episode_0254

From the day it became clear that I was pregnant, Hermel began to care a lot about me.

Of course, it would have been nice and tiring if caring had been the kind of obsession with me, saying things like, ‘What do you want to eat?’, ‘I’ll do it for you!’, or ‘Do you want to do this?’, but it was better because it felt like I was paying attention without knowing it. .

To give a few examples, one day you look at the furniture in the mansion and see that the corners of the furniture have been sharpened, or a few days later you look at the place again and see that it has been padded with leather to make it soft.

All the things that are in places where ships can hit them are organized elsewhere, or if you feel like you’re slowly running out of ingredients or other things, when you look for them to cook the next day, they’re full.

There were many other things, but they were so minor that you wouldn’t even notice them if you weren’t paying attention.

I am so thankful that they help me so hard without making a big deal out of it, and that they care so much even though I haven’t even hatched my stomach yet and I’ve only just conceived… .

To be honest, I almost felt sorry.

If Hermel had heard, he would have said, ‘Sorry? I would have scolded him and said, ‘Don’t worry about that, just take care of yourself!’

Seueuugh――

‘Anyway, how was the marble cut so bluntly? .’

As I slowly blinked and touched the table, I chuckled as I looked at the smooth, chiseled edges.

I shook my head and checked the position of the sun outside the window. I saw that I had to raise my head slightly to see the sun. It seemed like it was almost 10 o’clock.

“I’ll be back in a little while.”

Normally, he wouldn’t come home until around 3pm, but since I got pregnant, he has to come home 3 hours earlier than usual, so I have to prepare a meal quickly.

I hummed as I entered the kitchen, took out the lamb, vegetables, and spices that Hermel had recently bought, and prepared to make stew.

“Onions, celery, potatoes, carrots, peppers, tomatoes, garlic… . It’s all there.”

In the Middle Ages, there were tomatoes, potatoes, and even garlic. Even pepper?

You might be wondering what kind of nonsense this is, but this is a female-oriented place, and it’s also in a game. It’s foolish to expect historical evidence.

I shook my head and cleared away the random thoughts that came to mind, put on my apron and started making stew.

Prepare the ingredients, stir-fry the meat and vegetables, add the remaining ingredients and water, and boil until mushy.

The fact that stew itself was easy to make as long as you measured it well played a part, but it was something I had always done since I came down from my position as a nobleman, so I was able to make it without difficulty.

“Suuu… . hmm. This should be enough.”

I nodded with satisfaction when I saw the seasoning of the stew was almost finished, turned down the heat and simmered the stew.

While I was adjusting the heat while stirring the stew to keep it from burning, I blinked when I felt a familiar figure enter the mansion.

When I looked outside through the kitchen window, it was not yet 12 o’clock, but a little past 11 o’clock.

“You came back earlier than expected.”

After wiping my hands on my apron, I turned off the stew, left the kitchen, and headed toward the main hall.

“You came early?”

When I said that while looking at Hermel organizing his luggage in the main hall, Hermel, who was organizing his sword and cloak, turned to me and blinked.

“Weren’t you just resting?”

“It’s almost lunch time. I was making stew.”

As I said that and laughed, Hermel came up to me, wrapped his arms around my waist, and kissed me lightly.

“Wasn’t it hard?”

“What do you say? I’m only 7 weeks pregnant. Even though my stomach hasn’t come out, it’s hard.”

“Hehe, is that so? But don’t overdo it.”

“You don’t have to worry that much. If it’s hard, I’ll tell you, so don’t worry.”

Hermel nodded and hugged me tightly, and I was hugged for a moment, leaning my head on Hermel’s chest.

I grinned at the satisfaction I felt even though I had done nothing, and gurgled for a moment as I was held… Then I smiled and relaxed my arms when I heard the sound of a stomach in my ear that was pressed against Hermel’s chest.

“Would you like to eat something? I made a stew.”

“Good! I’ll prepare!”

He smiled brightly and followed Hermel toward the kitchen.

“Thank you always.”

“Thank you! If you really appreciate it, please treat me better next time I get pregnant.”

Seeing Hermel winking and talking, I smiled and nodded.

* * *

Time passed and I became 14 weeks pregnant.

The only change that has happened so far is that as September approaches, the days become shorter and a cooler atmosphere begins to creep into the mansion.

Of course, the biggest change is… .

“Phew… .”

My stomach started to swell little by little.

Of course, my stomach hasn’t gotten bigger enough to be noticeable yet, but if I feel it, I wonder if I’ve gained some weight. It got to the point where I thought,

also… . Morning sickness has disappeared, and when others feel the night breeze is cold, is it cold? His body temperature rose to the point where he tilted his head.

“Charles. Do you need anything?”

Oh yeah. Hermel stayed by my side all day. No matter how many times I tell him it’s okay, he never listens.

I’m really, really grateful that they take care of me, but sometimes I feel a little sorry. It feels like he can’t even have time for himself because of me.

I smiled bitterly and shook my head as I looked at Hermel, who stuck out his face and asked.

“It’s okay. I don’t need anything.”

“Then let me know if it happens. I’ll go get it right away!”

