53: The Unstoppable Duke

“Your Highness! A letter from the Duchess has arrived!”

Elena, who was sitting in a rocking chair and gazing out the window, extended her hand to Azet, who brought her the letter.

“Thank you, Azet.”

“You’re too kind! Is there anything you’d like to eat? His Majesty the Emperor specifically instructed me to bring you anything you desire.”

“Oh my, there’s nothing in particular I want right now. If I do, I’ll call for you, so take some rest.”

“Yes, Your Highness!”

Azet’s bright expression as she headed toward the sofa brought a faint smile to Elena’s lips. She held the letter from Aella in both hands.

‘A subtle scent of violets. It’s the scent of Aella and Duke Hormons. Come to think of it, the Hormons estate garden had a lot of violets. Are they the flowers Aella and the Duke like?’

Tilting her head slightly, Elena opened the letter and quickly began to read it.

[Dear Elena,  

I heard the news of your pregnancy through my husband. I wish I could rush over to congratulate you in person, but my dear Kina, who has been by my side for so long, is getting married to a wonderful man tomorrow.  

Please forgive me for sending my congratulations through this letter instead.I hope I can have a child soon too.  

Lastly, every time I hear how happy you are, it fills me with joy. May you continue to be happy, no, even happier than you are now. My husband and I will visit you soon.  

Yours forever,  

Aella.]

“Aella…”

Holding the letter to her chest, Elena felt as though Aella were right beside her.

‘I hope Aella will also have a baby soon.’

Still smiling, Elena clapped her hands suddenly.

“What is it, Your Highness?”

“Oh, it’s nothing. But Azet, what are you making?”

“What else? Baby clothes and bibs for the little one coming next year, of course! Look forward to it! I’ll make them with all my heart!”

“Hoho, I will.”

Elena rose from the rocking chair and walked toward the bed. Remembering the court’s advice to be extra cautious due to her first pregnancy and her frail body, she lay down on the bed.

“Are you going to sleep, Your Highness?”

“Yes, I’m a little tired.”

“Then I’ll leave now! Rest well!”

“Thank you. Wait, Azet.”

“Is there something you need?”

As Azet approached with sparkling eyes, Elena asked if there was a man she liked.

“W-what are you saying all of a sudden?! There’s no one!”

“Hmm~ Really? Not even one?”

“T-there really isn’t! Why are you doing this?!”

Raising her voice unnecessarily and avoiding Elena’s gaze, Azet’s right hand was gently clasped by Elena.

“Your Highness…”

“Now that I’ve found happiness, I want you to be happy too, Azet.”

“…Yes.”

“So perhaps Sir Max, the vice-captain of the royal guard—”

“I-I’ll take my leave now! Call me if you need anything! I’ll be just outside!”

“Hoho, that girl.”

As the door closed, Elena let out a long sigh and stared at the ceiling.

“To think I’ll soon become the Empress…”

Elena still couldn’t believe it. The Emperor’s words at breakfast this morning about passing on the throne echoed in her mind. Placing her hands on her belly, she voiced the amusing thought that had just occurred to her.

“If my child and Aella’s child are of opposite genders, wouldn’t it be nice to arrange a marriage between them? But…”

She thought of Julius, who still didn’t get along with Duke Hormons. It was well-known that the Duke didn’t think highly of Julius either.

Although the wives got along well, their husbands constantly clashed and found each other disagreeable, something that others found amusing to watch.

“Is there no way to get Julius and the Duke to get along even a little?”

No matter how much she thought about it, Elena couldn’t come up with a good solution and let out a long sigh.

Knock, knock.

“Azet?”

“It’s me.”

“Julius?!”

Quickly sitting up, Elena saw Julius enter the room carrying a basket full of fruit.

“Stay lying down.”

“No, it’s fine. But why all the fruit?”

“They’re supposed to be good for both the baby and the mother.”

“Hoho, thank you.”

“Thanking me makes me feel old.”

“Oh, hoho, sorry… I mean, my apologies.”

After placing the fruit on the shelf, Julius sat on the bed and clasped Elena’s hands in his.

“I’m sorry.”

“For what?”

“For that time… when I was drunk and… Ha, alcohol is the enemy. I don’t even get drunk easily, so why did I…”

“I didn’t mind.”

“!”

“In fact, I liked it. I still can’t forget that day when I was in the arms of the Julius I love.”

“Elena…”

“So please, don’t feel sorry anymore. Instead of those apologies… just love me.”

Holding Elena close and stroking her back, Julius whispered into her ear.

“I’ll dedicate my entire life to loving you, Elena. Thank you for loving someone like me and for staying by my side. Thank you, Elena.”

“Thank you too, Julius, for loving me.”

