Choosing the Baby’s Father From the Following – Chapter 36

𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐩𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝟑𝟔
“Thank you, older brother.”

I expressed my gratitude with sincerity.

Since I needed Lurik for today’s plan anyway, this was quite a good thing for me.

🔹🔹🔹🔹🔹🔹

“It’s been hard to see you lately, Louise.”

I was going to the banquet hall with Lurik when I suddenly stopped in surprise, taken aback by Crown Prince Hart acting friendly.

“I apologize, Your Highness the Crown Prince.”

Whether he was the Crown Prince or whatever, I honestly had no interest in him.

He was a villain I created, but Hart was so incompetent that he was the first to die when Lurik went berserk.

‘That’s why the Emperor couldn’t bring himself to kill the rampaging Lurik and instead confined him to the monastery.’

Because he only had one son left.

Anyway, since I had met a member of the Imperial Family, it was time to put my plan into action.

“Cough, cough. Have you been well?”

Hart smiled, his blood-red eyes gleaming.

“It’s only the beginning of autumn, yet you’re already suffering from a cold. It’s strange to be asked about my health by you.”

Although my plan was unfolding smoothly, I felt strangely offended by the Crown Prince’s words, which seemed to mock me.

He was laughing like a villain, for sure.

“Well, I should be thankful that the Grand Duke has a unique eye for people.”

I was so surprised that I momentarily forgot to cough.

‘To carry out my plan, I need to prevent others from provoking Lurik like this……!’

Just then, Ernst intervened.

“Your Highness the Crown Prince, I greet the Second Prince.”

“You’ve arrived, Ernst. If you’re going to see His Majesty, shall we go together?”

Fortunately, Hart’s attention was quickly diverted to Ernst.

However, Lurik’s expression didn’t improve much even after Ernst disappeared with the bomb.

“Is the Grand Duke also planning to attend the Thanksgiving Festival?”

I immediately shook my head at Lurik’s question.

“Cough! No, I haven’t heard anything like that.”

Lurik continued, his question sounding like a trap.

“Do you often contact the Grand Duke? I understand he sends communication orbs frequently.”

“If it’s about communication orbs, Ren sends them more often.”

I answered with a smile to show that my relationship with Callisto was nothing special, but in the end, it only served to further furrow Lurik’s brow.

“I didn’t know you were so close to the Tower Master as well.”

I immediately switched tactics to garner sympathy.

“They are all precious people who helped me at the lonely Academy. Cough, cough!”

According to the diary, the only one who had truly helped Louise was Ernst, but it was clear that the other two were also quite promising.

Lurik patted my back, albeit with a displeased expression.

“Look at you, you’re even coughing now that you’re outside.”

I tried to ignore my pricking conscience and went to my assigned seat.

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The incompetent Crown Prince Hart was unusually talkative today.

“Brother, you’ve rested for about a month now, so aren’t you getting itchy?”

His voice was unnecessarily loud, drawing the attention of those nearby towards us.

‘The Imperial Family’s dysfunctional siblings are already eager to know how they’ll stab and poke each other, why is he acting like this?’

Fortunately, Lurik didn’t seem to react to his provocations.

“Yes, well…… I’m spending my time training the Knights in the training ground.”

I was busy observing Lurik’s expression anxiously, but the foolish Crown Prince continued to provoke him.

“You’ve been on the battlefield for years, will training the Knights be enough?”

Like attracts like, as the Crown Princess chimed in.

“Why? Does the Second Prince have another battlefield in mind that he’s interested in?”

My heart sank as I looked at the Crown Prince and Princess.

Lurik had returned to the palace less than a month ago after three years of war.

‘Do they think of people as war machines?’

I was so dumbfounded that I couldn’t say anything and just let out a timid cough.

“Cough, cough!”

Hart replied nonchalantly to his wife.

“That’s not the case. Since Lurik ended the war cleanly, the borders are enjoying a rare peace.”

