Surviving As An Obsessive Servant Chapter 192 - Side Story Chapter 17

Before Ethan was even born, I was afraid — afraid that our child might inherit the same illness as us.

Illnesses often run in families, after all.

So, I made sure to go through thorough prenatal examinations, but unlike the world I came from — where medicine was highly advanced — this place still had its limits.

“The Madam is in good health. There’s absolutely nothing to worry about.”

“…Is that so?”

Even after hearing the results from the physicians, I couldn’t shake off my anxiety.

Edric tried to comfort me, reminding me that we had purified the trees in the Forest of Deep, and that his powers had returned, so everything should be fine for both me and the baby.

But my worry came from somewhere else entirely.

‘…I started getting sick as I got older.’

That fear didn’t fade even after giving birth.

‘…What if Ethan grows up and falls ill like I did?’

Even if medicine could cure him, I still worried about what would happen if he ever got sick — even a little.

He was such a quiet, calm baby that I often stayed awake at night, not because of his crying, but because of my worries.

And then, unexpectedly, someone managed to completely put my fears to rest.

“There is no illness.”

“…Pardon?”

“Both your tests and the child’s have been completed. There’s nothing wrong.”

Somehow — I still don’t know how — my father-in-law had arranged everything.

He brought in the High Priests from the Holy Empire to examine both me and Ethan.

Not only that, he said the Elkatan Trading Company would provide full support for any medicine or treatment development we might ever need.

He even brought out renowned herbalists and apothecaries who had been in hiding somewhere.

It was an unexpected gesture, but amid all my fears, it brought me a great deal of comfort.

‘…I’ve never felt so reassured.’

That’s what family is for — that’s what elders are for.

Yes, our child wouldn’t fall ill. And even if he did, there were plenty of capable adults to care for him.

But my father-in-law’s interest in Ethan didn’t stop there.

Of course, as his first grandchild, it was natural for him to show a little affection — but he began visiting our chambers as soon as morning came, staying there for hours every day.

His two aides accompanied him.

Denian, in particular, smiled so brightly, as if looking at his own youngest child.

“Your Grace, now that I look closely, young Master Ethan looks exactly like the former Duke.”

Well, that was true.

Edric resembled his father, so naturally, Ethan did as well.

…But why was Edric, who was sketching me from the sofa, suddenly making that sour face?

Meanwhile, my father-in-law replied in his usual expressionless tone,

“I know.”

Then, without warning, he lifted Ethan out of the cradle in one smooth motion.

His movements were steady and flawless — so confident that I couldn’t help but admire him.

‘When did he get better at holding a baby than me?!’

And then he truly didn’t take his eyes off Ethan.

Of course, one should always keep an eye on a baby, but… wasn’t this a little too much? He seemed downright obsessed with his grandson.

At first, I had wanted Ethan and Father-in-law to grow closer.

‘…But now I’m not sure if that’s a good thing or not.’

As I stood there conflicted, a cold voice suddenly called my name.

“Lobelia Denkart.”

…Anyone listening would think we were about to duel.

I thought our relationship had gotten better recently — apparently, I was wrong.

I smiled awkwardly.

“…Yes?”

“Why are you standing there disturbing Ethan’s nap? If you’re going to be a nuisance, then get out.”

The way he said it was so firm — almost shameless.

For a second, I almost apologized before remembering something important.

Wait. This is my room!

Thud.

At that moment, Edric stood up from the sofa where he’d been sketching.

His expression said he’d had enough. His gloomy aura told me he was about to say something serious.

Well, it made sense — Edric had his own frustrations too.

For instance, he couldn’t draw me with Ethan in his arms, or he couldn’t properly hold me because of his father’s constant presence — things that, to Edric, were apparently more important than sleep.

I swallowed hard.

Judging from his face, my husband’s patience had gone far past its limit.

‘I have to stop him.’

He wouldn’t raise his voice because the baby was here, but I was sure an unpleasant conversation was coming.

Just as I made up my mind, one of the older nannies quietly suggested,

“Your Grace, perhaps you and the Madam should go on a date.”

“…!”

…As expected of someone experienced.

At that single word, Edric froze.

Then, as if he’d never been angry, he looked at me with eyes full of hope — asking for permission.

I couldn’t help but laugh at that look.

He didn’t need to say anything — his expression clearly said, ‘It’s been a while, shall we go on a date, my love?’

Of course… my answer was already decided.

With that face, with that look — how could I possibly say no?

Just then, a clear voice suddenly rang out through the room.

“Ha-woo~ ooo-ong~”

“……”

As the sound faded, silence fell over the room.

Then, as if everyone had made a secret promise beforehand, we all turned toward Ethan’s cradle in unison.

The sound came again — once, twice, a few more times.

And when it finally stopped, I was the first to react.

“E-everyone heard that, right? He babbled! Our Ethan did it again!”

