Choosing the Baby’s Father From the Following – Chapter 6

𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐩𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝟔
In the end, only after I sent the Flavi Crown Prince away as if chasing him out, could I properly contemplate again.

‘Anyway, the only one who knew about Louise’s pregnancy beforehand was Ernst.’

Thinking like that, it would be more natural for Ernst to be the father, but the thing that weighs on my mind is, as always, Ren’s existence.

“I will protect you. You will not experience any pain. You know?”

I clearly remember those serious violet eyes as he said those words……, but he’s not the father?

“Haa……”

As I was sighing deeply, Phoebe entered.

“Your Highness, Ren-nim from the Magic Tower sent an urgent delivery.”

Speak of the devil, it seems Ren sent medicine.

“Should I call for more guards?”

“Huh? Why?”

Then Phoebe also sighed.

“Why, you ask? Like in the dormitory, something might explode, or a fire might break out……”

Why did you do that, Ren……

But there was no doubt that what Ren sent this time was medicine for morning sickness.

‘If he practically claimed to be the father, he’d be a crazy bastard to play such a crazy prank, right?’

Of course, he could be a crazy bastard……

Still, I desperately needed the morning sickness medicine because I only had two tea bags left that he gave me.

“It’s alright. Just leave it here and go out.”

The box looked very ordinary, but Phoebe placed it on the table with cautious movements as if handling a bomb, and then withdrew.

As I approached and opened the box, another box appeared.

“Hmm……?”

When I touched the palm shape on the lid, the lock opened automatically.

Inside, a dozen or so glass bottles with labels were lined up.

「Vomiting, Nausea. 1~2 teaspoons, increase depending on symptoms.」

「Indigestion. 1~2 teaspoons, increase depending on symptoms.」

「Insomnia, Sleep Disorders. 3 teaspoons.」

「Cold hands and feet, Blood Circulation. 1 teaspoon.」

「Tinnitus. 1.5 teaspoons.」

「Headache. 1 teaspoon.」

As I was checking the labels of the potion bottles, which were white, black, brown, or strangely colored, I saw a bottle of colorful candies.

The label on the candy bottle read:

「When you miss Ren」

I chuckled and picked out a potion bottle.

I took two spoonfuls of the ‘Nausea’ medicine and then opened the colorful bottle and took out a candy.

Of course, it wasn’t because I missed Ren, but because the medicine was bitter.

‘Obviously.’

No matter how much of a looks-obsessed, easy-to-fall-in-love person I am, I can’t possibly miss a man I’ve only seen once.

Moreover, I still haven’t figured out who the real father is between the magic-wielding weirdo and the pretty weirdo.

‘As for Cal, who said he’s coming to propose……’

It seems highly likely that he won’t be able to come.

“Haa.”

Of course, that’s a really fortunate thing.

🔹🔹🔹🔹🔹🔹

The next day, the Imperial Palace was bustling from the morning, and even the quiet detached palace was unusually lively.

In the afternoon, Phoebe dressed me in my dress, styled my hair, and grinned.

“Prince Lurik has achieved another great feat, hasn’t he? This time, he should receive at least one title, and it would be good if your residences were moved to the main palace.”

I smiled bitterly.

As the original author, I can assure you that it was a reward he would never receive until Lurik rose up and struck down his brother.

“Do you want to go to the main palace?”

When I asked, Phoebe blinked with a serious expression.

“That’s not it……!”

Then, she pouted her lips for a moment as if feeling wronged, and replied.

“What comfort would I find in entering the main palace? Our gentle youngest princess has many suitors, so it would be better for you to stay here without having to worry about the Empress or the Crown Prince. But Prince Lurik’s situation is different.”

She was right.

Despite being twenty-seven years old, Lurik had no title other than being the Second Prince.

‘Princess Chilla, born to the Empress, and Princess Jenais, born to the First Imperial Consort, both had the title of Viscountess Tata prepared for them.’

Lurik hadn’t even been granted the title of Duke of Ostia, which should rightfully be given to the second son of the Imperial Family upon reaching adulthood.

Of course, this was because the Emperor and the Crown Prince were well aware of the side effects of the magic sword.

