Beguiling the Enemy’s Patriarch - Chapter 176

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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Side Story Part 2, Episode 3
Tezebia comforted her younger sister with tenderness.
“Your mana incompatibility has already resolved, hasn’t it? There’s no reason to think the child inherited that. You said yourself that since finding out you were pregnant until now, you haven’t suffered greatly.”
“That’s true, but… I think the children stayed healthy because I struggled so much in the early stages.”
“Don’t think that way. Worrying too much isn’t good for you either. And most importantly, you need to be healthy for the child to be healthy.”
“You’re saying the same thing Auredhian says. Thank you. I won’t worry.”
As they conversed, the Secondary Palace was already within sight. The Secondary Palace was divided into the Eastern Palace and Western Palace by an outdoor corridor. The small garden attached to the Western Palace remained unchanged, complete with ancient trees and a swing hanging from their branches. Color finally returned to Yerenika’s face.
“It feels so wonderful to be back after so long!”
The moment Yerenika entered the bedroom she had used ten years ago, she threw herself onto the bed. Tezebia watched her younger sister tumble across the mattress with a gentle smile, suddenly overcome with emotion.
‘She still looks so much like a young girl…’
Her younger sister, whom she hadn’t seen in ages, remained beautiful and spirited. Where had all those years gone? With her long pink hair tied in two braids just like her young daughter, she looked more like a cousin or aunt than the mother of two children. Then again, the Emperor of Belgot hardly looked like a father either.
While Tezebia was lost in such thoughts, Yerenika pushed open the window beside the bed wide. She drew in a deep breath.
“Ah… yes, this place has its own special warmth to the air.”
She leaned her upper body out through the open window. Her long pink hair, tied on both sides, fluttered in the breeze.
“Uni, this is Lebovni. Your older brother and sister say they love Lebovni too, but what do you think?”
Though she still seemed so young, she placed her hand on her belly and spoke in an excited voice to the child still smaller than a fist—a true mother in every sense. Tezebia smiled and drew closer to her sister.
“You said Uni was a temporary name. What are you thinking of naming them?”
“If it’s a boy, Yunen. If it’s a girl, Yuniero.”
“Both are beautiful names. Do you hope for a daughter this time, or a son?”
Yerenika’s eyes widened, then she laughed softly.
“Hmm, I promised Auredhian I wouldn’t answer that question.”
“Why?”
“What if I say I prefer one and it turns out to be the other? Uni is listening to everything I say. They might feel hurt.”
It was such a characteristically Yeni answer. She winked at a slightly surprised Tezebia before turning her gaze back out the window. In truth, what she had just said was also her husband’s habit. When she had given birth to their first son and second daughter, she had heard this question often enough, and Auredhian would always deliberate before ultimately giving a similar answer.
“It doesn’t matter whether it’s a daughter or a son. I’ll love them either way.”
“Still, isn’t there something you secretly prefer?”
“Even if there is, I won’t tell you. The baby is listening too. They might feel hurt if I’m wrong.”
“Ah, I see.”
“Yes. I don’t want the child to feel unloved before they’re even born.”
‘…That man probably doesn’t even realize he’s said the exact same thing three times already.’
Yerenika thought of her ever-consistent husband and felt a pang of longing. She wished he had come with her. Had she pushed him away too coldly? Brizni and Alexio had always sung about wanting to see her. Though if she said that, he would deny that they had actually sung about it.
It had only been a few hours since leaving Belgot, and she already missed him. It seemed she was hardly in a position to tease him for being a devoted husband.
‘Maybe I should turn on a video call later and pester him…’
Of course, Yerenika had no idea that her husband had just moments ago pressed the Imperial Palace mage to open a magical circle connecting to Lebovni.
* * *
Brizni was secretly following “that child.” In those languid violet eyes, curiosity gleamed with subtle charm—that beloved child whom she wanted to embrace and shower with kisses on both cheeks!
Though Tezebia, knowing how long her daughter had been waiting for this child, had gently pushed her toward the Lebovni Imperial Family, Brizni couldn’t easily step forward. With that child in front of her, she wouldn’t be able to keep her hands to herself. Her heart was racing.
The Belgot Imperial Prince and Princess, who had arrived in Lebovni this morning, were hanging by the window, looking down at the garden. The siblings’ hushed conversation drifted up.
“It’s much warmer here than in Belgot. Spring must have already arrived. Look, flowers are already blooming down there.”
