She Became My Friend’s Mother-In-Law - Chapter 168

—————

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

—————

Side Story 1. What Happened in Peloux (13)
A moment later.
“Congratulations, madam.”
The Duchy Physician spoke with a gentle smile.
“You are in the early stages of pregnancy.”
“…Pardon?”
Both Cecilia and Rainer, who stood beside her, widened their eyes in unison.
The Physician continued with a satisfied expression.
“If the child resembles both of you, they will surely be among the most beautiful in the Empire.”
“Good heavens.”
Cecilia instinctively covered her mouth with both hands.
A child.
She carefully placed her hand over her abdomen.
Within this still-flat, smooth expanse.
I could scarcely believe that our child—mine and Rainer’s—existed within me.
“I thought I would never have this…”
Cecilia’s eyes grew red.
Wendy, standing beside her, wiped away her own tears.
Rainer silently handed her a handkerchief.
His gaze turned back toward the Physician.
“We took a lengthy Carriage journey not long ago. Is there any cause for concern?”
“Rest assured. Both mother and child are in excellent health.”
Only then did a low sigh escape from Rainer’s lips.
He drew Cecilia close, embracing her shoulders firmly.
The perceptive Physician and Servants quietly withdrew.
Only the two of them remained in the Room.
“Rainer.”
Cecilia spoke in a trembling voice.
“It’s our child.”
From between her lips came a sound—whether laughter or tears, she could not say.
The tears would not cease.
The moment she had only vaguely imagined suddenly felt far more overwhelming than she had ever anticipated.
Even if I summed all the joy and happiness I had ever felt in my life, it would not equal half of what I feel now.
“…Is it not strange?”
Cecilia murmured softly.
“I want to laugh, yet the tears keep flowing. My face must look absolutely ridiculous right now.”
“Not at all.”
Rainer chuckled softly, cradling her cheek with his large hand.
It was a touch so tender, as though he were beholding the most precious thing in the world.
With his thumb, he gently brushed away the tears from her eyes as he spoke softly.
“From now on, don’t you dare shed another tear. I won’t forgive anyone who makes you cry.”
“But this time it’s our child.”
“There are no exceptions.”
“Good heavens.”
Cecilia finally burst into laughter.
Seeing this, Rainer smiled as well, pressing his forehead against hers.
And he murmured softly.
“Thank you.”
“…Rainer.”
“From now on, I’ll do my best to make you smile even more.”
Cecilia gazed at him for a moment.
She was already abundantly happy.
And yet those words meant everything to her.
“Yes.”
She lifted her hand and gently caressed her belly.
Then, with a playful smile, she raised her gaze to meet his.
“I’ll have to see which of you two makes me laugh more.”
The happy laughter of the two of them echoed softly through the room.
* * *
Time passed swiftly.
The seasons changed twice over.
And at last, Cecilia’s day of delivery drew near.
The Duke’s Mansion bustled with activity from the early morning hours.
The most skilled Midwife in Brisen had been standing by since the previous day.
The Maids ceaselessly carried heated water and towels.
“Your Grace! You cannot go in there!”
As Rainer paced before the Delivery Room, Wendy rushed forward to block his path.
“Ahhhhh!”
In that moment, Cecilia’s cry pierced through the door.
At that sound, Rainer’s shoulders flinched.
He wanted nothing more than to burst inside immediately.
“You mustn’t, Your Grace. If a husband fusses about anxiously, it only makes his wife more distressed.”
“I just—”
“Besides, the Delivery Room is forbidden to men!”
At her firm words, Rainer found himself unable to speak.
He could only clench his trembling fists, his face drained of color.
Wendy turned and slipped inside, shutting the door firmly behind her.
“Hah…”
Rainer dragged his hand across his face and collapsed into a chair in the Corridor.
“It will be all right, Your Grace.”
Harry, standing beside him, spoke in a measured tone.
He had already anticipated that Rainer wouldn’t be able to leave this place today.
So he had brought work with him and settled into a spot in the Corridor.
Still keeping his gaze fixed on the documents, he continued.
“The Duchess only suffered from morning sickness in the early stages, and after that she remained in excellent health. The delivery will proceed without complications.”
Just as Harry said, Cecilia’s pregnancy had been relatively smooth.
Given all the hardships she had endured before, there were even jokes that God was balancing the scales.
But none of this provided any comfort to Rainer now.
“Hngh…!”
Another moan echoed from the room.
He could also hear the voices of the Midwife and Maids urging her to push, warning her not to fall asleep.
Rainer anxiously bit his lip and clenched his fists tightly.
His blood ran dry, and every minute felt like a year.
How much time had passed like this?
“Waaaaaah!”
