Epilogue 4
“It’s more unbelievable that Cesar is going to be a father than me becoming a mother.”
“What’s so unbelievable about that?”
The timing was uncanny.
I could picture the person behind me.
“Cesar, what’s going on?”
“You’ve been cooped up in your room since we returned from the Imperial Palace. I was wondering what you were doing.”
“…Something happened.”
“What? Is Sylvia not feeling well?”
“No.”
She was too well, which was the problem.
She was furious that Cesar got me pregnant before the wedding.
“But please avoid Sylvia for the time being.”
“Is there a reason?”
“It’s for your own good, Cesar.”
“Hmm.”
I hesitated, trying to find the right time to tell him, and decided to wait until after dinner, when I had fully processed the situation myself.
But he, impatient as always, wouldn’t let me wait.
His hand, snaking around my waist, subtly urged me to answer.
“Lily.”
“W-what?”
Damn it, I stuttered.
“We said there would be no secrets between us. What are you hiding?”
I would lose if he kept pushing like this. I took a deep breath and said to Cesar,
“I’ll tell you, so give me some space.”
Cesar obediently let go.
“Don’t be surprised.”
“There aren’t many things that surprise me. Although, Lily, you always seem to find a way.”
He would be surprised by this news, too. I was certain.
“What if…”
“Yes?”
“What if I told you I’m… pregnant with your child…?”
Creak.
Before I could finish my sentence, the door opened. Both Cesar and I, startled by the sudden intrusion, turned towards the door.
Mariette, who had opened the door without knocking, was staring at us, her mouth agape.
“Uh… so you’re saying… Lady Twalett is… pregnant with His Grace’s child?”
The words came from an unexpected source, and I, stunned by the absurd situation, nodded.
“Gasp! Oh my! Oh! Ah!”
Mariette, unable to speak properly, suddenly fell to her knees and burst into tears.
“C-congratulations! You just have to hold the wedding now! This isn’t the time… I have to tell everyone at the Dukedom!”
“W-wait!”
Before I could stop her, Mariette ran out of the room. I reached out, but it was too late.
‘What just happened?’
I had expected Cesar to be surprised, different from the Emperor, and imagined us quietly sharing the news and chuckling together.
“It feels like a storm just swept through.”
“Indeed.”
“A child. You said a child?”
“Yes.”
“Our child…?”
“Whose else would it be?”
An awkward silence settled over us, and I quickly changed the subject.
“I had a dream recently.”
“A dream?”
“I woke up suddenly, remember? You thought I had a nightmare, but… I met a baby bird in that dream. Covered in fluffy white down, with beautiful purple eyes.”
“A baby bird?”
“Yes. At first, I thought it had fallen out of its nest, so I tried to take it back to its mother, but it didn’t want to go. It wanted to come with me. So I said I would take it, and it was so happy that it transformed from a baby bird into a beautiful child.”
“Ah… a prophetic dream.”
“It probably appeared to tell me about its existence.”
Despite my detailed explanation, Cesar’s reaction was indifferent.
I asked hesitantly,
“Aren’t you happy, Cesar?”
Honestly, I would be heartbroken if he wasn’t. I was looking forward to meeting the beautiful child from my dream.
Its warm touch, its fluffy down, and even the image of it as a human child, which I saw just before waking up, had been so lovely.
“I’m sorry, Lily. It hasn’t sunk in yet.”
“That you’re going to be a father?”
“That, and… I don’t know how to react. I’ve never learned about… familial affection. But strangely, my heart feels full.”
“Full?”
“I want to hold you close, but at the same time, I’m hesitant.”
“And?”
“…I wish this wasn’t a dream.”
I finally smiled and approached him. He usually initiated contact, but seeing me approach, he took a step back cautiously.
I hugged him tightly.
“It’s not a dream. It’s real. See? Can you feel my warmth?”
“Yes. This is real.”
His hand, stroking my hair, was unusually gentle, as if handling a fragile porcelain doll.
“How did you find out you were pregnant?”
“A priest came to check on Sylvia’s condition and said she was too thin. Then he suddenly said I was also too thin and asked if he could check my condition.”
“The priests in the Empire are all softhearted; they’re always concerned about others.”
