Liz realized her explanation was too abrupt and quickly added, “The former empress learned herbal medicine. Anticipating the dangers that might befall her son in the future, she made a medicine to change appearance and left it. You know about it too, right? The incident of the missing crown prince that happened over a decade ago.”

“I… I know about that. I even remember the exact date. I heard it when you rolled down the stairs and rushed to call a physician.”

“Then think about it. After that incident, how long did it take for Cain to come to our house?”
Mirabel quickly tried to recall.

About a month… It was about a month ago.

Berium’s lady returned from an outing, claiming to have bought a handsome boy for almost ten gold coins. He had platinum hair and aquamarine eyes…

“That… I mean, after taking the medicine…”

Mirabel began to accept the truth little by little.

“Is there really such a medicine?”

“Yes, there is. I’ve taken it.”

Mirabel widened her eyes.

“You tried it?”

“Yeah.”

Liz recounted the incident that day, the day when it was assumed that Mirabel had Aris… At that restaurant’s washstand, the encounter with Mirabel.

“I see.”

Mirabel, though finding it unbelievable, spoke with a strangely moved expression.

“That woman that day, for some reason, I felt a liking to her, even though it was the first time I saw her. That’s probably why… because she was you.”

“Probably.”

Liz thought it was time.

Mirabel was now naturally accepting the truth!

With this, she wouldn’t have to doubt her own belly anymore. And as for Hershis…

He had wanted to reveal the truth to the Mirabel couple and casually share old stories, so next time, the four of them could meet more comfortably…

“Ah… Miss…”

Suddenly, Mirabel called her with a terrified voice. Liz was surprised and looked at Mirabel.

“What’s wrong? Why? Are you hurt somewhere?”

“N-nothing like that.”

In a state where even her face turned pale, Mirabel squeezed out her voice.

“Miss, what should I do? Am I going to die now?”

“Die? What are you talking about?”

Raised eyebrows, Liz asked.

“I told that guy the same thing last time.”

‘You don’t need to hear about that scoundrel Cain anymore.’

“Her Majesty should have realized when she heard that. But now, what should I do? Huk… What about our Aris? How will our little baby live without her mom?”

Thanks to Jonathan speaking well of Cain, Mirabel could be relieved. At least, her son would still have a father.

“Miss, if I… if I die, will you occasionally visit Aris? Huk… Will you? Huk huk…”

“Mirabel, calm down…”

“Why didn’t you tell me earlier… I’m sorry, Miss. I’m so bad. Hooaaang!”

Mirabel cried like a child, tears streaming down her face.

Despite Liz repeatedly telling her that Hershis had no regrets about that incident and even found it fascinating, just like when she saw her reflection in a concave mirror, Mirabel’s crying didn’t stop.

‘What can I do.’

Liz decided to wait patiently…

As the last month approached, her belly had swollen to an almost unbelievable extent.

Liz occasionally thought that besides Cain, she should also name the other one.

“No need to do that.”
Unable to endure it any longer, Liz asked the doctor, who smiled and confirmed.

“Lady Bokjoong is indeed His Highness the Crown Prince. And it’s desirable that the baby is growing up well.”

“It would be more desirable if it comes out and grows.”

“…Haha.”

The doctor chuckled and stepped back without giving any other response. The midwife who came in with him remained.

Liz asked the midwife subtly, “How can I give birth quickly?”

“Giving birth quickly… Well…”

“I’m asking for the secret to make this leisurely one eager to see the world sooner.”

Being an experienced midwife who had dealt with many expectant mothers, she likely knew the answer. Liz guessed it wouldn’t be a common method but was correct.

“It’s about the couple’s relationship.”

“Couple… relationship?”

Liz asked with a face confirming if she heard correctly.

The faces of the onlookers behind the midwife turned beet red. However, the midwife did not change her expression and clearly repeated, “Yes, the couple’s relationship is the most certain. Would you like to try it once?”

“Ah…”

Liz briefly glanced down at her round belly. Then she answered, “Next time.”

“Don’t be too impatient, Your Majesty.”

As Liz returned to her contemplation with a slightly sulky face, the midwife consoled her, “Every child knows exactly when they should come out. So, trust His Highness the Crown Prince. Your child will be born at the best time, without a doubt.”

It was a strangely touching remark.

‘A child knows exactly when to be born…’

Well, she wouldn’t stay in the belly forever.

Liz nodded, thinking so. Then she took a short nap.

The dreamland was unusually noisy. She dreamed of being chased by something unknown, falling dreams, and dreams of drowning.

Thinking she woke up from a dream, there were times when she was still in a dream.

As such things repeated a few times, the situation of being unable to wake up began to approach with terror. It felt like she would stay in the dream forever.

Then, she suddenly woke up.

The sun was slanting into the room. Judging by the color and angle of the light, it seemed to be evening.

Liz slowly got up and picked up the glass on the side table. When she took a sip, her mouth, which had dried up during sleep, quickly became moist. Then she pulled the string.

Before the bell rang at its peak, Rosa came in. As if she had been waiting outside the room all along.

“Did you cough, Your Majesty?”

“Yeah, I want to take a walk around the garden before it gets dark. Could you bring me some clothes?”

Her voice was choked again while speaking. Liz brought the glass to her mouth again.

In the brief moment when the lemon scent of the water flowed through her nostrils, in the distance, faint bugle sounds could be heard.

‘What is it? Is there some kind of fever ceremony?’
Liz put down the glass and looked out the window with a puzzled expression. It was strange because it was too late for a fever ceremony.

‘It’s strange. I usually know that fever ceremonies are held in the morning.’

Liz turned her gaze away from the window with a quizzical smile. Then, something even stranger happened.

Rosa was standing still in the same place as before, as if she hadn’t heard Liz’s request for clothes just a moment ago.

Since Rosa was not someone to ask twice, Liz found it strange. Nevertheless, she repeated her words in the same tone as before.

“Rosa? I need to go outside for a bit, so it would be nice if you could bring me some clothes.”

“I apologize, Your Majesty.”

Suddenly, Rosa bowed her head.

“Your Majesty cannot go outside.”

“…?”