‘Pregnancy is a once-in-a-lifetime event. You shouldn’t be overly optimistic that everything will be fine.’

When Leoprick first brought in the famous midwife, she said that with a stern expression.

This is a risk that women bear entirely, and even after safely giving birth, one must continue to be careful for a while, so absolutely don’t spout nonsense about everything being fine.

It was something I learned after Leoprick and everyone in the royal family asked her to tell them the most honest and accurate information about pregnancy and childbirth.

Never be optimistic.

Always stay alert and be cautious.

But it seems I had been thinking too lightly of pregnancy until now.

I sighed at the sadness that washed over me as I looked at the plates placed here and there.

Probably when Leoprick comes in, he’ll make a fuss about clearing away all the scattered plates.

Constantly asking if I’m alright, if I’m feeling uncomfortable.

Of course, I wasn’t planning to eat all of that, and I was going to make some excuse to clear it away.

But if I actually see him clearing it, I might end up complaining a lot due to my upset feelings.

I want to somehow not say anything, but……

“Amelia. Are you alright?”

“…I’m fine.”

I was just, just upset.

Why is he always so busy by himself instead of being by my side?

Making all the fuss by himself while not knowing how to care for his wife’s feelings.

Thinking it would be better if he wasn’t in sight at all if he’s going to be like that, I locked the door with a click.

“You’re going to be busy alone again anyway. I’m fine being alone, so don’t worry about me.”

“What? Amelia. It’s dangerous to be alone. You know that. At least let me stay beside you. Okay?”

Hmph. I know you’re just going to leave me alone and go out anyway.

Ignoring his words from outside, I picked up a plate with a sullen face.

Though I could hear him fidgeting restlessly outside, I ate quite comfortably.

It was more of a parade of desserts than a proper meal, but I felt full for the first time since getting pregnant.

Even if I only emptied one or two more plates.

“I think I might gain some weight now.”

Letting out a sigh, I felt a little better.

Thankfully, the cake varieties weren’t too nauseating.

I sipped the remaining tea and gently rubbed my belly while leaning back on the sofa.

It wasn’t noticeably showing yet, and I didn’t feel like there was anything there, but still.

I just wanted to do it.

“Thank you for staying still while I ate, baby.”

After muttering those words, I suddenly felt an indescribable feeling.

A fuzzy, warm feeling that’s hard to explain.

I can’t know how exactly a child is inside this completely flat belly.

But it’s like a small fountain of affection is bubbling up.

“Please don’t torment Mommy too much, okay? I have a lot to do and many things I want to do.”

So I gently stroked my belly and spoke to it.

Of course, the tiny life inside, whose position I can’t know, won’t answer.

The pregnancy booklet the midwife gave me said that when the belly starts showing and the due date approaches, sometimes the baby responds by kicking, but is that really true?

In over 40 years of living, including my previous life, I had never carried a child.

I had never even paid close attention to children.

For someone like me to be carrying a child now, it’s really…

Amazing and unbelievable at the same time.

In my previous life, I didn’t have children, didn’t think about having them, and didn’t think I would have them.

There weren’t any events that would lead to that either.

As I thought about how my life would no longer be the same as before because of this child, I suddenly felt the baby in my womb become unbearably precious.

At the same time, I also felt scared.

Because I didn’t have a mother when I was young.

I had never experienced what it was like to have a mother, only vaguely imagining it.

Can someone like me be a good mother to this child?

As that thought crossed my mind, I felt suddenly terrified.

I don’t know anything.

In a situation where I don’t have time to study, worry about, or research anything for the child, is it okay to have this baby now?

Even with an excellent midwife by my side, and the empire’s finest talents at my disposal.

Giving birth to and raising a child is entirely my responsibility.

Then, who do I ask about this?

“Betty, Betty!”

Suddenly, a person came to mind.

I hurriedly called for Betty who was outside.

It had been quite a while since I started looking for Grandmother.

