After Aaron left, Louis quietly opened the door and came inside. However, Amelia didn't even notice her and just wandered around the bedroom for a while.
“Why on earth are you doing that?”
Louis, unable to bear it any longer, spoke harshly. However, even that was more like a meaningless sentence that passed by Amelia’s ears.
Can she really be free? Can she not be imprisoned and bound by the ridiculous shackles of the divine legend? Can Ian not die just because he is a boy?
“Priestess... I’m surprised. I was surprised.”
Amelia, who had been looking down and biting her nails, suddenly raised her head. Louis, who had come over to stop Amelia, who was not responding, was startled and took a step back.
“...Why are you like that?”
Spending the night with Ivan was dangerous for him. As Aaron had warned, the moment the truth was known, he would pressure the royal family to the point of even going to war.
“Don’t think that Louis is the only one watching over you and the child in the palace.”
But if she didn't follow Aaron's orders, there was no way to know what he would do to Ian. Amelia couldn't even keep track of the number of servants passing by Ian, and it was even more unclear which of them were Aaron's lackeys.
“What should I do...”
Mrs. Howard crossed the threshold of Amelia's bedroom, holding Ian gently in her arms.
“Welcome, Mrs. Howard.”
Amelia, who was sitting on the chair, stood up and reached out her hand. Mrs. Howard naturally handed the child over to Amelia.
"Thank you."
“Are you sure you’ll be okay without a breastfeeder?”
Of course, Ian found it easy to find comfort and fell asleep quickly by Amelia's side. However, it was worrisome to be left alone with Amelia without a wet nurse, with a child who needed to be breastfed every three hours. That was what Mrs. Howard thought.
“It’s okay. I used to make milk porridge and feed it to him when I didn’t have anyone to breastfeed him. And now, I’m at the point where I only need to do it once a night.”
However, she couldn't insist on keeping a wet nurse by her side even though Amelia said so much. From Amelia's perspective, it would be more difficult to stay in the same bedroom with a servant who could watch me.
“If you are uncomfortable to the point of not being able to sleep, be sure to call Karen.”
It was best to add something like that. Amelia nodded with a smile.
“Don’t worry, I’ll do that, so just go out.”
Mrs. Howard took a step that she had hesitated over several times. Amelia finally felt at ease and held Ian in her arms, rubbing her face against his soft, smooth skin. Ian smiled brightly, as if he was feeling good after drinking milk and taking a nap.
“Are you feeling good?”
Amelia placed Ian's body on her thighs with her feet up on the chair. Ian babbled, waving his arms in the air, enjoying the vibrations that his body would feel whenever he moved his thighs.
“You’re cute.”
Amelia whispered as she kissed Ian on the forehead. She wanted Ivan to see this, too. That's why she insisted on keeping him away from the nannies and letting him sleep in her own bedroom.
“If your father had seen it, he would have said it was cute.”
“Father, who doesn’t even exist... If it were me, I would finish what you tell me to do as soon as possible and then leave freely.”
Louis could be heard clicking her tongue as if she were seriously ill. Of course, Amelia didn't care at all. It was Louis who had reported it to Aaron as soon as she noticed the child's hair color. She had never imagined that Louis would love Ian, who was useless.
“Louis, I want to rest comfortably, so please leave.”
"Yes."
“You don’t have to come back until I call you.”
Amelia coldly ordered her out of the room. Louis walked to her bedroom with a fresh face. She had already finished eating, and it was soon time to go to bed, so it seemed like there was nothing to worry about.
Even the final exit was unpleasant. However, what Aaron said was not wrong. He said that if things could be concluded well, she and Ian could become free.
“When will Ivan come?”
Amelia muttered.
“Do you want to see it too?”
Ian asked with a smile on his face. The boy who didn't even know who his parents were babbled. It sounded like an answer, so she couldn't help but laugh. He seemed to be growing up by the day, eating and sleeping well under the familiar care of his nannies.
Suddenly, she remembered the time shortly after Ian was born. He is now so plump and chubby, but when he was first born, he was really small. And for some unknown reason, he cried loudly, making Amelia flustered. It was even more confusing because he didn't even have Louis's hand. In fact, even now, it's hard to know exactly what the child wants, but at that time, the sky really looked yellow.
“Just wait a moment, and he’ll be here.”
There were days when she cried with her child while she was struggling. Because she didn't know what was in her child's mind, because there was no one to help her, and because she missed Ivan, who was reflected in her child's face.
There is no way to know if Ivan felt the same way at that time.
“...Shall we lie down and rest for a while?”
Amelia doesn't know why she keeps feeling so anxious these days. Amelia shook her head and got up from her seat while holding Ian. She lay Ian down on the bed and lay down next to him.
“Uh, ahh...”
Ian, who couldn't understand his mother's anxiety, clenched and unclenched his hands, moving them busily. Watching him, she thought that maybe he was thinking of other things because life was worth living.
How peaceful it is. There were days when she wished she could just watch this scene without worry.
