I must have been waiting for this moment for some time.
Probably since the decision to spend a lifetime with Aiden was made.
Only, I never imagined that I would find out in such circumstances.
But that didn’t make the existence of the child any less joyful or something to be anxious about.
On the contrary, it made her all the more resilient.
“The awaited child is here, and I should fully enjoy that happiness.”
Joy. Welcome. Excitement. Anticipation.
Erin decided to focus solely on the welcoming feelings she had for the child.
“Just, given the situation, please maintain confidentiality.”
“Don’t worry. I will not tell anyone, absolutely.”
The doctor, who knew the current situation, solemnly promised.
“However, as it is still early in the pregnancy, you need to be careful. I will organize and inform you of the things you need to be cautious about.”
“I will be grateful for that.”
Erin listened carefully to the doctor’s advice and acted cautiously.
***
That’s how things turned out.
Erin honestly shared all that had happened until now.
When the story was over, Aiden’s body trembled.
It was fear.
If his memory had not returned.
If he had been cold to Erin or had made a mistake.
Fortunately, that did not happen, but the fear washed over him as he thought of the worst-case scenario.
“Nothing bad happened, did it?”
“But…”
“So instead of worrying about what might have been, I hope you can be happy now. That’s what the child would want too.”
That was all that mattered, Erin was saying. Her words enveloped Aiden in comfort.
Only then did Aiden’s rigid expression begin to relax a little.
And as his worries faded, a pure joy began to fill his face.
“Erin. Thank you so much. I’ll do better from now on.”
Aiden said to Erin with a voice filled with elation as he hugged her tightly.
This is what Erin had wanted to see. Aiden’s face filled with pure joy and anticipation.
Caught up in Aiden’s emotions, Erin spoke with a lifted voice.
“Aren’t you already doing more than enough?”
But Aiden was brimming with eagerness.
“I’ll do even better. I’ll put my life into it and work harder. Even a lifetime of effort wouldn’t be enough to repay the emotions and gratitude of today.”
Aiden, overwhelmed with emotion, continued to speak as if dreaming of the days to come.
Erin watched him for a long time, making eye contact and nodding earnestly before she slowly opened her mouth.
“Shall we go now?”
“Where to?”
“We have to tell the news to your mother and father.”
They were probably even happier than Erin and Aiden themselves.
And right now, they would be worried about what had happened to Erin, who had collapsed.
Aiden got up briskly.
Then, before Erin could even move, he gently embraced her, helping her to get up with ease.
Aiden wrapped Erin’s arm with more care and caution than ever before as they started to walk.
Logan and Isabella were anxiously waiting in their room for news, persuaded by their employees to stay put for the time being.
Although they repeatedly felt the urge to go see what was happening, they refrained, not wanting to burden Erin and Aiden. Just then, Erin and Aiden came to them in person, bringing unbelievable news.
“What…?” Logan and Isabella were both stunned.
Then, outbursts of joyous screams filled the room. “Pregnant! Is it really true?”
Logan and Isabella were so delighted they didn’t know how to react. “This is indeed a celebration.”
Though he tried to sound nonchalant, Logan’s voice was trembling. “I was hoping for this inwardly.”
They had been holding back, worried they would impose too much pressure. And now, here they were, receiving such wonderful news.
“This isn’t the right time to worry about such things. We need to start unpacking our bags.”
Logan and Isabella had planned to stay for just a few days before returning to their estate.
“How could we go back now that we’ve learned Erin is pregnant?”
Isabella was ablaze with enthusiasm.
“I should take care of you until the baby is born.”
However, the couple’s schedule was indefinitely postponed.
There were more people excited about Erin’s pregnancy news.
Upon hearing the news, Julia visited the Lienster House with a fierce determination.
And while gazing intently at Erin’s belly, her eyes sparkled.
“So, this means I’m going to have a niece or nephew!”
From that day, Julia began making gifts for the unborn child.
Ever since the news of Erin’s pregnancy, everyone at meal times paid extra attention to her.
“Is there anything in particular you want to eat?”
“Do you feel nauseous or anything?”
“I’m fine, actually. I think I have a stronger appetite now.”
Initially, there were a few embarrassing moments due to feeling unwell.
