Chapter 252
‧₊˚ ☁️⋅♡𓂃 ࣪ ִֶָ☾.
Emilia steadied her breath. She forced her eyes wide open despite the blurring before her.
The pain wouldn’t subside—an indescribable agony that pierced through her entire body.
“Ugh…”
Emilia repeatedly lost consciousness and woke up again.
The doctor kept examining her.
“This might take quite some time.”
Sweat drenched her body. Emilia gripped the cloth tightly and tried to calm her breathing.
“How much longer must she endure this pain?”
Five hours had already passed.
“Find a solution.”
“There is an option for surgery, but the Madam does not want it. And recovery would take longer, so it seems best to proceed without it.”
She had endured five hours—how much longer could it last?
“No. Find a way immediately.”
He couldn’t bear to see Emilia suffer any longer.
Her pale face was slick with cold sweat, and she seemed to be reaching her physical limit.
“I’m—I’m okay. I can keep going. Just a little more, please.”
Emilia struggled to speak but didn’t forget to smile reassuringly at him.
Seeing that, his chest tightened painfully.
He had heard childbirth was difficult but hadn’t expected it would push Emilia into such torment.
He wiped his face.
“Mikhail, stay right here.”
He didn’t move a step, staying by her side. All he could do was hold her hand.
After ten hours of labor pains, Emilia finally summoned all her strength.
The loud, vigorous cry of the newborn filled the room.
“Your Grace, congratulations. It’s a son.”
The baby was unbelievably small for having been inside her. Wrapped in cloth and cleaned, the infant was cradled in his arms.
“A son… who looks just like you.”
She smiled broadly.
“A son, and we even named him already. Good choice, right?”
“…You’ve been through so much. I’m sorry it was only hard for you.”
Mikhail brushed Emilia’s hair back and kissed her forehead.
Emilia breathed heavily and lost consciousness.
He looked down at the tiny child in his arms.
He wished it had been a daughter who resembled Emilia—but it was a son who looked just like him.
Though if the son resembled her, he’d be even more beautiful.
“Looks just like Your Grace.”
Golden hair and features unmistakably his.
“Is Emilia alright?”
“She’s been through a lot, but after resting well, she should be fine.”
“And the baby?”
“He’s healthy. No need to worry.”
The doctor’s words made Mikhail nod. He sat beside Emilia, never leaving her side.
“Bring everything good for her health. From now on, focus on Emilia’s recovery.”
“Understood.”
“I’ll take care of her for a while.”
Though relieved Emilia was safe, he still couldn’t fully relax.
He felt he wouldn’t be at ease until she opened her eyes and smiled at him.
❖ ❖ ❖
A day passed, but she still hadn’t opened her eyes. The high fever persisted, and Mikhail stayed up all night caring for Emilia.
“Your Grace, please rest a bit.”
“Brother, I’ll take over. You need to rest.”
“Even though you’re not well yourself, you want to nurse someone? I’m her husband, so I’ll do it.”
“Your stubbornness… if she got up and saw Brother’s face, she’d think the patient was you.”
Dahlia spoke anxiously. Even if others helped, Mikhail refused to relent.
“Even if I say I’ll do it, he won’t budge. He has to do it himself to feel at ease, so let him.”
Boestin supported the words. Everyone here worried about Emilia, but none more so than Mikhail.
“We’re always here. If you need help, ask. Don’t bear it all alone.”
Mikhail nodded. Emilia’s pale face seemed to have regained some color compared to yesterday.
“She’s definitely improving. Just a little longer watching over her should be enough.”
The doctor was optimistic as well.
Boestin gazed quietly at the sleeping Emilia and said.
“Let’s prepare some gifts until she wakes and gets better.”
“Gifts?”
“Yes, gifts.”
She smiled mischievously and rolled up her sleeves.
Mikhail grew uneasy and grabbed her arm.
“What are you planning? Just don’t.”
“You do what you want, so can’t we do the same?”
She snorted, freed her arm, and left with the others—leaving only him behind.
❖ ❖ ❖
Emilia opened her eyes, feeling a weight in her hand.
The pain that seemed to split her body left her gasping for air.
“Madam!”
Dell hurried to her side. Emilia spotted Mikhail sleeping, holding her hand, and put a finger to her lips.
“Shh.”
“Are you alright, Madam? Should I get painkillers?”
“It still hurts a bit. But after sleeping soundly, I feel much better. The baby’s healthy, right?”
“Yes, Master Eckart is healthy. Seems as strong as his name suggests.”
“That’s a relief.”
Emilia exhaled a breath of relief. As long as the baby was healthy, that was all that mattered.
“Shall we wake His Grace?”
“No, let him rest. He hasn’t slept at all.”
“Indeed. He stayed awake two full days. Your fever was high, so we had to keep wiping you with lukewarm towels.”
Dell checked her forehead and relaxed.
“The fever seems to have finally gone. Shall I bring Master Eckart?”
Emilia nodded.
Dell soon returned carrying the sleeping Eckart. So tiny, a smile naturally formed at her lips.
“He’s so small.”
Even with eyes closed, his face was a perfect copy of Mikhail’s.
Emilia smiled brightly at the child.
“Thank goodness he was born safely. Thank you for coming to us.”
“You’ll have to be careful for a while. Even if it’s frustrating, you have to follow through.”
“I will.”
“That’s important. The period after birth is even more critical.”
Dell said gravely.
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