Chapter 158. Epilogue: Always Like Newlyweds (4)

“My goodness, it’s beautiful.”

Crown Princess Larisa let out a soft exclamation as she examined Ellen’s return gift.

The gift was an angel statuette inlaid with various colored gems, of a suitable size to fit comfortably in one’s hand.

The statue’s eyes were blue sapphires, the tiara on its forehead was golden topaz, and the belt was adorned with vivid blood-red rubies.

It was a piece created with great care by the finest artisan, making it a valuable item worthy of collecting.

“Thank you so much, Grand Duchess Bayern. I’ve been wanting to place an ornament like this in my room. I’ll cherish it dearly.”

“Not at all, I’m the one who should be thankful. I’m so happy that you sent me a welcome gift and are treating me with such hospitality.”

The atmosphere of the tea party was very cordial. It was like a clear sky with no room for dark clouds. Ellen enjoyed pleasant conversations with various noble ladies, including Crown Princess Larisa, and indulged in sweet tea foods and fragrant tea to her heart’s content.

In the midst of such a delightful time, someone who appeared to be a maid appeared in the back garden, bringing a young child.

“Mommy!”

The child ran towards a noblewoman sitting next to Ellen, stretching out both arms as if asking to be hugged.

The noblewoman, flustered and at a loss, glanced at the Crown Princess and other guests. However, everyone just watched the mother and child with smiles, showing no signs of reproach.

“Mommy, hug me.”

“Ivy, I told you to wait quietly. What are you doing coming all the way here?”

The noblewoman sighed and picked up the child. The person who seemed to be her maid spoke politely with an apologetic look.

“I’m sorry, madam. The young miss wouldn’t stop crying…”

“No, Annette. It’s not your fault… Oh, Ivy. You should greet Her Highness the Crown Princess. Come on, hurry.”

As the noblewoman urged, putting the child down on the grass, the child hesitantly looked at the guests and mumbled an introduction.

“Hello, Your Highness the Crown Princess. I’m Ivy Marcellie. I’m five years old. I’m sorry.”

The child’s disjointed sentences, typical of a child, made the Crown Princess and guests laugh. Ellen also looked at the child with a smile. Shimmering golden hair braided into two pigtails, large green eyes. She was a cute little girl with a red ribbon that suited her well.

“I’m sorry, because of my child… I think I’ll have to leave early. I hope everyone enjoys the rest of your time.”

“It’s fine, don’t worry about it and go ahead, Countess Marcellie. …Ivy, was it? Be a good girl and listen to your mother, okay?”

“Yes!”

The adults’ faces naturally broke into fond smiles as they watched the child answer brightly. Countess Marcellie left with her child after expressing her thanks, and the noble ladies were left with the lingering charm of the cute child.

“My daughter was that cute at one point too.”

“Oh my, what are you saying? I believe your daughter, Viscountess Cavill, is still only 14? She’s at her cutest age.”

“Cute? She’s in her rebellious phase now…”

Ellen quietly listened to the conversation flowing back and forth. Perhaps it was because of the beautiful scenery on such a nice day. The sweet flower scent carried by the gentle breeze was almost intoxicating. Ellen was in a somewhat vulnerable state until a question was directed at her.

“Come to think of it, what are your plans for children, Grand Duchess Bayern?”

Older ladies tended to ask such personal questions without hesitation at times. Ellen tried not to show her embarrassment and laughed awkwardly.

“Well, I haven’t really thought about it yet…”

“Of course, the Grand Duke and Duchess of Bayern are newlyweds. There’s no rush to think about it.”

A noblewoman about three years older than Ellen chimed in with a lively voice. Other noble ladies, seemingly not wanting to make Ellen uncomfortable, added, “That’s right,” and “Indeed.”

Ellen took a sip of her lukewarm tea with an awkward smile on her face. She became newly conscious of the issue of family planning, something she hadn’t seriously considered until now.

As the tea party was coming to an end, Enoch was there to pick her up as promised.

Ellen approached him with quick steps, briefly hugged him, then pulled away with a shy smile.

Knowing that this action was an expression of joy, Enoch felt unbearably lovable and hugged her tightly.

He carried Ellen into the carriage. As soon as the door closed, he cupped her face and showered her with passionate kisses. He couldn’t go about his daily life without such explosive outbursts of emotion.

Do you know this emotion that’s so overwhelming it’s almost painful? I wish you would long for me as much as I do for you.

