Beneath the Surviving Princess's Joyful Facade - Side Story 14

The real reason Miesa wanted to have a child. It was an embarrassing reason, one she hesitated to admit, but now that things seemed to have gone awry, it felt easier to confess.

“I thought I was well enough to be a proper mother, but I realize now, I’m still lacking.”

Miesa’s voice began to tremble with embarrassment.

The next heir—she feared that she might end up being nothing but a burden to a child growing up under that weight.

“Still acting strangely, being selfish… You’re right, I didn’t think things through enough.”

She had believed that just because she no longer licked picture frames or played with worms, she was capable of being a decent mother. But she realized that this was nothing more than arrogance.

“I lack common sense, and I’m far from fitting the role of the next heir’s mother. So—”

“No, that’s not true at all.”

Eirik, who had been watching her silently, shook his head. Feeling even more guilty at his words of comfort, Miesa lowered her head, trying to hold back tears.

“I’m inadequate. I’m still lacking so much that I’d only embarrass the child. Even the things I think I’m doing well might just be burdensome for the child.”

“No. Don’t worry about such things. Why on earth…”

“If the child makes even the smallest mistake, people will say it’s because they were raised by a mother like me.”

“Who would dare? There is no one on this earth who could say such a thing.”

Eirik held her cheeks and looked her in the eyes as he spoke, “Even if the mother is a little eccentric, what’s wrong with that? Admitting one’s mistakes takes courage, and showing kindness as well—such a mother is rare. And—”

Eirik, who had been vehemently denying her words, paused. The words meant for her seemed to hold the answer to his own confusion.

“No. If it’s too much for the child, we’ll think about it then. I’ve been overthinking this.”

Eirik chuckled wryly. The truth was, it was a simple matter.

“We haven’t even raised the child yet, and we’re already worrying about whether they’ll be suitable or not. Isn’t it ridiculous to doubt a child born from someone as clever as you?”

Having a child with Miesa was, of course, like a dream to him as well—a dream so precious it was almost frightening to hope for.

Perhaps he had been overly cautious. He hesitated, fearing that the child would be burdened with too many expectations and responsibilities, but these were merely his assumptions. Perhaps it was belittling the potential of a child who hadn’t even been born yet.

Now that Miesa had regained her health, and especially since she wanted it, what reason was there to hesitate any longer? He looked at Miesa—the bravest and strongest woman in the world stood before him.

“Miesa. You’re strong, but you also know how to listen to others’ advice. You’re both decisive and cautious, which means you’ll certainly make a great mother.”

He continued with conviction, “Besides, we care for each other like this, which means we’ll surely be good parents in the child’s eyes. And there are few parents who consider the child’s perspective so thoroughly in advance.”

“But…”

Eirik gently stroked Miesa’s puzzled face and asked, “You’re ready to love and cherish the child, aren’t you?”

“Of course, but…”

Miesa mumbled, and Eirik reiterated firmly, “Your health comes first. You understand that, right?”

Though still confused, Miesa nodded slightly, and Eirik smiled, kissing her cheek.

“That’s all I need.”

“What do you mean?”

“Let’s have a child.”

“What?”

Still taken aback, Eirik asked again to confirm, “Considering your health, we’ll start with just one. Understand?”

Miesa, dazed, almost nodded but caught herself. “Wait. Is it okay to decide something so important with just a few words…?”

“There are many who have children without even having this kind of conversation. We’ll be fine.”

At his confident words, Miesa blinked in surprise.

“But you… Just a moment ago…”

“I made up my mind just now. And as you know, I rarely change my mind once I’ve made it up.”

Eirik smiled and caressed her cheek.

“So, what kind of mother do you want to be?”

“……”

“Come on, tell me.”

Encouraged by his prodding, she finally spoke, albeit with some hesitation.

“…I’ll hold the child often. I’ll always tell them I love them.”

“That’s wonderful. And what else?”

“I’ll learn lullabies to sing to them. I’m not sure I’m any good at singing, but…”

Whether she could sing well or not was beside the point; she had never even tried. Though Miesa blushed, Eirik smiled and whispered, “Your voice is beautiful, so anything you sing would sound lovely. What else?”

“I’ll teach them what an amazing person their father is.”

“And I’ll teach them what a wonderful person their mother is.”

As they continued talking deep into the night, a firm conviction also began to take hold in Miesa’s heart.

Even though the child didn’t yet exist, there were already so many things she wanted to do for them.

***

But just because they had made up their minds didn’t mean they immediately had a child. Miesa’s cycle, now regular to the day, only brought disappointment.

“Having a child isn’t our goal, though.”

Eirik comforted Miesa, who was growing anxious. She still felt disheartened and kept asking questions.

“A goal. Does everyone have a goal? What are common goals for people?”

