DSB 157

“What I want is for a baby of your bloodline to nest inside my womb. Think about all the medicines you’ve given me for years to keep me healthy. My body is strong.”

“Have you forgotten that your cold turned into pneumonia?”

Lebel let out a small sigh. But he soon shrugged his shoulders and smiled.

“It’s fine. My womb is strong.”

Lebel added playfully.

“Should I show you myself? Even if you say no, I intend to do it.”

No sooner had he finished speaking than a burst of pheromones was released. The flow of the air changed in an instant. The space, once filled with tension, began to be dominated by pheromones containing intense seduction. Yutis’s body trembled slightly, and his eyes slowly turned red.

Lebel smiled softly and kissed his cheek.

“I will not let you go tonight.”

Even the last remaining hesitation crumbled. There was no way for Yutis to resist Lebel’s temptation from the very beginning.

And a few months later.

“…You, you are pregnant.”

“Yes.”

Lebel smiled calmly, as if it were a perfectly natural outcome. Unlike those around him who held their breath and cautiously watched the situation, his demeanor was excessively relaxed.

“You… there are no abnormalities in your body, right?”

“I have written down a few precautions for a pregnant omega. Please take a look.”

Yutis was watching Lebel with a worried expression. Although he had said he had written down a few things, the paper Mahan handed over was densely filled with writing. It wasn’t even just a single page.

The physician swallowed a hollow laugh and added calmly.

“First of all, His Majesty the Empress is in good health. However, since it is the early stages of pregnancy, it is most important not to overexert yourself. Rest is necessary until the baby is properly positioned.”

“Did you hear? You must absolutely not move around alone.”

“If there is anything you need me to do, be sure to tell me.”

From that day on, the Empire rejoiced at the news of the Empress’s pregnancy. The imperial palace became abuzz. As time passed, Yutis’s worries grew, yet Lebel went about his business just fine.

As soon as he heard that prenatal care was important, he stroked his belly and spoke to the baby every day, took him for walks in the garden to show him flowers, and read books to him. It was as if he wanted to show the unborn child everything in the world.

Time passed, and finally, the day of delivery arrived.

Lebel looked at Yutis, who was even paler than himself, and said,

“Don’t worry, just wait outside.”

He chased him out and closed the door.

However, Yutis could not feel at ease. He paced back and forth in front of the door. Before he could even realize how much time had passed, a loud cry of a baby shattered the silence. At that moment, Yutis could no longer hold back and flung open the door.

He saw Lebel breathing heavily, and a small baby wrapped in a clean towel. At the sight, tears streamed down his face.

Lebel smiled and said,

“Why are you crying on such a happy day?”

“… Thank you so much.”

Yutis knelt beside Lebel and held his hand. He carefully wiped the sweat from his face and checked on his condition several times.

“Your Majesty, it is a healthy prince.”

As the midwife held out the baby, Lebel took him into his arms.

Contrary to all the worries Yutis had had, the pregnancy unauthorized copyhad not been difficult and was manageable. However, giving birth was unexpectedly hard. He wondered if he had ever felt such pain in his life as a demon.

But at the end of it all, this tiny life was in his arms. An indescribable emotion swirled within him. Lebel looked down at the child for a while, then muttered indifferently.

“Hmm, he is ugly.”

That was the thought that crossed his mind upon seeing the red, wrinkled face. The newborn baby hadn’t even been able to open his eyes properly yet. He moved his mouth as if he were about to cry, but upon being held in Lebel’s arms, he seemed to sense the warmth, burrowed into his embrace, and soon fell silent.

“What are you talking about? He is so lovely because he takes after you.”

Yutis smiled as he looked at the baby. Lebel said nothing. He wondered exactly where the baby resembled him. Nevertheless, he didn’t feel bad, because the baby was born healthy.

Although he seemed to resemble Lebel more than Yutis. He wasn’t just referring to the baby’s appearance.

‘Did I give too much just because it was my first child?’

Lebel absentmindedly poked the baby’s cheek with his finger. At that, the baby opened his eyes. It was only enough for the eyelids to separate, but through the gap, red pupils were visible. Upon seeing that, Lebel’s suspicion turned into certainty.

Whether the baby possessed a lot of demonic energy or not, he was healthy. There was absolutely no chance of him being looked down upon by humans.

