Since Julian declared that everyone in the barracks would be going to the Grand Duke's Mansion, my father, Ruin, and even Adam all went to the Grand Duke's Mansion.
Before we left the inn where we were staying, my father wrote a letter to my mother. I knew she must be worried, as all sorts of strange rumors were circulating throughout the empire, including the West.
“You write a line too.”
My father finished writing the letter and handed it to me. I pondered it for a moment before writing a short line.
'When the child is born, please give it a name.'
My father smiled happily when he saw the sentence I wrote.
“Your mother loves you so much she could cry.”
“It would be better if she could forget about her worries.”
It was clear she'd lose sleep worrying about us. Even if I had a child, she'd still be worried, but wouldn't it be better to worry about happy things? She'd be busy for at least a few nights, figuring out our baby's name.
Not long after, Julian came to pick me up. As soon as I met him, I asked him.
“Julian, can my mother name the baby?”
“There can be no greater glory.”
The immediate answer was incredibly satisfying. Julian escorted me to the carriage. Marian helped me pack, so all I had to do was get in.
As I looked back from my carriage, I saw a very long procession of knights on horseback and foot soldiers. As I sat upright in the carriage, Julian, as if curious, asked.
“Why did you stop the killing of that knight?”
"It's right to let the Knight Marker live. He'll surely return to the imperial palace and report that the Demon Beast's whereabouts are unknown and that the Duchzan Army is guarding Lake Iris. Then His Majesty will also pay attention to the matter. And the investigation will be easier."
At my words, Julian's eyes drooped as if he had heard a sad story.
“Sometimes I wish you were only at the Duchzan’s residence.”
"Why?"
“I want to make sure that you don’t even know about such dangerous things.”
Perhaps it was because Julian was by my side, but I didn't feel in danger. In my past life, when I was the mistress of the Marquis of Amber, I felt threatened at every moment. Now, even if the imperial knights were trying to drag me away, I wasn't so afraid.
“That day will come.”
I stroked Julian's cheek and whispered affectionately.
“Still, I will worry about you.”
Julian hugged me. The carriage was spacious, but we were cramped together, as if we were trapped in a cramped box. I rubbed my forehead against Julian's shoulder and smiled happily.
“That’s what’s worrying, isn’t it?”
"Yes."
Sitting by your lover's bedside, worrying that they might be uncomfortable or having bad dreams, even after tucking them under a feather blanket. We knew that was love. So we decided to understand each other's excessive worry.
I dozed off, leaning against Julian's shoulder, the entire carriage ride north. Then, when I opened my eyes, I found myself sleeping with my head on Julian's lap.
I rubbed my eyes and looked up at Julian. Even from below, his perfect face looked down at me affectionately.
“Where are we?”
“Enough to sleep more.”
Julian placed a large hand on my eye. The sunlight streaming through the carriage window was completely blocked, and a warm darkness descended. I closed my eyes again, leaning into that warm darkness.
I opened my eyes again when Julian gently grabbed my shoulder. He couldn't have woken me up for no reason, so I slowly opened my eyes.
“Are they all here?”
"Yes."
Julian helped me sit up. I could sense that his hands were more cautious than usual.
As soon as Kaiser learned I was pregnant, he acted as if he owned me completely. He treated me coldly and ignored me, as if the fish he'd caught didn't need bait. He cast aside his gentlemanly mask and transformed into a scoundrel, forcing me to stay home at all costs.
Julian also said the same thing as Kaiser, saying he wished I could stay at the Grand Duke's residence, but his meaning and attitude were completely different.
He feared I'd get even the slightest scratch, and he hoped I wouldn't be exposed to the world's turbulence. I could sense his constant concern that his touch would be unsettling.
I waited quietly for Julian to wrap his arms around me and take me out of the carriage, then whispered in his ear.
“Julian, did you know that? When the baby grows a little bigger in the womb, they can even sleep.”
At my words, Julian's body froze like a rock. He looked at me with an expression I'd never dared imagine. It was the first time I'd seen Julian so shocked, and I couldn't help but laugh.
“Layla, that’s...”
“I hope the baby grows up quickly.”
I stuck my tongue out and walked forward. Lately, Julian has been playing with me like a glass doll. As I strode forward briskly, Julian followed me.
“Layla.”
“Why? Do you hate it?”
“That’s not it...”
Julian clutched his forehead as if his head was pounding. Then he sighed and spoke softly.
“I don’t have the confidence to control myself, so I think it would be better to hold back until the baby is born.”
At those words, I covered my mouth with both hands and swallowed. Julian seemed even more flustered by my reaction.
“Why such a reaction...”
“What? What are you not confident in your ability to control?”
“Layla.”
“Tell me. Hurry up.”
When I asked with sparkling eyes, Julian's face turned bewildered. Just as Julian was about to run away, he stepped into the Grand Duke's mansion. Julian's savior, and my saboteur, had appeared.
Wow!
That lovely, energetic voice was none other than Duke. A large, young puppy with bright eyes, running briskly toward me.
I tried to spread my arms wide, but then I thought, "Oops!" Duke was so excited that he'd rush over, and I'd fall backwards. But that wasn't going to happen anymore.
