40
I never imagined that the vague connection I’d thought about would be a ‘marital bond.’
Moreover, it was known that I was pregnant with his child. Of course, it was all a lie.
Returning to the present, Kaiden looked with a displeased expression at Marion, who was mumbling “mmnya, mmnya” while wandering in dreamland.
“Mmm.”
Marion stirred, turning toward Kaiden. He held his breath.
“…….”
He looked down at Marion’s face, her eyes neatly closed. Her delicate features were the same as when she was a child, but they had matured over time.
His stomach churned.
Ten years had passed. It was more than enough time for a child to become an adult.
“Sigh…”
Kaiden turned away from Marion. He clutched his forehead with his hand.
‘You can sleep so peacefully.’
For some reason, it felt unfair. It was clear he wouldn’t get a wink of sleep.
* * *
“Yawn!”
I stretched, yawning so wide my mouth felt like it would tear.
“You must’ve slept well. A fly could’ve flown into your mouth.”
“Eek!”
I was startled when my eyes met Kaiden’s as he sat on the sofa.
“Your Grace, what’s wrong with your face?”
“What’s wrong with my face?”
“You look like someone who’s been up for two days straight slaying magical beasts.”
“Unlike someone, I’ve been plagued by deep thoughts.”
What’s that supposed to mean? My confusion must have shown on my face because Kaiden gave a faint smile and stood up.
“Wash up and come down. Let’s have breakfast.”
I nodded, and Kaiden opened the door. Outside, maids were waiting with water and towels for washing.
Did I sleep *that* much?
That thought must have shown on my face too, because Kaiden answered.
“The ducal residence starts the morning thirty minutes earlier than the Grand Duchy, in line with Grandfather’s schedule. But since you’re pregnant, he said you should take it easy.”
“Oh. I’ll wash up and come out quickly.”
“Alright. See you later.”
Kaiden left the room.
I hurriedly got ready and went down to the dining room.
In the dining room, the former Grand Duke, Kaiden, and Lady March were seated at the table, waiting for me.
When I appeared, Kaiden stood up and pulled out a chair for me.
I narrowed my eyes at this unusual kindness, but the former Grand Duke spoke in a pleased tone.
“It’s nice to see such affection.”
I immediately put on a smile. Come to think of it, Kaiden must be putting on a full act too.
“Did you sleep well last night?”
“Yes. Thanks to everyone’s care, I was able to rest comfortably.”
As I responded politely, the former Grand Duke nodded and urged.
“The most important thing is your health, Marion. Come, let’s eat. The baby in your belly must be crying from hunger.”
“Haha.”
I laughed mechanically and ate breakfast.
Lady March, seeing me eat heartily, remarked that it was fortunate I didn’t seem to have morning sickness. The former Grand Duke, with a pleased expression, kept offering me more food.
My eyes twitched, but I tried to keep smiling. Even so, the attention didn’t dampen my appetite.
Having gone hungry in the slums, even now, with such abundance, I wanted to shove every bit of food in my mouth.
“Here, try this too.”
“Haha. Thank you. You eat too, Your Grace.”
“For dessert, I asked them to prepare a variety of fruits. Just in case there’s one you’re craving.”
“Oh, haha. Thank you, Lady March.”
I ate everything they gave me, but it was overwhelming. They were being about twice as kind to me as usual.
I looked at Kaiden, pleading with my eyes for him to do something.
But he seemed deep in thought and didn’t meet my gaze. There’s no way he didn’t notice my look.
Feeling a bit hurt, I pursed my lips, and the former Grand Duke asked Kaiden,
“When’s the wedding?”
“I’m planning for a month from now.”
“Cough!”
I was so startled I nearly spat out my food.
“A, a month from now?”
“Yes. His Majesty the Emperor said he’d lend us the Diamond Palace.”
At Kaiden’s words, my jaw dropped.
The Diamond Palace was used for significant ceremonies.
For example, it was where the crown was handed over during the Emperor’s coronation or where imperial family members held their weddings. Ordinary nobles couldn’t even set foot there.
