A few months before the empress gave birth to Princess Beatrice, Princess Liliana’s wedding took place.
Bina wanted to attend the event, but it was impossible. She was heavily pregnant at the time and the emperor and the empress were only allowed to attend their own children’s weddings and no other.
Bina instead visited Liliana’s quarters before the wedding to give her a wedding present in person.
Bina felt sad at Liliana’s departure. On top of that, Liliana was also taking her two younger sisters with her. Liliana and Clodys were both raising Roselia and Margaret and they were only too happy to take them into his home.
One of the reasons Liliana wanted to keep her sisters near her was because of the impending birth of Bina’s child. Although they were pardoned for their mother Katleyanira’s treason, the castle was still a dangerous place for the princesses who were still in line for the throne. They could be considered a threat to the newborn heir.
In addition, Roselia was engaged to the prince of Genoa. In a few years, she would leave Cransia and Liliana wanted to keep her near as long as possible.
After the wedding, Liliana became the new Marchioness Toruka.
The next time she visited the castle was two months after Bina gave birth.
Welcome, Princess.
Bina smiled brightly and greeted Liliana. She bowed respectfully and replied,
Please call me Marchioness.
… Of course. Thank you for coming, Marchioness.
Bina understood why Liliana emphasized her changed title. She smiled gently and took her hand to lead her into the baby’s room.
The new princess’ room was inside Bina’s personal bedroom. Inside Bina’s room were messy with numerous baby toys and a crib.
Liliana’s eyes widened.
You created the princess’ room within your own chamber?
Bina smiled awkwardly.
Yes. Everyone told me this was not the royal way, but… I decided to do it my way. This is how things are done in my homeland.
I… see.
Liliana looked around the familiar empress’ room, which used to belong to her mother Katleyanira. It looked so different now. Katleyanira had three children, and she has never allowed them to stay in her room. Not even her precious twin brother who died at a young age.
High born ladies always had nannies to take care of their children. They also never breastfed them. The goal for the ladies was to recover quickly from childbirth and prepare for the next pregnancy as soon as possible.
Bina was doing the opposite.
Bina took the crying baby from the crib.
My baby. My Trice. What’s wrong, honey?
The baby princess whined for a short while, but Bina could calm her down quickly. Bina smiled and showed the baby to Liliana, who exclaimed,
Princess has your highness’ black hair.
Bina looked at her baby lovingly and replied,
Her eyes look just like his highness’.
The black-haired and green-eyed princess was so young yet already showed unusual intelligence. Knowing the emperor and the empress, Liliana knew that this princess would be very smart.
She complimented her.
She will grow to be a beauty just like you, your highness.
Bina’s eyes widened and shook her head empathically.
No way. It would obviously be better if she resembles his highness.
Pardon?
Bina explained to the bewildered Liliana,
Objectively speaking, the emperor definitely is more beautiful than I am, right? If it was a son, I guess it would have been okay to resemble me more, but for a girl, it would be better to look like the emperor, so she would have a better chance of becoming a beauty. Well, I guess it never hurts to be pretty, so even a son would benefit from resembling the emperor.
…
Bina sounded sincere, but Liliana couldn’t agree with her as it would sound like an insult. She just smiled awkwardly.
After chatting for a little while longer, Bina suddenly handed the baby to Liliana.
Now, try holding her.
Y, your highness!
Liliana was surprised but took the baby into her arm. The small warm body felt wonderful. The smell of the new baby was lovely. Looking at the adorable baby sucking her thumb innocently, Liliana felt all her worries disappear.
Bina was impressed as she watched Liliana.
You are a pro! I am still very awkward at holding my own baby.
Oh… I took care of my sisters, so I have some experience.
The baby seemed like she was falling asleep when suddenly, she started to look uncomfortable.
Liliana quickly realized it and asked Bina,
I don’t think she is hungry… Does her highness have a favorite toy?
Bina was impressed at Liliana’s intuition. She brought a silver rattle from her side table and shook it in front of the baby.
