‘I… I’m carrying another child.’  

It was a child she was carrying again after 17 years. Suddenly, she recalled that moment from the past.  

[Grant this woman the blessing of the gods.]  

[Even if I leave, I must at least lighten my sins.] 

‘Ah, Letia… Thank you. Truly, thank you. Because of you, I am now so… so happy.’

As her chest swelled with overwhelming emotions, she was startled by a familiar voice.

“Letia! Wait for me! Huff! Slow down!”

“!”

“Ramios, you’re so slow!”

Through the carriage window, she saw two children running. Without hesitation, she ordered the coachman to stop.

“Mother? Why did we… Mother!”

Aella hurriedly stepped out of the carriage and saw a golden-haired girl and a boy with dark brown hair.

“Letia, you’re way too fast.”

“Fine, I’ll admit it. Now, hold my hand.”

“Whoa! Letia! Walk slower!”

“We have to hurry if we want to eat Uncle Tommy’s special strawberry cake!”

“You’re going to trip! Letia!”

Watching the two children disappear into the distance, Aella’s eyes filled with tears as she covered her mouth with both hands.

“Mother, do you know those children?”

“Ayla…”

“Mother…”

As Ayla embraced her mother, Aella held her close, gently patting her back.

“Let’s head home now.”

“Yes.”

After helping her daughter into the carriage, Aella looked up at the sky.

‘Dear gods, thank you. Truly, thank you.’

—

Kael, who had gone out briefly, stopped by a flower shop.

“A hundred lilies, please.”

“Yes, Duke.”

As Kael stood in front of the shop, people began to gather around him.

“It’s the Duke of Hormons!”

“They say he always stops by the flower shop whenever he’s out.”

“The Duchess of Hormons is so lucky.”

“As expected, the Duke of Hormons is the empire’s greatest romantic!”

Hearing the praise from all directions, Kael couldn’t help but smile. Holding a bouquet of a hundred lilies, he boarded his carriage.

“Our anniversary is coming up soon. What should I get her this time?”

As he pondered, a smile crept onto his face.

“Perhaps we should move to Chervel. Spending our later years there peacefully sounds good. This might also be the right time to pass the title of Duke to Noah. Besides, the only people there are the elderly.”

The coachman, driving the white horse, shuddered at the eerie laughter coming from inside the carriage.

—

When Aella arrived at the mansion, she noticed an unfamiliar carriage parked in front of the estate. It didn’t seem ordinary.

“Madam!”

Kina came running as Aella entered through the gates. When asked what was going on, Kina explained that Princess Roselia had arrived.

“I didn’t expect her to arrive so soon…”

Muttering to herself, Aella hurried inside at Ayla’s suggestion.

“Do you prefer this woman over me, the princess?”

“She has a name—Siana.”

“…How bold. I like it. If you become my man, you could one day become the King of
Jahad.”

“I have no desire to become King.”

“….”

The atmosphere was tense, like walking on thin ice. Aella glanced around and sighed when Kina whispered that her husband was out.

“If I were to give up my title as princess and naturalize here…”

“Please don’t. Once Siana and I come of age, we will be engaged.”

“…Is it because I’m not feminine enough?”

“No.”

“Don’t lie! All men are the same. Why?! Women must be ladylike? What even is being ladylike?! D*mn it! Sniff… Just because I’m rough and speak harshly doesn’t mean I’m not a woman. D*mn it!”

As the princess began to cry, Aella was about to step forward to comfort her but paused when Siana approached the princess instead.

“Your Highness.”

“…What is it?”

“I think you’re truly amazing.”

“….”

“I was born weak and have faced death several times. Even now, I struggle to run around.”

“So what?”

“I believe that someone destined to recognize and cherish someone as remarkable and brave as you will surely appear.”

“Tch. Fine. Who needs a man who doesn’t want me anyway?”

As Princess Roselia crossed her arms and turned away, Aella was reminded of Princess Mai from her childhood.