I was curious about why I, who had not a shred of magical power, had slightly deviated from the magic passed down through generations in the imperial family, and what it meant that I, as well as my mother and grandmother, had ‘good intuition’.

Moreover, in an unstable situation like now, I needed even just a word from Grandmother, since Mother wasn’t here.

“She’s entered the capital?”

“Yes, Your Highness. She’s currently at a safe house owned by the merchant guild.”

When I asked Betty about Grandmother, she brought in Hayley who was waiting outside.

And Hayley told me about what happened today, along with her opinion that Lady Arte seemed to intend to stay there for a while.

“You should have told me when she arrived. I’ve been looking for her all this time.”

“I only heard about it a few hours ago… His Highness the Crown Prince was very worried about Your Highness’s morning sickness, so there wasn’t time to talk about it. I’m sorry.”

Hayley bowed her head deeply at my question.

She said they rushed to the safe house with Father and Leoprick, worried about my morning sickness, and didn’t have time to think about it.

Since pregnancy usually takes after the mother, they thought there might be some answers.

I understand the situation, but that wasn’t what I was curious about when I first started looking for Grandmother.

I let out a short sigh and stood up.

“It’s fine. It can’t be helped. So if I go now, can I see Grandmother?”

“Are you planning to go yourself? It’s dangerous, Your Highness.”

“That’s right, Your Highness. It’s dangerous to ride in a carriage now. Why don’t we bring the Lady here instead? I’ll go!”

They’re making such a fuss just because I stood up.

At this rate, the whole palace will be in an uproar if I so much as sneeze.

Feeling somewhat stifled, I let out a long sigh and waved my hand.

“I’m going to the bedroom. Betty, please bring Grandmother here. As quickly as possible.”

“Ah, yes! I will!”

With that, Betty went outside, and I asked Hayley to just accompany me to the bedroom.

She seemed a bit restless, but for now, I needed to go out.

I was starting to feel the food smell rising.

I slowly made my way out with Hayley.

And as we came out, I ran into Leoprick who was leaning against the door.

“Amelia.”

He had been standing there with a somewhat gloomy expression, but when I came out, he brightened up and straightened his posture.

…Don’t tell me he’s been standing there waiting all this time?

“You were still here?”

“Ah… I was worried about you.”

Leoprick smiled awkwardly at my words.

He said he did go out when I told him to earlier, but he felt he should at least see me come out, so he waited.

He added that he kept waiting, worried something might happen.

“Are you going to your room? Shall I escort you?”

As he approached eagerly, I saw Hayley discreetly step back.

Although I felt a bit upset with him earlier, thinking about it, he’s always been this consistent.

Even when he was away, it was probably for my sake.

Feeling belatedly apologetic, I gently took his hand.

“…Thank you, Your Highness.”

I wanted to ask if he wasn’t busy, but thinking it would be better to just go quietly, I kept my mouth shut.

Everything feels uncomfortable.

My heart, my mood, even my body.

Thinking that holding hands with him feels much more awkward than before, I slowly started walking towards the room with him and turned my head.

“Hayley, you can go back now. And please tell Father to look for Mother’s records.”

“Yes, Your Highness.”

Mother must have left something behind as well.

Then perhaps those records might convey something more clearly that Grandmother might not remember.

Thinking this, I gave instructions to Hayley, and she nodded that she would do so.

Watching Hayley bow her head and disappear, I started walking again.

“May I ask why you’re looking for your mother-in-law’s records?”

Leoprick carefully asked beside me.

I could feel that he was being cautious with every word, but somehow it didn’t resonate with me, probably because I’m too exhausted right now.

I glanced at him and spoke monotonously.

“I don’t know anything about what my mother was like. They say pregnancy is usually something mothers teach about, but I don’t know anything…”

After saying that matter-of-factly, I focused only on continuing to walk.

Deliberately not looking at what kind of face he was making beside me.