Refusing Your Ex-Husband’s Obsession: A Guide - Side Story 21

Side Story 21

Translator: Yonnee

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Irene woke up feeling uncomfortable. She was sure she had closed her eyes on the couch, but when she awoke, she found herself on the bed.

“Mnnh…”

She felt a tightening sensation in her belly. With trembling hands, she placed her hand over her stomach.

“Haah…”

The sensation that felt like gentle prods soon spread widely, turning into pain. It felt as if someone was pressing down on her belly, causing her to groan in agony.

She realized immediately that these were labor pains, but they had come earlier than expected. She was worried, but soon she couldn’t think of anything else due to the pain.

“Hhggh…”

“…Honey?”

Ciel, who had been sleeping beside her, woke up. Irene tried to suppress her whimpering, but it was impossible.

“Rin!”

Seeing her sweating and appearing to be in pain, Ciel immediately snapped to attention.

“Just, just a moment…”

He quickly pulled the bell-pull, then took Irene into his arms.

“A-Are you okay?”

“Uuugh.”

“Honey…”

She was someone who rarely complained about being hurt, so Ciel felt like he was going crazy with worry.

How much pain must she be in to not even be able to speak properly?

“It’s okay, you’re okay.”

He spoke without really knowing what he was saying, a vacant look on his face as he reassured her again and again.

“Milord!”

Given the circumstances, everything had been prepared in advance. Hearing their master’s call in the middle of the night, the chief butler promptly arrived with the doctor and the chief handmaid.

“Bring the doctor! Hurry!”

Without even taking the time to look at them properly, Ciel shouted indiscriminately.

“Your Highness, I am here.”

“I will bring the midwife and the maids.”

“I will wait outside the door.”

Everyone did their best in their respective roles. The doctor checked Irene’s condition and then said,

“Pre-labor has started. It would be best if Your Highness could step outside once true labor begins.”

“Why should I leave!”

Ciel raised his voice at the suggestion of being sent away. Then, Irene, struggling, grabbed his shoulder and said,

“…During the birth, stay out.”

“Rin.”

“If you’re here, it’ll be too noisy, can’t…”

“……”

Struggling to speak, Irene looked at Ciel, who then closed his eyes tightly. Why couldn’t pain be shared?

She wasn’t alone in creating this child, so why did she have to bear the pain alone?

“No.”

Normally, he would have listened to her, but this time he didn’t want to. Just the thought of Irene suffering out of his sight was unbearable.

“Uuuugh!”

“Rin…”

“Your Highness, we’re ready.”

Time seemed to crawl. Irene writhed in agony as her belly twisted with pain. She thought she was accustomed to pain from daggers, guns, arrows, monsters’ claws, and even worse… but childbirth was a completely different story.

The sensation of her body expanding to allow the baby to emerge was indescribable.

Both mother and child overcame this pain to bring a new life into the world.

In a faint state of consciousness, Irene felt the warmth of someone holding her hand tightly. Her hand, slick with sweat, clung to it as if it were a lifeline.

“Aaagh!”

“…Honey!”

“Grand Duchess! Please, push one more time!”

The voices and footsteps of people bustling around and Ciel’s sobbing voice beside her were audible.

With her eyes tightly shut, she exhaled sharply and summoned all the remaining strength she had to push.

At that moment, the pain vanished, and soon after, a robust cry filled the room.

“Uwaaah!”

“Madam!”

“Milord!”

“A beautiful baby girl has been born!”

Hearing the people’s words, Irene struggled to open her eyes. After enduring hours of labor and squeezing out the last of her strength, she had no energy left to move even a fingertip, but she still wanted to see her baby.

Slowly moving her gaze, she saw Ciel’s face.

Tears streamed down his face, which gradually became filled with joy.