Proofreader: somnium

Woof!

Artizea was half asleep when she heard the puppy barking.

Huff! Aarfff.

Following the sound of the long tail, the mattress of the bed dipped firmly. Artizea stretched out her hand in her sleep.

The puppy, who struggled to climb onto the bed, rubbed its head in her hand.

Um.

Artizea let out a small sound.

Soon after, Leticia shouted.

Aaahh! Red! Dont wake Mom!

Awwooo.

Only Dad wake Mom!

Without pretending to hear the words, the puppy stepped on Artizeas shoulder and looked into her face.

The smooth, soft tongue licked her cheek, and she couldnt sleep any longer. Artizea tossed and turned her body, stroking the puppys head with her hand and pushing it away.

Mom! Wake?

Leticia came running with a cheer. And she crawled over the bed like the puppy.

Mom! Mom!

Leticia rushed into her arms, not knowing whether she was asking for a hug or jumping over her body.

Hazel, who ran after her, was terrified and grabbed Leticia. She was out of breath.

Hazel was also confident in her stamina, but that meant she could work for a long time, not that she was used to sprinting down the hallway.

No, how can a child not yet five years old be so fast. The speed itself seemed to be something she almost caught on, but like a rabbit targeted by an eagle, if she stretched out her hand, Leticia slipped away and escaped.

It was added after the puppy arrived. As she ran and played in the garden every day, it seemed that her agility was being trained, not just strengthening her body.

You cant, Miss Ticia. What if you get hurt?

Hazel breathed and barely spoke.

Leticia these days was not in a condition that Hazel could handle at all. She even moved around looking for her nanny.

[Sister Mii is weak, I protect her!]

She had no idea where Leticia had been taught such words.

Hazel thought seriously, maybe sooner or later shell have to change the nanny to one of the knights.

She would have already lifted the white flag if neither Mrs. Keshore nor Sir Keshore helped her.

Now, the only hope left was Lysia.

I hope you come back soon.

Lysia returned to the West for now. She had a lot of work to do, so she decided to come back after organizing everything all together and handing over the grain loan office to a successor.

While Artizea had not yet completely woken up from her slumber, she hugged Leticia and Red together and muttered.

Our Ticia, did you break your promise? Youre not supposed to wake Mom.

Not me. Red.

Leticia said that, but feeling responsible, she crouched her neck and slipped out of Artizeas arms.

As if taking advantage of that gap, Red dug into Artizeas arms.

Artizea doesnt take much care of it, but perhaps influenced by Leticia, this puppy was very fond of Artizea.

Woof!

Red shoved its nose into the nape of her neck as if to ask her to get up.

Artizea stroked the soft puppy and made eye contact with Leticia.

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Did you finish studying the letters?

Ung.

Did you play with Red?

I did.

Leticia said confidently. Artizea smiled.

Its okay. Even if you couldnt memorize it all.

Really? Dad said he check.

Our Ticia, its not that you hate studying letters. What if we read a picture book a day or two later?

Yes!

Leticia smiled broadly and nodded her head.

But if you want to read to your sibling, you have to learn quickly.

Hazel inadvertently made a mistake in her words.

Leticia did not respond immediately. Hazel quickly covered her mouth and lowered her head to apologize to Artizea.

Leticia, who had been lying on Artizeas arms and blinking her eyes, suddenly rose to her feet.

Sibling?

No, no.

Hazel was trying to fix it quickly. Artizea looked at her.

Hazel stroked her lips with her fingertips. Her father had advised her several times that she would be able to do great things only if she changed her habit of saying what she thought, but it was hard to change.

Leticia looked down at Artizea, her eyes twinkling.

Mom, I have sibling?

Artizea hesitated for a moment.

She was going to tell Leticia sooner or later. Her official announcement was expected to be delayed much further, but she didnt have to keep hiding in the Empress Palace.

Her morning sickness was not light. When she only told her exclusive cook, rumors spread through other kitchen workers who did not know it, that the Empress health was rapidly deteriorating.

Moreover, it was because she tried to lie down as much as possible until she was stable.

Maybe, it was time to reveal it. For Leticia, its a heads-up.

She was also told that it would be educational.

Umm.

No?

Leticia asked with tearful eyes.

It would be nice to talk together.

Artizea slowly raised her body. The puppy turned towards her lap and showed its belly.

Woo.

Ack, Red. Only like my mom! I want touch Red belly too!

Leticia complained as if she had forgotten what she was talking about.

Hazel said cautiously,

Are you going to get up, Your Majesty?

Im all awake. I want to get some air.

Yes. Ill prepare a room on the terrace. Is there anything you would like to eat?

