Epilogue 3
Despite Cesar’s disapproval, I rushed to the Imperial Palace. As the protector of the Empire, I didn’t have any problems with access.
Of course, the Imperial maids, who usually greeted me warmly, glared at me suspiciously when I tried to enter Sylvia’s room, but they immediately granted me access after receiving Sylvia’s permission.
‘I understand. They have to be careful, especially during early pregnancy.’
It was a relief that they were so cautious, even with someone they knew.
As I entered, Sylvia greeted me.
“Lily, what’s going on? Why did you rush here?”
“I couldn’t just stay at the Dukedom after hearing such news.”
As I approached Sylvia, I saw a familiar maid smiling at me. It was Pona, the maid who had looked after me during my time at the Imperial Palace.
“It’s been a while.”
“Yes, it has. My, you look just like a maid.”
“Thank you. His Majesty assigned me to Her Majesty after hearing the news.”
“Ah.”
That made sense. Pona was someone who could protect Sylvia even in unexpected, dangerous situations.
We exchanged greetings, happy to see each other after so long, and Sylvia asked curiously,
“Are you two close?”
“Yes. She looked after me when I was staying at the Imperial Palace.”
“Ah, that’s when you met.”
“Yes. So Sylvia, how are you feeling?”
“I’m perfectly fine. It’s been about three weeks. I have to be careful, though.”
She had complained about the Emperor being too busy, so I was happy about the news.
“That’s good to hear. Should I give you a blessing? For a safe delivery?”
“I would appreciate that, but could you do it after the baby is born? I’ve already received one, so it would be better to bless the baby directly.”
Sylvia smiled and gently caressed her belly. It was fascinating to think that there was a life growing inside her.
‘I wonder what it feels like to be pregnant.’
I was neither fully human nor beastkin, a creation imbued with divine power. It was uncertain if I could even conceive.
“Alright, Sylvia. It’s for your baby; I’ll do anything you ask.”
“Thank you, Lily.”
“Is His Majesty taking good care of you?”
“He was so cute yesterday when I told him.”
“C-cute?”
That cold-hearted Emperor, cute?
Pona and I exchanged bewildered glances, but Sylvia, lost in thought, didn’t seem to notice.
“Yes, he was really cute. He ran over to me as soon as he heard the news and then just froze. He paced back and forth and then suddenly hugged me, but then, realizing I was still in the early stages of pregnancy, he carefully put me down and started crying. Even though the Imperial servants were still there.”
Aaron crying? Was there such a scene in the story I read? I don’t remember.
To show such emotions as soon as he heard about the pregnancy…
“He was even happier than I was… Lily.”
“Yes?”
“When this baby is born, I’ll give it more love than any other child. I’ll make sure no one can harm it and that it grows up in a peaceful environment, its future bright.”
Sylvia, knowing about Aaron’s past, was determined to make sure their child wouldn’t suffer the same hardships and dangers.
And she would work even harder for the Empire to achieve that.
She had been a kind and gentle friend. But Sylvia was now becoming an Empress who cared for her country and a strong mother who would protect her child.
I was genuinely happy to witness that change. To see how an unpolished gem became a brilliant jewel.
“Don’t worry. This child has a wonderful Spirit Summoner as its mother, His Majesty the Emperor as its father, and me, protecting the Empire.”
I wanted to exclude Aaron, but I just let it slide. I could see him working hard to strengthen his authority, determined not to repeat his powerless past.
“You’re right. Our child has a strong fence to protect it. There’s no need to worry.”
Her eyes, softening like a butterfly’s wings, were filled with hope.
Just then, we heard a knock.
“Your Majesty, a priest is here to see you.”
“Ah, sorry Lily. The priests visit regularly to check on my condition.”
“It’s okay. I came unexpectedly.”
I was about to leave after confirming Sylvia was doing well so I wouldn’t be a burden, but she stopped me.
“Stay a little longer. I feel at ease when you’re here. The priest’s visit will be short.”
I couldn’t refuse when she asked me to stay, saying she felt at ease.