Just as I was about to block Duke, Julian reached out and snatched him away. The giant dog licked Julian's cheek, seemingly comfortable in the embrace of a man who wouldn't let him fall even if he were pushed.
The combination of a strong man and a big dog was so adorable that I couldn't help but laugh out loud.
“The Duke really likes you.”
Perhaps because I was laughing so happily, Julian looked at the Duke for a moment. But soon after, he lifted the Duke's body up and then lowered it to the ground. Julian took a handkerchief from his bosom and wiped his cheek, sighing.
“Whenever you meet the Duke, come with me.”
“Well, I guess that’s what it should be.”
Even the most powerful servant wouldn't be able to lift Duke as easily as Julian could, or catch him without a hitch. As Julian nodded in agreement, the Duke acted strangely.
If it were normal, he would have rushed to me again, grabbed my waist or shoulder, bit my skirt, and begged me to play with him.
But today, Duke, except for when we first met, just hovered around me the whole time, never acting even slightly rude. At best, he'd nuzzle my dress and act a little flirtatious.
I bent down and touched Duke's moist nose and soft chin.
“Duke, did you know you were going to have a little brother?”
Duke barked, as if in response to my words. It was quieter than usual, but he seemed to be enjoying himself.
“If you have a younger sibling, you’ll play with them a lot, right?”
Duke barked again!
“Oh my gosh, is there another dog this smart?”
I hugged Duke's neck and he wagged his tail vigorously, as if he was happy.
With Julian on my left and the Duke on my right, I walked happily through the garden of the Grand Duke's residence.
At the entrance to the Grand Duke's residence, a line of servants, including a butler, waited for us. As we entered, the servants bowed in greeting. Among them, a maid stopped bowing and ran towards me.
“Madam! Madam!”
Anna had tears welling up in her eyes. She must have stayed up all night worrying about me, because her skin under her eyes was dark and her face was pale. The moment I saw her face, I felt a pang of guilt, and I couldn't help but feel helpless.
"You should have taken me! How could you leave me behind! Do you know how worried I was?"
Anna ended up shedding tears while scolding me.
“I’m sorry, Anna. But I was in such a hurry... And Marian took such good care of me. Really.”
At my words, Anna quickly looked behind me. Marian smiled awkwardly and nodded to Anna. Anna's eyes welled up with tears again, and she held Marian's hands tightly.
"Miss Marian, thank you so much. I don't know how I can ever repay this favor... It must not have been easy caring for Madam..."
It was clearly a heartwarming scene, but why did I feel so insulted? Even when I pout, the two of them stare at each other with sparkling eyes, as if they understood my struggle.
Before we left the inn where we were staying, my father wrote a letter to my mother. I knew she must be worried, as all sorts of strange rumors were circulating throughout the empire, including the West.
“You write a line too.”
My father finished writing the letter and handed it to me. I pondered it for a moment before writing a short line.
'When the child is born, please give it a name.'
My father smiled happily when he saw the sentence I wrote.
“Your mother loves you so much she could cry.”
“It would be better if she could forget about her worries.”
It was clear she'd lose sleep worrying about us. Even if I had a child, she'd still be worried, but wouldn't it be better to worry about happy things? She'd be busy for at least a few nights, figuring out our baby's name.
Not long after, Julian came to pick me up. As soon as I met him, I asked him.
“Julian, can my mother name the baby?”
“There can be no greater glory.”
The immediate answer was incredibly satisfying. Julian escorted me to the carriage. Marian helped me pack, so all I had to do was get in.
As I looked back from my carriage, I saw a very long procession of knights on horseback and foot soldiers. As I sat upright in the carriage, Julian, as if curious, asked.
“Why did you stop the killing of that knight?”
"It's right to let the Knight Marker live. He'll surely return to the imperial palace and report that the Demon Beast's whereabouts are unknown and that the Duchzan Army is guarding Lake Iris. Then His Majesty will also pay attention to the matter. And the investigation will be easier."
At my words, Julian's eyes drooped as if he had heard a sad story.
“Sometimes I wish you were only at the Duchzan’s residence.”
"Why?"
“I want to make sure that you don’t even know about such dangerous things.”
Perhaps it was because Julian was by my side, but I didn't feel in danger. In my past life, when I was the mistress of the Marquis of Amber, I felt threatened at every moment. Now, even if the imperial knights were trying to drag me away, I wasn't so afraid.
“That day will come.”
I stroked Julian's cheek and whispered affectionately.
“Not only at Duchzan's Grand Duke's residence, but no matter where I go in this world, the day will come when no one can harm me.”
Julian hugged me. The carriage was spacious, but we were cramped together, as if we were trapped in a cramped box. I rubbed my forehead against Julian's shoulder and smiled happily.
“That’s what’s worrying, isn’t it?”
"Yes."
Sitting by your lover's bedside, worrying that they might be uncomfortable or having bad dreams, even after tucking them under a feather blanket. We knew that was love. So we decided to understand each other's excessive worry.
I dozed off, leaning against Julian's shoulder, the entire carriage ride north. Then, when I opened my eyes, I found myself sleeping with my head on Julian's lap.
