As time passed and Elena’s due date approached, she frequently felt sharp pains in her stomach. In addition, headaches and dizziness were common, so people hovered around Elena’s vicinity for any possible situation. As such, Carlisle’s concern for her only increased. He completed the minimal amount of work for the day, then went to his wife’s side.
“How are you? Are you feeling well?”
Elena smiled faintly as she lay in a soft bed.
“Yes, don’t worry. Recently I called a doctor because of stomach pain, but he said I was fine.”
“How can I not worry? If I knew you would suffer like this…I would have been against the pregnancy.”
“Shhh, the baby’s listening.”
Despite Elena’s comments, Carlisle glared disapprovingly at her round stomach. The child had been putting Elena through a lot of stress as of late. He had heard of many cases of sickness and death during childbirth. Carlisle settled himself next to Elena’s bedside, his expression troubled as he stroked her face.
“I never want to see my wife suffer again. Whatever the gender of the child, they will be my successor.”
A daughter would be difficult due to the low social advancement of women in the Ruford Empire, but that mattered little to Carlisle. It was better to change imperial law rather than watch Elena suffer.
In any kingdom, the emperor routinely had many children, and the most distinguished of them all was named the heir. But Carlisle had no intention of taking in another wife other than Elena, and he did not want her to go through another pregnancy. Their child would be the next emperor, whether girl or boy.
Elena suddenly winced and held her belly with both hands.
“Ah.”
“Wait.”
Carlisle stood up and was about to summon a doctor, but Elena grabbed his sleeve with one hand and shook her head.
“I’m fine. The doctor said it was a natural symptom at this stage and nothing to worry about.”
“But…”
“The pain will soon fade. You know that, Caril.”
Just as Elena said, Carlisle had seen Elena go through these phases before. The pain naturally disappeared each time, so it was useless calling a doctor unless there was some abnormality.
Carlisle sat himself next to her, looking more pained than she was. He gently rubbed her hands in feet in hopes of easing her tension. Fortunately, Elena’s pain did not last long, and soon after her expression relaxed again.
“Thank you.”
“…I wish I could give birth instead.”
At the seriousness of Carlisle’s face, Elena burst out laughing. He didn’t know how much his words meant to her. Carlisle truly was a lovely man. Because he was by her side, she could endure any hardships that came her way.
“Have you thought of a name for our baby?”
“I have since the last time you asked me about it.”
“What is it?”
“Serena.”
“That’s a girl’s name, isn’t it?”
“Yes. I want her to be a beautiful girl that looks like you.”
As he spoke, Carlisle’s blue eyes glimmered with a warm light. He wore a wonderful smile as he looked at his wife’s face.
“But you should also consider a boy’s name, too. That’s too feminine for a son.”
“If it’s a boy, I’ll go and think about it then. Or you can just name the boy.”
She shook her head at Carlisle’s radically different attitude towards daughters and sons. He wanted a daughter who looked like her from the start, while Elena wanted a son that looked just like him. After a moment of reflection, Elena spoke.
“If the baby’s a boy…what about naming him Crow?”
“Crow?”
“Yes. There’s a Ruford Empire legend that tells of a bird that never dies. If this child is a boy…well, he has endured many difficult hardships while in my stomach, so it seemed suitable.”
Carlisle gave a nod.
“That’s a good name. Very well then.”
“Don’t you think you’re agreeing too fast?”
At Elena’s teasing words, Carlisle chuckled and kissed her cheek.
“No. I like everything you do.”
Elena couldn’t help but smile faintly. Then, unbidden, a yawn came out of her mouth. Carlisle quickly noticed her exhaustion and laid her body down more comfortably.
“If you’re tired, rest. You were tossing and turning last night too.”
“Yes. I feel sleepy all of a sudden.”
Elena lay on her bed, looking up at Carlisle with her hazy eyes, and this time he kissed on her forehead. His expression was full of special affection.
“I’ll stay with you until you wake up. Have a good sleep, and then you can eat whatever you wish for dinner.”
“Alright.”
“Good night, my wife.”
Carlisle’s voice rang pleasantly in her ear, and she closed her eyes into a long and comfortable sleep. She felt very warm and happy…like she was walking on clouds.
***
Another month passed by in a flash. After going through several periods of pain, Elena’s real delivery date arrived.
“Aaaagh!”
A cry of pain came from Elena’s mouth. She’s been poisoned, hit by an arrow, and stabbed by a sword before, but she had never experienced pain like this. The whole world seemed to whirl before her eyes. The midwife, who was in charge of the delivery, cried out from the side.
“Your Majesty, you mustn’t lose consciousness! Give more strength!”
“Aaaagh!”
Elena wanted to obey the midwife, but her body hurt so much that she found it difficult to command it. As her period of labor grew longer, so did the worry on the nanny’s and Mary’s face. However, their worries paled in comparison to Carlisle, who was waiting outside the room.
Ttubeog ttubeog.
Carlisle couldn’t remain still and was pacing restlessly. A terrible energy was emanating from him, and Zenard was concerned that the Emperor’s fragile sanity might snap and he might go into another rampage.
Kwaang!
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An impatient Carlisle struck a table with his fist.
“It’s already been an hour. When is the baby coming out?”
Zenard hurriedly tried to calm him down.
