RODH Side Story Chapter 15

Side Story 15. The Life of Newlyweds

The due month came quickly.

Of course, saying it came quickly ignored how many things had happened in the meantime.

Among them, what tormented Ian the most was morning sickness.

True to his Northern nature, Nevan often hunted bear, a rich source of nutrition. Each time, Ian swallowed back saliva eagerly.

But the moment the bear stew was served, he gagged.

He wanted just one bite so badly… Darling little ones, could you not allow it?

Muttering silently, Ian’s eyes grew wet.

Nevan worried deeply, as Ian could eat nothing but tomato soup and desserts.

So much so that he even sought help from the alphas who cared for Ian.

The moment they heard the news, they rushed over to offer aid.

“I brought the Empire’s most skilled physician.”

“I tracked down fruit said to ease morning sickness.”

“I made an amulet that calms the spirit and soothes the heart.”

Thanks to their efforts, Ian’s severe morning sickness gradually eased.

Though he still could not stomach bear meat, at least he could eat other kinds of meat, and Nevan was relieved.

But after each storm of nausea passed, an overwhelming sea of sadness spread.

Ian cried in the daylight sun, and he cried again at night beneath the moon.

Nevan remained quietly by his side through it all.

Eventually, Ian would break the silence with careful words.

“I want to wake early in the mornings, but I just can’t.”

“I can’t stop thinking about what I ate at lunch.”

“I miss my parents and sisters so much.”

Nevan could not grant every request at once, but he always chose the one that would please Ian most.

When Ian struggled with his disrupted routine, Nevan would walk with him at dawn around the estate.

If Ian craved something at night, he would even wake the head chef’s mother to prepare it.

And when Ian missed his family, Nevan gifted him a precious magical device that allowed him to see them whenever he wished.

Anyone else would have collapsed from exhaustion, yet Nevan seemed perfectly fine—almost unnaturally so.

Even Klain once remarked,

“So this is why they call him Ironblood.”

Nevan was the type to handle problems one by one, calmly.

Perhaps for that reason, not once did he show irritation at Ian’s constantly changing needs.

On the contrary, it made him glad.

Had he ever dared to imagine a mansion echoing with the laughter of children?

He tended to Ian with the guidance of physicians and words from books.

As the due date approached, Ian grew increasingly anxious.

It was no wonder.

To give birth to twins as a first delivery was difficult for any mother, and Ian was still young.

If Nevan had not rushed their marriage, Ian would likely have been slowly searching for his fated mate instead.

Nevan could predict that much, and yet the thought unsettled him.

He himself could no longer imagine life without Ian… but perhaps Ian might have had a better choice.

Such thoughts unsettled his mind, and mistakes began to creep into his work.

So Klain and Luke both urged him,

“You must rest a little, Your Grace.”

Thinking of Ian, who was nearing the due month, Nevan nodded.

They divided his tasks between them, and with their help, Nevan finished earlier than when he worked alone.

This allowed him to spend more time with Ian.

Naturally, Ian was delighted.

Nevan even learned knitting alongside him.

“The baby hats are finished already. I think we should make shoes.”

“Then one each.”

“Yes.”

Ian’s bright smile as he answered was lovable.

But not every moment was easy.

Soon Nevan realized Ian was pretending to be fine when he was not.

“Blony, could you pick that up for me? Sorry.”

“It’s no trouble at all, Your Grace. There’s nothing to be sorry for.”

“Blony, please help me with my socks. Sorry…”

“Your Grace, it’s truly alright. Please don’t apologize.”

As his belly swelled, Ian found he could do less and less on his own.

He could not pick things up from the floor, nor put on his socks.

Later, even dressing himself became difficult.

The physician explained it could not be solved with tonics or special food.

With his entire life revolving around the babies, Ian could not help but feel low.

Realizing this, Nevan began to collect things Ian loved, like a raven hoarding treasures.

Fresh flowers, jewels grand enough to rival those of House Ruben, and even secret tales known only to a few in the North—Nevan gathered them obsessively.

