SWNOVELXO Chapter 205
“…Hah.”
As soon as I opened my eyes, I quickly turned off the magically operated alarm.
I cautiously checked to see if Bel beside me had woken up.
Thank goodness! She was soundly asleep. The alarm didn’t wake her this time.
Still, I had to be careful and quiet; I didn’t want to disturb her.
“Your Excellency, are you awake—huff.”
“Shh.”
I clamped a hand over Alexei’s mouth, who was waiting by the door.
He looked taken aback for a moment, but he soon understood the reason for my action and nodded.
“…Um, Your Excellency.”
He was tiptoeing around as if we were up to some kind of burglary.
Alexei, who was quietly following behind me, scratched his head and spoke up.
“Isn’t this something only done when there’s a newborn prince or princess…?”
“Isn’t that child right inside Bel?”
“Well, that’s true….”
“Let’s just consider this a practice run. We’ll manage, right?”
I then demanded extreme caution from the servants as well.
Pregnant women need to be careful all the time, but especially during the early stages.
I asked them to avoid anything stimulating or loud sounds.
As Alexei mentioned, it might be a bit premature. I’ll accept the criticism.
But isn’t it understandable? It’s my first child. I’m becoming a father for the very first time in my life.
I feel like I must give my all from now on, or I won’t even get a breath of relief.
“Have you already contacted the family back home?”
“Yes. They said that the Lady. I mean, Duchess of Bertier Empire will come this morning.”
“It’s a relief that Mother will be here.”
“Miss Kaya was of great help yesterday. As soon as the Lady started having morning sickness, she caught on faster than the maidens around her and immediately called for a doctor.”
“It seems you really miss your niece.”
That’s nice. Our child will have a very dependable aunt.
The bond among kin runs deep, and strong ties become the foundation of the family.
For our Clausewitz Family to continue this glory, the sense of unity is essential.
“I’ll be going out, so keep the house safe.”
“With Miss Kaya here, I believe we can withstand any Imperial Legion that might come.”
I departed from the duchy and headed towards the capital. Throughout the journey, I found myself gazing blankly at the sky.
I’m having a child. Though it’s just a tiny life for now, it’s still a life.
In a year. No, not even a year. Once this sweltering summer passes, and we welcome the new spring—
That’s when my first child will come to us.
I thought I would always be just the son of my father and mother, and Kaya’s brother.
Sometimes it feels odd to be a husband to a woman and a son-in-law to someone.
But I’ll be a father. By next year, I’ll be a father, holding a tiny hand.
“Your Excellency.”
“…”
“Your Excellency. We’ve arrived.”
Ah, snap back to reality! Focus, you fool. From now on, it’s the Imperial Palace.
No matter how much of an emperor’s son-in-law you are, if you go around losing your focus, you’ll end up causing trouble for your family.
As it always has been, I need to be even more mindful of my conduct from now on. I have not just my parents and sister, but also my wife and child now.
Reiterating that in my mind, I entered the conference room.
“Welcome. Son-in-law. And congratulations!”
“Your Majesty?”
Normally, all the ministers should be seated with the most important seat left empty.
But strangely, only my father-in-law was sitting there, arms wide open to greet me.
“Surprised? Don’t worry. The Legion Rebuilding Meeting has been postponed for twenty minutes. Let’s see, they should start coming in about ten minutes.”
“Why did you suddenly postpone the meeting…?”
“Is there any reason why a celebration for my son-in-law should be delayed for a meeting? All things might be great in the world, but the greatest is becoming a parent, my son-in-law.”
My father-in-law, who was not just anyone but the Emperor, embraced me lightly.
It was a moment, but feeling his warmth made my body shudder slightly.
“So, how do you feel?”
“…I’m a bit dazed.”
“Yes, I can imagine. I was the same when I heard about the Empress’s pregnancy. But let me tell you, when your wife’s belly grows larger and the child is finally born, those feelings will reach a pinnacle. It’s a whirlwind of confusion and joy, fear and ecstasy. That’s the process of becoming a parent.”
