The Monster Duke Mistook Me for His Wife Chapter 162 - Side Story Chapter 19 End

“Ms. Ria…”

Dillian was stunned by how she pushed him away in disgust—but that shock quickly turned to panic when he saw her eyes brimming with tears. In a flash, he grabbed Nathan and pinned him to the wall.

“I’m sorry. Ms. Ria, will this do?”

He asked calmly, but in truth, he was spiraling inside the moment he saw her tears.

“S-sorry. But I really… uugh.”

“Ria!”

When she started gagging again, a pale-faced Nathan clutched at his eyebrow and stomped his feet.

“Haaah…”

Wiping the cold sweat from her brow, Ria slumped weakly onto the bed.

No matter how bad she felt, this was too much. Just a faint smell was enough to make her nauseous?

This isn’t normal. Something’s definitely wrong.

Unable to do anything, she looked at Dillian and Nathan—frozen and twitching—and spoke in a trembling voice.

“…Call the physician. Now.”

Immediately, the physician who had been waiting outside rushed in.

“Diagnose her thoroughly.”

“Y-yes!”

Nervous under Dillian’s sharp gaze, the physician swallowed hard and approached Ria.

“Excuse me, my lady.”

He gently took her wrist to check her pulse, and Ria turned her head away, holding her breath.

Even the faint smell of herbs on the physician was too much.

Narrowing his eyes while feeling her pulse, the physician nodded slightly and carefully let go of her wrist.

Before he could even step back, Dillian and Nathan were already pressing him.

“Well? Is it serious?”

“Stop stalling and say it now!”

“Ah, well… I’m not sure how to put this…”

Smiling gently, the physician looked at the tense Dillian and Ria.

“Congratulations. You’re pregnant.”

“……”

“……”

Silence fell—but the first to react was Ria herself.

“…What?”

She was confused by the unexpected diagnosis. It wasn’t some terrible illness—

“P-pregnant?”

“Yes, my lady. You’re having trouble breathing, and even mild smells make you nauseous, don’t they?”

“Yes…”

“That’s morning sickness.”

“Ah…”

So that’s why even the smell of food made her feel so awful.

“Then what about all the sleeping?”

“That too.”

Still in a daze, Ria instinctively placed a hand over her belly.

“Pregnant… really…”

“A-a blessing like this!”

Nathan, overcome with emotion, rushed toward Ria—then remembered her condition and gently sat beside her.

With teary eyes, he carefully reached out to touch her still-flat stomach.

“Congratulations, Ria. A new life… what an incredible gift.”

“I can’t believe it yet… but thank you.”

Everyone, including Nathan, offered their congratulations—but Dillian, the father, couldn’t even react.

‘You’re going to have a rough time soon.’
‘It’s a blessing.’
‘They’re very active little troublemakers.’

Only now did Dillian fully understand Tippy’s words.

What had he said back then? A curse?

I was an idiot.

Just like Tippy said, this was a blessing. One he had never had in his life.

“Mr. Dillian.”

Called back by Ria’s voice, he slowly raised his head. She fidgeted and asked nervously,

“…Are you okay?”

With everyone else congratulating them and only Dillian staying silent, she couldn’t help but worry.

Looking into her clear, concerned eyes, emotions welled up inside him.

Unable to hold it in, he pulled her into a trembling embrace.

“Ms. Ria.”

“Yes?”

“This… this must be what it feels like to be so happy you could die.”

Ria, who had been unconsciously tense, relaxed her shoulders and wrapped her arms around his back.

“Me too. But don’t die.”

“I won’t. I’ll protect you. You and our baby.”

Did he know? That his voice shook when he mentioned their child?

Choked up, Ria buried her face in his chest.

Seeing them, the servants quietly slipped out of the room. Even Nathan stepped back to give them space.

Ria took Dillian’s hand—still resting in awe—and guided it to her belly. His hand flinched slightly.

Wait until he feels the baby kick later. What’ll he do then?

Seeing his tearful, overwhelmed eyes, she asked,

“Our baby… do you think it’ll be a boy or a girl? I’m fine with either.”

“I think it’ll be both.”

“Twins?”

“Yes.”

“You’re so greedy.”

Ria shook her head, saying it wasn’t something he could just wish into existence.

Still… I don’t think it’s just a wish.

Tippy did say “troublemakers,” plural.

But Dillian kept that to himself—for now. For Ria’s sake.

Smiling quietly, he pressed a kiss to her cheek.

Side Story Part 3 – End of the Side Story