The Evil Empress Adores Me - Side Story 20

What did I just hear?

 

Charlize stiffened on the spot.

 

However, despite her confusion, her face was filled with overwhelming emotion, and she simply lowered her head in gratitude.

 

“I humbly offer my congratulations on your gestation, Your Majesty the Empress!”

 

“No, no, wait a moment!”

 

Charlize waved her hands frantically.

 

“Gestation? But there were no symptoms…?”

 

“I’ve never had a single pregnancy symptom……?”

 

“It is possible during the early stages of a pregnancy. Have you ever experienced morning sickness?”

 

“Well… come to think of it…”

 

Charlize unintentionally paused before she could respond reflexively.

 

Considering it had already been over a month, she hadn’t experienced anything similar to morning sickness.

 

“But… Do I really have a child in my womb right now?”

 

She instinctively placed her hand on her stomach.

 

Her touch was incredibly delicate.

 

“But, usually, when pregnant, one tends to have a loss of appetite, I heard.”

 

“Loss of appetite?”

 

“Yes. Normally, a loss of appetite accompanies morning sickness.”

 

Charlize looked at the physician with a dubious face.

 

“On the contrary, recently, my appetite has increased quite a lot.”

 

“You mean your food intake has increased?”

 

“Yes.”

 

Charlize nodded vigorously.

 

Meanwhile, the physician had already come to a realization on her own.

 

“Now I understand.”

 

“W-What?”

 

“The reason His Majesty, the Emperor has been constantly attentive lately.”

 

The physician spoke with a slight smile etched across their face..

 

“Instead of Your Majesty, the Empress, he seems to be experiencing the cravings…”

 

“What?”

 

“It’s a rare case, but I’ve heard of such situations happening.”

 

The physician looked at Charlize with a proud gaze.

 

“His Majesty cherishes Your Majesty the Empress dearly, but I didn’t know he would even take over the cravings.”

 

No, no.

 

Am I supposed to make sense of this situation from some angle?

 

Charlize couldn’t hide her bewildered expression.

 

 

 

***

 

 

 

That evening.

 

Charlize decided to have dinner with Damian after so long.

 

However….

 

“…Can’t eat today either?”

 

Charlize looked at her husband with a worried expression.

 

While she had indulged in dessert with great gusto, Damian had scarcely touched his food. Damian nodded with a pale face.

 

“Don’t worry about me; dine at your leisure.”

 

“Well, I, on the other hand, have always been a good eater…

 

Damian nodded with a pale face.

 

It would be nice to have just one more bite.

 

Feeling a sense of regret, she absentmindedly scraped the empty bowl with her spoon, casting a sidelong glance at Damian.

 

“Well, you know. I have something to say, Damian…”

 

“Something to say? What is it?”

 

“That… um…”

 

Charlize stared into Damian’s eyes for a while, unable to open her mouth easily.

 

Unable to overcome the frustration, Damian urged her on.

 

“I won’t be surprised no matter what you say, so tell me quickly.”

 

“You genuinely won’t be surprised?”

 

“Yes. Well, unless you tell me something like you’re pregnant or…”

 

Damian truly believed that he wouldn’t be surprised unless it was something truly extraordinary.

 

But…

 

“Yes, that’s right.”

 

“Huh?”

 

Charlize took a deep breath and spoke with a clear voice.

 

“I’m pregnant.”

 

Clink! Clink!

 

A sharp sound of a dropped spoon resonated in an instant.

 

It was the sound of it falling from Damian’s hand and colliding with the plate.

 

Charlize opened her eyes wide.

 

“Oh my goodness, what’s wrong?”

 

“Damian?”

 

Damian stood frozen in place, silently gazing at his wife.

 

After a moment.

 

He pursed his lips.

 

“… You’re not joking right now, are you?”

 

“No, I’m not.”

 

“A precaution, in case it’s a joke or something like that…”

 

“Do you think I’m the kind of person who jokes about such matters?”

 

Charlize replied with a touch of frustration.

 

Damian stiffened his shoulders as if a pebble had been thrown into a lake, and within his golden irises, a slow ripple began to spread.

 

Undeterred by his reaction, Charlize firmly added to her words.

 

“It’s true.”

 

“…Really?”

 

“Yes. I…”

 

Her words were momentarily blurred, and Charlize shyly smiled.

 

For some reason, speaking those words felt a bit ticklish.

 

“I’m carrying your child, Damian.”

 

“…I can’t believe it.”

 

Above Damian’s face, which had hardened like a sculpture, a smile began to emerge in an instant.

 

How would she describe that smile?

 

It was as if tender shoots and flowers were blooming all at once on parched land.

 

‘I can confidently say that I’ve seen Damian’s smiling face many times before.’

 

But even so, seeing him look at her with such a blissful smile was truly a first.

 

It was a smile so overwhelming that it almost made her feel overwhelmed.

 

Feeling her heart welling up with emotions, Charlize gently lowered her gaze towards him.

 

‘Damian… He’s overjoyed.’

