Duchess Mecklen’s Elegant Revolt - Side Story 19

She was dumbfounded.

She had vaguely thought this moment would come someday.

But hearing the confirmation from someone else’s lips, it felt even less real than she imagined.

Unconsciously, Eleanor brought a hand to her lower abdomen.

The physician, flustered by the unexpected awkwardness, asked, “Why are you both reacting like this? Aren’t you happy?”

“It’s not that… we’re just really surprised,” Eger answered in a dazed voice, turning to look at her.

He looked like someone with a lot to say but unsure where to start. Then he recalled that the Emperor was still in a meeting.

“Shouldn’t we inform His Majesty first? He probably doesn’t know you summoned the royal physician. I’ll go now and—”

“Eli!”

A loud noise rang out as the door burst open.

All three people in the room turned their heads toward the entrance at once.

The one who barged in was the very man Eger had been looking for just moments ago.

“Y-Your Majesty.”

The physician quickly rose from his seat.

Eger stood up as well, startled and unable to hide his shock that the Emperor had shown up here.

But despite their reactions, the Emperor looked only at Eleanor.

With a freezing expression, he strode toward her. His intimidating presence made the physician shrink back.

“I wasn’t aware of any excessive workload in your schedule. How have you been monitoring the Empress’s health for this to happen?”

“I-I deeply apologize, Your Majesty.”

The flustered physician bowed hastily but then hesitated.

‘Why am I apologizing?’

Pregnancy was supposed to be good news.

Just as he opened his mouth to explain the misunderstanding, Eger interjected. “Your Majesty, Her Majesty the Empress did not collapse. She simply experienced a bit of nausea and dizziness. She’s already feeling better, so please don’t worry—”

“What about treatment?”

“…The examination just finished.”

“It’s been ten minutes since I was informed. In that time, have you done nothing but leave her like this?”

“……”

“You should’ve scoured the palace by now to find out the cause, whether there’s a medicine available.”

What do we do…

The physician and Eger thought the same thing.

At that moment, a calm voice saved them.

“Your Majesty.”

It was Eleanor, her tone devoid of any smile.

The Emperor, as if he had been waiting only for her call, immediately approached the head of the bed.

He placed a hand on her forehead to check her temperature and frowned.

“You look pale.”

“……”

“Are you still feeling nauseous?”

How should she say this?

She thought for a moment, but her mind was in disarray.

Normally, she would have said something to shield Eger and the physician from the Emperor’s scolding.

Slowly, Eleanor looked at Lennoch.

“Eli?”

“Your Majesty.”

She hesitated, then took the hand hovering near her face and gently guided it downward.

“Here…”

Eleanor steadied her nervous breathing.

Lennoch’s gaze followed and stopped at her lower abdomen.

Here…

‘My child.’

And—

“It’s your child, Your Majesty.”

“……!”

His trembling pupils froze.

“We’re going to have a child.”

In contrast, Eleanor’s own trembling only grew.

She had not desperately longed for a child.

She thought of it as a blessing that would come naturally when the time was right and had left it up to fate.

This tiny life that arrived without warning had thrown her into confusion.

Even so—

The emotions swelling in her chest—

“They said it’s the fourth week.”

“……”

“In this tiny space… our baby is growing.”

Her breath came in shallow pants, as if she’d just run a long distance.

Then, suddenly, a large shadow fell over her.

Warmth that didn’t match his cold expression.

As she leaned weakly into his embrace, Eleanor whispered softly.

“We’re going to be real parents now.”

A precious child, born from the one you love, and the one who loves you.

Not a family created by force—

A family they had chosen,

One they were building together,

A true family.

“……”

“Lennoch.”

“……”

“Are you crying?”

“…No.”

From Lennoch, who had always spoken formally, came a clipped reply. His body, firm like a protective wall, radiated a heat greater than her own.

“Thank you.”

She raised her arms and wrapped them around his broad back.

His lips brushed her ear and whispered again and again—

Thank you.

I’m so happy you became my family.

His voice was so soft, she wouldn’t have heard it without being so close.

The rapid heartbeat against her chest finally brought her back to reality.

‘I really am carrying this man’s child.’

At some point, she had forgotten Eger and the royal physician were even watching them.

It felt as if only she and Lennoch remained in the world.

Eleanor clung more tightly to his shoulders.

“…I’m the one who should be grateful.”

At last, she felt like she understood what this feeling was.

If this was a dream, it was one she never wanted to wake from.

It was happiness.

***

“Goodness.”

The Empress Dowager’s mouth dropped open as wide as a basin.

“Is that really true?”

“An official notice just went out. His Majesty announced it personally.”

Unlike the excited Empress Dowager, Berenice’s tone remained flat.

However, the rare smile on Berenice’s lips revealed that she likely shared the Empress Dowager’s sentiments.

It was joyful news—something everyone had waited and hoped for.

“Lady Eleanor—no, Her Majesty the Empress, finally…!”

Norah, seated beside them, lowered her teacup and cried out with emotion.

The Empress Dowager sprang up from her seat. “I must go at once.”

