Marian had originally planned to deliver supplies and stay for a few days before returning.
But when she heard I was pregnant, she refused to go back, even after Winsley and Duchzan's forces were driven out of the lord's castle.
I was worried about Marian, but she said she would never back down until someone came to replace her.
"If someone else came instead of me, I'd be incredibly upset. I'd probably go back crying, wondering if Madam didn't trust me!"
She added that with a sullen face, so how could I possibly save anyone else? In the end, I ended up giving in to Marian.
In the end, I was still sitting on the bed, wearing the one-piece dress Marian had given me. She carefully wrapped a thick shawl around my shoulders, making sure I wouldn't get cold.
“Miss Marian is very meticulous.”
My father looked at Marian with a very pleased expression. When Marian was Kaiser's mistress, he'd always looked worried whenever he saw her, but not anymore.
"I worried a lot because Layla was a troublemaker since she was little. Fortunately, everyone around her is so kind and supportive, thanks."
"Father."
"Why are you mentioning me when you're praising Marian?" I glanced at my father, who coughed loudly.
"But isn't that so? Now that you're pregnant, this father is incredibly worried. I wonder if you're going to start a fight somewhere again..."
"If I ever feel like hitting someone, His Highness the Grand Duke will fight for me. Don't worry."
“Really? His Highness the Grand Duke?”
It was a conversation so childish and absurd that it was almost absurd for a Grand Duke and his wife, but my father simply seemed delighted. It seemed that my getting along so well with His Highness the Grand Duke was his joy.
“Father, are you very tired?”
When I asked worriedly, my father shook his head.
"The thought of seeing my grandchildren doesn't bother me at all. You'll show them often, right? Your mother would be so happy to hear that... I think I'm too scared to even say a word."
“You like it, so why are you scared?”
"Well, what if she faints because she's so happy? If she twists her ankle, I'll have to carry her around all day."
I chuckled at my father's words, but he seemed genuinely serious. I patted his hand and smiled.
“I’ll definitely show you often. I’ll show you until you tell me to stop.”
"What are you talking about? You might tell me to stop, but he's our grandson. I really want to raise him at Winsley Estate."
“I haven’t even given birth yet.”
I couldn't help but keep laughing. Then my father, startled, wiped my cheek with a handkerchief. That's when I realized I was crying.
"Oh, Dad. This is crying because I'm happy. Hmm, I guess the baby in my stomach cries a lot. Really."
It was true. Before returning, even if I had a child, I couldn't give it to my parents. Kaiser absolutely hated even my visit to my parents' house.
Still, my parents never once showed any sign of wanting to see the baby. They must have been worried that I would feel burdened.
But deep down, I felt sorry for them because I thought they must have missed my child so much, and I was truly happy for the opportunity given to them once again.
My father said, wiping my eyes thoroughly.
“I know. I cry sometimes because I’m happy.”
"Is it so?"
“Yeah. Actually, I cried a while ago, too.”
“Really?”
What could be joyful in wartime? My father looked at me and smiled warmly.
"Watching you quarrel with His Highness the Grand Duke made me happy, thinking, 'I've found someone who truly loves my daughter.' It also reminded me of my love affair with your mother."
I couldn't help but laugh while wiping away my tears.
"Still, I'm always worried. If His Highness changes his mind and becomes angry, come back to Winsley Estate at any time. We'll always welcome you with open arms."
“It’s sturdy.”
"Well, looking at it now, it seems like you'll never come, which is actually worrying. Your mother, too. She said she didn't plan on going home for a few years after getting married. She loved her father so much."
“Ruin said he was afraid of having a younger sibling, but he’s still the same.”
My father and I joked around. After a while, I even thought, "This is peace."
But our conversation couldn't end there. I had to bring up a topic my father didn't want to discuss.
“Please send me to a place to persuade the imperial army.”
A ripple of emotion ran through my father's calm face. Before he could say anything, Marian, startled, stopped him.
