I heard it was finalized, but I didn’t expect them to show up so suddenly like this.

And at such an impeccable timing at that.

“You’re here? You’ve worked hard.”

Regardless of my composed greeting, my heart was pounding wildly. I had thought I might be pregnant, but now that it was confirmed, my heart was thumping loudly.

Askal alternated his gaze between the brightly smiling village chief’s wife and me. Then he approached, moving his hands and feet in the same direction. He seemed to be malfunctioning.

“That… what? What did you say?”

“I said you’ve worked hard?”

“No, before that.”

I stared at the village chief’s wife. She smiled even more brightly and said,

“The madam is with child. Truly congratulations, my lord.”

At the old woman’s words, Askal became even more stiffly frozen. I carefully stood up from my seat and approached him. Then, stroking his face that had turned dark under the eyes from lack of proper sleep, I said,

“I’m pregnant.”

The confusedly shaking golden eyes gradually filled with joy.

He dropped his briefcase right there. Then he pulled me into his arms with all his might.

“My lady, I love you.”

My face grew hot at the sudden confession. Nestled in his embrace, I said,

“There are other people here, Askal.”

“I love you, Schmidt.”

“Calm down a bit…”

“I feel like I’ll go crazy. From happiness.”

Even though I struggled to break free, he showed no intention of letting me go. Instead, he fiercely glared at the village chief’s wife and said,

“What should I do from now on?”

“…First, please let go of the madam.”

At the old woman’s words, Askal quickly released his arms. That sight was so adorable that I chuckled.

“Right now, you are in the early stages of pregnancy, so you need to be especially careful. Avoid things that are too cold or too hot, and focus on getting good rest and eating well.”

The village chief’s wife also stood up from her seat and approached me.

“If you experience abdominal pain or bleeding, go see a doctor right away.”

While saying that, she wrapped a warm blanket around me.

“The medical facilities here are poor, so it would be best for you to return to Artenbach as soon as the lord’s work is finished.”

“The work just ended.”

Askal spread his arms to embrace me again. I surrendered and let him hold me.

“My lady, what would you like to do? I’ll do as you wish.”

“Let’s proceed as originally planned. Staying one more day won’t cause any major issues.”

Suddenly, I thought of Rublion who would be playing outside. I wondered how the child would react upon hearing this news.

“Askal, did you see Rublion on your way here?”

“I just asked him to join me at the village sauna since he was playing in front. It’s about time for him to come.”

As soon as he finished speaking, Rublion appeared, covered in snow. Naro was also carrying snowballs all over his fur.

“I’m back.”

The child, with a bright red nose and cheeks, awkwardly smiled as he seemed a bit self-conscious of the gazes directed at him.

“Should I shake it off before coming in?”

Then he went outside and vigorously shook his head and body. Rublion, now relatively tidier, reappeared.

After wiping his body with a warm towel and changing clothes, Rublion only rolled his confused eyes amidst the serious atmosphere.

‘Did something happen?’

It doesn’t seem like they fought.

Mother looked similar to usual, but tension was visible in her expression.

Father had a subtle demeanor he had never seen before.

“Rublion, come sit here. There’s something to tell you.”

The child’s small heart pounded like a hammer. Could it be that they found out about him accidentally breaking the signpost in front of the house while playing with Naro?

Or if not that, could they have discovered that he secretly picked and ate the unfamiliar red fruit?

There were quite a few things he would get scolded for if found out, so he unconsciously shrank back. Rublion slowly walked over and sat in the spot his father indicated.

“Don’t be startled and listen.”

Hearing that made him even more afraid. The child sat up even straighter.

“Your mother…”

Gulp.

He unknowingly swallowed his dry saliva.

“Is pregnant.”

Lightning struck inside his head with a bang. The word ‘pregnant’ floated around in the air, then combined into one to form the word ‘sibling’.

“No way, I’m getting a younger sibling?”

“That’s right.”

Rublion’s mouth gaped wide open. His hair stood on end. Goosebumps rose all over his body.

“A younger brother? A younger sister?”

“We don’t know that yet.”

His shoulders swayed on their own. He wanted to wiggle his toes and jump around.

“A sibling… A sibling for me!”

Unable to hold back any longer, Rublion shot up from his seat. Then he stretched his arms high and pulled them down forcefully, making a silent screaming gesture.

“When can I see them? Where are they now? How long do I have to wait to play with them? How small are babies? What should I do?”

He poured out a barrage of questions. There were more than a couple of things he was curious about, aside from what he had already asked.

“First, calm down and sit.”

At his father’s words, Rublion pressed his lips tightly together. Then he sat properly on the chair.

“Anyway, that’s why we can’t go to the sauna together. They say it’s best to avoid things that are too hot or cold in early pregnancy.”

