Chapter 444
Michael suddenly snapped back to reality, his ears turning red. He steadied himself, walked step by step to the bedside, and stretched his trembling fingertips.
“I… I’m here.” His voice was a little hoarse, and his tense voice trembled.
When he got close, Michael couldn’t help but hold his breath.
Elettra’s hair was combed meticulously, and the pearls on the golden hairpin swayed gently with her movements, refracting tiny light in the candlelight. Her eyebrows were drawn more curved than usual, and the rouge at the corners of her eyes looked like twin peach blossoms. Especially her eyes, which were as bright as if they contained the entire starry sky, were looking at him with a smile.
“What are you thinking?” Elettra’s red lips were as bright as fire. “Don’t you think I’m pretty?”
“Yes.” Michael blurted out the answer, as straightforward as shouting a password on the battlefield.
Elettra couldn’t help but giggle. Her smile made Michael even more flustered. He fumbled to pour the nuptial wine, but his hands trembled so much that he couldn’t hold the cup.
“I… I’ll pour you some wine.” Michael wiped the sweat from his forehead, feeling like he had never been so embarrassed.
After pouring the wine, he handed Elettra a cup. Then, with his arm through hers, they drank the wine in their cups. As the wine went down, his blood felt like it was burning. Michael sat on the edge of the bed, feeling somewhat awkward. He wiped the sweat from his face, not knowing what to say to Elettra. Elettra looked at his nervous appearance, and her eyes curved with laughter. Suddenly, she got up and pounced into Michael’s arms. Michael was caught off guard by her initiative and fell onto the bed, his body weak with fright.
“Honey,” Elettra snuggled in his arms, her eyes blinking. “The matchmaker said that someone would bring me a baby on the wedding night. When shall we go get the baby?”
Michael’s face was as red as a burning cloud. Before he could speak, Elettra extinguished the candle. She whispered in his ear, “The matchmaker also said that we have to pick the baby together?”
In the blink of an eye, it was Christmas Eve. A thin layer of snow covered the courtyard of the Xander Manor. The maids were busy hanging red lanterns under the corridor. The vermilion palace lanterns reflected the white snow, like strings of ripe candied hawthorns. Athena leaned against the soft couch by the window, covered with a thick cloak. Her belly was already so big that it looked like she was carrying a round watermelon. Even reaching for the cup on the table was a bit of an effort. Xander had just been called away by someone from the palace, saying that the King wanted him to stay in the imperial study to keep watch over the night. Before leaving, he repeatedly told the maid to add charcoal to the Princess Consort’s brazier every half hour.
“Your Grace, do you want a little rabbit embroidered on the cuff of this small jacket?” The maid held a small pink satin jacket with half an ear already embroidered on it.
Athena smiled and shook her head. “Embroider a little tiger instead, it’ll be more majestic.”
She looked down at her belly, able to clearly feel the little one inside kicking. “If it’s a boy, he must be like his father, an upright man.”
As soon as the maid responded, she saw the butler walk in holding a mahogany tray with two brocade boxes on it.
“Your Grace, someone from Ironfang Pass has delivered something, saying that General Osborne specifically instructed them to do so.”
Athena’s brow furrowed slightly. Since Michael went to Ironfang Pass after his marriage, he has been sending things to Pidence City every month. Most of the gifts for Elettra are furs and novelties from the Northern Frontier. The gifts for her are rare medicinal herbs and gems from Westernlands, saying that he is thanking her for saving his life back then.
“Open it. Let’s see.” Athena’s voice was calm and indifferent.
The maid opened the brocade box, and inside were indeed some high-quality crimson truffles and a pigeon-blood ruby hairpin. Another box was for Elettra, containing a snow fox fur cloak.
“Wrap all of these up.” Athena put down the needlework in her hand, “Have the messenger take them back to Ironfang Pass and tell General Osborne that I appreciate his kindness, but I cannot accept the gifts.”
The housekeeper was a little embarrassed. “Princess Consort, this is a token of General Osborne’s good intentions.”
“His heart should be with Elettra.” Athena picked up the jeweled hairpin. She looked at it in the light and said, “I don’t need anything here. But Elettra is alone in Pidence City, and it’s getting cold. She could use that cloak.” She paused, her tone serious, “Please tell Michael that he doesn’t need to send anything anymore. He is a married man and should focus on his wife and children, not on others.”
Only then did the housekeeper understand and quickly agreed before leaving. Holly, who was watching from the side, was confused, “Princess Consort, General Osborne had good intentions.”
“Good intentions must also be appropriate.” Athena picked up her needle and thread again and began to embroider the outline of a tiger. “He is now the son-in-law of the Huber family, and his every move must consider Elettra’s feelings. If outsiders see him sending me things every month, they will inevitably gossip, and Elettra will be the one to suffer.”
As she was speaking, Xander returned, with a faint smell of alcohol on him. As soon as he entered the door, he went straight to the soft couch and carefully placed his hand on Athena’s stomach. Feeling the movement inside, a smile immediately appeared on her face. “Is the little one bothering you again?”
“It was kicking me just now.” Athena held his hand and told him about Michael sending things, “I had the butler return them, and told him not to send anything in the future.”
Xander lowered his head and kissed her forehead, his eyes full of praise. “You’re still the most considerate. That dude is just a blockhead; he probably didn’t think that much.” He picked up the half-embroidered little jacket. “This tiger is embroidered so majestically; it looks more energetic than the python robe I wear.”
Athena looked at him with burning eyes and said, “After the child is born, let’s go to the fief. Now that the court inside and outside are at peace, it’s time for you to let go.”
Athena didn’t bring this up casually. Historically, no virtuous minister has ever been able to retire successfully. What kings feared most was that their ministers were stronger than themselves. Even if the King trusts Xander now, a slight carelessness can lead to death.
“Actually, His Majesty knows it.” Athena said softly, drawing circles on Xander’s chest with her fingertips, “He needs a way out, and you also need a place to return to. It’s good for everyone if we go to the fief.”
Xander nodded lightly, “I’ll listen to you.” Even if Athena didn’t say it, he had the same intention. Besides, he didn’t want his children to be born into a world of deceit and betrayal. They should laugh wildly and run freely.
Athena’s advice worked, and Michael didn’t send her anything to the Xander Manor again. He returned to Pidence City once a month. In March, Elettra announced the good news that she was pregnant. At this time, Athena was less than eight days away from giving birth. The Xander Manor was fully prepared, after all, twins are very dangerous. These days, Xander guarded Athena almost every step of the way, moving the memorials to the study outside the bedroom, and waking up immediately at the slightest movement at night.
“Look at you, you’re more nervous than I am.” Athena smiled and joked, “I’m fine. Did you forget? I’m also a doctor. Why would I be afraid of giving birth? Besides, there are so many imperial physicians and experienced midwives outside. I’ll be fine.”