Chapter 135 - Epilogue 2.1: Traces of life (2/2)

When she first learned that she would have a baby, her immediate reaction was that of joy. However, much worry followed quickly.

It made sense. This world was very different than in 21st century Korea. The state of medical technology especially was of much lower in quality.

Even within the royal family, who received the best medical care in the kingdom, the child mortality rate was very high. Women also died frequently during or after childbirth.

This was why Lucretius didn’t have any male siblings. In fact, there hadn’t been excess of male heirs in this royal family for many generations.

Many female heirs died as well. There were three empresses before Empress Beatrice. Among them were four princesses who all died at young ages.

It was no wonder Bina was anxious for herself and her baby.

‘I should have read at least one book on pregnancy when I was on earth, or ask my mom about it.’

Again, it was no use regretting the past.

Lucretius saw Bina sigh a lot lately. When she thought he wasn’t looking, she would hold her belly and sigh worriedly. One night around dinner time, Lucretius found a time to visit Bina’s chamber. He sounded concerned.

“Are you worried about something?”

Bina turned her face away from him. This was her habit when she didn’t want to talk about something, and Lucretius knew. However, he wouldn’t let her off that easy. He had seen her sigh several times now when she thought she was alone. This had gone long enough. He had to know what was wrong, and he needed to fix her problem.

Lucretius gently nudged her face towards him. She resisted slightly but gave in without much fight. It seemed like she wanted to talk about whatever was bothering her.

“…”

She didn’t say anything, but she also didn’t look away. In the last eight months, Lucretius learned how to deal with Bina when she was like this.

He stopped pestering her with questions. Instead, he lifted her to have her sit on his knees.

“Gya!”

“The baby must have grown much since yesterday.”

Bina pouted. “Are you telling me I got fatter than yesterday?”

“Not at all!”

Bina narrowed her eyes. “Liar.”

Lucretius smiled softly and patted her cheek.

“You weighed like a feather yesterday, and now, it feels like I’m holding a feather and a half.”

“You are such a diplomat.”

Lucretius chuckled, but he replied seriously, “I’m just relieved. Do you know how worried I was when you were actually losing weight during the first five months? Around that time, you seemed to get lighter every day. It used to scare me.”

“I… I guess…”

It was an awful first trimester. Bina threw up more than she ate. It was strange to see her belly was growing when she barely ate anything, although, at the time, Lowson was worried it wasn’t growing fast enough.

Compared to then, Bina was doing much better now, and she was growing within the normal range. She was still on the smaller side, but Bina couldn’t help but want to look her best.

A husband having an affair with another woman while his wife was pregnant was such a common story in this and her old world. Her husband especially was the emperor of this kingdom. In fact, it was legal and recommended for the emperor to have many wives. Bina was sure there must be many women trying to seduce him.

Of course, Lucretius had so much work, and when he wasn’t working, he spent all his time with her. Therefore, it was unlikely he had the time to have an affair.

Lucretius hugged her tighter lovingly and kissed the back of her hand soundly. He then whispered, “Are you by chance worried that I might become interested in other women because you are rounder…? Is that why you have been sighing so much? Oh, my dear empress…”