116. Without qualifications
Early in the morning, the faint sunlight woke Hardius from his sleep.
A strange ceiling, a strange bed, a strange room, and...
His blurry eyes shook violently in front of the woman curled up like a cat right next to him.
Why are you here?
His eyebrows furrowed. Scenes from last night began to surface one by one through his hazy consciousness.
His clear and vivid memory ends with hearing the story about Nathan Malvin. After that, he has no recollection of how he got into the carriage or how he ended up here in bed.
He came here seriously drunk.
The corners of Hardius's mouth curled up crookedly.
He didn't regret it much, even though he acted like a drunk. The mere fact that he saw that small, doll-like face as soon as he opened his eyes was enough to forgive himself for losing his senses.
After staring at her sleeping face for a while, he reached out and touched her golden hair. It was just a light touch like the wind, but her long eyelashes fluttered and her eyelids opened.
Their eyes met.
"Did you sleep well?"
A flush of heat rose along her fair and beautiful cheeks. The shy Emilia made him feel good.
He raised his upper body and kissed her without hesitation. Even though it was a little rough and rough, she obediently accepted it, and his body heated up uncontrollably.
“Who’s out there?”
“There’s... nobody.”
A beautiful sound like a bird runs up his spine, heightening his anticipation.
“Where did everyone go?”
“They went to Hethel.”
“When are they coming back?”
“Maybe later... late in the afternoon...”
Before she could finish speaking, he lowered his face again. The kiss continued, much more persistent and deeper than before.
When she came to, Emilia was completely crushed under him. She could feel the intense excitement from the man's body pressing down on her lower body.
“Tell me, what mistake did I make last night?”
The corners of Emilia's mouth slowly curled upward.
“...Don’t you remember?”
“Should I ask for forgiveness?”
She was about to answer yes, but the next moment, she couldn't help but gasp. Hardius had grabbed her wrists and tied them above her head.
The loose sleeves were pulled up, revealing her thin, white elbows. He gently rubbed her excited body and whispered in her ear.
“Tell me quickly. What did you do wrong?”
"Not at all..."
Emilia was barely able to answer, panting, forgetting that she had been teasing him.
"Yes?"
The man asking the question's eyes darkened with desire.
“That can’t be true.”
Hardius covered her lips again. He bit her lightly, then released her, thrusting his tongue deep inside her again and untied her tight dress strap.
His hand slipped between the loose collar and gently caressed her body, which was flushed with excitement. Emilia closed her eyes, gasping for breath.
A reckless hand lifted up her skirt and pulled down her underwear. The man who came in through her thighs parted and searched her pure white body thoroughly.
Her body remembered everything.
How he licked, how persistently he could do it...
In an instant, the man's head bowed. Without warning, his tongue touched hers.
The invasion started lightly, like licking cream, and gradually became deeper. It gradually entered, as if eating sparingly, and went in deeper than she could have imagined.
He sucked and swallowed like a hungry beast, then suddenly unbuttoned his pants and started moving his hands back and forth.
The man who swallowed her with his mouth and satisfied his own desires drove Emilia to extreme excitement.
"Stop..."
Emilia writhed and twisted her body.
Hardius stiffened for a moment and threw his head back. A low groan scratched his Adam's apple as pleasure poured out.
He buried his face in the nape of her pure white neck and took a deep breath. The two pairs of roughly intertwined breaths echoed loudly, breaking the silence.
Hardius found a towel and wiped away the messy traces. As he did so, he licked only one place, his lips, with his tongue instead of the towel.
Unable to face such a man, Emilia had to bury her face in the blanket.
“...This is the first time I’ve wanted to wash this much.”
Contrary to his words, he lay back down on the bed.
Emilia said something, but he didn't seem to hear a single word. He hugged the woman's body that was gently closing around him like a doll and closed his eyes.
When Hardius regained consciousness, the sun was high in the sky. The warm sunlight that touched his eyes and the delicious smell awakened his senses.
As he went outside, he saw Emilia busily pacing back and forth in front of the stove.
She felt a presence and turned around. Her blue eyes scanned him from head to toe, and then a mischievous smile appeared.
“Do you know what a mess this is?”
“It’s a mess.”
