Chapter 120

Cries of agony echoed from behind the tightly shut doors of the duke and duchess’s chamber. Rosalie’s anguished voice rang out as Carindia and Marie each held one of her hands. Cold sweat soaked Rosalie’s brow, and Marie gently dabbed it away with a handkerchief.

“Duchess, please, a little more strength!”

At the midwife’s cry, Rosalie, gasping for breath, pushed with all her might. Her face flushed deep red, and veins rose visibly across her skin.

Panting heavily, she collapsed back, struggling to breathe through the excruciating pain. The blinding agony made her vision blur and her mind feel faint.

“Stronger, please!”

The midwife called again. Groaning, Rosalie gathered her strength and pushed once more, tears pooling in the corners of her eyes.

“Well done, Your Grace.”

She could hardly hear the midwife’s words anymore. Rosalie was drowning in the pain of labor, clinging to what strength she had left. More than anything, she wanted Kenneth. If only he were by her side, she felt she could endure anything.

As she silently cried out his name, the doors suddenly burst open.

Kenneth pushed past the servants trying to stop him and entered the room. By tradition, men were not allowed in the birthing chamber—not even the duke—but for Kenneth, Rosalie’s well-being outweighed any rule.

Rushing to her side, Kenneth knelt beside Rosalie as Carindia stepped aside. He grasped her hand tightly.

“Rosalie…”

“…Kenneth.”

She smiled at him through the pain, even as her body screamed in torment. Just seeing him made her smile.

“I’m here. You’ll be all right.”

At his words, she nodded. The midwife shouted again for her to push. With renewed resolve, Rosalie gathered her breath and pushed even harder.

Finally, after a few more tries, the sound of a baby’s cry filled the room.

The midwife wrapped the newborn in cloth and handed him to Rosalie.

“Congratulations. It’s a boy.”

Rosalie took the child and looked down at the baby she had brought into the world. His hair was the same shade as Kenneth’s.

So small… so very small.

Rosalie smiled through tearful eyes as she looked up at Kenneth. He gently embraced her and placed a kiss on her damp forehead.

“You’ve done well, my love.”

Only after expressing his gratitude to Rosalie did Kenneth finally turn his gaze to their child. The baby stirred and slowly opened his eyes, revealing a pair of radiant blue irises.

“Looks like I gave birth to you. I win.”

Rosalie’s wish—for their child to resemble Kenneth—had come true. Kenneth gazed at the baby with a mixture of wonder and awe.

“Kenneth, the name. Please, name our baby.”

Though he had once said they could take their time, Kenneth had yet to give her an answer. After a thoughtful pause, he finally spoke.

“Rapian Vinzetten.”

“Rapian… It’s a beautiful name.”

Their child was named Rapian Vinzetten, a name that took the first letters from Cailon’s family and Argo’s, honoring those who had passed.

***

Time flew, and before they knew it, a year had passed and spring returned. Rapian was now starting to attempt his first steps. Using his walking practice as an excuse, the whole family had gathered in the garden.

“Rapian!”

At Kenneth’s voice, little Rapian—sitting on the grass—turned to look at his father, who stood a short distance away.

Grinning brightly, the boy placed his hands on the ground and tried to stand. He managed to lift himself but soon wobbled and plopped back down with a soft thud.

Rosalie, who had been seated at a nearby table with a light brunch spread, crouched down beside Kenneth. She reached out to their son as well.

“Rapian, come to Mama.”

Rapian giggled at her and once again planted his hands on the ground. This time, he found his balance better than before. Just as he was about to step forward, a fluffy white blur dashed toward him—Theo—and bumped into him. Rapian lost his balance and landed squarely on his bottom.

“Oh dear.”

“Theo!”

Rosalie called out in exasperation. But Theo was far too entertained, happily racing around the garden.

Startled, Rapian looked on the verge of tears, then flopped onto his back and waved his tiny arms in protest. From the look of things, it would take some time before he was ready to try again. Kenneth couldn’t help but chuckle at the sight.

“He may look like me, but I think he’s inherited your personality.”

“Mine?”

“Didn’t you act exactly like that as a child? I lost count of how many times I had to soothe your pouting.”

Rosalie couldn’t deny it. She knew she’d been quite the handful growing up. Watching Rapian, she quietly wondered if their son had truly inherited her temperament. And then she realized just how quickly he was growing.

“When did he get so big? He’s walking already… Time really flies.”

“Close your eyes once, and he’ll be running. Close them again, and he’ll be talking.”

“I wish he’d grow just a little slower,”

Rosalie said wistfully, watching their son with a soft sigh.

Just then, someone approached Rapian and gently helped him sit up.

“Looks like I’ll be assisting you, young master.”

It was Jaden, Rapian’s appointed guard. The little boy pointed at Jaden and giggled with delight. The warmth in that laugh brought a smile to Jaden’s face as well. He dusted off the grass clinging to Rapian’s clothes.

“A real man doesn’t give up. Stand tall and walk proud, little one.”

Rapian tilted his head, not quite understanding, but still smiling.

Kenneth turned to Rosalie, who was gazing lovingly at their son.

“You should get some rest, my love. Eat something too.”

“All right. I’ll leave Rapian to the two of you. I should check on Mother as well.”

Rising to her feet, Rosalie returned to the table. Carindia chuckled at Rapian’s adorable antics.

“He just keeps getting cuter.”

“Maybe it’s just because he’s mine, but I find him so lovable. Is this how every parent feels?”

“Of course. I’m sure Elicia and Philip—your parents—felt the same way.”

Rosalie smiled at Carindia. Then she turned again toward Kenneth, who was calling to their son once more.

Rapian attempted another step… then sat down again. Jaden patiently helped him back up.

Scanning for Theo, Rosalie spotted Marie playing with him using toys—a deliberate effort to keep him occupied and away from Rapian’s walking attempts.

“Rapian, come to Daddy.”

Rapian didn’t give up. He kept trying to walk forward, and at last, he managed to take a single step. After that first one, the second came more easily. Step by wobbly step, Rapian toddled slowly into Kenneth’s waiting arms.

Overwhelmed with emotion at his son’s first steps, Kenneth scooped Rapian up, stood tall, and tossed him gently into the air before catching him again. Rapian burst into cheerful giggles, delighted by the game.

Watching from the table, Rosalie fell into deep thought. Memories of her time with Kenneth drifted through her mind.

There was once a time when she couldn’t have imagined falling in love with him. Yet now, she loved him more than she loved herself. And now, they even had a child who resembled him.

Rosalie believed all her happiness stemmed from Kenneth. If he hadn’t come looking for her when she ran away, she might never have known the overwhelming warmth of this love.

Raising her glass of water in place of wine, Rosalie offered a silent toast to Kenneth.

To your happiness—and to ours.

“Mama!”

Just as she took a sip, Rapian’s voice called out to her. Turning toward the sound, she saw Kenneth and Rapian both beaming at her.

Rosalie didn’t hesitate. She rose from her seat and stepped toward the two men she loved more than anything in the world.

[Fin]