The Monster Lady and the Holy Knight - Side Story 7

Roberdin was visibly filled with refugees. Other than the fact that it was a coastal city, Veronica knew little about it. Had they made the right choice? What if this place wasn’t what they had hoped for?

The sea breeze not only erased all traces of Bahamut but also seemed to spread vitality throughout the city. The sound of hammers rang from buildings with ladders propped against them, and the streets bustled with people carrying heavy loads.

Stepping boldly into the streets, Veronica instinctively shrank at the unfamiliarity of a foreign land. That was when Leon took her hand.

“It would be troublesome if we got separated in a place like this.”

His deep voice settled in her ears. His gaze remained fixed ahead, as if it were nothing out of the ordinary, but just knowing they were together sent warmth spreading from her fingertips.

Veronica, lost in thought, suddenly blurted out a question. “Sometimes, I find it so strange. How do you always know exactly what I want? Have you secretly trained in mind reading?”

“I don’t need to study something like that.”

“Then how?”

“You said it yourself when we talked about the Founding Festival.”

As a passerby nearly bumped into her, Leon pulled her closer before continuing.

“You said, ‘In a crowded street, I wish someone would hold my hand so I wouldn’t get lost.’”

“……”

“You also told me about the time your father suddenly grabbed your hand and ran, and you thought it was because he wanted to take you somewhere special. But in the end, he was just rushing to buy discounted rye bread. And then you found out the bread was so frozen in the winter cold that it was too hard to chew.”

“Ah… yeah, that’s right. That’s why I still don’t like rye bread. My mother used to make it into porridge when I was little, and it was delicious, but for some reason, I can never replicate that taste. More importantly, did I really tell you all of that?”

What surprised her more was not that she had shared such trivial stories, but that Leon remembered every word. It was then that he came to a stop in front of a butcher’s stall.

“Do you buy game meat as well?”

“Depends on the type. What do you have?”

At the merchant’s nod toward the load on his horse, Leon explained.

“A peacock. The feathers on its wings are perfectly intact. How much will you give me for it?”

“Thirty gold coins.”

As they haggled, Veronica absentmindedly turned her head, though she never let go of Leon’s hand. Just from glancing at the prices—like a single ear of corn costing one silver coin—she could tell that everything had inflated to ten times the pre-Bahamut rates. The cost of living had skyrocketed. She even saw people bartering fish for grain, a sign that trade had not yet stabilized and would continue shifting toward goods exchange.

If they could find a spare piece of land, they should start growing their own vegetables. Raising livestock for milk and eggs would also be a good idea…

Lost in such practical thoughts, Veronica only realized Leon had let go of her hand when he turned to lower the game from his horse. Taking advantage of the moment, she stepped toward a street vendor she had been curious about. Steam wafted up from a large pot of stew, filling the air with a meaty aroma. It was a scent she usually liked, but without warning, her stomach twisted violently.

“Ugh—”

Covering her mouth on reflex, she stumbled backward—right into Leon. Just as he accepted the pouch of gold coins, his expression turned stone-cold as he immediately cupped her chin, scanning her face.

“Are you feeling sick? You barely ate anything this morning.”

“No, it’s nothing. Maybe I just suddenly felt exhausted after realizing we’ve finally arrived.”

“Does anything else feel off? Any pain?”

“Not really. Wow, you’re really worried, aren’t you? I’ll be fine after some rest.”

Truthfully, her chest and stomach had been aching in sharp stabs since morning, but she forced a smile. If she admitted to even the smallest discomfort, Leon would undoubtedly drag her to a doctor immediately.

“I’ll find us a place to stay right away. Just hold on.”

“Didn’t you say you had someone to meet?”

“It won’t take long. I’ll drop you off at the inn first.”

Leon had mentioned knowing someone in Roberdin—someone who had undoubtedly survived Bahamut’s attack. This person owed him a debt and could help them settle down. That had been their initial plan while the sun was still high in the sky.

Feeling guilty for disrupting their schedule, Veronica tried to reassure him.

“Really, I’m fine. Just a little dizzy—”

“Dizzy? Can you walk?”

His concern doubled in an instant. If she said one more word, he’d probably insist on carrying her. Realizing there was no winning against his overprotectiveness, she shook her head and gave up.

They chose the largest inn closest to the main street, a place called Son of the Snow. Despite insisting she was fine, the moment Veronica slipped into the warm bath, sleepiness overwhelmed her. After so many days of washing in cold water and sleeping on hard ground, lying on a clean, feather-stuffed bed truly felt like paradise. Leon stayed by her side until she drifted off.

So when she opened her eyes again, she felt a surge of panic.

Outside the window, rain poured down in torrents, drumming against the panes. And in the vast bed, she was alone.