He crossed his arms and leaned his shoulders against the wooden pillar. His languid gaze made Emilia's heart flutter again.
“Go there and try it.”
Emilia put down the ladle and pointed somewhere.
“I have prepared hot water so you can take a bath as you wish, master.”
Emilia smiled broadly. Hardius, of course, did not smile in the slightest.
Early in the morning, the faint sunlight woke Hardius from his sleep.
A strange ceiling, a strange bed, a strange room, and...
His blurry eyes shook violently in front of the woman curled up like a cat right next to him.
Why are you here?
His eyebrows furrowed. Scenes from last night began to surface one by one through his hazy consciousness.
His clear and vivid memory ends with hearing the story about Nathan Malvin. After that, he has no recollection of how he got into the carriage or how he ended up here in bed.
He came here seriously drunk.
The corners of Hardius's mouth curled up crookedly.
He didn't regret it much, even though he acted like a drunk. The mere fact that he saw that small, doll-like face as soon as he opened his eyes was enough to forgive himself for losing his senses.
After staring at her sleeping face for a while, he reached out and touched her golden hair. It was just a light touch like the wind, but her long eyelashes fluttered and her eyelids opened.
Their eyes met.
"Did you sleep well?"
A flush of heat rose along her fair and beautiful cheeks. The shy Emilia made him feel good.
He raised his upper body and kissed her without hesitation. Even though it was a little rough and rough, she obediently accepted it, and his body heated up uncontrollably.
“Who’s out there?”
“There’s... nobody.”
A beautiful sound like a bird runs up his spine, heightening his anticipation.
“Where did everyone go?”
“They went to Hethel.”
“When are they coming back?”
“Maybe later... late in the afternoon...”
Before she could finish speaking, he lowered his face again. The kiss continued, much more persistent and deeper than before.
When she came to, Emilia was completely crushed under him. She could feel the intense excitement from the man's body pressing down on her lower body.
“Tell me, what mistake did I make last night?”
The corners of Emilia's mouth slowly curled upward.
“...Don’t you remember?”
“Should I ask for forgiveness?”
She was about to answer yes, but the next moment, she couldn't help but gasp. Hardius had grabbed her wrists and tied them above her head.
The loose sleeves were pulled up, revealing her thin, white elbows. He gently rubbed her excited body and whispered in her ear.
“Tell me quickly. What did you do wrong?”
"Not at all..."
Emilia was barely able to answer, panting, forgetting that she had been teasing him.
"Yes?"
The man asking the question's eyes darkened with desire.
“That can’t be true.”
Hardius covered her lips again. He bit her lightly, then released her, thrusting his tongue deep inside her again and untied her tight dress strap.
His hand slipped between the loose collar and gently caressed her body, which was flushed with excitement. Emilia closed her eyes, gasping for breath.
A reckless hand lifted up her skirt and pulled down her underwear. The man who came in through her thighs parted and searched her pure white body thoroughly.
Her body remembered everything.
How he licked, how persistently he could do it...
In an instant, the man's head bowed. Without warning, his tongue touched hers.
The invasion started lightly, like licking cream, and gradually became deeper. It gradually entered, as if eating sparingly, and went in deeper than she could have imagined.
He sucked and swallowed like a hungry beast, then suddenly unbuttoned his pants and started moving his hands back and forth.
The man who swallowed her with his mouth and satisfied his own desires drove Emilia to extreme excitement.
"Stop..."
Emilia writhed and twisted her body.
Hardius stiffened for a moment and threw his head back. A low groan scratched his Adam's apple as pleasure poured out.
He buried his face in the nape of her pure white neck and took a deep breath. The two pairs of roughly intertwined breaths echoed loudly, breaking the silence.
Hardius found a towel and wiped away the messy traces. As he did so, he licked only one place, his lips, with his tongue instead of the towel.
Unable to face such a man, Emilia had to bury her face in the blanket.
“...This is the first time I’ve wanted to wash this much.”
Contrary to his words, he lay back down on the bed.
Emilia said something, but he didn't seem to hear a single word. He hugged the woman's body that was gently closing around him like a doll and closed his eyes.
When Hardius regained consciousness, the sun was high in the sky. The warm sunlight that touched his eyes and the delicious smell awakened his senses.
