The Villianess story: A 100 ways to kill your husband Chapter 584: The end

The physician took a shaky breath. "It's the truth. You fainted because you were under prolonged stress. It's truly a miracle that you've managed this pregnancy without any symptoms..."

Abrielle and Cedric exchanged bewildered glances, struggling to process the information. "Wait, so I'm really pregnant?" She touched her flat stomach repeatedly.

"Indeed, you are carrying the future heirs. While the most perilous trimester is behind you, I still strongly advise you to take it easy," he affirmed. The physician was subtly alluding to their recent strenuous activities.

Abrielle's face lit up, and she embraced Cedric tightly. "We're going to be parents..." she exclaimed, her laughter bubbly and joyful. Cedric finally shook off his stupor and his gaze drifted to her abdomen.

How could he not have realized sooner? She had been pregnant the entire time. Through her care when he was injured. While he was in Netheralis, even up until the moment she died.

He had sensed a subtle difference in her presence upon his return to Heliosa. He had attributed it to her enhanced abilities from training under Aurelius. Cedric had never once suspected she was with child.

She had shouldered all that stress while carrying their baby.

Abrielle wasn't the only one who would have been devastated if she had passed away.

"Relay my instructions to the maids," Cedric dismissed the physician as soon as the doors clicked shut, leaving them alone. He drew her closer, burying his face against her stomach.

Abrielle was taken aback, feeling him tremble as he wept onto her. Her own eyes welled up. She sniffled, gently patting his back.

Just a year prior, Abrielle never envisioned having his children or starting a genuine family, yet here they were.

******

"Throughout my entire pregnancy, your Papa was like an overbearing mother hen," Abrielle grumbled, recalling Cedric's attentiveness during her gestation. He treated her as if she were delicate glass, forgetting what she had already endured in the first trimester.

On the day she went into labor, Cedric abandoned all his duties to remain by her side for the entire ordeal. As a divine being, he possessed the ability to absorb pain and he did his utmost to alleviate hers.

He behaved like any other devoted husband, not like an overbearing emperor.

"I don't believe Papa would cry, Mama," a young girl, no older than four, with raven black hair and striking blue eyes, piped up. She rested her head on Abrielle's lap, captivated by the story.

"But your Papa did cry, Abigail," Abrielle responded, gently pinching her daughter's cheek. She had named her in honor of her departed friend, the one who had sacrificed herself defending her. Abigail pouted; her formidable Papa wasn't a crybaby.

A short burst of laughter erupted from beside them. Abigail shot a glare at the older boy, who appeared to be around seven. Aelric was the spitting image of his father, bearing no resemblance to his mother. Unlike sweet Abigail, who was a perfect blend of Cedric and Abrielle.

When Aelric was born, Cedric had been slightly disappointed, having wished for his son to resemble Abrielle, though his love for him was undiminished. They had eagerly anticipated her pregnancy with Abigail, hoping for a mini-Abrielle.

She ended up inheriting traits from both, though predominantly her father's appearance.

Aelric chuckled, finding the notion of his father crying utterly preposterous. "I wish I had been there to witness it." Abrielle rolled her eyes at him.

"It did happen; even your father is capable of tears," Abrielle stated finally. Abigail snuggled closer to her mother, her eyes still gleaming with childish curiosity.

"What about Aunty Cassandra and Elias? What happened after they got engaged?" the little girl inquired.

Before Abrielle could respond, a grumpy Aelric interjected, "They got married and had Lizzy, naturally. Stop asking foolish questions." The boy sneered. Lizzy was the daughter of Elias and Evelyn.

Following their marriage, Elias embraced his noble title, and Evelyn reverted to her original name, Cassandra. She continued to serve as the empress's trusted confidante to this very day.

Their union had, thus far, been blessed with a daughter, a year younger than Aelric, who possessed a stoic expression just like her parents. Lizzy was beautiful but acted far too mature for a six-year-old.

Abigail's eyebrows shot up. She snatched a pillow and hurled it at her brother's face. "I wasn't talking to you," Abigail retorted, and before Abrielle could intervene, they were bickering.

