Episode 124. Side Story 4

Elkais loved how Eveline liked his warmth. The way she would snuggle up to him, curling into his side like she never wanted to let go—it made him so happy that he chuckled and said,

“I want to feed you breakfast.”

“We’re not going to the dining room?”

“From now on, I plan to bring breakfast up here every day.”

“For how long?”

“Until my next life.”

Eveline blinked in surprise. Elkais offering to do something that troublesome?

Of course, she did enjoy eating in the bedroom.

Judging by how he looked—his outfit, his slightly excited expression—today’s breakfast seemed to be something he’d cooked himself.

“You could’ve just had the servants bring it up.”

“I could have.”

“Wait… did you cook?”

“I did.”

Eveline had a feeling he would say that. The atmosphere already gave it away, but hearing it out loud still made her feel shy and grateful.

“That must’ve been a lot of trouble.”

“I’ll make sure it’s not trouble for you.”

“There’s nothing for me to trouble over. All I do is open my eyes in the morning.”

At her words, Elkais pulled her gently into his arms and said,

“That’s the greatest gift you could give me. Waking up for me, falling asleep beside me, staying healthy for me.”

He said it with complete sincerity, stroking her hair while taking in her scent—finding peace in it.

“Cooking every morning like this… it’s going to get tiring. Just do it until the pregnancy is over.”

“Why?”

“Well… because doing this for a lifetime would be exhausting even for you…”

“There’s nothing about you that could ever be exhausting. How could making food for you ever be a chore?”

Eveline really loved talking with Elkais. He was always honest, and that honesty made all the hardship of pregnancy feel a little more bearable.

“But what if you do get tired of it someday?”

“I don’t know why you keep saying impossible things.”

He hugged her tighter.

“Have I made you anxious somehow? If anything, I’m the one constantly feeling anxious.”

“Why would you feel anxious?”

She looked at him curiously, surprised by what he said.

Truthfully, she was a little anxious. Elkais was the kind of man who stood out—handsome, strong, admired by anyone.

Back in the days of Alpha and Omega distinctions, he would’ve been considered a royal Alpha—a type she used to loathe. But now that such traits no longer mattered…

It wouldn’t be strange for someone else to approach him easily.

So when her body had swollen up from the medicine, it had really upset her.

“Because you’re suffering… because of me. And you…”

“…”

“Every time I have to show you off to the world, it makes my chest tighten. Because anyone can see how beautiful you are.”

Eveline found his words ridiculous—but she could also tell he meant them. And it made her happy.

“You shouldn’t say that. To me, you are the most handsome man in the world.”

“No… if anything, I’m not even worthy to stand next to you. You’re so radiant—nothing in this world could compare. You’re more than I deserve.”

“I’m too much for you?”

“Maybe—but you’re still mine now, so I’m not giving you to anyone.”

He said that as he gently let her go.

“Let’s eat now. If you lose any more weight, I think I’ll fall apart.”

“…Okay.”

Eveline smiled as he gently tucked the loose strands of hair behind her ear.

Then, following Elkais’s command, the chamberlain brought out a bedside table and set it up so she could eat easily from bed. Elkais placed the salmon dish he’d prepared on top.

Eveline looked curiously at him as he sat across from her—until she realized why.

He picked up her utensils himself and cut the salmon steak into neat pieces with the fork and knife, then offered her a bite.

“I have hands, you know.”

“I do too.”

“My hands work just fine lately.”

“There’s nothing about you that doesn’t work. You’re my wife.”

With that, he brought a bite of salmon to her lips. Eveline opened her mouth and accepted it, the tender piece fitting perfectly in one bite.

“It’s delicious.”

“It’s freshly prepared from one caught at dawn.”

“My love really can do everything.”

“If it’s something you want.”

Elkais smiled brightly as he offered Eveline the next bite of salmon.

To her, he felt like a bird—she was the baby bird, and he was the parent, feeding her bit by bit. It was amusing, like he was bringing food straight to her beak.

But even more than that, watching him check to see if she was chewing properly, if she was enjoying it—it warmed her heart.

“You know, seeing you in the morning like this… you’re really handsome.”

“I thought I looked better at night.”

