107. Terribly clumsy
For a moment, Bianca's eyes shook violently, and a lightning-like flash passed through William's mind.
No matter how much she pretends to be a woman, Bianca is still a woman. And she's only twenty years old.
“Prince Meyer must have upset you, didn’t he?”
“No... that’s not true.”
But Bianca's eyes said something entirely different.
“Come and tell me. I’m on your side no matter what.”
As expected of a proud and arrogant noble lady, Bianca kept quiet. The more she did, the more William became certain that something unspeakable had happened between them.
“There’s one thing you absolutely must know. If your relationship with Meyer breaks down, the one who will ultimately suffer the most is me. To be exact, it’s me and countless other investors.”
“I know that very well. The relationship between Hardius and me is not simply a union of two families. I also know very well that it is now irreversible.”
“Yeah, that’s why I think you’re great. You’re not like those empty-headed women who can’t tell the difference between business and marriage.”
For William, it was no bad thing to make the Princess Leichnen depend on him.
Aren't Hannes and Kaitlyn talking about a blood alliance or something, and behind the scenes, they're each forming their own negotiating teams and rolling the abacus?
William, too, could not help but worry about his own position after the merger.
Above all, he's very uneasy about Hardius Meyer. As the successor, he will eventually become Duke Meyer, no matter what happens if he is swayed by his mother's skirt.
Kaitlyn Meyer always pretends she has her son under control, but William sees that Hardius Meyer's influence has grown too much in recent months.
Didn't you know this would happen and promise to start the full succession after marriage?
But then Kaitlyn suddenly handed over Meyer Steel. And for some reason, William himself felt like he was being pushed around.
No way...
William felt his heart sink for some reason.
“Tell me. Tell me what happened between you two.”
She had a nightmare all night.
It was a terrifying dream in which a legless ghost slowly approached her, suddenly strangled her, and she was surrounded by dozens of assassins with cleavers.
Emilia thrashed around like crazy and screamed until her throat was hoarse.
Dahlia ran over and comforted her, changing the damp sheets.
“Shall I stay by your side?”
“No, it’s okay.”
But as soon as she closed her eyes, she was pressed by the dreams again. Looking at the demonic figure crushing her body, Emilia was gripped by a suffocating fear that made her unable to even scream.
In the end, she couldn't even catch a wink of sleep. Emilia had to spend the whole night curled up in her hands, shivering under the dim candlelight.
Books can give you a lot of information about pregnancy and childbirth, but they can't dispel this irrational, unexplained fear.
According to the book, the fetus is firmly bound to the mother's body and soul...
Emilia felt like her heart was going to burst with guilt.
The next day, after hearing about Emilia's condition from Dahlia, Yvonne immediately knocked on her door.
And when she opened the door, she found the good and obedient Rapunzel.
It is said that Emilia was locked in a prison without bars and read books diligently without complaining.
She said that she ate every meal and did not step out of the house even though he felt nauseous at the mention of it being for the sake of the child.
Yvonne felt a sense of sadness surge through her once again as she watched Emilia blankly staring out the window.
“Would you like to go to the lake for a bit?”
Emilia, who had been shining with anticipation, soon said with a worried look on her face, “Still... I don’t know if it will work.”
“I guess I scared you too much.”
Yvonne continued, chuckling.
“That’s okay. The sun is shining, so I think it would be good to take a light walk. I’ll have them prepare an outdoor bed and a shade. You can lie down there and rest and have a snack. Is there anything else you want to eat?”
“...Grapes.”
Yvonne burst out laughing at her careful yet eager tone.
“I remember when we had our Louisx. I used to crave fruit so much... But you’re better than me. You don’t want something impossible, like an apricot in the middle of winter. Now, get up.”
A few minutes later, Emilia was lying in the sun on the shore of a picturesque lake.
The clear and calm water surface contained the blue sky and white clouds. The trees surrounding the lake were at the peak of their colorful autumn foliage, as if they were emitting the last light of their lives. The cool and refreshing air and the warm fire of the fireplace also wrapped her body.
Is it because she couldn't sleep at all last night?
Only then did Emilia feel herself becoming drowsy. Blinking, the picturesque scenery began to flicker, and the strength in her hands that had been holding the book suddenly loosened. The consciousness that had been chasing the clear sky suddenly blacked out.
...How much time has passed?
Emilia had another dream. Fortunately, it wasn't a nightmare.
“...Emilia.”
It was a pleasant dream, with a low, deep voice enveloping her whole body.
Emilia felt as if she had swallowed a sweet cream. She smiled without realizing it and waited quietly.
She wished he would call her name one more time.
“Emil...”
But the pleasant sound dissipated from her ears before it could even end.
Keep going.
Emilia pleaded.
Please keep calling my name.
