15. Snow Moon Flower – 05
“It looks like I’ve conceived Cain’s child. Duke Estelle.”
The next morning, after dinner, while the members of the Estelle duke family were enjoying dessert, Iris spat out a bomb-like remark without any prior warning.
“…Yes?”
As she sipped black tea in an elegant manner according to the imperial etiquette, everyone else’s eyes, including Duke Estelle, widened at her remarks in a nonchalant tone, as if asking what the breakfast menu was just before. Of course, Iris was still savoring the black tea leisurely with a nonchalant expression.
“…what did you just say, my lord? Could you please say it again?”
Duke Estelle stuttered, suspecting that her ears might have been damaged and heard strange noises, but Iris nodded slightly as if understanding Duke Estelle, who was showing such an appearance, and spoke in a very clear tone. opened his mouth again.
“Let me say it one more time. It meant that Cain’s child was now conceived in my belly. In terms of duration, it was about 3 months. Since it has already been confirmed by the doctor, I think it is safe to say that there is no room for doubt. Let us congratulate you on gaining a new heir who will continue the Duke of Estelle in the future. duke.”
“…under. That’s what you say, thank you. Lowering.”
After hearing congratulations directly from the expectant mother herself, reason slowly began to return to Duke Estelle’s mind. So, to briefly summarize what the princess said, would it mean that a child is currently growing in her belly? And that’s none other than Cain’s child?
…But weren’t those two still in an unmarried state? According to the law of the Empire, the two may not be married yet, but the fact that Cain impregnated the poor princess means-
“…Huh, really. I will turn around.”
When Duke Estelle looked at Cain sitting with an involuntary laugh, the only thing he could see there was a scene of an idiot staring blankly at the princess’s face with a dumbfounded expression and blinking eyes. .
Does that mean that the guy who was so ignorant and acted like a sage and worried that he would be able to get married properly, let alone grandchildren, has now impregnated the princess of the empire? Even with a premarital pregnancy?
‘…that’s amazing. If His Majesty finds out about this, it won’t be a big fuss.’
If the emperor, who still terribly cares for his one and only daughter, finds out about this fact, he might try to grind Cain and drink it whole. But when I thought about it, wasn’t it three months ago when Cain and the princess went to the island? As the system was the emperor’s front yard, it would have been difficult to avoid the emperor’s attention no matter where he was or what he did. Does that mean, then, that the emperor allowed his daughter to lie on the bed before marriage with Cain?
As Duke Estelle stared blankly at Cain and Iris in a stunned state at this completely unexpected situation, everyone in the room also remained silent without showing any reaction.
pair, pair, pair.
Until the sound of applause from Kirie, who was smiling broadly as if she had heard some genuinely interesting news, filled the room.
“This is truly auspicious news, my lord. I would like to express my sincere congratulations to you here.”
Saying that, Kyrie looked at Ariel with a meaningful look, and soon smiled as if she was just interested. Ariel, knowing all too well the meaning of Kyrie’s stare at her, unknowingly clenched her fists tightly, but even Ariel’s actions were seen as nothing but cute charms to Kyrie. there was.
“Thank you for saying that, Kyrie.”
“Oh, I’m a bit disappointed that you responded like that. Lady Princess, no matter how you look at it, I’m congratulating you from the bottom of my heart.”
Of course, Kyrie, who was giggling and saying such things, showed no sincerity at all. However, what can I do? He’s saying he’s serious, but he can’t go there and run into it.
The problem wasn’t just Iris and Kyrie. Duke Estelle, who read the subtle flow of air flowing among all the women sitting here, just looked at her son with a curious look.
It was a phenomenon that he could not understand at all with his common sense. Wherever I go in the world, what on earth do women who are beautiful enough to claim to be mine cling to their sons? Why on earth did he cling to Cain despite the fact that there were so many other competitors besides himself? why? wherefore?
‘…Could it be that he caught some kind of weakness?’
Looking at Cain, thinking that his son might be the real me, in a way, Cain, noticing Duke Estelle’s gaze, frowned and grumbled in a small voice.
“You can see very clearly what you are thinking. Ever since I was little, my father used to look at me with that kind of eye every time I did something stupid.”
“Yeah, well done. Are you saying that any parent in the world would applaud the news that their only son impregnated a woman before marriage? Did you think I would at least compliment you?”
“…father. Anyway, it’s in front of grandchildren. Why don’t you write only the right and kind words as much as possible? I did a lot of research and found that bad words are not very good for a child’s prenatal education. Even when watering a plant, if you say a lot of bad words, it will wither quickly. How much more will the child be affected?”
Duke Estelle finally twisted his eyebrows at Cain’s quiet tone, which seemed to be admonishing him.
“Now it seems I said a lot of bad things in front of Emily when she had you. Otherwise, there’s no way you’d be like this.”
“…Duke Estelle. Can you bring me back a little calm? I still have a few things left to tell you.”
Iris, who had touched her forehead once as if her head was pounding, carefully stroked her lower belly once.
“I thought about it a bit all night, but I think it’s better to have a baby here than to go back to the island and have a baby.”
“…yes?”
