The Nanny of House Herzen - Chapter 72
Unlike other noblemen, Carius never took pride in his lineage. He had always considered his father’s obsession with hair and eye color to be both pathetic and infuriating.
Deep down, Carius harbored an anxiety that he might turn out to be as poor a father as his own, inheriting the very traits he despised.
There were times when he hoped the child would take after Evelyn instead of him. He thought any child, whether boy or girl, would look lovely with her golden hair and blue eyes.
However, seeing the baby’s face, which resembled his own so strikingly, was not just fascinating but also strangely moving.
This child had spent over nine months in Evelyn’s womb, the one person he truly loved, and yet bore such a strong resemblance to him. As he grappled with his emotions, the sound of footsteps and a cheerful voice interrupted his thoughts.
“Now Father not lonely anymore, right? I’m glad the baby is here!”
Evelyn turned around delightedly and scooped up Johanson. The child’s face carried the crisp scent of winter air.
“Johanson, did you play outside? Weren’t you cold?”
She pressed her cheek against her daughter’s cold one as she asked.
“Yes! I took icicles as big as my forehead and put them in front of the door!”
Johanson proudly showed all ten fingers to demonstrate the size of her collection before asking excitedly.
“When can the baby play with me?”
It was a rather lofty expectation for a newborn who had just opened his eyes. Evelyn laughed and replied.
“Well, the baby has to drink a lot of Mom’s milk before he can run around like Johanson…”
At that moment, Fritz began to look around and wriggle his nose.
“He’s going to cry! The baby’s going to cry!”
Johanson exclaimed, pointing. Beth quickly stepped in and scooped up Fritz.
With Johanson still in her arms, Evelyn signaled to Carius, who understood and intervened.
“Johanson, how about reading a book with Dad now that you’re done playing outside?”
“Okay!”
Johanson eagerly left Evelyn’s arms and grabbed one of Carius’s fingers, bouncing with excitement as they headed off together.
Beth watched her master’s retreating figure with teary eyes, only handing Fritz to Evelyn when the baby began to cry.
The quiet sound of the baby sucking filled the room, and Beth softly whispered,
“To think that Herzen has become a place filled with life, I am truly blessed to have you as my mistress.”
Evelyn, smiling as she looked down at her baby, replied.
“Johanson is so busy playing that she has completely forgotten about her new sibling. It seems I am the one blessed to have such a wonderful head maid.”
A knock at the door interrupted their tender moment, followed by another voice.
“Madam, I will take care of the young master now.”
It was the wet nurse who had stepped out for a moment. Evelyn, without looking up, replied,
“He’s feeding now. Give us a little while.”
Then, as if remembering something, Evelyn glanced between the wet nurse and Beth.
“Oh, I almost forgot. The King has given the baby a name.”
Naturally, Beth was the first to ask eagerly.
“What is it?”
“Friedrich.”
Evelyn answered proudly.
“Our Young Duke’s name is Friedrich Marius Herzen.”
“Friedrich Marius Herzen,” Beth repeated with satisfaction, nodding as if she had just gained a grandchild.
“What a splendid name. It suits the future Duke of Herzen perfectly.”
Evelyn, feeling proud, straightened her shoulders a bit.
“Of course. And just a moment ago, he even opened his eyes for a little while. They’re as black as the Duke’s.”
Beth couldn’t hold back her tears.
“Thank you, Madam. Truly, thank you. I am so grateful…”
Evelyn, with Fritz feeding at her breast, could only offer an awkward smile, unable to hug the emotional head maid. As if sensing the commotion, Fritz opened his eyes.
“Hello, Fritz,” Evelyn greeted him with a voice as warm as sunshine.
The future Duke of Herzen blinked his brilliant eyes in response. Evelyn felt a surge of confidence. She would raise him to be healthy, happy, and close to his sibling.
* * *
Nearly two months had passed since Fritz’s birth.
Even though a wet nurse was hired, Evelyn still enjoyed feeding the baby herself. She often took care of Fritz around lunchtime when the nurse was busy, and the nurse would typically come by in the early afternoon to take him.
One day, while Evelyn was wiping herself with a warm towel to prepare for feeding, the nurse arrived a bit earlier than usual.
“Oh, Madam, you really don’t need to clean yourself every time. Breast milk is naturally clean.”
Evelyn’s eyes reddened slightly as she cradled Fritz and brought him to her breast.
“But isn’t it better to be extra clean?”
“You’re impossible.”
Evelyn couldn’t very well admit to the nurse that she had to clean herself because of her husband’s early morning attentions. The nurse smiled, watching her mistress blush over such trivial comments.
“You’re so delicate and slender, yet you produce so much milk. It’s amazing. As for me, I’m sturdy and healthy, so feeding two babies is no problem.”
Well, that’s because the more the breast is suckled, the more milk it produces.
