"Is it possible for morning sickness to suddenly worsen even though you ate fine yesterday? There might be something wrong with your body—we need to see the priest right away"
Felix insisted firmly on his opinion. He was the type to patch up a broken bone with a makeshift splint for himself, yet he treated every little change in Lowell like it was a matter of life and death.
"I know my body best. This is definitely just morning sickness, so there's no need to go see the priest."
Felix tightened his arms around his fiance, still conflicted. A part of him wanted to dash off to the Temple immediately, but dragging someone along against their will, only to find out it was nothing would just leave them both exhausted.
"Please release more of your pheromones, Your Grace. I think that would help more."
Lowell drove a wedge to end Felix's hesitation. No Alpha could refuse an Omega mate who said they wanted to feel their pheromones.
A bittersweet apple scent gently spread through the room. It was a warm pheromone, filled with concern for his partner. Lowell inhaled it eagerly, using it to calm his churning stomach.
"How did you know that Alpha pheromones help with morning sickness?"
Lowell asked while wrapped in Felix's embrace. His nausea had completely subsided, as if it had never been there.
"A book"
Felix answered shortly. It was one of his typical habits when he was embarrassed.
He wouldn't have read something like that normally.... Did he study after hearing I was pregnant?
Lowell pictured Felix borrowing pregnancy-related books from the Imperial library and cracked a faint smile. It was just like Felix to study on his own, and the thought that it had been about male Omega Pregnancy made it unexpectedly endearing.
"Thank you. I feel much better thanks to you."
"Would you like to try some fruit?"
Lowell didn't want to put even a drink in his mouth, let alone a fruit, but trying at least a little was better than making Felix worry.
"Then I'd like something mild-flavored."
"Alright."
When Felix returned, he was holding what looked like half the fruit shop. A variety of fruits filled his arms, and black magic nearly peeled them into elegant shapes.
So if you know how to use magic delicately, you can do things like that.
Lowell found it amusing. Not many people would bother using that kind of ability just to peel fruit, but he happily watched the little magic show.
"Can you eat this?"
The first fruit Felix held out was something Lowell had never seen in his previous world. It looked like a mango but had a greenish hue that made it seem unripe.
"I'll try it."
A sweet aroma spread across his tongue. The tangy aftertaste that followed actually helped bring back his appetite.
This is edible.
Encouraged, Lowell took a bigger bite. The richer flavor bloomed with the larger piece—unfortunately, so did his stomach's reaction.
"Uggh."
Lowell tried to force the fruit down, but Felix's hand was faster. He calmly caught the piece Lowell was about to spit out. Even when Lowell shook his head, Felix gently pat his back and encourage him to get it all out.
"I'm sorry."
"Try something else this time."
Felix seemed ready to feed him another fruit with a fork, but first went to the bathroom to deal with the one Lowell had spit out. While he was gone, Lowell tried a pale white fruit that looked harmless. It was almost flavorless, but it didn't trigger any nausea, so it was tolerable.
"Is that one alright? It must not taste like much."
Felix wanted Lowell to try the other fruits too, but Lowell didn't want to risk upsetting his stomach again. The discomfort itself could be endured, but what truly bothered him was seeing Felix suffer more than him.
He caught what I spit out with his hand and still worries more about me. I don't want to make him even more concerned.
Lowell finished the bland fruit. Only after watching him eat the whole thing did Felix finally relax and start cleaning up the rest. It was nearly time to leave.
"I'll take you back to the Count's estate now. In two days, well depart for my territory."
Technically, the Count's household should have invited Felix for a mean and offered him proper hospitality as Lowell's fiance. However, the Count leaned more towards the Emperor's faction than the noble alliance and didn't want to show any closeness with Felix. He kept delaying the invitation until finally sending word the day before their departure. Felix, having easily seen through the Count's intentions, refused without a second thought. It was better for both sides that way.