55: Birth Approaching

Aella and Kael were told even more astonishing news. The triplets were growing at an accelerated rate, meaning the due date would also be earlier than expected. The duke and duchess, along with the crown prince and princess, could only blink in disbelief.

“Is that even possible?”

At Kael’s serious question, Empress Alenoa smiled and nodded.

“Didn’t I say they aren’t ordinary children? Especially the one with divine power—I’m very curious about what kind of path that child will take. Archmages are so rare that even in my homeland, the Kingdom of Sertia, one might appear only once every few centuries. Regardless, congratulations to you, Duke and Duchess.”

“We are deeply honored, Your Majesty,” Aella and Kael said, bowing their heads.

Alenoa continued, “It might be overwhelming. When the time comes, I will assist with the delivery myself instead of a midwife.”

“Your Majesty will personally oversee the delivery?”

“Yes. That would be best for you. If anything were to happen during childbirth, both the mother and the children could be at risk.”

Kael, his eyes trembling with emotion, stood and bowed deeply.

“Please, I entrust my wife and children to Your Majesty. I pray for their safety above all else.”

“Leave it to me, Duchess.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

“For three children to be born with magical power, this will likely be the first time in history.”

“…”

“This also means the toll on the mother cannot be ignored.”

Aella felt her tension rise further as she listened to the empress.

“I will help you as much as I can. Please follow my guidance.”

“I will follow Your Majesty’s instructions completely.”

After leaving the room, Aella encountered Elena, who grabbed her hands tightly.

“I believe you will give birth to all three children safely.”

“Thank you, Your Highness.”

“I’m a little envious.”

“Pardon?”

“Two daughters and a son—I’m so envious.”

“Your Highness…”

Aella recalled what her husband had told her a few days ago: that this would likely be Elena’s last child due to her frail body.

‘Oh no… What should I do?’

Not knowing what to say, Aella fidgeted nervously until Elena, who was gently stroking her hand, met her eyes again.

“You haven’t forgotten our promise, have you?”

“Oh, hoho, of course not.”

“If they like each other, let’s arrange it.”

“Of course.”

As they left the palace, Aella paused when she saw her husband calling for her.

“What is it, Kael?”

“What were you and the crown princess talking about just now?”

“Oh, hoho, well…”

After a moment of hesitation, Aella decided to tell Kael about the promise she had made with the crown princess, reasoning that he would find out eventually anyway.

“…”

“Kael?”

“I’m not giving my children to anyone.”

“Ka-Kael?! You have to let your daughters get married!”

“I’ll bring in a son-in-law…”

“Get a grip!”

“Ah! Ella!”

Witnessing Duke Hormons getting smacked by his wife in the middle of the imperial palace was enough to shock everyone who saw it. From that day on, he became famous not just as a loving husband but also as a husband who got scolded.

Meanwhile, Crown Prince Julius…

“So, you’re saying that if one of the duchess’s children and our Terry like each other, you’ll arrange their marriage?”

“Yes.”

“Pfft! Hahaha!”

“Lee? Lee?”

Elena was bewildered to see Julius laughing uncontrollably, clutching his stomach. Slowly, her concern grew.

“Lee, stop laughing and calm down, please?”

“Phew~ This is the first time in my life I’ve laughed this hard. I almost feel like I should thank Duke Hormons for once.”

“Lee… really. Sigh.”

Julius gently stroked Elena’s cheek before giving her a light kiss on the lips.

“Elena, let’s patiently wait for our future daughter-in-law, who will surely be full of magical power.”

“You’re really excited, aren’t you?”

“Haha, I’ve never looked forward to anything this much in my life, Elena. Hahaha!”

“Lee, stop laughing already. Oh, really.”

As Elena lightly tapped her chest, she could already imagine the chaos that would unfold after the Hormons triplets and her son Terry were born. She sighed repeatedly, clutching her head.

—

Time flew by, and a new year began in the Albazar Empire.

Today, the New Year’s Festival was held.

After the ceremony, the emperor placed the crown on the head of the new emperor, Julius Albazar, while Empress Alenoa passed her crown down to her daughter-in-law, Elena.

Thus, with the start of the new year, the Albazar Empire welcomed its new imperial couple, who vowed to make the empire a better place for its people.

“Aella Hormons greets Her Majesty, the beautiful moon of Albazar, the Empress.”

“I still find that title and greeting so awkward and overwhelming. I don’t know what to do.”

As always, Aella stayed by Elena’s side, offering her company as the new empress grew more and more burdened by her role.

“You’ll get used to it eventually.”

“Hearing you say that makes me feel a bit more at ease. Thank you, as always.”

“You’re too kind.”