“Really… . Just because your stomach is a little bloated doesn’t mean you can’t move.”

“Still… .”

“It’s really okay. Strenuous exercise isn’t enough, just walking around and carrying light objects is enough on your own.”

Hermel looked worried at what I said, but nodded and went down to do the dishes.

In some ways, it may seem like it agrees with what I’m saying and nods its head, but in reality, it’s just nodding its head for me to look at because I’m worried.

In another few days, he’ll stick his head out and say, ‘Do you need anything?’ Hmm… . In times like this, it might be better to just order something.

After thinking about it for a while, I came up with a good idea and called Hermel.

“Hermel.”

It was a small voice speaking normally, but Hermel somehow heard it and came up with a loud crashing noise and opened my door.

“You called me!?”

“Yes. I need one thing.”

“What!? what!? Just say the word!”

I laughed at the feeling that if I were to ask Hermel to cut off the dragon’s head, I would search the whole world to get it, and motioned for Hermel to come closer.

Hermel came right up next to me, and I got up and hugged his neck.

“Stay by my side.”

Hermel’s eyes widened as if he was surprised by my words, and then he smiled and hugged me gently.

The dishes that came out that day did not disappear until tomorrow.

* * *

26th week of pregnancy.

Now my stomach has grown to the point where anyone can tell that I am pregnant, and sometimes I can even feel the fetus moving.

Oh, and Hermel relaxed somewhat and started wandering around. At this point, I realized that it was okay to move around to some extent.

“It’s warm.”

It’s not something to say in the middle of winter, but it was really warm inside the mansion.

This is because, as fall passes and becomes winter, a spell is placed throughout the mansion to maintain a warm temperature. Long live magic indeed.

As I sat in the rocking chair and patted my stomach, I heard Hermel’s voice from down there.

-I’m back~!

As I smiled at the voice that made me feel happy, I felt the child move inside my stomach.

I blinked at the surprisingly strong fetal movements, then smiled and patted my stomach.

“You also know that Hermel has come.”

After saying that, I carefully got up from my seat and headed towards the door. Just as I was about to open the door, I heard a knock on the door.

-Can I come in?

“It’s in front of the door. I’ll open it for you.”

I said that and opened the door.

Hermel, who was standing behind the door, had a blanket of snow on his head, and his ears and the tip of his nose were red, making him look quite cold.

“Did you come in without even brushing the snow off your head?”

“Ah. lol… . I missed Charles so much that I forgot he was coming in a hurry.”

“Really… . Then what if I catch a cold?”

As I said that, I brushed off the snow from Hermel’s head and dried his wet hair with magic, and then I felt the baby moving again.

“The baby says that too.”

Hermel smiled brightly at my words and said as he pressed his cheek against my stomach.

“Uhehehe… . Ogugu, I’m sorry mom~ I’ll be careful from now on~”

“It’s cold, Hermel.”

In fact, it wasn’t cold at all because his face had warmed up after being dried by magic, but when he said that as a joke, Hermel was startled and took a step back.

“Ah!”

“Just kidding.”

“Ah! You were surprised!”

I felt the fetal movement stronger than before.

I’m sorry baby. I was surprised too. I will refrain from making jokes like this from now on.

* * *

38th week of pregnancy.

Now, just walking around makes me out of breath. It’s not to the point where I can’t move, but it’s slowly getting to the point where moving becomes difficult.

Because childbirth is coming soon. I will give birth within a week at the earliest, or within two weeks at the most.

“… Phew.”

It was the baby I wanted for so long, but as the birth was so close, I became a little scared.

Won’t the karma we’ve accumulated so far come back to us later? Could it be that there is a flaw in my research and something goes wrong? perhaps. no way. Just one chance. Such anxious thoughts lingered in my head.

My vast past tormented me.

As I was trying to calm my trembling hands and wipe the sweat from them on the blanket, the door opened and I heard a welcome voice.

“Charles. It came out.”

“Ah. Hermel… .”

“My complexion is not good. Isn’t it painful somewhere?”

I shook my head, trying to smile at the worrying question.

“Ugh… . no. little… . I’m a little worried… .”

“It’ll be okay. Oh, I brought a midwife too. I’m currently unpacking on the first floor, so the midwife and I will be by our side from today onwards.”

“Ah… . huh. thank you. It must not have been normal to visit a midwife this winter… . I’m sorry for causing you trouble.”

Hermel laughed bitterly at my words and shook his head.

“This is for my baby, so why go through all the trouble? If you want, you can also bring a saint.”

“Since Hermel said so, I think I can really bring him back.”

“Do you think you can’t do it?”

When I saw Hermel speaking confidently and raising one eyebrow, my nervous mind relaxed and I smiled automatically.

“Hermel can probably do it.”

“Yes. So don’t worry. Because I can do anything.”

Whatever it is.

Seeing Hermel’s reassuring appearance as he spoke with a serious face, I nodded with a small smile.

At that time, there was a light knock on the door.

“Ah, looks like a midwife. I’ll go.”

“Yes. Please do me a favor.”

Hermel nodded, stood up, opened the door, and the midwife came into the room.

I patted my stomach as I realized that the high point was really just around the corner.

february. Spring soon.