The Baby Isn’t Yours

Chapter 130:

Knock, knock.

The sound of knocking made Louismond turn his gaze from the window to the door, fixing his eyes on it.

After a short silence of one to two seconds, he responded.

Come in.

The door opened slowly, and his aide entered, accompanied by someone wearing a tattered cloak with the hood flipped up.

Louismonds blue irises, which had been looking at the other person, twitched slightly.

Is she a princess?

Step by step, the woman approached him with a neat stride, but looking so shabby that it was hard to believe she was a princess.

Her cloak was closer to rags, and her worn-out shoes revealed bony and frail ankles.

As the hood of the cloak, covered in dust and dirt, fell back, revealing the womans face, Louismond was even more surprised.

Brown freckles dotted her sun-kissed, reddened skin, as one would expect.

But what on earth happened to her short hair, which seemed to have been chopped off haphazardly?

Despite reading his perplexed expression, the princess stood before him with unwavering steps.

Her unreadable violet eyes stared directly at Louismond as she offered a composed greeting.

Nathans princess, Janice Khan Arcandium greets the young sun of Rojas.

It was a perfectly executed etiquette, neither too much nor too little.

The speed at which she bent and straightened her knees was appropriate, and her movements were graceful.

And there was her confident gaze, looking at him as an equal, and the graceful expression without a trace of wavering.

In that moment, Louismond reproached and chastised himself for merely suspecting her based on her shabby appearance.

This woman was a princess.

Even if she had messy hair and wore tattered clothes

Her entire life had been marked by the unmistakable signs of a perfect princess in her gaze, gestures, and movements, from birth until now.

With reverence, Louismond brought his hand to his left chest and greeted her politely.

It is an honor to meet Princess Janice, Nathans young wave.

Instantly, the princesss violet eyes flickered.

She slightly lifted the corners of her previously stiffened lips, forming a subtle smile.

Her eyes narrowed slightly, and her lips curled upward, giving Louismond the impression that she was suppressing laughter.

Strangely, that expression lingered in Louismonds retina as if it were etched there.

Indeed, you are worthy of praise. I believe I know the reason why my father spoke so highly of you.

You flatter me. Is the King of Nathan well?

Louismond went straight to the point without hesitation.

Janice, Nathans princess.

She was the second daughter, a rare heir in Nathan with few successors.

Rumors of the King of Nathan doting on her intelligence and loveliness had spread even in neighboring regions.

To what extent did he dote on her? It was said that he turned his back on his enemies and sided with Rojas to make her the Crown Princess of the Empire.

But for the Nathan royal family, who held the princess in such high regard, to see her appear in such a shabby state

It meant that something significant had happened in the country.

Especially for the royal family.

Until now, Nathan has consistently maintained silence. Could it be due to internal problems?

It was a bit strange.

Even the spies they had planted in the country couldnt reach out to them.

However, Louismonds situation wasnt so relaxed that he could delve deeply into that matter. He only harbored suspicions.

Thank you for asking. Fortunately, my father the King is well.

The princess smiled vaguely, took a deep breath, and nervously bit her lower lip.

Louismonds gaze followed her expressions and movements closely, observing every detail.

Her hesitation and nervousness lasted only a few seconds.

She lifted her gaze, as if gathering her thoughts, and looked at Louismond.

But my only brother, Carlos, who is the brown Prince of Nathan and my only guardian, is not well.

What do you mean?

She took a step closer to Louismond.

Just as the people of Nathan praised her, she pressed against him like small waves.

Her purple eyes, which had come closer, swirled significantly.

Within them, anger was brewing.

After returning from a diplomatic visit to another country, my brother developed madness. He seized the rights of our father, the king, and committed heinous acts by imprisoning our mother, the queen. And then he declared that we must prepare for war.

What?

The prince of Nathan whom he knew was a calm and kind man.

He was someone who loved his family and his country, a man who would retreat rather than confront, so it was unthinkable for him to disrespect his parents.

The princess nodded with a stiff expression on her face.

And with a sharp-edged voice, she revealed an astonishing story.

My brother said there will be a war. A war that will devour Rojas.

Louismond, who had been gentle until now, had his blue eyes turn as cold as ice.

He leaned in closer to Janice and spoke in a lowered voice.

Youre speaking of something terrifying, Princess Janice. You must understand the weight of the words you just uttered.

Janice lifted her head slightly and looked at Louismond.

Im aware of it.

Her unwavering demeanor, without a hint of discouragement, actually surprised Louismond to some extent.

He felt that it wasnt external appearance that determined flamboyance, but rather the power emanating from her gaze, as he observed Janice.

I know better than anyone else. Please understand that these are not empty words or mere enticements. If you wish, I am prepared to do whatever it takes to prove the weight of my words.

As if to substantiate her words, she withdrew her foot from the worn and torn travelers shoe and stood before him.

The barefoot princesss gaze moved from Louismonds eyes to his lips and lower.

She lowered herself deeply, bending her waist until her forehead was visible.

It was the most respectful way to show etiquette in the Nathan Kingdom.

What is this!

Louismond hastily grabbed her and lifted her up.

