“Is it because the popularity poll is trending up?”
But the next words that came out of his mouth were something else entirely. I’m doubled over with excitement because he doesn’t seem to be able to guess anything about my pregnancy. I held Lacius’s hands tightly and tried to speak as calmly as I could.
“Don’t be surprised.”
“Alright.”
“I… you know…”
Ugh, why can’t words come out easily? I moved my lips several times, eventually blurting it out in a loud voice.
“I’m pregnant!”
“… … !”
“It’s true. I went to the doctor and got it confirmed. I’m pregnant!”
With my exclamation, Lacius’s pupils grew wide and then trembled, as if he couldn’t believe it. Then he got up so quickly that the table shook, came towards me, and hugged me so tightly.
“Lacius! You’ll scare the baby!”
“I’m sorry, I’m sorry. I was so happy that I lost control for a moment.”
“Well, I understand. I almost fainted myself when the doctor confirmed that I was pregnant.”
A sliver of laughter escaped Lacius’s lips at my boastful tone.
Then, in the next moment, he burst into a radiant smile, his body shaking with joy.
“Shay. Shay, you’re having a child. We’re really… having a child!”
“Yes!”
“Thank you. Thank you so much, I love you. I love you, Shay.”
Seeing someone I love so incredibly happy was far more joyful than I’d imagined. Lacius hugged me again, this time more gently, then he kissed the top of my head and whispered.
“I’m sorry.”
“For what?”
“For not being able to bear the child myself, even though I’m physically much stronger than you.”
“Eh, what are you talking about?”
“I heard that having a baby puts a lot of strain on a mother’s body. I also read that a baby takes a lot of nutrients from their mother.”
“Well, that’s true.”
“So I’ll do better.”
“You’re already doing enough.”
“No, really. If there’s anything you want, I’ll get it for you, and if it makes you happy, I’ll even dress up as a clown.”
Everyone, look at this man. To think that such a devoted man is my husband. I already knew he was a wonderful husband, but at that moment, I became sure he would be a wonderful father as well.
“Now that Duke Yulpe has returned, I suppose I can pass on a position to him. Let’s go to Shay Island. Tomorrow, no—tonight, right away.”
Seeing Lacius ramble for the first time was incredibly amusing. When I burst out laughing, Lacius squeezed my hand with a very serious expression.
“I heard that the early stages of pregnancy are the most dangerous and important. It’s my fault for not thinking that you could be pregnant and not doing enough research about it. If I had, I would have found out sooner that you were pregnant.”
“I didn’t even have morning sickness or anything. My belly hasn’t really shown yet, so it’s hard to tell. I honestly thought I’d just gained some weight from eating too much.”
“Morning sickness…”
“Yeah, the doctor said the husband could experience morning sickness in place of the wife.”
At my words, surprise flickered in Lacius’s eyes. I pinched his cheek playfully and asked him a mischievous question.
“Lashin, have you been getting morning sickness without me knowing?”
Lacius tilted his head, looking perplexed.
“Morning sickness?”
“Yeah, like feeling nauseous, not wanting to eat things you normally like…”
At my question, Lacius narrowed his eyes and thought for a moment. Then he looked at me with a sudden expression of realization.
“Now that you mention it, I have felt a lack of appetite recently… So I’ve mostly been eating sour fruits and honey wine. I thought it was just a minor health issue, but I guess there was a reason.”
Lacius has a high tolerance for discomfort, and he endures pain better than most. If he’s saying he lost his appetite, it must mean that the symptoms would be unbearable for an ordinary person, like not being able to put anything in your mouth. I patted his arm with concern.
“It really seems like you’re experiencing morning sickness on my behalf.”
“I had planned to visit the doctor for a check-up next week, but I guess that’s unnecessary now since we know the reason.”
Lacius seemed to be in a good mood. But while I was in a good mood, I couldn’t help but be a little serious. I’m not suffering from it right now, but I heard that ‘morning sickness’ is very painful.
“We should still call the doctor.”
“Yes. But there’s nothing to worry about.”
“Still…”
“I read that morning sickness makes pregnant women suffer greatly. Knowing I can share your burden makes me happier than anything.”
His words, whispered sweetly into my ear, felt so tender. His sincerity spread through my heart like warm tea. I cleared my throat, struggling to hold back tears that were threatening to spill.
“They say prenatal care is so important and that the baby sees and hears the same things I see and hear.”
“Got it. I should hire an orchestra immediately. And I’ll also hire artists to draw pictures of you every day.”
“Oh, come on, that’s just over the top!”
“No, this is something I’ve wanted to do for a long time. I wanted to have your image drawn every day, but it seemed like it would be an unusual situation, so I held back.”
I never knew Lacius had this side to him. He seemed to want to wrap me in a blanket and carry me around everywhere. Curious as to what more he would say if left alone, I glanced toward the mansion and spoke up.
“Then let’s get Theobalt, Maynard and Juliet, and Cat… all over here. So we can share this news with them.”
“It’s a celebration day at the Schweiden estate.”
With a warm smile like sunlight, Lacius squeezed my hand firmly. It was so reassuring that I felt as if I had nothing to worry about in the world.
* * *
“The marble floors are a huge potential threat, and if you slip and fall, it will be a big problem, so I’ll have them put carpet everywhere in the manor.”
After the initial shock and congratulations about the pregnancy subsided… Theobalt spoke with a very serious face. Juliet, who was standing next to him, clenched her fists and raised her voice.
“We need to fill the house with flowers daily! Master should only see beautiful things!”
“Yes, Juliet is right. It would also be a good idea to hire prenatal exercise instructors, masseuses, and midwives to help you keep being healthy.”
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