In early August of that year, I gave birth to a child while thinking, 'Is this the end of my life?' I really thought I was going to die. Fortunately, because of Edith's body shape with a wide pelvis, she was able to give birth easily (although, in my opinion, it wasn't easy at all). That day, Killian cried again.
"You did a good job. Edith. Thank you for your hard work. . . . Thank you. Thanks, Edith. I love you."
Even though I was completely exhausted, I managed to move my lips and speak.
"You're such a crybaby. . . ."
Killian burst into laughter as he cried at those words. It was my first time seeing such a happy laugh. It seems that I gave him greater happiness again. I gave birth to a healthy boy, and we named him 'Erdin', the name we think is most suitable for him, among the names we had selected in advance. Erdin was a really pretty child who inherited Killian's black hair and my light brown eyes.
"I think Ludwig family beauty never goes anywhere. How can this baby be so cute?"
"He pretty just like you. I told you that his eyes completely resemble your eyes."
"But I think his lips are completely resembled yours? Oh, my!
look at him purse his lips."
"Is he hungry?"
"I just finished breastfeeding him a while ago. I think he dreamed of sucking my milik."
We looked at Erdin without realizing the time had passed because he was so lovely. He was a baby wrapped neatly in a baby swaddle, because he couldn't even hold his limbs yet, but he made a fuss that make we so excited seeing him moving his lips, smiled, and yawned, revealing his dimples on his cheeks.
Actually, in my previous life, it was so difficult to take care of myself that I couldn't even think about getting married, let alone having children, but after giving birth to Erdin, my heart was so full that i think my happiness is finally complete. Of course, this is because i had a nanny who took care of my child.
'If i raise our child alone, i will use both hands and both legs, right?'
Before the baby's age reaches 100 days, as a parents who have to take care their newborn baby, they will defiantly go through a difficult times, not only can't get enough rest but also mentally exhausted. Thanks for having a nanny, I can sleep enough and eat healthy food and recover well.
Edrin's was a baby who didn't make me have a morning sickness when I was pregnant with him. Erdin's looks quite big compared to other babies, and he's a quiet baby. So he's very calm and hasn't made any fussy at all since he was born. When Erdin grew bigger as times passed by, I thought the baby looked more like Killian, but it's funny because every time Killian sees Edrin, he says he's looks like me.
"He resembles both of you. If I look at him this side, he resembles more like the Count, and if I look at him at this side, he resembles more like your Madam."
Anna spoke with a cheerful face again today. Anna was Erdin's nanny since he was born, so she showed much affection towards Erdin just like i did. And every time I saw Anna like that, I felt sad, sorry, and responsible at once.
"Anna. . . . Don't you want to get married?"
Anna was already 26 years old. In Korea in the 21st century, she would still be enjoying her youth, but in this world, her age is enough to be labeled as an old lady.
"Me getting married? I'm very satisfied with my life now, so don't worry, ma'am."
Anna looked so happy, and it wasn't just empty words, but it made me uneasy when I thought that Anna would be lonely when she returned to her room after working all day. Of course, this doesn't mean being single is bad. Perhaps this feeling is my own sympathy for Anna. But just in case.
'It doesn't matter if Anna is really happy living alone, but if Anna feels lonely after losing all her youth because of me. . . .'
If so, it will be difficult for me to get rid of my guilt later. We will fully support her for the rest of her life, but there's part that can't be filled with money. While I was thinking about it, I decided to arrange Anna's position.
'Maybe Anna is alone because she doesn't have a chance to meet men?'
There is a big difference between meeting someone and saying no and giving up without meeting them. Besides, isn't it true that you have to look at the sky to find stars. That is why i have sent her to go on a blind date to meet a man, so that way she can decide if she wants to date or get married. If Anna wants to remain single even after meeting a decent man, then i have no choice but to accept comfortably and support her singleness lifestyle. That evening, I sat down with Killian and started thinking about it.
"If we had been in the capital, we would have been able to find some candidates for Anna, but in Ryzen, it's a bit difficult to find a man suitable for Anna. Moreover, people here tend to get married earlier than in the capital. . . ."
"But I think it's also a good idea to nominate divorced or widower men to Anna. Honestly, where else can they find a bride as good as Anna in Ryzen territory?"
After thinking one by one of the candidates that came to mind, we were able to choose two candidates. However, neither of them appeals to me, but it might be different if Anna meets them in person. I barely could sigh, but this time, Killian looked so worried and spoke.
"It's not only Anna, but Linan also a problem. He's already over 30 years old."
