#94
After the meeting, Enrique took a stroll in the lord’s garden, escorted by Anture and the knights. The not-so-large garden had already been cleared of any traces of war. Having been cooped up in the meeting room for so long, just walking slowly outside made breathing feel easier.
“How long do you think it will take?” Enrique suddenly asked. Anture thought for a moment before answering.
“Well, it’s hard to say for certain, but I plan to wrap it up within half a year at most. It’s not a strategy we can drag out anyway. But…”
Anture trailed off, looking down at Enrique’s belly. It had swollen a bit more in the meantime. Now it was slightly difficult to breathe even when sitting still.
“I’ll try to hurry as much as possible so you don’t have to give birth alone.”
Despite the kind words, Enrique felt somewhat bitter. The two of them kept separating just when they seemed to be getting closer.
“You’re always leaving me,” Enrique muttered softly. Hearing this, Anture stopped abruptly and gently stroked Enrique’s cheek with his fingertips.
“In the past, now, and in the future, I always leave you in order to keep my place by your side, Enrique.”
It was a paradoxical statement, but also true. Why did he voice such complaints despite knowing this? Was it because pregnancy had made him emotionally vulnerable?
‘I wish you’d come back before I give birth.’
Enrique forcibly swallowed the words rising in his throat. He didn’t want to say such emotional things. This was someone he would have to send off to distant Ruben someday. Someone who had his own place elsewhere. It would be best to get used to parting with him.
“By the way, it’s fortunate that Monta is a maritime power. Most of their forces are concentrated in the navy, so even if they send troops to Baron, it won’t make much difference.”
Enrique deliberately changed the subject. Anture gazed at Enrique quietly as if trying to gauge his feelings, then nodded.
Enrique started walking again and continued speaking.
“Even after we conquer Monta, I think their navy will be a persistent problem. There will surely be some who refuse to submit and form their own factions by taking to the sea. They’ll probably turn to piracy and disrupt trade. Then our Shamier will have to train a new navy to subjugate them…”
Enrique continued, considering future scenarios. Yes, right now he should focus on this war and the situations that would arise after it, not on his relationship with Anture. Even if they successfully conquered Baron and Monta, things wouldn’t go smoothly afterward.
“You’re already thinking that far ahead. Seems you’re confident about winning this war,” Anture said with an amused voice.
“You ruined my two engagements, so I just believe you’ll bring me that much in return, by whatever means necessary,” Enrique retorted somewhat coldly and quickened his pace. But Anture, undeterred, put his arm around Enrique’s shoulder, making him lean against himself. Instead of resisting, Enrique began to enjoy the walk with his head comfortably resting on the strong man’s shoulder. It would be best to enjoy this peace while it lasted, as it wouldn’t be long.
After the walk, they each returned to their duties. Anture went to meet with the Ruben side, while Enrique headed to the camp where Shamier’s cavalry was staying. They would soon be entering deep into Baron territory in the name of the allied forces. There was a need to boost their morale.
“Your Highness!”
“Crown Prince, Your Highness!”
“Your Highness!”
As Enrique entered the cavalry camp, shouts and military salutes rang out from everywhere. Enrique greeted each of them, making eye contact. This was Shamier’s small elite force risking their lives in battle. They deserved proper treatment.
After roughly surveying the cavalry, Enrique lastly headed to the tent where the wounded were gathered. Most injuries were fractures from being hit by spears and falling off horses during combat. Fortunately, the numbers weren’t high enough to significantly affect their fighting strength. With only one fatality while holding off 3,000 reinforcements, it could be considered a substantial victory.
After encouraging the wounded and promising rewards, Enrique headed to the stables.
Shamier’s cavalry each owned two horses. This was to maintain speed during rapid advances by switching horses. As warhorses were valuable assets, the cavalry was staying in tents pitched outside the castle, next to temporarily constructed stables. These warhorses, sent as wedding gifts from Ruben, were not only large enough to carry heavily armored cavalrymen with powerful, muscular bodies, but also exuded an imposing presence just to look at.
As Enrique stroked the warhorses, he thought about Shamier’s brilliant future. While this war was the priority, no matter how he calculated, the possibility of defeat didn’t come to mind at all. Enrique’s eyes were picturing a bit further into the future.
The future of Shamier after absorbing Monta’s territory, and Shamier’s glory spreading through the seas.
Just thinking about it made his heart beat faster and stronger.
As Enrique was wearing a slight, satisfied smile, it happened.
“…Ah!”
Enrique let out a low exclamation, putting his hand on his lower abdomen.
“Your Highness?!”
“Your Highness, what’s wrong?”
The guard knights called out to Enrique in alarmed voices and supported him. Instead of answering their urgent calls, Enrique blinked with surprised eyes.
“Your Highness?”
“No, just now…”
Enrique muttered softly, then said “Ah” again, feeling his belly.
“A doctor! I’ll call a doctor!”
One of the guard knights turned quickly. Enrique reached out to stop him.
“Your Highness?”
“It’s not that… Just now, the baby moved.”
The guard knights’ eyes all widened at once. Enrique, quickly composing his surprised expression, smiled and said to them as if boasting:
“Just now, our Shamier’s heir made its first movement.”
“Your Highness…!”
Emotion spread across the faces of the guard knights all at once. Enrique, wearing a beaming smile he had rarely shown before, cradled his lower abdomen with both hands.
“Seeing how vigorous it is, it will surely be born a brave and great child.”
The guard knights nodded their heads vigorously at Enrique’s words, which were almost like talking to himself.
“Shall we inform His Highness the Prince?” one asked carefully.
Enrique shook his head immediately, then stopped and thought for a moment. Then he nodded. Seeing this, one of the guard knights turned sharply and ran quickly into the castle.
“Let’s go to the bedroom.”
Enrique walked carefully towards the lord’s bedroom, preciously cradling his lower abdomen.
He had just arrived at the bedroom and sat down in the armchair with Pol’s support. The bedroom door burst open and Anture rushed in. His black eyes, full of excitement, fixed immediately on Enrique. Enrique gestured for Anture to come closer, as he hesitated to approach. Anture then strode over and knelt in front of the armchair.
“There was movement?” Anture asked in a low voice, as if worried that speaking loudly might startle the child. Enrique nodded and pulled Anture’s hand to place it on his lower abdomen. The large, strong hand very carefully cradled the swollen lower belly. Then he slowly tilted his head to put his ear against the belly.
Everyone in the bedroom held their breath. There was no sign from the belly. But Anture waited patiently for movement, as still as if he had turned to stone. Enrique watched, breathing slowly. After some time, Anture’s eyes widened.
“Enrique…!” Anture called out softly. His voice was full of emotion and joy.
“The child moved. Did you feel it?”
Anture asked. Enrique smiled and nodded.
“You can’t imagine how vigorously it’s moving.”
Enrique said, stroking Anture’s head pressed against his belly with one hand and his lower abdomen with the other. Even to himself, his voice was tinged with languid satisfaction and excitement.
“I didn’t know our child would move so soon,” Anture said, his eyes sparkling with wonder. Enrique gestured for Anture to come closer.
Anture raised his upper body and carefully kissed Enrique’s lips. Soft and gentle kisses poured forth.
“I love you, Enrique,” Anture whispered in a voice full of emotion. Enrique, suppressing the feeling that he might cry for some reason, returned the kiss. At this moment, he couldn’t think of or want anything else. This was enough.