And the expectant mother’s comfort was the priority. I quietly sat down beside her.
The priest entered and approached Sylvia. He examined her carefully and then sighed in relief.
“Fortunately, there are no problems with your condition. But Your Majesty is thinner than most, so please make sure you’re eating well.”
“It’s alright. I’m taking care of myself. The Imperial chef is also taking good care of me.”
The priest held Sylvia’s thin wrist and spoke with concern,
“But your wrist is so thin, I’m worried. You’ll have morning sickness soon, and there will be many foods you can’t eat. The smell might make you nauseous, and you won’t be able to tolerate strong aromas. Of course, the Imperial chef will do his best, but I’m still concerned about Your Majesty’s health.”
“You don’t have to worry. The baby will be well-behaved. Especially if it takes after its kind father, Aaron.”
I exchanged glances with Pona, wondering if I should shatter Sylvia’s misguided belief that the Emperor was kind.
She signaled me to stay silent, and I nodded, deciding to keep my mouth shut.
‘If it takes after the Emperor, it will be a very fussy child.’
I kept that thought to myself and hid the truth for the expectant mother’s sake.
It seemed like the check-up was over, and the priest was about to leave after bowing, when his eyes suddenly met mine.
“You seem to be quite thin as well.”
“Pardon?”
‘Why is everyone suddenly staring at me?’
As I watched, puzzled, the priest approached me.
“While I’m here, shall I check your condition as well? As the protector of the Empire, you must take care of yourself.”
“Thank you for your concern, but as you can see, I’m perfectly healthy.”
I would have noticed if there was something wrong with my body. And the fatigue from absorbing and releasing a large amount of divine power seemed to have disappeared, thanks to the Tower Master. I felt great.
As I was about to politely decline, Sylvia stopped me.
“I would appreciate it if you would check her condition. She’s a precious person to the Empire, and to me.”
‘I can’t refuse now.’
I obediently accepted the priest’s offer.
Divine power flowed into me. Sensing no malicious intent, my body didn’t reject it.
I asked nonchalantly, thinking it was over,
“There are no problems, right?”
I expected him to say I was fine, but the priest hesitated.
“Well…”
“Why? Is there something wrong with me?”
I wondered if he had found some unexpected illness, but the priest shook his head and cautiously said,
“I sense another life.”
“Another life?”
What did that mean?
As I tilted my head, still confused, the priest coughed and replied,
“It seems like… you’re pregnant. I wasn’t aware you were married. My, you must have been… passionate…”
The priest, his face flushed, turned away. I was stunned and then, unable to believe it, touched my stomach.
‘Come to think of it, I did have a strange dream recently. A white bird with purple eyes appeared, and at the end, it transformed into a baby…’
Ah! That was a prophetic dream!
The realization hit me like a lightning bolt. But there was someone behind me who was even more shocked.
“Cesar, you… you bastard!”
Sylvia was cursing, her beautiful face contorted with rage.
“Sylvia, calm down! The baby!”
“Y-Your Majesty?”
“What’s going on…?”
The quiet room instantly turned chaotic.
Sylvia was raining curses upon Cesar, who had apparently gotten her pregnant before their wedding, and the Imperial maids, who had rushed in, were trying to calm her down.
The priest, still stunned, was taking deep breaths and praying.
‘Wow. This is a mess.’
And I, the cause of this commotion and the unexpected mother-to-be, was just wondering how to break the news to Cesar.
Back at the Dukedom, I was still lost in thought.
‘How should I tell him? I didn’t even know I could get pregnant.’
And Cesar, smiling gently at a child… I couldn’t imagine it.
I pinched my cheek hard. It still felt like a dream.
‘It hurts, so it’s real. And I even had a prophetic dream.’
The fluffy white down, the beautiful purple eyes just like Cesar’s, and even its slightly haughty demeanor resembled him.
‘If it’s born, it will be a mini-Cesar.’
I covered my mouth, startled by the thought.
The fact that Cesar was going to be a father was more unbelievable than me becoming a mother.