Ertel heard a voice in the deep darkness.

‘Ertel.’

That voice, which tickled her ear like a whisper, was unfamiliar yet warm.

She tried to open her eyes, but her eyelids felt heavy, and she fell back into sleep.

In front of her, golden clouds filled the sky.

A massive deer stood among the clouds. With enormous antlers that glowed silver, it was a creature that existed nowhere else in the world.

‘Who are you……?’

Ertel asked inwardly, but no words escaped her lips.

The deer’s deep eyes looked straight at her, as if piercing through. They were eyes that silently seemed to know everything.

At that moment, a single sparkling dewdrop fell from the tip of the deer’s antler and touched the back of her hand.

‘……!’

Ertel opened her eyes wide in surprise.

A warm energy instantly spread throughout her body, whispering something to her.

“It felt so vivid.”

That warmth felt like something had settled within her embrace.

Ertel sat dazed on the bed for a moment, staring out the window, basking in the lingering feeling of the dream.

She instinctively knew that it wasn’t just a mere illusion. The subtle sensation left on the back of her hand was proof of that.

***

“Congratulations. You’re pregnant.”

Ertel blinked blankly at the single sentence that came from the court physician’s lips.

“Pregnant?”

In that moment, it was as if time had stopped, and all sounds around her faded away.

Beside her, Icarus gently held her hand. His eyes were filled with overwhelming joy and astonishment that couldn’t be put into words.

“Our child has finally come to us.”

Ertel looked at her husband’s face, then turned to the doctor again.

“Is it true?”

Her voice trembled slightly, and both hands naturally moved to rest on her stomach.

That warm energy spread from her fingertips, and now she truly felt that a life was growing inside her.

“Yes, Duchess. Congratulations.”

At that moment, Icarus slowly drew in a breath and gazed at Ertel.

He was someone who rarely revealed his emotions, but in this moment, he couldn’t hide the depth of his feelings.

He held his wife’s hand more firmly.

“I can’t believe you’ve given me such a blessing.”

‘Is this what it feels like to have gained the whole world?’

The two gazed into each other’s eyes silently, quietly sharing the moment together.

The joyful news quickly spread throughout the estate. Everyone who heard it rushed to congratulate Ertel.

The first to visit her was Sarah, the tutor who had been hired. With a gentle smile, she approached Ertel.

“Madam, congratulations.”

Sarah quietly handed her a small, carefully wrapped box.

“This is a little gift.”

Ertel accepted the box and opened it carefully. Inside was an elegant brooch with a silvery sheen.

It was crafted with intricate designs and precious gems—at a glance, it was the kind of gift any noble lady would covet.

“Thank you, Sarah. This is truly a special gift.”

Sarah gently held her hand and spoke sincerely.

“Yes. I hope this brooch will give you strength as you begin this new journey.”

Next to arrive was Marquis Adin.

He held a splendid bouquet of flowers in his hand.

“My daughter.”

Adin handed her the bouquet and patted her shoulder affectionately.

“Congratulations from the bottom of my heart.”

“Father……”

Ertel received the bouquet, overcome with emotion, unable to speak.

The Marquis smiled quietly and looked at his daughter’s face for a long time.

“No matter what kind of child is born, I hope they grow up healthy and well. After all, they’ll be my grandchild.”

Ertel closed her eyes for a moment, feeling the warmth in her father’s touch. It felt as if all the worries of the world were being lifted.

Lisa and Amar quietly entered the room.

Lisa bowed her head respectfully to the Duchess as she approached. In her gaze was a mixture of slight nervousness and sincere emotion.

“Duchess.”

Lisa took something wrapped from her pocket and handed it to Ertel.

“Congratulations.”

“Lisa.”

Ertel accepted the gift and exchanged glances with her. When she unwrapped it, inside was a luxurious veil.

“Thank you for your thoughtfulness, Lisa.”

“I pray for peace for both the Duchess and the child to be born.”

At that moment, Amar followed behind her.

He bowed his head to Ertel with a calm expression.

“Madam, congratulations.”

Amar was holding a small bouquet in his hand.

“This is only a small token of celebration, but I hope blessings will dwell upon you and the child.”

Ertel looked at the two of them in turn and smiled serenely.

“I’m deeply grateful. Thank you, both of you.”

Ertel slowly walked through the hallway of the estate.

Her steps were light, but her heart was full of heavy joy. In her mind, the image of the deer from the conception dream was still vivid.

She gently cradled her stomach and smiled.

‘My child… I can’t believe you’re really coming into this world.’

As she reached the end of the hallway, the door opened and countless servants and maids greeted her.

White flower petals fluttered down like snow, and the entire estate was immersed in enchantment.

Soft candlelight, luxurious decorations, and a variety of dishes spread out before her eyes.

As if she had become the lead on a grand stage, Ertel paused there, took a quiet breath, and closed her eyes.

“Duchess, congratulations on the gift of new life.”

One of the maids cautiously approached and spoke. Her gaze was filled with reverence and joy.

“Thank you.”

“The blessing you’ve given us brings great happiness to us as well.”

Amid the scattering petals, Ertel stood at the center of the celebration they had prepared.

The table was filled with fresh fruit and delicately prepared desserts. Wine, brimming in silver goblets, sparkled under the candlelight, and the servants’ faces were lit with smiles.

‘Please, let this moment not be a dream.’

She was so overwhelmed that she doubted whether she deserved such joy.

Tears welled in Ertel’s eyes, but they were not tears of sorrow. They were tears of overwhelming happiness and emotion.

In the party filled with laughter and words of congratulations, Ertel’s gaze often drifted toward the door.

And at last, the door slowly opened, and Magrid appeared, dressed in white robes.

“……!”

With each step he took across the stone floor of the estate, the surrounding air grew strangely still.

Ertel steadied her breath and fixed her eyes on Magrid.

In her gaze, Magrid didn’t appear as a mere man, but as a messenger bringing the blessing of the gods.

“Duchess of Juan.”

“Welcome, Magrid.”

“May the blessing of the gods be with you and the life soon to be born.”

Ertel slowly rose from her seat and offered a respectful greeting to Magrid.

“Thank you for coming all this way, High Priest.”

“Not at all. This was a path I was always meant to take.”

“What you foretold long ago has now come true.”

Magrid smiled and slightly bowed his head.

“It was a fate already written. I am simply grateful to be the one to deliver the blessing.”

Magrid handed Ertel the box he had been holding.

“This is a gift from the gods. It will protect your child.”

When the box was opened, inside lay a small gemstone tinged with golden light. It emitted a brilliant, mysterious glow, as though it had been pulled from the deepest part of the sea.

“What is this, Magrid…?”

“This gemstone holds sacred power. It will protect the child as he grows. If the stone glows, it means the hand of the divine is guarding the child.”

Hearing that, Ertel gently brushed the gem with her fingertip. The cold sensation touched her skin, and she felt a strange sense of relief. She instinctively knew—it was no ordinary jewel.

“I don’t know how to thank you for such a precious gift.”

“May peace and prosperity follow the child’s future.”

At that moment, she suddenly felt movement from within her stomach.

At first, it felt like a soft wave passing through, but soon, a strong, rough movement enveloped her entire body.

Ertel widened her eyes in shock.

“Duke…”

Icarus immediately approached her and placed his hand over hers on her belly.

“What’s wrong?”

“Our child… is moving.”

Icarus gently caressed her belly, focusing more intently. A smile crept to his lips as he closed his eyes.

“It’s a boy. I’m sure of it.”

“Yes. He feels like a very strong child.”

Icarus gently kissed Ertel’s forehead and whispered,

“Kaiyashin, bless us.”