For the Emperor, who had visited the kingdom several times for various reasons, to ignore such an incident was a significant breach of etiquette. It could even strain the deep historical relationship.

Cloé had to make a choice not as a wife but as an Empress. Even if it meant leaving her husband behind.

“Our child is saying the same. He wants to see a splendid figure of his dad as a knight. He says it’s more important to protect hundreds of people than staying by me and mom.”

“……Cloé.”

“That’s the ideal image of a hero that he admires.”

Smiling charmingly at the man looking straight at her, Cloé continued.

Afterwards, she gently lifted the man’s large hand clasped in hers and placed it on her stomach. The fingers that were wriggling on her swollen belly gradually calmed down, regaining composure.

“I always want to be by your side. Especially when you need me.”

“I know.”
“You would worry if I were not around, and I, too, would worry without seeing you always by my side.”

“But we still have to do it. Each of us has our own responsibilities. If I chose to abandon my duties so far and chose to be a mother, Kun should fulfill his responsibilities. Being a father and a husband may take a temporary break, but both of us understand it well enough.”

Her upright blue eyes held the man she endlessly loved.

“Yeah, dear?”

With that, she delivered a decisive blow, driving a wedge into the man’s heart.

The Emperor departed for the Yuri Kingdom for about a week. Due to his absence, Winter Friede, originally scheduled to go on a punitive expedition, stayed at the palace, commanding the knights and assisting Cloé.

With Kun, who had a significant role in the affairs, gone, the palace servants paid special attention to Cloé, who would feel lonely. She was now proficient enough in managing the empress’s duties without the Emperor’s orders.

So, Cloé spent her days moderately eating, walking, and sleeping, creating her own somewhat luxurious routine.

“What color do you want?”

“Well, how about a refreshing yellow? Since the baby is due in spring.”

Cloé replied, picking up a yellow yarn today with Jane to make clothes for the baby.

“Then I’ll go with green! Like fresh grass, isn’t it lovely?”

“It’s very nice.”

Jane, who had overcome her language barrier with her mother and spent time knitting happily, had now reached a level where she could form proper sentences.

It was during such enjoyable knitting moments that Cloé’s belly suddenly tightened, and she began to feel pain. Although it happened occasionally as the due date approached, today’s sensation was somewhat different.

“……Jane!”

Cloé sensed the liquid flowing beneath her. It was markedly different from the usual discharge during pregnancy, a clear, viscous liquid.

“I-I’ll call the doctor!”

Seeing Cloé’s pale face, Jane was also startled.

The doctor explained that her amniotic fluid had burst, and they needed to prepare for childbirth today. It was an extremely sudden piece of news.

Hurriedly moving to the bedroom, Cloé began preparations for delivery.

“Ugh…!”

While waiting for the cervix to fully open, Cloé had to endure intense pain. Although there were enough maids in the room to fill it, there was no one to comfort her loneliness and pain.

Jane approached her, carrying Kun’s clothes, and placed them around Cloé.

‘I love you. Cloé, both you and our child. So much that I would dedicate my entire life.’

‘Our child will grow up happily for a lifetime, just as you did by my side. I’ll make it happen, dedicating my whole body to it.’
In the brief moment of the familiar scent dominated by the man’s nose, Cloé found a moment of relief. At times, it felt like Kun’s tender voice echoed in her ears.

After several hours of pain, the actual childbirth began. The midwife’s shouts urging her to exert more force were followed by Cloé’s cries, tearing through the air with a sound as if her vocal cords were about to rip.

Soon, the cries of the baby filled the room.

“Thank you, Your Majesty, the Empress.”

“…….”

“Such a lovely princess. Truly beautiful, resembling Your Majesty!”

The robust cries echoed right next to Cloé. Like the song of a nightingale, it was pure and beautiful, leaving Cloé with no room for weariness.

Though she couldn’t understand what was beautiful about a face full of wrinkles, in Cloé’s eyes, her daughter was already the most lovely and precious being in the world.

Cloé weakly lifted her trembling hand to touch the baby’s hand. The tiny, delicate fingers tickled her heart.

“You…”

You’re my treasure, together for ten whole months.

My daughter, my Cinderella.

“Cloé!”

Kun, who had left for a mission, urgently returned to the palace after only three days. It was a rapid return, considering he might not have heard about the baby’s birth.

As he entered the bedroom, Cloé, with a puzzled expression, greeted him.

Then Herace, who was by her side, approached and informed him of everything. In short, he had quickly vanquished all the demons for a swift return.

“A-Are you okay?”

“You can see I’m okay. I’m fine, really.”

“If something this big happened while I wasn’t here…”

“But you handled it well. It’s what we agreed upon.”

The usually fearless owner of an unknown and reckless personality seemed unnecessarily small in the face of such events. Cloé emphasized that he shouldn’t feel unnecessary guilt.

“Why not go together to see the baby? She looks just like you, so adorable.”

“She… takes after me?”

“Then with such a wonderful dad right here, she must have taken after only me?”

With Herace’s support, Cloé, who had risen, led Kun to the baby room.

The baby was sleeping on the bed, displaying various colors. Both Cloé and Kun could only smile at the sight of the angelic appearance.

“She’s a princess. Every time she opens her eyes, you can see a bit of red pupils under her eyelids. It’s really beautiful.”

Cloé whispered proudly.

Upon hearing about the baby’s appearance, Kun’s body twitched slightly. After a while, he turned his head towards the baby. It seemed as if he remembered something, and he even pursed his lips.

“Our… If our child is a daughter, what did we decide to name her?”

As she asked, Kun’s gaze naturally turned towards the baby. There was a hint of him recalling something, and he even mumbled as if trying to remember.

“I’ve already called her many times, so now it’s Kun’s turn to call her.”
Soon, Kun slowly lowered his body to meet the baby face to face.

The baby, deeply asleep, lips pursed while emitting various colored breaths, was utterly adorable. That incredibly beautiful baby, with the same eyes as theirs, gazing at the world, filled Cloé’s heart with pride.

“Beatrice, my baby.”

“…….”

“Truly small and adorable.”

It was the most precious result in the world, born from the efforts of Kun and Cloé.