Side Story 14

Meia was annoyed as she combed through her thoughts, particularly about Theodore.  

“Did I go overboard?” 

“No, Young Lady.” 

Agnita, who was meticulously brushing Meia’s hair, replied. A faint smile played on Agnita’s lips.  

“It’s normal for Theo to kiss me every morning, but… starting yesterday, it’s been bothering me so much.”  

“I’ve heard that excessive affection can also be overwhelming.” 

Agnita offered.  

“But I like his over-the-top expressions of love… Why am I like this?”  

The previous evening, Theodore had brought her a bouquet as a peace offering, but the overwhelming floral scent made her nauseous. Overcome with irritation, she’d told him to leave. The look on Theodore’s face as he left the room was like that of a defeated knight on the battlefield.  

“Why am I acting this way?”

“Young Lady, isn’t it almost time for your monthly cycle?”

Agnita reminded her.  

“But… I don’t usually get irritable because of that.” 

She bit her lower lip, frustrated with herself for snapping at someone she deeply cared about. 

Why were my emotions so turbulent? 

She furrowed her brow and resolved not to let her irritation show to Theodore today.  

“I don’t feel good.” 

She couldn’t quite understand why. Her emotions were out of control. There was no reason to be angry, yet she was. And then a sudden surge of frustration would overwhelm her. She snapped at things that weren’t worth snapping over. This was the first time her emotions had been so unmanageable. She couldn’t comprehend it. Even as she repeatedly questioned herself…

“I just don’t know.”

While Meia was lost in thought, Theodore wandered around the mansion in a pitiful state. To anyone watching, he looked like a stray puppy abandoned by its owner, wandering aimlessly. Head Maid Anna worried that Theodore might waste away at this rate. Just two days ago, his face had been as bright as a blooming flower field, but now it was as dark and gloomy as a rotting fish.

One morning, he had been kicked out of the room; yesterday, they even slept in separate rooms. The current situation wasn’t just a crisis for Theodore—it was practically a crisis for the entire House of Florence.

“Your Grace.”

“Ah, Anna… Are you going to Meia’s room?”

Theodore’s dark eyes were filled with concern.

“Yes.”

Theodore stepped back a little. Anna knocked on the door.

“It’s Anna. May I come in for a moment?”

“Yes, come in.”

Once Meia granted permission, Anna turned to Theodore, who was standing behind her.

“I’ll try to talk things through with Her Grace, the Grand Duchess.”

“Anna…”

Anna clenched her fists and struck a determined pose. Entering the room, Anna observed Meia’s complexion carefully. During their conversation, she cautiously asked what Theodore might have done wrong.

“He didn’t do anything wrong… but I just felt strangely angry.”

“Angry?”

Anna was quite surprised to hear that Meia couldn’t control her anger. Back when Meia entered the Sirius Empire’s social circles, she had never lost her temper, even when provoked. Even if she got angry, she never showed it outwardly. That was how skilled Meia was at controlling her emotions.

“In the morning, Theo kissed my cheek and lips as usual, but for some reason, it made me so irritated I wanted to cry…”

Anna nodded.

“I wanted to sleep a little longer, but Theo kept snuggling into me, and I got so annoyed that I yelled at him to leave. Then I regretted it immediately afterward.”

Meia sighed deeply.

“Yesterday, too, when Theo brought me a bouquet to make peace, the scent overwhelmed me, and I suddenly felt an uncontrollable surge of irritation.”

“I think you should explain these feelings to His Grace.”

“You’re right.”

“In fact, he’s waiting outside right now. Would you like to speak with him?”

“I’ll do as you suggest, Anna.”

Anna dragged Agnita, who had been clinging to Meia, out of the room. Meia cautiously opened the door and gazed at Theodore, who was entering the room.

“I’m sorry.”

Theodore slowly and carefully approached Meia, apologizing as he did.

“For what?”

“I don’t know… just sorry…”

Meia shook her head.

“No, I’m the one who should apologize for snapping at you for no reason. You didn’t do anything wrong… I’m sorry for being so irritable.”

At her apology, Theodore stepped closer to Meia. Meia stood up and wrapped her arms around Theodore’s neck.

“I love your excessive affection… I’m really sorry for being so sensitive.”

“Then… will you accept this again?”

“What is it?”

Theodore handed her a bouquet. Meia smiled prettily as she received it.

“Such beautiful flowers… Ugh.”

“Meia?”

“Ugh.”

As she sniffed the bouquet, Meia suddenly dropped it, covering her mouth as she began to gag uncontrollably.

“Meia? Are you okay?”

“Ugh.”

“What’s wrong?”

Seeing Meia’s face turn pale as she continued to gag, Theodore’s heart sank to the floor.

“Is there someone outside?! Quickly, call a physician!”

“Ugh.”