"No, my lady! Absolutely not. Where would you go with a child? I'd like you to go to the Grand Duke's residence immediately... In any case, you absolutely cannot go to Lord Merlin's castle."
While Marian continued to rage, my father remained silent, his mouth tightly shut. Seeing this, Marian, frustrated, even asked my father for a favor.
"Your Excellency, please say something. You'll absolutely say no, won't you? Where would she go with a child...?"
After Marian had complained for a while, her father said calmly.
"Miss Marian is right. I think you should reconsider this matter."
I looked at the two people and sighed.
“Yes. I’ll think about it.”
I need to figure out a way to persuade them both. Marian was deeply relieved by my words, but my father still looked uneasy. It was only natural, since he knew I wouldn't give up easily.
When night fell, Julian came into the room. I'd been waiting for him to return, so I sat on the bed and opened my arms wide to him. Julian smiled at me and took off his cloak.
“Come on in.”
"For a moment."
Julian walked toward me only after hanging his cloak on a hanger. I still had my arms outstretched.
Julian took off his black mask and placed it on the nightstand. He then leaned over me and kissed me on the corner of my eye. I closed my eyes as his lips touched mine and hugged his shoulders.
“You don’t have to wear a mask anymore.”
“It’s so empty.”
"Still. If you start walking around naked, it'll be uncomfortable, right? Just do as I say."
“Yes.”
I released the embrace and lifted Julian's mask. I placed it against my face. The hard texture of the mask touched my cheek.
I complained, looking at Julian's eyes through the holes in his mask.
“Look at this. It’s so uncomfortable.”
But Julian just stared at me blankly, without saying a word. I pulled my mask aside and tilted my head the other way.
"Why?"
“I think you might be good at writing.”
I asked the same question again at the unexpected remark.
"Why?"
Then Julian moved the mask with his fingertips and put it back on my face.
“Only I can see your face.”
I pushed Julian away and ran into the bed.
“You’re good at saying embarrassing things.”
“Should I just do it myself?”
Julian took the mask from me and placed it back on the nightstand. He opened a drawer, and I peered out to see what he was doing. What Julian pulled out was a thin, large book.
“What is that?”
“...It’s a fairy tale book.”
"Yes?"
I stared at him, my eyes wide in surprise. Julian couldn't even get into bed with his book in hand, nor could he pull up a chair and sit down. He just stood there, blankly.
His blunt face and static demeanor made it hard to guess, but even so, he seemed to be at a loss.
“Well, Julian.”
Julian nodded. I bit my lip, almost bursting into laughter, then opened my mouth.
“Did you bring that to read to me and our child?”
"...Yes."
“Where did you get it?”
“In the village.”
“You yourself?”
“...”
Julian touched his forehead for a moment. The sight of the large man, holding a storybook and looking embarrassed, was so endearing.
I finally burst out laughing. I covered my mouth with both hands, trying to stop myself, but it just wasn't going my way.
“I’m sorry for laughing.”
“It’s okay. I think it would be better to just quit.”
"Why!"
“It doesn’t suit me well...”
"No, really not! Come here. I laughed because you were cute."
“Cute...”
“Hurry up!”
I grabbed Julian's arm. Julian sighed and sat down on the bed, holding the storybook.
I received the fairy tale book from Julian and examined the cover. At the top, a large dragon was seen stomping on a castle, spitting fire. At the bottom, a blond female knight stood bravely, her hair tied high.
I couldn't help but point at the knight and laugh again.
“You thought she looked like me?”
Julian answered in a resigned voice.
"Yes. It's a story about saving her younger sister. You only have a younger brother, though."
"Well, I want a little sister, too. I wanted to braid her hair. Of course, I used to braid Ruin and Adam's hair."
“What an unstoppable tomboy.”
I didn't object at all. It wasn't surprising, since I'd heard it so often.
“By the way, Julian, would you rather have a girl or a boy?”
“Both are good.”
It was a question I'd been pondering all day, but Julian answered it instantly. I felt a pout and asked, dissatisfied.
