A few days later, news began to spread throughout the entire Portrian that everyone would be happy about.

“It seems there was a rightful heir to the Portrian bloodline?”

“My friend’s acquaintance’s next-door neighbor’s son is in the volunteer corps, and he says he’s a very fine person.”

“I’m glad they had a smooth conversation with Lady Caswell about the lower riverbank.”

Helen Portrian used all the information networks of the estate, including newspapers and newsletters, to announce that she was the rightful Portrian bloodline.

At the same time, she officially announced that she would become the new lady of Portrian after delegating all authority to Eizagel, who was currently acting as the interim lord, and scheduled an inauguration ceremony in the central square of the estate.

“It’s going to be difficult for everyone to gather after the inauguration ceremony.”

In the evening, the volunteer corps members who gathered around the large table were also discussing the inauguration ceremony.

“But we’ll probably meet again at least once. After the inauguration ceremony, we’ll need the approval of the high nobility like the neighboring regions.”

“Well, an estate like Portrian would probably need approval from nearby regional nobles.”

“After that, some will become knights under Lady Helen, and some will go to other knightly orders…”

“Why talk about good things like it’s a sad story? We should be happy that a proper lord is coming out after a long time.”

“Well, it means that the estate is peaceful when there are no gatherings of the volunteer corps. Let’s have a drink and finish the inauguration ceremony well.”

Edith was also having dinner while listening to the lively laughter of the corps members. The main reason was that she couldn’t ask to have a meal brought to her room just for herself.

But once she sat at the table, she liked the fact that she could see Walter’s face mingled among the people.

Lately, she had hardly had a conversation with Walter. Although Cassius said that Walter was busy dealing with the assassins Elizabeth brought, it felt like he was deliberately avoiding her, as if he was deliberately torturing himself.

‘Is there a chance to talk about the child like this?’

In a few days, Edith organized her thoughts about pregnancy.

After the shock subsided, she froze for a while, but for some reason, she didn’t feel a sense of rejection towards the result. She didn’t jump for joy, nor did she burst into tears.

Edith decided to accept the facts as they were.

Pregnant. Walter’s child.

Whether to raise the child or give up on it, she hadn’t decided yet.”
“For the time being, I’ll have to keep all these facts hidden, but now, even though it’s just a tiny bean, I felt like there was something inside me that would become a respectable person in the future, making me feel like I was doing something great.

My stomach still wasn’t feeling great, but it was better than the day Walter came to the mansion, so I could pass the food relatively well.

“Walter, where are you planning to go after Lady Helen’s coronation?”

“If I join the knight order, Lord Reinhardt would be greatly pleased.”

“Just pleased? He might even expedite your retirement to hand over the position of knight commander.”

Listening to the conversation, it seemed that where Walter would go after Helen’s inauguration was not just Edith’s concern.

Pretending to be swept away by people’s questions, Edith also glanced at him with curiosity. However, Walter, who usually had no response to trivial questions, casually blurted out.

“I won’t join the knight order. I’m thinking of leaving Portrian and heading to the capital.”

The reactions of the other members varied upon hearing that he was going to the capital.

Some hoped that he would stay in Portrian, while others, who had suffered in Jazaki, looked forward to playing in the bigger waters in the capital.

Merlin, who was having dinner quietly in the restaurant, was the one who hoped the most that he would stay in the volunteer corps.

‘Commander Reinhardt is going to take over the position of knight commander of the Portrian knight order after Lady Helen. If it’s not Walter, there’s no one to lead the volunteer corps.’

Merlin’s official position in the volunteer corps was secretary. In fact, he was responsible for all sorts of chores, but he was very satisfied with his position.

The perception that the volunteer corps were those who contributed to the safety and peace of the Portrian territory was strong, and as a result, his family’s businesses received a lot of support, big and small.

He had two shiny plans for the future, to take the volunteer corps to greater heights or to recruit a natural talent like Walter as a partner.

However, judging from his answer, it seemed that Walter had firmly decided to leave the territory and head to the capital.

‘Until recently, he always avoided answering questions about his future…’

Merlin wondered why Walter suddenly made up his mind, and as he thought about it, he suddenly noticed that Walter’s gaze was fixed on Edith.

Come to think of it, since that woman started staying here, Walter’s atmosphere had been strangely different.

‘Even on that day, he yielded the lead because of that woman.’

Thinking that way, Merlin wondered if the reason Walter decided to go to the capital wasn’t really related to Edith. At least, if she left the volunteer corps, wouldn’t there be an opportunity to persuade Walter?

As Merlin continued his gloomy reverie, he soon noticed something strange.

Edith, who hardly ever touched alcohol, picked up a well-cooked piece of meat and brought it to her mouth, but then she put it down with a disgusted expression.”