The Obsessive Male Lead Is Obsessed With Me! - Chapter 172

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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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Epilogue 3
I was tilting my head in confusion when Lionel, who had been pondering something for a while, finally gave up and steered the conversation in a new direction.
“Compared to when she was first born, she’s definitely grown quite a bit. But next to you, she’s still awfully small.”
“Well, of course she’s small compared to you. It’s not as though your hands are delicate, after all.”
I watched Penelope’s tiny hand resting in Lionel’s palm, then brought my own hand over to compare.
“See? Your hand is bigger than mine.”
“Mm….”
Oh no—had we been talking too loudly in front of the sleeping child?
Lionel and I locked eyes and both made soft shushing sounds without a word between us.
We watched as Penelope, who had stirred briefly, slipped back into deep sleep, and I let out a small laugh.
“Should we go outside and talk?”
“Just a moment.”
Lionel spent a long time gently touching the child’s tiny hand before finally setting her down with a reluctant expression and quietly slipping out.
After the maids entered to keep watch over the sleeping girl, the door had scarcely closed when Lionel spoke.
“Children really do grow so quickly.”
“They do. There’s that saying, isn’t there? Turn your eyes away for a moment and they’ve grown.”
“That saying is true.”
Lionel nodded in agreement, his eyes fixed on the closed door with a mixture of emotions swirling in them.
Though he couldn’t possibly see through the door, his gaze seemed to pierce beyond it—as if watching Penelope sleep—and his eyes were soft with tenderness.
“It is a blessed thing to be able to watch a child grow up by your side.”
“Isn’t it?”
I saw how genuinely happy Lionel looked and linked my arm through his.
Though I never said it aloud, I knew that from the moment I told him I was pregnant, through the birth, and even after Penelope was born, Lionel had wrestled deeply with the question of whether he could be a good father.
I knew this because Lionel didn’t let his worries remain mere thoughts—he put genuine effort into becoming worthy of that role.
‘How could he not see it?’
By the very moment he began to doubt himself, Lionel had already earned the right to call himself a good father.
“Lionel, I know a magic spell that will double your happiness.”
“I know it too.”
“What?”
How could he know? I only found out this morning myself.
“Did the Court Physician already tell you?”
Lionel’s brow furrowed at my question.
“Why would the Court Physician tell me that you love me?”
“Huh?”
…Oh! Oh dear!
“Tsk. So you’re only doubling your happiness with my confession of love?”
“Of course I’m far happier than that. But Liri, you’ve always underestimated how deeply I feel receiving your affection.”
And with that, Lionel began listing examples—occasions when I’d confessed my feelings or shown affection or given him gifts, and how he’d been so moved he couldn’t sleep, yet I’d scolded him to go rest rather than indulging his joy.
“No, that’s because you go into Brain Explosion mode!”
“Brain Explosion? What is that?”
It was something beyond first, second, or third ecstasy—the ultimate expression of the nth level of emotion. How was I supposed to explain this?
“It’s a real thing. Anyway, your capacity for emotion is a bit excessive. We’ve been married for how long now, and you’re still dwelling on that first night together!”
“There you go again, underestimating me. When you tell me you love me, I can savor those words and remain happy for days, even weeks.”
“Regardless! What I was trying to tell you wasn’t about love.”
“Then what was it?”
Lionel asked the question back with a slightly dejected tone. I leaned close to his ear and whispered the magic spell that would lift his spirits at once.
“Our Penelope is going to have a little sibling.”
“A sibling… a sibling?”
At first, Lionel blinked as if he didn’t understand the meaning, but after repeating the same word back to himself, his eyes went wide.
“Is that truly so?”
“Would I joke about something like this?”
I guided his hand to my belly as I continued.
“The physician says it’s been about a month.”
“A month….”
Lionel’s expression grew deeply thoughtful.
It was clear he was recalling a particular night from a month ago, and feeling suddenly bashful, I tapped his shoulder and told him to erase whatever he was imagining.
“Remember how overwhelmed we were when Penelope was first born? The second time will be easier than the first, I suppose, but caring for both a firstborn and a newborn will double the chaos, you know?”
“You’re right.”
Lionel nodded with a serious expression.
“I must begin preparing from now on.”
