AHEIAID Chapter 43: The Faith of the Heine Family Joey.
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He didn’t know how much time had passed.
By now, his wild imagination had already spiraled into the worst-case scenarios—
What if he had a difficult labor?
What if there was massive blood loss?
Would they have to choose between saving him or the baby?!
Just as he was drowning in these dramatic thoughts, a low, elegant voice rang softly in his ears.
Joey looked up.
Through the veil of long, thick lashes, those golden-green eyes gazed down at him—
Clear and radiant, like a sunlit oasis in the desert.
They said nothing.
Yet their silent intensity was louder than words.
Garius reached out, his hand hovering near the small human’s belly.
He wanted to touch it.
But… he hesitated.
Mindful of his own strength, his hand stopped just short—hovering there, as if afraid he might harm something so fragile.
Lowering his head slightly, he murmured, "Thank you, Joey."
Thank you for everything you've done.
For the choice you made.
For the courage it took to carry this child.
"……"
Joey, who had still been feeling complicated emotions, suddenly felt an unexpected calm wash over him.
He sighed, then grabbed the large, elegant hand—pulling it toward his stomach.
The moment he did, Garius froze stiff.
Even his eyelashes didn’t flutter.
Joey almost laughed at how absurdly tense the man was.
This was the same guy who had trained himself to perfectly control his strength a long time ago—
And yet now, just touching a belly, he was acting like a nervous wreck.
So, who’s the real idiot here?
“Go on. Touch it.”
Joey puffed up his belly, generously offering it up like a proud landlord inviting a guest to inspect his property.
“Or what? You scared? You think you’ll break something?”
“……Maybe I shouldn’t—”
“Oh, for god’s sake. Quit hesitating.”
Joey grabbed the sweaty, slightly cool hand again.
No more excuses.
He pressed it firmly against his stomach.
Garius tried to pull away, but Joey wouldn’t let him.
Up and down.
Left and right.
And finally—a circular motion!
Under Joey’s bold guidance, Garius' hand rubbed over his belly in every possible direction—like he was waxing a car.
The tall, dignified lord stiffened, his jaw clenched tight.
His golden hair—usually neat—had slipped forward, draping over his shoulders.
His entire body was rigid.
Like a huge golden retriever being forced to shake hands against its will.
Joey snorted.
No. No way.
Garius was too cool to be a golden retriever.
This guy was a damn Arctic wolf.
A proud, majestic, ruthless predator—
Who was also scared sh*tless.
One stroke.
Two strokes.
Three strokes.
Garius’ tense muscles finally relaxed as Joey continued his movements. His broad shoulders loosened, and his golden-green eyes rippled with a rare, gentle joy.
Half-closing his eyes, he lowered his head and nuzzled Joey’s cheek with his nose.
To be honest, this reminded Joey of how animals in the wild would groom each other—licking, sniffing, rubbing.
Warm. Intimate. Adorable.
Joey couldn't help but smile.
Following his lead, he rubbed his nose back in a messy, affectionate way, their faces brushing against each other in a playful exchange.
It was as if the entire world had been tinted in soft pink hues.
Happiness swelled between them.
Their rhythm was perfectly in sync.
As their gazes locked—
Golden-green eyes, deep and smoldering, intertwined with Joey’s own…
They couldn’t resist.
They exchanged a soft kiss.
"Joey."
"Mm?"
"I love you."
………
Joey's brain short-circuited.
It took him a good while to fully process what Garius had just said.
And when he did—
His face flushed crimson, burning hot with embarrassment.
Fidgeting awkwardly, he scratched at the fuzzy fabric of the couch.
“W-Why are you saying stuff like that all of a sudden…”
So embarrassing…
Garius didn’t catch his mumbling, but from the bright red hue on Joey’s cheeks, he could tell exactly what was going on.
The corners of his lips curved slightly, and he looked at Joey with absolute sincerity.
"You are more important to me than anything."
"Oh?"
Joey nearly blurted out—
"More important than the Thirteenth District?"
But he stopped himself before the words left his mouth.
Tch. Too childish.
It was the kind of question a jealous girlfriend would ask—like comparing herself to her boyfriend’s ex.
Shaking his head, Joey simply leaned sideways and collapsed into Garius’ arms.
Finding a comfortable spot, he curled up against the warmth of his embrace, his fluffy curls resting under Garius’ chin.
At that moment—
There were no extravagant declarations.
No grand celebrations.
Just two people leaning on each other—
And that alone was enough.
——
Unfortunately, happiness never lasts long.
They had only been cuddling for ten minutes when the phone rang.
Joey tilted his head back and watched Garius’ expression darken with each passing second.
A storm was brewing in his golden-green eyes.
Worried, Joey asked, “What’s wrong?”
At first, Garius said nothing.
He simply lifted Joey from his lap and placed him gently on the couch.
The warmth that had lingered between them instantly dissipated.
Grabbing a blanket, Garius wrapped it snugly around Joey.
Beneath the surface, rage and gravity simmered in his gaze—yet all he showed Joey was a hint of guilt.
His voice was low, hesitant.
"I’m sorry, Joey. I have to return to the District 13 immediately."
Joey’s heart sank.
"The Emperor has been attacked and is now missing. The situation outside is about to spiral out of control."
"If the two opposing political factions go all out, they won’t care about civilian casualties."
"The District 13 must be locked down immediately for protection."
"Right now—at least for today—I should be by your side. But I…"
Garius trailed off.
His words hung heavy in the air.
The District 13 was a thankless job.
Like the unsung heroes of a tragic film—saving people, only to be resented for it later.
Whenever chaos erupted, they were the ones who had to bear the brunt of it.
Sacrificing their peace.
Risking their lives.
Standing on the frontlines.
Joey frowned—not because he was angry, but because he was terrified.
What if Garius got hurt?
What if he never came back?
His heart clenched, but he still managed to stammer out in Ottoman, “Be careful.”
Garius responded with a quick kiss, filled with silent affection and longing.
But duty called.
As much as he wished to stay, he had to return to his battlefield.
Joey watched as Garius turned away—
Golden curls swaying as he moved.
The pure white of his uniform standing immaculate and sharp.
And then—
With a single step, the tender lover vanished.
In his place stood a commander—an unstoppable force.
Like a blizzard rolling in, fierce and unwavering.
A warrior who alone could hold back an army.
He left without hesitation.
——
Joey pulled the blanket tighter around himself.
A heavy unease loomed over him like a dark cloud.
“System… my dad will be okay, right?”
The system hesitated.
【I… don’t know.】
A long silence.
Because the truth was—
Garius wasn’t just the Empire’s shield in times of peace.
He was its spear in times of war.
And when chaos erupted, he was always the first to charge into the fray.
——
Meanwhile, outside the room—
Lucian stood by the door, holding a tray of fruit tea and pastries.
He had planned to give his lord and his little spouse some more time before entering.
But just then—
The bedroom door swung open.
Garius strode past him without even sparing him a glance.
Only when their shoulders brushed did he murmur in a low, serious voice—
"Take care of him."
Lucian’s eyes flickered with understanding.
Then, the seasoned butler straightened his posture.
Placing his hand over his chest, he bowed slightly and responded with a calm, confident smile—
"Rest assured, my lord. I will."
——
Storms may rage.
Thunder may roar.
But this was the Heine family.
They had survived far worse.
And no matter what happened—even if their lord never returned—
Lucian swore to protect Joey.
And the "heir" of House Heine.
Even if it cost him his life.
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