Chapter 169

The Emperor and his party stayed at the Marquis of Carlenberg’s mansion for nearly 15 days.

Astelle was also very happy, but later on, she wondered if she might be a nuisance to her grandfather by staying so long.

Still, her grandfather did not feel uncomfortable in the slightest and treated the Emperor and his party without shortage.

Fortunately, after that, there was no heavy snow like the first day.

As soon as the snow on the road cleared, Theor went to his old house every day to play.

Astelle also had nothing to do at the mansion, so she followed Theor and visited there every day with Kaizen.

The three of them spent the whole day playing together in a familiar yard.

On the last day before leaving for the capital, the marquis also went with them to the old house.

“You look happy. It’s okay to stay a little longer.”

“I’ve been bothering you for too long. I have to go back now.”

“I’m sorry to hear that you’re going back.”

Astelle felt the same way. It was so sad to leave this place and say goodbye to her grandfather.

Still, Astelle decided to be optimistic.

“I’ll see you again in the spring.”

And this house too.

Now, when the opportunity arises, I can go here.

After Astell finished packing her things and loading them onto the carriage, she then came over to Theor and Kaizen playing in the yard.

“You two are very energetic. Get some rest for a while.”

Kaizen, Theor, and Blynn are playing ball in the snowy yard.

“I’ll take a break when Theor gets tired.” Kaizen shook his head.

While they were talking, Theor ran to the back of the yard with Blynn.

“Sometimes I think Theor is healthier than I am.”

“Are you very tired?”

At Astelle’s worried question, Kaizen smiled lightly.

“I’m fine. What about you?”

Astelle took out her handkerchief, smiling faintly. She then wiped the sweat from Kaizen’s forehead.

“Even though I’m tired, it’s not too hard because it’s so comfortable and fun here.”

I guess that’s why everyone comes out to play. When you’re having fun, you don’t feel tired.

It was evening, and the sun was already behind the foot of the mountain.

There was no one in the small yard with the setting sun except for the two of them.

Astelle looked at the white snow on the roof dyed red by the setting sun and lost in thought.

If there was just one mistake, there would be no such happiness.

With the help of her grandfather and Gretel, as well as Astelle’s own desperate efforts, she survived for six years here.

It was also thanks to Kaizen’s patience and his affection that she was able to pull it off so well after that.

Kaizen, who was watching the sunset, turned to Astelle.

“Shall we go back?”

Astelle took his hand with a faint smile.

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

I think I can go back really happy this time.

***

Spring in the capital came much earlier than in the East.

About a month after Astelle returned to the capital, the snow melted and new shoots began to sprout.

This year’s spring was shrouded in incredibly peaceful bliss.

“Theor, be careful and don’t look anywhere else.”

Astelle sighed as she looked out the window.

Theor, riding a pony on the lawn, spotted her and waved at her.

“Mother, I am fine. This is so much fun.”

“You still have to hold on to the reins.”

As soon as the cold weather subsided, Theor started practicing horseback riding in earnest.

Seibel, who was watching Theor, approached Astelle.

“His Highness the Crown Prince is surprisingly cautious, so you don’t have to worry.”

“Is that so?”

Well, he has never fallen from a horse so far.

“I can see that he is always careful not to get seriously injured even though he is actively moving. His Highness is born with a prudent personality.”

Seibel said that Theor resembles Astelle. She agreed.

‘Kaizen doesn’t even care if his own body gets hurt.’

Anyway, it’s a good thing that Theor was born with a prudent personality.

Seibel has been closer to Astelle since the last incident. Kaizen still looked slightly uncomfortable, but he didn’t bother saying anything.

Astelle smiled and asked Seibel. “Is the Count in good health? I haven’t seen him lately.”

“Yes. He has been busy with the new formations of the knights during the winter. He said that he would visit the Empress Palace sooner or later.”

Her mother’s diary she read at her grandfather’s mansion in the winter came to mind. But Astelle tried to push that memory out of her head.

Because sometimes it’s better to just put some things behind the walls of time.

Astelle looked at Theor for a moment, then suddenly remembered something and asked Seibel again. “Have you ever heard of Sir Vellian, how is he doing?”

“That friend of mine…….”

Seibel shook his head slightly after a moment’s pause.

“He sent long letters to me, saying that it was hard, but I think he is doing well.”

“I see.”

Astelle responded indifferently.

Even though he was kicked out, he is still an official, so there shouldn’t be any problem with making a living.

He still has to work hard though.

***

Spring has passed and it is now the beginning of summer.

As the weather grew warmer, good news reached the capital. Gretel, who had gone to the South, returned to the capital.

Theor got off his horse and rushed inside like a shot arrow.

“Aunt Gretel!”

“Your Highness the Crown Prince, you’ve really grown a lot,” Gretel exclaimed as she hugged Theor.

“I missed you, Aunt Gretel.”

Theor didn’t let go of his hug.

With Theor still in her arms, Gretel took out the vials she had brought with her.

After the construction of the herb plantation was completed in the Southern Mountains, Gretel stayed there all along.

Fortunately, herb cultivation was going smoothly.

“I’m glad the flowers bloomed unexpectedly quickly.”

Gretel placed the medicine made from the detoxifying herbs she had grown all winter long on the table.