“At night, you look a bit… sly.”

“Can’t deny that.”

Elkais laughed, clearly pleased by her teasing.

Though Eveline had entered the stable period, he didn’t want to rush things. Of course, the thought of being intimate with her again was thrilling, and he did look forward to it—but that wasn’t the most important thing.

As much as he loved their time together in bed, he loved her smile more.

More than anything, seeing her slowly return to her usual self after stopping the nausea medication made him truly happy. When she was on edge, there were moments he feared she might abandon him.

He knew she loved him, but still—he felt like a sinner watching her carry the child alone.

“Apparently parsley is good for pregnant women.”

“Who said that?”

“The doctor.”

“You’re just saying that because I don’t like parsley.”

“You’re right.”

At his honest reply, Eveline laughed and happily took a bite of the parsley. Then she ate the star-shaped carrot slices he had so carefully carved.

Elkais also poured her a warm cup of tea to cleanse her palate.

And so, Eveline spent her morning being completely pampered, right up until she finished her breakfast.

* * *

“They say I can start walking now that I’m in the stable period.”

“No. Don’t walk if you can help it while you’re pregnant.”

“Not walking is actually worse, though.”

Elkais couldn’t bring himself to relax. The stable period had only just begun, and he kept thinking about how unstable things had been up until now.

“How about starting next week? I just… I’m still nervous.”

“Okay.”

Eveline didn’t really mind being carried by him, so she wrapped her arms around his head affectionately.

She was nestled comfortably in Elkais’s arms as he walked through the back garden of the ducal estate.

“Did you practice walking like this?”

“Yes. So you wouldn’t get motion sickness.”

It amazed Eveline how she never got queasy when he carried her. Climbing uphill felt like walking on flat ground, and crossing over stones felt smooth and even.

He carried her toward the glass conservatory in the garden, holding her close—and she hugged him just as tightly in return.

His hair brushing against her chest and belly tickled, but seeing him smile every time he touched her made her feel just as happy.

“Love?”

“Yes, my lady?”

“We still haven’t picked a name or even a nickname for the baby.”

At her words, Elkais paused for a moment, then resumed walking. The winter wind was chilly, and Eveline was pregnant—he didn’t want to risk her catching a cold while he thought about names outside.

If she got sick, he would absolutely blame himself. So he decided to think while walking.

“Have you thought of anything?”

“Well… since it’s your child, how about ‘El’?”

“You don’t even use that as a nickname for me, and now you’re giving it to someone who’s not even born yet?”

“Are you jealous of the baby?”

Eveline asked teasingly, and Elkais couldn’t answer—because it was true.

“You’re not joking, are you?”

“…”

“Are you really upset I don’t call you by a nickname?”

He wasn’t exactly upset, but yes—he’d thought about it before. He would’ve liked it.

But he never gave her a nickname, either. None of the people who used nicknames with her had truly cared for her.

Abellard was the exception, of course—but if he called her “Eve,” it would feel like he was copying Abellard, and he didn’t like that.

More than anything, he wanted to be Eveline’s one and only—the only man, the only husband.

“Elkais.”

“…Yes?”

“I’ll start calling you ‘El.’”

“…Could you not look at my face when you say that?”

“Too late. I saw everything.”

Elkais felt embarrassed that she’d seen how happy his face had gotten—but well, what could he do? He was happy.

“You liked it that much?”

“…Very much.”

“If we gave that nickname to the baby instead, I bet it would’ve woken up in protest.”

“…It probably would’ve.”

At that, Eveline laughed and hugged his head tightly. Elkais enjoyed how her soft chest brushed against his cheek.

“Well, since it’s our baby… how about ‘Is’? A mix of your name and mine.”

“For a nickname?”

“Let’s take more time with the real name.”

“Alright.”

Eveline knew he was deliberately rubbing his nose against her chest, but she decided to pretend not to notice. He liked her belly button, too—but he really liked her chest.

And she could understand—after all, she really liked his arms.

When they finally arrived at the glass garden, Eveline couldn’t help but gasp in surprise.

“What is all this?”

Watching her expression, Elkais smiled too—because it looked like she was genuinely happy.