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Chapter 58

She even thought to herself—maybe she could just run away with a man who loved her purely.

But Reina soon realized how foolish that thought was.

After spending a few more nights with Cedric, he asked her indirectly.

"You said the Earl treasures you, right?"

"Yes."

Reina answered, projecting onto her beloved half-sister.

"Then if his daughter wanted a man, he'd give him a countship, wouldn't he?"

"He might..."

From what she'd seen, her father seemed like he would do anything for Rosia.

And not long after, Reina noticed something was wrong with her body.

S-surely not...

She immediately went to a physician in the capital—

"You're pregnant."

She was carrying an unexpected child.

Wh-what do I do?

She'd only enjoyed the warmth she felt with Cedric—she'd never imagined having a child.

As she agonized over what to do, Cedric suggested they go down to his hometown together.

Reina nodded.

With her current condition, she couldn't return to the earl's residence anyway.

But on the way to Cedric's house, she heard something shocking.

"Uh, Reina. Actually, I have a fiancée."

"...What?"

"Ah, no! It was an engagement I couldn't help. You're the only one for me. I'll break it off with that tiresome woman right away, so don't worry."

That was how Cedric reassured her.

But instead of feeling relieved, Reina was jolted awake.

Looking at Cedric again, his eyes weren't innocent at all.

She'd simply been projecting old memories onto him, wanting to believe he was giving her pure affection.

But now, if she revealed that she wasn't truly a beloved daughter of the earl's house, she would have nowhere left to go.

Reina clutched her belly with trembling hands.

After that, she acted even more coquettishly and kindly toward Cedric, to keep him from abandoning her.

She said cruel things to his fiancée when she met her, trying to drive her away from Cedric at all costs.

"...Did Cedric really say that with his own mouth?"

Even seeing the hurt in those eyes, she had no choice.

Reina left the room with heavy steps—then suddenly clamped a hand over her mouth.

"Ugh."

At the sound, Cedric, who had been eating dinner, stiffened.

"What, are you saying my food is disgusting?"

"...What?"

Seeing her startled eyes, Cedric sneered.

"What, you think you're too good for me? Acting high and mighty just because you're a nobleman's daughter?"

Reina lowered her hand and quickly shook her head.

"No, that's not it—it's morning sickness..."

"Save it."

But Cedric, clearly offended, rose and threw the food in the trash.

He'd already been in a foul mood after running into Alex earlier.

He let out an irritated sigh, then forced a gentle expression.

He grabbed Reina's shoulders.

"Ce-Cedric, that hurts."

"Look—if you don't want to stay in this dump, you need to get us into the Ilake mansion soon, right?"

At that, Reina paused and lowered her gaze.

As always, she lied.

"...Father is still angry. Even when I send letters, he doesn't reply."

At first, Cedric had been so kind—but as the Ilake family remained silent, he began to change.

He looked coldly down at her swollen belly.

With nowhere to turn, Reina could only clutch the hem of her dress.

Cedric made to leave with an irritated step.

"Hey, Cedric."

Reina called out in a near-begging voice.

"What."

His reply was plainly annoyed, and she bit her lip.

He was clearly going out drinking again.

"Um... could you buy me some medicine on your way back? My, my stomach hurts so much."

"Sigh, fine."

With that, Cedric opened the door and left.

Standing alone, staring at the closed door, Reina wiped her cold sweat.

She went back into the dark room.

"Hngh, hic."

Lying on the bed, clutching her belly, she curled up.

Had she asked for too much?

She hadn't even wanted a glamorous life as a noble lady.

She only wanted a husband who would stand warmly by her side—was it so wrong to hope for love?

...It hurts. I'm scared.

Her whole body ached, and the thought of giving birth terrified her.

Just then, she felt a slight kick from the child inside her.

"Hngh, sob."

Reina quickly wiped her tears.

She tried to listen for the heartbeat of a child she couldn't possibly hear.

And so, she finally drifted back to sleep.

---

A week later.

Flip— flip—

Ivan laid a newspaper almost as big as himself on the floor and turned the pages.

The broadsheet was densely filled with Imperial text.

He searched hard for the words he'd learned so far among the complex articles.

And for the rest, he practiced guessing their meanings from context.

Fun.

Lately, the newspapers contained many words he knew.

"Duke Vaalen marries—surprise! Secret woman—who?"

Ivan read out loud, sounding out each word.

"I-Ivan!"

Clatter!

Emilia rushed into the library and snatched the paper away.

Ivan looked up, blinking.

She quickly hid it behind her back and spoke awkwardly.

"Ivan. L-let's not study with newspapers for a while."

"Why?"

"The articles... aren't really suitable for you."

Emilia avoided Ivan's gaze, looking off into the distance.

Just then, Herald entered behind her and placed a book in Ivan's hands.

"That's right, Master Ivan. I think a picture book would be better for now."

"Yes, yes!"

Ivan looked briefly puzzled, then nodded eagerly.

Fortunately, he soon opened the book and began focusing.

"Phew."

Emilia let out a long sigh.

She looked down at the confiscated newspaper with a troubled expression.

Herald glanced at it and remarked.

"This one's a monthly. Dailies, weeklies, monthlies—quite the variety to enjoy, isn't it?"

"No, not particularly."

Emilia answered firmly, sensing he was teasing her.

As he'd said, every newspaper published lately was full of speculative articles about her—or rather, about the Duchess of Valen.

One paper claimed she was the Duke's first love.

Another called her an enchantress unlike any the world had ever seen.

No matter how speculative they were, none of them got it right.

It was only natural that the newspapers were so eager to uncover the Duchess's identity.

She wasn't from some well-known noble family—she was a commoner. Of course everyone was curious.

And one incident had only fanned the flames.

Emilia shot Herald a reproachful glance.

"Really—why did he have to go to that dress shop."

Yes. Announcing the marriage at the grand council was unavoidable.

The problem was what Kayden had done on the way back to the residence.

Not only had there been noble ladies inside the shop, but several young ladies had spotted him from somewhere.

It's not like he was desperate to show off that he'd gotten married.

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