Julius gently pulled Elena back to look at her tear-filled eyes.

“For you, I’d even pluck the stars from the night sky.”

“Oh my, hoho.”

“I mean it.”

“I’d rather have something better than stars from the night sky.”

“What is it? Just say the word, and I’ll give it to you right now—huh?!”

Elena grabbed his collar and pulled him in for a passionate kiss, leaving Julius frozen in place, his face turning red.

“E-Elena…”

“I asked the court, and they said it’s fine to be intimate once I’m in a stable period.”

“W-when did you ask that?”

“Haha, are you embarrassed? Julius, you’re unexpectedly cute.”

“Cute?! I’m a man!”

“Well, I like cute men.”

“Ahem. If that’s what you think, Elena…”

Elena cupped Julius’s blushing face with her hands and looked into his eyes.

“I love you so much, Julius.”

“Elena.”

“If this is a dream, I never want to wake up because I’m so happy—ah!”

Julius gently pushed Elena onto the bed and hovered over her. Her small face turned bright red as their eyes met.

Julius gazed at his lovely wife, her flushed face resembling a ripe apple. Her trembling eyes and the way she softly called his name made him fall even deeper in love.

“Does it still feel like a dream?”

“…No.”

“Elena.”

“Yes.”

“I’ll make sure reality is even happier than dreams. You’ll see.”

“Can I look forward to it?”

“Of course.”

As Julius cupped her cheek with his large, gentle hand, Elena wrapped her arms around his neck and accepted his soft kiss. Their lips met again and again, heating up the room in no time.

“Cough, cough. Julius.”

“Elena.”

“!”

“When we’re alone, will you call me ‘Lee’?”

“Gladly.”

Julius, his eyes glistening with joy, kissed her cheek and made a request.

“Can you try saying it once?”

“Lee.”

“A bit louder.”

“Lee.”

This time, Elena threw her arms around him, holding him tightly enough to feel his heartbeat.

“Elena.”

“Ah, Lee…”

Elena couldn’t hold back her soft m*ans as Julius’s touch and kisses deepened. Hearing her voice stirred Julius even more, and he became bolder in exploring her.

“N-no more, Lee. The baby—”

“I’ll take care of everything. Just focus on my love for you. I love you, my Elena.”

“Ah, Lee! Hah!”

Though her mind told her she shouldn’t for the baby’s sake, Elena couldn’t resist the overwhelming pleasure and gave in completely.

—

Nearby, Aella, unable to straighten her back, sat while Kael stood beside her, looking like a guilty man.

“Kael, how long are you going to stand there like that? You’ll hurt your neck.”

“Ahem. S-sorry, Ella. I was too much of a beast.”

“Pfft!”

Hearing the words come from his own mouth, Aella couldn’t hold back her laughter. She found Kael, who was beating himself up, utterly adorable. Patting his slumped shoulders, she turned her gaze to the newlyweds, who looked happier than anyone else.

As the ceremony concluded, Aella approached Kina, who was radiant with beauty and joy, and held her hands tightly.

“My lady…”

“Have a wonderful honeymoon.”

“Yes.”

“Ian, Kina is terrible with directions, so don’t ever let go of her hand or get distracted.”

“I will keep that in mind, my lady.”

“My lady! That’s too much!”

Apologizing with a playful smile to the fuming Kina, Aella watched Ian gently calm his wife before helping her into the carriage.

“Ian seems so mature for his age. If someone didn’t know, they might think he’s already an adult.”

“Well…”

Aella found Kael’s grumbling reaction to Ian’s praise endearing at the time.

The next day, at the banquet celebrating the Crown Princess’s pregnancy, Aella witnessed firsthand just how jealous her husband, Kael Hormons, could be.

No matter who approached Aella—whether they were lovers, husbands, or even fathers with children—Kael treated every man near her as a threat. His sharp tone and refusal to engage in small talk left Aella feeling increasingly exhausted.

“Duchess, You look absolutely stunning.”

“Your Highness!”

“Perhaps that’s why your Duke is so on edge. He’s so intimidating that no one dares to speak to you.”

At Elena’s teasing, Aella could only apologize repeatedly.

“You must have a hard time because of your husband, Duchess.”

“Your Highness, please.”

“Am I wrong? A Duke, of all people, being so narrow-minded. Tsk, tsk.”

However, Elena’s own husband, the Crown Prince, wasn’t much better. When young men tried to approach Elena, Julius openly glared at them, making his jealousy clear.

“Elena.”

“Yes, Aella?”

“Perhaps our husbands are more alike than we thought.”

At Aella’s words, Elena could only nod in agreement. While the Duchess and Crown Princess chatted happily, their husbands stood guard like sentinels, offering a surprising yet amusing sight to those around them.