As he went outside, he saw Emilia busily pacing back and forth in front of the stove.
She felt a presence and turned around. Her blue eyes scanned him from head to toe, and then a mischievous smile appeared.
“Do you know what a mess this is?”
“It’s a mess.”
He crossed his arms and leaned his shoulders against the wooden pillar. His languid gaze made Emilia's heart flutter again.
“Go there and try it.”
Emilia put down the ladle and pointed somewhere.
“I have prepared hot water so you can take a bath as you wish, master.”
At the deliberate addition of ‘master’, Hardius' cheeks flushed.
“Mr. Grojean insisted that I take good care of my master. You slept like a baby as soon as I put you in bed.”
“Yes.”
Hardius was satisfied that Emilia was teasing him.
It was Meyer's way of giving back.
When, how, and in what way will he pay me back?
Her blood began to heat up again as she remembered what she had done to him earlier in the morning.
"You're a good sucker, like a baby. Anything."
Emilia's eyes widened, and Hardius strode lazily toward the bathroom.
When he emerged from the cramped tub, barely able to squeeze himself in, breakfast was waiting for him.
“Didn't Grojean leave my clothes behind? I'm sure there were spares in the wagon.”
He asked, gesturing to his own body, which was clad only in a single towel. Emilia blushed again and was busy avoiding his gaze.
“Here.”
A moment later, Hardius stood in front of Emilia, dressed in a new shirt and clean pants.
“Come on, eat, I'm starving.”
The two sat down and ate breakfast.
Bread and mashed potatoes, salted fish and boiled vegetables, Emilia wolfed it down.
As he watched, he noticed something strange.
“Morning sickness?”
“It's gone. I was worried because it was so sudden, but my stepmother said it was okay, that it could be different for everyone. Oh.”
Emilia swallowed dryly and turned to face him.
“My family is taking it all in stride, and I'm sure taking Beppy to Hethel with them at the crack of dawn was meant to give us some alone time. I mean, what can you do, I've got a new baby...”
“...Yeah, he's annoying, but he's useful in a lot of ways.”
His eyes drifted down to her stomach in amusement.
When will I ever get used to that look?
Emilia felt her heart flutter in her chest.
After finishing his meal, Hardius' gaze wandered around the house and stopped on a table next to a small wooden chair. Cloth, needles, and thread lay strewn about.
A haphazard hand picked up one of them, a strange fire rising in his chest as he realized it was for his unborn child.
“...It's that small?”
“Yes, I can't tell you how many times I asked my mother because I couldn't believe it either.”
The man holding the tiny garment, no bigger than two palms, made Emilia smile.
“What is this?”
He held up a long piece of cloth in a rectangular shape.
“Diapers.”
“Do you need so many?”
“My mother said there wouldn't be enough of them, so I thought I'd make as many as I could before I start working in Latang.”
The conversation about the child had the same effect on Hardius: the unbelievable became real and began to imprint itself on his head and heart.
“When did you say he was going to be born?”
“July or August next year?”
Hardius thought to himself.
If he didn't want the Thirteenth Meyer to be illegitimate, he'd have to fix everything before then.
He was well aware that he had promised Emilia that he would return to her as a Duke, and he had failed to keep any of his promises.
“When are you going to move Hethel?”
“I think mother and Mitch are going to stay there from now on for school, and Charlotte and I are going to stay here for a few more days.”
“Why?”
“Charlotte doesn't want to leave this house.”
Hardius looked around the small house and nodded reluctantly.
“Still, Charlotte's trying, and I'm sure she's out with Mr. Beppy right now, exploring her new home and learning the ropes...by the way, Mr. Beppy.”
Emilia said, picking up the diapers and clothes he had scattered.
“I think he needs to be treated at the hospital.”
His face showed a question.
“He sprained his ankle once when he got off the horse, and he's been limping sometimes ever since. My stepmother says we should take him to the hospital, even if it's by force. She says there's a very famous doctor in Rheinsbuch.”
After organizing, Emilia started cutting the fabric with scissors. She chirped like a bird as she worked, leaving Hardius a little dazed.
“Later, when he comes back with Charlotte, I'm going to force him to go to the doctor.”
“Right.”