Don't think of anything strange. Amelia consoled herself as she patted the child's plump belly. Then, as if blocking out her head, which had become complicated by too many thoughts, her eyes began to close dimly. Her hands also slowed down and stopped at some point.
“Sorry, I dozed off for a bit.”
If Ian hadn't started crying, she would have really fallen asleep. Amelia instinctively opened her eyes at the sound of the baby crying, sat up, and pulled down the neckline of her nightgown to breastfeed the baby.
“You must be hungry.”
Of course, Ian calmed down quickly. Amelia covered her mouth with one hand and yawned loudly only after confirming that Ian was still eating. It was because she was still half-asleep.
Only then could she hear and see the surroundings. Through the slightly open window, she could hear the sound of insects, and dark moonlight was streaming down over the bed. It was peace itself.
"Who..."
In the meantime, it would have been so if it weren't for the strange figure leaning against the table. Amelia tensed up and pulled Ian close, hugging him tightly.
“Ivan?”
However, the moment she saw the blond hair that was clear even in the pale moonlight, her guard was bluntly cut down. Ivan, who had been quietly standing in his seat, raised his body completely and stood in his seat at Amelia's muttered name.
“Your reflexes are scary.”
Ivan walked slowly and sat on the edge of the bed.
“I thought he was crying, so I tried to comfort him by holding him, but you woke up first.”
Amelia nodded with a bewildered expression at Ivan's words.
“When did you come?”
“About an hour ago.”
“I told you to wake me up.”
“It seemed like you were sleeping deeply, so I was going to watch you for a bit and then leave.”
While answering Amelia's questions, Ivan's eyes were fixed on Ian. He must have seen him several times already, but the child's eyes were curious. It seemed as if he had recognized his existence anew.
“You’re so greedy.”
Ian had his eyes closed, perhaps half-asleep, but he was still burying his head in her chest, and his mouth was moving busily.
“Does he look like me?”
Ivan muttered. Ivan’s long fingers gently stroked Ian’s forehead and nose. Only then did Ian open his eyes. His eyes, deep as night, like Amelia’s, were clearly visible.
“It’s pretty.”
Amelia asked in a whisper. Only then did Ivan's gaze leave the child and turn to Amelia. It seemed as if he understood her eagerly waiting for an answer, even in the dark.
"Yes."
Ivan's voice was somewhat dry, but it gave Amelia the answer she wanted. Then, the faint worry on Amelia's face completely disappeared. It was a relief that it had been such a futile emotion.
“...It sucks well.”
Of course, that was before Ivan let out a bold exclamation. Amelia, who felt embarrassed despite knowing that Ivan’s gaze was fixed on the child’s face, carefully turned her body to the side.
“Why on earth are you doing that?”
Louis, unable to bear it any longer, spoke harshly. However, even that was more like a meaningless sentence that passed by Amelia’s ears.
Can she really be free? Can she not be imprisoned and bound by the ridiculous shackles of the divine legend? Can Ian not die just because he is a boy?
“Priestess... I’m surprised. I was surprised.”
Amelia, who had been looking down and biting her nails, suddenly raised her head. Louis, who had come over to stop Amelia, who was not responding, was startled and took a step back.
“...Why are you like that?”
Spending the night with Ivan was dangerous for him. As Aaron had warned, the moment the truth was known, he would pressure the royal family to the point of even going to war.
“Don’t think that Louis is the only one watching over you and the child in the palace.”
But if she didn't follow Aaron's orders, there was no way to know what he would do to Ian. Amelia couldn't even keep track of the number of servants passing by Ian, and it was even more unclear which of them were Aaron's lackeys.
“What should I do...”
***
Mrs. Howard crossed the threshold of Amelia's bedroom, holding Ian gently in her arms.
“Welcome, Mrs. Howard.”
Amelia, who was sitting on the chair, stood up and reached out her hand. Mrs. Howard naturally handed the child over to Amelia.
"Thank you."
“Are you sure you’ll be okay without a breastfeeder?”
Of course, Ian found it easy to find comfort and fell asleep quickly by Amelia's side. However, it was worrisome to be left alone with Amelia without a wet nurse, with a child who needed to be breastfed every three hours. That was what Mrs. Howard thought.
“It’s okay. I used to make milk porridge and feed it to him when I didn’t have anyone to breastfeed him. And now, I’m at the point where I only need to do it once a night.”
However, she couldn't insist on keeping a wet nurse by her side even though Amelia said so much. From Amelia's perspective, it would be more difficult to stay in the same bedroom with a servant who could watch me.
“If you are uncomfortable to the point of not being able to sleep, be sure to call Karen.”
It was best to add something like that. Amelia nodded with a smile.
“Don’t worry, I’ll do that, so just go out.”
Mrs. Howard took a step that she had hesitated over several times. Amelia finally felt at ease and held Ian in her arms, rubbing her face against his soft, smooth skin. Ian smiled brightly, as if he was feeling good after drinking milk and taking a nap.
“Are you feeling good?”
Amelia placed Ian's body on her thighs with her feet up on the chair. Ian babbled, waving his arms in the air, enjoying the vibrations that his body would feel whenever he moved his thighs.
“You’re cute.”
