I wonder if my mom also felt this way about me.
It would be overwhelming if I were alone, but even though I am in this world, inside a book, I am not alone. When people found out that I was pregnant, more than ten people would sincerely congratulate me. They would all help, protect, and care for me until the baby was safely born.
Moreover, this would be the legitimate heir to the Archduchy of Schweiden. Whether it’s a boy or a girl, the child would be precious. When a baby with a face that resembles me and his in my arms…
‘Aww, I’m so happy!’
Even though it wasn’t certain yet that there was a baby in my belly, my body seemed ready to burst with excitement about the future.
‘So, how do I confirm it without Lacius knowing?’
It would be nearly impossible to escape his sight. I thought about that and laid down again with my head on the pillow. The sound of the man I love breathing made me feel at ease.
The dream I had earlier about the golden bird seemed unbelievable, but the scene was still so vivid. The bird’s wings were the same golden color as Lacius’ hair.
* * *
Three days after that,
I tried to visit the doctor without Lacius noticing, but I failed repeatedly. I didn’t realize it before, but he refused to leave my side, not even for a moment. Not even for a single moment.
In this floating hotel, each room had a terrace-like area, a place where a plane could land and take off. But even if I tried to secretly go down on it while he was sleeping, it was impossible because I had to call the captain into the room. And I couldn’t drive it myself.
“The game equipment is finally complete!”
Thus, time passed idly, and finally, the day arrived. That morning, the game creator appeared with a stunningly luxurious Yutnori set.
“Because you…. Ehem, extra. I have put extra effort into making this. How do you like it?”
Maybe it was because I paid the game creator extra money, but the result was great. I nodded and stroked the diamond-encrusted yut. It was light and had a good grip; throwing it once would feel extravagant.
“Good job.”
I praised the maker and reached into my pocket. The creator, who was paid, grinned widely, and I turned back to Lacius, handing him the Yut.
“How about a game?”
“If you teach me.”
“Okay, let’s try it together first.”
Maybe it was because I thought I might be pregnant; my body felt more tired day by day. It was nice to see the snow-covered scenery outside, but right now I just want to relax while listening to soft music like this.
In each room of the floating hotel, there was a soothing orchestral melody played through magic. Food was also brought to you when you ordered so that you could feel comfortable both physically and mentally. Lacius and I placed the Yut game board on the dining table.
Next to us was a mountain of honey-soaked cherries and small rose-shaped chocolates. And a wine with a bitter taste that will accentuate the sweetness even more. This wine, which has a label made of real, pure gold, is said to be almost 100 years old.
“Ah, Lacius. I don’t want to drink wine.”
Lacius picked up the wine bottle and poured it into a glass as if it were natural. I quickly stopped him before he could pour another drink. Then Lacius slightly raised his eyebrows as if he were puzzled.
“You seemed to like wine.”
“Yes, but not today. I don’t like it. I’ve decided not to drink it anymore.”
Lacius tilted his head when I simply said, ‘I don’t like it’ without explanation, but quickly agreed.
“Then you should order something else to drink. How about champagne?”
“No, I don’t want any alcohol.”
“Juice would be better, then. Or milk.”
Lacius looked at me and smiled as if he were looking at the cutest thing in the world. It was probably meant as a joke, but there was one I liked among the options Lacius presented.
“Milk! I want to drink milk.”
“Sure.”
In this world, milk was considered a drink for children. Adults rarely drank it, as it was seen as a sign of immaturity. Adults are expected to drink tea, so here I was, in front of all that bread and all that deliciousness, and I still couldn’t drink milk.
‘But I need to drink milk so our baby can grow strong.’
No tea, coffee, or alcohol. Although the concept of caffeine didn’t exist here, drinking it during pregnancy was out of the question. I had to eat only what was good for the body, avoiding fatty and sweet things.
I sounded like a know-it-all, but honestly, I didn’t know much, just basic common sense picked up here and there.
After the milk for me arrived, I started teaching him the game in earnest.
“First of all, you have to memorize Do, Gae, Geol, Yut, Mo, and Baekdo. This is what each one looks like.”
“I got it, I memorized them already.”
“Alright, now move your piece according to the number you roll.”
“Hmm, this. I think you can land the piece you want depending on how you move your wrist.”
As expected, Lacius, being the commander of the knights, was sharp. How did he figure out such a secret trick already?
“Okay, I’ll go first.”
I haven’t played Yut that much. However, I felt good because this was the true spirit of Korean tradition. It was like bringing a piece of home with me. The smile never left my face while I was playing the game several times.
“This is a pretty good game.”
“It is, isn’t it? I plan to introduce it to Sweet Land first and then gradually expand it.”
“Alright. It would be a good idea to meet the person who has been in charge of the operation tomorrow.”
“Yes, is it someone you’re close with?”
“Count Chantefour. He was my father’s close associate. Were not very close, but not distant either.”
“I see.”
“Before my father passed away, he handed over the management of Makarten to him. He knew very well that I had no interest in this.”
Lacius sipped his wine, reminiscing about the past. I sipped my milk and asked.
“It’s a place where an enormous amount of money is involved, so they must have been trustworthy enough that your father entrusted the management rights to him.”
“He was. So far, the documents and money have matched up without any issues.”
“Aha.”
“I guess we’re at the point where I can overlook some embezzlement, as long as it’s not done to taunt or deceive me.”
“Wow, then you must be very close for you to say it’s okay to skim off some money!”
“We must be.”
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