“I'm thinking of staying here with Charlotte for a few more days, and then we'll head straight to Hethel. I'd like to see Ingrid again, too, and I'm curious to see how clean Mitch has gotten the new house.”
Putting down the scissors, Emilia stared off into space, her expression dreamy. Unlike her, Hardius couldn't relax his frown.
“What's wrong?”
He turned to face her.
A few days ago, he received an ultimatum from the mercenary captain, Messen. He had nailed it down firmly that it would be impossible to stand guard without the Berns knowing.
'In the case of the cottage,' he said, 'it was not difficult to hide because of the woods and trees, but Hethel is different. There is nowhere to hide at all.'
'Fortunately, there are separate outbuildings and stables, and we can keep them all fully protected if we stay there and check their access.'
'Please allow us to move the farm's weapons and equipment to Hilden as soon as possible. For the time being, we'll have to divide our forces between the farm, the new house, and the restaurant to organize our operations and check their movements. Fortunately, the restaurant owner is cooperating. All we need is for you to make a decision.'
Messen's voice echoed in his ears.
Perhaps it was too late for him to want to let Emilia live her whole life unaware of the danger she was in.
After a long moment of watching her blink in confusion, Hardius forced himself to speak.
“I told you, I hired a bodyguard for the farm.”
“...Yes.”
“You'll have to live with them in Hethel, and when you work in Latang.”
Emilia didn't show her anxiety outwardly, just nodded wordlessly, as if she'd already expected it.
“I've told you before, I'm fighting with my mother, and if she ever finds out about the child....”
“I know, I'll be careful, don't worry.”
No, you don't know. You wouldn't even guess.
Your life was always in danger.
Even knowing that, I had you and made you have a child.
The moment he chewed on the truth he wanted to ignore, Hardius felt a part of his chest harden. And then he realized.
Why have I been so moody and childish these past few days?
Why does my heart still burst when I hear Nathan Malvin's name?
Because he is not qualified.
Right now, he has neither the capacity nor the leisure to harbor things like love in his heart.
“One more thing.”
He faced Emilia, overcome by complex emotions he couldn't explain.
“The engagement party is on Sunday. Bianca Leichnen and me.”
Hardius explained it as it was, without a moment's hesitation.
The house became as quiet as a mouse.
“It’s just a formality. I’ll definitely end it without getting married. I promise.”
“...”
Emilia quickly turned her head away, fearing that she might be caught by the hot flames burning in her chest.
How embarrassed she was a few days ago when she unknowingly brought up the word 'Bianca Leichnen'.
At that moment, she clearly knew the identity of the emotion that was like a thunderbolt that was piercing her heart.
It was jealousy.
A crude hatred for a woman who stands shoulder to shoulder with that man in the same world as him as an equal.
Emilia didn't want to make Hardius uncomfortable by showing such intense emotions.
“I'm really okay.”
Lie.
Emilia curled the corners of her lips hard.
“I’m going to quietly hide in Hethel as Elaine, working hard to make diapers.”
William Richard uncrossed his legs. Then, a moment later, he uncrossed them again. The ashtray was filled with a pile of burned-out cigarettes.
How can I waste my time on something so trivial...!
He was so annoyed that he couldn't stand it.
The solution to the little mystery that arose in the forest was simple.
You can meet the woman in person to confirm the facts, or if that doesn't work, you can send an assassin to get rid of her.
But Hannes and Kaitlyn didn't cooperate at all.
A few hours ago, he went to Tobaro, the residence of the Leichinen family, to discuss the matter, but was forced to turn his carriage around at the entrance without even meeting Hannes or Bianca.
Tobaro was busy preparing for the engagement ceremony.
As he watched the servants tending the garden and hanging decorations, he felt it was important not to throw cold water on the excitement.
The couple will be engaged four days later. After that, they will hold a meeting to establish a joint venture, and if there are no major problems, they will be married within the year.
There is no solid evidence to make a fool of yourself based solely on the words of an errand boy.
He sent a message to Kramwitz just in case, but as expected, Kaitlyn Meyer avoided him.
She said she wasn't feeling well at the moment and asked to see her on the day of the engagement ceremony.
Yeah, there was no rush.
