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    At Queen Amin’s Palace in Berg.  

    “Mom? Your body is glowing gold.”  

    “Richard?”  

    Hearing her child’s words, Queen Amin looked at her body. Her hands were radiating a dazzling golden light. Little Richard’s small body also glowed like a tiny golden statue.  

    ‘This… could it be?’  

    Queen Amin picked up Richard and hurriedly ran out onto the terrace.  

    “Oh my goodness!”  

    From the direction of the Cursed Land, a massive golden pillar soared into the sky. It branched out in all directions like the ancient limbs of a centuries-old tree, creating a scene of breathtaking beauty and grandeur.  

    Not just her, but everyone in the palace came outside to gaze at the magnificent sight.  

    ‘Do you know how to break the curse?’  

    She remembered the pure expression of the young saintess who had asked her that question with eyes as blue as the sky.  

    “Oh, Saintess! You did it. Thank you!”  

    Queen Amin, overwhelmed with emotion, hugged Richard tightly.  

    “Saitess?”  

    “Yes, the saintess broke the curse.”  

    “Really? Then, will it not hurt at night anymore?”  

    “That’s right, Richard. We are free now.”  

    “Free?”  

    As his adorable blue eyes sparkled, the golden light took away Richard’s drooping ears and tail.  

    On this day, tens of thousands of beastmen were granted true freedom.  

    “Saintess! Thank you!”  

    Everyone prayed for the safety of Saintess Yuria.  

    *  

    Six months later.  

    Maya was busy from the early morning. There was so much to prepare. Holding a checklist in her hand, she began inspecting everything one by one.  

    “Ada, did you bring all the travel bags?”  

    “Yes, senior!”  

    “What about the herbal medicine for the Madam?”  

    “Yes, I packed it tightly in the special insulated bag.”  

    “Good. It’s worth teaching you.”  

    “Thank you!”  

    In the lobby of the Duke’s residence, the bags were lined up in a row. Other servants were bustling around, placing items in the lobby and disappearing, then coming back with more.  

    Maya shouted at them.  

    “Hey, I told you to give the gifts after they return from the trip! Why are you giving them now?”  

    “They said they might settle down in the Eastern Continent if they like it there.”  

    “Who said that? Madam?”  

    Maya frowned suspiciously as she asked, and Ada nodded up and down.  

    Hmm. Should I secretly follow them?  

    Maya regretted not being able to go to the Cursed Land with them.  

    Ah, no, I’d get scolded if I got caught, wouldn’t I?  

    As Maya debated with herself, Ada asked her a question.  

    “By the way, Senior Maya.”  

    “What, what?”  

    “What is a prenatal care trip? I’ve never heard of it before.”  

    “Oh, that.”  

    Maya licked the end of her quill pen before answering.  

    “The two of them couldn’t go on a honeymoon. And wouldn’t you know it, right in the middle of breaking the curse, Madam ended up pregnant, so they couldn’t go on a trip again. Madam said this trip is for the baby in her belly, and it’s called a prenatal care trip.”  

    “Oh.”  

    “But if you ask me, it’s more about the lady wanting to have fun and relax.”  

    “Really?”  

    “About 200% likely?”  

    Ada nodded as if she understood. But then Maya suddenly widened her eyes and spoke firmly.  

    “But who’s going to say anything? If there’s anyone more deserving of a break than our Madam, let them step forward!”  

    *  

    The round belly protruding over the white dress almost obscured my toes.  

    When I bent down to get a better look, my white hair kept falling forward, blocking my view.  

    Now that I was over six months pregnant, even going down the stairs was a challenge because of my rounded belly.  

    “Xavier, give me your hand.”  

    Xavier, dressed in a gray vest over a white shirt, extended his hand to support me.  

    “Here, take it.”  

    “Thank you.”  

    As I reached for his hand, my body wobbled. Xavier quickly steadied me and said,  

    “Should I just carry you?”  

    “Oh, no.”  

    “Why not?”  

    “I’m heavy. I’ve… gained weight, you know.”  

    Xavier pressed a finger against my puffed-out cheek.  

    “You won’t know until I try.”  

    With his long arms, he carefully lifted me up by the waist.  

    “Oh my! Put me down, put me down!”  

    His crescent-moon-shaped eyes smiled, making my heart flutter. His refreshing grin naturally brought a smile to my face as well.  

    This man’s face itself is prenatal care.  

    With Xavier’s face, this prenatal care trip is perfect!  

    “You’re handsome.”  

    “That’s not news. Our baby might poke a hole through my face before they’re even born.”  

    “Why? That way, we’ll have a baby who looks just like you.”  

    “I don’t want them to look like me.”  

    “Why not?”  

    “I feel like I’d have a rival who’s just like me.”  

    “Pfft. We don’t even know if it’s a boy or a girl yet.”  

    “Is that so?”  

    The day we broke the curse…

    As ‘that thing,’ the origin of the curse, disappeared into the air, it said,  

    And to the child yet to be born, thank you as well.  

    I hadn’t realized at the time that I was carrying a life within me. Or maybe it had seen the child who was soon to come to us.  

