As Simon waited for Kalia outside the door, Allen came in to discuss a few things with her after she finished breastfeeding Kalia.
"Yes, come in, Simon."
With Kalia's permission Simon entered the room, his gaze falling on Allen who had entered first.
His forehead, usually as smooth as porcelain, immediately wrinkled as he frowned.
Simon raised an eyebrow and asked bluntly,
"Why is the doctor…? Are you feeling uncomfortable somewhere, Kalia?"
"No, I don't feel sick. Allen just came in to tell me something."
Kalia answered, unbothered, then smiled gratefully as she handed Sasha to Allen.
He smiled back while holding Sasha, while Simon was burning with jealousy as he watched them.
If he's a doctor, and standing next to her as a doctor, why do I feel this way?
Though he didn't act any differently in front of Kalia, Simon was wary of Allen.
"I think Master Sasha is sleeping again, so I'll take him to his room."
I felt like my heart was being torn apart.
If I could, I would let my jealousy take over, and tell him to stay far away from Kalia and the baby, but I know I shouldn't act like that.
Simon put aside his burning jealousy for a moment and smiled at Kalia.
"Then, are you feeling well, Kalia?"
"I feel really good. I'm alright."
Simon approached her with long strides, then stretched out his long, white fingers to tuck back the hair stuck to her cheeks.
"I see. That's a relief. I couldn't ask for anything more."
Kalia felt a bit bashful.
It was because Simon was treating her in a friendly manner, speaking in a voice dripping with honey, something he had never done before.
And everytime their eyes met and he smiled sweetly enough to drive her crazy, Kalia was filled with confusion.
l-Isn't he angry? I thought he'd be very angry that I suddenly disappeared. Why isn't he saying anything about my pregnancy?
Kalia glanced at Simon's expression, but it was too difficult to read his thoughts.
She wasn't sure if it was on purpose, but there was no way to know what he was thinking if he was determined to put on a poker face.
That's why she was becoming frustrated, even while becoming conscious of his presence.
The old friend that I finally met after a long time smiled sweetly, giving off a dangerous aura.
"Simon, if it's not urgent, I think you should let Kalia rest a bit more.
It was Allen who was exuding that dangerous feeling.
Allen spoke to Simon with a quiet and polite voice.
Simon looked at Allen closely, and Allen glared back at him.
If you were a childhood friend… Why didn't you know she was pregnant?
There are rumors everywhere about how cold Simon Terroan could be.
When she heard that Simon blew something up in the Imperial Palace and the Capital mansion, she felt even worse.
Of course, one shouldn't believe groundless rumors, but if Kalia went this far because of Simon, it didn't reflect well on him.
The moment he saw Sasha's lovely gaze, Simon realized why felt so unpleasant towards Allen.
Allen was taking up the role he was supposed to play.
Simon's eyes narrowed.
It was his role to stand by Kalia's side, to take care of her after she gave birth, and look after the lovely baby she gave birth to.
A spark flashed in Simon's eyes. Anger and foolish jealousy, because he'd been robbed of the important role of a father throughout his wife's pregnancy…
Allen wasn't able to substitute for a 'real father, so he had no choice but to pitifully help with small things.
He couldn't help but be close to her.
Pzzzt
A spark erupted between the eyes of the two men facing each other.
Smirking, Simon said in a cool manner,
"I told you that I was meeting Kalia, do I need your permission?
"That's not what I meant, I'm just speaking as her doctor."
"I think I deserve to stay here more than her doctor…?
He paused for a moment and looked at Kalia, asking,
"Don't you think so, Kalia?"
He dropped his head sharply, and his curled hair flopped down.
"Or… Should I leave like he said, Kalia?"
What kind of atmosphere is this?
Kalia was dumbfounded. The atmosphere was strange, but she didn't know why.
Why are those two glaring at each other, even though they just met?
Either way, it was only right that one person should leave to clear the chaotic air.
"Allen."
"Yes, Lady Kalia."
Should I stay here…? Should I get rid of that evil wizard?
Allen tried to tell her with his eyes.
The problem was Kalia couldn't read Allen's eyes at all.
