Return of the Female Knight

Not only did Elena become the Empress of the Ruford Empire, but she was also the first duchess of the Duchy of Elena. It was a tremendous honor to have a principality named after her. As a result, everyone began to see her in a different light. After Carlisle, she was clearly the most powerful person in the Ruford Empire.

Despite this, her daily life remained mostly unchanged. She entrusted someone else to manage the principality, and was still focused on her future child. The nanny watched Elena make baby clothes, and then spoke.

“You can leave that to me.”

“No. I want to do this with my own hands. Anyway, this is just a little extra to what you make.”

The nanny smiled, and stroked one of the baby clothes on the table that Elena had already finished.

“This reminds me of the Countess, for some reason.”

“My mother?”

“Yes. Even in the past, she always wanted to prepare for the baby herself, just like you.”

“…Really?”

She paused in her sewing and looked at the nanny. It was the first time they’ve ever talked about the past like this. Elena’s mother had died so long ago that her memories of her were limited.

“Is there anything else? I wonder what Mother was like when she was pregnant.”

The nanny’s eyes were far away as she reminisced.

“When she was pregnant with Master Derek, she suffered from severe morning sickness. Fortunately, when she was pregnant with you, I remembered she ate and slept well. She probably liked that you were a gentle child.”

If Elena had heard this story in the past, she would not have fully understood it. Now, she empathized with her mother completely. While she never saw her mother’s pregnancies, of course, she could clearly imagine it.

“I’m glad I wasn’t too hard on my mother.”

“Haha, well, as I said, you were a gentle thing. The last time your mother was pregnant, it was with Mirabelle. The pregnancy was so difficult that she couldn’t even step out of bed.”

“She suffered a lot with Mirabelle?”

Elena had a vague memory of her mother being pregnant, but she didn’t know the details at the time. The nanny replied with a smile.

“You may not be able to imagine it now, but Mirabelle was a troublemaker in your mother’s stomach.”

“I never knew that Mother went through so much hardship.”

Elena smiled faintly and stroked her round belly. She wondered what kind of child was growing inside. Until now, Elena was someone else’s daughter, but now she was the parent of a child. She still didn’t quite process it yet. Later, when the child is born, she may well pass out when they make eye contact with her.

Her mother, whom she missed, probably felt the same way. If her mother was with her now, she may be able to tell Elena more… All there was now was the feeling of her mother’s absence.

“…I miss you, Mother.”

Elena gave a little murmur, and the nanny smiled warmly, and took Elena’s hands with her own deeply wrinkled ones.

“Among your siblings, you resemble her the most. You have the same beautiful face and strong personality. Don’t forget that your existence is because of her love.”

“Nanny…”

“Your mother may not be with you, but she will always be watching you.”

Elena’s nose started to feel stuffy at the unexpected words the nanny gave her. Now that Elena had a child to love, she could imagine that her mother would have looked at her in the same way in the past. Elena became even more choked up, and she looked up at her nanny.

“You have to stay with me for a long time, nanny. You raised my mother, took care of me, and now you must watch my child grow up.”

“That is also my wish.”

Elena and the nanny exchanged mutual looks of affection. Elena felt grateful all over again. This was a different future in which her nanny could be with her in this life. The happiness that Elena risked her life for was now safe by her side.

“Talking brings up many other memories. The Count fell in love with the Countess at first sight and passionately pursued her.”

“Father?”

Elena’s eyebrows lifted in disbelief. It was unimaginable, given Alphord’s blunt nature. The nanny gave a knowing smile.

“The Count’s personality was the same at the time, but he was incredibly sweet in front of his wife.”

“Really? Well, I think it was like that in my childhood, too.”

“They looked so wonderful together then… When your mother died first, the Count was deeply grieved.”

Elena nodded in agreement. She knew that her father had never forgotten about their mother. If Elena had been in her father’s position and had lost Carlisle, the hole in her heart would never be filled. Elena spoke in a low murmur.

“Is Father better yet?”

Alphord had yet to return to the Ruford Empire due to the severity of the injuries he suffered from Paveluc. As soon as Elena arrived at the Imperial Palace, she had prepared the most skilled doctor with the best medicines, and sent the doctor to Alphord.

After hearing about their father, Derek went to Alphord to take care of him, and occasionally wrote to Elena updating her on their father’s condition. Although she did not see her brother’s face, she knew he was worried.

It was then—

Ttog ttogeu.

There was a knock on the door, and the voice of a servant speaking urgently.

“Your Majesty, I have news for you.”

Because there hadn’t been urgent news recently, Elena looked at the door with a puzzled look.

“What’s going on?”

“I hear Count Blaise is back in the capital.”

“What?”

The unexpected news surprised Elena. Even the nanny was shocked as well, and their widened eyes met in midair.