The Alpha Prince's Purchased Maid
Chapter 319: Picturing the Future

Chapter 319: Picturing the Future

I was certain that the many medical technological advances that the team of doctors presented to us were beyond impressive; however, it made me feel conflicted inside. To me, I felt like there was also an emotional side to the process of conceiving and having a baby. Many things during the various presentations caught my attention although I couldn’t completely comprehend the medical aspect of things due to my limited background knowledge.

The various videos shown of mothers with their newborn baby and other videos of mothers and fathers raising their baby into a young child were easy enough for me to understand. Everyone featured in the videos seemed happy as they lived their dream come true moment of finally having a child. For a moment, I couldn’t help but wonder if the parents that I used to have smiled like that when they had me or when they were raising me when I was a baby or a young girl.

Trying to recall my memories of them was futile because I simply did not remember anything. I thought that it would have been great had my parents smiled so happily just like the other parents in the videos. However, a nagging feeling at the back of my mind told me that not all families and couples were that simple. Although there were lucky couples who could smile like that, I was certain that not all couples had that luxury to live such a happy moment.

“What’s the success rate of this procedure?” Prince Leonard asked sternly.

The doctor quickly provided the prince with his answer, but I was too focused on Prince Leonard and my own thoughts that I couldn’t focus on the doctor’s response. I couldn’t help but wonder what kind of father the prince would be if he had a child. The question baffled me, and I cocked my head to the side in wonder as I continued observing Prince Leonard as he went about his duties. It was strange, but I couldn’t quite imagine what the prince would be like as a father.

Prince Leonard caught me staring at him and turned my way before he smiled at me. I felt heat rushed to my cheeks as I realized where my thoughts had taken me. I quickly returned his smile before shifting my gaze away from him as I feigned interest in another screen that showed a video of a young toddler playing with something that was supposed to help with his development.

Just like I couldn’t imagine what the prince would be like as a father, I couldn’t see myself as a mother either. No matter how hard I tried, I couldn’t quite picture myself as a mother. I had no idea what was expected of me or how I would feel or what I should do. When my eyes shifted to another video of a cheerful mother and father embracing their young children, my eyes widened in sudden realization. It may have been because I couldn’t remember my parents and the interactions that I had with them that I couldn’t quite picture a normal family and what parents were supposed to be like.

I used to think that the perfect mother figure was the one who raised me at the orphanage but now I couldn’t be sure anymore. Back then, I also tried my best to take care of the younger girls who grew up at the orphanage but was that really the role of a proper mother?

“Are you feeling unwell?” Prince Leonard asked softly.

I turned to see that he was standing very close behind me with a worried expression on his face. Having been so lost in thought, I hadn’t realized that another presentation had come to an end, and we were supposed to move on to the next exhibition area.

“I’m fine. Thank you...” I replied politely.

“Really? You were sort of spacing out...” the prince replied with clear concern.

“I’m really fine. I was just...thinking of this and that...” I replied vaguely before trying my best to smile at him.

“I see. Let’s go then,” the prince said as he offered me his hand.

I spent the rest of the day following the prince around while so many disturbing and random thoughts ran through my head.

...

The schedule of the first day of our trip was the tightest that it could be. After we were done with the visits that were planned, we were scheduled to have dinner with our host. Although I knew that we were supposed to be working, I still found it depressing that even dinner was counted as part of work. My selfish dream of having a private and peaceful dinner with the prince was not to be. Instead, after a short break where we were allowed to rest and get changed into the outfits arranged for us, we were escorted to the dining room immediately.

“Just hang in there a little longer, Mila,” Prince Leonard said as he placed his hand at the small of my back.

“Let’s enjoy dinner together,” I replied with a smile.

Since there was no use mopping about anything, I decided to face everything with a positive attitude while aiming to make the best out of all situations. Just because the dinner was supposed to be a formal one arranged by the host, that didn’t mean that we couldn’t find a way to enjoy it. Deep down, I was quite nervous because it was my first time attending a formal event like this.

“Just sit next to me and enjoy the food,” the prince advised before winking at me.

“I will,” I replied with a nod of my head.

It felt more than enough that he was showing that he cared for me. I didn’t want to cause him any worry because, unlike me, the prince actually had some work to do. There were things that he needed to discuss with the host at dinner and I knew that he had to keep his focus on those negotiations.

“Sit next to me,” the prince reminded me once we entered a large dining room where a long table was set up.

--To be continued...