The faltering princess grabbed onto Louismonds collar.

Her composed hands, which had appeared so dignified, trembled ever so slightly.

The eyes of the young successors, each responsible for their own world, became entangled in a complex web.

Please, help save my brother. If you do so I, too, will assist in any way I can when the Empire faces crisis.

Her plea and earnestness were contained in a manner that was not at all demeaning, as she clung to him.

Louismond couldnt take his eyes off those violet eyes and spoke with a clenched jaw.

Exactly what kind of crisis awaits the Empire I will listen to that and make my judgment.

The inscrutable violet eyes radiated a glimmer of relief.

For the first time, a small smile appeared on her stiff face.

Thank you.

Louismonds gaze towards the princess became more piercing.

What on earth was happening behind his back what kind of events were unfolding that he didnt know about?

* * *

By the time Simon finished bathing, Kalia entered the room with Sasha and Drea in her arms.

Simon, who had been using magic to quickly dry his wet hair, furrowed his eyebrows at the sight.

Simon, who was standing crookedly on one leg and staring at her, approached her.

Give the kids to me.

Huh? Ah, its okay. Ill handle it. Dont worry.

Concerned that she was holding both babies in her arms, Kalia raised her arms, each holding one child, to reassure him.

But Simons expression worsened.

Why did his expression suddenly change like that?

Kalia looked at him in confusion.

Taking a small sigh, Simon reluctantly took the children from Kalias arms and hugged them.

Simon, are you okay?

Im fine.

You just sighed.

Kalia swallowed the small jibe that was about to come out and chuckled.

I need to, you know, build up my strength. At least not to lose to you

Didnt you know from the beginning that it was a mistake to think you could beat me?

This is a mans ha, pride, Kalia.

Do you know how much of that pride you lost by trying to establish it with me?

Damn it

Well, at least you seem stronger than before. They must be quite heavy.

Of course, for Kalia, who could easily topple most wooden furniture with one hand, it was no problem at all.

A few more minutes passed like that.

Sweat beads started forming on Simons forehead, despite having just washed up.

Trying to act nonchalant, he couldnt even show signs of exhaustion, and it felt like the space around his nose had slightly widened.

At first, not understanding why he was doing this, Kalia leisurely watched him.

She thought, Its a calamity he brought upon himself, so he should take responsibility.

Then, suddenly, it seemed as if Simon realized something and his eyes opened wide.

Come to think of it, I dont need to exert this much strength, do I?

Huh?

My strength will be supplemented by magic power.

What are you talking about?

In front of her, furrowing her brows in confusion, the two babies floated in the air.

Kyaa~!

Abuu!

Simon, feeling much more relaxed, let out a contented murmur with a relieved expression.

Thats right. I was foolish Straining myself trying to overpower a physical fighter with sheer strength. While you have physical stamina, I have magic.

Simon?

It was at that moment.

Simons gaze met Kalias, and he looked at her with his characteristic enchanting smile.

While Kalia was momentarily captivated by it, her body began to float in the air.

Huh? What?

Hovering slightly in the air, Kalia flew towards Simon.

Using his lighter hands, Simon lifted Kalia in his arms.

There was such an easy way to do this.

Simon, you know I can deflect this level of magic, right?

I know. But theres no need to deflect it now, right? Are you really going to deflect it? Its just a simple kiss?

At the word just a kiss, Kalias cheeks turned red.

Even though she knew it wasnt the time to be so peaceful and flirtatious, desire didnt conform to her heart.

But I want to do it too, dont I?

After all, she was a person true to her desires.

Simon was trying very hard, and she had no grounds to refuse him.

Naturally, Kalias arms wrapped around Simons neck.

Well, its just a kiss. I have things to do.

Of course, Kalia By any chance, do you have something else in mind besides a kiss?

As Simons lips slowly approached Kalias lips, which were slightly pursed.

That moment when he was about to savor the sweet and plump fruit-like lips

Kyaoong!

Abuu.

The two mischievous little ones, forgotten for a moment, flew through the air with a roar.

Startled, Kalia quickly lifted her head and looked at the babies. Drea, imitating something, grabbed Sashas neck and playfully pressed her lips against Kalias cheek.

Kyao, Kyaong!

Whether they were giving kisses or smearing saliva, it was unclear.

Hugya Huhh!

Restless, Sasha squirmed in the air, requesting help from Kalia.

Locking eyes with Simon, Kalia smiled as if there was no other choice and whispered in his ear.

This is why were told not to drink cold water in front of the kids. Lets promise for next time. (tl/n: Korean proverb that refers to taking care of what you do in front of children because they imitate everything)

I should have done it before bringing the kids.

Well, what can we do now? Lets keep it quiet. The kids are listening.

Kalia, who kissed Simons cheek, still filled with regret, lowered herself to the ground and hugged Sasha, gently soothing him.

She also wiped away the saliva that Drea had playfully smeared everywhere.

Simon, sighing, shook his head and spoke.

Kalia, before it gets any later, lets call Gaia.

Kalia nodded and immediately whispered the name of her mother, who had become the spirit of her bracelet.