“What else do you mean by that?”
Duke Estelle and Cain, who had been staring at her at Iris’ words, suddenly widened their eyes.
It’s a new word, but Iris el Devhart is the only princess in the empire, and at the same time, a powerful successor to the throne. In other words, she is a woman with a status that is almost certain to become the next emperor.
It is not an exaggeration to say that she has the most noble lineage in the empire, and the child she will give birth to in the future will also naturally become a member of the imperial family.
But now, Iris had declared that she would not make her child a member of the royal family, but a member of the Duke of Estelle. If a child were to be born in the Duchy of Estel, rather than in the capital, that child would have a deeper relationship with the Duke of Estel than with the imperial family, albeit nominally.
“…is that really possible? I don’t know, but His Majesty would be very angry if he found out about this.”
It was a very welcome news that her grandson would become a member of the Estelle duke family, not the imperial family, but even so, the duke of Estelle, who could not help but notice the emperor, had no choice but to look at Iris with a worried look. The possibility that Cain and Iris’s child would be accepted as a member of the Duke of Estelle was extremely slim in the royal family, which was already known for its precious hands.
“It has nothing to do with Your Majesty, Duke Estelle.”
Iris spoke without hesitation.
“Currently, my name is Iris El Devhard, but I am planning to change my name to Iris von Estel soon. I want the child I will give birth to be the heir to Duke Estelle and Cain, not a member of the imperial family. Because this child must be the child between me and Cain.”
Iris von Estelle.
As soon as Iris heard the name come out of her mouth, Ariel, who was still by her side, was shocked as if her heart sank. As soon as she heard the name, she involuntarily recalled the memory of that time-
– Ariel von Estel. That’s my new name.
– …Von Estel is nothing more than a name that has no value anymore.
– Could it be? It’s not worthless. Because my last name and your last name are the same, right? That alone is of great value to me.
– To be honest, I thought the surname Thier was pretty good.
– Thier is not a last name. It is nothing more than a title. It’s a title that has been given only to saints for generations, but it’s also a title that doesn’t suit me anymore. So please call me Ariel von Estel. for a lifetime to come. Continue.
– It’s a name you’ll grow tired of hearing in the future, don’t you like it?
– …for life. How great it would be if I could live with that name for the rest of my life.
Ariel’s eyes blurred. Unknowingly, the dizziness that attacked her made her stumble.
– Don’t worry, Ariel von Estel.
He was awkward and stiff, but at the same time, he remembered him when he warmly embraced her.
– If it’s for you, I’ll call that name over and over again.
“…Eh, Elena.”
Ariel, without realizing it, called the name of Elena, who maintains the closest relationship between her and the Duke of Estelle. He fumbled with his hand to find Elena, who had just been sitting next to him. Anyone is fine, so he just wanted an ally to be by his side at this moment.
…However, Elena was no longer by Ariel’s side.
“…Sir, excuse me. Lowering.”
Elena was already standing in front of Iris with a curious face on her face.
“Yeah, what is it? Elena.”
With Elena in front of her eyes, Iris’ face and tone changed to a mild attitude in an instant, as if it were a lie.
“…Well, if you’re not rude, would it be all right if I touch the poor man’s stomach just once?”
With Elena in front of her, who is staring at her with bright eyes, Iris smiles as if she is cute.
“As long as you are.”
After Iris’s permission is granted, Elena cautiously places her hand on Iris’ belly. Very cautious, maintaining a very gentle demeanor, Elena rubs her belly gently.
“…How amazing. To think that the child of an older brother and a lower child is growing up here.”
“And also your nephew. Even the child in the womb will be very happy to know that Auntie has taken care of him.”
“I, really?”
“Oh, and Elena, I have one favor for you.”
“Please. Call it Hamyeong, low rank.”
Iris looks at her with a pleased attitude as Elena responds with clenched fists.
“Could you call me Iris, Elena?”
At Iris’ words, Elena was taken aback and waved her hand while looking at her.
“I-how can I… I can’t call the name of the lowly princess carelessly. Please take your words away.”
“Sorry, but I hope you will call me by name.”
Saying that, Iris held Elena’s hand tightly.
“Aren’t we supposed to be a family in the future? But if you can’t even call the same family by name, can you really call it a family?”
Elena’s eyes lit up as if moved by Iris’ words, and Cain, who had been watching her from the side, let out a small sigh.
“…Elena, the servant and I have not yet been married, so we must not call the servant by his name. You should never fall for such shallow tricks.”
“Excuse me, Cain. I am nothing more than a proposition to the future lady, based on goodwill.”
Cain and Iris smile and joke at each other. Indeed, it must have been a harmonious atmosphere, as if drawn in a painting. Cain, who had been watching the whole scene with satisfaction, suddenly remembered something and hurriedly looked behind him.
Looking at them, Bianca has a small smile on her lips.
Aria seems to be deep in thought.
For some reason, Sarah has been maintaining a gloomy expression for some reason.
Kirie, who had been smiling meaninglessly since earlier.
and-
“…uh?”
No matter where she looked, Ariel was nowhere to be found.
As if it never existed in this place from the beginning.