“Yes, so I said I was fine, but Sylvia insisted. So I let him check, and… he said there was a life growing inside me.”
I briefly thought of the other soul, but there’s no way the priest could detect a soul that had already merged with mine.
So, I must be truly pregnant.
“I went to congratulate my friend on her pregnancy, and then I suddenly found out I was also pregnant; you don’t know how flustered I was, Cesar.”
“If I had been there, I would have frozen.”
“You?”
“Yes. Like now. I still can’t believe it.”
“You might believe it if you saw Sylvia chasing after you, ready to kill you.”
“Is that why you told me to avoid Sylvia?”
“Yes. She said you were a bad person for getting me pregnant before the wedding.”
“She’s not wrong. Lily, do you also think that?”
I paused, observing his reaction.
I also hadn’t thought I could get pregnant, so I had readily given in to Cesar’s seduction. I was also at fault.
But he seemed to be too preoccupied with my reaction, not even considering that, so I chuckled.
“Of course not. I know you’re not exactly a good person, Cesar. But I think you’ll be a better person once you become a father. Right?”
“I’ll try.”
“Trying isn’t enough.”
“Then I’ll promise. I always keep my promises to you.”
“Okay.”
I smiled, and Cesar brushed my hair behind my ear. I heard the rustling of his clothes.
“I was planning on seducing you tonight. But I can’t do that anymore.”
“No, you can’t. So control yourself.”
Cesar kissed my lips lightly and then pulled away.
He looked at my still-flat stomach and asked,
“Do you know how far along you are?”
“I’m not sure. I was too flustered to ask. I’ll have to ask. You were practically dragging me to bed every day, Cesar.”
“You were the one who always gave in, Lily.”
We had been together almost every day; I didn’t know why I hadn’t thought I could get pregnant.
We chatted, the atmosphere light and playful, our hands intertwined, whispering words of love as usual.
I suddenly remembered Mariette and was about to leave when Cesar, noticing my movement, lifted me into his arms.
“I can walk on my own.”
“I heard you have to be careful during early pregnancy, so just stay in my arms.”
“But…”
I gave up and nestled against him as he kissed my cheek.
‘He’s already being overprotective.’
I chuckled inwardly.
As we walked down the hallway, wondering how far Mariette had spread the news,
“Milady!”
I started hearing an unfamiliar title.
“Sob! We didn’t even notice, how much you must have suffered!”
“I’ve worked at the Dukedom for over ten years! And I didn’t even notice Milady’s condition!”
They were all gathered, repenting as if they had committed a grave sin. Mariette was among them.
I was bewildered.
“Cesar, when did I become Milady?”
“You’ll be called that after we’re married. It’s best to get used to it now.”
“Uh… that’s true, but… I see some of the Dukedom’s knights crying over there.”
“That’s even better. As your guards, it’s natural for them to reflect on not noticing your condition.”
‘I thought the Dukedom was strange. I guess it’s because of Cesar.’
I watched them curiously, wondering how long they would cry.
Fortunately, the crying session soon ended, and they, noticing me with wide eyes, rushed over, showering me with congratulations.
“We’ll serve you with all our might, Milady! We’ll protect you!”
“Yes! Yes!”
Those were the maids who had cherished me even when I was a bird.
“We’ll serve you with utmost loyalty. Please visit the training grounds often, like you did when you were a bird. We’ll always be waiting for you.”
“Indeed!”
Those were Lenny, the Vice-Captain of the Dukedom’s knights, and the other knights.
Everyone at the Dukedom was welcoming me, calling me Milady.
“Lily.”
“Yes?”
“It seems we’ll have to hold the wedding sooner than I thought.”
“I agree. The other nobles will find it strange otherwise.”
Judging by their reactions, I was already the mistress of the Dukedom. It would be strange if they found out we weren’t even officially married yet.
I hadn’t expected to agree with Cesar like this.
“We can postpone it if it’s too much for you. You have to be careful now.”
“That’s true, but seeing the servants so happy… I understand why you wanted to hold the wedding quickly, Cesar.”
“Why do you think that is?”
“Because you want everyone to know we’re married as soon as possible?”
“Yes. I’m worried and anxious, knowing how lovely you are to me, and how lovely you must seem to others.”
I smiled like a child at his words. I was looking forward to our wedding day.