“Not everyone has one, and it varies from person to person… But if we must decide, let’s make our goal to spend each day happily, smiling.”

His words provided a great deal of comfort, and Miesa finally began to let go of her worries by early summer when their portrait was nearing completion.

Perhaps because of the heat, she constantly felt drowsy. Just as she was heading to the bedroom to take a nap, Madam Manere and Siata stopped her, asking everyone around them to leave. Miesa readily complied, and with serious faces, the two led her to her office.

“Madam, you haven’t had your cycle this month.”

“…Does that mean…?”

Miesa’s eyes widened. Unlike the last time she’d heard those words, she now hoped for the opposite outcome, and she summoned the physician immediately.

However, it was too early to determine pregnancy, and she was told they’d have to wait until next month.

Though anxious and excited, she reminded herself that her goal was to enjoy each day, so she tried not to overthink things. Having made up her mind, Miesa ordered everyone to keep it secret—even from Eirik.

“You have a slight fever.”

Her worries about what would happen if Eirik wanted to share a bed were quickly resolved. Eirik, perceptive as ever, noticed her condition and asked with concern.

“The doctor visited, was it to examine you?”

“Yes, I seem to have a cold.”

“Then you’ll need to cancel tomorrow’s gathering with the ladies.”

She had already been considering that, but with him arranging everything for her, it was a relief. Miesa was satisfied, but Eirik appeared to be considering even the events beyond that.

“If that’s the case, you won’t be able to attend the prince’s blessing either, so I’ll go alone.”

A few days later, still worried about Miesa’s condition, Eirik departed for the capital. His face was full of concern—so much so that Miesa, who watched him go, seemed in far better spirits.

At the end of June, just after Eirik left for the capital, Miesa’s early signs of morning sickness provided confirmation sooner than expected.

“I want Kalite sorbet, right now.”

“Are you sure you don’t want any proper food?”

“Yes.”

Siata sent a servant to fetch the sorbet. As Miesa sat on the sofa, leisurely kicking her feet while letting the red Kalite sorbet melt in her mouth, Siata asked cautiously.

“Should we send a message to the margrave?”

“No, I want to tell him in person.”

To Madam Manere’s concerned words, Miesa set down her empty sorbet bowl on the table and smiled.

“I think I’ll tell Father and Mother once my belly starts showing.”

“That would be better, once things are stable. They’ll be very happy.”

Imagining a child who looked just like Eirik, running naked through the halls, how adorable that would be. Miesa smiled at the thought, and when she opened her mouth, Siata, familiar with the routine, took a biscuit from the jar and placed it in her mouth.

“I’m sleepy.”

“It’s common to feel drowsy in the early stages. I’ll prepare for your nap.”

Everyone at the margrave’s residence, including Madam Manere, Siata, and the old nanny, treated her with utmost care, as if handling fragile sugar candy.

And so, her days of comfort continued—at least until Eirik returned.

“I’ve heard you haven’t been eating properly.”

Upon hearing Eirik’s words, who had come to see her immediately after returning from the capital, without even shaking off his fatigue, Miesa, who was lying diagonally on the sofa, sat up straight.

“Eirik! You’re back?”

“You used to wait for me at the gate even when I was away from the estate for a short time. Now, after three weeks, I find you lying on the sofa like this.”

Eirik, his face flushed, strode over and knelt hurriedly before the sofa.

“Is it true?”

Miesa frowned at his question, which he clearly already knew the answer to.

“You really aren’t any fun.”

“So, it’s true. You’re pregnant.”

Unable to deny it any longer, Miesa nodded at his repeated question. Eirik kissed her lips lightly and asked, “So today, all you’ve had is sorbet and some cookies?”

“Aren’t you happy?”

“Of course, I am. I can hardly believe it.”

He pulled himself up and tugged on the bell cord to summon the attendants. Through the summoned attendant, Madam Manere and Siata were called in.

“Prepare some proper food that pregnant ladies with severe morning sickness can tolerate. And Siata, you will accompany the madam all day.”

Eirik gave instructions to the two maids in turn.

“Siata, the madam’s movements have been too limited, so I want you to assist her with light walks three times a day, like rehabilitation exercises for an injured person, while checking her condition.”

“Yes, understood.”

Surprised by his unexpected response, Miesa’s eyes widened. Even Madam Manere, who had been secretly hopeful, and Siata, who was always composed, couldn’t hide their astonishment. A husband reacting like this to the news of his wife’s pregnancy was quite unusual.

“Miesa, you need to stay healthy if you’re going to have the baby.”

Eirik added, “Unless you’re planning to leave me alone. Do you understand?”

“So, aren’t you happy?”

His answer to her question was another kiss. The moment it ended, Eirik disappeared.