Choosing the Baby’s Father From the Following – Chapter 102

𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐩𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝟏𝟎𝟐

Perhaps because they believe Ernst is the child’s father, the attending physician isn’t particularly friendly towards Ren.

“As I’ve said every time, the due date is not exact.”

From my perspective, it’s natural human instinct to be afraid of Ren.

Considering that, the attending physician is quite brave.

Of course, that’s probably why he participated in this deceptive scheme to fool the Prince.

“The important thing is that the baby-nim is sufficiently grown and their movements have decreased. This is because the space in the womb is shrinking. You need to drink more water to increase the amniotic fluid.”

Since Ren said there’s no magic to increase amniotic fluid, I’ve been drinking water whenever possible.

The attending physician continued,

“Let’s call the midwife and the wet nurse. If labor begins now, the baby-nim can be born. They’ve grown enough to be okay even if they’re born now.”

According to the once again moved-up due date, the baby was scheduled to be born in just a week.

As I gasped for breath in nervousness, Ren frowned and went outside.

‘He must be taking a call from the Imperial Palace.’

After Lurik’s ascension to the throne, I specifically asked Ren to assist him well.

Because of this, Ren couldn’t postpone the Imperial Palace’s contact like before and had to answer immediately.

“Do some light exercise as well. Then, I’ll be going.”

Zita bowed and left.

After he left the room, Ren returned.

I thought it would be time for him to be annoyed by some bothersome request, but unexpectedly, Ren’s face was bright.

“Helena-nim is coming.”

Similar to everyone else, after learning that Helena is a Saint, Ren tried to be polite, using honorifics and speaking respectfully.

“What? When?”

“His Majesty asked me to assist with her travel, but I told him it’s not feasible right now and suggested using a gate to the Edessa Royal Palace. Once she arrives there, Erni will somehow bring her here.”

Ren seemed quite happy.

‘Of course I’m happy that Helena is coming, but I didn’t know Ren would be too……’

As I looked at him with curious eyes, Ren laughed out loud.

“Why? Is it strange that I welcome her?”

“Uh, no. Not exactly, but……”

Before I could make any excuses, Ren said,

“She said she could feel the baby’s energy just by holding your hand before, right?”

“Yes, that’s right.”

“Now that the baby has grown a lot, her ability will definitely be helpful. She might be able to see if the baby is safe and comfortable. If possible, we should keep her here until the birth.”

There was no room for rebuttal, but it was a story that would make Lurik a little sad if he heard it.

Ren fiddled with another communication orb, seemingly impatient.

“I should tell Erni to prepare.”

Last week, Helena was officially recognized as the Empire’s only Saint.

I heard Lurik held a thank-you banquet to celebrate her achievement, but I don’t know what excuse she’s using to come to me suddenly at a time like this.

As I placed my hand on my swollen belly and stroked it, Phoebe offered me water.

“Can you drink it, Your Highness?”

“Of course, Phoebe.”

I forced my throat to work and finished a glass of water.

Recently, the baby has been pressing down on my organs so heavily that even drinking water made me feel bloated.

As I got up and slowly walked out of the room, Phoebe quickly followed.

“Where are you going?”

“The doctor told me to exercise. Let’s take a slow walk around the lake.”

Ren beckoned the guards to follow.

Lately, the guards have been pretending to forget my words, telling them to walk at a distance so as not to attract attention.

‘It’s probably Ren’s instruction.’

So, I headed towards the lake with a string of guards following me.

🔹🔹🔹🔹🔹🔹

Lake Edessa, welcoming spring, grew more beautiful each day.

Flowers that had faltered during the short winter were blooming here and there, and water birds busily quacked and moved around the lakeside, where new sprouts were springing up green.

Perhaps because of this, Phoebe asked with a hint of regret,

“You won’t be able to take walks for a while after the baby-nim is born, right?”

“Well……”

Since I didn’t know the birthing customs of this place, I could only answer vaguely.

‘Even in my past life, I heard that postpartum care was an Eastern custom.’

Phoebe quickly clapped her hands and changed her words.

“No! Once you give birth, Ren-nim will heal you completely! Then you’ll definitely be able to take walks!”