“Preparing for what?”
“To welcome the second child. And I mustn’t neglect Penelope while caring for the newborn—I need to cherish her even more than before, and also….”
Here was a man who at the National Council kept a composed, steady face while silencing nobles—and now he was rambling incoherently.
Rather than simply rejoicing at the news of the child, he was genuinely contemplating how to care for the coming baby. How grateful I felt that this man was my husband.
“Now, now—you’re not the only second father here. I’m the second mother, aren’t I? Don’t tackle this alone. Let’s discuss it together.”
“You’re right. That’s true.”
“For now, since we have time before the second child arrives, how about you start by taking care of your pregnant wife?”
A smile tugged at Lionel’s lips at my playful remark.
“Gladly, my love.”
…Ahem.
I suppose on this one point, I should concede that Lionel had the right of it.
Just savoring the expression he’d shown and the tone of his voice—I could be happy not for days or weeks, but for far longer than that.
Epilogue 2. A Day in Ruda’s Life.
—Chirp, chirp-chirp-chirp.
Beyond the wide-open window, brilliant sunlight streamed in, and the cries of birds already awake filled the air with noisy chatter.
Roused by the commotion, Ruda rustled her wings within the nest.
“Peep-peep…. Peep….”
Which of these ruffians dares chirp in my territory?
Just as Ruda managed to open her eyes, her beak puffing indignantly, she heard Uni’s voice from near the large bed beside her.
“Your Majesty, it’s time to rise.”
“Mm… I want to sleep more….”
“That won’t do. You must get up and prepare now, or you’ll be late for the luncheon with the noble ladies at noon.”
“I don’t want to eat….”
“If you truly don’t wish to attend, we can cancel. However, among the invited ladies is the wife of Duke Roheim….”
“You should have led with that!”
Cecilia, who had been burrowing under the covers and grumbling, suddenly sat bolt upright.
Even though she herself was now the mother of three children, the Empress still feared being lectured by her own mother. Several maids stifled their giggles at the sight.
The Maid Manager Uni gave those giggling maids a stern look. They gasped in alarm and quickly lowered their heads, though their smiles never quite faded.
It was largely due to the influence of the current Empress that the atmosphere in the Empress’s Palace had improved so dramatically compared to years past.
“What time is it now? How much time until noon?”
“Two hours remain. I’ve prepared bathwater, so please proceed to the bathroom.”
“Right, understood. And my sleeping in today stays secret from Mother, understood?”
The Empress held her index finger to her lips, making a shushing gesture, with no trace of imperial dignity in sight.
Uni released a light cough, but then decided it hardly mattered among just the maids and nodded in agreement.
“Everyone here is discreet. The Empress’s small failings won’t escape these walls.”
“Good. Oh, Ruda! You’re awake too?”
“Peep-peep!”
In truth, Ruda had wanted to sleep longer, but the conversation between Cecilia and the maids had grown too loud, banishing sleep entirely.
Moreover, Cecilia’s fierce intention not to sleep any longer had imprinted itself so firmly in Ruda’s mind that she could sleep no more.
“I’m going to bathe. Would you like a bath too, Ruda?”
“Chirp!”
Bathing amounted to nothing more than splashing about in the shallow water of a dish, really. While Cecilia washed, Ruda indulged in what was ostensibly a bath but was really just playtime in the water.
“Peep-peep, chirp. Chirp-chirp-chirp. Chirp!”
“Ruda, you seem to be in particularly high spirits today?”
“Peep-peep!”
Actually, saying Ruda was in high spirits “today” missed the mark. Ruda had been in good spirits yesterday, and the day before, and the day before that. Every single day was filled with joy and happiness.
How could it be otherwise? Ruda’s world was full of delicious things and fun things and beloved people.
“Peep-peep, chirp-chirp.”
“What? You’re going to see Lionel? He’ll be working now…. If he looks busy, don’t bother him and come back to me. Understand?”
“Chirp!”
Ruda nuzzled her head against Cecilia’s cheek, then fluttered up and out through the open window.
The Imperial Palace was vast in its total expanse, but the Emperor’s Palace and Empress’s Palace stood close to one another. Without difficulty, Ruda found the Emperor’s office and began tapping at the window.

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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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