CHAPTER 538: THE PRECIOUS HEARTBEATS

A knock sounded on the drawing room door. At Kyren’s permission, Rafe and Jessy entered.

"You called, Your Highness?" the nanny asked politely as she approached.

Kiev smiled. "Yes. I need to borrow your speciality."

Jessy blinked, tilting her head. "You mean... life magic?"

The Mederian prince shook his head, his finger waving lightly in the air.

"Not that one. The other one."

"The other one?" Jessy’s brow furrowed.

Apart from life magic, she did possess one or two minor abilities, but none remarkable enough to be called a speciality. Certainly not in comparison to the Mederian Prince himself, whose magic far exceeded hers in every way.

"Which one, Your Highness?" she asked again, curiosity edging her voice.

Kiev’s smile deepened, his tone playful.

"You’ll find out soon enough," he said.

Anna and Kyren exchanged glances, curious about what the Mederian Prince had in mind.

Turning toward the imperial couple while Rafe stood beside him, Kiev began, "You already know that Jessy is well-versed with life magic. But that’s not her only gift."

He looked back at the nanny with a grin, his hands clasped neatly behind his back.

"Jessy also has the ability to determine the gender of an unborn child. So, if you’re curious, she can tell you. But if you prefer to wait until the baby is born, that’s perfectly fine too. It’s entirely your choice."

Jessy’s expression turned relieved at the mention of that ability. It was part of her innate gift, one that bloomed naturally alongside her life magic.

In the meantime, Anna’s eyes sparkled as she turned to her husband, squeezing his hand gently. Kyren, too, looked intrigued by the offer.

"What do you say, Anna? Do you want to know now?" he asked.

"What do you think?" she countered playfully.

Kyren’s lips curved into a smirk. His hand moved to her belly, rubbing it softly. The baby bump was just beginning to show—barely noticeable, yet undeniably there.

"Whether it’s a boy or a girl, I’ll love them both," he said. "What matters most is that you and our child are healthy."

Anna smiled warmly, her heart swelling with affection. It was just like him to say that. She placed her hand over his.

"Then, if you don’t mind," she said, "I’d love to know so I can be better prepared for our child’s arrival."

Kyren nodded, eyes gleaming. "If that’s what you wish, then let’s find out."

"Good," said Kiev, smiling. "We’ll start with the mana infusion first. Once that’s done, Jessy can cast her magic."

The imperial couple agreed.

Under Kiev’s guidance, Kyren knelt before Anna, who was already seated. Gently, he placed both hands over her belly as they began the ritual.

"Draw your mana out but keep the flow steady," Kiev instructed, his tone calm and assuring. "The baby can’t absorb too much at once, so let it seep in gradually. You’ll know when it starts receiving. You’ll feel the mana line forming between you and your child."

Kyren nodded, his expression focused yet tense. This was his first time, and despite his composure, the nervousness was apparent in his blue eyes.

From the side, Rafe and Jessy watched in quiet anticipation.

"Relax a bit," Kiev added, noticing the grand duke’s stiff shoulders. "Don’t worry. Your child won’t reject you. It will recognise its father’s mana and respond in kind."

Kyren exhaled slowly.

"I’m just afraid I might hurt Anna or the baby if I exert too much mana by accident."

Kiev chuckled softly.

"You won’t. You’re the father, Kyren. The bond between you and your child will guide the flow. Your body knows how much to give. It’s instinctive."

Encouraged by those words, the grand duke eased his breathing and let his heart calm. In contrast, Anna remained unwavering, buoyed by her firm confidence in her husband.

Slowly, the grand duke began to draw upon his mana. A faint shimmer surrounded his hand, like soft light radiating beneath his skin. The air around them seemed to hum faintly in resonance.

Anna watched with fascination as the golden glow flowed from Kyren’s hands into her abdomen, tracing fine threads of light through the touch—like a stream finding its way home.

This time, unlike the barrier magic, Rafe saw the living light of mana. The sight stole his breath, awe flickering in his eyes as Kiev carefully guided Kyren through the process for him to witness.

The mana wove delicately, wrapping around Anna’s belly before sinking inward, drawn by a quiet pull.

Then, Kyren felt it.

A delicate thread connected him to something warm and small. His breath caught as the sensation deepened, a pulse answering his own.

