The Tyrant Won’t Let Me Go Chapter 127 - Side Story 11
Not long after the wedding, the handover process was perfectly completed, and this time, the position of Knight Commander was officially passed on to Sir Turka.
However, this didn’t mean he would completely retire from knighthood or step away from the order’s affairs.
Though he would no longer serve as commander, he would continue assisting the order by overseeing training and scouting new members.
He also planned to participate in essential expeditions if there were vacancies.
In the end, while his workload had certainly lightened compared to before, he hadn’t fully retired.
“Honestly, I think I’ll still end up calling both of you ‘Commander,’” Sera said hesitantly.
“It still doesn’t feel real yet…”
“No, I understand, Sera.”
It was none other than Sir Turka who agreed with her.
“Even I keep forgetting that I’m the commander now.”
“Hey, that won’t do. It might take some time for all of you to adjust, but you should start calling him ‘Commander Turka’ now.”
“No, it’s fine. The members will naturally start calling me that once they get used to it.”
Sir Turka added with a gentle smile.
“Though it might feel presumptuous to address you so casually when you should rightly be called ‘Her Majesty the Empress’—”
His deep, sincere eyes met mine.
“To me, you will always be the Commander. Even if I hold the title now.”
And it wasn’t just Sir Turka.
Everyone was looking at me with the same expression.
‘Of course.’
As I met each of their gazes, I thought to myself.
‘Becoming a knight was the right choice.’
💫
“So, all these were gifts from the knights?”
“Yes, that’s right.”
Cedric, who had been staring intently at the presents I had carefully stored away, smiled.
“Their thoughtfulness is commendable, but I’m a little jealous. I thought I was the only one who gave you gifts.”
“Oh, don’t be like that. I really loved your gift too, Your Majesty.”
“Really?”
“Of course. How could I not be happy when you’re building me another swordsmanship hall?”
They said it would be built less than ten minutes away from our current residence.
Just the thought of running around there already made my heart swell with excitement.
“Oh, right.”
“Hm?”
“Actually, I—”
Rising on my tiptoes, I whispered to Cedric, who was staring at me intently.
“There’s something I wanted to ask Your Majesty.”
“Hm? What is it?”
“It’s really just for fun, so don’t feel pressured, okay?”
“Got it.”
Cedric, tilting his ear toward me, wore an expression that seemed to wonder what kind of question this could be.
“It’s just something I’m genuinely curious about.”
“Yeah.”
“Do you prefer having a daughter… or a son?”
“Ah, that kind of question.”
Cedric nodded, then brought a finger to his lips and furrowed his brow.
“Hmm, which do you prefer, Ciel?”
“Honestly, I don’t really mind either way.”
Placing a hand on my stomach, I spoke in a soft voice.
“It’s just… since it’s our child, whether it’s a girl or a boy, I think they’ll look so adorable to me.”
“I feel the same.”
Cedric hugged me as he spoke.
“Just knowing you and I would have a child together made me so happy. I don’t ask for anything beyond that.”
He patted my back gently. I slipped out of his embrace and held his shoulders with both hands.
“But what’s your real answer?”
At that, Cedric gave an awkward smile, as if caught off guard.
“You noticed?”
“Yes. You do have a slight preference, don’t you?”
“Ciel, you’re really sharp.”
Cedric clicked his tongue and sighed.
“If I had to choose… I’d lean slightly toward a daughter.”
“Why?”
He answered immediately, without hesitation.
“I want to see a daughter who looks like you.”
“Ah…”
I had vaguely suspected Cedric might prefer a daughter, but even his reason was so very much like him.
“So I want to sleep with you resting on one arm and our daughter on the other.”
“That’s… quite specific.”
“I’m going to be a father soon.”
Cedric laughed.
“But don’t you think a son who takes after Your Majesty would also be cute—”
“No.”
Cedric shook his head without a second’s pause.
“A daughter who looks like you.”
His response was resolute.
“I’d like to see a son who resembles you, though.”
“Really?”
“Yes. I think he’d be adorable…”
“But if a son who looks like me is born, he’d definitely fight with me all the time.”
Cedric shook his head and said, “Do you think so? The late emperor and His Majesty didn’t exactly have a bad relationship.”
The late emperor and Cedric also bore a striking resemblance in appearance.
Of course, their personalities had both similarities and differences.
“Hmm, I think the situation is a bit different now.”
Cedric scratched his cheek as he spoke.
“If our son takes after my personality too, he’d definitely cling to you and never let go.”
“So you’re saying you’d fight over it?”
“Yeah.”
“No way, what kind of parent gets jealous of their own child?”
“Can’t help it. You’re just that wonderful.”
“W-wait, hold on…”
As my face flushed again, I covered it with both hands, and Cedric smirked.
“Did I make your heart flutter again?”
“No, not at all.”
I grumbled, looking at his teasing expression.
“I’ve told you before not to say things like that without warning. You know it’s totally unfair, right?”
“If it’s unfair, that means it worked.”
Cedric looked smug as he pressed further.
“You’re listening to me, right?”
“Of course I am.”
He planted a quick kiss on my cheek and replied playfully,
“How could I not listen to the words of my beloved empress?”
“The fact that you keep saying things like that proves you’re not listening at all.”
“No, I really am listening. I just enjoy teasing you too much to follow along.”
“Ugh.”
Somehow, Cedric seemed even more mischievous now than when he was younger.
Well, it’s nice to see him so lively. But if I said that out loud, he’d definitely respond with ‘Oh?’ and tease me even more.
“Why are you smiling?”
“No reason, just felt like it.”
“Really?”
Cedric’s voice dripped with affection as he spoke.
“I hope you keep smiling like that forever. Without a single hardship.”
“I hope the same for you.”
“I know.”
He nodded and placed his hand over mine.
“I hope our child is born healthy and doesn’t give you too much trouble.”
“They will be.”
I grinned and held his hand with my other hand too.
“Especially if they take after you.”
“Ah, so you’re subtly hinting that you want a son who looks like me?”
“No, not particularly? I just said what came to mind.”
“Really? Hmm…”
He gave me a suspicious look but eventually relaxed into a smile.
“Well, if you say so, a son who takes after me might not be so bad.”
“See?”
“You’re way too obvious about liking the idea.”
“Eh, not really. Speaking of which, should we start thinking of names for the baby from today?”
“Ah, good idea. We should give them a proper name.”
“I’ve been thinking—since both our names start with ‘C,’ maybe we could do the same for our child.”
After listening quietly, Cedric immediately brought out parchment and a quill.
And so, that night, the two of us filled the parchment with countless names, lost in lively conversation.
Our hearts swelled with anticipation for the new life that would soon join us.
💫
One early morning, it happened.
“C-Cedric….”
The moment Cedric heard Ciel calling his name, he woke up immediately.
“Ciel, what’s—”
“I-I’m in… so much pain….”
Seeing Ciel drenched in cold sweat and unable to steady herself, Cedric immediately called for medical help.
While waiting for them to arrive, he tightly held her hand, whispering over and over that he was sorry and that everything would be okay, pleading with her to hold on just a little longer.
Soon, preparations for childbirth began, and Cedric was left waiting outside where Ciel was.
“Haa….”
Leaning against the wall, he covered his face with both hands and let out a deep sigh.
She has to be okay. Nothing should go wrong.
Cedric kept repeating those two sentences in his mind.
For Ciel’s sake, he had tried to ease her worries, telling her everything would be fine and that it would all go well.
But in reality, Cedric himself was deeply anxious and concerned about the current situation.
‘It’s only been eight months…’
The birth was happening much earlier than expected, and he couldn’t help but worry—what if something went wrong with Ciel?
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