Without knowing what Allen was trying to say, she reached out to Allen and said,
"You step out first, and give Sasha to me."
"What…?"
Why? Why me and not the evil mage? What if he harms the small, pretty, and fragile Sasha?
Seeing Allen's eyes fill with vigilance, Kalia said brightly,
"It's alright. Simon won't eat us. No matter how monstrous he is, he's still a human being, right?"
Simon's eyebrows shot up when he heard himself being treated like a monster.
Kalia shrugged as she saw his reaction.
Her expression looked so innocent that Allen wanted to cry.
"Lady Kalia… No matter how much I look at it, the Duke's eyes are crazy. Why doesn't Lady Kalia know that? You don't really understand what kind of eyes are looking at you right now!"
Allen silently screamed in his mind, but he didn't let a single sound slip out of his mouth.
"Anyways… Give Sasha to me. I'd like to introduce him to Simon."
When she said it like that, how could Allen stop her?
"Yes… I understand."
As long as that man is 99% likely to be Sasha's father.
Smirk.
When Allen made eye contact with him, Simon looked at him with a victorious smile on his face.
Why was this monster, praised in the Capital, so cheeky?
Allen glared at him angrily and left the room, slowly closing the door and walking with very slow steps.
Clack.
The door closed, and Kalia and Simon were left alone in the room.
Simon pursed his lips as he looked at the baby who fell asleep on Kalia's arms.
"Sasha?"
"Yes, that's his nickname. I'm still thinking of an actual name to give him."
Sasha's face in Kalia's arms was clear and pure.
As he looked down, the baby looked even more peaceful.
Simon was looking at Kalia, who couldn't take her eyes off Sasha, and quietly muttered,
"When I was young, there was a time when someone called me by that name."
Hesitant, Kalia's smile froze.
"Someone seemed to have completely forgotten."
"No way…?"
"It wasn't long after you joined the Academy, right? We went back to the mansion during a break and hung out together, and that's what you used to call me."
"I did…?"
"Who else do you think?"
"Me? Really? Why can't I remember?"
Embarrassed, Kalia stared at Simon.
Simon looked at Kalia for a moment, but then looked down to greet Sasha, who Kalia was holding.
"Hello, Sasha. It's nice to meet you."
He sweetly whispered in the ears of the sleeping
baby
His long white finger tapped the child's chubby sheek, and Sasha flinched and moved his lips.
"Are you eating in your dream? Why are you chewing so much?"
Like his soft voice, his fingertips touching the baby's cheek cautiously.
He poked the baby's cheek, slowly touching the baby's skin with his fingertips.
Somehow, the touch seemed to be filled with affection, so Kalia felt strange.
I thought Simon disliked babies…?
This Simon, who would wrinkle his face whenever Kalia would look at children passing by. Not to mention making such a fuss so that he wouldn't have to listen to the children's laughter.
But what's with that look in his eyes?
The end of his eyes, tilted upward.
The baby she gave birth to, and his father looking back at him.
The strange scene before her tickled her heart.
When she saw their shining faces in the sunny room, her chest tightened.
Can they really be related by blood?
Simon had silver hair that reflects the sunlight, while Sasha had hair as black as night, the total opposite of his father, but those two were undeniably alike.
Strange. This is really strange. This feeling… is really strange.
While Kalia stared at their child and Simon, Simon looked up at Kalia.
With beautiful golden eyes captivating Kalia, Simon suddenly asked,
"Why did you do it?"
It's here.
Kalia's chest tightened and her heart dropped, but she looked at Simon with a face that didn't show her feelings.
Simon, who was staring at her said without much care,
"Why didn't you tell me? Why did you come this far to give birth to a baby?"
"Well… It's because I wanted to rest. I was planning to retire."
Kalia said as her voice shook, but managed to give a slight smile.
"I'm sorry I couldn't tell you. I couldn't tell you because I thought you'd stop me if you knew."
"You were going to retire…?"
Simon laughed as if he had just heard a ridiculous joke.
Then he said, in a slightly furious voice,
"Don't lie, Kalia."
To Be Continued….