Unfortunately, a cold wind blew from somewhere, trying to disturb her sweet sleep. Emilia tried hard to push her consciousness, which was floating to the surface, back into the depths.
Thanks to that, she didn't notice at all.
Under the pure white awning with lace, the man's rambling steps were incoherent, and he was at a loss as to what to do.
Hardius stared blankly at her as she slept. He could only stare, his hands in his pockets, all his emotions clenched into fists.
Sleepy Emilia looked just like a child.
That child had a child.
His bloodshot eyes looked down the curve of her throbbing chest and toward her small belly.
For a moment, he felt like his heart was going to burst.
As he ran frantically to get here, countless things pounded and swallowed him up.
Of all the things that remained most terrifying, there was only one fact.
...many women die in childbirth. Two out of ten.
Fuck.
Hardius clenched his fists so hard that they dug into his flesh.
Why did things get to this point...
A trembling hand roughly ran its hand through his hair. The sun, hidden by clouds, stabbed painfully through his blurry vision.
Whenever.
Even amid disillusionment, his thoughts were drifting in an extremely manly direction.
Was it the first night? Or the time when they had sex while lying face down? Or in the bathroom? ...No, it might have been the day when he stood her up against the pillar of the pavilion and fucked her like crazy.
He didn't consider contraception for even a moment. No, he couldn't. He couldn't hold back on the things that should have been thrown out of his body, so he just poured them out indiscriminately.
Emilia is a woman who, just a few months ago, thought that the mating of humans and animals was completely different.
But she's pregnant?
Hardius wiped his face with his dry hands and glanced at her small belly again.
He has never thought about having children in his entire life. He has never seen a child, let alone a pregnant woman, and most of all, he does not even know what the relationship between parents and children is.
Whatever being was inside him, Hardius felt no attachment to it whatsoever.
Just... I hope it doesn’t bother you...
Please don't hate me for making you like this...
His sad eyes turned back to the lake. Two water birds were gliding leisurely across the calm waters.
Suddenly, he remembered the baby bird he had seen on the beach. And Emilia's gaze as she looked down at it as if nothing was so lovely.
Yes, you love the many fragile things in the world. You will never hate the being that will be born inside you. So I will also do my best for it, and I must do everything.
Hardius tried to calm his mind and calm the storm that was raging.
Whoosh, the wind that shook the leaves brushed past the tent and felt cold against his body.
The weather is quite chilly...
It was at this moment that Hardius swallowed a sigh and turned back to her.
When did you wake up?
Hardius was transfixed by the clear sapphire eyes staring back at him.
The next moment, something even more shocking happened.
Her small, cute eyelids began to flutter, and the spasms that started there spread to her pale cheeks and her slim jaw.
Hardius was struck by lightning and could only stare blankly at his tears flowing down silently.
“Oh my goodness, Your Majesty, Prince Meyer... why... why on earth is he doing that?”
"Ha!"
Joseph also sighed as if he was frustrated.
“Am I seeing things wrong? Isn’t that kid crying right now?”
Yvonne's narrowed eyes turned back to Emilia. They were far away, so it was hard to see clearly, but anyone could tell that she was crying as she wiped her eyes with the back of her hand.
“Why are you standing there like that? He should go and hug her right now.”
Yvonne muttered with regret.
“I think he’s worse than our Hans.”
Yvonne shook her head as she spoke to her youngest son, who had just turned five.
“It’s my fault. I should have let him hear it first. If I had, he could have at least given her a bouquet of flowers. I really didn’t know he would act so stiflingly!”
“That’s right.”
Joseph clicked his tongue.
“I think I should step forward.”
"Yes?"
“I’ll have to teach young Mayer some lady-handling skills while we’re having a drink tonight. And don’t forget, if our deal is to go through, those two have to work together. Mayer and Leichnen won’t do us any good.”
Yeah, that's right.
Yvonne nodded quietly.
William Richards was solving riddles all along his carriage ride.
In the end, Bianca did not confess her feelings.
“Nothing’s wrong, Senator. I just wanted to check. As to who’s more interested in this marriage.”
William went back to his memories and thought about all the conversations he had with her. He sifted them through a fine sieve, and there was one strange thing that remained at the end.
'That commoner woman. I think I'll go and see her. Mrs. Meyer also said she was very sorry that she treated that child so harshly.'
At that moment, Bianca's eyes were shaking violently, clearly revealing her intense emotions.
Yeah, it can't hurt to be careful.
Having made up his mind, he immediately called his butler as soon as he arrived at his mansion.
“Go to Harel right now and rescue someone.”
Harel is a den of criminals. He is also a shadowy figure who carries out all sorts of dark work at the behest of the nobles.
The butler had no choice but to swallow his saliva with difficulty, as he was used to his master looking for them.
