“But……”

“It won’t take long.”

‘This makes it impossible to rest comfortably.’

Aristie reluctantly sat up straight. While retying her loosened dress strings, she also found and put on her discarded shoes.

She felt somewhat irritated, but understanding the physician’s position, she couldn’t refuse further. Khalid would hardly look favorably upon an Imperial Physician who returned after hearing her say “Oh, is that so?” when she claimed to be fine.

“Then give me a brief examination.”

“Yes, Your Majesty the Empress.”

When Aristie gave permission, the Imperial Physician promptly entered and sat nearby. He took out a chart and began with questions.

“Where and how do you feel uncomfortable?”

“I’ve been feeling low on energy lately. I get tired and sleepy quickly……”

“I see. Are there any other discomforts?”

“The area around my solar plexus often feels stuffy. Because of that, I have no appetite and food doesn’t go down well.”

“Have you had any fever?”

“Well…… A slight fever? I think I felt my body temperature fluctuating……”

Aristie trailed off. She lacked certainty.

She had been so busy with regular duties and charity auction preparations that she hadn’t had time to take care of herself.

“Could it be……”

The Imperial Physician, who had been noting her symptoms, put down his pen and asked with a somewhat flushed face.

“May I check your pulse for a moment?”

“My pulse?”

“Yes. There’s something I’d like to confirm.”

“……”

At the Imperial Physician’s words, Aristie’s complexion also rapidly flushed. She had caught the physician’s intention.

Come to think of it, did I have my monthly period last month?

‘……No way!’

With a pounding heart, she extended her wrist. The silence felt so tense it seemed to choke her.

After a not-so-brief time passing……

The physician, who had carefully checked her pulse, finally removed his hand and reported with an excited voice.

“Congratulations on your conception, Your Majesty the Empress!”

“Conception…… Is it true?”

“Without doubt. I checked several times.”

“That……”

When what she had suspected was confirmed as reality, Aristie couldn’t continue speaking, feeling dazed. Judging by expressions alone, the Imperial Physician seemed even happier than she, the person concerned.

The Imperial Physician, like someone who had been preparing for this day, took out a booklet about pregnancy from his bag and presented it to Aristie.

“Please read this when you have time. First, I’ll inform you about precautions you should take. And for settling your stomach……”

“Wait!”

Aristie, who regained her senses a beat late, raised her hand to stop the Imperial Physician.

“I’m sorry, but could you come to the Empress’s Palace tomorrow to talk? I think I need to return to the banquet hall now.”

“Ah……”

The Imperial Physician looked impatient but soon restrained himself and closed his bag. He could understand the Empress’s feelings.

That makes sense. Even I can barely contain myself, how much more must she feel?

“I understand. Then I’ll bring medicine and visit you tomorrow morning.”

“Thank you, then.”

“Absolutely no overexertion, Your Majesty the Empress.”

The Imperial Physician gave his firm instructions and left the room with steps that looked like he might break into dance. Judging by the atmosphere, rumors seemed likely to spread throughout the palace by the end of the day.

But she wanted to deliver the news to Khalid personally. Aristie hurriedly headed to the banquet hall, fearing she might be too late.

The image of the little prince she had seen in her dream a few days ago flashed through her mind as she crossed the corridor.

—If you showed me even a little of your feelings, I would show you all of mine. Much, much bigger! This—much!

‘Khalid…… How can I show you this feeling that makes me want to soar into the sky?’

She found herself smiling for no reason. At the same time, she felt impatient.

She wanted to tell Khalid before anyone else. No, beyond that, she simply missed him terribly at this moment.

Though the physician had cautioned against overexertion, her steps grew increasingly faster until she was almost taking small running steps.

‘Khalid!’

The fatigue that had made even moving a finger difficult had completely vanished, and Aristie finally entered the banquet hall at almost a run. Vivian and Rubie, who happened to be nearby, saw her and approached happily.

“Your Majesty the Empress, you’ve returned!”

“You looked tired, did you rest well?”

But Aristie barely acknowledged their greetings and looked around in all directions.

“Do you know where His Majesty the Emperor is?”

“Ah, His Majesty is over there. I saw him earlier……”

“Thank you!”

Aristie pushed through the crowd to approach Khalid. He was in the middle of discussing unusual signs reported from the eastern border with the margraves.

“Your Majesty!”

When Aristie called, Khalid turned to look at her.

“Aristie? Why are you back so soon? You should have rested more.”

“I have something to tell you.”

“Is it urgent? Right now I’m discussing important……”

Khalid, who had been speaking, suddenly froze and examined Aristie closely. Disheveled clothes and hair. Flushed cheeks. Heaving chest.

Why……?

