Side Story 3

It took some time for the obstetrician to arrive. Being a renowned doctor with a busy schedule, even coming as quickly as possible meant he would arrive in two days. Evelyn spent the time anxiously.

She decided not to tell Dyffrin for now. If it turned out she wasn’t pregnant, it was enough for her to be disappointed alone.

Evelyn personally untied Dyffrin’s tie when he entered the room after finishing his schedule.

Dyffrin observed Evelyn closely.

“You seem to be looking worse and worse.”

“It’s just your imagination.”

“You’re treating me like a fool. The past me who didn’t notice your condition is enough.”

“The doctor said there was nothing wrong.”

“I’ll call another doctor to examine you.”

Startled, Evelyn shook her head while still holding Dyffrin’s tie.

“There’s no need for that. Merrilyn already called another doctor. A famous one, she said.”

“When will this doctor arrive?”

“…In two days.”

“It will take some time. Until then, I’ll take care of you myself.”

Evelyn looked up at Dyffrin.

“You’re busy.”

“You’re the most important thing to me. Besides, I can’t focus on work anyway.”

“Anyone would think I’m terminally ill.”

“Don’t say such things.”

When Dyffrin’s eyes turned sharp, Evelyn quickly replied, “Yes, yes.”

“Let’s stop worrying and have dinner together.”

Evelyn and Dyffrin went down to the dining room to wait for their meal.

“A letter from Father arrived today. He said he has some time and will visit the castle soon.”

Dunswell had been staying at the almshouse, taking care of the poor. It was hard work, so it wouldn’t have been surprising if he returned to the castle at any time, but it seemed to suit him well as he had stayed much longer than expected.

So Evelyn often visited the almshouse to deliver donations and help Dunswell.

“It’s been a while since we last saw him.”

“Yes. I hope I can see him with a healthy face… I’m worried.”

“Don’t worry, I won’t let you fall ill until then.”

“Oh, how dependable.”

Evelyn smiled weakly and admired him.

Just then, a salad topped with apricots was served. The chef personally came out to introduce the appetizer.

“Since the Madam has had no appetite, I prepared a sweet and sour apricot salad to stimulate her appetite.”

“Thank you.”

Evelyn said and then ate the apricot salad. She nibbled at it like a rabbit eating hay.

The salad, which she usually enjoyed, tasted bitter like medicine. Her sense of taste felt more intense than usual.

The main dish was chicken stew, which Evelyn liked, but the smell was off-putting, and she couldn’t bring herself to move the spoon.

Dyffrin looked at Evelyn.

“What’s wrong?”

“…It’s nothing.”

Evelyn barely answered and forced herself to take a spoonful of the stew.

But as soon as the food touched her tongue, she felt nauseous.

“Ugh!”

Startled, Dyffrin stood up and patted Evelyn’s back.

“Are you okay?”

“No, I’m not okay.”

Evelyn admitted honestly. She couldn’t swallow even a spoonful of the stew she usually ate well.

Something was definitely wrong.

Seeing the tears welling up in Evelyn’s eyes, Dyffrin couldn’t stay calm. He called all the servants and ordered them to bring all the competent doctors in the territory immediately.

Evelyn considered telling Dyffrin that she might be pregnant but ultimately didn’t.

The castle became chaotic when the lady couldn’t swallow her food. It happened while Evelyn was contemplating in her room.

And it was Merrilyn who calmed the commotion.

After ensuring no one was around, Merrilyn approached Dyffrin, who was pacing the hallway anxiously, and spoke cautiously.

“Please calm down, my lord.”

Dyffrin, with a cold gaze, said,

“Evelyn hasn’t been able to eat properly for days. How can I calm down?”

Merrilyn swallowed nervously but conveyed her thoughts.

“She might be pregnant.”

“…Pregnant?”

“Yes, pregnancy. The symptoms are just like those of a pregnant woman. I’ve seen many pregnant maids.”

Dyffrin froze as if he might shatter.

“…Pregnant. But Evelyn had her period this month.”

“Sometimes people mistake implantation bleeding for menstrual blood. That’s why we called an obstetrician for a precise diagnosis.”

“Why didn’t Evelyn tell me?”

“She probably didn’t want to disappoint you if she wasn’t pregnant.”

“What a foolish…”

“Please don’t think it’s foolish. Understand her. It’s something you both have been waiting and hoping for.”

