Chapter 170: 170

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A Midsummer Night’s Dream

 

The bright morning sun penetrated through the curtains on the windows.

Astelle opened her eyes in a warm room.

Bright light filled the room. Looks like I overslept.

She slowly blinked to shake off her drowsiness and heard a low voice behind her.

“You’re awake?”

Kaizen lying beside her hugged her waist and pulled her into his arms.

Feeling the familiar warmth, Astelle asked, “When did you wake up?”

“A little while ago.”

“It’s already noon, why didn’t you wake me up?”

Kaizen lightly kissed the nape of Astelle’s neck.

“I didn’t have the heart to wake you up because you slept so soundly.”

Kaizen has always treated Astelle dearly, but now he is more cautious than ever.

His hand slowly went down to her belly.

“What about the baby?”

I’m only one month pregnant. I don’t think it can be called a baby yet.

But Kaizen always asks how the baby is every morning.

She felt the gentle warmth of his hand on her belly.

“The baby must still be sleeping,” Astelle replied, leaning her face in his arms.

“Then we should be quiet.”

A low laugh reached the nape of her neck.

Kaizen tried to pull her back but Astelle pushed him lightly and got up.

“Stop and get up now. I think the meal is ready. Theor will be here soon.”

The moment Theor was mentioned, Kaizen got out of bed without saying a word.

He had a sad face, but Astelle got used to ignoring him and called out to the ladies-in-waiting.

The sun is already in the middle of the sky. It was close to lunchtime when she finished bathing and changing clothes

“Where is Theor?”

Hannah smiled and answered, “The crown prince is waiting for you and his majesty the emperor.”

“Okay.”

Astelle hurriedly went to the dining room with Kaizen.

As she was walking towards there, she heard a loud noise coming from the hallway leading to the garden. It was the sound of the construction of a new palace next to the Empress Palace.

“It looks like construction has begun.”

Kaizen is building a new palace for the future imperial baby.

Apart from that, the Empress Palace is also being expanded. In the process, the interior was lavishly redecorated and a new pond is currently under construction.

The new palace was planned to be connected to the Empress Palace.

Kaizen strictly ordered the new aide to keep the palace quiet, while expanding the Empress Palace this summer.

The reason is that Astelle who is pregnant must not feel tired because of the loud noises.

Do not make noise while carrying out construction in the shortest possible time. It’s an impossible command that human ability could not achieve.

The furrow between Kaizen’s brows deepened at the faint sound that came from outside.

“It’s noisier than I thought.”

“It’s only heard during the day. This much is fine.” Worried that he might get mad at the new aide, Astelle said quickly.

The newly appointed aide in place of Vellian was having a hard time because Kaizen pestered him every day about Astelle.

‘Come to think of it, Vellian fits Kaizen’s personality perfectly.’

Astelle didn’t want to make a fuss about her pregnancy, but Kaizen had already made enough noise without her even stepping out.

Astelle glanced at Kaizen walking with her.

‘Is he that happy?’

I expected him to be happy with the news of my pregnancy, but I didn’t expect him to be this delighted.

Suddenly, Astelle remembered the day she told him about her pregnancy.

 

“I think I have a baby.”

“I was examined by Gretel before I went to see a doctor. They said I am pregnant,” Astelle said a little shyly.

“…….”

Kaizen said nothing. His cold red eyes widened. In a daze, he stiffened as if in shock.

Why is he like that? Is he not happy?

As her anxiety grew, Kaizen stepped closer and hugged her.

“Yo- Your Majesty?”

A low voice rang in her ear before she pushed him away in embarrassment.

“Thank you.”

It wasn’t a long talk full of rhetoric.

However, it was a voice filled with sincere love and emotion.

There is a feeling that can be conveyed without having to explain it out loud.

Astelle shared warm happiness in his arms.

That day became a happy memory for both of them.

Kaizen started taking care of Astelle carefully, pampering her every day, afraid that something would go wrong in the slightest.

Astelle felt like a doll made out of cotton candy every time she saw Kaizen trembling as if she was about to melt away.

 

“Mom!”

As soon as the dining room door opened, Theor who had been waiting ran towards the two.

Theor has grown a lot since then; he is now taller than before.

“Sorry, did you wait long?”

“It’s okay. I was playing with Levin.” Theor smiled and pointed at the teddy bear on the chair. As much as he grew up, he became more mature in speech.

The three of them sit down to have food.

The table is full of savory soups, pancakes, colorful pies, and muffins, but Astelle took only small bites.

She pushed aside the leftovers of soup and looked up to find two pairs of red eyes under black hair staring at her worriedly. 

“Do you have no appetite?”

“I don’t really want to eat much.”

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Astelle hasn’t had an appetite lately.

She had been examined by the doctor and asked Gretel but they said there was nothing wrong with her.

It’s not even time for the morning sickness to start.

“You barely ate soup last night. Yesterday too, you said you had no appetite and didn’t eat properly.” Kaizen sighed.