“Don’t you say you wish your daughter looked like me?”
But when she heard I was pregnant, she refused to go back, even after Winsley and Duchzan's forces were driven out of the lord's castle.
I was worried about Marian, but she said she would never back down until someone came to replace her.
"If someone else came instead of me, I'd be incredibly upset. I'd probably go back crying, wondering if Madam didn't trust me!"
She added that with a sullen face, so how could I possibly save anyone else? In the end, I ended up giving in to Marian.
In the end, I was still sitting on the bed, wearing the one-piece dress Marian had given me. She carefully wrapped a thick shawl around my shoulders, making sure I wouldn't get cold.
“Miss Marian is very meticulous.”
My father looked at Marian with a very pleased expression. When Marian was Kaiser's mistress, he'd always looked worried whenever he saw her, but not anymore.
"I worried a lot because Layla was a troublemaker since she was little. Fortunately, everyone around her is so kind and supportive, thanks."
"Father."
"Why are you mentioning me when you're praising Marian?" I glanced at my father, who coughed loudly.
"But isn't that so? Now that you're pregnant, this father is incredibly worried. I wonder if you're going to start a fight somewhere again..."
"If I ever feel like hitting someone, His Highness the Grand Duke will fight for me. Don't worry."
“Really? His Highness the Grand Duke?”
It was a conversation so childish and absurd that it was almost absurd for a Grand Duke and his wife, but my father simply seemed delighted. It seemed that my getting along so well with His Highness the Grand Duke was his joy.
“Father, are you very tired?”
When I asked worriedly, my father shook his head.
"The thought of seeing my grandchildren doesn't bother me at all. You'll show them often, right? Your mother would be so happy to hear that... I think I'm too scared to even say a word."
“You like it, so why are you scared?”
"Well, what if she faints because she's so happy? If she twists her ankle, I'll have to carry her around all day."
I chuckled at my father's words, but he seemed genuinely serious. I patted his hand and smiled.
“I’ll definitely show you often. I’ll show you until you tell me to stop.”
"What are you talking about? You might tell me to stop, but he's our grandson. I really want to raise him at Winsley Estate."
“I haven’t even given birth yet.”
I couldn't help but keep laughing. Then my father, startled, wiped my cheek with a handkerchief. That's when I realized I was crying.
"Oh, Dad. This is crying because I'm happy. Hmm, I guess the baby in my stomach cries a lot. Really."
It was true. Before returning, even if I had a child, I couldn't give it to my parents. Kaiser absolutely hated even my visit to my parents' house.
Still, my parents never once showed any sign of wanting to see the baby. They must have been worried that I would feel burdened.
But deep down, I felt sorry for them because I thought they must have missed my child so much, and I was truly happy for the opportunity given to them once again.
My father said, wiping my eyes thoroughly.
“I know. I cry sometimes because I’m happy.”
"Is it so?"
“Yeah. Actually, I cried a while ago, too.”
“Really?”
What could be joyful in wartime? My father looked at me and smiled warmly.
"Watching you quarrel with His Highness the Grand Duke made me happy, thinking, 'I've found someone who truly loves my daughter.' It also reminded me of my love affair with your mother."
I couldn't help but laugh while wiping away my tears.
"Still, I'm always worried. If His Highness changes his mind and becomes angry, come back to Winsley Estate at any time. We'll always welcome you with open arms."
“It’s sturdy.”
"Well, looking at it now, it seems like you'll never come, which is actually worrying. Your mother, too. She said she didn't plan on going home for a few years after getting married. She loved her father so much."
“Ruin said he was afraid of having a younger sibling, but he’s still the same.”
My father and I joked around. After a while, I even thought, "This is peace."
But our conversation couldn't end there. I had to bring up a topic my father didn't want to discuss.
“Please send me to a place to persuade the imperial army.”
A ripple of emotion ran through my father's calm face. Before he could say anything, Marian, startled, stopped him.
"No, my lady! Absolutely not. Where would you go with a child? I'd like you to go to the Grand Duke's residence immediately... In any case, you absolutely cannot go to Lord Merlin's castle."
