Chapter 96: Side story (Episode 16)

I hadn’t felt well since morning.

It had already been three weeks since even the faintest odors, which I normally wouldn’t notice, started to bother me.

Today, I barely managed to drink a single glass of milk.

Fortunately, my husband seemed touched just by that.

The moment I set down the empty glass, Riorem silently took it and went to the sink.

I quietly watched him leave through the back door.

There was no sign of fatigue from the repeated labor of the past few weeks in his straight posture.

‘Is it because he’s used to hard work? Or maybe…’

After learning that I could only handle freshly squeezed milk, Riorem had been stopping by the village on the opposite side every dawn to buy milk.

He never forgot to pick wild berries kissed by the morning dew.

Judging by his actions, he looked like a husband anxiously fretting over his wife’s pregnancy.

‘Though in reality, he has no clue.’

I smiled softly and sat down on the chair by the window.

The window that Riorem had opened earlier let in the warm summer breeze.

The outdoor air flooded over my shoulders.

‘This makes it a bit better.’

The refreshing air lifted my spirits. The metallic, fishy taste that had lingered in my mouth for days seemed to fade somewhat.

While enjoying the breeze, I suddenly felt a gaze from behind.

Turning my head, I met the eyes of the man standing tall across the living room, watching me.

“Have you already finished the dishes?”

“Yes.”

His blue eyes scrutinized my face carefully.

Perhaps the fresh air had improved my complexion, because Riorem’s expression softened slightly.

‘It’s really remarkable.’

Having watched me for so long, it made sense that he was sensitive to my changes.

But the way he could easily catch even the slightest shift in my mood, despite my subtle expressions, never failed to amaze me.

Is it because all his senses are focused on me?

Thinking that made me smile despite the queasiness in my stomach.

I reached out and called him over.

“Come here, Riorem. Why have you been just watching me from there all this time?”

“…There’s still the smell of soap on my hands.”

“That’s fine.”

Even after I said that, Riorem didn’t relax at all.

Still, he couldn’t ignore my invitation, so he cautiously approached me.

Ready to pull away at any moment, he knelt down on the floor.

“……”

As if by habit, Riorem studied my complexion.

When I showed no reaction despite him being so close, he finally bent over my knees.

Slowly, his head lowered onto my thigh. His strong arms wrapped around my waist as gently as feathers.

I looked down at the man, who was so much bigger than me, with an amused expression.

“You’ve lost some color, haven’t you.”

I brushed Riorem’s gaunt cheeks with my fingertips.

He had been at a loss over my sudden changes that started just a few days ago.

He was overly cautious in everything and reacted excessively to the smallest movement.

That’s why this beautiful face had grown so thin. Unable to ease his mind, he naturally lost weight.

Maybe it was my bad personality that made me want to tease him even more because this look was so endearing.

I quietly looked down at my lower belly. Riorem’s black hair covered the small bump like a blanket.

I had realized I was pregnant about a week ago.

Something had felt strange all month. Sleepiness came even before nightfall, and fatigue wouldn’t go away. My mood swings were loud and wild.

‘Riorem doesn’t have a clue.’

Perhaps because he had tolerated my temper all his life, Riorem hadn’t noticed my emotional instability these past few days.

I was the only one who didn’t understand.

I was not usually a very emotional person. Except for things concerning Riorem, most feelings were faint, like ink diluted in seawater.

But recently, it had been different. I felt joy clearly, irritation, and anger.

Then, I suddenly remembered someone from long ago who had shown similar traits.

It was when one of the Dukes of the Serpantov Imperial Family, who would become my mother, was expecting a sibling.

Like all royalty, she was a person with little emotion. But at that time, she was somewhat different — more ‘human,’ if you will.

Recalling that, everything made sense.

I was carrying Riorem’s child.

‘I can’t believe it happened this quickly.’

I chuckled softly as I caressed my lower belly.

The women of the Serpantov Imperial Family were generally wealthy.

Not only were they naturally fertile, but the children they bore were exceptional and strong.

Luxury was more fun and stimulating than love games. So the women who had left the royal household after receiving titles repeatedly engaged in contract marriages, childbirth, and divorce, amassing enormous wealth.