For a moment, Bianca's eyes shook violently, and a lightning-like flash passed through William's mind.
No matter how much she pretends to be a woman, Bianca is still a woman. And she's only twenty years old.
“Prince Meyer must have upset you, didn’t he?”
“No... that’s not true.”
But Bianca's eyes said something entirely different.
“Come and tell me. I’m on your side no matter what.”
As expected of a proud and arrogant noble lady, Bianca kept quiet. The more she did, the more William became certain that something unspeakable had happened between them.
“There’s one thing you absolutely must know. If your relationship with Meyer breaks down, the one who will ultimately suffer the most is me. To be exact, it’s me and countless other investors.”
“I know that very well. The relationship between Hardius and me is not simply a union of two families. I also know very well that it is now irreversible.”
“Yeah, that’s why I think you’re great. You’re not like those empty-headed women who can’t tell the difference between business and marriage.”
For William, it was no bad thing to make the Princess Leichnen depend on him.
Aren't Hannes and Kaitlyn talking about a blood alliance or something, and behind the scenes, they're each forming their own negotiating teams and rolling the abacus?
William, too, could not help but worry about his own position after the merger.
Above all, he's very uneasy about Hardius Meyer. As the successor, he will eventually become Duke Meyer, no matter what happens if he is swayed by his mother's skirt.
Kaitlyn Meyer always pretends she has her son under control, but William sees that Hardius Meyer's influence has grown too much in recent months.
Didn't you know this would happen and promise to start the full succession after marriage?
But then Kaitlyn suddenly handed over Meyer Steel. And for some reason, William himself felt like he was being pushed around.
No way...
William felt his heart sink for some reason.
“Tell me. Tell me what happened between you two.”
***
She had a nightmare all night.
It was a terrifying dream in which a legless ghost slowly approached her, suddenly strangled her, and she was surrounded by dozens of assassins with cleavers.
Emilia thrashed around like crazy and screamed until her throat was hoarse.
Dahlia ran over and comforted her, changing the damp sheets.
“Shall I stay by your side?”
“No, it’s okay.”
But as soon as she closed her eyes, she was pressed by the dreams again. Looking at the demonic figure crushing her body, Emilia was gripped by a suffocating fear that made her unable to even scream.
In the end, she couldn't even catch a wink of sleep. Emilia had to spend the whole night curled up in her hands, shivering under the dim candlelight.
Books can give you a lot of information about pregnancy and childbirth, but they can't dispel this irrational, unexplained fear.
According to the book, the fetus is firmly bound to the mother's body and soul...
Emilia felt like her heart was going to burst with guilt.
The next day, after hearing about Emilia's condition from Dahlia, Yvonne immediately knocked on her door.
And when she opened the door, she found the good and obedient Rapunzel.
It is said that Emilia was locked in a prison without bars and read books diligently without complaining.
She said that she ate every meal and did not step out of the house even though he felt nauseous at the mention of it being for the sake of the child.
Yvonne felt a sense of sadness surge through her once again as she watched Emilia blankly staring out the window.
“Would you like to go to the lake for a bit?”
Emilia, who had been shining with anticipation, soon said with a worried look on her face, “Still... I don’t know if it will work.”
“I guess I scared you too much.”
Yvonne continued, chuckling.
“That’s okay. The sun is shining, so I think it would be good to take a light walk. I’ll have them prepare an outdoor bed and a shade. You can lie down there and rest and have a snack. Is there anything else you want to eat?”
“...Grapes.”
Yvonne burst out laughing at her careful yet eager tone.
“I remember when we had our Louisx. I used to crave fruit so much... But you’re better than me. You don’t want something impossible, like an apricot in the middle of winter. Now, get up.”
A few minutes later, Emilia was lying in the sun on the shore of a picturesque lake.
The clear and calm water surface contained the blue sky and white clouds. The trees surrounding the lake were at the peak of their colorful autumn foliage, as if they were emitting the last light of their lives. The cool and refreshing air and the warm fire of the fireplace also wrapped her body.
Is it because she couldn't sleep at all last night?
Only then did Emilia feel herself becoming drowsy. Blinking, the picturesque scenery began to flicker, and the strength in her hands that had been holding the book suddenly loosened. The consciousness that had been chasing the clear sky suddenly blacked out.
...How much time has passed?
Emilia had another dream. Fortunately, it wasn't a nightmare.
“...Emilia.”
It was a pleasant dream, with a low, deep voice enveloping her whole body.
Emilia felt as if she had swallowed a sweet cream. She smiled without realizing it and waited quietly.
She wished he would call her name one more time.
“Emil...”
But the pleasant sound dissipated from her ears before it could even end.
Keep going.
Emilia pleaded.
Please keep calling my name.
