54: The Miracle of Triplets

After the banquet celebrating the Crown Princess’s pregnancy, Aella found herself increasingly exhausted every time she went out with her overly jealous husband, whose love and possessiveness seemed to overflow. Even when she tried to reason with him or scold him harshly, it only worked temporarily. Unsure of how to deal with her endlessly stubborn husband, she decided to send him off to the imperial palace for the day and enjoy a rare outing by herself.

As she stepped out of the carriage, Aella was greeted by the deputy commander who had replaced Ian’s usual position by her side.

“I won’t be long, so please wait here.”

“Understood.”

Entering the orphanage, Aella was immediately surrounded by children who ran to her with open arms, saying how much they had missed her. She hugged them tightly.

“Have you all been well?”

“Yes!”

“That’s good to hear. These are gifts for you.”

“Wow! Thank you, Duchess!”

Watching the children’s delighted reactions as they received their gifts, Aella smiled warmly and moved to a quieter spot with the headmistress.

“I still find it hard to believe that the Duchess came back to life after dying.”

“Hoho, sometimes I feel the same way.”

“Are you feeling well now?”

“Of course. Otherwise, I wouldn’t be out and about like this.”

“That’s such a relief.”

As the headmistress’s eyes reddened with emotion, Aella offered her a kind smile and promised to visit again soon. As she stepped out of the orphanage, she heard a child calling for her.

“Duchess! Duchess!”

“Tommy, what is it?”

“These! I made these cookies myself! Please try them!”

“Thank you, Tommy. I’ll eat them while thinking of you.”

“Yes! Thank you! When I grow up, I’ll definitely open a bakery!”

“If you do, I’ll always come to buy your cookies and delicious bread.”

“Wow! Thank you, Duchess!”

Finding the child endlessly adorable, Aella waved to the children who came to see her off and climbed into her carriage.

“I’ve been feeling so tired lately. Even without Kael by my side, let’s see how these cookies made by the young baker taste.”

Unwrapping the package, she found a cookie shaped like a cute snowman.

“For a nine-year-old to make this on his own, it looks pretty good. Let’s see how it tastes.”

Just as she was about to take a bite, a wave of nausea hit her, and she began to gag uncontrollably. Unable to hold it in, she stopped the carriage and stepped outside to sit on the grass, but the queasiness didn’t subside. When her attendants approached in concern, she reassured them that she was fine, though her body said otherwise.

As she wondered why she was feeling this way, something suddenly struck her mind.

‘I’ve been unusually tired lately, my emotions have been all over the place, and I’ve felt bloated as if I were indigested. And most of all…’

Looking at the cookie in her hand, Aella brought it to her nose, only for the nausea to intensify, causing her to stand up abruptly.

“Take me to Dr. Wilson immediately!”

“Yes, my lady! Please get in.”

When the carriage arrived at the hospital, Aella barely managed to calm her excitement as she met her long-time physician and explained the changes in her body.

“Have you had your monthly cycle?”

“!”

Aella’s face lit up as she realized it had stopped some time ago.

“Could it be… I’m really pregnant?”

“The symptoms you’re experiencing align with early pregnancy. And the absence of your monthly cycle…”

“Please conduct a more thorough examination.”

“Of course.”

After undergoing several tests with a trembling heart, Aella finally heard the confirmation.

“Ah… I’m really… I’m really having a baby!”

“Congratulations, Duchess. This is truly a miracle.”

Tears streamed down Aella’s face as she remembered Letia, the divine being to whom she had made a wish before her near-death experience. Her wish had been to have a child, and now that wish had come true, filling her with indescribable emotions.

‘When Kael finds out about this…’

Imagining his joyful reaction brought a smile to her face. She also recalled a peculiar dream she had not long ago. As the carriage carried her back to the duke’s estate, Aella murmured to herself.

“It seems I should visit Her Majesty the Empress tomorrow.”

—

Today, Elena learned from her mother-in-law that the child growing inside her was a prince. While she was happy about having a son, the news that her frail body might not allow her to have another child left her unable to hide her disappointment. She had secretly hoped for a daughter and wanted to give Julius a daughter as their second child, but it seemed that wouldn’t be possible.

Knock, knock.

“Elena, may I come in?”

“Come in.”

As Julius entered, Elena greeted him with a smile. He quickly approached her and enveloped her in a warm hug.

“Lee?”

“I’m content with just Terry.”

“Terry?”

“It’s the name of our precious child. What do you think? Do you like it?”

“Terry… I love it. It’s the name you chose for our child.”

“And Elena, if you want, we could adopt a daughter later. What do you think?”

“That’s a wonderful idea. But what if the child gets hurt by the nobles…?”

Elena looked at Julius, whose hand on her shoulder tightened slightly.