The children they bore were sold for tremendous dowries. They usually met the high expectations of bearing strong heirs.

My sisters had also been sold that way.

In fact, both of them gave birth to outstanding heirs, which had raised my own value.

But I had never been pregnant until now.

Looking back, it was strange.

I had been the most reckless of my siblings and even served as a mistress’s bedroom slave with a strong libido.

‘The women of the Serpantov Imperial Family are known to conceive as soon as they want to, almost instantly.’

Perhaps my circumstances hadn’t been stable enough until now.

It hadn’t been a situation where I could safely bring a child into the world.

Still, the moment I thought maybe it was okay now, I became pregnant.

Even as such thoughts drifted through my mind, Riorem watched my expression with a crestfallen face.

He was truly adorable.

I tousled Riorem’s hair and whispered,

“Shall we go for a walk together for the first time in a while?”

“…Do you think that will be alright?”

“Yes. I’m also curious about what kind of bread the bakery has baked today.”

At my words, Riorem’s face brightened instantly.

I guessed he had been restless since I’d been cooped up at home for weeks, while I usually went out whenever I had the chance.

I sat quietly in the chair as Riorem prepared to go out.

It was all his job to prepare my shoes and clothes and lock the doors and windows.

When we stepped outside, it was already summer.

The sweltering heat carried the sea breeze, which tousled Riorem’s hair.

He watched my every step with concern.

Seeing him so anxious over just a few days of my poor health made me wonder how dramatic he would be once he fully understood I was pregnant.

Riorem’s overprotectiveness and my slowed pace created a disastrous chain reaction.

We ended up spending more than twice our usual time on the coastal road.

By the time we reached the bakery, it was already late morning.

Usually, the display shelves would be empty by then.

Today, we were surprisingly lucky.

The Child of the Bakery, who was a picky eater, had been whining to try freshly baked bread, so the Bakery Owner had just pulled out a fresh batch.

The Bakery Owner, speaking confidently, brought over the new bread.

It was fragrant with a heavy basil scent.

Normally, it would have smelled delicious.

“Ugh…”

I groaned softly and furrowed my brow.

The basil scent, which would usually whet my appetite, smelled especially foul, perhaps because I hadn’t smelled it in so long.

As soon as I frowned, both the Owner and Riorem startled and turned to look at me.

But unlike Riorem, who looked flustered and unsure, the plump-faced woman wore a knowing expression.

The Owner quietly asked,

“Could it be…?”

Instead of answering, I smiled.

Watching me and Riorem alternate glances, the Owner burst out laughing.

She seemed to have realized that Riorem still didn’t know about my pregnancy since she didn’t congratulate us outright.

“Wait here a moment.”

Hiding a twitching smile, the Owner went behind the oven.

She returned holding a few flatbreads that looked simply baked with minimal ingredients.

I glanced at Riorem instead of the bread.

He looked somewhat cold as if he couldn’t understand the Owner’s long-winded explanations about how I needed to force myself to eat despite poor appetite and how she herself only tolerated bread baked plainly with just flour, salt, and sugar.

But when the Owner handed the bread over without taking any money, Riorem looked utterly confused.

The Owner seemed to enjoy their reaction and never once mentioned words like ‘pregnancy’ or ‘morning sickness.’

I stifled a laugh and left the bakery.

It had been a pleasant moment.

When else would I get to see Riorem’s silly face like this?

But despite the joy, I was very tired.

Maybe it was the warm summer breeze, but sleepiness washed over me.

Before we’d even passed half the coastal road, Riorem lifted me up in his arms.

I dozed off while nestled in his embrace.

Half-asleep and held close, we soon arrived home.

Riorem put me down on the bed and immediately rolled up his sleeves.

He probably planned to finish all the housework while I slept.

Instead of letting him go, I grabbed the hem of his shirt.

His blue eyes looked down at me with a complicated expression.

But Riorem had never once beaten me in these silent battles.

Soon, the huge man was nestled in my arms.

I called to him gently.

“Riorem.”

“…Are you feeling unwell again?”

“No, I think it’s about time to tell you.”

Only then did Riorem look up at me.

His face was full of some unknown tension.

I smiled, pressing my nose against his.

This was the phrase I had wanted to say so badly.

“Congratulations on becoming a father.”