158. Celebration

After having a simple lunch with Edward, Larael returned to Abella Palace.

Afterward, Edward came to Abella Palace with doctors in tow, his first visit in a long time. Having been forewarned by Larael, the palace staff welcomed him with composure rather than surprise.

Marquis Argen, who followed behind Edward, greeted Larael lightly. He was puzzled about why Edward had suddenly summoned him from his busy meeting preparations and insisted they visit Abella Palace together with doctors. In truth, Edward wanted to share this joyous news with his old friend. He also felt the desire to boast to Marquis Argen that he too was becoming a parent.

On Edward’s orders, Hobbs and the other doctors began examining Larael. Hobbs gave Larael a meaningful smile. After the four doctors Edward had brought took turns examining her, they gathered to quietly exchange opinions.

Ronel knelt before Edward.

“My sincere congratulations, Your Majesty. Her Highness the Empress Consort is with a child.”

“Your Majesty!!”

Surprisingly, it was Marquis Argen who became excited. After staring blankly at Ronel, he exclaimed to Edward with a voice full of emotion. Edward himself maintained a calm demeanor, wearing only a gentle smile.

“Congratulations.”

Everyone gathered in Larael’s bedroom knelt and offered their congratulations to Edward and Larael. While receiving these wishes, Edward gazed steadily at Larael and firmly held her hand. He looked at her with a warm, radiant smile that seemed capable of embracing the entire world. Larael simply gazed back into his unfathomably deep eyes. A new emotion she had never felt before filled her heart.

“Thank you all.”

Larael spoke up instead of Edward, who was just staring at her without saying anything. But she too couldn’t take her eyes off him. She wanted to capture every moment of him in her gaze.

“Larael, let’s have dinner together. What would you like to eat?”

“Your Majesty, if you’re busy, I can eat alone. Didn’t we already have lunch together earlier?”

Larael spoke cautiously, mindful that since Edward had regained consciousness, their time together had become commonplace in a way that differed from before. Her mind was filled with thoughts of not becoming a burden to Edward.

“From now on, if I have no other appointments, I will dine with you.”

“Forgive my interruption, Your Majesty.”

Marquis Argen cleared his throat and interjected into their conversation. Edward’s sharp gaze naturally turned toward him.

“A meeting to form the investigation committee for the Empress Dowager is scheduled soon. While this is truly joyous news for the entire empire and I am extremely delighted, might I suggest completing the meeting first and returning afterward? It’s difficult to postpone the situation.”

“……”

Edward sighed and looked back at Larael.

“Your Majesty, I will rest. Please contact me separately when your work is finished.”

Edward reluctantly touched Larael’s hand with a wistful gaze before rising from his seat. Then he instructed the doctors:

“Take meticulous care of the Empress Consort.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

After Edward left with a regretful look, all the staff of Abella Palace came to offer their congratulations to Larael.

Among them, Head Maid Anais shed tears of joy and vowed to care for her with complete devotion. It wasn’t that she had special feelings for Larael. Rather, Larael was the most successful empress consort she had served, and Anais felt some personal satisfaction in having contributed to that success.

Sasha and Joanna, who already knew about Larael’s pregnancy, couldn’t stop smiling now that they no longer needed to hide their joy. Larael instructed Sasha and Joanna to bring her parents to Abella Palace. Larael was delighted just imagining how happy Count and Countess Hedway would be upon hearing this news—something she never witnessed in her previous life.

Joy stood awkwardly in a corner, approaching Larael only after the other staff had ebbed away like the tide to offer her congratulations.

“Your Highness, congratulations.”

“Thank you, Joy.”

Joy bit his lip tightly. He had nothing more to say but remained standing blankly before her.

“Joy, do you have something else to tell me?”

Larael asked gently. Joy’s feelings were complicated. Larael’s emotions flowed into him—feelings of joy and happiness as if possessing the whole world. Yet strangely, he wasn’t completely happy.

“……”

“Joy, when the child is born, you must protect the baby just as you’ve protected me. Will you do that?”

“Of course!”

Joy quickly responded to Larael’s words. Larael having a child—Joy still couldn’t quite believe it. He probably wouldn’t until the child was born. Joy left Larael’s bedroom, putting aside his inexplicable mixed feelings.

***

The next morning, Kali and Dean came to see her early. Kali said she heard from Handelson, and Dean from Kali, but Larael suspected Dean had already learned through his Four Seasons informants.

Indeed, Dean had even brought a small gift for Larael. He kept his lips tightly pressed while smiling. Larael’s face was so radiant that just looking at her made one smile. He hadn’t known a person’s complexion could change so much in just a few days. Though she had moved completely beyond his reach, he thought it would be good if he could see her happy. But apparently that wasn’t quite right. Seeing her look so happy made him feel strangely complicated. It felt like there was an empty hole inside him. He deliberately smiled more exaggeratedly to hide this emotion.

“But will you be alright?” Kali asked worriedly. She was asking if Larael could investigate Duke Anderman while pregnant. Dean was just handing Larael documents outlining the investigation schedule and future plans.

“I’ll be fine. Ian needs to grow strong too, doesn’t he?”

Larael unconsciously spoke Ian’s name aloud.

“Your Highness, have you already decided on a name?”

Kali asked with wide eyes. Larael’s face stiffened with embarrassment.

“I misspoke.”

Larael lowered her reddened face and focused on the documents Dean had given her. After examining them carefully, she looked at Dean and Kali.

“Let’s start as soon as possible. I want to finish quickly and rest with peace of mind.”

At Larael’s words, Kali and Dean looked at each other. When Dean nodded slightly in permission, Kali pressed her lips firmly before speaking.

“Yes, we will make preparations.”

“Also, Your Highness, I stopped by Marquis Argen’s residence before coming to the palace and barely managed to prevent Beatrice from visiting you immediately.”

“I see. If possible, please tell Beatrice she can come to the palace anytime. And be sure to bring the twins.”

“Yes, I will tell her on my way back.”

The two bowed to Larael and boarded the carriage waiting in front of the palace.

“Count, do you have feelings for our lady?”

As the carriage passed through the final gate of the palace, Kali suddenly asked Dean.

“What? What are you saying?”

Dean challenged Kali with a voice unlike his usual self. Kali raised her eyebrows and examined Dean’s expression. His cheeks were flushed with excitement and his breathing became rough. He heaved his shoulders while breathing heavily. This whole-body denial made him even more suspicious.

“Count, earlier your whole face was practically saying ‘I like the Empress Consort’, I had my suspicions. While one cannot control feelings of affection, you should be careful. You might unnecessarily become the subject of rumors.”

Dean’s face burned hot at Kali’s cold words. He wanted to make excuses, but could only move his lips without saying anything.

Dean knew it too. But no matter how much he tried to control his feelings, he couldn’t contain his heart toward her. Kali’s words were rude, but they were a warning she could reasonably give as Larael’s assistant.

Dean resolved that once this matter was concluded and Larael safely ascended as Empress, he would not appear before her again. He couldn’t interfere with her path forward, even if he couldn’t be of help to her.

“I appreciate Lady Layton’s advice.”