I laughed and said,

“Yes, I hope so.”

But the future is always uncertain, so my steps gradually slowed.

‘Of course, it’s also because of my heavy belly.’

As we walked along the lakeside and turned around, I saw a group of people standing at the entrance of the path we had taken.

Even from a distance, they didn’t look like people from Edessa.

“Aren’t those knights?”

Phoebe asked, squinting at them. Just then,

Someone suddenly started walking quickly towards us.

The man’s steps became even more hurried as he got closer.

A black cloak fluttered behind him, and his bright silver hair shimmered under the bright sunlight.

“……Cal.”

Now he was running towards me.

It didn’t take long for the person who looked like a dot from afar to transform into Callisto and appear before my eyes.

Yet, it seemed my steps had also quickened.

“Lou.”

He called me from a distance close enough to hear his voice.

Callisto, even with me so close, displayed remarkable patience and politely knelt on one knee.

“It’s been a while, Your Highness.”

My heart welled up as I waited for him to kiss the back of my hand and stand up.

But as soon as he stood up, I stretched out my arms, pulled his neck, and hugged him.

“Cal.”

Of course, because of my swollen belly, we couldn’t get as close as before.

Callisto’s laughter tickled my ear.

“Seeing you welcome me like this makes the run from back there worthwhile.”

It was now full-blown spring, but he still smelled of winter.

Unable to control my fluttering heart, I looked up at him and asked,

“How did you come without any notice?”

“How? Do I have to contact you first to come to you?”

Despite his words, his eyes looking at me were overflowing with affection and longing.

As if he couldn’t bear it any longer, Callisto gently kissed my ear.

“Our castle’s head maid said there’s no guarantee the baby will be born on the due date. As soon as I arrived, I heard from the attending physician that the due date had been moved up, so I thought I made the right decision to come.”

Hearing his voice so close, the longing I had suppressed came pouring out.

Averting my eyes in embarrassment, I whispered the feelings I had been holding back.

“I missed you so much, Cal.”

I felt him stiffen.

As I hesitated whether to look up at him again, a gloved hand gently cupped my cheek.

Then, he slightly lifted it so our eyes could meet again.

Callisto murmured in a low voice,

“Do you think I didn’t?”

He had an unfamiliar, thirsty look in his eyes.

I froze, suddenly frightened.

I couldn’t even check if anyone was around.

Slowly, little by little, but surely, he was getting closer.

His shadow cast a shade over my vision.

‘Oh well, I don’t know.’

As soon as I closed my eyes tightly, cold lips brushed against mine like a fleeting breeze.

I stayed that way for a while with my eyes closed, but that was all.

Slowly opening my eyes again, I met his blue gaze, so close it felt like I could touch them.

Perhaps because he was standing against the light, his blue irises were slightly darker than usual.

He didn’t back away at all and asked in a playful voice,

“Still can’t choose?”

The long-suppressed affection poured out like a heavy downpour.

I couldn’t move a muscle.

I just tightened my arms around his neck and closed my eyes again.

Callisto didn’t blame my cowardly attempt to answer with just that.

He didn’t demand a clearer answer, but just kissed me again.

His cool breath seeped into me and soon became hot and wet.

I’m sorry, Louise, but I’ve made my choice.

🔹🔹🔹🔹🔹🔹

I didn’t see when or where Phoebe had run off to, but when I came to my senses, there was no one around.

We held hands and walked for a while.

When a small hill appeared, Callisto sat on the grass and patted his thigh.

“Come sit here.”

I thought it would be difficult with this heavy belly, but he pulled me swiftly, and I was trapped in his arms in an instant.

Small kisses rained down on my cheek and forehead.

Callisto seemed to want to pour out all the kisses he had missed, but I had something I had to say.

“You know, Cal.”

“Yes……”

Even at that moment, he answered absentmindedly, rubbing his lips against my forehead.

Flustered, I spoke again.

“What if, what if……”

But it wasn’t easy to start talking, so my voice only hesitated and didn’t continue.

Then, Callisto finally stopped kissing and chuckled.

He looked straight at me and asked,

“What if, what if our Prillice isn’t my child?”

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