While Marian continued to rage, my father remained silent, his mouth tightly shut. Seeing this, Marian, frustrated, even asked my father for a favor.
"Your Excellency, please say something. You'll absolutely say no, won't you? Where would she go with a child...?"
After Marian had complained for a while, her father said calmly.
"Miss Marian is right. I think you should reconsider this matter."
I looked at the two people and sighed.
“Yes. I’ll think about it.”
I need to figure out a way to persuade them both. Marian was deeply relieved by my words, but my father still looked uneasy. It was only natural, since he knew I wouldn't give up easily.
***
When night fell, Julian came into the room. I'd been waiting for him to return, so I sat on the bed and opened my arms wide to him. Julian smiled at me and took off his cloak.
“Come on in.”
"For a moment."
Julian walked toward me only after hanging his cloak on a hanger. I still had my arms outstretched.
Julian took off his black mask and placed it on the nightstand. He then leaned over me and kissed me on the corner of my eye. I closed my eyes as his lips touched mine and hugged his shoulders.
“You don’t have to wear a mask anymore.”
“It’s so empty.”
"Still. If you start walking around naked, it'll be uncomfortable, right? Just do as I say."
“Yes.”
I released the embrace and lifted Julian's mask. I placed it against my face. The hard texture of the mask touched my cheek.
I complained, looking at Julian's eyes through the holes in his mask.
“Look at this. It’s so uncomfortable.”
But Julian just stared at me blankly, without saying a word. I pulled my mask aside and tilted my head the other way.
"Why?"
“I think you might be good at writing.”
I asked the same question again at the unexpected remark.
"Why?"
Then Julian moved the mask with his fingertips and put it back on my face.
“Only I can see your face.”
I pushed Julian away and ran into the bed.
“You’re good at saying embarrassing things.”
“Should I just do it myself?”
Julian took the mask from me and placed it back on the nightstand. He opened a drawer, and I peered out to see what he was doing. What Julian pulled out was a thin, large book.
“What is that?”
“...It’s a fairy tale book.”
"Yes?"
I stared at him, my eyes wide in surprise. Julian couldn't even get into bed with his book in hand, nor could he pull up a chair and sit down. He just stood there, blankly.
His blunt face and static demeanor made it hard to guess, but even so, he seemed to be at a loss.
“Well, Julian.”
Julian nodded. I bit my lip, almost bursting into laughter, then opened my mouth.
“Did you bring that to read to me and our child?”
"...Yes."
“Where did you get it?”
“In the village.”
“You yourself?”
“...”
Julian touched his forehead for a moment. The sight of the large man, holding a storybook and looking embarrassed, was so endearing.
I finally burst out laughing. I covered my mouth with both hands, trying to stop myself, but it just wasn't going my way.
“I’m sorry for laughing.”
“It’s okay. I think it would be better to just quit.”
"Why!"
“It doesn’t suit me well...”
"No, really not! Come here. I laughed because you were cute."
“Cute...”
“Hurry up!”
I grabbed Julian's arm. Julian sighed and sat down on the bed, holding the storybook.
I received the fairy tale book from Julian and examined the cover. At the top, a large dragon was seen stomping on a castle, spitting fire. At the bottom, a blond female knight stood bravely, her hair tied high.
I couldn't help but point at the knight and laugh again.
“You thought she looked like me?”
Julian answered in a resigned voice.
"Yes. It's a story about saving her younger sister. You only have a younger brother, though."
"Well, I want a little sister, too. I wanted to braid her hair. Of course, I used to braid Ruin and Adam's hair."
“What an unstoppable tomboy.”
I didn't object at all. It wasn't surprising, since I'd heard it so often.
“By the way, Julian, would you rather have a girl or a boy?”
“Both are good.”
It was a question I'd been pondering all day, but Julian answered it instantly. I felt a pout and asked, dissatisfied.
“Don’t you say you wish your daughter looked like me?”
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