How hard it must have been to grow herbs in the mountains. She looks thinner and tired.

Gretel must have had a lot of trouble while she was in the South.

Astelle took one vial with both hands and bowed to Gretel.

“Thank you, Gretel. I will never forget your help for the rest of my life.”

“What are you saying? Of course I have to help. Besides, it is to treat His Majesty the Emperor.”

Gretel waved her hand and smiled brightly.

Astelle also smiled. She asked, “Did my brother come with you too?”

“Yes, the duke really helped me a lot.”

Fritz had visited Gretel some time ago to check the plantation and returned to the capital together.

“How is His Majesty?”

“He’s still the same as before.”

Kaizen still looks fine. He is not sick and not particularly tired.

Astelle immediately asked Kaizen to come here.

After a while, Kaizen arrived.

He too welcomed Gretel.

“Miss Gretel, long time no see.”

“Greetings to Your Majesty the Emperor.”

Kaizen gulped down the medicine Gretel had brought.

Gretel made Kaizen drink a vial of medicine every day. After drinking seven vials in a week, Gretel examined Kaizen.

Thankfully, the results are hopeful.

“The poison is gradually fading.”

“Are you sure?”

“It’s not completely gone, but if the treatment continues like this, sooner or later the toxicity will disappear beyond recognition.”

Astelle was so happy that she was about to cry.

“Your Majesty, this is good news.”

Astelle was so moved that her tears welled up. Kaizen was rather embarrassed and calmed her down.

“It’s all thanks to Miss Gretel and you. I’d like to give Miss Gretel something. Tell me what you want.”

“Tha- thank you, Your Majesty. That…… then, I will think about it a little bit more.”

Astelle was deeply relieved.

“I’m more worried about you. You look tired every day. Your body is getting thinner day by day,” Kaizen said, wiping away her tears.

Astelle wiped away her tears and quickly changed the subject.

“I guess it’s because there’s a lot to do to prepare for the upcoming event.”

“Leave the preparations to Hannah.”

Astelle smiled and pushed him away slightly.

“It’s okay. Go back to the Imperial Palace now. You haven’t finished your work yet.”

Kaizen had a disapproving expression, but he couldn’t help it because Gretel was also by her side, so he eventually withdrew.

There was still deep affection in his eyes as he looked at Astelle.

“I’ll be back in the evening.”

“Yes, I will be waiting for you.”

After sending him away, Astelle approached Gretel, who was packing her things.

“One moment, Gretel. I have a favor to ask of you.”

“Yes? What is it?”

Astelle quietly told her about her situation.

Gretel replied, “Don’t worry. I happen to have the medicine for that. Let me examine you.”

Astelle wondered why Gretel brought that medicine.

But she didn’t bother asking, because she also wanted to know the results right away.

After a while, Gretel went back.

Sitting quietly by the window, Astelle was looking at the garden full of flowers.

Fragrant flowers and green leaves adorned the garden beautifully.

Memories from long ago came to mind.

Six years ago, the moment when she first learned of Theor’s existence and felt confusion and fear.

She had to flee to the countryside, frightened of losing her baby.

At the time, there was no time to appreciate and rejoice in Theor’s existence.

But this time is different.

Astelle carefully placed her hand on her belly. There is no sign of it yet, but new life is growing within it.

That fact filled her with joy. And this time there is one more person to rejoice.

It was after sunset when Kaizen went to the Empress Palace. He went looking for Theor first as usual.

Theor was playing in the garden today too.

After seeing Theor, Kaizen went to Astelle.

“Her Majesty the Empress is in her study.”

“At this hour?”

The sun has set, why is she still in her study?

I told her to rest because she looked tired this morning.

Kaizen came into the study to meet Astelle.

When he opened the door, he saw Astelle looking out the window.

“Astelle?”

Kaizen came inside, looking at Astelle in wonder.

Astelle slowly turned to him and smiled.

“Your Majesty, I have something to tell you.”

Kaizen approached her with a very serious expression.

He seemed worried that something big was going on.

“What is it?”

Astelle took a deep breath and said, “I think I have a baby.”

Kaizen froze.

Astelle smiled at him and touched her belly.

It was a few days ago that she felt something wrong with her body.

She was about to call for a doctor, but Gretel came first. So she asked her to examine her.

Astelle continued, a little shyly. “I was examined by Gretel before I went to see a doctor. They said I am pregnant.”

As she continued her explanation, she avoided Kaizen’s gaze. She was shy for some reason.

But on the other hand, she wondered how Kaizen would react.

‘Will he be happy?’

The two now share a deep affection. Kaizen also loves Theor very much.

She thought Kaizen would definitely be happy, but he didn’t say anything.

She carefully raised her head and saw his red eyes frozen in a daze.

‘Why isn’t he saying anything?’

As soon as she felt anxious, Kaizen hugged her.

“Yo- Your Majesty?”

Embarrassed, Astelle called him.

At that moment, a low, trembling voice rang in her ears.

“Thank you, Astelle.”

In those short words, there was his deep sincerity.

“…….”

There is a feeling that can be conveyed without having to explain it out loud.

The deep love and affection could be felt through his arms embracing her.

Astelle closed her eyes, leaning into his arms.

The two shared a happy moment hugging each other.