Side Story 1. Good News (2)

While Camilla went to see Aster, Vaha was summoned by Duke Francis.

Duke Francis asked, probing for information,

“Camilla called for you, didn’t she?”

“Ah, yes. She did….”

Vaha looked at Duke Francis with a troubled expression. It hadn’t even been an hour since Camilla asked him to keep her pregnancy a secret.

He was caught off guard by the Duke’s sudden interrogation. Unaware of the situation, Duke Francis asked with a stern face,

“Is there something wrong with Camilla?”

“Well….”

“Don’t even think about hiding it.”

At Duke Francis’s firm words, Vaha wiped his cold sweat with a handkerchief.

Duke Francis’s sensitivity was all due to his concern for Camilla. She had suffered from severe illnesses periodically since that major accident in her childhood. Recently, it was discovered that the cause was the Maved Stone, causing an uproar in the capital.

Fortunately, the Maved Stone fragment was safely removed, and she was now in good health. However, the Duke, who cherished her dearly, still couldn’t be at ease.

All side effects tend to occur over time. Even if there were no problems now, he was anxious that something serious might happen later.

‘What should I do?’

While Vaha was racking his brain, Duke Francis was lost in serious contemplation. Being a deep thinker, he sometimes made non-serious matters seem serious.

‘Could she have contracted a severe illness?!’

The fact that Camilla, who usually avoided doctors, had called for one herself only heightened his anxiety. He was convinced something was wrong. Duke Francis sternly addressed him,

“Vaha. Tell me now. What did you discuss inside?”

“Miss Camilla is pregnant.”

Vaha had no choice but to reveal the secret and bowed his head. Duke Francis’s wild imagination, which had extended to Camilla’s funeral, was abruptly cut off.

“…What?”

He murmured with a stunned expression. Vaha confirmed once more,

“Miss Camilla is in the early stages of pregnancy. I confirmed it myself.”

Vaha, resigned to whatever may come, informed him of Camilla’s condition. But even after a few moments, there was no reaction from Duke Francis.

Curious, Vaha raised his head and was startled. Duke Francis was suddenly shedding tears.

The Duke was biting his lower lip, desperately trying to hold back his tears, but he was too emotional to succeed.

“D-Duke?”

“Ahem. Don’t look.”

Duke Francis turned away with an embarrassed face. Vaha, rolling his eyes, spoke,

“Yes, I didn’t see anything.”

The experienced physician pretended not to notice the Duke’s tears. The attendant beside him was already familiar with the Duke’s reaction and handed him a handkerchief.

“Congratulations, Your Grace.”

“My daughter is having a child. A child having a child! What in the world is this!”

Duke Francis muttered incredulously. He glanced at Diana’s portrait, and his eyes welled up again.

The handkerchief given by the attendant was already soaked.

After a while.

“I can’t be like this.”

Duke Francis, who had barely calmed down, had a gleam in his eye. This time, it was a gleam of joy.

“I must throw a party tonight.”

“Tonight?”

“Yes. Hurry!”

Duke Francis was already thinking about the grand celebration for the pregnancy. The attendant lowered his eyes, trying to suppress his laughter at the Duke’s overzealous reaction.

Recently, the Francis estate had been nothing but peaceful. Especially after the truth about the Duchess’s death was revealed.

The Duchess’s death had unknowingly weighed down the Francis lineage. The peace that finally came to them was invaluable.

The attendant, who thought such a day would never come again, was deeply moved. Smiling, he replied,

“Yes. I will prepare it grandly.”

* * *

Soon, the news of Camilla’s pregnancy reached the Francis twins. They even heard that a party would be held tonight to celebrate.

“W-What? Sis is pregnant?”

“S-Sis! P-Pregnant?!”

Catherine and Edith’s eyes widened as if they would pop out. Their jaws dropped to the floor.

Edith, holding his belly, babbled incoherently,

“T-Then her belly will get big like this? O-Our sis’s belly is still flat!”

“It takes time for the belly to grow. The baby is still very small.”

“Oh my! Then our big sis has to eat a lot now. She has to eat for the baby too, right? I’ll share my snacks with her!”

Edith brought out his favorite snack box and handed it to the maid. The maid barely suppressed her laughter as she took the box.

Then Catherine spoke,

“Then will sis have morning sickness?”

“She’s still in the early stages, so she’s fine. But she might start having morning sickness soon.”

“Then I’ll pat her back! To make her feel better!”

Catherine waved her hand in the air as if patting someone. The maid held back the urge to say that such forceful pats might hurt the lady.

Instead, she smiled, feeling the twins’ deep affection for Camilla.

“Yes, yes. With the young master and miss here, our lady will feel reassured.”

Despite the maid’s reassurances, Catherine and Edith couldn’t calm down. After pestering the maid a few more times, Edith held his cheeks in his hands and fretted.

“W-What do we do! How do we congratulate her? Dad is throwing a party, but we don’t have anything, Cathy!”

Catherine, acting superior, said,

“You silly Eddie, of course, we need to make a card. You know sis loves our cards!”

“Oh, right! A card!”

Edith exclaimed brightly as if he had just remembered. The maid, sensing the situation, brought out a large card, and the children began writing.

At 11 years old, their handwriting was still wobbly. Edith, who even drew pictures, looked proud.

“I hope Sis likes it.”

“Me too!”

Thus, Catherine and Edith’s card was placed among the flowers in the banquet hall. All the servants were also busy preparing for the party, delighted by Camilla’s pregnancy.

A little while later, the carriage carrying Camilla and Aster passed through the main gate. All the servants moved to their positions.

* * *

I felt something strange as soon as we passed the main gate. There were elaborate decorations along the tree-lined road leading to the main residence.

These weren’t here when we left. I tilted my head and asked Aster.

“What’s going on today?”

“I’m not sure.”

I asked, wondering if there was an event I had forgotten about, but Aster seemed just as clueless.

We hadn’t heard anything about any guests being invited, so it was puzzling. However, this confusion was resolved as soon as we arrived in front of the main residence.

“Huh?”

All the servants were lined up holding flowers. In the middle were the twins and Father. As I got off the carriage, bewildered, Catherine and Edith ran to hug me.

“Sis, congratulations!”

“Sis, why are you so late? We’ve been waiting forever!”

Catherine grumbled but rubbed her face against me. While I was looking around in confusion, I spotted Vaha in the distance.

He gave an awkward smile and bowed with both hands clasped together. Then he subtly gestured towards Father, making the situation clear.

‘I knew this would happen.’

We were found out sooner than expected, but there was nothing to be done.

“Thank you, everyone.”

I accepted the bouquet handed to me by a servant and passed it to Aster when my hands were full. Then Father came over and held my hands tightly.

“You’ve really grown up.”

“Father, why are you crying on such a happy day?”

“Because I’m happy. Because I’m happy.”

Father’s eyes were moist. His eyes were already red, indicating he had already cried once.

Well, I was late because I had been crying in Aster’s arms. I even used an ice pack to hide the fact that I had been crying.

But seeing Father hold back his tears made mine well up again.

“Father….”

I clung to him like a spoiled child. Father hugged me tightly and scolded me softly.

“You’re still a child.”

“I’ll always be your child.”

“Yes. Now my child is having a child. How wonderful.”

“Psh.”

I pouted my lips and enjoyed the comfort of his embrace. Father had always been strong and tried to fill the void left by Mother’s absence.

I wanted to be a good parent like him.

“I’ll raise the child well.”

“You must.”

Father led Aster and me into the hall. Inside, an orchestra was already prepared.

That night, the lights of Francis Castle stayed brightly lit until late.

* * *