“…It’s still early in the pregnancy, so you need to be careful, but fortunately, there are no other abnormalities.”

Elaina continued to speak.

“I told Judith and Anna to organize and inform me of the parts that need attention. I didn’t know well, but it turns out there are foods to avoid.”

“…”

“And I also told them that from now on, you need to get plenty of rest.”

Despite finishing her words, Sinclair still had a dazed expression.

…Could it be that he doesn’t like it?

But it didn’t seem like that would be the case.

“I…”

Just as Elaina was about to be lost in her own thoughts, Sinclair finally opened his mouth with a cracking voice.

“I never even… thought about it.”

“…”

“Like a fool… damn it…”

Why didn’t he realize it? Looking back, the signs Elaina had shown over the past few days were all typical symptoms of early pregnancy.

If he had thought about it a little more rationally, he could have noticed it in advance.

Not knowing that, he was so dumbfounded that he seemed angry at himself for making Elaina suffer alone.

“Sinclair, since it was an unexpected pregnancy, do you dislike…”

“What are you saying?”

Sinclair cut off Elaina’s words with a resolute expression.

“I’m happy.”

“…”

“I’m so happy I could go crazy. I mean it.”

It was still unbelievable, but…

It was no lie. He was truly so happy he could cry. Despite being in such a dumbfounded situation.

“…Thank you.”

Sinclair, who had been silently looking down at Elaina’s belly, reached out his arms and carefully embraced her slender body, whispering as if speaking softly.

“Thank you so much.”

“Sinclair…”

“Actually, even now… I feel like I’m dreaming. These days of being happy together with you.”

“…”

“So I couldn’t have expected it more. I never even thought about becoming happier than this.”

Elaina smiled faintly.

“I’ll really do well. I promise.”

And Sinclair continued to speak.

“I will be a good father, and an even better husband than I am now. No matter what it takes, I will do it.”

“…But Sinclair, this much is already enough for me.”

“It’s not okay for me to be lacking.”

“Uh, um… But I feel a little stuffy.”

She just mumbled slightly because she literally felt a little stuffy, but Sinclair was startled as if he had touched fire and let go of Elaina.

Then, not knowing what to do, he swept her shoulders, fiddled with her arms, covered his mouth for no reason, and made a big fuss.

It was so funny and cute that Elaina laughed out loud.

Sinclair also laughed a little, as if the tension had been released.

“…It will definitely be pretty.”

Then Sinclair muttered as if mumbling to himself while gently caressing Elaina’s belly again.

“Pretty, wise, smart, and kind. It will be very lovely.”

“Also, Sinclair. In addition to that, the baby will be brave and attentive. Especially if it takes after you.”

“…”

“It’s our child. It will resemble both you and me.”

Throughout his life, Sinclair had never once thought about having a child.

That was partly because his life had passed by in such a hurry, but there was another reason that could not be ignored.

In fact, unknowingly… he seemed to have been afraid.

Whether he could love a child who resembled himself.

Because until now, Sinclair had never loved himself.

Until Elaina warmly embraced his wounded heart.

“…Yes.”

Sinclair replied in a slightly trembling voice.

“You’re right. It will definitely be like that.”

Elaina couldn’t possibly not know his heart. So she smiled kindly and gently stroked the head of Sinclair, who must have had a hard time worrying all day.

“But giving birth is no ordinary matter, Elaina.”

“Yes. I know that too.”

“From now on, I will take care of everything and manage your health, so don’t worry about anything.”

…Why did he suddenly come to that conclusion?

Even without that, Sinclair kept Elaina very close to his heart. On windy days, he would wrap her tightly in a blanket, saying she might catch a cold.

Also, on snowy days, he would follow her around like a puppy wherever she went, saying she might fall if she walked around alone. It was the same on rainy days and hot days.

But from here, more…

He said he would pay more attention…?

For a moment, Elaina hesitated slightly at the ominous feeling that arose, but Sinclair was already preoccupied with thinking about this and that.

“First, we need to prepare dresses that are comfortable to wear. I’ll change the bedding to something much softer than now. Cleanliness is also important, so I’ll have to tell Judith and Anna to pay more attention.”

“…”

“Ah, yes, I should have the doctor stay in the imperial palace. That way, they can rush over at any time from anywhere. They will also know about medicinal herbs that help during pregnancy. Elaina, you have a weak body even now, so you should take medicine to boost your strength in advance. And also…”

When he had a blank expression, it was when, but Sinclair looked as if he had been waiting for this day.

