Chapter 23
Pregnancy Life
When the doctor calculated it, my expected delivery date turned out to be close to Alex’s birthday.
That meant there was a high possibility I wouldn’t be able to attend Alex’s birthday celebration next year.
When I thought about that, Alex said casually,
“The most important thing is that the baby is born safely. You don’t need to worry about anything else.”
At present, the Imperial Palace revolved entirely around me.
Only foods I could eat were served, and wherever I went, guards and maids accompanied me constantly. Alex made an effort to finish work quickly and return in time for tea.
It seemed that Alex still needed more than just fruit and yogurt, so he ate separately, but he never showed it or complained, always staying close to me.
Whatever he didn’t eat at breakfast, he supplemented at the palace during his work, in places where I couldn’t see or smell him.
“Honestly, I’d like to eat only the same things as Lacy. If I’m not with her, I can’t taste my food properly. But I shouldn’t be selfish like that. I’m going to be a father. I have to set an example for my child.”
Eating was no joy for Alex.
Ever since losing Cecil, he said food felt like sand in his mouth. Perhaps when he wasn’t dining with me, he felt the same emptiness.
My morning sickness hadn’t eased, and though I’d eventually be able to eat more, I was still in the early stages of pregnancy.
At tea, there was only fruit and yogurt.
The palace chef decorated the fruit beautifully, and the yogurt came with various jams. But I still couldn’t eat much, often causing Alex to worry.
Still, I tried small pieces of bread, a little soup, attempting to get nutrition even if I vomited. Seeing my efforts, the palace chef began making bread with yogurt and dried fruit mixed in.
As I became able to eat a little, Alex enjoyed the same bread.
When winter arrived, my morning sickness began to ease, and I could eat more. Alex seemed relieved.
“Now the baby can get plenty of nutrition.”
“The baby can rest easy too.”
“Alex, have you thought about the baby’s name?”
I wanted us to discuss it as a couple, but when I brought it up at tea, Alex looked extremely troubled.
“I never thought I’d have a child, so no names come to mind immediately.”
“You’re the father, Alex. Please think of one.”
“I see… Give me a little time.”
From that day, he seriously searched through various texts for names, but eventually, he couldn’t decide and came to me a few days later, looking apologetic.
“I’ve thought of many options, but I just can’t decide. Lacy, could you help me?”
“What names have you considered?”
When I asked, Alex showed me a sheet filled with names—over a hundred, likely. He had seriously considered names for our child.
“Leonhardt, Michael, Adel… Adel sounds nice, doesn’t it?”
“Do you think so?”
“It starts with ‘A,’ like your name, and it’s short and easy to call.”
“Then if it’s a boy, we’ll name him Adel.”
The boy’s name was decided immediately. The challenge was the girl’s name. The paper barely had any options for girls.
“Alex, what about a girl’s name?”
“I do have one in mind… but it wouldn’t leave my head, so I couldn’t suggest alternatives.”
“Please tell me the name.”
“You might object, Lacy.”
“We’re a couple; we discuss everything, right? I’ll decide after hearing it.”
With my encouragement, Alex finally spoke the name.
“Cecilia… but would you dislike it?”
“Cecilia… it’s named after Cecil, isn’t it?”
“Naming a child after someone who has passed might be unlucky. Would you feel the same?”
I shook my head.
“I think it’s a beautiful name. Cecilia. I hope she lives long, even for Cecil’s sake.”
If we had a girl, her name would be Cecilia. Knowing that Cecilia might live on for Cecil’s sake would make me truly happy.
“Cecilia is fine?”
“Yes, of course.”
So the plan was: if a boy, Adel; if a girl, Cecilia. Naming a child is a sacred ritual, the first gift a parent can give.
“My name, Lacy, was given by my parents, hoping I would become a delicate and beautiful daughter like lace. I want to someday tell my child the story of their name.”
“And also tell them how you, being indecisive, couldn’t choose?”
“I wasn’t indecisive! Alex seriously considered the names more than anyone else.”
Alex looked relieved hearing me say that.
In the middle of winter, Julius’ wedding took place. He seemed happy to finally marry the fiancée he had waited for.
At the reception, I felt unwell due to the smell of food and rested in the waiting room, with Alex staying by my side. Julius and his bride kindly visited us there.
“Thank you for attending our wedding today.”
“I’m sorry for making you come to the waiting room.”
“The Empress carries the Emperor’s child. Please take care of yourself.”
Julius and his bride were very considerate.
“I’m sorry, but Lacy isn’t feeling well, so we’ll leave early.”
“Thanks to the Emperor, I was able to marry as well.”
“I once suffered seeing Julius, who declared he wouldn’t marry until the Emperor did, struggle. Today, it feels like it’s all been rewarded.”
“Thank you very much for today.”
“I pray that the Empress delivers her child safely.”
After greeting them, I left the reception early and returned to the palace. Coming back, I felt relief wash over me.
Alex carried my still-queasy body to bed.
While resting, Alex brought me herbal tea with a gentle aroma. I told him that back in the Count Dian’s estate, I made fresh herbal tea from garden-grown herbs. Since my pregnancy, Alex had been preparing herbal tea for me.
With honey in the warm tea, I felt it warming my stomach.
Alex took the cup and saucer from my sleepy hands and gently laid me down in bed.
Since becoming pregnant, I had been unusually sleepy. No matter how hard I tried to stay awake, I couldn’t.
“I’m sorry, Alex.”
“Don’t worry. Rest well.”
“Yes…”
Grateful for his care, I closed my eyes.
I slept soundly, without even dreaming, waking near dinner.
When I got dressed and went to the dining hall, Alex was waiting.
“You barely ate lunch. Aren’t you hungry?”
“I think I am.”
After sleeping, my nausea had eased, and I felt hungry.
The palace kitchen knew what I could eat and prepared meals that wouldn’t make me feel sick: bread with yogurt and dried fruit, rich vegetable soup, pasta with vegetables and bacon.
Though the palace had never served pasta before, Alex had requested it since he thought I could eat it even with morning sickness.
I couldn’t finish everything, but ate most of it, felt full, took a bath, and returned to the bedroom.
As the baby grew, I woke up frequently at night to use the bathroom, but Alex didn’t mind. He would wake with me, wait while I went, and sometimes even prepare a warm drink.
Thirsty often and cold, I appreciated the warm drinks, sipping them gratefully and resting again.
In spring, I would give birth to Alex’s child.
I couldn’t wait for that day.
