Side Story(Final)

Vivian had put Adelaide and the twins to bed.

She had told Kailo to spend time with his family and enjoy the reunion, giving him the space he needed.

The twins had been helped by Adelaide to fall asleep, and then Adelaide was offered her favorite fairy tale and warmth, so everyone drifted off to sleep in peace.

A significant amount of time had passed.

“…Hoo.”

Vivian had achieved her goal of putting the children to bed, but she did not leave the room immediately.

She knew that she needed to go and talk to Kailo and his family, yet she lingered.

There was still an uneasy feeling in her heart.

Perhaps it was because of the way Kailo had clearly rejected her earlier that day.

…Has his love for her really faded?

Has she become unattractive to him?

Her heart was shaken by the anxiety that seemed to intensify with each passing moment.

Kailo’s change was unmistakable.

Linne’s words weren’t wrong.

Just because a couple doesn’t maintain an intimate relationship doesn’t mean their love has faded.

And Kailo must have been tired from taking care of the twins, too.

It couldn’t be said with certainty that his love had cooled off.

However, it was clear that there had been a change.

Whether it was related to love or something else, Vivian couldn’t know… but that change caused her anxiety.

She couldn’t help but feel that the pressure of not giving him a son had affected her deeply.

Their marriage had already lasted ten years.

The first three years, they had agreed not to have children, and so it had become even later.

Having the second and third child after Adelaide had come very late.

If the twins hadn’t been born, they would have only had two children.

Vivian was filled with guilt and impatience.

Didn’t Kailo’s brother, Reginald, take a concubine because his first wife couldn’t give him a son?

So many things were triggering her emotions.

“…Ha.”

Vivian sighed deeply before finally standing up.

If she waited too long, she might miss her chance to talk.

She had to go and see his family now.

Vivian quietly walked through the castle.

Most of the servants had already retired for the night, except for a few maidservants.

After telling them she didn’t need any assistance, she headed toward the small room where Kailo was having drinks with his family.

At the end of the hallway, a faint light seeped out from one of the rooms.

She could hear Kailo’s voice coming from inside.

“…Is that so? Now…?”

“…Well, that’s inevitable anyway…”

It seemed that Kailo and Jade Alan were having a deep conversation.

The other family members were nowhere to be seen, indicating that they had already left.

It was certainly very late.

Despite the fact that she had arrived too late, as she was about to enter the room, Vivian suddenly heard a voice that stopped her in her tracks.

“…So, what are you going to do? Are you going to take a concubine?”

It was Jade Allen’s voice.

Vivian hadn’t intended to eavesdrop, but she couldn’t help but freeze in place.

Her hand, which had been about to reach for the door handle, stopped.

Her body wouldn’t move.

Perhaps it was because the conversation seemed to relate to her recent concerns.

Kailo answered.

“…That’s not what I mean. I’m struggling with this too… Please wait.”

…Struggling?

What was he struggling with?

Could it be that he was seriously considering taking a concubine?

Jade Alan continued, his tone even.

“Still, shouldn’t you have a son? It’s not just our family, but even the Rondor family—”

At that moment, Kailo raised his voice.

“I will never…!”

Vivian hadn’t heard this tone from him in a long time—slightly angry, yet filled with emotion.

“I will never… think of having a child with someone else. Not while I’m with Vivian.”

Vivian’s heart dropped.

She felt as though her blood had drained from her body.

Her vision blurred slightly.

“…What?”

What was Kylo saying?

Could it be that his love for her had really faded?

She had believed they had built a happy family, but maybe that was not the case for him.

Could it be that he regretted marrying her and starting a family together?

Vivian stood frozen in the dark corridor, unable to enter the room.

She couldn’t show this vulnerable side to Adelaide, Meril, or Mariel.

Just as she stood there, alone with her fear, Kailo spoke again.

“Vivian… almost died giving birth to the twins.”

His voice, trembling slightly, was filled with deep fear.

Vivian’s stiff neck finally lifted.

“Vivian had a really hard time even with Adelaide. That’s why we waited so long to have the second and third children. I momentarily forgot, but now I remember how much pain she endured giving birth.”

Jade Alan was silent.

Kailo continued, as if confessing his inner turmoil.

“That’s why the next children came as twins. As I said before, I almost lost Vivian. I begged that she be saved, even if I lost both of the twins. I don’t care if both of them disappeared, just save Vivian…”

His voice grew more strained as he continued.

“And now, as Meril and Mariel grow older, I feel more and more like the demon inside me, the one who felt like I couldn’t save Vivian, is crushing me with guilt.”

Vivian’s eyes filled with tears.

Now she understood.

Why Kylo had been avoiding her all this time.

