Chapter 111
Side Story 4. May It Last Forever
The baby was born safely.
He was an adorable little Alpha prince.
Even as a newborn, his features were already remarkably well-defined, taking after the Russell whom Marie loved so dearly. When he grew up, he was certain to become a strikingly handsome young man.
“Ugh!”
Yet after the miracle of childbirth, not everything went smoothly.
No matter how many attendants the palace assigned to serve the newly crowned young King and Queen, they were still first-time parents.
The couple’s faces were haggard from lack of sleep.
Even so, they were happy.
They smiled whenever they looked at one another.
“Did you get any sleep?”
“You should be asking yourself that. You didn’t sleep a wink last night.”
Although it was Marie’s first delivery, the baby had been smaller than average, allowing for a relatively smooth birth. But once he entered the world, it was as though he intended to prove there was nothing to worry about. He grew at an astonishing pace.
By the time he was a month old, he had already gained a considerable amount of weight.
Breastfeeding, however, remained a challenge.
“If it’s too difficult, it’s all right to stop, Marie. There are plenty of other ways.”
“No. I’d like to continue for as long as I can.”
She simply couldn’t bring herself to give it up.
If possible, she wanted to do everything she could for her child.
“That’s why I’m trying to care for him myself instead of leaving everything to the maids. Russell… I want our child to grow up without feeling lonely in this palace. I want him to know the warmth of his mother and father.”
After rubbing a weary hand over his face, the man answered gently, as though he understood exactly what she meant.
“Then let’s do it together. But don’t push yourself too hard.”
“Mmm. I won’t.”
It wasn’t as though her milk supply was drying up. On the contrary, she produced more than enough, so there seemed little reason to stop.
Even if her baby was so vigorous that her b*****s often became painfully engorged, and whenever her milk came in, the soreness became so severe that even lifting her arms was a struggle.
“Still, you’re always there to help me, so it’s all right.”
He clicked his tongue.
“Even so… your skin is chafed.”
“Russell.”
“Hm?”
Marie leaned forward and planted a light kiss on her husband’s cheek.
“It seems you’ve forgotten that we’re imprinted mates.”
“…Ha, honestly.”
Catching hold of the Alpha’s collar as he turned his head away, the Omega smiled knowingly.
“You’re in heat.”
“…”
“Just like I am. Am I wrong?”
She could see the reason in the man’s eyes waver. He had been applying ointment to her sore, cracked n*****s, but the hand gently circling them slowed, its touch becoming more lingering.
A tingling sensation spread all the way to her toes.
‘My body feels hot.’
The royal palace possessed ointments capable of healing even swollen, bruised cheeks overnight. Her body had recovered remarkably quickly after giving birth.
Even so, the Alpha who loved her still insisted she needed more time to recover, hesitating to so much as lay a hand on her.
‘At this point, I’m the one reaching my limit.’
Marie smiled to herself.
“My dear.”
At that affectionate form of address—so embarrassingly intimate, yet so full of happiness—the muscles along the Alpha’s jaw tightened visibly. The violet eyes fixed on her looked almost dangerous, as though he wanted to devour her where she stood.
“Marie, not yet.”
“I’ve recovered completely. My body’s so hot… If you keep ignoring me, I think I’m going to start feeling neglected…”
“…Ha. You’re going to be the death of me.”
Discussion
0 CommentsNo comments yet.