“Next time, I want to have a baby that looks like you.”

Yutis’s eyes widened at these unexpected words. He first felt joy. After all, it meant he wanted a child who resembled him.

However, he immediately became anxious. This time had been safe, but there was no guarantee that the next would be. The tension that had persisted right up until the visit our sitemoment of childbirth and the painful breathing coming from beyond the door still echoed in his ears.

Even now, Lebel looked exhausted.

“We need at least two. It would be nice to have a child that resembles you too.”

After hearing those words, how could he possibly object?

Yutis remained silent for a while, then cautiously opened his mouth.

“Right now… stability is the most important thing. And should we not wait until this child grows up healthy?”

“Hmm, I see.”

Lebel looked at the baby and smiled, then whispered.

“Esbel, sleep well.”

It was a name that Yutis and Lebel had deliberated over every day before deciding on.

***

“Your Highness! Your Highness, where are you?”

Esbel grew up healthy and strong.

Although Lebel had thought the child bore no resemblance to Yutis, he was pleased to see the child’s pure white silver hair as he grew. However, his facial features were gradually beginning to resemble Lebel’s.

With his beauty from a young age, the people of the imperial palace revered him dearly. Yet, there was something that remained unfulfilled for Esbel. Perhaps it was because he constantly saw Lebel and Yutis, who were full of love, he wished that he, too, would find someone to love.

Once again today, Esbel soared through the sky, shaking off the attendants who were trailing behind him. Small, black wings were fluttering on his back. However, they were invisible to ordinary people. This was because Lebel had cast a spell on them.

It was Lebel who found Esbel.

“Esbel.”

“Dad!!”

Esbel flapped his small wings and flew into Lebel’s arms. Their similar red eyes sparkled.

“I told you not to disappear so suddenly.”

“No! I said I was going out to play by myself!”

“The attendants would not have allowed it.”

There was no way they would let a five-year-old go alone. Moreover, he was the Empire’s only prince.

“Yutis worries a lot, so you need to be careful.”

Esbel flinched. Lebel rarely got angry, but when it came to matters involving Yutis, he was merciless even to Esbel. Esbel knew this well.

“Mmm, Father shouldn’t worry.”

It wasn’t that he felt hurt by that. It wasn’t that Lebel didn’t love Esbel. The two of them gave him overflowing love. But even that wasn’t enough.

Because he was not their first priority. For them, each other was the most important thing.

That was why, before he could even feel disappointed, he would occasionally think that he wished he had someone by his side who would only look at him, seek him out first, and smile for him.

That was the reason.

“Dad, when am I getting married?”

Lebel blinked at the sudden question.

“I want to meet someone like Father.”

Even as he spoke boldly, his eyes sparkled. It was innocent, yet filled with deep desire. Lebel paused for a moment, then spoke firmly.

“Esbel, Yutis is mine. You find your own.”

It was not an answer to give when a mere five-year-old [visit our site]was talking about marriage, but Lebel was serious. Esbel nodded as if it were only natural.

“I know. Father belongs to Dad. I want to have what is mine! Where should I find one?”

“You’ll meet them as you live.”

Lebel said calmly. Because that was how he felt. They had met by chance, and at some point, he had become someone indispensable.

“What if I want to see them sooner? I want to be with them every day and play with them!”

Lebel looked down at the child for a moment and chuckled.

“Then you have no choice but to go find them. Yutis also came to meet me.”

“Father came to see you first?”

Esbel’s eyes sparkled. There was no reason to tell Esbel about Lebel’s past, when he had become a bride sold off to the North.

“Father said he fell in love at first sight the moment he saw you, Dad. What about you?”

His eyes shone as he waited for an answer. Lebel thought for a moment, then slowly opened his mouth.

“Hmm, perhaps it was similar for me.”

“I also want to meet them soon.”

The young demon stomped his feet with a face full of anticipation.

“You’re too young.”

“Eh? I’m all grown up!”

“You’ve only lived for a few years.”

“Hmm… My birthday is soon… so five years!”

Even by human standards, he was still very young.

“Just stay as you are.”

If he were to come forward and say he would marry because he had found a partner, it was obvious that Yutis would cry.

And the next day.

Just as Lebel had said, Yutis mobilized the knights to search the capital thoroughly in order to find Esbel, who had disappeared leaving only a note saying he would go find his partner.