Chapter 316 - A Normal Day (1/2)
As time passed and Elena’s due date approached, she frequently felt sharp pains in her stomach. In addition, headaches and dizziness were common, so people hovered around Elena’s vicinity for any possible situation. As such, Carlisle’s concern for her only increased. He completed the minimal amount of work for the day, then went to his wife’s side.
“How are you? Are you feeling well?”
Elena smiled faintly as she lay in a soft bed.
“Yes, don’t worry. Recently I called a doctor because of stomach pain, but he said I was fine.”
“How can I not worry? If I knew you would suffer like this…I would have been against the pregnancy.”
“Shhh, the baby’s listening.”
Despite Elena’s comments, Carlisle glared disapprovingly at her round stomach. The child had been putting Elena through a lot of stress as of late. He had heard of many cases of sickness and death during childbirth. Carlisle settled himself next to Elena’s bedside, his expression troubled as he stroked her face.
“I never want to see my wife suffer again. Whatever the gender of the child, they will be my successor.”
A daughter would be difficult due to the low social advancement of women in the Ruford Empire, but that mattered little to Carlisle. It was better to change imperial law rather than watch Elena suffer.
In any kingdom, the emperor routinely had many children, and the most distinguished of them all was named the heir. But Carlisle had no intention of taking in another wife other than Elena, and he did not want her to go through another pregnancy. Their child would be the next emperor, whether girl or boy.
Elena suddenly winced and held her belly with both hands.
“Ah.”
“Wait.”
Carlisle stood up and was about to summon a doctor, but Elena grabbed his sleeve with one hand and shook her head.
“I’m fine. The doctor said it was a natural symptom at this stage and nothing to worry about.”
“But…”
“The pain will soon fade. You know that, Caril.”
Just as Elena said, Carlisle had seen Elena go through these phases before. The pain naturally disappeared each time, so it was useless calling a doctor unless there was some abnormality.
Carlisle sat himself next to her, looking more pained than she was. He gently rubbed her hands in feet in hopes of easing her tension. Fortunately, Elena’s pain did not last long, and soon after her expression relaxed again.
“Thank you.”
“…I wish I could give birth instead.”
At the seriousness of Carlisle’s face, Elena burst out laughing. He didn’t know how much his words meant to her. Carlisle truly was a lovely man. Because he was by her side, she could endure any hardships that came her way.
“Have you thought of a name for our baby?”
“I have since the last time you asked me about it.”
“What is it?”
“Serena.”
“That’s a girl’s name, isn’t it?”
“Yes. I want her to be a beautiful girl that looks like you.”
As he spoke, Carlisle’s blue eyes glimmered with a warm light. He wore a wonderful smile as he looked at his wife’s face.
“But you should also consider a boy’s name, too. That’s too feminine for a son.”
“If it’s a boy, I’ll go and think about it then. Or you can just name the boy.”
She shook her head at Carlisle’s radically different attitude towards daughters and sons. He wanted a daughter who looked like her from the start, while Elena wanted a son that looked just like him. After a moment of reflection, Elena spoke.
“If the baby’s a boy…what about naming him Crow?”
“Crow?”
“Yes. There’s a Ruford Empire legend that tells of a bird that never dies. If this child is a boy…well, he has endured many difficult hardships while in my stomach, so it seemed suitable.”
Carlisle gave a nod.
“That’s a good name. Very well then.”
“Don’t you think you’re agreeing too fast?”
At Elena’s teasing words, Carlisle chuckled and kissed her cheek.
“No. I like everything you do.”
Elena couldn’t help but smile faintly. Then, unbidden, a yawn came out of her mouth. Carlisle quickly noticed her exhaustion and laid her body down more comfortably.
“If you’re tired, rest. You were tossing and turning last night too.”
“Yes. I feel sleepy all of a sudden.”
Elena lay on her bed, looking up at Carlisle with her hazy eyes, and this time he kissed on her forehead. His expression was full of special affection.
“I’ll stay with you until you wake up. Have a good sleep, and then you can eat whatever you wish for dinner.”
“Alright.”
“Good night, my wife.”
Carlisle’s voice rang pleasantly in her ear, and she closed her eyes into a long and comfortable sleep. She felt very warm and happy…like she was walking on clouds.
***
Another month passed by in a flash. After going through several periods of pain, Elena’s real delivery date arrived.
“Aaaagh!”
A cry of pain came from Elena’s mouth. She’s been poisoned, hit by an arrow, and stabbed by a sword before, but she had never experienced pain like this. The whole world seemed to whirl before her eyes. The midwife, who was in charge of the delivery, cried out from the side.
“Your Majesty, you mustn’t lose consciousness! Give more strength!”
“Aaaagh!”
Elena wanted to obey the midwife, but her body hurt so much that she found it difficult to command it. As her period of labor grew longer, so did the worry on the nanny’s and Mary’s face. However, their worries paled in comparison to Carlisle, who was waiting outside the room.
Ttubeog ttubeog.
Carlisle couldn’t remain still and was pacing restlessly. A terrible energy was emanating from him, and Zenard was concerned that the Emperor’s fragile sanity might snap and he might go into another rampage.
Kwaang!
An impatient Carlisle struck a table with his fist.
“It’s already been an hour. When is the baby coming out?”
Zenard hurriedly tried to calm him down.
“It depends on the mother, but some childbirths take a long time. Please wait a little longer…”