Each time he did, sweetness spread in his mouth. Unable to contain this emotion enveloping his entire body, he covered his face with both hands and exhaled a deep breath.

The breath spreading through the corridor was filled with all kinds of emotions, including joy.

“How is Eileen’s condition now?”

“She was a bit surprised, but she’s stable.”

The doctor stepped aside, gesturing for him to go in. Aaron nodded in acknowledgment and carefully opened the door.

As soon as he opened the door, his eyes met with Eileen sitting on the bed.

“Come here.”

Before she could finish saying “and hold me,” Aaron strode over and embraced Eileen tightly.

His heart was pounding fiercely, as if telling her that it would always be by her side, that it would always love her.

Then, as if remembering that Eileen was pregnant, his strength suddenly drained away. It seemed like a determination to be careful about even the smallest things.

Perhaps that’s why. Though a little frightening, it felt like everything would be fine as long as Aaron was by her side. Eileen patted Aaron’s back and asked.

“Duke Aaron de Monston. How does it feel to become a father?”

“I’m happy. More than words can express.”

His slowly exhaled voice was drenched with moisture.

Baby, your father seems to love you very much already. She silently whispered words the baby in her womb couldn’t hear yet.

“By the way, Aaron.”

“Yes?”

“Do you think our child will be a girl? Or……”

Before Eileen could finish her sentence, a resolute answer filled with certainty dropped.

“A daughter who resembles you.”

Eileen broke free from Aaron’s embrace and looked at his face. Unlike his reddened eyes, his purple irises were unwavering, as if he had seen the future.

Eileen didn’t care whether it was a daughter or a son. But since he was so assertive, she felt like teasing him.

“What if our baby is a boy and gets disappointed after hearing what you said?”

“That won’t happen, so it’s fine.”

Small kisses descended multiple times on her forehead, cheeks, and lips.

What if it’s a boy, not a girl, after he was so certain? The worry crossed her mind.

However, Eileen knew well that Aaron would love the child with all his might regardless of gender.

* * *

“Aaron! Now’s the time, put your hand here.”

At Eileen’s call, Aaron quickly placed his hand on her belly. But at that moment, the active movement suddenly stopped.

“……Does it hate me?”

By this point, it was close to certainty rather than suspicion. If not, he couldn’t understand this situation.

From the moment Eileen first felt the baby move until now, Aaron had never once felt it.

The Ceres duke and duchess, Eileen’s grandparents, Cordelia, Mary—they had all felt the baby’s presence.

Moreover, even when quiet, if Eileen whispered, “Baby, what are you doing right now?” the baby would respond as if it had been waiting, making its presence known.

“No way, it must just be a coincidence.”

Eileen gently stroked her swollen belly.

“Our babies are so good.”

“Wait a moment, Eileen.”

Aaron narrowed his eyes. Until this morning, it had definitely been “our baby.” The change to “our babies” meant…

As Aaron’s eyes grew wider, Eileen curled up the corners of her mouth.

“Yes, they’re twins. Grandmother was right.”

When what he had suspected became reality, worry came before joy at having two daughters who resembled Eileen.

Twins meant that much more risk for Eileen.

As Aaron’s expression darkened rapidly, Eileen deliberately put on a bright smile.

“It’s okay. Our babies are good, so they’ll be born healthy without any problems.”

“……”

“I didn’t even have morning sickness, so I’ve been eating extremely well, and the doctor even told me recently that I should moderate my meals.”

So, okay? As Eileen comforted him gently, Aaron let out a small sigh.

Well, it’s not like they could turn back time. If that’s the case, he needed to take the best care of Eileen.

Having organized his thoughts, Aaron wore a subtle smile.

“Since there are two babies, I’ll need to pay even more attention to you, Eileen. Don’t you agree?”

When Aaron asked the babies in the womb, he felt movement. It was as if they were answering, “Yes.”

Eileen quickly brought Aaron’s hand to her belly. Contrary to her expectation that it would stop abruptly, the babies continued to make their presence known.

“……They’re vigorous.”

Unlike his simple comment, there was affection in his touch as he stroked her belly. The babies seemed to like it, as they began to move more intensely than usual.