“Lobelia, I heard it too.”

“Oh my goodness!”

I couldn’t hide my excitement over that tiny babble.

When it came to my child, even the smallest action felt as if he’d just passed the empire’s highest civil service exam.

Edric looked delighted watching me, and the nannies could hardly contain themselves because Ethan was so adorable.

“Oh my, how can even his babbling be this cute?”

Exactly! Our son is the best! I was about to agree when a sharp, cynical laugh cut through the air.

“You call that babbling? Your ears must be terribly broken.”

We all turned to him in shock.

Father was not a man of many words.

And though his personality could be harsh, he wasn’t the type to pick pointless fights.

So what on earth did he mean by that…?

He explained soon enough.

“That wasn’t babbling. Didn’t you hear? Ethan clearly said ‘Grandfather.’”

At that, we all exchanged awkward looks. Edric let out a quiet sigh and said mockingly,

“How foolish. It’s your ears that must be broken. He didn’t say ‘Grandfather,’ he—”

“Darling! Let’s go, on our date!!”

If I didn’t stop them now, they were going to start fighting again!!!

I grabbed Edric’s arm before he could retort and quickly played my trump card.

“Darling. I want to go on our date right now, okay?”

“……”

Edric pouted slightly, clearly dissatisfied, but obediently followed my lead.

As I pulled him toward the hallway, I glanced back over my shoulder.

There was Father’s profile — faintly smiling.

It was subtle, but unmistakably a smile.

It looked nice, but I couldn’t help but wonder.

‘How strange… does he really like being called “Grandfather” that much?’

Come to think of it, my own father had once said he wanted to hear someone call him that too.

‘Grandfather, huh… You’d think it would make him feel old. He hardly even has any white hair.’

Especially since Father looked young enough to pass for Edric’s older brother or uncle — it seemed odd that he’d enjoy it so much.

Still, seeing how genuinely pleased he looked made me think perhaps older men really did have a different kind of joy.

As I was quietly chuckling to myself, a sudden thought hit me.

‘Wait… hold on. I’m already an adult too, aren’t I?’

Technically speaking…

Actually, if you added up both lives I’d lived, I was older than Father!

‘And Edric…’

I started mentally calculating our ages, then froze.

By Terua’s calendar, Edric and I were four years apart — but counting my past life…

‘…Oh no. I’m basically a thief!’

And not just a small-time thief.

If we were a twelve-year age gap couple, that would be one thing — but this was on another level entirely.

“Lobelia, why do you look so serious? Do you feel sick from the carriage?”

Even months after I’d given birth, Edric still worried about me constantly.

When he asked if we should just go back home, I gave him an awkward smile.

“We came all this way, we can’t just turn back. I’m fine. I’m just nervous — it’s been a while since we went on a date. Let’s eat something you like today. My treat.”

“…Okay.”

Edric’s cheeks flushed red, and he looked so sweet and beautiful that guilt washed over me all over again.

…Just how big is our age difference, really?!

But then again, I hadn’t lived into my forties or fifties, so maybe it wasn’t that bad!

…Or so I tried to tell myself, though my conscience still ached.

If Edric ever found out the truth, even his gentle and kind nature might not stop him from getting upset.

As he adjusted the blanket over my knees, I spoke carefully.

“…Um, darling, there’s something I should tell you. I’m actually older than you think.”

“I’ve heard that happens sometimes.”

Among commoners, unlike nobles who registered births through envoys to the Imperial City, families had to handle their records directly at local offices.

That often led to delays, meaning birth years and identity tags didn’t always match.

It seemed… that was the assumption he’d made.

‘Well, of course. There’s no way Edric would imagine something like reincarnation. Even to me, it still feels like a dream sometimes.’

This life felt so real — like my first life — that memories of the previous one had begun to blur, like stories from a book.

‘So… should I tell him the truth or not?’

In a marriage, I believed there shouldn’t be secrets.

But if I brought up my past life, I’d have to explain everything — Edric, the crown prince, and far too many tangled connections.

‘Maybe it’s better not to stir up trouble.’

After all, no one would feel good being told that their whole life might be part of someone else’s story.

Especially someone like him, who had already endured so much.

Then, Edric smiled and said softly,

“It’s okay, Lobelia. I don’t care how old you are. What I love is you, just as you are.”

“……”

“I love you.”

“……”

I was so moved that I couldn’t even respond.

He said “I love you” every morning when he woke me, but hearing it now — on our long-awaited date — hit differently.

“…Lobel?”

“Edric Denkart. Did you really think you could say something that sweet in front of me and get away with it?”

“Huh? What—”

I wrapped my arms around his neck, pulling him down toward me.

Then, pressing my lips firmly against his, I made a silent promise.

Tonight, I was going to make sure those lips — the ones that spoke such pretty words — would be too swollen to say anything else.