“I have a lot of work, so I guess I get tired. But how can I complain to Edrísh? You’re busier and work harder than me. It’s a bit strange to complain to someone who is busier and works harder than me.”

“I can’t rely on you, so I’m disqualified as a husband.”

What a nonsensical thing to say.

I vigorously shook both of my hands.

“What? No way. It’s not true. I don’t want a million other husbands. If it’s not Edrísh.”

Only then did a gentle smile appear on Edrísh’s face.
“Anyway, it’s not like Edrísh suggested it, and it’s not that I dislike working like that. There’s a sense of accomplishment and fun in it, but today, just today, I felt like this. The weather is too nice to stay only inside the palace.”

Edrísh swept my hair over. I felt so relaxed by his tender touch. I leaned my face against his palm. My eyes gently closed at the warmth of his hand enveloping my cheek.

“If you want to go out like this, make sure to tell me in the future.”

“Yeah. Got it.”

“So we can play together.”

“Yeah, yeah.”

“That way, our baby will be comfortable too.”

“Yeah, yeah… Baby?”

At the unfamiliar words, my eyes snapped open.

“What baby?”

Edrísh’s lips slightly curled up. What’s this? That smile. It’s been a few years since I’ve been with Edrísh. I thought I could read all of his expressions, but his face right now is truly an expression I’ve never seen before.

It seemed like joy, overwhelming and fulfilling, calm yet excited.

“Our baby growing in your belly.”

“…My belly? My belly is full of food.”

“The chief physician we visited today said so. That a healthy baby is growing.”

My mind went blank. I couldn’t tell what expression I was making, but one thing was clear; Edrísh, seeing me like that, burst into laughter. Then he pulled me into a tight embrace. Everything seemed to move in slow motion.

A baby?

Our baby with Edrísh?

Others say that when they have a baby, they are filled with gratitude and emotion. But I was not like that. The first feeling I felt was confusion, in itself!

Pregnancy! Me being a mom!

I’m not even an adult yet!

Moreover, I ran away today because I didn’t want to work?

The second emotion that I felt was fear.

Come to think of it, what’s in my belly might be a tiger cub. If it’s a tiger, it’ll surely be outstanding, right? How am I going to give birth to it? I’m a hedgehog!

Oh my. Don’t hedgehogs die after giving birth to tigers?

Of course, I’ve known all along that a child to succeed the throne is needed. I’ve known that others are waiting for it, and since I share a bed with Edrísh every day, I knew it would soon become a reality.

I even secretly wanted a child who resembles Edrísh. Yes, I secretly wished for that.

Being with children is always joyful…

But, becoming a reality is a different matter!

“Edrísh, I’m scared. Can I do this?”

Edrísh hugged me tightly. I could feel the rapid heartbeat between the two of us.

“Then.”

Although it was a short answer, somehow my heart felt greatly relieved.

As soon as I returned to the palace, I met the chief physician to check my body condition again.

I grabbed the chief physician and asked about pregnancy and childbirth for hours.

The conclusion was that whether there’s a tiger cub or an elephant cub in my belly, there won’t be much difference.

Phew, that’s a relief.
And from then on, truly luxurious days continued.

Edrísh treated me delicately, handling me like a fragile heirloom passed down through generations.

“Cecilia, do you want to try this too?”

“Yeah!”

Edrísh personally scooped a spoonful of the prepared pear and brought it to my mouth. The sweet taste of the pear, combined with the aroma of cinnamon, blended in my mouth. Edrísh even wiped the bit spilled on the corner of my mouth with a handkerchief.

Lying down and having my handsome husband feed me a super high-quality dessert. Am I in heaven right now?

“Is there anything else you want to eat? Or anything you want. Or should I massage your legs? Is there any pain?”

His expression was solemn and serious, but anxiety and restlessness seeped through in his words. His earnestness was so funny that I burst into laughter.

“No, nothing, nothing. It’s perfect now.”

“Okay, rest well. Don’t overexert yourself.”

“But, can I really not work?”

“Yeah.”

“But then, who will handle all those documents?”

“I will.”

“But Edrísh, you were already busy. If I do my part, won’t the workload be too much for you?”

“I’ll manage everything, so just do what you want.”

Edrísh gently massaged my hand. My smaller hand melted under his delicate touch. I pulled my hand back and made a fist. Then, I lowered my voice in a mock serious tone.

“Edrísh, do you know what people are saying these days? If you want to train a tiger, go to a hedgehog! They say if Edrísh were the king, everyone would’ve surrendered!”

Edrísh would surely be surprised.

Such rumors could become serious.

But contrary to my expectations, Edrísh just chuckled, looking amused.

“What’s this? Do people really spread such stories? If Edrísh becomes the king, everyone says they’ll surrender instantly!”

“Is that so? Don’t tell me Edrísh already knew about these stories?”

“I knew. Everyone says that when they see me.”

“But, is that, funny?”

When I widened my eyes, Edrísh took my hand again.

“It’s actually true, believe it or not.”

He responded nonchalantly, as if it wasn’t a big deal, and laughed brightly. When Edrísh laughed, for some reason, I burst into laughter too. We laughed while facing each other for quite some time.