Unfortunately, a cold wind blew from somewhere, trying to disturb her sweet sleep. Emilia tried hard to push her consciousness, which was floating to the surface, back into the depths.
Thanks to that, she didn't notice at all.
Under the pure white awning with lace, the man's rambling steps were incoherent, and he was at a loss as to what to do.
Hardius stared blankly at her as she slept. He could only stare, his hands in his pockets, all his emotions clenched into fists.
Sleepy Emilia looked just like a child.
That child had a child.
His bloodshot eyes looked down the curve of her throbbing chest and toward her small belly.
For a moment, he felt like his heart was going to burst.
As he ran frantically to get here, countless things pounded and swallowed him up.
Of all the things that remained most terrifying, there was only one fact.
...many women die in childbirth. Two out of ten.
Fuck.
Hardius clenched his fists so hard that they dug into his flesh.
Why did things get to this point...
A trembling hand roughly ran its hand through his hair. The sun, hidden by clouds, stabbed painfully through his blurry vision.
Whenever.
Even amid disillusionment, his thoughts were drifting in an extremely manly direction.
Was it the first night? Or the time when they had sex while lying face down? Or in the bathroom? ...No, it might have been the day when he stood her up against the pillar of the pavilion and fucked her like crazy.
He didn't consider contraception for even a moment. No, he couldn't. He couldn't hold back on the things that should have been thrown out of his body, so he just poured them out indiscriminately.
Emilia is a woman who, just a few months ago, thought that the mating of humans and animals was completely different.
But she's pregnant?
Hardius wiped his face with his dry hands and glanced at her small belly again.
He has never thought about having children in his entire life. He has never seen a child, let alone a pregnant woman, and most of all, he does not even know what the relationship between parents and children is.
Whatever being was inside him, Hardius felt no attachment to it whatsoever.
Just... I hope it doesn’t bother you...
Please don't hate me for making you like this...
His sad eyes turned back to the lake. Two water birds were gliding leisurely across the calm waters.
Suddenly, he remembered the baby bird he had seen on the beach. And Emilia's gaze as she looked down at it as if nothing was so lovely.
Yes, you love the many fragile things in the world. You will never hate the being that will be born inside you. So I will also do my best for it, and I must do everything.
Hardius tried to calm his mind and calm the storm that was raging.
Whoosh, the wind that shook the leaves brushed past the tent and felt cold against his body.
The weather is quite chilly...
It was at this moment that Hardius swallowed a sigh and turned back to her.
When did you wake up?
Hardius was transfixed by the clear sapphire eyes staring back at him.
The next moment, something even more shocking happened.
Her small, cute eyelids began to flutter, and the spasms that started there spread to her pale cheeks and her slim jaw.
Hardius was struck by lightning and could only stare blankly at his tears flowing down silently.
“Oh my goodness, Your Majesty, Prince Meyer... why... why on earth is he doing that?”
"Ha!"
Joseph also sighed as if he was frustrated.
“Am I seeing things wrong? Isn’t that kid crying right now?”
Yvonne's narrowed eyes turned back to Emilia. They were far away, so it was hard to see clearly, but anyone could tell that she was crying as she wiped her eyes with the back of her hand.
“Why are you standing there like that? He should go and hug her right now.”
Yvonne muttered with regret.
“I think he’s worse than our Hans.”
Yvonne shook her head as she spoke to her youngest son, who had just turned five.
“It’s my fault. I should have let him hear it first. If I had, he could have at least given her a bouquet of flowers. I really didn’t know he would act so stiflingly!”
“That’s right.”
Joseph clicked his tongue.
“I think I should step forward.”
"Yes?"
“I’ll have to teach young Mayer some lady-handling skills while we’re having a drink tonight. And don’t forget, if our deal is to go through, those two have to work together. Mayer and Leichnen won’t do us any good.”
Yeah, that's right.
Yvonne nodded quietly.
***
William Richards was solving riddles all along his carriage ride.
In the end, Bianca did not confess her feelings.
“Nothing’s wrong, Senator. I just wanted to check. As to who’s more interested in this marriage.”
William went back to his memories and thought about all the conversations he had with her. He sifted them through a fine sieve, and there was one strange thing that remained at the end.
'That commoner woman. I think I'll go and see her. Mrs. Meyer also said she was very sorry that she treated that child so harshly.'
At that moment, Bianca's eyes were shaking violently, clearly revealing her intense emotions.
Yeah, it can't hurt to be careful.
Having made up his mind, he immediately called his butler as soon as he arrived at his mansion.
“Go to Harel right now and rescue someone.”
Harel is a den of criminals. He is also a shadowy figure who carries out all sorts of dark work at the behest of the nobles.
The butler had no choice but to swallow his saliva with difficulty, as he was used to his master looking for them.
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