Episode 119. Epilogue (3)
Sienna sat down and waited briefly before breakfast was brought in. Just as the maid had mentioned, it was an appetizing grilled fish dish.
‘Wow, it’s been so long.’
Since the capital was inland, the only fish available there were freshwater ones. The fish, which resembled mackerel, brought a sense of nostalgia. But as soon as the plate was set before her, a wave of nausea hit her.
“Ugh!”
Her stomach churned violently at the sight of the breakfast. Clutching her stomach, she gagged, prompting the startled maid to rush to her side.
“Madam! What’s wrong?”
“J-just give me a moment… Ugh!”
Sienna generally liked fish. However, this morning, just the sight of it made her stomach turn in a way she couldn’t explain.
‘What’s happening to me? Could traveling between dimensions change my tastes like this?’
No, this didn’t feel like a simple issue of preference.
“Take it away! Now!”
“Yes, madam!”
She couldn’t bear the thought of it any longer. The maid hurriedly grabbed the tray and rushed out. Even so, her queasy stomach wouldn’t settle. Sienna sank into the sofa, pressing a hand to her forehead.
‘Maybe I should’ve just stayed in bed.’
No, that wasn’t it. Perhaps lying down for so long had weakened her. While she was lost in thought, she suddenly heard hurried, heavy footsteps.
‘A doctor? Did the doctor arrive so quickly?’
The only person she could think of rushing to her room like this was the physician. ‘The physicians in the Stewart Dukedom sure are efficient,’ she mused, lifting her head. But the one who stormed in wasn’t the doctor—it was Percy.
And something was off. Sienna froze, her face paling at the sight of blood spattered across Percy’s cheek.
“Percy?! Are you hurt?”
Percy wiped his cheek casually with his sleeve, seemingly unconcerned. His calm gaze locked onto hers as he asked, “I heard you were unwell, Sienna.”
“No, I think ‘you’re’ the one who’s unwell…”
Shouldn’t the doctor be examining him instead of me?
‘If that pretty face scars, I swear…’
Sienna moved closer to inspect where the blood might have come from, but before she could say anything, Percy suddenly pulled her into a tight embrace. His ragged breaths echoed in her ear.
“…You scared me.”
“Shouldn’t I be the one saying that?”
The man who had left her room before dawn had returned covered in blood. What was she supposed to think? After holding her for a moment and catching his breath, Percy gently guided her to sit back on the sofa and began asking questions.
“Are you in pain anywhere else? I heard your stomach wasn’t well.”
“I did feel nauseous, but seeing you like this shocked it right out of me.”
“You’re sweating.”
“Oh? I guess I am.”
The maids rushed over to wipe her forehead. In the meantime, the maid who had taken the tray returned with the doctor.
“Madam, the physician is here!”
Both the maid and the doctor were drenched in sweat, likely from running. The doctor, meeting Percy for the first time, seemed especially flustered, trembling as he held his stethoscope.
‘Can he even examine me properly like that?’
Though doubtful, Sienna felt significantly better and calmly answered the doctor’s questions.
“The moment I smelled the fish at breakfast, my stomach flipped.”
“Was this the first time you’ve had fish recently?”
“Come to think of it, yes, I haven’t had fish since arriving here…”
“Could it just be fatigue? Or maybe low blood pressure?”
After several questions, the doctor, still visibly nervous, hesitated before speaking in a cautious tone.
“I do have a guess, though I’m not certain as it’s not my specialty…”
“What?”
Was it something serious? Why did he look so apprehensive? Sienna instinctively gripped Percy’s hand tightly as tension filled the room. All eyes turned to the doctor, who finally spoke.
“You’re pregnant.”
“…What?”
It was so unexpected that Sienna couldn’t immediately process the words. The maids reacted first.
“Oh my goodness!”
“Congratulations, madam!”
“Hah…”
The realization hit her like a wave. She turned to Percy, whose expression mirrored her shock.
Pregnant. A baby.
‘Percy and my child?’
But how? They hadn’t even been married that long. Then again, considering the time spent traveling to the Stewart Dukedom, perhaps it wasn’t so surprising. Percy was the first to snap out of it. He pulled her into another embrace.
“Sienna.”
“Ah.”
His deep inhale and slow exhale revealed his tension. Sienna extended a hand, gently patting his back. For some reason, the words came to her naturally.
“It’s okay. We’ll be good parents.”
At her reassurance, Percy’s trembling eased. After pressing a kiss to her cheek, he released her. Meeting his gaze with a warm smile, Sienna turned to the doctor and asked with resolve.
“What precautions should I take? With food or my daily routine?”
“Avoid strenuous activity and don’t force yourself to eat anything that makes you feel unwell. It’s important to eat what you crave and rest when needed.”
