SMITTEN

"Astar!" Aisha blurted out as a child suddenly rushed to her as soon as he saw her.

Aisha couldn't help but chuckle as she felt his warm embrace on her legs, even with the thick gown.

They were still in the Castle's open area and were about to go back to the Castle after buying some herbs when Astar must have seen them.

Aisha was reminded about him back when she was just getting accustomed to Gaea. 

With his reaction, it seemed that he must have missed her. She always greeted him if they passed by him whenever she was out of the Castle. It must probably be the reason why he was familiar with her, even with the disguise.

The female servants who were with her and Lord Emilio and his swordsmen were alarmed. But she immediately lifted her hand and stated. "I know him."

Fortunately, his mother came to the rescue and got Astar and put him behind her back. 

"I told you she's already a royal. You cannot treat her like you used to," she scolded him. Then she faced them and bowed down to them. She led Astar to do the same.

"I apologize for my son's rude actions, my lady, my lord. Also, I would like to congratulate my lady for being a royal wife of the King. May you bear him a child as powerful as the King and as compassionate as you," she greeted them. 

Astar was bowing down. But he was lifting his little head to see what Aisha would say.

Meanwhile, Lady Aisha's pulse just started to quicken. 

At the mention of the phrase 'bearing a child', her mind suddenly panicked. She hasn't thought about that, feeling elated by her new level of relationship with the King.

He hasn't mentioned that either.

Aisha gazed at Astar. He was charming for his young age, with his unruly wavy short hair and robust physique. It's cool to have a kid like him around sometimes. 

'But can I really handle the responsibility? Will I not be able to neglect him and make him feel lonely?' 

She pondered as she thought of her own family. She knew that both her parents loved her. But they just don't have the time.

She would've wanted to give him or her everything that she has. But will it be enough for him or her?

Aisha knew she has said yes to the Great Theos, but she couldn't help but doubt, still.

She smiled and thanked her. "See you around, Astar. By the way, you could approach me anytime. I'm still Lady Aisha," she winked at him, making him go back to his usual cheerful attitude again. 

Then Aisha turned back to return to the Castle with the others.

As they walked back, she saw Martina rushing somewhere. But she managed to stop by and greet them. 

"I needed some medicinal herbs from the Royal Infirmary, my lady. My daughter-in-law is already in labor with a child. The physician requested that I bring him these," she then gave her a list of herbs.

To her surprise, she saw that she had just bought them a while ago!

The Royal Infirmary was in the opposite direction of where Martina was heading, as Aisha was already familiar with the Castle's architecture through her study with Master Aurelius.

From the looks of it, she would be late if she would struggle through her way there.

"Good grief, it must be the reason why I bought these. They're yours, Martina. I'll probably buy some other time," she smiled at her and gave the bag of herbs to her friend.

Aisha was planning to try them on those who got sick because of eating Riso. But this was more important.

She has learned in school that giving birth is like knocking on hell's door. It's another reason why she wanted to prolong her childbearing, even when she was not in Gaea yet. 

It will be dangerous for the mother and the baby. Especially here in Gaea, where it is not as technologically advanced as it is in her former world. 

Martina glanced up at her with her eyes full of gratitude. 

"Thank you, milady. It is a great help to us. Do you want to come with me and see the baby? It's just in Anderida, a few blocks away from here," she smiled at her, hoping she would agree with her.

However, Aisha glanced at Lord Emilio. She really wanted to go and help. But she wasn't at peace whether the King would approve of it or not. 

"I personally know the lady who was giving birth. I wanted to come, too, if you don't mind, my lady, my lord," Rosalia bowed down as well. 

Lord Emilio was apprehensive. But seeing Rosalia's desire to participate must have changed his mind. 

"Let's ride a horse, so we can get there before the sun sets," Lord Emilio decided, making the three women's faces lift in joy.

In time, they were about to make it to the house of the lady. 

Aisha was able to see the mother's struggle in pushing the baby out of her womb.

"Oh my gosh, do I have to experience that, too?" Aisha asked after glancing away. She couldn't bear to see her in so much pain. 

She could feel the woman's agony as she screamed loudly enough to disturb their neighbor, which lived a mile away from them. 

"It's just for a short while, my lady. It will all be worth it," Rosalia whispered to her. She was with her as she was allowed to peek in the room for a few minutes since she was the one who gave the herbal medicine to them.

True enough, the painful cries of the mother were changed into a shrill wail of a baby who has just experienced the outside world for the first time. 

Aisha's eyes widened as she drew in a deep breath. She decided to peek again and saw the mother bathing in her own sweat but carrying a tiny living being in her arms.

Now she was not crying anymore, but smiling as she adoringly gazed at the source of both her pain and her joy. 

Aisha couldn't help but smile with her. 

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"Making the decision to have a child—it's momentous.. It is to decide forever to have your heart go walking outside your body."