Side Story Chapter 2 

 Who knew a month could be so short. 

 Two months had passed since their trip. 

 The time she spent with him was filled with happy memories. Ratius moved the detached palace back to its original location after a month as promised to her. 

 Selvia walked through the garden while touching the golden ring on her finger. 

 The warm sunlight still shone down. Though peace continued, a small anxiety remained within her heart. 

 Because of the small life that settled in her womb. 

 “Is it alright not to tell him yet? His Majesty would be delighted to know.” 

 “It’s still early. Something could go wrong.” 

 Hazel nodded gently at Selvia’s words. 

 “You’ll enter the stable period soon.” 

 “I hope so.” 

 Selvia smiled faintly while touching her stomach. 

 She spread out a cloth on the wide field and sat down to chat quietly with Hazel. 

 “Look, His Majesty is coming.” 

 “He seems to have a jealous expression.” 

 Ophelia took a sip of tea, looked at Ratius’s face, and shrugged. 

 The three of them often gathered for picnics. Though they had become more frequent since Selvia’s body changed recently, as a result, her time with Ratius had decreased. 

 “Selvia.” 

 “We greet Your Majesty the Emperor.” 

 Ophelia and Hazel rose from their seats and spread their skirts wide. Ratius watched the two bow their heads and gave a slight nod before extending his hand to Selvia. 

 “I came out for a walk, but am I interrupting?” 

 “A little.” 

 “How cruel. I thought someone said happy couples go on picnics often.” 

 Ratius’s gaze turned to Hazel. 

 “We’re fine, please go ahead, Your Majesty.” 

 “How could you say you were interrupting.” 

 Ophelia added to Hazel’s response. It seemed things would get quite troublesome otherwise. 

 Selvia frowned at the two’s changed attitude. 

 Having no choice, Selvia took Ratius’s hand. When she stood up and took her place beside him, he naturally linked her hand through his arm. 

 Walking slowly across the field, he suddenly stopped. 

 “Is something worrying you?” 

 “How could there be any worries when everything is so peaceful?” 

 “If that’s what you say.” 

 Ratius nodded while lightly patting the back of her hand. 

 “Your Majesty, what do you think it would be like if we had a child?” 

 “A child. I find myself hoping they wouldn’t take after either me or you.” 

 “Why? Usually people want their child to take after the one they love.” 

 “If they take after you, I worry I’ll love the child more than you, and if they take after me, I worry you’ll love the child more than me?” 

 “What is that.” 

 “It’s quite a childish thought, isn’t it.” 

Selvia carefully looked up at him. 

 “If we have a child, will you love them like you love me?” 

 “Selvia. That goes without saying. I’ll love them more than anyone.” 

 She fiddled with her ring before gripping Ratius’s arm tightly. 

 “I have something to tell you.” 

 “Your friends must be waiting.” 

 “It won’t take long.” 

 Ratius nodded. 

* * *

 Sitting at the table, Selvia carefully opened her mouth. 

 “I’m pregnant.” 

 “……A child?” 

 He stared at Selvia with an unbelieving face. Though she had been avoiding their bed, he hadn’t thought the reason was a child. 

 So that’s why she brought up the subject of children? 

 Ratius stroked his chin, then smiled after reading the anxiety in her eyes. 

 “Selvia. Why do you look so worried about something we should be celebrating?” 

 “Now that it’s actually happening, I’m worried.” 

 It seemed she was still concerned about whether the power would be passed down. 

 “Someone once told me that becoming a parent gives you a different kind of courage than before. But conversely, fears also multiply.” 

 Having something to protect wasn’t such a simple matter. 

 Ratius realized that her worries came first precisely because she wanted it so desperately. 

 “You don’t need to be anxious. Whatever happens to you and the child, everything will be alright.” 

 “……Your Majesty.” 

 “Trust me. Selvia, I won’t let anything make tears come to your eyes.” 

