Chapter 172

The imperial family’s summer palace is in the northwest of the empire. People called this summer palace a ‘water castle’. It was undoubtedly named because of the large lake that surrounds the castle.

This castle is in the middle of a lake that is wide enough to contain a village. To be precise, the castle was built on a small island in the middle of a lake. From a distance, the castle appears to be floating above the lake thanks to the rock walls that surround the island.

Astelle opened the window and looked at the white castle wall in the distance.

“We have arrived.”

A castle made of pure white stone was reflected on the deep blue lake. Its appearance reminded you of a pure white boat floating on the water.

“It’s really pretty. It looks like a castle from a fairy tale!”

Theor, who had been sleeping in Astelle’s lap, got up and looked out the window, exclaiming.

Astelle smiled at the sight.

Brilliant sunlight poured into the carriage. In front of them, the blue lake was calmly rippling in the clear sunlight.

The carriage drove towards the lake along a dirt road in the afternoon heat.

Theor couldn’t fall from the window while looking at the lake and the castle. Astelle also admired the beautiful scene wrapped in sunlight.

“What a beautiful place.”

She had been here several times when she was young, but seeing it after such a long time gave her a new feeling.

It wasn’t planned, but I still think it was a good thing that I decided to come here.

Kaizen, who was sitting across from Astelle, gave a satisfied smile as if he had noticed her feelings.

“Why are you smiling?” asked Astelle.

“Because you look comfortable here.”

“We haven’t even arrived yet.”

Of course, in a few minutes, they’ll be in the castle.

Kaizen laughed softly and murmured, “Still, I couldn’t see such a comfortable smile in the imperial palace.”

“…….”

Is that so?

It’s a bit tiring in the imperial palace. She has a lot of work to do and a lot of eyes on her.

While Astelle was thinking that, the carriage crossed the bridge and entered the castle.

After passing through the white castle wall, the front yard of the castle covered with greenery came out.

They decided to stay at this castle for about 15 days.

Originally, this is a vacation for the three of them.

As soon as the decision was made to go on vacation, Kaizen suggested, “I think it would be good to go with the Marquis of Carlenberg.”

As expected, Astelle was very happy.

“Thank you, Your Majesty. I will tell my grandfather.”

Kaizen added one more person before preparing to depart.

“Let’s take Miss Gretel too. She has suffered in many ways, and I haven’t compensated her either.”

He said so, but the real reason he wanted to take Gretel was for Astelle’s sake.

He would bring many doctors, including the imperial court doctor, but he thought it would be good to have a reliable pharmacist as well.

If it’s Gretel, Astelle would be able to consult with her about her physical condition comfortably.

Astelle hesitated a little this time. “Well, she’s currently busy preparing for herbal school, I don’t know if she’d like to join……. Let me ask her first.”

Fortunately, Gretel readily agreed. She was delighted and honored to be able to go to the summer palace.

However, she asked one question. “Is Duke going too? Or will he be in the capital all summer because of work?”

“I don’t know.”

Hearing this, Theor started begging Astelle.

“Mom, can’t Uncle Fritz go with us too?”

Astelle pondered for a bit, then she asked Kaizen.

“Can’t Fritz go with us too?”

There was no need to say no.

In the past, it was common to invite close nobles to the imperial family’s vacation.

Kaizen allowed it without hesitation.

“Do as you please. You can take whoever you want.”

As he recalled his memories of that day, Kaizen felt a bit regretful.

After some time, Astelle invited Seibel. In addition, Lyndon, who had to follow because he is the head of the Guards Division, and Hannah, who had to follow Astelle to serve him, were also included in this summer vacation.

In the end, the imperial family’s summer vacation turned into a trip that everyone went with: Astelle, Theor, Kaizen, the Marquis of Carlenberg, Hannah, Fritz, Gretel, Lyndon, and Seibel.

‘If Duke were alive, I think she would have brought him too.’

Seeing the people getting off the carriages, Kaizen shook his head slightly.

Deep down, he wanted to spend cozy time with his family. Because this is the first and last summer that the three of them will spend together.

Last year was so hectic that he didn’t even know how the seasons went. Fortunately, this year is going peacefully.

Except for Astelle who easily runs out of stamina, there’s nothing to worry about.

Astelle hadn’t eaten properly the entire time she came here.

She seemed more comfortable than when she was in the imperial palace, but she was losing her stamina more and more.

It was frustrating because he still couldn’t figure out what the problem was.

‘I wish you could rest and recover here.’

Kaizen hid his worries and smiled at Astelle.

As they entered the castle, a more beautiful scenery unfolded than when they saw it from the outside.

To match the swan-like white exterior, the castle is also full of bright and charming furniture in cream and light blue.

“Can I take a look at the castle?” asked Theor as he walked in.

“Shall we take a look first?”

While the others unpack and rest, Astelle decided to take Theor along with Kaizen to look around the castle.

An elderly attendant guided them.

Even though it’s a separate palace for the imperial family, the castle itself isn’t very large.

It’s a small and cozy place consisting of several castle towers on a three-story scale.

Theor loved it, saying it was like a castle in a fairy tale.

“If you go this way, you can see the lake.”

There is a promenade for walking along the lake shore behind the wall. The three looked around the castle and went there.

The weather is dazzlingly clear. Astelle walked along the lake shore holding up the umbrella brought by the maid.

Theor walked along the wall and looked at the pebbles on the lake shore.