The moment he heard the baby’s cry from inside, Rainer sprang to his feet.
Soon the door opened, and the Midwife emerged carrying a swaddled infant.
“Congratulations. He bears a striking resemblance to the Duke—quite handsome―”
But before the Midwife could finish her words.
Rainer rushed past her and burst into the room.
At his urgent manner, the Maids’ eyes widened in surprise.
He headed straight for the bed.
“Cecilia.”
She lay on the bed, exhaustion written plainly across her face.
Her eyes were closed as she breathed heavily.
Rainer reached out to gently brush her cheek, then hesitated.
Instead, he first washed his hands in the hot water placed on the side table.
At that moment, Cecilia’s eyes fluttered open.
“…Rainer?”
“Yes, it’s me. Are you all right?”
“Of course. Rainer, were you very worried about me?”
“Far more than you could possibly imagine.”
“Oh my….”
Rainer knelt on one knee beside the bed and gently cradled her hand that lay outside the blanket between both of his.
When he felt her fingers weakly slip through his grasp, his chest tightened.
“…You’ve endured so much.”
His lips trembled slightly.
“If I could, I would have taken your pain upon myself.”
“That’s not possible. Our child had to be born by me.”
Cecilia smiled faintly.
It was the moment Rainer, his face tender with emotion, brushed back her sweat-dampened hair.
“Ahem, Duke. Duchess.”
The Midwife, who had been momentarily forgotten, re-entered with the baby.
“Surely you two haven’t forgotten the young master?”
“Of course not.”
Cecilia’s weary face brightened instantly.
Rainer rose from his seat and carefully extended both hands.
The moment he received the baby swaddled in cloth.
His eyes widened at the surprisingly delicate weight in his arms.
A small face peeked out from within the blanket.
The baby, with hair as black as ebony and long lashes, slept peacefully with soft, rhythmic breaths.
“He bears a striking resemblance to the Duke, truly.”
The Midwife spoke with a smile.
Rainer could not tear his gaze from his son for a long while.
An emotion he had never felt before welled up from the depths of his chest.
The baby’s lips pursed slightly, and he stirred ever so faintly.
Even that trivial movement was endearing.
“Edmund.”
Rainer called the baby’s name with utmost care.
It was a name decided after countless discussions with Cecilia.
Then, slowly, he bent down and laid the child beside Cecilia.
Cecilia turned her head.
The baby slept on, blissfully unaware of the world.
“…Edmund.”
She too called out the baby’s name.
Did he recognize his mother’s voice?
The child smiled softly even in his sleep.
Seeing this, tears welled in Cecilia’s eyes.
“Edmund. Edmund.”
Once more.
And again.
She called out her baby’s name.
Her heart swelled with overwhelming joy.
The moment she had dreamed of for so long.
At last, happiness had become tangible in her hands.
‘How fortunate.’
Cecilia exhaled softly.
To share this joyous moment wholly with Rainer.
Her gaze alternated between the baby and Rainer.
And with Jeremy as well.
They were the men she loved most in this world.
From now on, she would weave the happiest of stories together with them.
* * *
One year later.
“Edmund, let’s try this way!”
“Kyaa!”
Edmund, now one year old, had begun toddling about on his own.
Jeremy kept a firm grip on the baby’s chubby hand, accompanying him everywhere.
Though he was still only four years old himself, he already carried himself with the dignified bearing of an older brother.
A Nursemaid hurried along behind the two children as they walked through the Garden.
Cecilia and Rainer sat on a bench, watching the scene with contentment.
A gentle smile graced both their lips.
“Children really are adorable, aren’t they?”
Cecilia rested her head against her husband’s shoulder.
Warm sunlight enveloped them both tenderly.
The past year, as Edmund grew, had been a time beyond price for them both.
A precious baby, and Jeremy, now grown dignified enough to be a proper older brother.
Each day spent with the two children accumulated, naturally transforming into happiness.
Cecilia murmured softly.
“Will there be nothing but happiness ahead for us?”
“Who knows.”
Rainer shrugged his shoulders.
“With two boys, there’s no telling what sort of mischief they might get into.”
“You’re incorrigible.”
Cecilia tapped her husband’s arm playfully, shooting him a sidelong glance.
Rainer chuckled mischievously and pulled his wife close against his shoulder.
“I jest. Whatever mischief the children cause, we’ll end up laughing about it all the same.”
He smiled and pressed a light kiss to her cheek.
“So our happiness will be eternal.”
Cecilia beamed at her husband’s words and nodded in agreement.
Truly, it was a day of perfect, boundless warmth.
Of course, true to Rainer’s prediction, the children would cause small upheavals as they grew.
But that was a story for another time.
Side Story 1 of “I Became My Friend’s Mother-in-Law” — Complete.

—————

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

—————