    My body, which felt like it would shatter from the exhaustion of using all my holy power, endured because of the vitality of this baby.  

    “But you feel as light as a feather. Where exactly have you gained weight?”  

    “…R-really?”  

    “Really.”  

    After gently setting me down in the lobby, Xavier placed his hand softly on my belly and said,  

    “See? I told you. Let’s ask our baby. Isn’t Daddy right? Hmm? Say yes.”  

    “Hehe, what are you doing? How can the baby in my belly answer you? Huh?”  

    “Ah! Did you see that, Yuria? Our little one just moved. See? They’re agreeing with me!”  

    “Really. Oh my.”  

    I placed my hand on my belly as well. Each time the baby moved, my belly wobbled, making my hand rise and fall.  

    “Thank you, little one, for taking Daddy’s side.”  

    “Goodness. You must be so happy, Your Grace.”  

    “Of course. Very much so.”  

    I gave him a sideways glance, but my lips were smiling widely too. Xavier hugged me tightly from behind and whispered softly into my ear.  

    “Actually, I love you more.”  

    “Why are you whispering?”  

    “Our little one might hear.”  

    “Huh?”  

    “Shh!”  

    Annoyed, I lightly smacked his firm arms.  

    “Ah, that doesn’t hurt at all. Shall we go now?”  

    “Hmph!”  

    In the lobby, the travel bags were lined up, and the servants were standing in formation to see us off. As soon as we appeared in the lobby, the servants began loading the bags onto the carriage.  

    “Xavier, it’s a pity we can’t just use a portal to travel.”  

    “We can’t risk it because of this little one.”  

    “True. But a cruise trip has its own charm.”  

    Xavier and I held hands as we stood before the servants. Albert stepped forward as the representative and bowed deeply, followed by all the other servants.  

    “Have a wonderful trip.”  

    “Thank you, Albert. I’m counting on you to take care of things here while I’m away.”  

    “Yes, Master.”  

    After breaking the curse, Xavier had announced to the Emperor that he would take an indefinite leave of absence.  

    With no more wars to fight against the Beast Kingdom, he declared that he deserved compensation for the time he hadn’t been able to rest.  

    Of course, the Emperor had granted his request without hesitation.  

    Rumor had it that Crown Prince Arthur was in such a vegetative state that he was barely surviving, and the Emperor was seriously considering taking a new Empress.  

    As for the author?  

    Ever since I lost my holy power, I hadn’t been able to meet her. According to Pope Melvin, Goddess Maha had recently delivered a peculiar oracle, saying she wanted to return home, which likely meant she hadn’t been able to return to her original world.  

    Rosetta had left, saying, “I want to travel around the world that the lady has changed.” She promised to return to my side someday.  

    “My lady, when you return, it will be as three people, won’t it?”  

    “Perhaps, Albert. I’ve already made reservations with some excellent healers in the Eastern Continent.”  

    “Shall we get into the carriage now?”  

    Xavier and I began walking toward the carriage.  

    “Careful, careful.”  

    “Ugh, I know. I can walk, you know.”  

    Ever since I became pregnant, Xavier had become even more overprotective.  

    “Hmm, should I carry you again?”  

    “Enough already. A little walking is good for my health.”  

    “Alright.”  

    As I stepped out of the front door and reached for the carriage handle, ripples appeared in the empty space around us.  

    But why was the ripple yellow instead of blue?  

    Regardless of the color, a black hole began to form as if a portal was opening.  

    “Xavier?”  

    “What is that?”  

    Equally startled, Xavier wrapped his arm protectively around my shoulders and drew the dagger he always carried for emergencies. Soon, a thin arm emerged from the black hole.  

    “Ahhh!”  

    “Yuria!”  

    Xavier quickly shielded me and pointed his dagger at the intruder.  

    “Who’s there?”  

    I clutched my belly and peeked out from behind Xavier’s back.  

    Then, with a loud slap, a solid thud echoed.  

    “Hey, Doctor! If you show up like that, you’ll scare the Duchess!”  

    “S-sorry.”  

    A familiar voice boomed from inside the hole. A clumsy male voice I also recognized followed.  

    “A raccoon… and a weirdo?”  

    Xavier let out a hollow laugh before his face twisted into a scowl.  

    “Why are you two coming out of there?”  

    “Greetings, Xavier.”  

    Lucas leaped out of the portal. Dressed casually instead of in royal attire, he looked like he was out for a neighborhood stroll, with his hands in his pockets. Behind him, Daniel hesitated before following, adjusting his glasses.  

    “H-hello.”  

    “Your Majesty? Doctor?”  

    I stepped out from behind Xavier and called out to the two men. Xavier, however, didn’t lower his guard and kept his arm protectively in front of me.  

    “Why are you here without notice? This is unsettling.”  

    “Unsettling? Xavier, you’re the one who introduced me to Dr. Daniel to create a portal.”  

    Lucas pouted, puffing out his cheeks.  

    “Th-that’s right.”  

    Daniel nodded in agreement, making Xavier’s expression darken.  

    “What have I done?”  

    “Haha, thanks to you, we crossed what would’ve been a two-hour journey in mere seconds.”  