“…”

Dyffrin turned silently. He seemed to be heading to Evelyn’s room.

When the door opened without a knock, Evelyn flinched in surprise.

“You can’t just barge in like that!”

“I heard it might be pregnancy symptoms.”

“…Merrilyn told you.”

Dyffrin sat next to Evelyn. She sighed and spoke first.

“Yes. These symptoms could be due to pregnancy. Or they might not be.”

“Whether it’s pregnancy or not, it’s a problem.”

“…Why would it be a problem if I’m pregnant?”

“If it’s because of pregnancy, it means you won’t be able to eat properly for the next 9 months.”

“Do you think all pregnant women die because of that…?”

Evelyn asked, genuinely baffled. How could such a smart person know so little about pregnancy?

“Many have actually died.”

“…Are you doing this on purpose?”

Trying to scare her to lower her expectations about the pregnancy…

But contrary to her thoughts, Dyffrin seriously held Evelyn’s hand.

“Even though I don’t believe it, I suddenly thought of my mother.”

“I’ll be fine. And it’s not even confirmed that I’m pregnant yet.”

Dyffrin pressed his lips to Evelyn’s palm.

“But don’t worry. Whether you’re pregnant or not, I won’t let you suffer.”

“I won’t suffer. Just wait a little longer.”

Evelyn whispered kindly, brushing Dyffrin’s hair.

She thought that perhaps she didn’t really need a child as long as she had such a loving husband.

But the future unfolded contrary to Evelyn’s expectations.

“You’re pregnant.”

The stern-faced obstetrician said seriously.

“Then the period was…”

“It was likely implantation bleeding.”

“Oh…”

“Judging by your condition, you’re about two months along.”

Two months meant it was exactly when they stayed at Oakley’s hotel.

‘Was it the effect of the consecrated ground? Or the medicine Oakley gave?’

It didn’t matter.

The deep resonance in her heart grew louder, enveloping her entire being.

The doctor said that with some rest, her condition would gradually improve and then left.

But contrary to his advice, as soon as the doctor was gone, Evelyn couldn’t contain her joy and threw her arms around Dyffrin.

“Dyffrin! I’m pregnant!”

Dyffrin, looking dazed, barely managed to hug Evelyn back.

“I can’t believe it.”

“Believe it! You just heard it clearly! We’re having a baby! Will it be a girl or a boy… Ugh.”

Excitedly chattering, Evelyn was suddenly hugged tightly by Dyffrin.

“Congratulations, Evelyn.”

Evelyn buried her face in Dyffrin’s shoulder and smiled.

“We should both be congratulated. It’s a result of our love.”

Dyffrin pulled Evelyn away to look at her.

“Now you really need to rest. I’ll tell the butler to hire a midwife immediately. We’ll also need to find a nanny.”

“I’m already resting, and there’s no rush for the midwife. We still have time before the baby is born. I’ll ask Merrilyn to be the nanny. She said she wants to take care of the baby herself. She has experience taking care of other maids’ children, so she’ll do well.”

Dyffrin looked a bit stern.

“I don’t mind the midwife or the nanny, but you really need to rest until the baby is born. You weren’t in the best health to begin with.”

“It’s been a while since you treated me like a patient.”

“Evelyn.”

When Dyffrin called her name softly, Evelyn had no choice but to nod.

She knew why he was overreacting. Because Chloe’s health had deteriorated after childbirth, giving birth was a frightening thing for Dyffrin. He always cared more about Evelyn’s health than she did.

Evelyn kissed Dyffrin on the cheek.

“Alright. I’ll be careful.”

But perhaps not trusting her own words, Dyffrin came home early for a while to take care of Evelyn himself.

Whenever she showed any sign of unsteadiness, he would react quickly, telling her to be careful with a worried expression.

Though she knew his concern was mixed in, Dyffrin’s overprotective behavior was a bit annoying.

As her belly grew, Evelyn’s mood swings became more pronounced.

Eventually, Evelyn sat Dyffrin down and spoke.

“Dyffrin. If you keep making that scary face, our baby might be afraid of you when they’re born.”

“It’s because you need to be more careful. I can’t take my eyes off you because I’m worried.”

“I’m already being careful enough.”

Who would have thought that this icy prince, Dyffrin, would be so anxious?

“Anyway, my point is that you need to be a bit softer.”

“You’re telling me not to nag, but in a roundabout way.”

“Did you figure it out?”

Evelyn laughed lightly.