Meia, still gagging, fainted weakly into Theodore’s arms.

“No! Is there someone outside?! Hurry and fetch a physician!”

At Theodore’s shout, everyone outside the room rushed in.

***

Physician Worst rushed over, abandoning all other tasks upon hearing that Meia had suddenly collapsed.  

“Worst! There’s nothing wrong with our Meia, right?” 

Theodore anxiously asked, his eyes fixed on Meia, who lay pale on the bed.  

“Why is Meia like this? It’s driving me insane… I wish I could take her pain instead.” 

Theodore whispered, trying to suppress the tears welling up in his eyes as he prayed silently.  

“I’ll examine her now.” 

Worst gently nudged Theodore aside, who refused to leave Meia’s side, and took out an artifact to determine the presence of any illness. He placed it on Meia’s abdomen. The artifact, designed to indicate the affected area if there was an illness, showed no reaction. Its lack of response meant there was no disease.  

“Perhaps…”  

Worst retrieved another artifact and placed it on her abdomen. This time, the artifact emitted a bright light and sank down.  

“Worst! What’s wrong with her?” 

Theodore clutched Meia’s hand tightly, his voice trembling as he fought back tears.  

“She was experiencing nausea?”  

“Yes.” 

Theodore confirmed.  

“Her Grace will likely continue to experience nausea for some time.” 

Worst explained.  

“She’ll keep feeling nauseous? Worst! What exactly is wrong with her? Tell me!” 

Theodore demanded, his voice rising in desperation.  

“This is terrible… It’s only been two years since the wedding… If I can’t protect Her Grace, I’ll take responsibility with my life.” 

Butler Venable lamented, staggering as he clutched his forehead.  

Anna, the head maid, pulled out a handkerchief to wipe away her tears.  

“Everyone, calm down.” 

Worst said, expertly managing the room full of people overcome with emotion.  

“It’s not an illness.” 

He clarified.  

“It’s not an illness, yet she’s nauseous?” 

Theodore asked, confused.  

“Yes. She will continue to experience nausea until her condition stabilizes. A specialized female physician is needed for this. I know of a capable one I can recommend.” 

Venable and Anna stopped crying and leaned in attentively to Worst’s explanation.  

“We’ll also need to find skilled midwives.” 

Worst added with a smile.  

A brief silence filled the room.  

“Midwives?”  

“Stabilization period…”  

“Could it be?!”  

Venable and Anna, realizing what Worst meant, stopped crying and began to smile.  

“Is it true? What we’re thinking… that… that…” 

Venable stammered, his excitement evident.  

“You’ll pass out at this rate, Butler Venable. Haha. Yes, what you’re thinking is correct. Her Grace is experiencing morning sickness because she’s expecting a child.” 

Worst confirmed with a grin.  

“My… my goodness! An heir! An heir!” 

Venable exclaimed, raising his arms in triumph.  

Anna clapped her hands in joy.  

“…What?”  

Only Theodore stood frozen, staring blankly at Worst.  

“The Florence family now has an heir. Congratulations, Your Grace.” 

Worst announced.  

Theodore’s dark eyes glistened with tears as he processed the news. Relieved that Meia wasn’t gravely ill, he silently thanked the heavens.  

“Pregnant women tend to be more sensitive and emotional, so you’ll need to take extra care of her. She’ll also develop heightened sensitivity to smells and changes in her appetite.” 

As Worst elaborated, Theodore began to understand why Meia had been so irritable over the past two days. Reflecting on how he had failed to notice the changes in her body and had wrongly assumed she was upset with him, he felt deeply ashamed.  

“I didn’t even realize…” 

Theodore muttered, wiping away his tears. He held Meia’s hand tightly and called for Venable.  

“Yes, Master.”  

“Meia seems to have developed morning sickness from the scent of flowers. Remove all the flowers from the Grand Duke’s residence immediately.” 

“Understood. I’ll take care of it right away.” 

“And, Your Grace.” 

Worst interjected.  

“Yes?”  

“For the time being, you’ll need to abstain from marital relations.” 

“I understand.” 

Theodore replied solemnly.  

“Once the stabilization period begins, it’ll be safe to resume. I’ll provide guidance when the time comes.” 

Theodore nodded with determination.  

“Meia needs rest now. Everyone, leave the room.” 

Theodore instructed.  

He held Meia’s hand tightly again, pressing a gentle kiss to the back of her hand. Then, he placed his hand on her forehead, silently vowing to protect her.  

The image of Meia collapsing from nausea replayed in his mind, piercing his heart like a dagger. Though he was relieved it wasn’t an illness, the thought of her enduring the challenges of pregnancy and childbirth weighed heavily on him.  

While the news of an heir brought joy, Theodore couldn’t fully celebrate. The realization that Meia might suffer during her pregnancy filled him with worry instead of happiness.