Paradise in Postpartum Confinement
Bohembed, kaha—this is heaven.
Who else gets to live like this? A dream come true: a whole month locked in this room, paid 100 million for it.
Sure, they call it invalidism or whatever, and you're forbidden from leaving the bedroom, but it's all just an excuse. Legally, it's a chance to rest.
And the room's nice and cozy temperature-wise. Perfect.
"Reading maid."
"Yes, Your Majesty."
The court maids are off at dinner right now—no one's here.
"Can't I just step out for a bit of fresh air?"
The only downside: no sunlight.
"During postpartum recovery, fresh air or sunlight would only hinder your healing."
Fine.... No helping it.
A bit later, the maids returned, and the housemaids started bringing in the food.
Today's aperitif is beer, huh.
Might as well take a light sip to wet my throat.
Kuhh, weird. Warm beer?...
They should've just brought warm wine instead.
Do these Germans even know how to drink beer properly?
"...I wanna go to Oktoberfest."
Never been, but it's basically the neighborhood now.
Though it's another country, so maybe tricky.
Guess I'll have to Anschluss it or something.
I grumbled but chugged it down anyway.
I've suffered enough—can't I at least pick my own dessert?
"Sorbet—"
"No cold foods absolutely, Your Majesty."
Even Schoda, who doesn't buy into the four humors theory, opposed it. No excuse there.
I had to concede to the maids trying to protect me.
Now I knew they weren't doing it out of dislike.
The door opened, and Esterházy slightly drew back the canopy to let the wet nurse in.
"The name?" I asked as I took the baby.
They'd named her Sophie, but after the baptism, it'd probably gotten ridiculously long.
"Sophie Friederike Dorothea Maria Josepha Elisabeth, Your Majesty."
Standard up to Dorothea, then Sophie Archduchess's name tossed in. Maria as baptismal, Josepha as the feminine of Joseph? And was Elisabeth originally in there?
Who knows. She's usually just known as Sophie.
But isn't maternal instinct supposed to kick in right after birth...?
She's cute, sure.
People say maternal love is this sacred, sacrificial thing.
Her eyes are bright and alert, no crying—nice, but...
"Ahh."
"Your Majesty!"
I waved it off. "I'm fine."
"I'm okay."
I said it while carefully trying to pry her loose.
Stronger grip than expected. If I pull harder, will her fingers break?
The wet nurse rushed over, offering her own finger near mine, and gently detached my daughter's hand from my hair.
That's why they have wet nurses.
Esterházy and the court maids watched the young empress with pleased expressions.
'We worried she'd be anxious as a young mother, but it was all for nothing.'
Thankfully, she had maternal instincts too.
The smile at the baby, not getting mad over the hair pull, the careful way she pried the hand free—it all showed.
They had kids of their own and knew perfect storybook maternal love didn't exist.
"Hungry?"
"Uu."
"Sounds right."
As the empress moved to lower her clothes, Esterházy quickly intervened.
"Your Majesty, the little Archduchess seems hungry. Please entrust her to the wet nurse for now."
Sisi eyed Esterházy curiously.
"Is this because of Sophie Archduchess?"
Esterházy already knew how to handle the empress.
Mentioning tradition, manual labor, or animalistic behavior would just backfire and earn resentment.
'She'd reject anything implying wet nurses, doctors, and Sophie Archduchess handle raising, health, feeding—seeing nursing as a victory symbol.'
"Your Majesty, please understand. Nursing would drain your strength and hinder future pregnancies."
"Really...?"
The slight furrow of her brows meant she wasn't fully convinced.
Esterházy seized the moment.
"Yes, Your Majesty. The physician Schoda shares the same view."
Bringing in Schoda, the one doctor she trusted, to bolster the case.
"Your Majesty's body is no longer just a mother's—it's the empire itself. His Majesty the Emperor and the entire empire rejoiced at the beautiful little Archduchess's birth and eagerly await your swift recovery."
Dragging in Joseph, whom she seemed close to.
"This is no time to expend energy. It's the critical moment to preserve your health for when you later carry and bear Crown Prince. Your health is the empire's future."
Esterházy bowed deeper.
"We'll care for the little Archduchess without a moment's neglect. Please, Your Majesty, preserve your body for greater duties."
Fine, whatever... No choice.
I handed my daughter back to the wet nurse.
"Take good care of my girl."
"No need to worry, Your Majesty."
