Do All Mothers in Childcare Novels have to Die?

Chapter 169

Liliana gently touched her own cheek.

“Is it that obvious? We only just met.”

“No one else might notice, but you can’t hide it from me.”

Sophia spoke confidently as if it were natural. After all, Sophia had known Liliana for her entire life. Liliana gave a bitter smile and nodded.

“Yes. I have something on my mind. Will you listen?”

“It would be my pleasure.”

Liliana took Sophia’s hand and entered the dressing room.

As Sophia had mentioned, the room was filled with magnificent dresses. Even though they were all blue, chosen to match the emperor’s eye color, each had its own shade, creating a lush variety like the vastness of the sea.

Though it was an empress’s coronation, such an abundance of dresses seemed excessive. It felt like a direct reflection of Helio’s desire to give Liliana everything she wanted.

Liliana stood before one dress, lost in thought, then slowly began to speak. She wanted to express herself in a way that Sophia could understand easily.

“…In my dream, I saw my child.”

“You don’t mean Prince Carl, do you?”

“No. It was a little girl with pink hair, just like mine.”

Liliana thought of Lilith. The child had resembled her so much.

“I believe that girl has been protecting me and many others all this time.”

Lilith had used all her power and life force to turn back time. Even though she had lived for five hundred years, sacrificing decades of her remaining life was no small matter.

She was a genuinely affectionate child, much like Helio in that way.

“I really want to meet her. I want her to feel that there’s no happier life than this. But it seems His Majesty doesn’t want a second child.”

“Why is that?”

“Well…”

If she mentioned dying while giving birth to a second child in a past life, Sophia might oppose it, too. Liliana reached out and gently held Sophia’s hand.

“There were a lot of complications when I gave birth to Carl. He’s worried about me.”

Even though Liliana’s explanation was vague, Sophia nodded immediately.

“That’s true. Honestly, I worry, too. The emperor is overprotective, but it’s understandable.”

“You think so too?”

“Yes.”

Sophia was firm. But she didn’t stop there.

“But the princess I know is stubborn and won’t let anyone stop her once she sets her mind on something. Is that causing tension with the emperor?”

“Hmm, we still get along. But… how should I put it? He doesn’t want to discuss anything serious. It’s a little frustrating.”

Sophia thought momentarily, then chuckled, finding the situation somewhat amusing. When Liliana looked puzzled, Sophia quickly explained.

“I think I know why His Majesty is being defensive. He knows that if you push, he’ll give in. So he’s putting up walls in advance.”

“…Is that it?”

“Yes. I’ve been losing to you for over ten years, so consider me a living witness. Trust me.”

Liliana laughed awkwardly. She didn’t think of herself as that stubborn, but it seemed Sophia saw things differently.

As Liliana sank into thought, Sophia clapped her hands before her face.

“Alright! You know how to be assertive. Now let’s pick a dress together. We don’t have time if you want to try them all on.”

“Try all of them on?”

“Of course. This is a once-in-a-lifetime ceremony!”

“It’s not a wedding…”

“Hurry up!”

Liliana’s face went pale as Sophia dragged her along. It seemed there wouldn’t be time to think about Helio or Lilith today.

***

The cold snap had just ended, and warm, fragrant breezes swept through the gardens. Aris Palace, with its abundance of flowers, was incredible.

Helio checked the invitation in his hand once more. It was written in Liliana’s handwriting, simply inviting him to a family picnic with a map drawn beside it.

He followed the map, quickening his pace. He knew how long Liliana had been waiting for a spring picnic.

When he arrived at the destination marked on the map, he saw the masterpiece created by the architect and gardener working together. Petals floating through the air gave the place an almost paradise-like atmosphere.

But what caught Helio’s eye first was not the fountain or the floral artwork.

Liliana sat on a picnic mat in that garden, looking like the mistress of paradise. She had shed the somber dresses she had insisted on wearing recently and was dressed freshly, like a young lady attending the academy.

Her sleeveless white blouse with frills and lavender skirt harmonized perfectly with the scenery.

“Lily.”

At Helio’s gentle call, Liliana looked up. Nestled in her arms, Carl let out a delighted giggle at the sight of his father.

“Welcome, Helio.”

Liliana smiled brightly and patted the spot next to her. Helio, as if enchanted, sat beside her.

When Liliana handed Carl over to Helio, he cradled the small child naturally.

“Aren’t you cold dressed like that?”

“The weather is so warm. You worry too much.”

Liliana spoke deliberately sharply. Since it was a warm day, Helio smiled faintly and refrained from further nagging.

Liliana gazed at the scenery, but Helio could tell just by looking at her that she had something to say.

A long silence stretched between them, filled with their many thoughts. Perhaps annoyed, Carl tried to shove his tiny fist into Helio’s mouth.

“Oh, Carl.”

Liliana was startled, then burst into laughter, gently wrapping her hand around Carl’s fist.

“You mustn’t do that to Father.”

But Helio found Carl’s sudden action nothing but adorable. He playfully nibbled Carl’s tiny nose and let go, his smile shining like the sun.

Even a mere infant, Carl seemed to recognize how handsome his father was and laughed joyfully.

Liliana lovingly watched the heartwarming scene.

Lilith hadn’t shared proper emotional exchanges with her father until age four.

It wasn’t that Helio had done everything right. But back then, his heart was in torment, and he feared that his own suffering might seep into the baby.

If Lilith were born again in this life, she would be held in Helio’s wide, comforting embrace from the very beginning, just like Carl is now, savoring happiness.

Liliana watched Helio and Carl and spoke cautiously.

“Helio, I’m sorry. But I still want to have a second child.”

At those brief words, Helio’s shoulders visibly tensed. It was clear he didn’t want to discuss this.

“What you’re thinking is right. That dream wasn’t just a dream. It’s hard to understand, but I truly did die giving birth to that child.”

“Lily, that’s…”

Helio tried to avoid the conversation. Liliana scooted closer to him and gently wrapped her arm around his.

“Then how do you think I’m here with you now? Someone persuaded the Spirit Kings. Someone strong enough to be loved by them, someone capable of anything.”

Helio’s eyes narrowed.

“Are you saying that’s our second child?”

“…Yes.”

It was a complex story to believe. But Liliana had always wielded the Spirit Kings freely without forming any contracts. Their favor toward her was unmistakable.

Meeting Helio’s gaze, Liliana spoke with earnestness.

“I want to meet that child. No, I must meet her. I want to tell her that, even if she thought I was unhappy, even if it seemed like there was no other choice… giving birth to her was the best decision I ever made. From the start, it was never a child’s burden to think, ‘Mother wouldn’t have been unhappy if she hadn’t had me.’”

Helio’s eyes wavered.

‘Mother wouldn’t have been unhappy if she hadn’t had me.’

That was a thought he had held as a child. Watching his mother live each day like a ghost, he believed that all her misery began with him.

But even if that were true, how could a child be at fault?

Why should a child who had no choice in the matter be forced to deny their own existence?

Helio looked down at the small child in his arms, who was sucking on his fingers.

Liliana also stroked Carl’s head.

“Let’s meet that child again. And this time, let’s make sure she never has such foolish thoughts.”

Liliana’s voice was so tender it felt like it could melt everything away. The heavy lock on Helio’s heart began to dissolve.

“…Will the Spirit Kings help us when our second child is born?”

At Helio’s question, Liliana nodded confidently.

“Of course. The Spirit Kings already love her.”