Because of this, the story of the Grand Duke serving his spouse became a moving tale that swept across society.

Nevan himself, however, paid no mind to such rumors.

What mattered was that Ian, heavily pregnant, wheezed even in his sleep.

And then, on a day when the sky was clear and the North Star shone brightly, Ian’s labor began.

“Bring hot water!”

As the midwife and attendants gathered, Ian called for Nevan.

“I am here.”

“May I be honest?”

Ian’s forehead gleamed with sweat as he spoke.

“I’m so scared and trembling right now.”

“It will be alright. I will stay with you to the very end.”

And he did, remaining by his side for nine long hours.

The birth was fiercer and harder than any battle.

When Ian collapsed in exhaustion, Nevan thought for a moment that he had been lost, and his heart stopped.

But soon the sound of crying babies filled the air, and Ian regained consciousness.

“Waaah, waaah!”

Lying there, Ian thought he could have been laid in a coffin right then and it would not have been strange. With difficulty, he asked,

“The babies… how are they?”

Blony and Nevan showed him the children.

“Both are healthy, Your Grace. Do not worry.”

“The first is a boy, the second a girl, my lord Ian.”

“Thank goodness.”

Ian held each of the babies once.

Wrinkled and red, they were not pretty at all—yet strangely, they were utterly lovable.

Was this what it felt like to become a parent?

In that moment, thoughts of his parents came, and his nose stung.

And he vowed never to die again.

How much would these precious children suffer if he left them behind?

That thought alone anchored him firmly to life.

A month later.

The twins grew quickly with each passing day.

Though they had been born small and frail, they ate so well that all their parents’ worries vanished at once.

The grand ducal estate was livelier than ever with visitors.

“Oh, how adorable! Oh my!”

The Duchess of Ruben cooed at Leo.

The Duke of Ruben gently patted Elena’s back to help her burp.

The third sister, Linda, and the fourth sister, Seria, decided to stay at the estate for two months to help Ian with his recovery.

Nevan was delighted, and even prepared rooms for the Duke and Duchess of Ruben to stay in.

The twins’ birth was truly a cause for celebration in the North.

Everyone knew the Demon Lord had perished, but many still doubted whether the curse of Kirias had truly been broken.

The birth of twins was proof powerful enough to silence every doubt.

“May there be only blessings in Kirias!”

“May Anna Tuatla’s grace remain with you!”

“Health and fortune to the young lord and lady!”

Upon hearing the news, the Emperor sent numerous gifts, further emphasizing the alliance between the North and the Empire.

At last, the North was freed from its ancient curse.

* * *

It was about three months later that the four alphas were formally invited to the grand ducal estate.

Until then, Nevan and Ian had been overwhelmed with the babies, the endless stream of guests, and the flood of gifts.

Seor grumbled the whole way, insisting that he should have been invited first.

Lucian whistled sharply and replied,

“Look at the invitation list. If it’s only us, that means we’re being given special treatment, you fool crown prince.”

“What did you just say?”

“That’s lèse-majesté.”

“Now that we’re here, how about keeping it down? The babies might be sleeping.”

The door opened, and Ian appeared, sunlight at his back, welcoming the alphas inside.

In his arms was a baby with red eyes, sucking on his tiny fingers.

“The boy’s name was Leo, wasn’t it?”

Seor glanced away from the child who resembled Nevan.

“Yes, this is Leo. And this here is Elena.”

Elena was laughing brightly in Blony’s arms.

Her green eyes and her smiling face resembled Ian strikingly.

Lucian, already hovering close to Blony with sparkling eyes, asked,

“Can I hold her? Just once?”

Blony glanced uncertainly at Ian, who gave a nod.

“She is Elena’s godfather.”

“So you’ve already chosen a godfather!”

Lucian carefully took Elena into his arms.

“She’s as light as a feather. And why is her face so angelically beautiful?”

“You’re utterly blinded.”

Seor muttered sourly, though even he could not tear his gaze away from Elena.