As My Husband Said, I Brought in a Lover Chapter 231

[Side Story 3: The Dragon’s Adolescence- Part 1]

 

Knock, knock. Maxion, standing in front of the door with a troubled expression, knocked and spoke. “Ren, please open the door.”

 

“…”

 

“We were all wrong, so come out now.”

 

“…”

 

“…Ren.”

 

Despite Maxion’s plea, the tightly shut door showed no sign of opening.

 

“It’s been a month today, right?”

 

“…Yes.”

 

Robin and Hendrik, standing behind Maxion, looked worriedly at the closed door.

 

“Is it possible this is because of adolescence?”

 

“Haha, well, it could be.”

 

Inside the tightly closed door, Ren, curled up in the middle of a spacious bed, glanced at the door before quickly turning its head away.

 

The incident had occurred a month and ten days ago.

 

* * *

Who is the freest in the imperial palace? The emperor with absolute power? Or the empress, beloved by the emperor? One might think it would be the young crown prince. However, the emperor and empress are busy fulfilling their imperial duties amidst piles of work, and the future crown prince will also be swamped with education from a young age. So who is the freest of them all?

 

“Ppik ppipik, ppikppik~” Ren hummed a tune while playing with a small dragon figurine in the basket on the tea table.

 

That’s right. The correct answer is Ren, the black dragon, the only being exempt from all exceptions in the empire.

 

“Ren, you’re so lucky. You can get anything you want with just a word.”

 

“Haha, but don’t you think Ren has its own worries too?”

 

Hendrik and Robin exchanged words as they watched Ren.

 

After playing to its heart’s content with the basket, Ren yawned widely and headed towards Luize’s lap. Just as it curled up to take a nap, Ren caught a strange scent and tilted its head in curiosity. Sniff, sniff.

 

“Ppiik?” [Huh?]

 

Sniff, sniff, sniff.

 

“Ppiiik?” [I smell something familiar yet strange.]

 

Sniff, sniff, sniff, sniff.

 

“Ppiippi…” [Where is it coming from…]

 

As Ren looked around, Luize’s belly came into view. Ren’s eyes widened as she immediately brought her nose close to Luize’s belly and took a deep breath.

 

“Ppiheuup!”

 

“…Ren? What are you doing?” Luize, startled, called out to Ren, who straightened up and shouted cheerfully.

 

“Ppik!” [It’s here!]

 

Ren then stretched its neck toward the table, looking at Maxion seated opposite.

 

“Mipi, pipi ppiik!” [Maxion, it looks like Luize is going to have a baby!]

 

“…What?”

 

As Maxion asked in confusion, Ren rolled around on Luize’s lap, rubbing against her lower belly.

 

“Ppippippi. Ppii ppi.” [Yep. I’m sure of it.] Ren looked at her belly with a pleased expression.

 

“Maxion, what is Ren saying?”

 

“Well… she says you’re pregnant.”

 

“What? Really?”

 

“Ppi!” [Absolutely!] Ren nodded enthusiastically.

 

Later, Luize returned to the empress’s palace and called for a healer to conduct an examination. After using magic instruments multiple times, the healer was finally able to confirm the early stages of pregnancy.

 

“Getting pregnant just three days after stopping birth control… Is that even possible?”

 

“If it’s early enough that it’s difficult to detect with magic, it seems you conceived right after stopping the birth control.”

 

“I see. Please keep this a secret from His Majesty until tonight. I want to tell him personally.”

 

“Understood.”

 

Luize smiled happily, and Ren beamed as it rubbed against her.

 

“Ppii? Pipi ppii!” [See? I was right! Congratulations, Luize!]

 

At that moment, Ren was simply happy for Luize’s joy.

 

* * *

Edward was an emperor who set countless records in various fields. He efficiently managed resources in previously underutilized regions, discovered talented individuals regardless of gender or status, and developed them into renowned artists both domestically and abroad. These resources and artists became central to international exchanges, boosting trade and tourism in Kaillon. As a result, Kaillon established the most alliances and grew rapidly during his reign.

 

By refining the administrative system, even minor local issues were resolved faster, and disaster-related damages significantly decreased. Bureaucrats, once burdened by inefficiencies, found their work much easier.

 

Edward E. von Bellord, widely considered the greatest and most capable emperor in history, broke yet another record today.

