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Chapter 22
I pretended to be surprised, widening my eyes at his changed demeanor.
“Or should I let you go alone?”
Ren pinched my cheek playfully.
“My, my, Lou. Why are you so bold these days? I like it, but…… It’s suspicious how much you’ve changed.”
Should I tone it down?
The original Louise was, well, more shy and affectionate than I am, and afraid of her brother…… That’s the kind of girl she was.
‘𝘛𝘩𝘦𝘺 𝘮𝘶𝘴𝘵𝘯’𝘵 𝘥𝘪𝘴𝘤𝘰𝘷𝘦𝘳 𝘮𝘺 𝘱𝘰𝘴𝘴𝘦𝘴𝘴𝘪𝘰𝘯.’
I knew that much instinctively.
As much as they loved Louise, they wouldn’t be able to accept me, someone who merely took on her appearance, in any way.
I deliberately leaned my head on Ren’s shoulder and whined.
“It’s because I’m having a hard time with the baby.”
When I glanced up, I saw his violet eyes very close to me.
They were warm, filled with affection.
“Is it that hard?”
It was then that he gently wrapped his arms around me.
Suddenly, a white light flashed before my eyes, and my head swam.
“Lou?”
Thankfully, my legs gave out at the same time Ren caught me in his embrace.
“Lou! Lou, are you alright?”
“I’m suddenly feeling, dizzy…”
That was all I could manage.
I lost consciousness.
🔹🔹🔹
When I opened my eyes, I saw Ren’s worried face.
“Lou.”
The ceiling was unfamiliar, and the room was filled with the scent of ash and embers coming from Ren.
Seeing my eyes scanning around, he explained.
“It’s my room. I don’t know where your room is from here.”
“Oh……”
As I nodded and tried to get up, Ren pressed my shoulder down again.
“You can’t get up. I’ll call Phoebe.”
Only then did I ask Ren.
“Did I……collapse? Because of the pregnancy? Then we can’t call Phoebe……”
Ren sighed.
“This time, Erni was right. Lou, you need to get married now. You seem to be in more danger than His Highness!”
Seeing his cheeks flushed, I timidly replied.
“Don’t be mad, Ren……”
“I’m not mad…!”
Ren was clearly angry, but upon hearing my words, he softened his tone.
“You probably collapsed because of the pregnancy. I’m not a doctor, but I’ve studied a lot about pregnancy. It can happen sometimes. You don’t have a fever, and you didn’t throw up, so it’s not a big deal. But we can’t leave it like this. You need to see a doctor. This trip is too much for you.”
He added with moist eyes,
“What would have happened if I hadn’t run into you there? What if you had collapsed alone in the dark?”
Len’s chest heaved as if he were struggling to breathe.
Then he grabbed my hand with his sweaty hand.
“What if you fell……what if the baby was startled, Lou? You have to be careful……”
As if he couldn’t bear it even in his imagination, his face gradually turned pale.
I prayed sincerely.
“I’m sorry. I’m sorry, Ren……”
The corners of the strongest wizard’s eyes in the Empire turned red.
Ren, with a face that looked like he was about to burst into tears, rubbed his cheek against the back of my hand.
A very small voice whispered.
“You know I love you……that I worry about you.”
I closed my eyes, unable to bear to hear it.
Ren barely pulled himself together and got up.
His large, turned back was lonely.
I thought he was leaving to go somewhere, but Ren came back with a glass of water.
“Are you still anxious, Lou?”
Taking the glass from him, I realized.
“The date you mentioned has passed. I did everything you wanted. Even at this moment……I’m not by your side.”
Ren was now talking about something I didn’t know, but seemed to know subconsciously.
His deep purple eyes were moist with sadness.
“But you’re still anxious? So much that you still can’t choose anyone?”
I couldn’t take my eyes off his distant gaze.
🔹🔹🔹