In other words, they knew Lurik wouldn’t live long.

‘The Imperial Family thoroughly used Lurik.’

From a young age, Lurik had been living cautiously, determined to protect Louise and himself, and he proved his abilities by becoming the youngest Sword Master in the Empire.

However, the Emperor handed the young boy a magic sword with obvious side effects and left him to live as the sword’s host.

‘From the tender age of twelve.’

I shook my head, recalling Lurik’s gloomy past that I had personally created.

‘Just hold on a little longer, Lurik.’

He will soon meet the female protagonist, Helena, and be healed both physically and mentally, becoming a new person.

‘Wait a minute.’

If Lurik doesn’t go berserk, will he not be able to meet Helena?

A sudden ominous thought came to mind, but I quickly shook my head.

‘It’ll be alright. 「Crazy」 is a regression story.’

The female protagonist Helena, whom I created, is a resourceful regressor.

She’ll probably be puzzled that I’m still alive, unlike the future she knows, but Louise has such an insignificant role in both the novel and the Imperial Family, so it won’t matter much.

‘If I don’t interfere specifically, Helena will do well on her own.’

Fortunately, I’m Lurik’s biological sister, so there’s no way the story will take a sudden turn towards a pseudo-incestuous ending.

So, I just need to leave my scary brother alone and find the baby’s father, that’s what I’m saying.

🔹🔹🔹🔹🔹🔹

Finally, the western sky turned red.

I went down to the Imperial Garden with Phoebe and waited for Lurik’s return.

A crowd of people in black had come out to welcome Lurik, but I was the only member of the Imperial Family.

‘Obviously.’

Still, there were quite a few nobles present, so I could hear firsthand accounts of Lurik’s achievements.

“This year’s harvest wasn’t good, so supplies could have been cut off in the winter.”

“Our head maid fainted at the news of the ceasefire. Her youngest son went to war.”

“There’s a lot of talk about the Second Prince, but in the end, it’s him who upholds the Empire’s prestige.”

Of course, these were things they were saying because no other members of the Imperial Family were present except me.

The lady who uttered those words cleverly acknowledged me.

“Congratulations, Youngest Princess.”

“……Thank you.”

I responded, but I’m not foolish enough to be genuinely pleased by such flattery that they wouldn’t even dare say in front of a real member of the Imperial Family.

‘Even if it’s only been a week since I possessed this body, it’s the same.’

Just then, a horseman carrying a flag with the Imperial emblem came galloping.

“The Sword of the Empire, His Highness the Second Prince Lurik Cideric Friesland Brentania, returns with news of victory after three years!”

Finally, the protagonist’s entrance.

‘Thank goodness my pregnancy isn’t showing yet.’

Blessings to Tower Master Ren.

I felt my heart pounding as I waited for Lurik.

He’s my brother in this world, so there’s no way I’d have any other feelings for him, but he’s the protagonist I created, after all.

‘In other words, I’m meeting my ideal type.’

The broken male lead, who can only be healed by the female lead.

‘How delicious.’

The male lead jumped down from a black horse, much taller than others.

The hem of his blood-red cloak billowed like an overflowing wine glass.

‘Whoa.’

I had thought that red hair and red eyes might be a bit too much of a combination, even for a male lead, but seeing it in person, the impact was tremendous.

‘Crazy……! He’s so handsome……!’

He was different from the porcelain doll-like beautiful Crown Prince, or the untamed wild horse-like Tower Master.

Lurik was bathed in the evening glow as if it were a halo, and his face, devoid of any joy despite being the victor, looked not just handsome, but even sublime.

‘He’s the male lead, my male lead……’

Completely lost in admiration, I didn’t even realize he had approached me.

“……Lou.”

A cool voice dropped, and I finally came to my senses.

“O, Older Brother.”

I lightly held the hem of my dress and imitated the greeting Phoebe had done when we met Chilla a few days ago.

‘Is this how you do it?’

I’m so glad I’m not clumsy……

“I’m glad you returned safely……”

The words “I’m glad” went back down my throat as Lurik pulled me into a hug.

He embraced me with one arm as if overcome with emotion and murmured.

“You’ve become a young lady.”

Are you, crying……?

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