Knock knock.
"Luren…" Clara called softly outside Luren's door, but there was no answer.
"I'm coming in," she said, pushing the door open. It was unlocked. Craige had already left early that morning.
She stepped inside, her brows furrowed in concern.
"Hey, are you okay? It's already lunchtime and you haven't even had breakfast." She sat at the edge of the bed and gently shook Luren's shoulder to wake him.
"Hmm… I'm not hungry," Luren murmured, eyes still closed, voice weak.
Clara opened her mouth to reply, but suddenly, Luren shot up, rushed to the bathroom, and started vomiting.
Clara gasped, following behind but stopping at the door. Her chest tightened watching
him like that. He looked so pale, so drained.
He had been feeling off for days, but now it was getting worse. He looked like he barely
had the energy to move.
"Oh no…Luren, are you sick?" she asked, voice rising in panic. "I'm calling the doctor!" She turned and hurried out, telling one of the maids urgently to fetch a doctor, then rushed back to Luren's side.
When he came out of the bathroom, he was wiping his mouth, eyes dull with fatigue.
"Where's Craige?" he asked weakly, his voice barely above a whisper.
"They left early," Clara replied, brushing hair away from his damp forehead. "I think they
needed to check something. Honestly, I'm not sure. But… Craige's been going to
nearby villages a lot lately, checking on his people."
She sat beside him again, her worry growing. "Don't worry. Just rest, okay? The doctor
will be here soon.".
"My stomach… it hurts," Luren said weakly, holding his tummy with a pained expression.
"I've prepared some soup," Butler Serio said gently as he entered through the open
door, carrying a tray. "You haven't eaten anything yet, so please have this instead."
"Thank you, Butler Serio," Luren smiled faintly, touched by the gesture.
"I'll prepare a light lunch as well. His Grace should be returning any moment now,"
the butler added with a hint of concern in his voice.
Luren nodded slowly, appreciating the care.
"Thank you, Butler Serio! You're the best!" Clara chimed in cheerfully, giving him a
thumbs-up and a bright smile.
Butler Serio nodded with a smile
"Let me feed you," she said, taking the spoon from Luren's hand with gentle
determination and scooping up a spoonful of warm soup.
Just then, the peaceful moment was interrupted by the sound of hurried footsteps echoing down the hallway, someone was running fast, their steps loud and urgent.
"Baby, are you okay?" Craige came running the moment Butler Serio informed him. Keith was right behind him, looking equally worried.
"Keith, call the doctor!" Craige said in a panic.
"Relax, Your Grace," Clara said calmly.
"I already did. He should be on his way. Since you're here, you can feed Luren." She smiled and handed the spoon to Craige.
"We'll leave you two lovebirds alone now," Clara teased, gently pushing Keith toward
the door and closing it behind them.
"Craige…" Luren whispered, reaching his arms out. He longed for Craige's scent—it
comforted him. He had even worn Craige's shirt while waiting, but it wasn't enough. Craige quickly embraced him, holding him tightly before sitting beside him.
"Come on, baby, you need to eat," Craige said softly, gently lifting the spoon to Luren's
lips.
Luren clung to him, his face buried in the crook of Craige's neck, inhaling deeply. The
scent was soothing, calming his nausea and anxiety.
"Open up," Craige urged.
Luren obeyed, taking a small bite, still refusing to let go of Craige.
"I feel a lot better now that you're here," Luren murmured with a smile. His voice was
softer, his breathing steadier. Craige's presence had melted away his discomfort.
Knock knock knock.
"Your Grace, the doctor is here," the maid announced from the other side of the door.
"Let him in," Craige responded without looking away from Luren.
The door opened and the doctor stepped inside, bowing respectfully. "Greetings, Your Grace."
"Check Luren now," Craige commanded, his tone firm but filled with concern.
The doctor hurriedly opened his medical bag and approached, immediately beginning to
examine Luren with care and urgency.
Clara and Keith arrived, their faces filled with concern as they entered the room. Even
Roan and Rolen were waiting anxiously just outside the door.
"Ehem..." The doctor cleared his throat, glancing between Luren and Craige before
breaking into a wide smile.
Craige frowned in confusion—why was the doctor smiling when Luren had been feeling so unwell? Was he out of his mind?
"Congratulations, Your Grace and Master Luren," the doctor said warmly. "He's two weeks pregnant."
Luren gasped softly, his hand flying to his mouth as tears welled up in his eyes.
Craige immediately pulled him into a tight embrace, kissing his temple with trembling joy.
"But you both need to be very careful," the doctor continued with a gentle tone. "You're
expecting twins, a rare and delicate condition. Luren will need plenty of rest."
"Whoa! Not just one, but two babies?! Oh my god… Congratulations, brother!" Clara cried
out excitedly, clapping her hands with joy.
Everyone in the room lit up with smiles, the air now filled with relief and happiness.
The doctor, however, added one more instruction with a pointed look at the couple, "Also…intercourse must be strictly prohibited until the babies are stable."
Craige blinked, while Luren's face flushed deeply. The room burst into soft laughter
as the tension melted into pure joy.
Craige and Luren looked at each other, then smiled softly, a quiet joy shining in their eyes.
"I can always make a way," Craige whispered, he said teasingly
"I will give you some medicinal herbs to help stabilize the babies and ease your morning sickness," the doctor said gently.
"Thank you, Doctor," Luren replied, his voice tender as he placed a hand over his belly.
After the doctor and the others left the bedroom, Craige couldn't hold back his
happiness. He pulled Luren into a warm embrace and showered his face with kisses.
"My baby has my babies now," he teased lovingly, his tone playful as he kissed him again and again.
"Yeah...and we have two," Luren whispered, tears welling up in his eyes. "I still can't
believe it, he remember what Elder Zoran said.
Craige smiled warmly, brushing Luren's tears away with his thumb. "Come on, let's eat
now. You need more energy, for both you and our little ones."
He gently lifted Luren and helped him settle into a chair, then called for the maid to bring lunch to their bedroom, making sure everything was just right for his beloved.