Choosing the Baby’s Father From the Following – Chapter 18

𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐩𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝟏𝟖
The room, personally inspected for security by the Tower Master, was spacious and cozy.

However, sleep was impossible.

‘I’m finally going to meet the female protagonist.’

Once I meet Helena, it will be a piece of cake for Lurik to break free from the influence of the magic sword.

‘Since he hasn’t gone berserk like in the novel yet, it’ll be much easier for even an inexperienced Helena to manage.’

After that, I will finally be able to leave the Imperial Palace, leaving Lurik behind.

‘And seriously start looking for the baby’s father……’

After all sorts of worries, I finally fell asleep at dawn, but morning arrived as scheduled.

We bid farewell to the Lord of Heim early.

“Have a comfortable stay.”

After a brief greeting, the Lord smiled warmly and knelt on one knee.

“I wish you a safe journey for the remainder of your travels.”

While he kissed the back of my hand, Ren stepped forward and said bluntly,

“We’ll be using the open space.”

We were soon led to the training ground.

Ren scattered black powder in the middle of the sandy field.

“Anyone who hasn’t traveled with me before?”

He asked casually, and half of the Imperial Guard raised their hands.

Ren said unkindly,

“Unlike a gate, you might feel nauseous at first. Bear with it.”

Is that all the explanation there is?

Actually, it was my first time too, so I was flustered and looked up at Ren.

“I’ll take care of Lou.”

Lurik said, putting his arm around my shoulder.

Ren looked displeased, but he wasn’t foolish enough to clash with the Prince over every little thing.

He soon acquiesced and grabbed Phoebe’s arm.

“Excuse me for a moment.”

Callisto greeted me with affectionate eyes.

“Have a safe trip, Lou.”

Black flames erupted like hellfire, and I closed my eyes.

🔹🔹🔹🔹🔹🔹

“Welcome to Kaisarea Monastery.”

Upon arriving at the monastery, the famous Head Priest Didio greeted us.

“It’s an honor to meet you.”

I was prepared to bow to even a pebble in this monastery if it meant finding Helena, so I greeted the priest very politely.

The priest welcomed me warmly, but he seemed more interested in Lurik than me.

“I am deeply impressed by Your Highness’s piety, visiting Kaisarea from afar during these difficult times.”

Well, the news of victory has spread widely across the continent.

‘Actually, Lurik was just dragged here against his will because of me……’

As expected, he hardened his face in discomfort.

However, the priest continued steadfastly,

“It is not shameful to seek healing for the physical and mental pain caused by war. We will assist you in every way possible during your stay.”

Before meeting Lurik, Helena was a maid doing chores at this monastery.

‘So, I can’t just suddenly appear as the youngest princess and shout ‘Helena Garnier!”

Therefore, we had sent a letter in advance, using the excuse that we would be resting leisurely at the monastery as if recuperating.

“Since matters in Heim concluded quickly, it seems we will have ample time to stay for about ten days.”

I answered smoothly on behalf of Lurik, who was standing stiffly.

“We appreciate your words, Head Priest, but we are simply here to rest, so please do not trouble yourself on our account.”

Fortunately, the priest retreated at that point.

“Let me show you to your rooms. If you are feeling well after settling in, please join us for the morning prayer.”

🔹🔹🔹🔹🔹🔹

“This way, please.”

Even for guest rooms, the monastery strictly separated the women’s quarters from the men’s.

Phoebe and I followed an elderly-looking nun towards the women’s quarters.

‘Flaxen hair and green eyes……’

I recalled the description of Helena’s appearance.

I intended to observe the faces of any maids we encountered along the way, but the empty hallway offered no such opportunity.

The room we arrived at was simple but clean.

“The room is very tidy.”

As Phoebe expressed her admiration, a young page boy struggled to bring in our luggage.

“Thank you.”

After the page boy left, the nun who guided us bowed her head once more and formally introduced herself.

“Please call me Melots.”

She continued,

“I apologize, but there are few female nuns here, and we are also short of experienced maids. It would be best if I could attend to you personally, but unfortunately, I am scheduled to leave for a pilgrimage on the Sabbath in a few days.”

W-What? This nun, who could be my mother’s age, was almost going to wait on me?

‘Something unacceptable for someone from a Confucian country almost happened……!’

I considered it a blessing that she was about to go on a pilgrimage and quickly replied,

“My brother came to the monastery to heal the wounds he received in the war, and we cannot inconvenience you further. Anyone will do, so please just assign a maid to run errands for us.”

The nun, who introduced herself as Melots, explained with embarrassment,

“Being a remote countryside, there are few children who know court etiquette. I was worried that they might cause offense……”

No, this situation was actually an opportunity.

‘Maybe Helena will be assigned as my maid.’

I approached her and gently held her hand.

“Nun Melots.”

“Speak, Your Highness.”

Her wrinkled hand, which felt rough against my soft fingertips, gripped mine.

I rummaged through my knowledge and replied,

“If I had been a little more unfortunate, I might have also sought refuge in a monastery.”

Because in the history I studied and the romance fantasy novels I read, many noblewomen entered monasteries or were left there like baggage.

“If it’s alright, I would like to hear about monastery life from a maid around my age. Only if it’s not too much trouble, of course.”

Nun Melots let out a small sigh.

“Since you put it that way, I cannot refuse. I will send you a bright child, even if she may be lacking. However, if you need any assistance, please come find me. I will help you wholeheartedly until I leave.”

🔹🔹🔹🔹🔹🔹

While Phoebe tidied up our luggage, I anxiously awaited the maid.

‘Helena should be coming……’

As Nun Melots said, there wouldn’t be many maids my age here.

But that didn’t guarantee Helena would be the one to come.

The wait felt long, proportionate to my high expectations.

―Knock, knock.

Finally, a knock sounded, and the door opened.

‘Flaxen hair, flaxen hair……’

I stared blankly at the slowly opening door.

I thought I was having an optical illusion from thinking about it so persistently.

‘Flaxen hair, green eyes……’

Standing between the open doors was the female protagonist I had longed to see, looking incredibly pure even in her shabby maid uniform.

‘It’s definitely her.’

As the creator, I could be sure.

It was undoubtedly Helena.

Her flaxen hair looked a bit dry from lack of care, but Lurik would later cherish and adore it, saying it resembled an autumn field.

Her clear emerald eyes were undoubtedly those of the Saint, the only one in this land who could calm Lurik when he went berserk.

“I, I greet Your Highness.”

I had been waiting to meet her ever since I became Louise, but I guess I had prepared myself for the possibility of missing her and having to search for her.

Helena, lost in thought before me, bowed her head.

“My name is Helena Garnier.”

Helena in the novel was younger than me.

With that much innocence and awkwardness, the female protagonist introduced herself.

“I will do my best to serve you during your stay. Please take good care of……”

Before Helena could finish her sentence, I pulled her into a hug.

“Nice to meet you, Helena.”

It’s really, really, really nice to meet you.

“I am the third princess of the Brentania Empire, Louise.”

Helena, caught off guard in my embrace, gasped for breath, as did Phoebe, who was standing next to her.

“Your Highness, please maintain your dignity……”

Dignity, you say!

‘Helena is the female protagonist who will make my brother the Emperor and ascend to the position of Empress……!’

But I couldn’t say that, so I reluctantly released Helena and introduced myself again, clearly and deliberately.

“My name is Louise Amelie Kaya Brentania. I came here with my brother, Prince Lurik, for his recuperation.”

Lurik Cideric Friesland Brentania, that is.

‘You know my brother, right?’

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