“If they say to avoid it, of course we should avoid it! I’m fine not going to the sauna.”

Rublion sat still but vigorously wiggled his toes. He felt like he couldn’t calm down unless he did at least this much.

“So instead of the sauna, I thought we could take a stroll around the market.”

“Is Mother okay? Is it alright for her to go outside?”

Rublion looked at Schmidt and asked worriedly. She smiled kindly and answered,

“They said it’s better to move around a bit rather than staying still. So a light walk should be fine.”

“Then let’s go! It’s okay to go. I’m happy with that.”

Rublion couldn’t hold back and stood up from his seat again. Then he bounced on his feet.

“So happy. I’m so happy. Ahh, I’m happy.”

Then, remembering what happened with Tid at the waterfall, he suddenly shouted,

“See! I told you I wasn’t lying!”

Schmidt and Askal, not understanding what he meant, tilted their heads. Rublion spoke while puffing out breaths.

“I clearly saw ice pellets at the waterfall, didn’t I? I said the primordial god granted my wish!”

Understanding the child’s words now, Askal and Schmidt chuckled. Rublion’s nose rose high into the sky.

Rumors spread so fast that the market vendors who had given me gifts yesterday came with even bigger presents, each offering their congratulations.

The plan to take a romantic stroll through the market and have a meal at a delicious restaurant was on the verge of crumbling in front of the pile of gifts stacked up to waist height.

“We can move them in a few trips with the sled. I’ll put them in the carriage.”

Dmitry, who had been following us like a guide, grinned widely and took care of the gifts. I thought of the carriage parked a short distance from Modesto Territory and thanked him.

Thanks to the village chief’s son, Askal was able to safely finish touring the market and even have a meal at a restaurant. As soon as he returned to the village chief’s house, he began preparations to return to the estate.

The next day. I tried to move my luggage myself, but Rublion snatched it away, saying I shouldn’t carry heavy things. Watching him drag a bag half his height while grunting was both adorable and admirable.

The village chief’s wife packed me plenty of dried junos. She gave Askal junos tree saplings and added that he should nurture them well.

The village chief, who had been bedridden, came out to the living room. Apologizing for not being able to properly host us, he said he couldn’t just let it pass even on the day of our departure, and greeted us while being supported by Dmitry.

Askal held the village chief’s hand, covered in thick calluses, and expressed his heartfelt gratitude.

On the way back to Artenbach, Rublion and I lost track of time while opening the presents.

There were cloth dolls and toy swords made by craftsmen, and baby shoes the size of a palm. Rublion touched and fiddled with those shoes for a long time, wearing an enchanted expression.

“Oh my…”

It wasn’t just Modesto where rumors spread fast. Artenbach was incredibly speedy as well.

Father, who had come to the mansion upon hearing the news, covered his mouth, unable to speak from being overwhelmed with emotion. Then he approached Rublion and said,

“Young master, congratulations. You finally have a sibling.”

It was unexpected. I thought he would congratulate Askal or me first.

Perhaps Father was being considerate of Rublion.

“Congratulations to you too, Grandfather.”

“Hoho, this is all because the young master is a bundle of blessings.”

Rublion grinned. His face looked like it would fly away if praised a little more.

“Rublion, go and organize your luggage. Since Grandfather is here too, it would be nice to have tea time together.”

“Yes, Mother.”

Rublion dashed up to his room. Father watched the child with a pleased look, then turned around after his figure completely disappeared.

“Schmidt. Shall we take a short walk?”

Father, calling for me, had a rather stiff expression, unlike his previous one.

Askal gave us space to talk. I pushed Father’s wheelchair and headed to the mansion’s garden.

“Schmidt, while your pregnancy is truly a joyful occasion, I can’t help but worry beforehand.”

“I know what you’re worried about, Father.”

The child in my womb is Askal’s and my child. And Rublion is not Askal’s biological son.

“I don’t think for a moment that you will show favoritism. Of course, I know His Highness would be the same, but an unnecessary concern arises in this old man’s heart.”

“It’s because you cherish Rublion that much, Father.”

I sat on a nearby bench, gazing at the clear sky, and stroked my stomach that had not yet started to swell. Father also tilted his head up in the same manner beside me.

“Rublion will learn how to give love. He will realize that as the number of precious people increases, happiness increases accordingly.”

I gently held Father’s hand. The stiffness in his expression had already loosened into a relaxed one.

“So don’t worry, Father.”

Father only smiled without a word. The wrinkles around his eyes seemed particularly deep today.

“Schmidt.”

Father took a deep breath and opened his mouth.

“You were such a child… When did you grow up so much?”

I chuckled and retorted,

“It only looks that way in your eyes, Father.”

Father smiled bitterly. Strangely, seeing that smile made me miss Mother who had passed away.