Then, his eyes widened, a spark of wonder lighting them amidst the connection.

"Oh... my!"

"What is it, Your Highness?" Rafe asked, stepping forward in concern at the sudden exclamation.

Anna looked at her husband, worry flickering across her face, but then she saw his expression transform into pure joy.

"I can feel our child’s heartbeat, Anna!" Kyren said, his voice trembling with awe.

Her eyes widened.

"You can feel it?"

"Yes! Here! Put your hand on mine! You’ll feel it too!"

Without hesitation, Anna pressed her hand over his. A warm current passed through her palms, and then—

Dug... dug... dug...

A tiny, steady rhythm. Faint, yet striving alive.

Anna gasped softly, her eyes glistening.

"Kyren... that’s—"

"Our baby," he finished, his voice breaking into a smile.

The heartbeat continued, gentle but firm. The air seemed to still around them as husband and wife shared that miraculous moment, feeling for the first time, the life they had created together.

Even Rafe and Jessy stood in reverent silence, unable to hide their smiles. Kiev folded his arms with quiet satisfaction, his own lips curving into a proud grin.

When the mana-feeding session came to an end, Kyren rose to his feet and sat beside Anna on the long settee.

The glow of his shared mana had already faded into a faint shimmer, leaving behind only warmth and serenity.

Jessy stepped forward and bowed respectfully.

"May I begin, my lady?"

"Please do," said Anna with an eager smile.

The nanny knelt gracefully before her, placing both palms gently over the princess’s belly.

A faint aura began to bloom around her hands, soft at first, like mist catching the light, then growing brighter as threads of light intertwined. The air rippled with quiet energy, as though nature itself was whispering to the child.

Jessy closed her eyes, concentrating. The magic pulsed once—twice—before settling into a steady rhythm. Her lips curved into a smile even before she opened her eyes.

"What is it?" Anna asked eagerly. Her face lit up like a child awaiting a long-kept secret. "I have a feeling it’s a boy. My instinct tells me so. Kyren thinks the same, too. He says my tantrums give it away!"

Kyren laughed softly, rubbing the small of her back.

"It was just a guess," he said, teasing.

Jessy rose to her feet, her expression radiant.

"Your hunch is correct, my lady. It is indeed a boy."

Then, turning to the grand duke, she bowed lightly.

"Congratulations, Your Highness. You will have an heir."

For a heartbeat, Kyren could only stare—his eyes wide, and his chest tight with emotion. Then, as the meaning sank in, a joyous laugh escaped him. Finally, Gerhard would have an heir.

Anna turned to him with a playful glint.

"Are you happy, Kyren? You said before that you’d prefer a girl."

"I told you I wouldn’t mind either," he said warmly. "Back then, I only said that because I didn’t want my brother pestering us over succession matters." He took her hand and held it gently. "But that’s behind us now. And a son—" a bright grin formed on his lips, "—a son would be wonderful too. I can teach him, guide him... maybe even spar with him in the training grounds."

"Kyren!" Anna smacked his arm lightly, though her cheeks glowed pink.

He only laughed, pulling her into his arms and pressing a kiss to her cheek.

"Thank you, my love," he whispered delightfully. "For giving me the greatest gift in the world!"

Anna’s blush deepened. Despite being used to her husband’s tenderness, she couldn’t help but feel shy under the gaze of others. But Kiev, Rafe, and Jessy merely smiled, their hearts warmed by the scene.

Rafe leaned closer to Jessy and asked quietly, "Is the baby all right?"

"Perfectly healthy, Mr Amares," she replied with a proud smile.

When Rafe turned back, Kyren had already begun showering Anna’s face with kisses, making Kiev avert his gaze awkwardly.

"I think we should leave them be," murmured the Mederian prince to his brother-in-law.

"Yeah... before it gets any mushier," Rafe agreed with a chuckle.

The trio slipped quietly out of the drawing room. The door clicked softly as Rafe closed it behind them, his face glowing with excitement.

"Wait till the knights hear about this!" he said, grinning ear to ear.

Outside, the chill of winter still hung in the air, yet it felt strangely warm—just as Eric had said. Love had filled the mansion like sunlight after snow.

But unbeknownst to them all, the warmth of this day would soon be tested, for a shadow was already stirring beyond their sight, waiting to turn the tide of their fates.