Every time the transparent water gently rippled, the colored pebbles shimmered and shone.

“You can swim in the lake.”

“Really?”

Theor rejoiced at the explanation of the servant.

He looks like he’s going to jump into the lake with Blynn at any moment.

Astelle hurriedly said, “Today is the first day we arrived, so let’s play by the lakeside and go boating in the evening.”

Theor looked a little disappointed but nodded his head obediently.

“Yes, mother.”

He replied politely, and he ran forward first.

The old attendant looked at the young prince as if he was proud of him, but Astelle felt a bit complicated.

‘He’s more mature and listens to me better now.’

I think he’s growing up too fast.

Kaizen, perhaps noticing Astelle’s bewildered mood, came to her side.

“He is worried about you.”

“Yes?”

Kaizen looked at Theor playing by the lakeside and smiled bitterly.

“I think he also noticed that everyone is worried about you. He’s worried that you’re having a hard time because you can’t even eat properly.”

‘Oh, my…….’

It’s a pity that young Theor is worrying about that.

I’m not even sick, but I worried him.

From now on, I have to force myself to eat well in front of Theor.

Fortunately, Theor seems very happy to be here.

“He likes it more than I thought.”

Astelle said while looking at Theor who was a few steps ahead, walking around the lake with Blynn.

Kaizen, who was walking by the lake, looked back at Astelle standing in the clear sunlight.

Wearing a light muslin dress instead of a stuffy and heavy dress, Astelle looked comfortable and happy after a long time.

“You look happy too.”

Astelle smiled a little awkwardly.

“It’s been a long time since I’ve been spending a leisurely time like this.”

As she said, she was able to rest comfortably for the first time in a long time.

In the imperial palace, she was always tired of maintaining her dignity as an empress.

Even when she went on tour, she couldn’t rest as comfortably as she does now because she thought she had to look like an empress.

This is basically a resort, and there are only a handful of attendants and relatives, so the tension naturally eased.

Is this why people go on vacation?

The hot sunlight brightly illuminated the grass on the lakeside. Heat rose from the sun-kissed walls like a haze.

As she was walking slowly, Astelle suddenly felt her vision blur.

Suddenly, the surroundings shook as if an earthquake had occurred, and the world slowly tilted.

“Astelle!”

Kaizen’s scream was heard from the side.

* * *

It is said that the happiest days of a vacation are the first and second days.

The first day hasn’t even passed yet.

I don’t know why it’s already like this even though I haven’t even started the vacation, let alone enjoy it.

Astelle sat leaning against the bed and had such a thought.

“How could this happen!”

Next to her, Kaizen was angry at the doctor.

“I- I apologize, Your Majesty.”

The old doctor sweated profusely and bowed his head.

“Your Majesty, I am fine.”

Lying on the bed, Astelle reassured Kaizen.

“You almost fainted.”

Kaizen, who was angry at the doctor for a long time, turned to Astelle.

Astelle sighed.

She only looked around the sunlit lake shore, but she suddenly felt dizzy and staggered.

Fortunately, Kaizen next to her was surprised and caught her. If he didn’t, she would have fallen to the floor.

As soon as she arrived, she was dizzy and almost fainted. She had no appetite, and now she has no energy.

“You seem a bit exhausted,” said the doctor after examining Astelle closely.

“A bit exhausted? Why did she faint then?”

“I didn’t faint. I was a bit dizzy……. I think it’s because I was tired from coming a long way. I’ll feel better after I get some rest.”

Astelle soothed Kaizen. Although it was a little strange that it was herself who was sick and she had to soothe him.

Still, she felt sorry for Kaizen’s uneasy and nervous appearance.

“Mom, are you really okay?” asked Theor worriedly.

“I am. I just felt dizzy from the heat for a bit.”

Kaizen sighed. “Do nothing tomorrow and take a good rest in the castle.”

Astelle nodded her head.

“Let’s go out so your mother can rest,” said Kaizen while holding Theor’s hand.

When they came out of the room, they saw people waiting anxiously.

The Marquis, Fritz, and Gretel also came running after hearing the news.

“It’s not a big deal, so you don’t need to worry.”

Hearing those words, the people waiting in the break room were visibly relieved.

Hannah who was by Astelle’s side came out to escort Theor to his room.

“Your Highness, it is already late. Let’s eat before bed.”

Theor held Hannah’s hand and followed her with a languid face.

“Come to think of it, I guess everyone hasn’t even had dinner.”

“We are fine, Your Majesty,” answered Fritz, as if it was not a problem at all.

“I don’t know why she’s having such a hard time.” Kaizen lamented as he gulped down the drink brought by the servant.

“It seems to be because of her constitution,” said the Marquis calmly.

As Kaizen looked at him, the Marquis continued his explanation. “My wife also went through it, and so did my daughter.”

“My mother?” asked Fritz in surprise, as if he had never heard of such a thing.

The Marquis sighed sadly. “When she had you, she was fine, but when she had Astelle, she had a hard time.”

Gretel nodded her head. “It’s uncommon, but I’ve heard that some women have a harder time during their second pregnancy.”

“Is that uncommon?”

“For most, the first pregnancy is hard and the second is easy.”

The same disease can have slightly different symptoms from person to person. Likewise, the changes that occur in the body when having a baby are different from person to person.

Gretel explained it briefly, referring to pregnant women she had met.

“First of all, Her Majesty and the baby are all right, so there is no need to worry too much.”