Time flowed steadily, and on an early morning two months later, Veronia opened her eyes to a strange yet familiar pain.

“Ah…”

At the sound of her groaning, Killian, who was sleeping next to her, immediately opened his eyes.

“Dear?”

“Ugh… Killian!”

Killian was frightened by Veronia’s face contorted in pain. His large, trembling hands cupped Veronia’s forehead.

“Are you in a lot of pain? Should I call for a physician?”

“… Yes. I think it’s today. The baby… I think it’s coming.”

“Ah…”

For a moment, Killian was at a loss for what to do. His mind had turned blank like a sheet of white paper. Veronia shouted at him as he stood there dazed.

“Killian, what are you doing? Hurry and call for a physician! Ahh…”

“Yes, yes! Ah, I understand.”

Veronia’s shout woke Killian from his daze. But his hands were still shaking as he hurriedly pulled the bell rope.

An hour had passed since the labor pains began, but still no news came from inside the room. Only Veronia’s pained groans could be heard intermittently.

Killian’s heart ached at the thought that there was nothing he could do about his wife’s agonizing cries. He desperately wished he could take her pain instead if only he could.

“Father’s hands are damp.”

Jediel, who was holding Killian’s hand tightly, looked up at him and said.

“…Father is nervous, that’s why.”

“It’ll be alright. Don’t worry too much. The goddess is watching over Mother and the baby, isn’t she?”

The child gently patted the back of Killian’s hand with his other hand. Killian couldn’t help but be moved by the fact that he could be comforted in this way by his still young son.

“Thank you, Jediel. Yes. Our Jediel is right. Still, I can’t help feeling scared and nervous.”

“I’ll hug you.”

As Jediel stretched out both arms towards Killian, Killian immediately sat the child on his lap and gently embraced him. Feeling the warmth of the child’s body all over, he seemed to relax and feel a little more at ease as the tension eased.

It was then. The door burst open and a maid walked in urgently. Even without her saying anything, they could tell. Because her eyes were full of emotion.

“A lovely baby princess has been born. Congratulations, Your Majesty the Emperor, Your Highness the Prince.”

“Ah…!”

“Wow…!”

The mouths of the father and son embracing each other opened involuntarily. Killian stood up, still holding Jediel, and strode into the room. Even in the midst of nervousness and excitement, Killian remembered Veronia’s words of caution.

‘I’ve heard that when a second child is born, most firstborns have a very hard time. They say the emotional shock is considerable. So on the day I give birth, please hold Jediel’s hand at every moment. Understood?’

The room was filled with the loud cries of the newborn baby. At the sound of the healthy cries, Killian’s heart began to beat happily.

On the other hand, now Jediel seemed very tense. The baby’s cries along with the sight of the physician and maids bustling about seemed to make Jediel anxious.

“As you said, Mother and the baby will be fine, so don’t worry, Jediel.”

“…Yes, Father.”

The small wrinkle between Jediel’s brows had not yet disappeared, but the child nodded nonetheless. Killian gently pressed his lips to Jediel’s cheek.

He put his heart into it, saying that just as you were there for me when I was nervous, I will be there for you when you are nervous.

And that even when the second child is born and the third child is born, he will cherish Jediel, the firstborn who connected him and Veronia by fate, the most.

The court physician approached Killian and bowed his head, saying,

“Both the Empress and the Princess are healthy. Congratulations, Your Majesty.”

“You’ve worked hard.”

Killian’s voice trembled slightly, as if he was choked up.

Killian approached Veronia while holding Jediel. Veronia’s flushed face was drenched in sweat. The sight made Killian’s eyes moisten.

“You’ve been through a lot. Are you feeling alright?”

Hearing the voice she had missed, Veronia opened her closed eyes and looked up at Killian. And she tried to curl up the corners of her mouth and smiled brightly.

“I’m fine. So don’t worry too much.”

“But…”

“Maybe because it’s the second time, it seemed much easier than the first.”

Veronia’s voice was weak as she said this. Then Clarissa approached Veronia’s side. In Clarissa’s arms was a newborn baby tightly wrapped in swaddling clothes.

“Whether it’s the first or second, childbirth is never easy, yet you say it was easier to ease the Emperor’s worry, Your Majesty.”