"Please, can you two stop fighting?" Abrielle pleaded, attempting to separate the siblings who relished antagonizing each other at every opportunity.

Though a princess, Abigail was far from graceful. "If you don't stop, I'll tell your father." The instant those words were uttered, the squabbling ceased, and they adopted pitiful expressions.

"Please, don't tell Papa. We promise to behave," they said in unison. Abrielle smirked; they weren't truly afraid of her.

"Just behave yourselves, and your father won't hear a word about this," Abrielle relented. They immediately scrambled onto the bed and snuggled up to their mother.

"We apologize," Abigail stated, and Aelric offered a nod in agreement. Abrielle, meanwhile, smiled, her hand gently resting on her growing stomach. She was nearing her third child's arrival and couldn't help but wonder about the little one's appearance, whether it would mirror her own features.

"Mama, could you tell us more stories?" Aelric inquired. Abrielle readily agreed, resuming her storytelling for her children as the cool spring evening settled around them.

These adventurous little ones had managed to sneak into her chambers, simply because they missed her presence. Abrielle's pregnancy was advanced, making significant movement difficult for her.

Her calming narrative filled the room, their cheerful giggles and laughter weaving a harmonious soundscape. Abruptly, the room fell silent as they all drifted off to sleep mid-story. Abigail found a resting spot on her legs, with Aelric nestled cozily beside her.

The chamber door creaked open, allowing the soft glow of candlelight to spill onto the bed. Abrielle's eyes lit up with a familiar sparkle as she saw him. It had been seven years, yet Cedric appeared unchanged.

At times, she pondered if he had truly shed his immortality. Cedric, weary from a demanding day managing the empire's numerous affairs, found his heart instantly warmed upon entering the room to the sight of his entire family dozing together on the bed.

"How was your day?" Abrielle asked, a gentle smile gracing her lips as she caressed Abigail's hair. Cedric returned the smile and approached the bed, bestowing a soft kiss upon her forehead.

"It was somewhat taxing, but nothing I couldn't manage," he replied, his gaze sweeping over the figures on the bed. A slight twitch played at the corner of his lips; he had warned them against causing their mother undue stress.

Cedric had always perceived Abrielle's pregnancies as precarious, though they seldom proved to be. The memory of her first miscarriage still weighed on him.

"I am relieved you are well," she chimed, patting the empty space beside Aelric.

Cedric removed his shoes and heavy coat before settling down next to Aelric. He secretly found his son a minor annoyance but endured it for Abrielle's sake, knowing how much she cherished having them near.

"I trust they weren't too much of a bother," he enquired, his voice laced with tenderness. Abrielle let out a soft giggle and shook her head. "Not at all. I was merely recounting tales for them."

The profound warmth radiating from her eyes and her gentle demeanor brought tears to his own. Abrielle was providing them with something he had never known: a loving family. She was the ultimate source of warmth in his existence.

Indeed, Abrielle was his entire world.

"You know I love you," he declared, reaching out to kiss her. "Yes, I know, and I love you more," she responded, though Cedric harbored a silent doubt. His love for her surpassed all else, even life itself.

"You are always like this," a small voice grumbled, causing them both to freeze. Cedric's eyes shifted to Aelric, whose sharp, golden irises were fixed upon them. Another giggle followed; Abigail was also awake.

"It's because they adore each other, silly," she teased her older brother, erupting in laughter. Cedric's lips quirked once more. Abrielle joined in the mirth, and soon their shared laughter filled the room.

***** The End******

I'm so glad we reached this point! It was a truly exhilarating journey, balancing work commitments with this writing endeavor. My update schedule was rather erratic, yet you all persevered, never giving up. The handful of readers who followed this story to its conclusion are the very reason I continued writing, and your comments served as a significant source of motivation.

This book may not have been a sensation or exceptionally captivating, but your continued support meant everything. Thank you for that.

Everyone, we've finally accomplished it! I will dearly miss Cedric, Abrielle, and, of course, all of you. Thank you for embarking on this reading journey, and please consider adding my new book to your library.