There was a time when Aiden, having lost his memory, left the table abruptly during breakfast.
Perhaps it was due to the various stresses at the time, but recently she was feeling fine.
“That’s a relief to hear. Whatever you want to eat, just tell us. Even if it’s something that can’t be found in the empire, we’ll find a way to get it for you.”
“You can tell me that.”
Logan chimed in from her side.
“Why are you two getting involved when I’m here. Erin, you should tell me such things.”
Then Aiden glanced at Logan and Isabella, asserting his own priority.
Eventually, Erin burst out laughing.
And to sort out the situation, she slowly opened her mouth.
“I’ll talk about it now.”
At Erin’s words, the three of them turned their heads.
“Talk about whatever.”
“Yes, I will solve it for you.”
“Tell me.”
Erin looked at the three of them as they adamantly made their offers, and the corners of her mouth turned up with a grin.
“Let’s all take a walk together. I want to go on a walk and let the baby hear everyone’s voices.”
It wasn’t something that one person could do alone. Erin’s request was something that could only be fulfilled if all three participated together.
At that moment, Logan, Isabella, and Aiden exchanged awkward glances, but soon they found their places next to Erin.
Erin simply found joy in this scene.
The three of them were competing to have her speak to them, but in fact, it wasn’t an important issue to Erin.
She was simply happy to be sharing this time together with everyone.
***
Since the news of Erin’s pregnancy had spread, the days at the Lienster household had been like a festival with everyone’s attention poured onto Erin.
Today, like any other, everyone was having a joyous time.
“Aiden. Are you not feeling well today? You don’t seem to be eating much.”
Isabella looked at Aiden with worry.
Indeed, Aiden had looked a bit off in the last few days.
It was strange because he had never had a problem with food before.
“No, it’s nothing serious… urk…!”
“…?!”
Erin looked at him with concern and stroked his back.
“Are you okay?”
“It’s just a bit of an upset stomach… urgh…!”
Aiden, trying to smile through it, suddenly covered his mouth with his hand and turned his head.
“Aiden!”
“Are you sure you’re not sick?”
“Get a doctor right now!”
Erin, Isabella, and Logan shouted one after another.
“Urk!”
Finally, Aiden bolted from his seat and ran out. Worry and unease draped over the faces of the three onlookers.
Once Aiden had calmed down a bit, the doctor examined him.
The doctor, after puzzling over Aiden’s condition with several tilts of his head, made a diagnosis with a determined look.
Silence followed at the same time.
“…What?”
Erin’s eyes widened.
She needed to make sure she had heard it correctly.
Logan and Isabella also stared intently at the doctor as if they were thinking the same.
Feeling the pressure of their gazes, the doctor opened his mouth to speak again.
“It appears that the Duke may be experiencing sympathetic pregnancy symptoms.”
TL/N: Guys the doctor is lying, Aiden is pregnant too.
“…”
“Is that even possible?”
Logan, still looking bewildered, asked.
The doctor replied, somewhat awkwardly,
“I’ve only ever heard of it, this is the first time I’m seeing it myself.”
“Ha.”
“That’s definitely our son. I was worried Erin would suffer from morning sickness, but like this, Aiden is also participating.”
Isabella’s point of pride in Aiden seemed oddly placed, but Erin couldn’t help but let out a small laugh.
Then she looked at Aiden, who appeared to be half the man he had been a moment before.
Perhaps due to this, Erin’s morning sickness disappeared around the time Aiden started to experience his.
Thanks to that, Erin was able to eat everything without exception.
Although, each time, Aiden’s face seemed to grow paler.
“I’m glad I’m the one going through this.”
Even so, Aiden flashed a bright smile at Erin, who was worried.
To others, this bright smile might have seemed rather pitiful.
Thus, Aiden suffered this discomfort for a while.
But not being able to eat much wasn’t too hard for Aiden.
“Occasionally, I feel proud, as if we’re going through this period together.”
“Even with all this suffering?”
Responding to Erin’s distress about Aiden not being able to have proper meals, he gently took her hand in his and said,
“I care about the baby, but I don’t want Erin to suffer alone through the process.”
“…”
“If there’s anything I can do to share the burden, even a little, I want to do it. It’s our child, after all.”
He was essentially saying that he wanted to go through everything together.