Amelia whispered as she kissed Ian on the forehead. She wanted Ivan to see this, too. That's why she insisted on keeping him away from the nannies and letting him sleep in her own bedroom.
“If your father had seen it, he would have said it was cute.”
“Father, who doesn’t even exist... If it were me, I would finish what you tell me to do as soon as possible and then leave freely.”
Louis could be heard clicking her tongue as if she were seriously ill. Of course, Amelia didn't care at all. It was Louis who had reported it to Aaron as soon as she noticed the child's hair color. She had never imagined that Louis would love Ian, who was useless.
“Louis, I want to rest comfortably, so please leave.”
"Yes."
“You don’t have to come back until I call you.”
Amelia coldly ordered her out of the room. Louis walked to her bedroom with a fresh face. She had already finished eating, and it was soon time to go to bed, so it seemed like there was nothing to worry about.
Even the final exit was unpleasant. However, what Aaron said was not wrong. He said that if things could be concluded well, she and Ian could become free.
“When will Ivan come?”
Amelia muttered.
“Do you want to see it too?”
Ian asked with a smile on his face. The boy who didn't even know who his parents were babbled. It sounded like an answer, so she couldn't help but laugh. He seemed to be growing up by the day, eating and sleeping well under the familiar care of his nannies.
Suddenly, she remembered the time shortly after Ian was born. He is now so plump and chubby, but when he was first born, he was really small. And for some unknown reason, he cried loudly, making Amelia flustered. It was even more confusing because he didn't even have Louis's hand. In fact, even now, it's hard to know exactly what the child wants, but at that time, the sky really looked yellow.
“Just wait a moment, and he’ll be here.”
There were days when she cried with her child while she was struggling. Because she didn't know what was in her child's mind, because there was no one to help her, and because she missed Ivan, who was reflected in her child's face.
There is no way to know if Ivan felt the same way at that time.
“...Shall we lie down and rest for a while?”
Amelia doesn't know why she keeps feeling so anxious these days. Amelia shook her head and got up from her seat while holding Ian. She lay Ian down on the bed and lay down next to him.
“Uh, ahh...”
Ian, who couldn't understand his mother's anxiety, clenched and unclenched his hands, moving them busily. Watching him, she thought that maybe he was thinking of other things because life was worth living.
How peaceful it is. There were days when she wished she could just watch this scene without worry.
Don't think of anything strange. Amelia consoled herself as she patted the child's plump belly. Then, as if blocking out her head, which had become complicated by too many thoughts, her eyes began to close dimly. Her hands also slowed down and stopped at some point.
“Sorry, I dozed off for a bit.”
If Ian hadn't started crying, she would have really fallen asleep. Amelia instinctively opened her eyes at the sound of the baby crying, sat up, and pulled down the neckline of her nightgown to breastfeed the baby.
“You must be hungry.”
Of course, Ian calmed down quickly. Amelia covered her mouth with one hand and yawned loudly only after confirming that Ian was still eating. It was because she was still half-asleep.
Only then could she hear and see the surroundings. Through the slightly open window, she could hear the sound of insects, and dark moonlight was streaming down over the bed. It was peace itself.
"Who..."
In the meantime, it would have been so if it weren't for the strange figure leaning against the table. Amelia tensed up and pulled Ian close, hugging him tightly.
“Ivan?”
However, the moment she saw the blond hair that was clear even in the pale moonlight, her guard was bluntly cut down. Ivan, who had been quietly standing in his seat, raised his body completely and stood in his seat at Amelia's muttered name.
“Your reflexes are scary.”
Ivan walked slowly and sat on the edge of the bed.
“I thought he was crying, so I tried to comfort him by holding him, but you woke up first.”
Amelia nodded with a bewildered expression at Ivan's words.
“When did you come?”
“About an hour ago.”
“I told you to wake me up.”
“It seemed like you were sleeping deeply, so I was going to watch you for a bit and then leave.”
While answering Amelia's questions, Ivan's eyes were fixed on Ian. He must have seen him several times already, but the child's eyes were curious. It seemed as if he had recognized his existence anew.
“You’re so greedy.”
Ian had his eyes closed, perhaps half-asleep, but he was still burying his head in her chest, and his mouth was moving busily.
“Does he look like me?”
Ivan muttered. Ivan’s long fingers gently stroked Ian’s forehead and nose. Only then did Ian open his eyes. His eyes, deep as night, like Amelia’s, were clearly visible.
“It’s pretty.”
Amelia asked in a whisper. Only then did Ivan's gaze leave the child and turn to Amelia. It seemed as if he understood her eagerly waiting for an answer, even in the dark.
"Yes."
Ivan's voice was somewhat dry, but it gave Amelia the answer she wanted. Then, the faint worry on Amelia's face completely disappeared. It was a relief that it had been such a futile emotion.
“...It sucks well.”
Of course, that was before Ivan let out a bold exclamation. Amelia, who felt embarrassed despite knowing that Ivan’s gaze was fixed on the child’s face, carefully turned her body to the side.
Support Novellate!
Comments
Post a Comment