“Enoch, that’s enough…”

Ellen, who had been suffering for a while, gasped and tried to stop him. Enoch looked at her disheveled appearance with a strange sense of satisfaction. A rather abnormal desire to make her even more of a mess and make her cry quietly boiled up.

“Remember, not in the carriage. If you pounce on me again, we’ll use separate rooms for the entire honeymoon.”

“……”

Ellen’s firm rejection immediately dampened his mood. Separate rooms? Isn’t that too much, no matter what?

“You’re probably the only bride who would mention separate rooms on a honeymoon, Ellen.”

“I’ll take that as a compliment.”

Ellen retorted primly and neatly tidied up her disheveled hair and clothes. Enoch messed up her hair again out of petty spite.

“What childish behavior is this, Your Grace?”

“What else? It’s childish behavior.”

Ellen sighed and shook her head. It would be a waste to argue any further. She decided to change the subject instead. To something that might catch Enoch’s interest.

Yes, for example.

“Enoch, I’ve been thinking carefully.”

“Yes?”

“How about… we have a child next year?”

The family planning she had been secretly contemplating throughout the tea party.

Ellen held her breath and watched Enoch’s reaction. She secretly expected him to be pleased. A child that resembles both of us. How lovely would that be? They were already sufficiently happy, but if they had a child, they would become even happier. Ellen thought Enoch would surely feel the same way. But….

“No.”

…Unexpectedly, a cold rejection came back.

Ellen, who had been gaping in bewilderment, asked in a tone that tried to feign calmness.

“Why not? Do you want our newlywed period to be longer?”

“It’s not that. I…”

Enoch sighed softly and then continued calmly.

“Pregnancy and childbirth would damage your body… That can’t happen. I can’t let you go through such hardship. I want you to be healthy without any pain, Ellen.”

“……”

She hadn’t expected such a reason. Was that why he had always finished outside, and had her take contraceptive pills that weren’t strong and had no side effects?

‘I just vaguely thought… that our child would surely be lovely… that you would want it too, that you were just acting this way because you didn’t have plans for a second child yet. That’s all I thought.’

After a moment of silence, Ellen gently voiced a thought that suddenly occurred to her.

“…Couldn’t we ask Penelope?”

“For what?”

“If I give birth to a baby and need to recover, Penny could use healing magic, and my body would quickly get better, I think.”

“……”

Enoch’s expression seemed to ask if she wanted to go that far. As if he disliked the idea of Ellen’s body being damaged in any case.

Ellen looked into his eyes steadily and held his hand tightly. Then she spoke in a calm and composed voice.

“I understand that you’re worried about me. But it might not be as difficult and painful as you think. At least, that’s what I think. I believe that the birth of our child is worth enduring that difficult process… that it’s a blessing and a gift.”

“……”

“So, could you please think about it again? You don’t have to agree with me right away, take your time.”

Enoch, who had been quietly gazing at Ellen, soon let out a low sigh. His expression still looked heavy, but the shadow of worry seemed to have lifted a little.

“Alright… I’ll think about it.”

“Good.”

Ellen smiled brightly and hugged Enoch’s waist tightly with both arms.

It might be a bit reckless, but still, she had a feeling that they would surely be happy. Whatever future might come, as long as they were together.

* * *

It was a winter day.

The day after staying up late to watch the first snow of the year, which had started falling from the night before.

Ellen had a dream. A large camellia tree standing proudly in a snow-white field. Red, luscious flowers were in full bloom.

The strangely vivid dream seemed to hint at something. Ellen slowly approached the camellia tree. For some reason, feeling as if this camellia tree was calling out to her.

Finally reaching the front of the camellia tree, Ellen carefully stretched out her hand. As if trying to hold the hand of someone she had been waiting for…

That’s when it happened.

“……!”

The camellia tree disappeared, and in its place stood a young child with a smile as lovely as the spring sunshine.

It was a strikingly beautiful little girl with jet-black hair just like Enoch’s and blue water-colored eyes.

“Mommy!”

The child ran to Ellen and hugged her legs tightly. Although she didn’t know the child’s name yet, somehow it felt familiar. Ellen chuckled and picked up the child. Then, as if whispering, she called out the child’s name.

That noble name that blooms lusciously even in the winter cold and bravely withstands the icy north wind.

At that, the child closed her large blue eyes and smiled brightly.