 

“…What is this?” Luize, wrapped tightly in blankets, stared at Edward in disbelief from her bed.

 

“The healer said you need complete rest in the early stages. Don’t even think about working; I want you to rest here.”

 

“No one said I couldn’t leave the room.”

 

“What if you go outside and trip over a passing dragon?”

 

“Well, if you’re talking about Ren, I might not see and trip over it. Ren is so fast these days that it’s hard to keep up with it… But Ren would never trip me on purpose.”

 

“In any case, it’s dangerous outside. I’ll rearrange everything so your schedule can be handled from here. You just focus on resting.” Edward replied seriously.

 

Indeed, he had now claimed the title of the most overly protective emperor regarding his empress’s pregnancy.

 

Luize continued, her voice tinged with skepticism. “What about the work I was doing? There’s a mountain of things left unfinished.”

 

“I’ll handle it.”

 

“You’re already buried in work. And I can handle it the fastest. It’ll take you ages just to figure everything out. I’ll finish things up in a few days and then take a proper rest.”

 

“What if it puts a strain on you?”

 

“I’ll just reduce my working hours.”

 

“There’s no telling what dangers might lurk on the way to the office—or on the way back. I’ve already imagined a thousand possible scenarios.”

 

Edward’s face had turned pale by the time he finished, and Luize, who had been watching him, sighed deeply.

 

“…Edward. As a healer, let me tell you what’s truly harmful during pregnancy.”

 

Edward looked at her, startled. “What is it?”

 

“Stress.”

 

“…”

 

“If you don’t let me out of this blanket and come to an agreement about work and outings, I’m going to get stressed.”

 

“As you command.” Snap. Edward snapped his fingers, and the blanket unraveled from around Luize.

 

In the end, they agreed to spend about a week finishing up work, with Luize going for walks around the palace whenever she pleased for a change of pace.

 

Although it seemed like a complete defeat for Edward, the most devoted emperor in imperial history had already changed every system behind the scenes. He ensured all the carpets in the palace were in perfect condition, double-checked every walkway Luize might use, and even personally inspected every ingredient in her meals. If something beneficial for the fetus and mother existed, he would instantly teleport to the ends of the continent to fetch it.

 

While Edward’s overprotectiveness was notable, Luize was beloved, and the entire empire welcomed the news of her pregnancy. Every day was like a festival as they prepared to welcome the new imperial family member.

 

* * *

Thud, thud, thud, screech. Ren, running down the hallway, stopped in front of Luize’s room, where most people had been coming and going recently.

 

“Ppi-ii ppik!” [Attention, everyone!]

 

Ren stood on its hind legs and shouted. But the waiting maids and servants at the door were too busy chatting to notice Ren’s cries.

 

“I hope it’s a prince. If he has His Majesty’s red eyes and Her Majesty’s silver hair, and excels at swordsmanship… he’d be so handsome, don’t you think?”

 

“There’s been a betting pool going around. I’ve already put half my salary on it being a princess. She’d be so beautiful and lovely if she took after both of them! It’d be so fun to dress her up every day.”

 

“You bet that much? I’d be happy either way. No matter what, the child will surely be exceptional, just like Their Majesties!”

 

“Of course! Both His Majesty and Her Majesty are so athletic and skilled in swordsmanship. I’m so lucky to work in the palace and now meet the next imperial member.”

 

“You’re right.”

 

“Exactly!”

 

“Ppippi! Pippi!” [Hey, listen up!]

 

Ren frantically waved its arms, circling around the servants to get their attention. But they were too engrossed in their conversation to notice Ren’s presence.

 

“Ppik!” [Listen!]

 

Twitch. Despite Ren’s repeated calls, no one paid her any attention. Annoyed, a vein bulged on its forehead.

 

“Ppiik.” Ren, who had been waving its arms furiously, finally gave up trying to get noticed and sat down with a pout.

 

The people who used to praise Ren for being different and special were now entirely focused on the imperial child. Everywhere it went, it was all about the baby. When Ren’s name did come up, it was only in reference to it being the first to notice Luize’s pregnancy in its earliest stage.

 

“Piyuk.”

 

Ren sighed as it stared at the maids, then turned and trudged off in search of a quieter place. No matter where Ren went, it was all about the baby. But anywhere had to be better than staying here.