Beatrice quickly started to laugh. Liliana smiled at first but soon started to cry. Bina became shocked at Liliana’s tears. She put the rattle down and handed the baby to the nanny, who took her to the next room.
Bina sat down with Liliana at the tea table and asked,
What’s wrong? Did something happen?
…
Liliana shook her head quietly, but she couldn’t stop crying. Bina felt awkward and all she could do was to hold Liliana’s hand and wait for her to explain.
It was the right decision. After crying silently for a long time, Liliana finally stopped and calmed down.
Bina asked again thoughtfully,
I’m not sure what is wrong, but… If you want, won’t you tell me? There is a saying in my homeland: if you share sadness, it shrinks, while when you share happiness, it doubles.
…
After a long hesitation, Liliana finally answered,
Two days ago… I called for a doctor because I wasn’t feeling well. And… I was told that I am with child.
Her voice was trembling nervously.
Bina was surprised.
How wonderful…! Congratulations.
Liliana shook her head sadly. She wasn’t crying anymore, but she still looked very distressed.
… No. I realize it is a good thing, but… I felt fearful rather than happy.
Pardon?
Bina couldn’t understand. She knew women could get emotional during pregnancy. In fact, she was as well, but Liliana’s reaction was unusual.
I… am scared. I know with the birth of the princess, my sisters and I automatically lost our positions in line for the throne. So… I know there won’t be any more tragedies, but… I hope bad things don’t happen again, but…
Princess Liliana… I mean Marchioness.
Bina finally understood what Liliana feared. She tried her best to make Liliana feel better. Liliana looked just like the way she was when Katleyanira was still alive. Liliana used to be always anxious and timid, but after her mother’s death and the marriage to her love, she seemed to have recovered from her traumatic childhood. However, now… She was back to her nervous self before the rebellion.
Liliana…
…
Bina felt sad at how Liliana couldn’t even feel happy for her baby out of fear. She held Liliana’s hand.
Liliana.
… Yes.
You aren’t Katleyanira, right?
…
Look at Princess Roselia. She is growing up to be a happy, innocent, young woman, and it is all thanks to you.
Do you… think so?
Yes. You will never become a mother like Katleyanira, so please don’t be so worried.
Liliana patted her still-flat belly and murmured,
I’m still… afraid. This baby has my mother’s blood. It doesn’t matter what the baby’s legal name is on a piece of paper… You can’t erase blood.
Liliana’s red hair shined sadly.
That is why… I’m afraid. If this baby resembles my mother even a little bit…
Even Bina flinched at the thought.
The kingdom was enjoying a long-awaited stability and with Princess Beatrice’s birth, the royal family now had a legitimate heir.
However, unfortunately, she gave birth to a princess and not a prince. Because there had never been a female ruler, things were still very uncertain.
On top of that, the mortality rate of newborns was very high in this world. Normally, any empress would have tried to have as many children as possible, but Lucretius was firm on not having any more children after seeing Bina’s difficulty in giving birth to their princess.
Bina felt uncertain, and she understood why Liliana felt anxious. However, despite it all, Bina wasn’t overly worried. Bina smiled gently but confidently as she said to Liliana.
There is no need to worry.
… Your highness.
I am not worried at all. Think about it. A baby raised by you can never be anything like Katleyanira. You, a kind and gentle woman, will never let that happen.
Bina wiped Liliana’s tears and continued,
So don’t worry about a thing and get ready to have your beautiful baby. Whenever you feel anxious, just go and nag your husband.
… alright.
Liliana finally smiled. She looked so lovely and sad that Bina started to get angry at Clodys.
What was he doing, making his wife feel this upset?
Did you tell your husband yet?
Liliana shook her head.
… As soon as I heard the news, I became so anxious that I didn’t have the courage to tell Clodys.
Bina said to her firmly,
When you return, that is the first thing you need to do. Also, tell him how anxious you feel. Talking about it make you feel better, right?
Liliana nodded as Bina continued,
When you tell your husband, you will feel even better, so don’t suffer alone. Now, look at you. Your makeup is ruined.
… T, thank you, your highness for listening to me.