Why things changed after they had the twins.

Vivian was still thinking only about herself.

She didn’t understand Kailo’s fear at all.

She kept forgetting because he was strong.

That he also needed her.

It wasn’t that his love had faded, but that it had deepened.

Kailo firmly said.

“I don’t have the courage to have another child now. Vivian has already suffered enough.”

“Are you saying you’re giving up on a son then? Vivian would need a son too, wouldn’t she?”

“…I know. That’s why I haven’t told Vivian.”

“You need to talk to her, Kailo.”

“Father, I know Vivian. She’s someone who would do anything for me. If I told her not to have another child, she would agree without question. She wouldn’t care about the family line… she’d put her desires aside and do it just for me. I’ve told you, right? Vivian never wanted a daughter. She only ever wanted a son. How can I tell someone like that not to have a child?”

“…So, what are you going to do?”

“…Adopt a child, or take in an orphan…”

“A concubine?”

Kailo seemed to shake his head for a moment, and there was no answer.

“…I’ve told you. I don’t want that. If it’s the son of a concubine, then they wouldn’t carry the blood of Rondor, would they?”

“That’s the same as an adopted child or an orphan.”

-Squeak.

Finally, Vivian opened the door and entered the room.

Kailo was startled and stood up as soon as he saw her.

They could tell with just a glance.

She had overheard the conversation.

“I… I thought…”

Vivian wiped away her tears and approached Kailo.

“…I thought you had fallen out of love with me.”

Kailo quickly stepped forward and embraced her.

“Vivian, there’s no way I could fall out of love with you…”

“I know, but that’s how I felt.”

Kailo closed his eyes tightly and hugged her.

It was his apology to her.

Vivian accepted the hug and received his apology.

But the conversation was far from over.

“…I don’t want to have any more children.”

Kailo revealed his true feelings.

“…But I don’t want to just watch you suffer, helplessly. I don’t want that.”

On the other hand, Vivian asked.

“Now you understand how I felt?”

“What?”

“When you were protecting me… I felt the same. You got hurt, and I had to helplessly watch.”

Because of that memory, Vivian had always given in to Kailo over the ten years of their marriage.

No matter what he said, she respected his wishes.

It didn’t matter that much to her.

As long as Kailo was by her side, what did the small things matter?

It didn’t matter if she was more tired, poorer, or hungrier.

All she really needed was Kailo.

Now, this man was saying not to have any more children.

He said he was worried about her body.

She knew he had once wanted a son.

He had wanted a strong heir to support the family after she left.

He was now giving up on that desire—all because of her.

So, Vivian decided to go against his wishes for the first time.

“I… want to have a son.”

Vivian whispered.

“What?”

“I don’t want to, Kailo. Even if you’re scared… I don’t want that. I want to have a son.”

“…No.”

“I don’t want our relationship to get distant because of this. I don’t want you to regret this moment in the future. This time, I won’t back down.”

“…Vivian.”

“I’ve never asked you for something like this before. Please, just this once, listen to me.”

Fear clearly appeared on Kailo’s face.

But when Vivian firmly held his hand, he came to his senses.

“As father said, I also want to carry on the family line. This is for my ancestors, Kailo…”

Vivian pulled Kailo’s head toward hers and whispered in his ear.

“…Plant a son in my womb.”

Kailo tensed, his body hardening.

His neck veins bulged.

After a long pause, Kailo managed to calm his excitement and turned to look at Jade Allen.

“…Hah.”

“…Father, I…”

“Go ahead.”

It was an awkward situation, but Jade Alan seemed to understand, nodding.

Kailo nodded back and lifted Vivian into his arms.

“ot!”

Vivian’s body floated lightly in the air.

He opened the door and stepped into the dark hallway.

“I really… I’ve been holding back all this time.”

Kailo whispered with resignation.

“Thinking of how much you’d suffer makes me scared and unhappy… but it’s all for you…”

Vivian responded.

“…I’ll work hard on my exercise. This time, I’ll have a smooth delivery…”

Kailo immediately burst open the door to their room.

The children were sleeping elsewhere, and this room was only for the two of them.

Kailo threw Vivian onto the bed.

She collapsed onto the bed, slowly suppressing her rising emotions, and looked up at Kailo.

Kailo was already taking off his shirt and approaching her.

Vivian swallowed.

Her heart pounded, just like their first night together.

He said.

“…You promised a smooth delivery.”

Vivian looked at him with pleading eyes and promised.

“Okay.”

A year later, their only son was born.

He was the heir of the Duchy of Rondor, one who would carry on the glory of House of Rondor, following in his mother’s footsteps.

TL: It was a good journey. Fellow readers. This is the end.