“How pretty…”
“Jena, are you sleepy? Your eyes are drooping. Would you like me to brush your hair for you?”
“Mm-hmm.”
Beneath the warm autumn sunlight streaming through the window frame, the silver-haired children fidgeted restlessly. Alexio followed his friend with an uncomfortable expression. At the deliberately audible footsteps, Brizni’s eyes snapped open sharply.
“Quiet your footsteps, Lexie. She’ll notice.”
“…Does she really mean that much to you?”
Alexio’s mood had been steadily declining ever since the Belgot Imperial Family arrived. Brizni, entirely indifferent to her friend’s state, nodded with a radiant smile.
“Isn’t she adorable? I never imagined there could be someone with an even colder appearance than you.”
Decarve and Aizena carried the thick blood of the Belgot Imperial Family, and their appearance reflected that coldness distinctly. The sharp, upturned eyes, the proud nose bridge despite their youth, the lips pressed into a firm line—Alexio exhaled quietly. Both were undeniably beautiful like porcelain dolls, but he still disliked being compared to them.
“…Fine. Play well with them. I’m leaving.”
“Okay, see you, Lexie!”
Alexio glared at his ungrateful friend before turning sharply on his heel. Only then did Brizni realize something was amiss with her friend’s mood. She watched his retreating figure, now quite distant, with concern.
‘Should I try to cheer him up?’
Belated regret washed over her, but the milk was already spilled. Brizni decided that tomorrow morning she would whine about wanting sword lessons. After all, even if Lexie sulked, she’d see him for life anyway. Would they really grow distant over this? Brizni sighed and poked her head back around the corner.
Then an innocent voice came from beside her.
“What are you doing, Sister?”
“What am I doing? Just observing our super-adorable, most precious living doll….”
Huh? Brizni answered thoughtlessly before stopping mid-sentence. She slowly turned her gaze to the left. And her eyes met a pair of clear, bright ones directly.
“Oh my goodness!”
Brizni shrieked and braced for impact. She knew she would fall. But the shock never reached her bottom.
“Wh-what…?”
Shimmering silver divinity gently enveloped Brizni’s body. Only after she was properly seated on the ground could Brizni finally face the child who had appeared so suddenly.
It was a haughty, sharp-featured boy. Brizni had met him once three years ago. The young boy who wielded divinity as naturally as breathing was still smiling brightly. Though his appearance bore no resemblance to anyone, his smile was strikingly similar to Aunt Yeni’s.
Decarve called out in a voice dripping with aegyo.
“Sister, it’s been forever!”
“…Deb.”
Brizni was bewildered by the warm divinity enveloping her body, yet she didn’t forget to glance around the corner. And she received an enormous shock.
“Wait….”
“Sister, what are you doing here? Hiding in such a strange position… Sister?”
Brizni’s face crumpled, and she brought her hands to Deb’s chubby cheeks. Then she pinched them mercilessly.
“You! Because of you, our super-precious cute princess ran away!”
“Wha-what? (Cute princess?)”
Decarve’s cheeks pinched, his eyes rolling around. This time Brizni pressed both his white cheeks firmly with her palms and cried out miserably.
“Where did you hide our princess! Your aunt said she’d definitely bring her next time, so I’ve been waiting all these years…!”
“…?”
Decarve stood with his mouth agape, blinking confusedly.
“Jena?”
“Jena is here.”
Brizni, drowning in despair, opened her eyes wide at the new voice from her left. Turning her head, she saw a small girl with silver hair braided into two pigtails tied with red ribbons, wearing a bright sky-blue dress. The child blinked languidly a few times before speaking more clearly this time.
“Aizena is here.”
“Ah….”
The strength drained from Brizni’s hands.
“Jena!”
Decarve seized the moment to slip free from his sister’s grasp and scooped up his younger sister, nuzzling his cheek against hers. Though Jena’s expression turned slightly pouty, she obediently accepted her brother’s affectionate barrage of kisses.
“Jena, this sister is Brizni!”
Brizni nearly gasped aloud as she gazed down at the child staring up at her with such earnest eyes.
‘Oh no! She’s absolutely precious!’
Even as Decarve’s affection squeezed both of Jena’s cheeks, she stared intently at the beautiful red-haired sister before her. Then she called out her name.
“Brizni sister.”
“No, Jena. You should call me sister.”
“Brizni sister.”
Jena rubbed her drowsy eyes and, her voice drowsy and languid, slowly stirred Brizni’s heart.
“Bri sister, will you brush my hair?”

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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