The study of the Canoloup ducal family.
“Cassel, did you go well?”
As Cassel entered the study, Ruan, who was leaning back in his chair, asked. Cassel nodded and replied.
“I delivered all of Your Grace’s words along with the gifts.”
“Is that so? Did they like the jewelry and dress?”
“Well, they did like them. The Viscountess and the first daughter, that is.”
“?”
“The second daughter showed no interest in the gifts Your Grace gave. Or rather, should I say she couldn’t show interest?”
“What do you mean?”
“Before the second daughter could even see the gifts, the Viscountess and the first daughter were rummaging through them as if they were their own. What’s more surprising is that the second daughter watched their behavior with an indifferent expression, as if she was used to it.”
“……”
“Oh, and the second daughter added one more condition to this marriage.”
“What is it?”
“Well, when Your Grace passes away six months later.”
“Did she say she wants to remain as the Duchess? Well, I don’t mind her remaining as the Duchess. Surely she’s not asking for more property regardless of children? I was planning to give everything to my wife except for my aunt’s share anyway.”
“Ah. That’s not it. She said she would definitely leave the ducal family.”
“Leave the ducal family? Wasn’t that the original contract condition? Don’t tell me you said she could stay at the ducal family?”
Hearing Ruan’s words, Cassel cried out indignantly.
“Your Grace, do you think I would have said such a thing? I was even worried that she might beg to stay, saying ‘once a duchess, always a duchess’.”
“Then why did she say such a thing?”
Cassel made a strange expression and answered Ruan’s question.
“I was a bit curious about that too. It seemed like the second daughter was getting married, but she didn’t seem to know much about the contract conditions. Seeing that she said she wouldn’t take alimony, it seems she doesn’t even know that the Viscountess took both the dowry and alimony. And it was much worse than the rumors, you know?”
“Worse than the rumors?”
“Yes, it was as if the second daughter almost didn’t exist in that viscounty.”
Hearing Cassel’s words, Ruan made an interested expression and said.
“Doesn’t exist, huh……”
“Since the second daughter asked to specify in the contract conditions that she must leave the ducal family after six months if she doesn’t have a child, I will specify that condition.”
When Penelope first asked for the dowry along with the alimony, I thought it didn’t matter whether I gave it later or earlier since I was going to give the money anyway…
I heard that the Viscountess discriminates between her two daughters, but to think it was this bad.
“Add one more condition.”
“What condition, Your Grace?”
“When she leaves the ducal family after six months, give her enough alimony for her to live comfortably on her own.”
“Pardon? But the alimony has already…”
“Do you think, based on what you said, that the second daughter will be able to keep even one gold coin from what you took to the viscounty today?”
“Well, that’s true. But still!”
“No buts! Just make sure to give it to her! But make sure to deliver it directly to the second daughter in secret, understand?”
“Sigh, I understand, Your Grace. I will specify that as well.”
“So when can we have the wedding?”
“The second daughter said she wouldn’t mind getting married tomorrow.”
“Really? Then let’s have the wedding tomorrow.”
“Yes. I’ll proceed with… What? Did I hear that wrong just now?”
“What?”
“I think you just said we’re having the wedding tomorrow.”
“Yeah. Is there a problem?”
Does this man think marriage is a joke? There’s no dress or anything, how can we have a wedding?
Cassel looked at Ruan and cursed with his eyes as he spoke.
“Your Grace, no matter how urgent the situation is, you should still show consideration for the other party.”
“Didn’t you say the young lady said tomorrow would be fine?”
“Still, this isn’t right. Even if she’s only going to be a bride for six months, she’s still the precious daughter of a viscount family, and we should at least hold a proper wedding ceremony. And what do you mean there’s no one to invite? When the old madam was urging Your Grace, she meant for you to choose a bride quickly, not to hold such a slapdash wedding ceremony.”
“Alright, stop nagging and prepare the wedding yourself then. I can’t go outside anyway because of my condition.”