“Mother…”

“Congratulations, Your Majesty the Empress. It’s a lovely princess.”

Clarissa handed the newborn baby to Veronia. Tears welled up in Veronia’s eyes as she took the baby.

“Jediel, this is your sister! Greet your sister.”

Jediel, who had been staring blankly at the baby, carefully opened his mouth.

“But the baby is red and wrinkly.”

“All newborn babies are like that.”

“Was I like that too?”

“Of course.”

Veronia nodded at Jediel’s question. Jediel gently stroked the baby’s wriggling cheek and whispered.

“Sister, don’t worry. You’re red and wrinkly now, but later you’ll be white and chubby like me.”

The adults listening burst into laughter at Jediel’s sincere consolation to his sister.

It had been over two months since the baby princess, Charlotte, was born.

“My goodness! How can a newborn baby’s features be so distinct!”

“Our Jediel was like that when he was a baby too!”

Today, Louisa and Hugo visited the imperial palace.

The two were awarded the title of viscount in recognition of their service as a haven for the princess during the difficult times when Veronia had left the palace. Thanks to this, they were able to spend their old age in a modest and beautiful mansion near the imperial palace.

Tears welled up in Louisa and Hugo’s eyes as they held baby Charlotte. The memory of holding Jediel for the first time five years ago came flooding back, making them even more emotional.

“She looks just like Her Majesty the Empress and is so lovely.”

“She must look even prettier because she’s our great-granddaughter.”

Embarrassed by the endless compliments, Veronia shook her head slightly and smiled quietly.

“Do you think so?”

“She gets 100 points for resembling Her Majesty the Empress, and 200 points for being our great-granddaughter?”

“As many as 200 points!”

The smiles never left Louisa and Hugo’s lips. The birth of new life is always wondrous. They had seen countless births over their long lives, but each time it was new and mysterious.

“I heard you found your long-lost daughter.”

Louisa and Hugo nodded at Veronia’s question. About a month ago, Onyx had found and brought back their daughter, who had disappeared while being chased by creditors.

Louisa and Hugo didn’t know that it was Veronia’s request, wanting to repay the two, that had moved Onyx. It was because Veronia wanted to keep it a secret.

“Lord Onyx worked so hard for us. We are so grateful…”

“How is your daughter doing?”

“It seems she went through a lot of hardship moving from place to place. Her body and mind were both in poor condition. But she’s gradually finding stability.”

“We know all this is thanks to Her Majesty the Empress’s grace. Thank you so much.”

Louisa and Hugo’s eyes had already become moist. Veronia took their hands. Though wrinkled and rough, to Veronia they felt only warm and grateful.

“If there’s anything I can do to help, I’ll do it, whatever it may be. You two are my benefactors, and also my grandmother and grandfather.”

“I don’t think I need any more massages now.”

“Didn’t they say that the three months after childbirth require more intense care than any other time?”

“…They did.”

Veronia swallowed a sigh and held her tongue. It seemed that no matter what she said, Killian wouldn’t listen.

Veronia’s face soon relaxed in satisfaction as Killian’s hands slowly pressed and rubbed her belly, waist, calves, and feet.

Although she had said she was fine, in truth, Killian’s skillful and gentle touch made Veronia feel good.

Seeing the smile on Veronia’s lips, Killian grinned and asked,

“Does it feel good?”

“Yes, very much.”

The two exchanged gentle smiles as their eyes met. Killian shyly opened his mouth.

“I love you.”

“I love you more.”

“…”

Seeing Killian give no response to her confession, Veronia slightly rolled her eyes.

“You didn’t think so just now, did you? You thought you loved me more, didn’t you?”

“…That’s not it.”

“Liar.”

“…I really can’t fool you.”

In the end, Killian sighed and confessed. Even though it wasn’t a fight about winning or losing, Veronia felt triumphant, as if she had won. With a bright smile, she continued speaking deliberately.

“See? I can see through your inner thoughts, and I can tell when you’re lying. I love you despite your lies. So I’m right that I love you more.”

“Yes, it seems so. Thank you, my wife.”

This time, Killian nodded obediently. He was always bound to be weak in front of his lovely wife. And that made him happy.

Killian lowered his lips and gently kissed Veronia’s forehead. Hoping that she would understand the full happiness he felt.

– Side Story End –