 

But right at that moment.

 

Damian, who had suddenly stood up from his seat, hugged Charlize tightly.

 

Startled, she pounded on his chest.

 

“Da-Damian! I can’t breathe!”

 

“Ah, I-I’m sorry!”

 

Finally, Damian released his wife from his embrace.

 

In his eyes, as he looked down at her, there was an indescribable joy shimmering and abundant.

 

Then he abruptly asked a question.

 

“By any chance, is there something you’d like to eat?”

 

“What?”

 

‘We just had a meal, didn’t we?’

 

Charlize looked at Damian with a puzzled expression.

 

But Damian’s words were still not finished.

 

“I’ve heard that pregnant women become extremely sensitive to food due to cravings.”

 

“Is that so?”

 

“Yes. They feel incredibly disappointed if they can’t eat what they desire, so if there’s anything that comes to mind, please let me know.”

 

Damian declared so with a resolute demeanor, akin to a general facing a formidable enemy.

 

“And I shall redecorate our bedroom as well.”

 

“Why the bedroom?”

 

“Have you not noticed the sharp edges of the dresser or the corners of the bed frame?” Damian added with a tone hinting that it was rhetorical as he shrugged his shoulders.

 

“They must be cushioned with soft fabric. What if you accidentally bump into them while moving around?”

 

“….Damian, I am not a child. I can take care of myself just fine.”

 

Charlize timidly retorted, taken aback by his reaction.

 

However, Damian frowned and tilted his head.

 

“Why say such a thing? I was told that even for trivial matters, precautions must be taken when a woman is pregnant.”

 

“Who said that?”

 

“The Duke of Rochester himself.”

 

Charlize was at a loss for words.

 

Usually, he would find a way to argue back, wouldn’t he?

 

Yet, here he was, blindly following the Duke’s advice like unyielding steel.

 

“More importantly, while we’re still on the topic of eating…”

 

She quickly changed the subject.

 

For some reason, she felt that if she left Damian as he was, he would endlessly worry himself.

 

“I’m sure you’re concerned that you haven’t been eating well lately.”

 

“Hmm?”

 

“I think you’ve been cutting down on your appetite on my behalf.”

 

Charlize relayed the explanation she had heard from the physician in its entirety.

 

His golden eyes widened a bit.

 

“You mean I’m eating less on your behalf?”

 

“Yes. Isn’t that fascinating to hear?”

 

As Charlize asked, she secretly observed Damian’s reaction.

 

“Still… I’m sorry.”

 

“Sorry for what?”

 

“Because I’m the reason you’ve been needlessly worried.”

 

Charlize comforted him by patting his back, expressing her sincerity.

 

However, that small gesture unexpectedly elicited a response she had never anticipated.

 

“Why, why would you say that…?”

 

‘What, what is it?’

 

Charlize momentarily doubted her ears.

 

His voice had become moist, as if soaked in water.

 

“I… I’m truly happy that I’m eating less on your behalf, I prefer this rather seeing you suffer.”

 

“Da-Damian…”

 

“Seeing you go through hardships, I feel fortunate that I can shoulder even a small part of that burden…”

 

Damian choked on his words.

 

Charlize anxiously glanced at the food on the dining table.

 

There was not a single drop of alcohol.

 

‘…However, why am I reminded of the time Damian got drunk on our honeymoon?’ 

 

Charlize exclaimed, raising her voice. “Please, don’t cry!”

 

In no time, tears were incessantly streaming down Damian’s pale cheeks.

 

 Baffled, Charlize found herself somewhat dazed, wiping away the tears from the corners of his eyes with her sleeve.

 

‘Wow, this is also a splendid sight.’ 

 

Beneath the moist, navy lashes, golden flecks encircled deep golden eyes, earnestly gazing down at her. 

 

This beauty, who would be counted among the finest even in the Empire, gazed at her longingly as if he would die without her presence….

 

‘This is surprisingly pleasant… No, that’s not it!’ Charlize hastily dismissed her fleeting thoughts. 

 

Simultaneously, Damian pulled her into a tight embrace and whispered softly. 

 

“Thank you.” 

 

“Oh?” 

 

“Truly, thank you.”

 

His arms around her tightened ever so slightly. 

 

“This time, for sure.” 

 

Within his tear-drenched voice, a firm determination resided, “I will ensure your happiness, along with the happiness of our child.”

 

In an instant, Charlize felt a tightness in her chest. 

 

A long time ago, when Carpel loved her the most, he entrusted her with their child and left her all alone. 

 

But Damian would be different,  promising to protect her and their child.

 

That change, somehow, made her heart ache with happiness. 

 

“…I understand.” Charlize softly reassured him with a gentle voice. “I trust that you will keep your promise.”

 

“Charlize…” 

 

“So please, make sure to keep your promise, alright?” As she nodded with determination, large teardrops cascaded from his eyes. 

 

He was so incredibly endearing. 

 

Charlize tenderly kissed her husband’s tear-stained cheeks.