“I understand. Then I will discuss with the Viscountess and prepare for the earliest possible date.”
[This is the timeline separator]Two days later, at the dress shop.
“Oh my? Goodness, young lady, you look absolutely beautiful.”
As the madam praised Lucienne, who was wearing a pink dress, Penelope smiled happily and said.
“This dress seems like it was made for you. It might be nice to wear a dress like this when you go to the royal ball later.”
“Viscountess, the first young lady has a slim figure and outstanding beauty, so she would look good in any dress.”
At the madam’s compliment, Lucienne looked at her reflection in the mirror with a satisfied expression.
“Mother, I must say this dress is the most pleasing of all the dresses I’ve worn so far. But I don’t think I can wear this to Mer’s wedding.”
“Why not? It’s so pretty. Besides, it’s pink, so it won’t clash with the wedding dress.”
At Penelope’s words, Lucienne smiled at Mercian, who was staring blankly at her, and replied.
“Mother, of course that’s true, but it’s Mer’s once-in-a-lifetime wedding. It would be rude to look prettier than the bride.”
Well, that’s right. I thought you were talking nonsense.
You say that, but you who love to be the center of attention won’t wear that dress?
I’d rather believe you saying you’ll marry the Duke in my place on that day.
Mercian was certain that Lucienne would show up at the wedding wearing that dress, as she watched her speak as if considering Mercian’s feelings.
Seeing Mercian sitting there with no particular reaction to Lucienne’s words, Penelope pressed her finger into Mercian’s belly fat with a frustrated look and said.
“Mer, I really don’t understand you. Usually, brides lose a lot of weight before the wedding, but how do you seem to be gaining more? Don’t you worry about your wedding dress with less than a week left until the wedding? What are you going to do with all this belly fat! When people see your belly fat bulging out of your tight wedding dress, they’ll think you got pregnant before the wedding.”
“Oh. Mom, it’s not that bad. And I haven’t gained more weight, you know?”
Of course, I haven’t lost any either.
As Mercian hastily tightened her stomach and covered her belly fat with her hands, Penelope looked at the madam with a displeased expression and asked.
“Anyway, my mouth hurts from talking to someone who doesn’t listen. By the way, madam, what about that child’s wedding dress? The ducal family was in such a hurry that I didn’t even get to see the design.”
What hurry? Who was the one who said they’d accommodate the ducal family no matter what when Cassel came to discuss the wedding?
Mercian felt upset once again seeing Penelope only paying attention to Lucienne’s dress even at this moment when they came to see the wedding dress.
“Of course, it’s all finished. The young lady’s wedding dress was specially ordered by the ducal family, and we worked through the night until yesterday to complete it. Madam, please wait a moment. Young lady, please follow me.”
“Huh? Ah, yes.”
As Mercian followed the madam inside after changing out of the wedding dress, the madam sat her down in front of a vanity and said.
“Young lady, a wedding dress doesn’t look very pretty if you just put it on, so let’s do your makeup and hair to match the wedding dress.”
“Now? I don’t think there will be much difference whether I wear makeup or not.”
As Mercian, who rarely wears makeup usually, said it was okay, the madam grabbed her shoulders and sat her down at the vanity, saying.
“Oh my, that’s not true at all, young lady. I guarantee that there hasn’t been a single young lady who didn’t transform beautifully after going through my hands. So trust me once.”
At the madam’s gesture, two female clerks standing behind approached Mercian, who was sitting, and began to style her hair and do her makeup.
A while later.
“Is. Is this really me?”
Mercian looked at her reflection in the mirror with surprise.
Her hair, which had been given strong curls and then put up in an updo secured with a flower crown, had the effect of making Mercian’s face look smaller. The overall makeup emphasized Mercian’s transparent skin without being excessive, further highlighting Mercian’s cute image.
The white and silver wedding dress seemed to change color depending on the angle of the light, and its design, which fell straight from the chest, somewhat concealed Mercian’s chubby figure. Even to herself, Mercian’s reflection in the mirror looked cute and lovely.
