Refusing Your Ex-Husband’s Obsession: A Guide - Side Story 20

Side Story 20

Translator: Yonnee

—

“You arrived early.”

Watching from behind, Ciel approached and greeted them.

Dad, who had been gentle with me, hugged Ciel tightly and patted his back, saying,

“My son-in-law! Congratulations!”

“Ugh!”

No matter how strong Ciel was, Arthur’s palms seemed to be too forceful, but before I could intervene, Mom stepped in.

“Do you have to be so rough with your son-in-law? Why must you hit him on the back every time? It’s got to hurt.”

“Does it? Ha-ha-ha! I’m just happy!”

“Haha, that’s true. Have you been well?”

“Yes, of course. It’s cold outside. Let’s go inside, dear?”

Ciel warmly welcomed Mom and Dad, then he quickly brought us inside the mansion using his wind ability.

Seeing my parents after a long time made me happy.

Once inside, I eagerly showed them around the manor, including the mana stone elevator and the interior.

After escorting them to the guest room and settling down on the sofa together, I asked,

“Mom, how long will you stay?”

“We can’t stay long, just about two weeks.”

“Did Brother arrive safely?”

“Yes.”

Mom and Dad were able to come here because Brother and Sister-in-law returned to the Closch estate. Obviously, it wouldn’t do for both estates to be left without their masters.

“By the way, our daughter. You liked this, didn’t you?”

Mom pulled something out of her bag. Inside the familiar box were homemade cookies she made.

“Mother-in-law, my wife has been having morning sickness…”

Before Ciel could stop me though, I grabbed a cookie and popped it into my mouth.

“Honey?”

Since becoming pregnant, fruits were about the only thing I could stomach, but strangely, I found myself unable to resist these cookies.

As I munched on the nutty treat and swallowed, it’s as if all the hunger I hadn’t been feeling until now was coming down all at once.

As I took another cookie to eat, a bewildered Ciel quickly fetched some lemon water in a panic. However, I just picked up another cookie.

“My daughter, I’ll make more for you. Eat a lot.”

It was truly a wonder. Why was everything Mom made so delicious?

* * *

After my parents’ visit, my morning sickness miraculously vanished. Though it occasionally returned, eating the cookies Mom had left in abundance always melted the nausea away as if by magic.

Thus, we spent a warm winter, and time flew by swiftly until our first spring in this castle.

By the time the leaves turned red, my body had become significantly heavier.

“Rin, be careful.”

Ciel had been overly cautious since the early days of my pregnancy, and he remained the same even now. Actually, his concern only intensified.

If I so much as attempted to move slightly, he would follow me around with a worried frown.

“Ah, no abilities!”

“But what if you fall…”

Despite the ban on his powers due to his serious concerns, he often broke the promise.

Of course, I knew why he was so worried. I sighed, rubbing my round belly.

“The doctor said it’s okay to move now. In fact, moderate exercise would even help with the delivery.”

“But…”

“No ‘buts’ allowed!”

“……”

Really, despite his imposing stature…

After being scolded, Ciel looked pitiful with his drooping eyes, prompting me to speak again.

“Is there anything to worry about when you’re with me? If anything happens, you can catch me with your abilities, right?”

Brightening slightly at my words, Ciel agreed.

“Then, I’ll follow you closely.”

“Okay.”

Together, we went to the backyard.

Unlike the garden filled with evergreens, the backyard was abundant with maple trees, their red leaves beautifully colored.

The cosmos and unnamed wildflowers blooming among the trees were stunning, making me feel good as we walked.

“Ah, it’s so refreshing. Squirmy, you feel good too, right?”

Having nicknamed the baby ‘Squirmy’ for their lively movements, they seemed to react by moving in my belly as if pleased.

“Squirmy, do you like it?”

Sticking close by, Ciel asked while caressing my belly. The baby seemed to respond to his voice too, making my belly move.

“Haha, they kicked again.”

“Seeing how strong they are, it might be a boy.”

“I was hoping our first child would be a girl…”

“Do you want a second one?”

“Huh? No, just… It just slipped out.”

A second child…

It wasn’t that I hadn’t thought about it, but I was unsure.

“Ah, just forget I said anything. Let’s focus on our Squirmy first.”

Ciel seemed upset, so he quickly changed the subject.

“Right. Who knows what the future holds, we know that better than anyone.”

“Indeed.”

From thinking I was dead to arriving in this world, to his return.

None of this was even imaginable. So, instead of worrying about an uncertain future, wasn’t it better to enjoy the present?

Enjoying the fresh air, we continued our walk. Even though my body was heavy and I could only waddle, I moved more diligently in anticipation of the upcoming birth.

Ciel’s expression grew darker with each step I took.

I never thought he’d be such a worrywart.

After a hearty dinner, we headed to our room. I lounged loosely on the couch, and then Ciel came over with oil to massage my feet and calves.

“See? Your legs are swollen from all the walking.”

“They swell up even if I just sit nowadays.”

“No, they’re more swollen than usual.”

Despite his grumbling, he massaged me with gentle touches. I closed my eyes, relaxing into the soothing sensation.