“Your Majesty, allow me to send a message to the East Palace.”

Berenice, concerned the elderly Empress Dowager might hurt herself in her haste, tried to dissuade her.

But the Empress Dowager shook her head vehemently and jumped to her feet. “She’s pregnant—how could I expect her to come here? Of course I must go to her.”

“Your Majesty, I’m coming too!”

“Very well, let’s go!”

“……”

“Berenice, what are you doing? Go fetch the carriage, now.”

Watching the two rush off, all sense of dignity forgotten, Berenice shook her head.

The noisy West Palace entourage reached the East Palace in no time.

Lennoch, who had been sitting at Eleanor’s side all along, was quickly pushed aside by the approaching Empress Dowager.

“I heard the morning sickness is severe. You look thinner already.”

The Empress Dowager was visibly pained.

Eleanor tried to explain it had only been a day, but it was too late—her hardship had already been engraved in the Empress Dowager’s mind.

With a face ready to weep, the Empress Dowager gently stroked her hand. “I know the pain all too well. How much you must be suffering.”

Then she glanced sideways at Lennoch. “I’ve heard that sometimes husbands get morning sickness too. Wouldn’t it be nice if that strong man of yours took it on instead?”

“If I could, I would.”

Though not thrilled at being displaced, Lennoch readily agreed with the Empress Dowager.

Clicking her tongue, the she went on. “Have you heard of that famous doctor in Mondriol? They say he can bring the dead back to life. I think his name was Neka. Why don’t we hire him for the Empress? If he’s that skilled, he should be able to come up with a remedy for morning sickness.”

“I’ll look into it right away.”

“Your Majesty, I’m fine.”

Eleanor, listening to the conversation, rose from the bed.

There were already plenty of excellent doctors within the Empire.

Her current physician was more than qualified.

But despite her objections, they remained adamant.

In fact, this was only the beginning.

“Let’s increase the kitchen staff in the East Palace. Morning sickness must be managed closely. Nutrition is everything.”

“They’re already working in shifts. Service is running 24 hours a day.”

“What about attendants?”

“Your Majesty, I’m handling that now.”

Brianna, who had been waiting nearby, quickly answered.

“We’re hiring plenty of staff for the baby, so there’s no need to worry.”

The Empress Dowager nodded in satisfaction. “Oh ho, how efficient.”

They were as eager as—or even more so than—the Emperor.

As Eleanor reached for a glass of water to moisten her dry lips, she sighed inwardly.

‘How am I supposed to stop them?’

Just then, Norah clapped her hands, as if she’d had an idea.

“Your Majesty, how about making today a special holiday? It’s the historic day we learned of the baby’s existence. We can’t just let such a meaningful day pass by.”

“……?”

Eleanor, in the middle of sipping water, nearly spat it out.

The baby hadn’t even been born yet, and already they wanted a holiday.

Her face flushed crimson from embarrassment, but the reactions around her were even more outrageous.

“That’s a wonderful idea.”

“We should mark the baby’s birthday as a holiday too, of course.”

“Naturally. Your Majesty, since it’s such a special day, what about issuing commemorative coins? I’ll begin drafting a schedule and report right away.”

“Oh ho, Eger, you really do think differently. Get on it immediately.”

Amid the excitement, Eleanor’s eyes darted about, unsure where to look.

Wasn’t this all a bit much?

Not even during former Empress Edea’s pregnancy with Hail had the Empress Dowager shown this much involvement.

But no one was listening to Eleanor’s opinion anymore.

Among the lively crowd, Lennoch alone noticed her discomfort and approached.

“Was that overwhelming?”

“Yes. Commemorative coins? The baby isn’t even born yet, and we’re talking about morning sickness coins—it’s too much. I feel embarrassed just facing people.”

He was the Emperor, after all.

Surely he had some remaining sense.

Or so she thought—that was her mistake.

“Then instead of morning sickness, how about we issue commemorative coins using the baby’s prenatal name?”

“……”

“Do you have any names in mind already?”

Where had it all gone wrong?

Just a short while ago, they had been so rational.

But now, with a single unborn child, everything had turned upside down, and Eleanor could only watch in disbelief as things spiraled out of control.

***

Even as the ruckus swept through the entire palace, Eleanor’s day wasn’t over yet.

There was one last visitor.

“Eli!”

“Hail.”

At the sound of his voice, Hail came running.

Eleanor moved to receive him, but Lennoch reached out first and stopped the boy.

“She shouldn’t be jarred.”

“He’s just a child.”

“And the baby you’re carrying is even younger and more fragile.”

Even if her belly wasn’t showing yet.

Lennoch protectively shielded Eleanor’s abdomen.

Hail didn’t miss that and exclaimed loudly—

“Is there a baby in Eli’s belly?”

He wasn’t upset about not getting a hug—he was more curious about the new sibling.

Eleanor smiled as she watched Hail obediently remain in Lennoch’s arms.

“Yes, it’s your little sibling.”

“Jack was right.”

“Jack?”

“You exercised together at night, right?”

“……?”

Eleanor didn’t understand what he meant and turned to Lennoch.