"Hey there."
The Crown Princess, composing herself with a few deep breaths, called for the royal doctor.
"Is there any way to confirm pregnancy other than checking the menstrual cycle?"
It was a meaningless question.
The royal doctor seemed to glance at my face with a sigh, then shook his head.
"I apologize, Your Highness. Considering the average gestational age at which morning sickness occurs, it is difficult to determine pregnancy at this time based on the presence or absence of menstruation."
"Your Highness!"
I quickly knelt on the bed and called the Crown Princess.
Her eyes widened.
"I am fully aware of your concerns, Your Highness. However, that is truly not the case. His Highness is a very gentlemanly person to me. Please dispel your misunderstanding."
"Tell only the truth. I know you are in a position you cannot refuse, so if you tell only the facts, I will not blame you."
"It is the truth! How could I tell Your Highness a lie? I am certainly not pregnant!"
“Why are you so sure?”
"Yes?"
"Leaving aside the issue of whether or not the period is present, as it cannot be immediately proven to be true, my point is that since the belly is not even swollen yet, how can you be sure whether the vomiting is due to illness or a symptom of pregnancy?"
...You're right? You're sharp.
Come to think of it, from the very beginning, it was the kind of doubt that wouldn't go away even if I explained the reason for my pain!
But!
"The reason I am certain is that His Royal Highness the Prince has never laid a finger on me. He has not committed any act that could have led to pregnancy..."
“...”
"Of course, I know it is difficult to prove with words alone. But isn't my body the evidence?"
I prostrated myself.
"Please believe me, Your Highness. If there is even the slightest lie in my current statement, then... cut off my head!"
The final decisive move!
The Crown Princess was surprised.
"How disrespectful! How could I behead a pregnant woman with the royal heir!"
"I did not! I am telling you this because absolutely nothing of the sort happened!"
I lifted my head toward the Crown Princess while lying face down and choked up to look as pitiful as possible.
"...Ha."
After a long while, she took a deep breath and spoke.
"Right, surely you wouldn't risk your life to tell a lie. Since you've gone this far, I'll believe you."
“Th-thank you, Your Highness!”
"I'm truly sorry if it was a misunderstanding, but I hope you understand that I can't help but be sensitive about this issue."
"Yes, of course."
"I am not doing this just to put my mind at ease; since the prestige of our Imperial Family is at stake, I must address this matter definitively."
"Yes, I know."
"Thank you for understanding. Then..."
***
At that time.
Crown Prince, Bane's Room.
After hearing the whole story, Bane remained silent. After thinking for a moment, he asked his younger brother with his eyes half-closed.
"You're sure it's a misunderstanding, right?"
"Yes?"
"I asked if there was no chance it's actually morning sickness, rather than just simple vomiting."
"...?! Older brother!"
Nike wore a rare look of shock.
Brotherly love falling apart into pieces!
“Hey!”
Ryan hurriedly interrupted and spoke to Bane.
"You know better than anyone what kind of person His Royal Highness the Prince is, so why do you say such things that hurt our feelings? Besides, I have kept my daughter by my side 24 hours a day, so there is no need to worry."
"I'm asking because that's not the case. Weren't the two of them together at Belzer during the last awards ceremony, too, even though your eyes weren't there?"
“...”
...Huh? You're right?
Ryan, his eyes wide, turned to look at Nike.
Nike, whose face had turned bright red, immediately took a deep breath.
Before he could yell, Ryan laughed heartily and stopped him.
"Oh come on, you know that's not true. Just kidding, just kidding. Anyway, this is not the time to fight. I should be thinking about how to clear up Her Highness's misunderstanding."
"If Vania really isn't pregnant, there's nothing to undo. She just needs to see a doctor."
At Bane's words, Ryan and Nike's eyes widened.
"Let her stay longer until she is ready. The issue of the Imperial Grandson is a grave matter, so we cannot avoid addressing it."
"Stay longer? Are you saying we should stay longer than scheduled?"
"Yes."
Bane nodded at Ryan's question.
"Since things have turned out this way, it would be good to prepare for the royal wedding at the same time. I will send a doctor when the time comes, so have Vania's condition examined."
***
Male.
Single.
It has been well over a decade since he received sex education.