I rubbed my eyes and looked up at Julian. Even from below, his perfect face looked down at me affectionately.
“Where are we?”
“Enough to sleep more.”
Julian placed a large hand on my eye. The sunlight streaming through the carriage window was completely blocked, and a warm darkness descended. I closed my eyes again, leaning into that warm darkness.
I opened my eyes again when Julian gently grabbed my shoulder. He couldn't have woken me up for no reason, so I slowly opened my eyes.
“Are they all here?”
"Yes."
Julian helped me sit up. I could sense that his hands were more cautious than usual.
As soon as Kaiser learned I was pregnant, he acted as if he owned me completely. He treated me coldly and ignored me, as if the fish he'd caught didn't need bait. He cast aside his gentlemanly mask and transformed into a scoundrel, forcing me to stay home at all costs.
Julian also said the same thing as Kaiser, saying he wished I could stay at the Grand Duke's residence, but his meaning and attitude were completely different.
He feared I'd get even the slightest scratch, and he hoped I wouldn't be exposed to the world's turbulence. I could sense his constant concern that his touch would be unsettling.
I waited quietly for Julian to wrap his arms around me and take me out of the carriage, then whispered in his ear.
“Julian, did you know that? When the baby grows a little bigger in the womb, they can even sleep.”
At my words, Julian's body froze like a rock. He looked at me with an expression I'd never dared imagine. It was the first time I'd seen Julian so shocked, and I couldn't help but laugh.
“Layla, that’s...”
“I hope the baby grows up quickly.”
I stuck my tongue out and walked forward. Lately, Julian has been playing with me like a glass doll. As I strode forward briskly, Julian followed me.
“Layla.”
“Why? Do you hate it?”
“That’s not it...”
Julian clutched his forehead as if his head was pounding. Then he sighed and spoke softly.
“I don’t have the confidence to control myself, so I think it would be better to hold back until the baby is born.”
At those words, I covered my mouth with both hands and swallowed. Julian seemed even more flustered by my reaction.
“Why such a reaction...”
“What? What are you not confident in your ability to control?”
“Layla.”
“Tell me. Hurry up.”
When I asked with sparkling eyes, Julian's face turned bewildered. Just as Julian was about to run away, he stepped into the Grand Duke's mansion. Julian's savior, and my saboteur, had appeared.
Wow!
That lovely, energetic voice was none other than Duke. A large, young puppy with bright eyes, running briskly toward me.
I tried to spread my arms wide, but then I thought, "Oops!" Duke was so excited that he'd rush over, and I'd fall backwards. But that wasn't going to happen anymore.
Just as I was about to block Duke, Julian reached out and snatched him away. The giant dog licked Julian's cheek, seemingly comfortable in the embrace of a man who wouldn't let him fall even if he were pushed.
The combination of a strong man and a big dog was so adorable that I couldn't help but laugh out loud.
“The Duke really likes you.”
Perhaps because I was laughing so happily, Julian looked at the Duke for a moment. But soon after, he lifted the Duke's body up and then lowered it to the ground. Julian took a handkerchief from his bosom and wiped his cheek, sighing.
“Whenever you meet the Duke, come with me.”
“Well, I guess that’s what it should be.”
Even the most powerful servant wouldn't be able to lift Duke as easily as Julian could, or catch him without a hitch. As Julian nodded in agreement, the Duke acted strangely.
If it were normal, he would have rushed to me again, grabbed my waist or shoulder, bit my skirt, and begged me to play with him.
But today, Duke, except for when we first met, just hovered around me the whole time, never acting even slightly rude. At best, he'd nuzzle my dress and act a little flirtatious.
I bent down and touched Duke's moist nose and soft chin.
“Duke, did you know you were going to have a little brother?”
Duke barked, as if in response to my words. It was quieter than usual, but he seemed to be enjoying himself.
“If you have a younger sibling, you’ll play with them a lot, right?”
Duke barked again!
“Oh my gosh, is there another dog this smart?”
I hugged Duke's neck and he wagged his tail vigorously, as if he was happy.
With Julian on my left and the Duke on my right, I walked happily through the garden of the Grand Duke's residence.
At the entrance to the Grand Duke's residence, a line of servants, including a butler, waited for us. As we entered, the servants bowed in greeting. Among them, a maid stopped bowing and ran towards me.
“Madam! Madam!”
Anna had tears welling up in her eyes. She must have stayed up all night worrying about me, because her skin under her eyes was dark and her face was pale. The moment I saw her face, I felt a pang of guilt, and I couldn't help but feel helpless.
"You should have taken me! How could you leave me behind! Do you know how worried I was?"
Anna ended up shedding tears while scolding me.
“I’m sorry, Anna. But I was in such a hurry... And Marian took such good care of me. Really.”
At my words, Anna quickly looked behind me. Marian smiled awkwardly and nodded to Anna. Anna's eyes welled up with tears again, and she held Marian's hands tightly.
"Miss Marian, thank you so much. I don't know how I can ever repay this favor... It must not have been easy caring for Madam..."
“I, too, am indebted to my lady. That is nothing at all.”
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