***

“You are definitely pregnant.”

The doctor, who had been checking her pulse, stood up and confirmed the diagnosis. Leon, leaning against the doorway, froze in place.

“I can feel the pulse. The nausea and dizziness also match the early symptoms.”

His lips, which had parted as if to respond, closed again. His gaze lingered on her for a long time.

He had listened to her irregular breathing even after she fell asleep, then summoned a doctor through a servant. He had expected to hear it was merely exhaustion from travel. He had thought he would receive medicine. Instead, the unexpected words left him silent for a long time.

“If the nausea is severe, some women even reject water, which can lead to dehydration. Be mindful of that. Since you’re travelers, and Roberdin is a port city, seafood is common. Make sure she only eats thoroughly cooked food.”

The doctor listed foods beneficial for the baby, such as tomatoes, sweet potatoes, and beans. By the time he was advising that she should be given anything she craved, Leon finally spoke.

“She’s so frail—can she really handle a pregnancy? Won’t it be too much for her body?”

His question had nothing to do with the child the doctor had been focusing on.

The doctor blinked at his sharp gaze before turning to look at Veronica, who was still lying down.

“For all your concern… she doesn’t actually seem that weak.”

“Are you saying it’s normal for her to be lying down just because of dizziness?”

“It could simply be accumulated travel fatigue… and right now, she’s just asleep. Her breathing is within the normal range.”

Leon’s expression remained unconvinced. Veronica had always been quick to tire, her stamina weak. She was as fragile as glass, and now she had to bear the weight of a child.

“As long as she doesn’t push herself beyond her usual limits, she should be fine. If you’re staying here, I can introduce you to a doctor who specializes in prenatal care.”

Perhaps sensing that this concern was beyond what he could address, the doctor simply provided additional precautions before gathering his belongings. By the time Leon paid the consultation fee and sent the visitor away, raindrops had begun to fall outside.

Veronica, sound asleep, remained unaware of the entire exchange. Curled on her side, hugging her pillow tightly, she slept more peacefully than anyone else. Even after the doctor had left, Leon sat watching her for a long time. He had heard it clearly with his own ears, yet he still couldn’t believe it.

His and her child.

Seated on the bed’s edge, he gently took her small, curled-up hand. The sound of rain and her faint warmth reminded him of their first night together.

That night, he had given her everything. His resolve had included this very future. If he had any doubts about taking responsibility, he would have never touched her. Having spent a childhood of deprivation, he had always longed to build a proper home. So, of course, he was happy. But at the same time, he was afraid.

“…Will you like this?”

His quiet murmur echoed in the room. Pressing her hand against his cheek, he kissed it softly.

Compared to him, Veronica was still young, and they hadn’t even settled down properly. They had never had a deep conversation about children. She might be anxious or even afraid.

Truthfully, if she didn’t want it, he didn’t need a child. As long as he had her by his side, nothing else mattered.

A flash of lightning illuminated the dark silhouette of his possessiveness before it vanished.

They called it jealousy, didn’t they? Perhaps every joke contained a fragment of truth. Leon thought back to the times when he had been jealous even over small gestures of kindness from their companions.

He wanted to monopolize her. To have her entirely to himself. Even the moments they bathed together, the chatter that spilled from her lips, the bright laughter and the affectionate gazes she cast toward others—he wanted them all. He wanted to keep her locked away inside him. Once ignited, his desire never cooled. Without her, he would surely burn to ashes.

He had fallen beyond return.

Leaning down, he placed a brief kiss on her lips before rising to his feet. What she needed most now was a stable life.

***

“Leon?”

Wrapped in a blanket, Veronica called his name multiple times upon waking. No response came from anywhere in the room. Of course, in this small space, there was no way someone of his size could be hiding.

“He tells me to stay by his side, yet he disappears without a word…”

The rain was heavy outside. Where could he have gone? She knew he must have had a reason, yet an inexplicable sadness crept over her.

Old memories surfaced unbidden—the time she had been locked alone in a dark room. The screams and prayers of people. The endless waiting, clinging to the hope that only one person would come for her.

Waiting was unbearable. It stretched time indefinitely, making minutes feel like days…

Then, a sound interrupted her thoughts. The door creaked open. She lifted her head sharply, only to see a rain-drenched man standing frozen in the entrance, eyes wide with surprise upon seeing her awake. Without even removing his wet clothes, he strode toward her in large steps.

“Why are you crying? Are you in pain? Are you still dizzy?”

In an instant, he was right in front of her, pressing his palm to her forehead. The cool touch made her flinch slightly, and as he started to pull away, she reached out.

Instead of letting him go, Veronica wrapped her arms around his waist and held on tight.