The Baby Isn’t Yours

Though he seemed serious a moment ago, just the thought of Kalia made him smile.

He couldn't believe that his heart was beating so hard.

He was at peace just staying by her side.

Just by staying near Kalia, all his pain disappeared.

Before, he always thought that he was going crazy, but it seems like he really was losing his mind.

For her, her love, his salvation, and his reason for living.

— Chirp chirp? Chirp chirp chirp?

— Kyuung?

As Simon responded to his heart’s fluttering with a laugh, the spirits around him tried to study his expressions.

"You don't have to know."

I won't tell anyone. No one but Kalia

Just how crazy I can be, and how strong I can be

The next morning.

Kalia stared blankly at the morning sunlight seeping through the window and murmured,

“I couldn’t sleep...?"

The sunlight stung her eyes.

She closed her eyes and sighed, her head throbbing.

She didn’t sleep a wink all night.

I couldn’t sleep at all because everytime I close my eyes, I kept seeing Simon’s face.

The soft lips that came close to mine. The red tongue that said he loves me.

And a smile full of desire that was obviously supposed to be seductive!

"I must be really crazy."

Did I tear up Derik’s scroll again without realizing it?

Kalia couldn’t lie still even after Simon left because her heart was beating too fast.

It was beating so hard she wondered if she’s having a heart attack.

It was crazy to think that she could still remember how Simon smiled as he whispered in her ears.

As she was tossing and turning in bed, she heard Sasha’s cry.

At dawn, the old nanny, Humming, and Allen, who were all looking after the Duke’s child, said that they would take turns caring for him.

Everyone volunteered to take care of the baby for Kalia, who had just given birth.

After finding out about their arrangement, Simon said that he would do it too, but Humming and Allen would not allow Simon to join in.

‘... Is watching over the child at dawn worth fighting over? Is it worth getting worked up for?’

Anyway, it was Kalia who was forcibly pushed away from seeing the baby at dawn, but now she was eager to see her baby.

She jumped up and went to the next room where Sasha was.

The hungry Sasha cried loudly with the bottle the nanny gave him in his mouth.

Kalia, who was watching them through the slightly opened door, knocked to grab their attention.

“No! Why did you come here when you haven’t slept?!”

The startled nanny hurriedly said in a low voice.

The nanny, with her warm demeanor, resembled Mrs. McCanna who was in charge of Kalia’s meals.

Kalia approached the baby cautiously, smiling slightly at the familiarity.

"I can’t sleep so... I’ll look after Sasha today.”

“Sigh. You’ll be tired in the morning though. It’s been a while since you had time to relax, and the baby’s mother should take care of herself first so she that she doesn’t get sick.”

The nanny, who had a rather chatty personality, continued to whisper,

“You can take care of the baby starting tomorrow. I want to look after him today.”

But she couldn’t beat Kalia, who simply smiled silently as she held her arms out.

The nanny eventually gave up trying to persuade her and handed Sasha over as if she didn’t have a choice.

I really shouldn’t... Sir Allen might start nagging.

“I’ll put in a good word for you.”

“Please don’t, Miss Lia!

Kalia burst into laughter after hearing her worries, and whispered,

"Then, why don’t we keep this a secret from Allen. Please, I don’t want to be scolded either."

"Uh...”

"Hm? Latricia."

Latricia laughed at her sly expression.

"Whew, alright. Then I’ll come back early in the morning."

She stepped towards the door to leave me alone, however, she kept turning back several times with a hesitant look on her face.

After such a difficult time making the nanny leave, Kalia stared at Sasha’s face.

I can never get tired of seeing my beautiful child over and over again.

I’m still in awe everytime I look at you, my baby.

Kalia kept stroking Sasha's face.

She couldn’t sleep, so Kalia hugged Sasha to her heart’s content, taking in the scent of her child’s skin.

The milky scent helped her feel at ease.

But the peaceful moment ended after exactly two hours.

"Waaaaah! Waaaaah!"

“Baby, why are you crying? Hm? Dear?”

He had been sleeping so well but he suddenly woke up, crying.

After rocking Sasha to soothe him, and breastfeeding, the baby finally calmed down.

Kalia was surprised to see the baby cry from hunger after exactly two hours.

After the child’s hunger was satisfied, she burped him, and he fell asleep again.

