In reality, Elizabeth probably didn’t know about the pregnancy, but she was trying to capture me simply because I could potentially be carrying his child.

Moreover, Lexsion was said to confine and train their lineage’s children, almost abusively, to utilize their power.

If that was the truth, even if she gave birth to the child, Edith did not want to thrust her child into such an environment. Absolutely not.

She wanted to lay out all these thoughts and discuss them with Walter, but considering his eyes that looked like a wounded beast, now didn’t seem like the right time. To be quite honest, she was a bit worried about his reaction.

‘When should I tell him? I need to tell him as soon as possible.’

Edith sighed, staring at the closed door.

Negotiations between Lady Izazel of the Portrion family and the mercenary group had been going smoothly for several days.

Thanks to the promise she received from Izazel not to close the mansion doors until the negotiations were fully completed, Helen was able to return to the mercenary group after a long time.

“Congratulations, Helen. You’ll soon become the head of the Portrion family. Should I start calling you ‘earl’ now?”

Merlin, who was handling miscellaneous chores within the mercenary group, greeted Helen warmly when he saw her. She chuckled and responded.

“Please hold off on calling me that until the earl’s inauguration ceremony takes place. It’s not entirely my own merit, so stop flattering me.”

“Flattering? I’m just stating the facts.”

Merlin wanted to bond a bit more with Helen, but her interest was already caught by someone else.

Edith, who felt bad for merely relying on others, was watering the potted plants after receiving permission from the cleaner.

‘That woman… definitely the fourth lady of the earl that Walter brought.’

Merlin looked Edith up and down. The story that Walter had asked for food and fruits for her had already spread throughout the entire mercenary group.

Walter acted as if breaking into Portrion, where he was imprisoned for seven years, was solely to kidnap a lady.

While Merlin didn’t like Edith, Helen did.

“Edith. If you have time, would you like to come over there for some tea? There’s something I’d like to ask you.”
Edith hesitated for a moment at Helen’s words before setting down the watering can. She felt it was important to express her gratitude to Helen, who had arranged a place for her to stay for a few days.

When she took a seat, a rustic cup filled with fragrant tea was presented. Helen took the first sip and then asked,

“The friend Isabel talks about is you, Edith, isn’t it?”

“A friend?”

Edith was fond enough of Isabel to consider sending her a letter soon.

But it was both surprising and pleasant that Isabel had introduced her as a friend to Helen.

“Does she refer to me that way?”

“Although she seemed to be hiding your name, it somehow felt like you. I heard you’ve been giving some business advice to Isabel and Carcus.”

Edith didn’t know about it, but Helen had heard from Cassius.

Not only had she discovered the tampering in the mansion’s accounting books and involved Mr. and Mrs. Carcus, but

it was also part of Edith’s plan to overthrow Sophia and create a turning point for the local residents to rise.

Bound by magic, she couldn’t leave the mansion, yet she moved boldly as if without constraints. This gave off an impression quite similar to Walter.

“I’ve outlined how to secure the necessary budget for repairing the lower riverbank.”

“It won’t be easy to secure a budget in a short period.”

Isabel seemed to agree, wearing a faint smile.

“That’s true. But I had time to discuss it in advance because a friend gave me a tip.”

So, Helen wanted to hear it directly from the woman in front of her, who she presumed was Isabel’s ‘friend.’

With her eyes twinkling as passionately as a student participating in class, Edith had no choice but to speak up.