“I see.”
So the nausea had been morning sickness.
‘So, fish is out of the question,’ Sienna thought, marveling at how even a tiny life inside her could cause such changes in her body. She clapped her hands decisively.
“Well, in that case, everyone, leave the room for now. I think I can handle some plain bread and milk. Bring me that, please.”
“Understood, madam. I’ll fetch it right away.”
“Then, please rest,” the maid replied before bustling out with the others. In an instant, the room was empty, leaving only Percy and Sienna behind.
Meeting Percy’s gaze, she asked, “Are you alright?”
“That’s what I should be asking you,” Percy replied with a faint smile.
“But anyone could tell you’re the one who doesn’t look alright right now.”
Percy’s face was noticeably pale. Knowing well that his childhood hadn’t been an easy one, Sienna spoke softly.
“Are you scared? It must feel sudden, having a baby on the way.”
“I’m happy.”
Percy answered reflexively, then blinked, seemingly surprised by his own words. Relaxing slightly, he continued in a much calmer tone.
“I mean it. I’m happy. If the baby takes after you, even more so.”
“Is that so? I was hoping for a child with your golden hair.”
Percy chuckled softly at her response, resting his head on her shoulder.
“Sometimes, being with you feels so foreign. Like I’m living in some grand lie.”
“There’ll be more surprises to come.”
Sienna said, pulling him into a warm hug.
“I’m counting on you,” she whispered.
The thought of days spent together, now with their child as well, painted such a beautiful picture in her mind that her heart ached.
Percy responded quietly.
“I love you.”
* * *
Percy knew full well that he was a broken man. To him, life felt like a story that just flowed by, sometimes making him question if he was even truly alive. At times, he felt more like a rock, an unfeeling presence.
In his world, there was only one person who shone brightly: Sienna.
It had been a week since their arrival at the Stewart Dukedom. One early morning, leaving Sienna asleep in their room, Percy stormed into the estate’s office and forced the estate manager to his knees. The man, trembling with fear, pleaded desperately.
“P-please! I’m sorry! I was wrong!”
“Do you even know what you did wrong?”
In moments like these, Percy was tempted to pick up smoking again. His lips twitched in irritation.
Before arriving at the dukedom, Percy had already heard rumors. The estate manager had loudly boasted that his daughter would become the Duchess of Stewart, even after Percy had married Sienna. He had gone as far as claiming Percy would soon divorce “that villainess princess.”
‘And I let that slide. But now, you go as far as deliberately inconveniencing Sienna?’
The reason Sienna had spent the entire week in Percy’s room wasn’t mere coincidence. Her quarters hadn’t been properly prepared, and the steward and estate manager had clashed over the matter, delaying it further. Percy had tried to tolerate it, reluctant to show his fury in front of Sienna. But this was the limit.
“You clearly don’t value your life much, do you? You’ve done as you pleased, so I trust you have no regrets.”
“S-spare me!”
Percy, who could be utterly ruthless toward anyone but Sienna, didn’t even flinch at the manager’s pleas. If not for the maid’s interruption, reporting that Sienna was unwell, the manager might not have walked out alive.
As Percy turned to leave, the manager croaked out in defiance, “M-monster! Do you really think someone like you can love anyone? Once that villainess knows your true nature, she’ll run from you!”
Percy froze momentarily, the words clinging to him. He couldn’t deny that he sometimes doubted his ability to love. But it was the last remark that truly sank its claws into him.
‘Sienna will leave me if she finds out who I really am?’
The mere thought sent a chill through him. That Sienna, the one person who mattered most in his life, might one day leave him—it was a terrifying possibility.
Her face, worried over the blood on him, replayed in his mind, making the fear grow stronger. What would happen if Sienna stopped loving him? If she decided to walk away?
And as if she could read his mind, Sienna’s gentle voice cut through his thoughts.
“It’s okay.”
“…!”
Her voice, her touch, soothed him like a balm to a deep wound. Holding her small frame close, Percy exhaled shakily.
Even if the whole world called her a villainess…
‘You are my salvation.’
Percy closed his eyes tightly, letting her presence steady him.
<Human Rights for Female-oriented Game Villains – End>
TL/N: **To My Dear Readers,**
The journey of ‘Human Rights for Female-oriented Game Villains’ has come to an end, and I can’t thank you enough for being part of it. Your support, comments, and love for the characters gave me the strength to complete this story, even during the toughest moments.
This novel wouldn’t have been the same without you. Thank you for walking this path with me, for celebrating the highs and enduring the lows. Because of you, this story has truly come alive.
With all my gratitude,
Bree.
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☕ Hi, friends! Your support means the world to me. If you’d like, you can buy me a coffee here: Click the link on the image!
Thank you for keeping me inspired! 🌸
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