“Lee.”

“As long as I’m here, no one will dare harm my family. If anyone does, I’ll wipe out their entire lineage.”

Faced with Julius’s 100% sincerity, Elena couldn’t help but worry.

“Lee, I’m carrying a baby.”

“Ah, my apologies, little one.”

“And using fear and force will only provoke rebellion. It’s not good for you or for the imperial family.”

“I understand, Elena. For you, I’ll try to resolve things with words as much as I can.”

“Thank you, Lee.”

Julius lifted Elena into his arms with a bright smile and sat her on the bed before sitting beside her.

“Once you’ve safely delivered the baby, how about we go on a honeymoon?”

“A honeymoon?”

“Yes, to Roden. We can visit your parents, and you can show me the places you loved. I’d like to see them. And most of all, I want to know what your adorable childhood was like.”

Seeing Julius already brimming with excitement, Elena burst into laughter.

“Why are you laughing all of a sudden?”

“Because you’re so lovable, Julius.”

“Well… for my beloved Elena, I’ll be anything. They say Duke Hormons is the most romantic man in the empire, but I’ll take that title soon enough.”

“…”

Watching her husband burn with passion, Elena could only let out a deep sigh, wondering what the future held.

—

As expected, Kael was overjoyed. Exhausted from trying to stop her husband from rushing to the imperial palace immediately, Aella collapsed onto the bed.

“I feel like I can’t handle Kael more and more. But still…”

Whether he was childlike in his innocence or beastly in bed, every side of him was the man she loved, and the thought brought a smile to Aella’s lips.

Knock, knock.

“Ella.”

“Come in.”

“Charlotte will be staying with Natasha starting today.”

“All right.”

Though she felt a little sorry for Charlotte, Aella had decided to leave her in Natasha’s care until after the baby was born.

“Ella.”

“Yes?”

“What do you think about finding a companion for Charlotte?”

“Charlotte is like a grandmother in human years.”

“Then how about a friend? She seems lonelier these days.”

Feeling guilty for neglecting Charlotte, Aella’s eyes grew misty.

“Ella? Why are you crying? Are you hurt?”

“No, no. Kael, I just feel like I’ve been a terrible owner to Charlotte.”

“Why would you think that? Charlotte loves you so much.”

“That’s true… but I’ve made her lonely. She’s always comforted me, and yet I…”

As Aella covered her face and sobbed, Kael gently laid her down, leaned beside her, and took her hand.

“Ella, just focus on the baby for now. Leave Charlotte to me.”

“Kael…”

“Charlotte is a smart creature. She understands your heart. That’s why she willingly went to Natasha. Once the baby is born, you can shower her with love again. Until then, leave her to me.”

“Kael…”

“I’m happy that I can go with you tomorrow.”

As Kael smiled brightly, Aella caressed his cheek and asked.

“How are things with the Crown Prince these days?”

“Haha, we’re getting along well enough.”

‘Lies…’

Kael’s lips twitched slightly whenever he lied. Watching him, Aella let out a short sigh followed by a soft laugh.

—

Entering the imperial palace with a mix of excitement and nervousness, Aella first met Elena, who greeted her warmly. When Aella shared her pregnancy news, Elena was overjoyed and accompanied her to see Empress Alenoa.

“…”

The Empress stared at Aella’s belly with a serious expression, and the atmosphere grew tense.

‘Could there be a problem with the baby?’

Unable to bear the suspense, Aella finally spoke up.

“Your Majesty, is there something wrong with the baby…?”

“It’s not just one.”

“Pardon?”

“If it’s not just one, then…?”

“You’re having triplets.”

The Empress’s words left everyone in the room stunned, unable to process the unexpected news.

“Y-Your Majesty, are you saying I’m pregnant with triplets?”

“Yes, Duchess. Congratulations. You’re having one son and two daughters.”

“Hahaha! Ella!”

“K-Kael!”

A son and not one, but two daughters—Kael felt as though he had gained the entire world.

“Congratulations, Duke. I understand your joy, but please maintain your composure.”

“Ahem. My apologies, Your Highness. Your Majesty, Your Highness, please forgive my earlier behavior.”

“Hoho, it’s fine. Who wouldn’t be overjoyed? After all, you’re the father of miraculous triplets.”

“A miracle indeed… It truly is. Ella, thank you so much.”

“Kael…”

As the loving couple exchanged heartfelt words, Empress Alenoa shared yet another surprising piece of information.

“These children aren’t ordinary.”

“Not ordinary…?”

“All three possess immense magical power. One of the daughters even has divine power. She could become a great mage, perhaps even the empire’s only archmage. Congratulations.”

As Aella closed her eyes, she thought of Letia’s words.

‘Thank you, Letia.’