On this day, he wasn’t the absolute sovereign ruling the Empire.
He was a life mentor and a senior parent, giving me warm advice.
In that moment, the loyalty that had already been great soared to an unbelievable high.
“Did you know? When I first saw the Crown Princess, I thought to myself, ‘Ah, I really want to show her only the best and pass on the finest.’ Therefore, I’d even become a tyrant and conquer all lands if I had to. Just like that.”
If I had heard that before knowing that our child was on the way…
I would have thought, for sure, the Emperor was strange.
But now it’s different. I understand. It makes total sense.
“Actually, when I received the news yesterday, I thought that I wanted to eliminate all potential sources of conflict to ensure no flames of war would ignite.”
“Hahaha! This is a big deal. If the child is born, what on earth do you plan to do then? Of all people, my son-in-law, who has the power to act on such thoughts!”
Of course, I understood; my father-in-law did too. Just thinking that is one thing, but acting on it could be entirely another.
If I ignited a new war during this chaotic time, the Empire could be shaken even further.
It goes against the eight military options I outlined in my memoir as well.
The chance of ruining the reputation I built through war with war is quite high.
“However, I doubt my son-in-law would act so recklessly. You’re a wise man.”
“You would advise against it, Your Majesty, because that is not the act of a good parent.”
“Indeed. Now is the time to fortify the present for the future.”
Voices discussing among the ministers began to filter in from outside the conference room.
It seemed they were coming in for the meeting shortly.
“…So, from our side—ugh. W-what, Your Majesty? Chief of Staff?”
“Welcome! By the way, Chief of Staff, didn’t you forget to convey this happy news?”
“I apologize! I’ve been so preoccupied that it slipped my mind…”
“Ah, I see. Well then, ministers, please have a seat. I’ll personally share the joyous news of the Empire with you all.”
After all the ministers had taken their seats and settled, moments later—
“Oooh! What joyful news!!”
“Congratulations, Chief of Staff!”
“If this isn’t good news, then what is?!”
I wondered how they would react once the child actually is born.
News of Bel’s pregnancy had brought a deluge of congratulations.
*
“…Geez, anyone would think I’ve already had the baby!”
“What can you do? The Crown Prince’s wife is pregnant. Did you think it would quietly pass while in the Imperial Palace?”
Isabelle rubbed her cheek as Gnaius’s words made her think, “Well, that’s not quite it.”
When she woke up feeling good in the morning, Kael had already left for work.
All the servants were on high alert, treating her with utmost caution.
To make matters more exciting, the Duchess of Bertier Empire is reportedly coming this morning.
“…I’m not the icing on the cake, am I? The Crown Prince is around!”
“What nonsense. How could a brother like you compare to Mother?”
“Come on. I dropped everything and rushed here with such happy news!”
“Lies! You couldn’t come with the Emperor and your sister, so you’re simply here to represent the royal family for congratulations. Do you think I don’t know my brother?”
“Of course it’s great to be above this sister of mine.”
Regardless, it seemed he was still the same. Gnaius teased, then spoke again.
“I heard along the way that my brother-in-law is suddenly showing tremendous enthusiasm.”
“Anyone would think he didn’t have any enthusiasm before, brother.”
“Well, if I’m correcting myself, he had far more fire than ever before, just like how it used to be. Likely because he’s gained a new family member.”
“Kael still has to wait until next year for that.”
Isabelle shook her head as if she couldn’t fathom it.
Gnaius responded with a chuckle, “Parents are like that. Come on, Belle, you’re already being cautious. Normally, you would have nagged me several times by now.”
“That’s… well, I guess so. I wouldn’t want to act like a brat towards my uncle later on.”
“When our niece or nephew is born, won’t their mom start scolding their uncle for that?”
“I’m fine with it. He’s my brother.”
Isabelle’s very confident reply made Gnaius facepalm.
Seriously, what kind of nonsense is that? My little sister!