Phew, just as I was sighing in relief.

The Empress, who was sitting a little distance away, suddenly spoke.

She seemed to have been listening to our conversation.

“But now that we’ve taken the entire upper Dunez River, I’m coveting the Whitney plains. If we could incorporate that land into the Empire, the homeless Gideln would follow naturally.”

That would have been enough, but Hart insisted on bringing back the previous topic.

“The Grand Duke of Babenberg is quite fond of his youngest. If the youngest gets married, Lurik won’t be able to bear the loneliness.”

“But I……!”

I was about to say something, unable to hold back any longer.

At that very moment, a dark shadow enveloped Lurik’s eyes, who was sitting right next to me.

“Older brother.”

I called out to Lurik in surprise, grabbing his hand.

And I realized that this was the opportunity to calm Lurik’s impending outburst and simultaneously execute my plan.

“Cough, cough!”

So I coughed loudly and stood up.

“I apologize, but I’m not feeling well……”

Lurik’s enraged gaze finally shifted from Hart to me.

“Louise?”

“Cough! I want to go back to the detached palace……”

It took a bit of courage to collapse there.

‘I’m pregnant, you know.’

But who is my brother?

“Louise!”

Lurik caught me before my body could hit the floor and immediately asked the Emperor for permission.

“I apologize for interrupting this pleasant occasion, Your Majesty. If you permit, I would like to take Louise back to the detached palace……”

“Go ahead.”

After the Emperor’s brief consent, all I had to do was endure the morning sickness in my brother’s swaying arms.

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“Bring the Imperial Physician!”

Lying in bed pretending to be unconscious, I felt chills down my spine listening to Lurik’s voice.

Phoebe whispered beside me.

“Prince Lurik is furious. If Dr. Zita makes a mistake out of surprise……”

But there were still no signs of pregnancy.

‘From the Imperial Physician’s perspective, there’s nothing more difficult than revealing my pregnancy to Lurik.’

In that case, poor Dr. Zita had to do well today, no matter what.

I subtly stirred, pretending to regain consciousness, to help him in any way I could.

Phoebe quickly noticed and asked in a loud voice.

“Oh my, Your Highness. Are you awake?”

Lurik rushed over.

“Lou! You, why are you doing this……?”

Being such a nuisance.

He must have wanted to ask that.

However, instead of saying that, Lurik caressed my cheek.

“Are you alright?”

His previously agitated voice had lowered considerably for me.

I blinked my eyelids with difficulty and grabbed his large hand.

I rubbed the back of his hand, hoping he would calm down and break free from the influence of the magic sword.

“I’m sorry, older brother…… Cough!”

Soon, Zita from the detached palace appeared with a pale face.

He managed to examine me with trembling hands in front of Lurik.

“Your cold symptoms are worsening and not getting better even with rest…… I’m worried.”

“Did you prescribe the medicine properly!”

Lurik immediately erupted in anger, but it seemed the physician had diligently sought out a way to survive.

“Of course, Your Highness. However, you mentioned that you stopped by Heim in Babenberg during your trip to the monastery?”

“……I did.”

Zita appropriately hardened his expression.

“According to what I heard from the Academy professors, pneumonia has recently been prevalent in southern Babenberg. Since you seem to have been in the vicinity, it would be best to be extremely cautious for the time being.”

Lurik’s face instantly turned white.

“Pneumonia!”

Zita waved his hands in a fluster.

“I only mentioned it as a precaution. It doesn’t mean that Her Highness has contracted pneumonia right now.”

We all had to hold our breath as Lurik suddenly grabbed the hilt of his sword.

He growled.

“They say words have power. How dare you speak such blasphemous words about the Princess?”

I was startled and reached out to grab Lurik’s wrist.

“Older brother……, Cough! You’re speaking so loudly, my head is throbbing.”

He flinched and withdrew his sharp gaze.

“……Sorry.”

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