“Your mother might be in pain. Now, stop.”

Strangely, the movement ceased. Eileen raised her gaze to look at Aaron.

It seemed to say, ‘From morning sickness to this, they’re already considering their mother from the womb, how admirable.’

‘Ah, really.’

Even as time passed, even with children, Aaron always prioritized her. It was clearly felt without needing to be said in words.

“Aaron.”

“Yes?”

She wanted to tell him that he was also her priority, and that fact would never change. So Eileen decided to gift her time to Aaron.

“Are you busy tomorrow?”

“No, I don’t have anything particularly scheduled.”

“Then can we go out together tomorrow?”

“Of course. I’ll go with you wherever you want.”

His expression was solemn, as if he would follow her even into hell. Eileen laughed softly.

“So, where would my wife like to go tomorrow?”

“I want to go to the theater, buy toys for the babies’ room, visit Patisserie de Monston for the seasonal limited menu, and also……”

Eileen enumerated the things she wanted to do, counting on her fingers one by one, then placed her hands on her waist and said.

“But it’s too much to finish all this in one day, so take a week off from work.”

It was a shameless request, but Aaron had no choice but to agree. Spending time with Eileen was what he loved most.

“I will.”

“Great!”

Eileen’s eyes curved beautifully, filled with happiness. Her cheeks were flushed with warmth, and the corners of her mouth rose smoothly.

Though it wasn’t new, Aaron was once again certain. Until the end of his life, he would have no choice but to love Eileen.

* * *

The spring rain that had been soaking Bereut for a while stopped. The once cool wind now carried warmth, and the gloomy gray sky regained its blue hue.

All across Bereut, including Ritz where the flower show was being held, was adorned with colorful flowers. Among them, the garden of the Monston family was as splendid as the flower show.

Lilacs with light purple flower clusters that looked just like snowflakes when bunched together, tulips emitting an intense red light, peonies flaunting their splendor.

All of these blended well together like a single work of art.

However, the head of the Monston ducal family and the servants couldn’t appreciate the magnificent scenery.

Today, a week past the due date. Labor pains had suddenly started at dawn.

Fortunately, there was no major problem as doctors, nurses, and midwives were already stationed in preparation for all situations.

“Phew……”

Tap, tap, the sound of knocking on the window frame filled the corridor. As much as he wanted to enter the delivery room, he could only anxiously wait outside due to warnings that it could be dangerous for the mother.

“Eileen will be fine, so don’t worry too much.”

Warm sensations were felt on his cold hands. It was Duke Kyle and Duchess Lia.

Strangely, the tension that had been consuming his entire body lightened a bit. Aaron expressed his gratitude with a gentle smile.

“Both of you must be tired, why don’t you rest your eyes for a moment?”

“If we leave, you’ll just pace endlessly in the corridor. Then Eileen will get upset and scold you.”

When I was there for Eileen’s birth, I got scolded by Lia.

At Duke Kyle’s playful answer, added with hearty laughter, Aaron smiled faintly. Sunlight settled on Aaron’s smile.

At that moment, a loud cry of “Waah—!” burst forth.

Finally born. The three people looked at each other with round eyes. But they couldn’t be completely joyful yet as one more was still to come.

How many minutes passed as they waited tensely? No matter how long they waited, the next cry wasn’t heard. 5 minutes, 10 minutes. Time continued to flow, but only groaning sounds were heard.

“……Please.”

His clenched hands continued to tighten. Just as his hands turned pale white, a loud cry shook the corridor. It was a voice louder and more intense than the firstborn.

Only then did the three people exhale sighs of relief.

All that remained was whether Eileen was alright and the gender of the children. Soon, the door to the delivery room opened and the doctor appeared. She announced with the brightest smile possible.

“It took a bit longer because there were two, but it went smoothly without major issues. The duchess is also stable.”

Now that it was confirmed Eileen was healthy, it was time for the children’s gender. Gulp, the sound of swallowing resonated loudly. The doctor grinned at their eager eyes and exclaimed.

“She has safely delivered young masters!”

“……Young masters?”

Aaron slowly mulled over the words the doctor had given. Though it was clearly in the Bereut language, it felt extremely unfamiliar.