It'll take a while before I reach my destination. I should read something to pass the time, thought the boy as he scrolled through his phone.
A fantasy novel about a female lead and her harem? Anyway, it's just to kill time. Why not read it, he thought, opening the novel. He didn't expect it to be that bad.
"Ridiculous!" he blurted out, unable to stop himself.
"Is there something wrong, Young Master?" the driver asked, looking at him through the mirror.
"Nothing," the boy replied as he continued reading.
The driver returned his gaze to the road, but his thoughts lingered on the boy in the back seat.
Poor kid. It's his birthday today, yet none of his family showed up to celebrate. Must be tough. I heard he's been kidnapped multiple times because of his family's wealth. And worse... his parents are divorced. No wonder he's always gloomy and silent.
So caught up in his thoughts, the driver didn't notice the truck speeding toward them from behind—until it was too late.
CRASH!
---
It hurts... everything hurts! thought the boy, pain shooting through his arm as he tried to move.
Just my luck. Dying on my birthday. Maybe now, my parents won't have to make excuses to avoid seeing me. Maybe they won't be burdened with guilt when I get kidnapped again.
Tears began to fall from his slowly closing eyes.
I just wish I had a family I could love and be loved by. I'd do anything for that...
"Anything, you say?"
---
---
"There's another one coming!!" cried a woman in labor, gasping as she felt the urge to push.
"I already see the head — one more push, my lady!" shouted the midwife, carefully holding the newborn child.
"Ahhh!!"
The cries of a newborn filled the room as the midwife wrapped the baby in a clean towel.
"Congratulations, Duchess. You've given birth to twins — a boy and a girl," the midwife said, gently handing the babies to the exhausted but beaming mother.
The duchess smiled as she held her newborns and looked at her husband, who stood beside her in awe.
"They're our children, my Duke," she said softly, showing him the babies.
"Oh! They have my black hair!" the Duke said with pride as he gazed at them.
"Unfair!" the duchess playfully pouted, holding her children close.
"I wonder what eye color they'll have," she said curiously, studying their faces.
"How about we name them first?" suggested the Duke, looking lovingly at his wife.
"Right! Then let's make it fun. You name the girl, and I'll name the boy!" she said excitedly.
"Then how about Stella Enzyme Amethyst?"
"That's beautiful! Then… hmm, I've got it! You'll be named Ethan Louis Amethyst," she said, smiling as she looked down at the baby boy.
"Stella and Ethan. Our children," the duchess whispered, hugging them tightly.
Watching his wife and children, the Duke silently vowed: I'll protect you all. No one will harm you as long as I'm alive.