He has never had contact with the opposite sex.
Perhaps that is why, surprisingly, the two men.
"It is a relief that the doctor knows just by looking."
"I know."
He did not realize that the remark about sending a doctor when the time came meant checking for pregnancy when Vania's period began.
"It's not like she has any special abilities, but the Imperial doctor is definitely different."
"Let's go tell them right away."
He simply ran to Vania, happy that the misunderstanding had been resolved quickly.
Finally, they arrived at Vania's room.
The two men were surprised by the sight that unfolded before their eyes as soon as the door opened.
The soft melody fills the room.
An imperial court musician was playing the organ in one corner of the room.
A lady-in-waiting with a neat appearance was also seen.
She lit some fragrant herbs, then headed to the bed holding a bowl of fruit.
And...
She put a cherry into the mouth of Vania, who was lying down without lifting a finger.
"You came?"
Vania waved her hand while munching on a cherry.
Maidens were clinging to her arms and legs, giving her massages.
“W-what are you doing?”
Ryan, dumbfounded, asked.
Vania spoke to the attendants with a calm expression.
"Could you please step aside for a moment?"
“Yes, Young Lady.”
"I will wait outside, so please call me back."
The people inside the room rushed out in an instant.
Ryan hurried over.
“Why are those people acting like that?”
"Because the royal grandson is here."
Vania stroked her flat belly and said.
Ryan, his eyes wide with surprise, immediately turned to look at Nike.
“No!”
The wronged Nike shouted.
"Dad, are you stupid? That's not it. From their perspective, they have no choice because there is a royal descendant here."
As Vania explained, Ryan let out a sigh and clutched his chest, then was immediately shocked.
"So you don't even have a child, but are you bossing around servants as part of your prenatal care? What kind of audacious scam is this?"
"It's not a lie. Since Her Royal Highness the Crown Princess visited earlier, I clearly told her that I am not pregnant. However, I cannot prove it right now."
“Huh, so they're treating me like a Princess because there might be a royal descendant?”
"That's right. They are all people sent by Her Highness the Crown Princess. If there were a real royal heir, I wouldn't even be able to leave the palace. That is why I have to let them know I'm not pregnant before I go."
Vania put another cherry in her mouth and chewed.
"The issue of the royal descendant is a sensitive matter, so it can't be helped. I have to stay here for about three more weeks to see a doctor, so if you're busy, you can go ahead."
“...”
“...”
"It's actually for the best. It seems Her Highness is planning to hurry up the wedding preparations because there is a possibility that I really am pregnant."
“...”
“...”
"Since I'm staying anyway, I might as well get ready. Besides, I had business in the capital to attend to, didn't I? I was planning to visit Richard, too."
Blushing, Vania speaks to Nike.
"I probably won't be able to go outside without the Prince accompanying me. Could you come with me?"
"Ah."
Nike nodded and sat on Vania's bed, saying
"That's not difficult, but why do I have to see the doctor in three weeks?"
“..?”
Vania frowned for a moment, and Ryan was also puzzled.
"It looks like you're bringing in a powerful figure from somewhere other than the Imperial Palace."
“...”
Vania was stunned.
Two men who thought they would understand and move on if told they had to stay for three more weeks, but who asked it unexpectedly.
“I couldn't believe it, but you really have the superpower to detect pregnancy?”
“...Heh.”
Nike just calmly burst out at Ryan's bullshit.
"I said what it is. Is the assemblyman really coming in three weeks?"
Ryan pestering, curious.
"Is that so?"
Nike tilts her head while making eye contact.
Vania felt rejected as she looked back and forth between him, who seemed so innocent, and Ryan, who was clueless in strange situations.
'I didn't know that.'
Then I guess I should tell you, right?
You just need to show the council members that you are having your period next month.
Yeah, well. It's not like there's anything to be ashamed of.
It's not, but...
Vania saw Ryan first.
Next is Nike.
'This way would be better.'
Of course, he is the only one, but a boyfriend with various memories was chosen.
Vania hesitantly brought her mouth to Nike's ear.
Ryan looked at the two standing close together with a bewildered expression.
For some reason, as Nike listened to Vania's whispering words, her face gradually turned red, and she suddenly stood up.
"Sorry."
“...Yeah.”
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