34
In the original story, Stella was described as a kind-hearted, lively baron’s daughter from the countryside, poor but with sparkling blue eyes full of life.
But now, she looked like someone who had been shocked and had given up, her eyes lifeless.
“I’m a bit disappointed in the Grand Duke. To have a child before even getting married.”
Lucas’s sudden words startled me, and I looked at him. My thoughts about Stella vanished completely.
Kaiden calmly admitted.
“It’s my fault. So I will take responsibility for Marion for the rest of my life.”
Flustered, I looked back and forth between the two. This was my fault. Kaiden had only been dragged into it because of my declaration of pregnancy.
“It’s not His Grace’s fault.”
As I interjected, Lucas widened his eyes and then smiled, saying.
“Marion, in this day and age, what kind of man has a child before marriage? Only a scoundrel would do that.”
His words were sharp, as if he had a knife in his mouth. Feeling guilty for getting Kaiden scolded, I could only glance at him nervously.
Kaiden looked at Lucas with a calm gaze. The two locked eyes for a few seconds. Then Kaiden sighed, looking up at the ceiling.
That sigh made me flinch. I’d have to apologize to him later. As I mulled over my regret for what I’d done, it happened.
“Eek!”
Kaiden suddenly scooped me up in a princess carry. Startled, I clung to his neck. It happened so fast that I had no choice but to hold on.
Kaiden said in a somewhat sly voice.
“This happy scoundrel will take his leave now.”
“Hmph.”
I heard Lucas’s exasperated sigh, but I couldn’t look at him. I was too embarrassed and buried my face in Kaiden’s chest.
The nobles in the banquet hall all had something to say as they watched Kaiden and me.
“Oh my, heavens!”
“Ahem, ahem! Even if they’re newlyweds!”
“Darling, can you carry me like that at home?”
“…My back…”
I was so embarrassed I could hardly stand it.
[Whistle. That’s quite bold, huh?]
“What a nuisance… so many of them.”
Kaiden muttered something, but I couldn’t hear it clearly over Blade’s whistle. I just felt mortified that this grand duke was actually carrying me like a princess.
I whispered.
“Your Grace, put me down.”
I could feel Kaiden looking down at me. But there was no response.
“Your Grace?”
When I called again, Kaiden sighed once and set me down. Then he said something absurd.
“My fiancée is quite popular.”
“What?”
I asked in a tone that implied what nonsense he was spouting, but Kaiden just shrugged. At that moment—
“Your Grace, Sir Marion.”
Princess Serena approached us.
“Princess Serena.”
“We greet Your Highness.”
Kaiden and I bowed in turn, and she nodded once.
“You two seem to get along well.”
“Thank you, Your Highness.”
When Kaiden responded, Serena glanced at him and said pointedly.
“Now I understand why Your Grace was so indifferent when we met for our marriage arrangement.”
“My apologies.”
Kaiden slightly bowed in apology, and Serena crossed her arms, letting out a “Hmph.”
That’s when I realized there were many noble ladies in this banquet hall who had been matched with Kaiden. Even Princess Serena, standing before me, had been one of his prospects.
I felt like a sinner and respectfully clasped my hands in front of me.
Serena gestured to me. Nervously, I approached, and she whispered in my ear.
“Sir Marion, be careful of Princess Caroline.”
I looked at her with wide eyes. Serena gave a subtle glance.
Following her gaze discreetly, I saw Princess Caroline standing there. She was glaring at me fiercely alongside the Empress.
Serena warned.
“Caroline is the type who won’t be satisfied until she gets what she wants, no matter the means. So, no matter how strong you are, Sir Marion, always be cautious.”
I was a bit surprised. I hadn’t expected Serena to show me such kindness.
Was it because I saved her life at the ducal estate?
“And… I saw a magical beast for the first time during this wyvern attack. I’m sure many nobles saw one for the first time too.”
“Oh…”
I let out a short exclamation. Indeed, unless you were in the east or north, it was rare for imperial citizens to see magical beasts.
The capital, where the Emperor resides, was especially well-protected. This wyvern attack was an anomaly.
“Thanks to you, we survived.”
“You’re too kind.”
I scratched the back of my head, feeling shy at Princess Serena’s praise.
But Serena didn’t stop there. She suddenly grabbed both of my hands tightly.
“Sir Marion.”
“Y-Your Highness?”
Startled, I looked up and saw her cheeks flushed.
What, what’s this?
“You’re our hero.”
“Th-Thank you.”
Unfazed by my embarrassment, she continued without pause.
“The way you somersaulted in the air is still vivid in my mind. It was as graceful as a butterfly’s wings. But who could have imagined your next move would be to slam your fist into the wyvern’s head?”
“What…?”
“I finally understood what it means to ‘fly like a butterfly and strike like a troll.’”
Serena went on about it for a while. She seemed like someone recounting every detail of how I took down the wyvern.
Under her barrage of compliments, my face turned bright red, and I didn’t know what to do.
“Your Highness, His Majesty is calling for you.”
“Oh, let’s talk again next time, Sir Marion!”
“Yes…”
At the attendant’s call, Princess Serena hurriedly left. I stared blankly at the spot where she disappeared. It felt like a storm had passed.
“Hero.”
“Hm?”
When Kaiden called, I turned to see him smiling slightly.
“Shall we head back?”
I nodded slowly.
Kaiden and I left the banquet hall early and headed to the ducal residence.
I had my belongings at the hotel sent to the ducal residence.
Since the news of my pregnancy with Kaiden’s child was already spreading across the empire, there was no reason to return to the hotel.
But the moment I arrived at the ducal residence, I deeply regretted not going back to the hotel.
“Now, a round of applause for joy!”
Clap clap clap!
“Congratulations on your pregnancy!”
The Former Grand Duke was waiting for us at the entrance of the residence with the household staff.
The welcoming was so shocking that I felt like I might faint.
The Former Grand Duke was clapping with a face that looked like he might cry, and the staff, summoned in the middle of the night, were clapping enthusiastically with smiles, as if they weren’t tired at all.
It was like welcoming a triumphant general.
I wanted to run away immediately.
“To think you two are truly in love. Forgive this old grandfather for doubting you.”
The Former Grand Duke spoke in a moved voice.
“For such joy to come to our Baltstein! To think I’ll see my great-grandchild!”
“Waaah!”
The Former Grand Duke and the staff cheered loudly. My face grew paler, and I staggered. I really felt like I was going to faint.
“Grandfather, Marion seems tired, so we’ll head in now.”
At Kaiden’s words, the Former Grand Duke nodded vigorously and pushed us forward.
“Yes, yes! A pregnant woman mustn’t be tired! Hurry in and rest!”
“Yes, then.”
Kaiden escorted me to my room. We looked at each other with wry expressions.
Somehow, we had ended up staging a grand deception. The joy of those dear to us would one day turn to sorrow. The guilt weighed heavily on my heart.
“…Rest well, Marion. Tomorrow will be busy.”
“…Yes. You rest too, Your Grace.”
We bowed politely to each other and closed the door.
I threw myself onto the bed. It had been an eventful day.
[It’s going to be a thorny path from now on.]
I clutched my head at Blade’s words.
What was I supposed to do?! Why did I blurt out that I was pregnant?! I writhed in regret, but at the time, it had seemed like the best option.
The milk was already spilled. If I couldn’t clean it up, I’d have to at least wipe it down.
“Ugh, my head hurts. Let’s sleep and think about it later.”
[Right. Sleep is the best medicine.]
Nodding at Blade’s words, I soon succumbed to sleep.
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By Anna 💓
