times, and—”

“I’ll be back to normal before that happens!”

Usher shot a scowl at Bersia.

Bersia quietly looked down at him.

Then, suddenly, she tugged open her collar, revealing her collarbone.

Usher turned beet red, leaping back in shock.

“W-What are you doing! In the hallway, no less!”

“Oh, around that time, the libido tends to spike….”

“There’s no way that happens in a man’s body!”

“Really?”

“Oh, seriously!”

Usher extended his arm to close Bersia’s collar.

Why he felt compelled to hide her skin from others was unclear.

As they bickered, they made their way to the garden.

“Well, well~ What’s this vulgar display out here?”

A shrill voice echoed down the hallway.

Usher froze in his tracks.

A high-pitched laugh followed, and then:

“Acting wild just because you’ve got a guy now?”

The tone was undeniably mocking, prompting Usher to turn his head.

His eyes narrowed.

A woman approached, her robes altered like a ballroom dress to expose her chest and legs.

With hair as red as blood, sharply lifted eyes, and scarlet irises, her thin, red lips matched her high-bridged nose, creating the aura of a cunning fox.

Beside her stood a stoic Holy Knight with a bald head that gleamed under the light.

The pair drew closer.

Usher felt a sudden wave of tension.

It was unavoidable.

He never expected to encounter her like this.

‘Saintess Rubena…!’

Rubena Pradeiri.

One of the four saintesses of the current Divine Order and a woman notoriously known as the “graveyard of Holy Knights.”

She curled her lips into a sly smile.

“Well, trying to act innocent? Why the frightened look?”