He remembers it all.

“How about this? This is your favorite potato pancake.”

“No…….”

“Then try this omelet. Very tasty.”

Kaizen cut the golden brown omelet himself, placed it on a plate, and served it to Astelle.

“Thank you, but I can take it into my own hands, Your Majesty.”

Astelle would say “What are you doing?” if the maids weren’t watching, but she held back and politely refused.

The maids stood calmly, unsurprised as if they were already used to it.

Theor, watching the two of them, took the small plate of brioche in both hands and handed it to Astelle.

“Mom, eat this. It’s delicious.”

She still had no appetite, but she couldn’t resist when she saw the brioche held out by those little hands.

“Thank you. I will eat well.”

Astelle ate the brioche with a fork. The sweet and mild taste spread in her mouth.

Watching Astelle empty the small plate clean, Theor excitedly piled up more brioche on a new plate.

‘…….’

No. You don’t have to keep giving.

“Mom, there you are.”

In a flash, piles of brioche, pie, and muffins were placed in front of her.

“……okay.”

Astelle had no choice but to pick up the fork again.

Kaizen nodded at Theor with a satisfied look.

“Well done.”

“…….”

From now on, I have to force myself to eat even if I have no appetite. Otherwise, the two of them would be like this every time.

“Theor should eat a lot too.”

Astelle gave Theor a sweet plum pie.

In the warm sun-lit dining room, Theor is sitting while eating thin crepes, and next to him is Kaizen, who is cutting a plum pie for him, and in between them is Astelle who is pregnant.

It is a warm and calm summer.

Astelle was immersed in emotion while enjoying the warm atmosphere.

‘It was exactly a year ago.’

Astelle reunited with Kaizen last spring and returned to the capital in early summer. And Theor’s identity, which had been hidden for six years, was revealed.

I can’t believe this reality when I think of the past.

Astelle cut a small cherry pie and ate it with peaceful joy.

Kaizen still looked anxiously at Astelle, who put food into her mouth little by little.

“It could be that you don’t have an appetite because of the heat. At this point, let’s go to the summer palace for a while.”

The summer palace in the northwest is the summer resort of the imperial family.

As the day got hotter and Astelle lost her appetite, Kaizen insisted on going there.

“But the ball is right around the corner.”

Astelle was preparing for a midsummer masquerade ball.

The Imperial Palace’s masquerade ball is a unique social event enjoyed on a hot summer day.

Unlike other balls, the Masquerade is held in the height of summer in the central garden of the Imperial Palace, where the gorgeous fountain, large terraces, a pavilion, and even a performance hall are located.

Those invited enjoyed an outdoor ball all night wearing masks while tasting cool drinks in the large garden.

“You look tired. Why don’t you cancel the masquerade?” Kaizen added, “You don’t even like masquerades.”

“I’m not even heavily pregnant yet, I can’t catch a break already.”

Anyway, after six months, I can’t go out even if I want to.

As her belly swells, she has to stay in her room to be prepared for any mishaps. It is the custom of the imperial court not to go out and meet outsiders.

Astelle wanted to do everything she could until she is six months pregnant and rest in peace before giving birth

‘And there is another purpose.’

She wanted Fritz to find a partner.

‘Because my brother doesn’t seem to have any intention of getting married.’

So she wanted to create an opportunity like this for him.

A masquerade ball is a great opportunity to find a lover.

It was for this reason that Astelle, in her days as the crown princess, was indifferent to masquerade balls.

If the prince’s fiancée is enthusiastic about a masquerade ball so badly, everyone would call her impolite.

Not long after she entered the palace last year, she was already preoccupied with so many things that she couldn’t even think about a masquerade ball.

Astelle also wanted to find a partner for Naen who is by her side, and for Hannah if the opportunity arises.

But she couldn’t explain her plans to Kaizen.

‘If I tell him, he’ll nag me for worrying about useless things during pregnancy.’

So Astelle just said it in a roundabout way.

“Everyone is really looking forward to this ball as it’s been such a long time since the last masquerade ball. The sudden cancellation will be very disappointing to those who will be participating.”

“If that’s what you want, I can’t help it…….”

Kaizen was still dissatisfied but he obediently gave in.

Theor, who had been listening to their conversation, spoke up belatedly. “I want to go to the summer palace. I heard there is a big lake there.”

“We can go there next year,” said Astelle with an apologetic look, reassuring Theor.

“I want to go in the summer,” Theor muttered with a sad face.

It was heartbreaking to see Theor so disappointed.

‘Theor may feel left out if he has a little sibling.’

Astelle pondered for a moment, then she said, “Then when the ball is over and you are free, let’s go there for a bit before autumn. What do you think?

“……yes.”

Theor still looked disappointed but nodded slowly in the end.

Kaizen stretched out his hand with a friendly smile.

“Because your health is the most important right now. Don’t overdo it,” said Kaizen with affectionate eyes, holding Astelle’s hand carefully.

Astelle also held his hand and gave him a smile.

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

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