    “Ugh.”  

    “T-thank you.”  

    “Pfft.”  

    I couldn’t help but laugh.  

    Poor Xavier had unwittingly created a bigger problem while trying to avoid one. It was funny, even though I felt sorry for him.  

    Hearing my laughter, all three men turned to look at me.  

    Xavier, in particular, looked utterly wronged.  

    What should I do? I have to save my man.  

    “Ahem. You nearly gave me a heart attack! If you ever show up unannounced like this again, I’ll send you away immediately.”  

    “Sorry, did I scare you? Got it!”  

    Lucas remained cheerful.  

    “Y-yes.”  

    Daniel was bashful.  

    “Yuria!”  

    Xavier sounded relieved.  

    “But, Doctor. Didn’t you say it would take a year to modify the portal device? How did you finish in six months?”  

    “Ah, w-well…”  

    Daniel’s face turned red as he waved his hands nervously.  

    “Tsk tsk, I don’t even need to hear it to know.”  

    Lucas glared at Daniel, who slumped his shoulders.  

    Xavier, too, gave Daniel a side-eye before speaking curtly to the two men.  

    “We’re about to leave, so keep it brief. Why are you here?”  

    “Still as prickly as ever. We came to give you a gift. Didn’t you say you might not return for a while?”  

    “How did you know that?”  

    “Rexton said you were going on a long trip and not to bother visiting.”  

    “What?”  

    Ah, Rexton had done it again.  

    Xavier’s expression soured.  

    “Don’t use the carriage. Use this.”  

    Lucas glanced at Daniel, who pulled something out of his bag. It looked like a small square device the size of a die, with a strap for wearing around the neck.  

    “This is an ultra-compact portal device I developed. It eliminates nausea and dizziness and is safe for the fetus, as it uses yellow magic stones. The magic stones are embedded inside the device.”  

    “Wow!”  

    I quickly took it from him. Xavier clicked his tongue as he watched me.  

    Seeing this, Lucas puffed out his chest proudly.  

    “A new type of magic stone was discovered in a newly found mine. You’re welcome.”  

    “T-to make your prenatal care trip more comfortable.”  

    “Thank you.”  

    Lucas met my eyes and smiled brightly.  

    “Thank you for breaking our curse, Saintess.”  

    “Your Majesty.”  

    “Have a great trip and a safe delivery. That’s my gift to you.”  

    “Thank you so much. Thanks to you, we’ll travel comfortably.”  

    “M-me too. I-I made it, you know.”  

    “Thank you, Doctor.”  

    Xavier quickly wrapped things up.  

    “Alright, that’s enough. Thank you very much.”  

    “Xavier, really.”  

    Xavier gave him a look that said, “What now?” as he began entering the coordinates into the portal device.  

    “The controls aren’t bad.”  

    “Tch, such a grumpy cat.”  

    Xavier snapped his head up and glared at Lucas. His teal eyes flashed, making Lucas raise his hands in surrender.  

    “Sorry, sorry. Have a safe trip.”  

    “Have a safe journey.”  

    Finally, the portal to the Eastern Continent opened.  

    Seated in the carriage, I waved at the two men standing outside.  

    “We’ll be back!”  

    “Don’t linger in my territory. Get out quickly.”  

    Ignoring Xavier, Lucas waved both hands enthusiastically.  

    “Take care! Have a healthy baby!”  

    “That guy, seriously.”  

    “G-goodbye!”  

    With their enthusiastic send-off, the carriage slowly entered the portal. Unlike before, there was no pain or dizziness.  

    I felt a familiar yet unfamiliar sensation as my body seemed to float, and a new world unfolded before us.  

    The scene changed as if a veil had been lifted, and the carriage was no longer on the Duke’s estate but in a new place.  

    Ships were docked, taking a breather, while fishermen and tourists enjoyed delicious food.  

    “Spicy chicken skewers here!”  

    “Fresh sashimi served!”  

    Our first travel destination was a small but vibrant port city in the Eastern Continent, Chilia.  

    “Ah, the salty smell of the sea! It’s been so long!”  

    “So, where should we go first?”  

    “Let’s eat something spicy! Definitely spicy!”  

    “Alright. I’ve already looked into it.”  

    “As expected of Xavier, the man who’s always prepared.”  

    “When have I ever not been?”  

    “True.”  

    Laughing, we bumped shoulders playfully.  

    Unfolding the map Xavier had prepared, our eyes sparkled with excitement.  

    In this new place, we would create our own true YOLO life. Sleeping when we wanted, playing when we wanted, eating when we wanted.  

    Just living simply, like ordinary people.  

    Ah, I can’t wait.  

    “Yuria, what are you thinking about at such an important moment? Is it about me?”  

    “Not even close.”  

    Xavier pressed his forehead against mine.  

    “Tell me the truth, or I’ll punish you with a kiss.”  

    “Fine, I was just about to think about you.”  

    Our laughter met, and our smiles touched.  

    Feeling the warmth of his lips, we were reminded of how alive we were.  

    “I love you, Yuria.”  

    I love you too, Xavier.  

    And with that, a new story was beginning within us.

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