Chapter 28

"The rumor that the princess is carrying my child?"

I knew it!

Hearing it confirmed in Christine's own words felt somehow like a finishing blow. Her mind had already believed it, but some part of her, it seemed, had still wanted to deny it.

"Well. You'll be the second most powerful man in the Kalaim Empire, then. A lovely wife and a child on the way, soon enough. Congratulations, truly, Chris."

A cold, mocking smile flickered across Christine's lips.

"Congratulations? With a face like you're about to cry?"

Was that what my face looked like?

"A little… it feels unfair, that's all."

"What does?"

Adele wrinkled her nose and said, sounding every bit the mercenary.

"Getting the Blank Document out of House Oswald cost me no small effort, you know. And here I've gone and done you a favor for nothing."

His sharp gaze often felt as if it could…