“It depends on the mother, but some childbirths take a long time. Please wait a little longer…”
But before Zenard could even finish speaking, there was another scream from the room.”
“Aaaaah!”
Carlisle’s face paled when he heard the scream. It sounded like something had gone wrong with Elena. He yanked the cravat from his neck.
“Let me in. Something might happen to the child. But my wife is not allowed to get hurt.”
“I-I understand.”
Carlisle looked ready to storm in the room if Zenard hesitated a second longer, so Zenard quickly called a maid so he could speak to the midwife.
If Carlisle had to choose between the child and the mother, he would choose Elena unconditionally. Carlisle’s usual proud expression was hardened with tension, and it was the first time anyone here had seen him with such impatience.
As Elena’s screams grew, his tolerance began to thin. He couldn’t wait any longer. Just when he felt that he was at his limit—
“Waaaaah!”
At last, a child’s wail broke out. Carlisle heard the sound and couldn’t stand it any longer, and immediately burst into the birthing room. Several maids were diligently scurrying about, as various items needed for childbirth were scattered around the room. It was a dizzying sight, but amid this organized chaos, Carlisle’s eyes fell only to one person.
Elena was laying on the bed covered with sweat, and he quickly approached her. He wiped her forehead and spoke in a hoarse voice.
“You did a great job.”
Elena replied with a faint smile to let him know she was alright. The nanny sidled up to him, carrying a bundle of white blankets.
“Congratulations, Your Majesty. You have a healthy son.”
The baby already had a head of thin, black hair. He was a boy who looked exactly like Carlisle. The nanny held the child out to Carlisle, but he simply stared at the baby, motionless. Elena looked at him in puzzlement.
“…Caril?”
At that moment, she could read the fear in Carlisle’s blue eyes. He had spent his entire life believing that the dragon’s blood that coursed through him made him a monster. But when he saw the child who looked just like him, he seemed scared.
The child’s tightly closed eyelids began to open. He had one blue eye that resembled Carlisle, and one red eye that resembled Elena’s. The newborn boy had unusual eyes that took after both his parents.
Different babies had different times when they would first open their eyes, but this was quite soon after a birth. Carlisle’s stiffened expression finally relaxed. He had a realization when he looked at his new son; while the boy mostly resembled himself, he was a child of Elena’s.
As if possessed, Carlisle slowly took the child from the nurse’s arms, and stared at him with widened eyes. Elena was relieved to see Carlisle calm so quickly. Carlisle held the baby out to Elena, and spoke with a faint note of pride.
“See? Our child.”
At his words, Elena nodded with a light smile. The child looked healthy. He looked just like a combination of both his parents. It was an unspeakably moving scene for her.
This was the day Crow Walter Ben Ruford was born, to be recorded as a member of the Ruford Empire in history.
***
Crow grew rapidly. He was only three months old when he turned over in bed by himself, surprising Elena. He seemed to grow a little faster than other children, which made her both happy and worried at the same time.
“Crow, did you have a good time with your nanny today?”
Elena held her child and waved his little arms in the air. The more Crow grew, the more he resembled Carlisle. With each passing day, her affection for the child grew.
As she was taking care of him, she heard someone approaching. She turned her head in the direction of the sound, and saw Carlisle walking towards them.
“Caril, you’re here?”
“Why are you watching Crow? Leave it to the others.”
Elena wished to take care of Crow as much as possible, but Carlisle was still worried that her body was hurt. She replied with a smile.
“I didn’t want to leave him to the nanny.”
“Still, don’t hold the child carelessly. If you don’t do it properly, your wrist will hurt.”
Carlisle quickly took the Crow from Elena’s arms. Elena, who lost Crow in an instant, smiled as if she couldn’t help it.
“Some people say Crow’s special. It’s only been three months since I gave birth, and now he can hug.”
“No, you need to rest more. You’re frailer than others.”
That was a false sentence, considering her excellent skills as a knight. However, she didn’t mind that Carlisle looked at her like that, and she had a ticklish feeling in her heart.
“You’re calling me weak…”
Elena chuckled, and Carlisle approached her with Crow in his arms and kissed her eyes.
“And don’t take care of Crow too much. There is one more man here who desperately wants your love.”
“Please refrain from excessive skinship in front of the baby, Your Majesty.”
Elena’s tone turned joking, and Carlisle grinned.
“Well, he should know who his mother is. If it weren’t for our child, would you allow me in your arms?”
“Are you jealous?”
“…A little.”
Carlisle grinned and kissed Elena’s face again, this time raining light kisses on her face. Elena gave a peal of laughter.
“That’s ticklish.”
Carlisle whispered in her ear as he looked at her bright expression.
“Who was it that told me to avoid excessive skinship?”
It was then.
Crow, who was huddled in Carlisle’s arms, gave a little babble.
“Oaah.”
Carlisle and Elena were shocked. Elena spoke first with wide open eyes.
“Did you hear that?”
“I did.”
“Oh my god, our Crow said something!”
Elena hurriedly brought her face close to her baby’s.
“Crow, try again. Hm? ”
Carlisle looked unhappy about losing her attention, but he finally gave a soft smile. Like his beloved Elena, a child whose eye resembled hers was more precious to Carlisle than anything else in the world.
A very ordinary day was drawing to a close again. For both of them, happiness was not a faraway dream anymore. If the three of them remained a family together like this, it would always be a happy day.