Artizea shook her head. She was in pretty good shape as long as she wasnt terribly nauseous.

The attendant, who was waiting for her, brought a basin of warm water. Artizea slowly got down from the bed.

The daughter and puppy cling to her feet as she lightly washed her face and hands.

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Artizea draped over her pajamas with a long winter robe.

Woof!

Red barked once in excitement and ran out in front. Leticia followed, chasing Red across the hallway and vanishing.

Dad!

Soon after, Leticias voice was heard.

Red ran back. Cedric, who had Leticia in his arm, followed.

The servants hurriedly bent their knees and bowed their heads. Hazel also bent her back.

Artizea asked curiously,

Lord Cedric, isnt it time for work, yet?

Ill be here for a while. Its afternoon break. I will have time for a cup of tea.

I dont think its up to Lord Cedric to decide, its something you should ask your secretary, right?

Cedric did not respond to Artizeas words. She guessed it all in the first place.

He came without sending any news in advance because he doesnt have time.

Artizea didnt have to chase him away. Cedric put Leticia down and grabbed the little box he was holding on the other hand.

This is a present for Mom, Ticia brings it for her.

Ung.

You cant drop it.

Leticia then clasped the box with her arms.

What is that?

It is not fragile. Its a wooden box, so its okay.

Cedric said so, and when he was empty-handed, he lifted Artizea up.

Lord Cedric!

Didnt the doctor say its good to lie down?

Just to the terrace.

There is no one else to hold you but me, so lets just go.

Cedric said so and moved forward.

There were armchairs on the terrace. Cedric sat Artizea in her seat and put Leticia on her chair. Soon the attendant brought a tea tray.

Red circled around the table a few times before taking a seat under Leticias chair.

Leticia handed the tightly hugged box back to Cedric.

What is it?

Artizea asked again.

It doesnt matter. I remember you wanting to eat sugar during Ticias time.

Cedric opened the box lid. Inside were sugar crystals dyed red.

At that time, I was told that if the baby grows too big, it will be difficult to give birth. You have to eat something now.

Cedric made a belated excuse. Artizea smiled.

Were you worried about that?

It kept bothering me.

Artizea picked up a piece of sugar. Unlike candy, the sugar crumbled right in her mouth.

The sweet and sour cherry scent spreads. She felt her stomach calming down a bit.

It was apparent on her face. Cedric said with a relieved face,

Thats a relief you can eat something.

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Its delicious.

Artizea put another one into her mouth. The attendants quickly brought cookies and madeleines.

Artizea gladly sliced the orange madeleine. It smelled fresh.

This baby seems to like sweets. Ticia was devoted to meat.

Mom! Mom!

Leticia raised her arms and caught her parents attention. Knowing that she would normally ask for sugar, Cedric defended the box first.

But Leticia asked smartly,

Where is baby?

Ah.

Artizea looked at Cedric. Cedric looked at Leticia curiously, then looked at Artizea again.

Well, we should talk.

Cedric coughed. Artizea motioned for him to speak.

Dad?

Baby, its in your mothers stomach.

No! When baby in Mom stomach, its this big!

Leticia said confidently, having experienced it once when her nanny was full term.

Its because the baby is still this small.

Cedric said. Leticia widened her eyes.

Youre going to have a younger sibling, Ticia.

Artizea wedged it. Leticia shouted,

SIBLING!

Leticia jumped up. She almost fell off her chair, so Cedric quickly picked up Leticia and put her down.

Ticia have sibling? Really? Really?

My Ticia, will you take care of your younger sibling?

Yes! Always give milk, play, and read picture books every day!

You have to study hard to read picture books.

At Artizeas words, Leticia did not know what to do. Cedric smiled and hugged Leticia snugly, placing her on his lap.

Its okay. Ticia is also a baby, so youll learn slowly. But Mom is weak, so Ticia and your younger sibling have to take good care of Mom together.

Yes!

Promise.

Leticia reached her finger and reached out for the sugar.

Give this to baby!

Leticia grabbed the sugar, but she didnt know how to give it, so she pondered, Ung.

And she reached out to Artizeas stomach.

Now, the baby will be healthy if Mom eats it, so give it to Mom.

Cedric said. Leticia stretched out her hand with all her might.

Artizea took the sugar from her smooth fingers and ate it. Leticia grinned.

A warm breeze blew softly on the terrace. It was late spring, when the flowers were in full bloom, and the wind that blew from afar carried the scent of flowers.

The white garden was filled with large blossoms hanging on the branches that would droop when they looked away.

Artizea thought it was okay to remove the brazier from under her chair.

Cedric poured tea into her cup. It was a peaceful time.

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After Story 2. Spring Wind END