Elena couldn’t help but marvel at Aella’s rounded belly.

“It seems your belly has grown even more.”

“Hoho, well, there are not one, not two, but three children in here. They’re so active that even sitting still is difficult these days.”

“Goodness, are you okay?”

“Nothing could be harder or more uncomfortable than this, but whenever I think about the babies, I feel excited and overwhelmed with joy.”

Watching Aella radiate happiness, Elena held her hand.

“I pray for the health of you and your three children.”

“Thank you, Elena. Please, just call me Aella.”

“Alright, Aella.”

The young empress and the duchess remained close friends, but their husbands continued to clash.

“Does the duke think I’m a joke, constantly picking fights with me?”

“That’s not it. But, Your Majesty, perhaps you could step back and reconsider your actions?”

“Are you lecturing me now?”

“As emperor, you should be able to control your emotions. It’s quite concerning.”

“You little—!”

The chancellor, caught between the bickering young emperor and equally fiery Duke Hormons, felt his patience wearing thin.

‘To leave me with this mess and retire… truly too much.’

As the chancellor silently cursed the former emperor, an announcement broke the tension.

“Your Majesties, the Empress and Duchess Hormons have arrived.”

“…”

The two men, who had been arguing fiercely, immediately calmed down at the mention of their wives. Watching this, the chancellor could only manage a wry smile.

“What brings the duke to the imperial office?”

“I came to discuss an important matter with His Majesty, but he refuses to compromise and keeps raising his voice. It’s quite frustrating.”

Julius glared at Kael before speaking.

“The duke provoked me first, so I simply raised my voice in response. Empress.”

“Your Majesty, what are you saying?”

“The duke acts as if the emperor’s authority means nothing. Isn’t that right, Duchess?”

“Dear…”

“Ella! No, Duchess, listen to me. The emperor—”

“No matter what, raising your voice in front of His Majesty is unacceptable!”

Though Duchess Hormons appeared elegant and noble, when she got angry, she was terrifying—and her hands were quick.

The sound of her slapping Kael’s broad back was so sharp that even the chancellor and emperor winced as if they had been hit.

Thanks to the empress’s intervention, Kael was able to leave with his wife. Once the duke and duchess were gone, Julius sat back in his chair, looking pleased, only to notice Elena’s cold expression.

“E-Elena? Why are you looking at me like that?”

“Sigh, Your Majesty.”

“Why… Did I do something wrong?”

Though she found her husband adorable and lovable, Elena decided it was time to address the issue properly.

“Please maintain the dignity and authority of the emperor. You know many eyes are watching.”

“Ahem. I try to restrain myself, but the duke is so aggressive. Maybe it’s because he’s young, but even though I’m the emperor, he keeps challenging me…”

As Julius tried to explain himself, he noticed Elena’s expression growing colder. With a sigh, he lowered his head.

“I’m sorry… I was wrong. Please forgive me, Elena.”

“Do you know how many times you’ve said that to me already?”

“Ahem. This time, I’ll really try to get along with… that duke. For Terry’s sake, let’s focus on the positives…”

“It would be nice if you, as my husband, could focus on and create more positives yourself!”

That day, Julius learned just how terrifying it could be when someone who rarely got angry finally did.

—

As time passed, Aella’s belly grew heavier, and she reached a point where she could no longer do anything on her own.

Five months after the pregnancy was first announced, Aella began experiencing labor pains. At that moment, the dowager empress, who claimed to have foreseen the future in a dream, stepped in to assist with the delivery.

“Duchess, breathing is important. Try to stay calm. Yes, you’re doing very well. Take another deep breath and exhale. That’s it.”

“Ah… ah… my stomach! Hngh! Aahhh!”

“Duchess, screaming will only make it more painful. Think of your children.”

‘My… children. No, my precious children with Kael.’

Aella clenched her fists tightly.

After several minutes of agony, she gave birth to her first daughter, Ayla. Three minutes later, her son, Noah, was born.

“Duchess, just a little more effort. I can see the last baby’s head!”

“Hngh… Ahhhh!”

“Just a little more!”

“Aaaahhhh!!!”

After seven minutes of labor, the youngest daughter, Claire, let out her first cry.

“Ella!”

Kael rushed into the delivery room and hurried to Aella’s side, wiping the sweat from her face and holding her close.

“Ella, you’ve done so much. And… thank you. Thank you so much, Ella.”

“Hoho, Kael. Stop crying and go hold the babies, okay?”

“Oh!”

Kael carefully held the dignified eldest daughter, the peacefully sleeping only son, and finally, the youngest, who looked just like her mother as a baby and smiled brightly at him. His grin stretched so wide it seemed as if his cheeks would burst.