Five days later, the three of them would meet, whether they liked it or not, and it would not be too late to discuss it face to face. Still, William could not shake off a strange sense of anxiety and irritation.
Even when you made a plan to investigate, didn't it end up being hushed up like this?
But if he goes looking for a woman right away, he's also worried about the farm workers.
He hates complicated things...
William, who had been tapping the armrest, sighed and opened the newspaper.
The hand that had been flipping through the paper helplessly trembled for a moment and crumpled up the paper.
Massive wildfire south of Muller triggers state of emergency across Trunia
The moment he read the headline, a brilliant idea popped into William's head.
He immediately called Harel's messenger back.
The errand boy came running as if he had been waiting.
“How many men under you can ride a horse and shoot a bow?”
“There are three.”
A bitter smile appeared on William's face.
“I want to use them all. I will give them plenty of rewards.”
Your life was always in danger.
Even knowing that, I had you and made you have a child.
The moment he chewed on the truth he wanted to ignore, Hardius felt a part of his chest harden. And then he realized.
Why have I been so moody and childish these past few days?
Why does my heart still burst when I hear Nathan Malvin's name?
Because he is not qualified.
Right now, he has neither the capacity nor the leisure to harbor things like love in his heart.
“One more thing.”
He faced Emilia, overcome by complex emotions he couldn't explain.
“The engagement party is on Sunday. Bianca Leichnen and me.”
Hardius explained it as it was, without a moment's hesitation.
The house became as quiet as a mouse.
“It’s just a formality. I’ll definitely end it without getting married. I promise.”
“...”
Emilia quickly turned her head away, fearing that she might be caught by the hot flames burning in her chest.
How embarrassed she was a few days ago when she unknowingly brought up the word 'Bianca Leichnen'.
At that moment, she clearly knew the identity of the emotion that was like a thunderbolt that was piercing her heart.
It was jealousy.
A crude hatred for a woman who stands shoulder to shoulder with that man in the same world as him as an equal.
Emilia didn't want to make Hardius uncomfortable by showing such intense emotions.
“I'm really okay.”
Lie.
Emilia curled the corners of her lips hard.
“I’m going to quietly hide in Hethel as Elaine, working hard to make diapers.”
***
William Richard uncrossed his legs. Then, a moment later, he uncrossed them again. The ashtray was filled with a pile of burned-out cigarettes.
How can I waste my time on something so trivial...!
He was so annoyed that he couldn't stand it.
The solution to the little mystery that arose in the forest was simple.
You can meet the woman in person to confirm the facts, or if that doesn't work, you can send an assassin to get rid of her.
But Hannes and Kaitlyn didn't cooperate at all.
A few hours ago, he went to Tobaro, the residence of the Leichinen family, to discuss the matter, but was forced to turn his carriage around at the entrance without even meeting Hannes or Bianca.
Tobaro was busy preparing for the engagement ceremony.
As he watched the servants tending the garden and hanging decorations, he felt it was important not to throw cold water on the excitement.
The couple will be engaged four days later. After that, they will hold a meeting to establish a joint venture, and if there are no major problems, they will be married within the year.
There is no solid evidence to make a fool of yourself based solely on the words of an errand boy.
He sent a message to Kramwitz just in case, but as expected, Kaitlyn Meyer avoided him.
She said she wasn't feeling well at the moment and asked to see her on the day of the engagement ceremony.
Yeah, there was no rush.
Five days later, the three of them would meet, whether they liked it or not, and it would not be too late to discuss it face to face. Still, William could not shake off a strange sense of anxiety and irritation.
Even when you made a plan to investigate, didn't it end up being hushed up like this?
But if he goes looking for a woman right away, he's also worried about the farm workers.
He hates complicated things...
William, who had been tapping the armrest, sighed and opened the newspaper.
The hand that had been flipping through the paper helplessly trembled for a moment and crumpled up the paper.
Massive wildfire south of Muller triggers state of emergency across Trunia
The moment he read the headline, a brilliant idea popped into William's head.
He immediately called Harel's messenger back.
The errand boy came running as if he had been waiting.
“How many men under you can ride a horse and shoot a bow?”
“There are three.”
A bitter smile appeared on William's face.
“I want to use them all. I will give them plenty of rewards.”
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