As expected of the Baltstein Grand Ducal family, they could even borrow such a place. No, wait—how did things progress this quickly?
Reading my expression, Kaiden explained.
“While you were under the brainwashing spell yesterday, sending the ducal residence’s knights flying, I was in a private audience with His Majesty.”
“I see. But isn’t it too fast? I thought it would take at least six months.”
At that, Lady March gasped.
“Absolutely not! It’s a once-in-a-lifetime wedding; the bride can’t walk down the aisle with a visible belly!”
Oh, right. I’m supposed to be pregnant.
I was sweating internally.
Kaiden explained that this was why he set the wedding date as soon as possible.
I gave an awkward smile and shoved a potato in my mouth. The more I spoke, the more it felt like my fake pregnancy would be exposed.
“For the wedding dress, I think you’ll have to wear the one my mother wore, altered to fit.”
Kaiden looked at me apologetically, adding that there was no choice due to the tight timeline.
Why was he apologizing? I was actually happy about it. When would I ever get to wear such a luxurious dress? I didn’t think much of it.
“Sounds good.”
The former Grand Duke looked at Kaiden disapprovingly and scolded him.
“No bride wants to wear a used wedding dress. Treat Marion well from now on.”
“Yes. I’ll be a more devoted husband than anyone.”
Kaiden answered with a deeply reflective expression. I was impressed by his incredible acting skills.
How could he pull off such expressions so effortlessly despite the criticism?
“I’m really fine with it.”
As I smiled awkwardly, the people around the table looked at me with pity.
I couldn’t understand them. Based on my past life’s memories, even in modern society, renting wedding dresses was common.
Still, the tight timeline worried me, as weddings usually took nearly a year to prepare.
“But is it really possible to prepare in just a month?”
Kaiden looked at me with a reassuring expression.
“Don’t worry. If you throw enough money at it, it’ll work out.”
The former Grand Duke nodded.
“Indeed. It’s going to be busy starting today. First, we’ll go to the jeweler to have rings made. Pay extra to hire the most skilled and swift magical craftsman.”
This time, Lady March smiled kindly and said,
“For the invitations, we can hire a mage to copy and paste them. It’ll cost a bit, though.”
The former Grand Duke said boldly,
“We have plenty of money. Spend as much as you need.”
I laughed hollowly, “Hahaha.”
[Wow, money really is great. Annoying, but I’m jealous.]
I wholeheartedly agreed with Bled’s words.
The meal continued in a warm atmosphere. The former Grand Duke, in a good mood, brought up an old story.
“It reminds me of when you were young, Marion. Do you remember what you did when I caught a cold?”
“Ugh…”
I avoided the former Grand Duke’s gaze as he dug up my embarrassing past. Instead, Lady March answered.
“Hoho, I remember too. Wasn’t it when Marion was thirteen? She said she’d nurse you, Your Grace, and put a soaking wet towel on your face.”
I bowed my head and apologized.
“I’m so sorry.”
“Haha! I was so startled by that cold water, it snapped me right out of it!”
“I’m sorry…”
My face flushed with embarrassment.
Back when I was fresh from the slums, there was no way I could’ve known how to nurse someone properly. Thinking back on it still made me dizzy.
At the time, Leopold, the former Grand Duke, was still the reigning Grand Duke, the highest authority in the Baltstein family. And I had dared to do such a thing to him.
To make a small excuse… Leopold was strict and intimidating, but he would sometimes pat my head and give me cookies, like a kind grandfather.
Back then, experiencing an adult’s kindness for the first time felt so good. So when I heard he was sick, I wanted to do something for him, even if my nursing was clumsy.
He probably brings it up as a fond memory because he understood my intentions. Feeling sheepish, I popped a cherry tomato into my mouth.
The former Grand Duke looked at me with a pleased expression and said,
“To think that little girl grew up to marry my grandson. And she’s even giving me a great-grandchild.”
“cu, cough.”
☆▪︎▪︎▪︎☆▪︎▪︎▪︎▪︎☆▪︎▪︎▪︎☆
By Anna 💓