She changed Sasha’s diaper as he slept, but as soon as she sat down for a moment Sasha cried again.

"Waaaaahh!"

“... Dear?"

It’s been less than an hour since he ate, but why is he still crying?

She tried to breastfeed him again, but the baby refused.

Does his diaper need to be changed?

But it was dry.

Was he sick? Did he have a fever? Why is he crying?

Kalia could almost feel her hair turning white as the baby cried for some unknown reason.

This little child felt more threatening than a monster from the mountains.

She hadn’t felt this flustered when a troop of 100,000 soldiers came rushing at her.

Kalia, sweating, hugged the baby soothingly.

"Waaaaaaah! Waah! Waaaah!"

"I’m sorry, Sasha. I’m sorry. My clumsiness must’ve made you uncomfortable."

She paced anxiously around the room as the baby kept crying.

As she walked around the room, the baby miraculously stopped crying.

His defenseless sleeping face rested on Kalia’s shoulder.

His slightly puckered lips were as cute as a bird’s beak.

"Oh you-. Did you cry because you want mom to carry you around?”

Relieved, Kalia walked around the room and rested the baby’s head on her shoulder to make him more comfortable..

She constantly patted his back.

The baby slept peacefully for two hours as she was singing a lullaby.

She fed, burped, hugged and sang the baby to sleep over and over again until the morning sun came up.

"Goodness, why are you still holding him?

You must be tired Then, please give him to me.."

"Latricia."

It was only 7 hours.

After 7 hours, Kalia felt her face soften.

‘Looking after a baby is a lot of work.’

Kalia looked at the nanny Latricia with a renewed respect.

She skillfully took Sasha and cradled him, fixing up his swaddle which had been ruffled overnight.

She also didn’t forget to change his diapers.

"You’re amazing, Latricia."

"Pardon? What do you mean?"

Latricia, who changed the swaddle blanket and nappy in a matter of seconds, widened her eyes as if asking what she meant.

I think you’re really good with handling

babies. As his mom, I kept panicking all night and made him cry...”

"Ohohohoho. What do you mean by that, Miss Lia? It’s only been a week since you became a mother. I, on the other hand, have been caring for about twenty babies over the past ten years, so it’s almost second nature to me."

"Twenty?"

Surprised by Kalia’s reaction, Latricia smiled and wrapped a shawl around Kalia’s shoulders.

"There wasn’t a single baby who was easy to take care of. Of course, the same goes for the young master Sasha."

"I didn't know Sasha cried so much at night."

Latricia shook her head at Kalia’s apologetic tone.

Crying so much can't be dismissed anymore.

"These difficult times will pass soon, and more beautiful days will come. Please do not worry."

"I’m not tired. I’m just worried that the baby will have a hard time because of me."

"You will slowly get used to it. The mother also grows up with her baby, so it will get easier over time."

Latricia wrapped her arms around Kalia’s shoulders and tenderly rubbed on her shoulders.

"Even if it’s difficult, give him lots of hugs and love. That’s all you need, Lia. Of course, you would know that even if I didn’t tell you."

Oh-hohohoho!

Latricia laughed loudly and told her to go back to her room to rest.

Humming came into the nursery just in time to see Kalia’s pale face, and panicked.

"You stayed up all night? You should have woken me up! Hurry up and get some sleep! The nanny and I will look after Sasha. Now go!

Humming practically shoved Kalia into her room and hurriedly prepared her breakfast.

Stuffed full, Kalia shuddered at the slight headache she could feel as she looked up at the sunlight pouring in.

She must be losing her stamina.

I cant believe Lm exhausted just because

I stayed up all night... I cant believe this.

"Haaaaaaa."

But thanks to them, I think I can sleep without worrying.

Kalia stretched and yawned sluggishly.

'... But I have to tell them that I’ll take care of Sasha at night from time to time.’

It was her job to take care of Sasha, so it was only right that she take care of him like this.

A mother’s duty. It has a nice ring to it.

I am Sasha’s mother. I am a mother. He is my child.

"Hehe... I love it."

Kalia, forgetting about her panicking earlier, fell asleep with a smile.

The sunlight poured through the closed curtains, and gently brushed through her hair.

At the same time.

"Hm "

Simon stopped in front of Kalia’s door, but unlike Kalia, his pale face looked as if he had finally slept soundly for the first time in a long time.