“It suits you well, as expected. Now, shall we go outside?”
.
.
.
“Oh my. Mer, is that really you?”
Penelope, who had been talking with Lucienne about the dress outside, looked at Mercian coming out in the wedding dress with surprised eyes and said.
“Madam, it really suits her well, doesn’t it? This dress was specially custom-ordered by the ducal family, and it appears to change color depending on how the light hits it. Moreover, the dress is really light, so it won’t be uncomfortable even if worn for a long time. With this hair and makeup, she’s become a truly lovely bride.”
“My. My goodness, you’re really pretty. I can’t believe this is really you.”
As Penelope complimented Mercian, who looked so different, Lucienne frowned and said.
“That’s right, Mother. The wedding dress is so pretty that it creates an illusion of Mer looking pretty. It seems there’s nothing money can’t do. Don’t you think so too, Mer?”
Sigh. Until the end… Would it kill you to give a compliment?
“Well, anyway. I’m glad you think I look pretty.”
“Is there anything uncomfortable? If there’s any discomfort, please let me know. I’ll make alterations.”
“No, it’s not uncomfortable at all.”
“Then, I’ll put away the dress. Oh, and you need to choose a dress to wear at the ducal family.”
“Ah. I don’t really need one.”
“Young lady, such ordinary dresses won’t suit the ducal family. I have prepared a few dresses for you, so let’s try them on.”
The madam, who was gently persuading Mercian who had changed out of her wedding dress and was wearing a regular dress, went inside and came out with several dresses.
“Oh my goodness. Look at the fabric of this dress. It’s really luxurious. Madam, I think this dress would suit our Lucy better. Please prepare one for my child too.”
As Penelope touched the dress the madam had brought out, the madam made a troubled expression and said.
“I’m sorry, Viscountess. This dress was specially prepared by the Duke for the second young lady, so there is no fabric left. The Duke said all these dresses are gifts for the second young lady.”
A gift? They brought dresses when they brought the marriage contract last time, and they’re giving gifts again?
Mercian unconsciously looked at the dresses the madam had brought at her words.
The dresses in light purple, apricot, and green colors were made of quite luxurious fabric even to Mercian, who was unfamiliar with dresses.
“Then young lady, let’s try on this dress first.”
The madam picked up the light purple dress from the ones she had brought, and a clerk took Mercian back inside with the dress.
A moment later,
Is this really me?
Mercian stared blankly at her reflection in the mirror, surprised by her appearance in the dress the madam had given her.
The updo she had when wearing the wedding dress was now let down with even thicker waves added.
Perhaps because of the full and thick waves, Mercian’s face looked much smaller than when her hair was up, and the light purple dress suited Mercian’s body as if it had been tailored for her.
Penelope always bought pastel-colored dresses only for Lucienne, saying they would make Mercian look fatter, and always gave Mercian achromatic dresses like black or gray, so Mercian thought such colors would never suit her.
Is there something wrong with this mirror?
Having never dressed up in her life, Mercian found her reflection in the mirror so unfamiliar that it seemed like a different person.
But Mercian didn’t dislike her appearance, even though it felt awkward.
Male lead says he’s pregnant — and it’s female lead’s child
Something seems a bit off about this world.
Wang Zhao thought as she watched a pregnant man walking towards her…
Intro
Female lead finds herself in a world where the men who possess the ability to bear children.
As she navigates this unfamiliar reality, she is caught off guard by the sudden appearance of her boyfriend, who reveals that he is pregnant.
Is this truly her boyfriend?
Why can’t she recall any details about their time together?
She begins to doubt whether the child her boyfriend is carrying is even hers.
Is there a hidden reason behind her amnesia, or could it be a side effect of her sudden arrival in this strange new world?
Just when it seems the protagonist’s life couldn’t become any more entangled, her ex-boyfriend makes an unexpected appearance, raising questions about the protagonist’s past.
__________
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