"Linan. . . . .is he never having a thought of getting married?"
When I think of Linan, who never changed his expression, I can't imagine him meeting a woman, falling in love, and starting a family. It feels like Linan will be alone forever.
"I don't think he has even one lover. When he lived in the duke's residence, my mother tried to introduce him to a young woman, but he always refused."
As expected.
"His father, Sir Theo Filch, must be very anxious."
"I'm sure the letter he asked me to give to Linan was full of married talk."
Yesterday, a letter from Sir Filch was delivered to Killian, including a small letter asking him to deliver it to his son. I couldn't help but laugh as I imagined Linon being indifferent after seeing the letter.
"If he hates marriage that much, there's nothing we can do to help, right?"
"Well, yeah, since Linan rejects women. But to think about it, i don't think there's any woman who would like Linan. He's a dull man who only knows about work."
We sighed with concern, nodded, and went to bed. Then, the next day, I persuaded Anna in advance before Killian asked the two men he had selected as candidates about their intentions.
"Even though Anna said you wanted to stay single, I think you should at least go to blind date and meet some man."
"Ma'am, wait, I'm. . . ."
"I know, i know that you are satisfied with your job now and you have been having hard too, so you don't have to worry about retirement. I know everything what you thinking, but why don't you at least meet some guy as an experienced? If you don't like it, I won't force you."
Anna ended up nodding her head with a difficult look on her face. At the same time, Linan stopped by my room to give me a report. I felt comfortable in many ways thanks to Linan, who was doing his job clearly while I was taking care of Erdin and still recovering myself.
"Winter wheat harvested in spring and summer totals 5,000 tons. The quantity of spring wheat that will be harvested soon will be slightly less than this,but there will be no problem with winter food supplies."
"What about the rest of the fruit or vegetable harvest?"
"It's the same as last year. However, now that the business of planting various fruit trees has started, I think in just a few years, this territory will be filled with different fruits in every season."
Linan handed the document to Anna, which had all the information neatly arranged. Anna also served as my assistant, so it was natural.
"Would you like to take a look at the production of crops in the surrounding territories?"
"Oh, that's good! Have you organized anything?"
"Yes. But I didn't bring it now. . . . ."
As Linon blurted out his words, Anna stepped forward.
"If you don't mind, Madam, I will go to the administration office and get it. Sir Filch is busy."
"Then will you do that for me?"
Anna nodded lightly with a faint smile and followed Linan, who greeted me, as he walked out. The two people, having similar attitudes, facial expressions, and speech patterns, they are like the same person, only differentiated by gender.
'My feel so blessing to have such good, talented and sincere people by my side.'
I was so proud to watch their backs disappear. But then I realized that I had forgotten to deliver the letter to him from Linan's father.
'I forgot that I should have given it to Linan when he came today. I think after giving birth to a child, i keep forgetting a lot of things.'
Since Anna was not around, I had to find the letter myself in the desk drawer. After i found it, i went out and chased after Linan and Anna. I saw them turn on the corner from a distance. Because of my position as a countess, i couldn't run in the hallway, so i used my feet to walk quickly and barely reached the corner.
"So, who did madam ask you to meet?"
Somehow, i could hear Linan anxious voices coming from the corner.
'Huh? What are they talking about?'
Without realizing it, I hid in a corner and pricked up my ears. It's was rare to hear Linan voice filled with such emotion.
"One of them was the butler nephew, and the other one is knight commander. I've told the madam several times that it's okay, but our madam was always worried about my situation. . . . ."
At Anna's words, Linan sighed for a long time and said as if he regretted it.
"This morning, the Count asked me if I had any intention of getting married. If I had known he was talking about Ms. Anna, I would have told him. . . ."
Anna smiled shyly. I swear I've never seen Anna smile so shyly. Not once!
"Shall i tell the madam about us?"
"No need. I will go and tell her. I was planning to tell them at the end of the year when I had more free time. . . ."
"I'm sorry."
"I'm the one who should be sorry. Miss Anna must have been in trouble because of me."
Linan smiled and carefully touched Anna's cheek. In an instant, Anna's cheeks turned red, Linan blushed and immediately pulled his hand away. Even though no one was watching (except me), the two of them were busy chatting as if nothing had happened.
'Oh my. . . . ! The two secretly have a good relationship, aren't they?"
I smiled proudly behind the corner and started to walk away towards Killian's office. I had to cancel all the plans before Killian took his part.
'As expected, I shouldn't worry about the talented people. I just caused them trouble for no reason.'
No, maybe I'm just pouring oil on a small fire. Hehehe.