"Not just 'cause she's mine, but she's so calm and quiet."
"Seeing Your Majesty seems to have finally settled the little Archduchess."
What if she turns out as stuffy as Joseph and can't even talk?
"Wet nurse, talk to the baby often from now on."
"Understood, Your Majesty."
The wet nurse left, and free time returned.
Sophie Archduchess probably would've made even seeing the baby a hassle.
Maybe read Don Quixote....
"Reading maid. I want a knight novel today."
Today's reading is~
"Your Majesty, envoys from Prussia and Saxony have sent letters and gifts for you."
No novel then.
"Read the letters."
Why Prussia and Saxony? Simple: family.
Ida Ferenc slowly broke the seal.
"To my wife, my sister, and cousin—"
I cut her off immediately.
"Another letter first."
Those are nine times out of ten just formal telegrams.
Ida Ferenc set it aside and picked up a smaller envelope.
"To my beloved Sisi. Auntie's heart is with you. How hard it must have been... I'm overjoyed yet worried hearing you've become a mother. Please give my regards to Ludovika. Your godmother, Elisabeth Ludovika."
This was from the Queen of Prussia. Next, the Queen of Saxony's letter.
"First children are always clumsy and scary. But with Wittelsbach blood, you'll manage. If Sophie nags too much, go to Aunt Auguste for help. Don't forget your place as empress. May this small gift comfort you awhile. Maria Anna."
This was from Maria Anna, Sophie Archduchess's twin, Dowager Queen of Saxony.
Ida Ferenc pulled out another letter stamped with the Saxon royal crest.
"I can't tell you how happy I was at your first child's birth. Everything feels new, strange, frightening sometimes. When tired, rest—don't forget to care for yourself. May this small gift bring you a smile and comfort. Your aunt, Amalia Auguste."
So both aunts are on the Saxon side?
Makes sense.
Dowager Empress Auguste and Sophie Archduchess are my aunts too.
Once the letters were done, Esterházy showed me the inventory of gifts brought by the housemaids.
"First, gifts from the Queen of Prussia."
Berlin Royal Porcelain (Königliche Porzellan-Manufaktur Berlin) and amber crafts.
"Prussia is the Baltic amber hub. Exquisitely carved amber jewelry boxes and ornaments—I'll draft a reply thanking them for these precious gifts."
Saxony sent top custom Meissen tea sets and delicate porcelain dolls to decorate the little Archduchess's room.
"These are the official gifts. Next, personal ones."
Unlike the flashy porcelains, simpler items followed.
Finest silk robes and shawls, trendy cosmetics sets, and more.
"This is a South Sea pearl necklace."
Pearls symbolize health and purity—famous for birth gifts.
"As your godmother, the Queen of Prussia must cherish you greatly."
Godmother's basically like a foster parent, right?
As I pondered, Joseph entered.
Unlike usual, the maids did their Hofknicks then retreated to the room's corner.
"Empress, how's your body?"
Truth? Hurts a lot.
This is with painkillers; can't even go to the bathroom without maid help.
"Fine."
"Good to hear."
That's it? I stared, and he chose his words.
"Heard from the physician. Recovery's going smoothly."
Joseph glanced around.
"Wet nurse took the baby?"
"Yes, just a bit ago to nurse."
"Would've been more meaningful if you'd joined the baptism, but Sophie Archduchess oversaw everything meticulously—rest easy."
Weird phrasing. Who even is he talking to, avoiding eye contact?
Finally noticed Esterházy at the end of his gaze.
What're they up to?
"Chief lady-in-waiting."
"Yes, Your Majesty."
"I want to talk alone with His Majesty."
Maids approached and carefully drew the canopy.
"Your Majesty."
"Empress."
"You used to look me in the eye just fine."
"That's..."
"Did Archduchess scold you?"
Joseph shook his head.
Hmm, then why?
"Can you shift me over a bit?"
A year ago, he wouldn't even come here.
His hand touched; I wrapped my arms around his neck without hesitation.
"Awkward, huh?"
Whispering in his ear, he nodded hesitantly.
"Wanna talk about your favorite army stuff then?"
"Really okay?"
Wipe that grin off.
"Nothing else to do here anyway."
"I've decided to join the war."
War? Asked for army talk, jumps to war?
"Deploying to the Oriental War—won't be able to come for a while..."
Ah, came to apologize?
But... what's the Oriental War?