Side Story 8. I Didn’t Know It Would Be Like This (3)

When the baby finally settled at her breast, even the smallest details of the child began to come into focus. But no matter how Sienna examined him, from every angle, the baby was Percy Stewart through and through.

Sienna chuckled softly as she responded.

“He really looks like Percy, doesn’t he? I was so surprised. Was this what Percy looked like as a baby?”

“Clicking your tongue won’t change anything. Why do you look so proud instead of upset?”

“Why would I be upset? I gave birth to the child of the one I love. It’s only natural for him to resemble his father.”

“Click, click, click. You’re too sweet for your own good.”

Julius refrained from mentioning that Percy seemed to regret having the baby. Julius was often oblivious, but he at least knew that saying such things would be crossing a line.

Sienna, entirely captivated by her baby, didn’t notice Julius’s sour expression. She smiled brightly as she tickled Noah’s tiny hand with her finger.

“Isn’t he just the cutest? He’s so small, yet his eyes are so big, and his eyelashes are so long. He’s already so handsome.”

“Sure, sure.”

Julius frowned slightly. As Sienna had said, the baby was beautiful and angelic, as though a cherub had descended to lay there.

‘I wish he’d taken after Sienna.’

The one who bore him through pain was his sister, yet the baby was a miniature copy of Percy. It made Julius irrationally annoyed. Crossing his arms, he turned his head away sharply.

Despite his misgivings, he couldn’t help but notice that Sienna looked much more at ease here than when she was in the capital, her face soft and peaceful.

‘…If my sister is happy, then there’s nothing else to say.’

Had she looked even slightly unhappy, he would have whisked her away to the capital without a second thought.

Julius pursed his lips before speaking up again.

“By the way, what’s with your husband?”

“What about Percy?”

“I expected him to gloat about how happy he is and rub it in my face, but instead, he seemed… off. I’ve never seen Duke Stewart look so gloomy.”

“Percy?”

Sienna blinked, surprised.

“He was a bit shaken during the delivery and very anxious afterward. But I thought he’d calmed down since then; he’s been as sweet as ever.”

“Not even close. He looked like his brain had short-circuited.”

“What do you mean, short-circuited? That’s a bit much.”

Though Sienna laughed, her smile quickly faded. The thought that even Julius found Percy’s demeanor concerning made her uneasy. Percy always presented a flawless image before her, so these small observations from others were critical clues to understanding his state of mind.

Julius reached out and clasped Sienna’s hand. Even after giving birth, her body seemed fragile and delicate, her hand small and her bones prominent. Holding that frail hand made his chest ache. Julius spoke earnestly.

“Sienna, as I said before, if things ever seem wrong, ask for my help anytime. No matter what it takes, I’ll come for you.”

Julius’s solemn expression struck a chord in Sienna. She returned his grip with a gentle smile.

“Don’t worry about me, brother. I’m doing well and happy.”

And that was the truth. Julius felt a mix of emotions—disappointed that she didn’t lean on him but also proud that she had carved out her own happiness.

Their tender sibling moment was broken when Noah, who had been lying quietly, started fussing for food.

Before they parted ways, Sienna warmly congratulated Julius.

“Congratulations on your marriage. I’m sorry my congratulations are so late.”

Since it had been near her due date, neither Sienna nor Percy could attend the royal wedding. Julius responded with a brotherly smile.

“No need to apologize. I’m glad we could meet like this. Come to the capital often.”

“Yes.”

Sienna clasped her hands tightly together, suddenly overcome with emotion at the realization that she still had family. Tears welled up in her eyes.

Just as Noah began to doze off again, Percy returned, having seen Julius off. Large hands wrapped around Sienna’s back, pulling her into an embrace.

“His Majesty left quickly. Are you disappointed?”

“Percy.”

When Sienna turned her head, Percy seized the moment to plant a light kiss on her lips. After a few gentle pecks, they both stood.

“And Noah?”

“He fell asleep. He’s been calm today.”

“Maybe he’s at an age where he’s settling down.”

“He’s not even a year old yet.”

Leaving Noah in the care of the nanny, Sienna grabbed Percy’s hand.

“Come with me, Percy.”

She led him to their bedroom. It had been months since Percy had set foot there, as they hadn’t shared a bed since Noah’s birth.

Percy settled into a chair near the corner of the room as Sienna rang for tea and refreshments.

When the maid brought tea infused with grape notes, Sienna sipped the sweet, sugary drink as she resumed their conversation. Naturally, it shifted to Julius, who had left as swiftly as he had come.

“His Majesty said we should meet next time in the capital.”

Percy smiled perfectly, showing no sign of the unease Julius had described.

“I need to prepare for a trip to the capital anyway. Surely His Majesty will stay close when the Empress gives birth.”

“Oh my! Already? How long have they been married?”

Sienna gasped in surprise. A baby already?

‘So that’s why he looked so wistful while watching Noah!’

If something so joyful had happened, why hadn’t he said anything? How could he leave without mentioning it?

At first, Sienna felt flustered, but then indignation flared.

“Julius! He should’ve said something if they were expecting! Instead, he just smiled slyly and left!”

Sienna’s hand trembled as she held her teacup. Percy chuckled softly and took the cup from her, setting it down.

“Perhaps he was shy. Sharing such news with his only sister might have felt awkward.”

Though Percy tried to defend Julius, Sienna couldn’t wrap her head around it. Puffing up her cheeks, she muttered her frustrations.

“What’s there to be shy about? It’s the fruit of love! It’s proof of a strong bond between husband and wife!”

“Isn’t that true for us as well?”

“Of course! What else could it be?”

Percy gave a faint smile, one different from his usual expression of happiness and contentment.

‘Could Julius have been right?’

Sienna cautiously broached the topic.

“Is something troubling you, Percy?”

“Nothing at all.”

Percy’s serene smile returned, but the shadow of melancholy lingered, refusing to fade.

In a gentle tone, Sienna pressed him further.

“But you seem so drained. Please be honest with me, Percy. I’m worried about you.”

“Sienna.”

He pulled her closer, guiding her to sit beside him. Percy’s fingers reached up and undid her hairpin, letting her hair cascade down like a waterfall.

He began running his fingers through it, a habit Sienna knew well. She pouted slightly.

‘He really loves playing with my hair.’

Perhaps it was his way of finding comfort?

After a while, Percy spoke, his voice slow and contemplative.

“When you told me you were pregnant, I felt… a twisted kind of joy.”

Joy at the thought of becoming a father was natural. But attaching the word “twisted” to it caught Sienna off guard.

“Why twisted?”

 

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