‘Well, they are twins, after all…’

Even though they were fraternal twins of different genders, their resemblance was uncanny. Now that they were older, their appearances had diverged slightly, but still…

“I never said I disliked Your Highness.”

“….”

“I’d like us to remain as good friends.”

“…You’re really impossible to hate. Fine! I’ll personally make you my friend. And you too,
Siana.”

“Your Highness! That makes me so happy!”

“Hmph! I’m destined to become the second queen of the Jahad Kingdom.”

“You’re amazing, Your Highness!”

As the conversation settled down, Aella cautiously approached Princess Roselia.

“It is an honor for our family to have Your Highness visit us in person.”

“Duchess… and…”

“I am Ayla Hormons.”

“Hm… I’ve heard from my mother that both mother and daughter possess remarkable healing abilities. And the daughter is the greatest mage of our time. Could I learn a thing or two from you? Please.”

Seeing the princess’s respectful demeanor, Aella smiled softly.

‘With such a wonderful personality, I’m sure she’ll find a better match. I wish you the best, Your Highness.’

Princess Roselia, who asked to stay at the Hormons estate for a few days and even called Ayla her “teacher,” was given a room.

“I heard Your Highness enjoys books. Would you like to visit my room?”

“Well… Actually, I’m a bit hungry.”

“I’ll prepare some food for you to take with you.”

“Thank you, Duchess. I’ll be in your care for a few days.”

Smiling, Aella instructed the servants to bring snacks from Tommy.

—

When Aella returned home, she found Kael lying in a hospital bed after an accident with his carriage.

“Kael!”

“Ell—”

“Kael! Oh, Kael!”

Aella hugged him tightly, sobbing uncontrollably. Kael whispered softly into her ear.

“I’m sorry for worrying you, Ella. Were you very scared?”

“Sniff… Kael. Hic! Sniff!”

“I’m fine, so don’t cry. It hurts me when you cry.”

“Kael…”

“I’m really fine. Okay?”

As he smiled at her, Aella nodded, cupping his face and kissing him gently.

“Our children must have been so scared. Oh, what about the coachman?”

“The coachman and horses are fine. And this little one too.”

Kael gestured to a small puppy in Aella’s arms. Curious, she asked about it.

“This little one was being chased by bad people and ran in front of the horses. That’s why the horses were startled…”

“Ah, I see.”

“Let’s keep it. This must be fate.”

“Alright. Perhaps this little one is a gift from Charlotte and Rami.”

Aella’s eyes welled up at the mention of Charlotte, who had passed due to old age, and Rami, who followed a year later. Kael embraced her gently.

“Kael…”

“I love you, Ella.”

“I love you too. Oh, and I have news.”

“News?”

Aella informed him that Princess Roselia would be staying with them for a while.

“I see. Well, it’s a relief that she gets along with Siana.”

“The problem is Noah. He’s as jealous as you, Kael. Honestly, who does he take after~?”

“…Sorry.”

Aella laughed at Kael’s sheepish reaction and sat on the bed.

“One more thing.”

“?”

“We’re having another child.”

“!”

“And they say it’s a son who looks just like me.”

“Ella!”

“Shh! You’ll scare the puppy. His name is Merry.”

“Merry…”

“And…”

Aella guided Kael’s hand to her belly.

“This one’s name is Rune.”

“Rune… What a wonderful name.”

Smiling, the two gazed at the large, beautiful moon outside the window.

“Ella.”

“Yes?”

“I swear on that beautiful moon.”

“….”

“I’ll love you forever and make you happy.”

“I’m already so happy and feel so loved that it’s almost overwhelming.”

“It’s still not enough.”

“You’re impossible.”

As she playfully hit his chest, Kael embraced her and looked back at the moon.

“It’s truly a beautiful night.”

“It is. With you by my side, every night is beautiful, Kael.”

Kael leaned in and kissed her softly, their lips meeting gently.

“Kael…”

“I suppose I’ll have to wait until our youngest is born.”

“What? You’re impossible!”

Kael winced as Aella’s playful slap grew firmer, tears forming in his eyes.