 “I wasn’t planning to hide it. I just wanted to wait until things stabilized since it’s early and I’m anxious.” 

 “I know. But you don’t need to bear it alone. Though I am hurt.” 

 It seemed Ophelia and Hazel knew everything. She had confided in her friends but wasn’t going to tell him. 

 “I’m sorry.” 

 “I’m just a little hurt. I know you didn’t tell me because you were worried about me. How about seeing the High Priest?” 

 “That would be good.” 

 “Then since I’ve interrupted your picnic with friends, this intruder should disappear.” 

 Ratius took Selvia back to where the two were. 

 “Since the sun hasn’t set yet, enjoy yourself a bit longer.” 

 “Thank you.” 

 Selvia returned to Ophelia and Hazel. They welcomed her with bright smiles as if they had been waiting. 

 Ratius returned to his office and immediately called for Belrocan. 

 “I hear Selvia is with child. Did you know?” 

 “How could I know something even Your Majesty didn’t know?” 

 “She wasn’t avoiding our bed because she hated me.” 

 He stroked his chest. Who knows how many thoughts he have had. 

 “That’s only natural. Her Majesty the Empress loves Your Majesty.” 

 “I know. I know very well. But you don’t know how it feels to sleep facing her back which she never did before.” 

 He had had useless thoughts wondering if perhaps she had come to hate him now. 

 The reason he hadn’t told Selvia was because he would look pathetic for having such thoughts. 

 “Your Majesty worries too much. Think of it simply.” 

 “Yes, I should. Tell Amon to come to the main palace tomorrow.” 

 “Understood.” 

 “We should prepare a room for the child too. Something she would like.” 

 “As you command.” 

 After Belrocan disappeared, Ratius sat in his chair and sank deep into the backrest. 

 “Daily picnics will become difficult now.” 

 He immediately began looking into what would be needed for the child. 

* * *

 “Did you really tell him?” 

 Selvia nodded at Hazel’s words. The two were happy about Selvia’s decision. 

 “Your belly will start growing soon. There will probably be difficult times occasionally.” 

 “I suppose so? But I’m excited.” 

 Though worried, she wanted to see the child as soon as possible. 

 “His Majesty promised to love them too.” 

 “Of course he did. He’ll surely love them as much as he loves Your Majesty.” 

 At Ophelia’s words, Selvia smiled while touching her stomach. 

 “Was His Majesty not hurt?” 

 “Of cours, he was hurt. He realized I had told my friends but not him.” 

 “Oh my.” 

 Ophelia touched her neck with a chilling expression. His Majesty had somewhat cruel aspects that occasionally brought fear. 

 “Was he very angry?” 

 “No, he seemed more hurt that I kept avoiding him than that I told you about the pregnancy.” 

 “Oh my goodness.” 

 So she had been avoiding the bedroom all this time. Hazel’s eyes grew round at Selvia’s words. 

 “Your Majesty. After 12 weeks have passed it will be fine.” 

 “What will be fine after 12 weeks?” 

 “Light skinship should be no problem.” 

 “Oh my goodness! Ophelia!” 

 Selvia covered her mouth with a reddened face. What had she just heard? 

 That they could be intimate even while carrying a child. 

 ‘I’ve never even thought about that.’ 

 But if that’s the case…… what am I thinking. 

 Selvia tried to cool down by fanning herself. 

 Perhaps she thought it would be alright not to push him away anymore. 

 Though that thought might be dangerous, she too liked sleeping in Ratius’s embrace. 

 Feeling his warmth and exploring each other’s breaths while sharing love, talking and laughing and sharing worries. 

 She wanted to fall asleep and wake up buried in that warmth. 

 “I should go to His Majesty.” 

 “Good thinking.” 

 Hazel and Ophelia rose from their seats. 

 Selvia turned her steps toward the main palace with Mellin. Seeing her somewhat hurried footsteps, the two thought: 

 “Their love still seems to overflow, doesn’t it?” 

 “It certainly seems that way.”