Honestly, there were a few things he was muttering about that she wanted to say didn’t need to be done to that extent, but Elaina decided to endure it for a bit.

Because Sinclair in front of her eyes seemed too excited.

On a day in February when it snowed heavily.

It was a spectacle created by the baby who came as a sudden gift.

Spring, summer, and autumn came.

Elaina had a bit of a hard time due to her gradually growing belly, but very fortunately, she did not experience major difficulties.

Sinclair was extremely worried about morning sickness. He was worried that if the already thin Elaina lost more weight, it would be difficult for her health.

However, Elaina did not have any morning sickness at all. She ate well the food that Judith and Anna prepared with sincerity, and even gained a little weight, becoming healthier than before.

The one who lost weight was actually Sinclair.

Incredibly absurd, Sinclair alone had morning sickness, which Elaina, who was actually pregnant, did not even have.

Worried that something was wrong with Sinclair, Elaina immediately called the doctor. And the doctor told her with the most absurd expression in the world.

Occasionally, these things do happen.

But he never dreamed it would be Sinclair.

No, perhaps he didn’t want to know.

It was a secret that only Sinclair didn’t know, that Elaina had struggled to hold back her laughter after hearing those words.

Anyway, after suffering like that for a few months, Sinclair was able to regain his condition.

In the midst of such hectic days, winter came again.

The baby, who had also grown rapidly in Elaina’s belly for ten months.

“Your Majesty the Empress, breathe, slowly exhale your breath!”

“Heu… Heuk…”

“You are doing very well. Just a little more strength!”

Listening to the doctor’s words, Sinclair wanted to shout out how much longer he had to breathe slowly here and how much more strength he had to give.

Well, it’s not like he didn’t actually shout.

The labor pains began early in the morning. The moment he saw Elaina’s breath quickening, Sinclair experienced for the first time in his life what it meant for his vision to turn white. He might have screamed to look at the Empress’s condition right away.

And immediately, the doctor, Judith, and Anna came running. The doctor skillfully prepared for the delivery, and Judith and Anna moved quickly according to his instructions with teary faces.

To Elaina, who was groaning, Sinclair ran to her and was chased away exactly 8 times.

It became the responsibility of Chaze, Schuler, and Rex to hold him back. It might seem a bit excessive, but it was unavoidable. At least three adult men were needed to stop Sinclair, whose eyes had turned.

“It’s, it’s all out. Your Majesty the Empress!”

“Ugh, uk…”

Above the doctor’s voice, Elaina let out a groan.

“Just a little more… Just one more time, give it your strength one more time!”

At that moment, Elaina bit her lips with all her might.

“Ahhh!”

Then, with all her might, she let out a short scream.

And not long after… the sound of a baby crying began to fill the imperial palace.

“Bro, brother!”

At the same time, Sinclair, who had run out of patience, shook off the three people and ran like crazy toward Elaina.

“Your, Your Majesty the Empress and the baby…”

Chaze, whose eyes were filled with tears like Judith and Anna, asked in a slightly trembling voice.

“Both of them are fine.”

The doctor answered with a grin.

“Although the labor was longer than I expected.”

Only then did Rex, Schuler, and Chaze, whose tension had been released, look at each other and let out a sigh of relief.

“It’s a very lovely princess.”

The doctor, who had thoroughly checked the baby’s condition, carefully handed the baby to Judith, who finally burst into tears.

“…But the one who actually needs to hear this, Your Majesty, seems to have his mind already turned elsewhere.”

Then, he muttered with a dismayed face while looking at Sinclair, who was holding Elaina’s hand tightly.

“Elaina, are you okay? Elaina.”

Regardless of what the doctor said, all of Sinclair’s attention was focused on Elaina.

…He was not unaware of the fact that childbirth was difficult, but there was a huge difference between understanding it with his head and seeing Elaina in pain. With a pitiful expression, he caressed Elaina’s white hand endlessly.

“It’s okay…”

Elaina, who knew his heart, smiled as if telling him not to worry.

“You don’t have to… worry.”

“…You worked hard.”

“…”

“And I’m sorry… for not being able to do anything even though I was by your side.”

Elaina laughed slightly even with a weak face.

“Judith, the baby…”

“Here, here!”

Before she could finish speaking, Judith approached close to Elaina and Sinclair.

“Hold her, Sinclair.”

“…”

“You have to greet her too. Say you’re really glad to meet her.”

Judith handed over the baby very carefully, and Sinclair held the baby in his arms in a clumsy posture.

Then, he looked down at his daughter with eyes filled with numerous emotions.