‘She’s not someone who would interrupt me without good reason. Isn’t Aristie the one who would wait for hours if I’m in a meeting?’

Could it be!

“What did the Imperial Physician say! What illness did he mention!”

“No. It’s not an illness……”

Aristie shook her head at Khalid, who had completely misunderstood. Then, pulling his collar, she softly whispered in his ear.

“He said I’m having a baby.”

“What……?”

“I’m having a baby. Our baby.”

“……”

Khalid stared blankly at Aristie for a moment, like someone who couldn’t understand the words. Certainly, this was the first time his face had ever looked so dumbfounded.

Then, his gaze shifted to Aristie’s still-flat lower abdomen, and his expression gradually filled with emotion. His face flushed, the corners of his mouth twitched, and even his eyes trembled.

His golden eyes, burning with heat, vividly revealed his heart full of joy.

“Aristie…… Thank you.”

Finally, Khalid spoke with a choked voice.

“Thank you, Aristie…… Thank you so much.”

Khalid kissed Aristie’s lips, not caring about the surrounding gazes.

Then he kissed her cheeks, forehead, and crown in sequence, and still not satisfied, he suddenly lifted her in his arms and spun around in place. Just like performing a ballroom dance to the music being played.

“Your Majesty……?”

“What has happened, Your Majesty?”

Not only the nobles he had been talking with, but people around them looked at the Emperor with puzzled expressions. Aristie tried to stop Khalid out of embarrassment, but she was a step too late.

“Something has indeed happened! I’m going to be a Dad!”

Khalid announced loudly with a smile somewhere between an idiot and a doting parent. Just then, the music ended, and his voice resonated clearly through the hall.

“Is that true!”

“Congratulations, Your Majesty the Emperor! Your Majesty the Empress!”

“Finally, a new bloodline of the Light Dragon…!”

The elegant banquet hall instantly transformed into something like a marketplace. The news spread like waves from mouth to mouth, and exclamations echoed everywhere.

Whether supporters or opponents, no imperial citizen could remain indifferent to the news that the Empress had conceived a child at this moment. Every citizen of Ferzen held tremendous attachment to the Light Dragon’s bloodline, which formed the foundation of the nation.

‘I feel sorry for my brother……’

Aristie felt guilty inside for receiving more attention at Aiden’s victory banquet. But when she met her brother’s eyes, he was smiling brightly.

He looked even happier than she was. Just as she had been overjoyed to the point of tears while listening to his toast.

“We’ve already raised our glasses, but we can’t help but toast again.”

When Khalid raised his glass, everyone followed the Emperor and raised their own glasses.

“The Empress has conceived a precious life. Please join me in celebrating.”

“Truly a blessing for the imperial family!”

“Not just for the imperial family, but the greatest celebration for the Empire, hahaha!”

Everyone offered congratulations and emptied their glasses at the Emperor’s words. When the music began playing again, people in high spirits danced with their partners.

Khalid left the bustling hall with Aristie and went to a quiet terrace. The cool night air calmed their excitement, while emotions felt even more vivid.

“Thank you, Aristie. For carrying our precious baby.”

Aristie smiled radiantly at Khalid, who repeatedly expressed his gratitude.

“If you’re really thankful, just love me that much.”

“I love you. So much that I’d become your dog if you wanted.”

“Stop that. I already have one dog, don’t I?”

Aristie laughed out loud and embraced Khalid’s waist. Just having him in her arms made her feel like she possessed the whole world.

Unable to contain her emotions, she rubbed her cheek against Khalid’s firm chest and confessed her feelings.

“I should thank you. For being as happy as I hoped.”

“That’s only natural.”

“And……”

Aristie slowly drew out her words and raised her head to meet his gaze. Their connected golden and blue-green eyes formed a golden sea that belonged only to them.

“……I’m happy. That you’re my man, not anyone else’s.”

Aristie, capturing Khalid with her rippling eyes, soon curved her eyes like flowers and moved her lips.

“This is my true heart. I hope you understand. How obsessed I am with you.”

“Aristie……”

“My companion. My Emperor. My dragon….. I love you with my entire being.”

Those words weren’t just for the Khalid standing before her. They were also an answer to the little prince in her memories.

To her childhood mischievous fiancé who had complained for her to show her feelings.

‘I wonder if this is enough to convey my feelings.’

The little prince was probably smiling. The proof was that the little boy had instantly grown into a wonderful husband who answered.

“Me too. I swear to love only you forever.”

“Our child too.”

“Yes, the child too.”

“And the rest of our children.”

“Yes, including all the children yet to be born.”

The two giggled with their foreheads pressed together, then kissed moistly. From far away, the faint melody of music could be heard.

The cool breeze,

The sweet scent,

The passionate kiss……

It was a perfect night in every way.

—The End—