As Mary said, it was certainly true. While Blanche was in her womb, her tastes changed completely, avoiding even the seafood dishes she used to enjoy, and craving only tangy fruits.

Among them, she ate plums well, but strangely, as soon as Blanche was born, they became too sour to even touch.

There were quite a few other similar symptoms. Being constantly enveloped in fatigue no matter how much sleep, and emotions easily flipping.

Even the occasional feeling of wanting to run off somewhere alone, all of it was identical to when she had Blanche.

I removed the blanket and placed my hand on my stomach.

“Really, could there be a baby?”

“We’d need to call a doctor to know for sure. Shall I summon one here?”

“… No, Mary. It’s fine.”

After a moment of silence, Mary carefully asked while observing my expression.

“My lady, is there something worrying you?”

Something worrying? Well, yes.

“It’s worrying whether there is or isn’t.”

A few years ago, after miscarrying due to a knife wound, I was diagnosed that my uterus had weakened, making it difficult to conceive again.

So I had completely given up on a second child, but now a miracle baby might have come.

Of course I should be happy, but at the same time, seeing Blanche struggling because of me lately made my heart ache.

‘If I really am pregnant, this child will also receive unfavorable looks from the Senate and collateral branches, just like Blanche.’

In fact, since Blanche is the heir to succeed the Marquis of Rowe, it would be somewhat alright if she proves her abilities.

“What if the baby is rejected by Rowe?”

“My lady…”

But a child who cannot become Rowe’s successor would just be a foreigner with a mother of a different race.

They wouldn’t be able to blend into Rowe, nor gain recognition from the Senate and collateral branches.

“That’s why I’m worried. Of course, I’m happy if a baby has come. It would mean another being to love unconditionally, like Blanche. For both Jade and Blanche.”

With such complicated feelings that made me sigh whether there was a baby or not, I closed my eyes, not wanting to think further.

In the past, I couldn’t properly welcome and be happy when I had Blanche. In a situation where I might be pregnant, such concerns were not appropriate. Jade had already left for work, and Blanche said she wouldn’t come.

‘Since I’m sleepy, I should take a short nap for now.’

In the end, what alleviated the boredom was falling asleep in the sunlight.

“……”

I felt a floating sensation as if suspended in mid-air. Someone was carefully carrying me in their arms as they walked. It was difficult to discern through my blurry vision, so I took a sniff.

A familiar citrus scent.

It was Jade.

‘Of course. The only one who could suddenly pick me up while I’m sleeping without permission is Jade.’

Confirming it was Jade, I felt oddly relieved and snuggled into his arms. I was still drowsy and wanted to sleep more.

“Jade, weren’t you… at work? Why are you back already?”

Thinking only about 30 minutes had passed since I closed my eyes, I chided him.

Assuming he had turned the carriage around and come back when it was going well.

Jade let out a light chuckle.

“Larien. Open your eyes.”

“Why should I open…”

I struggled to lift my eyelids and looked around. A red sunset was setting in the sky.

“What time is it now?”

“If you’re asking for the time, it’s 7 PM. If you’re asking how long you slept, Mary informed me you slept for 5 hours, 18 minutes, and 23 seconds.”

He had simply returned from work on time.

“What’s with that Mary, why is she scarily counting down to the second?”

“She even recorded what you were sleep-talking about. She said you grind your teeth too.”

“I don’t grind my teeth, you know?”

I was the type to fall into a deep sleep once I dozed off, staying still and sleeping quietly. Once, Jade had panicked thinking I was dead because I wasn’t moving, and even checked if I was breathing by putting his hand to my nose.

Feeling mischievous and annoyed at Jade for teasing me about grinding my teeth, which I didn’t do,

“No, come to think of it, I do grind my teeth. It’s noisy, so let’s use separate bedrooms.”

“…I have a deep sleep, so I can endure it.”

“What are you saying, Jade? You wake up immediately if someone touches your body while you’re sleeping.”

“It’s better than being oblivious to an assassin’s intrusion and sleeping peacefully.”

It was an implausible excuse. Thanks to living in the same bedroom as me, Jade would lie down in bed to match my sleeping time.

However, insomnia doesn’t disappear all at once. Though it had improved from before, he would still open his eyes at the slightest sound.

“I can’t stand it. Letting my husband hear the sound of me grinding my teeth, how embarrassing, how can I live?”

A crack appeared in Jade’s previously calm brow. I wonder if wrinkles might form on that smooth skin at this rate.

“Larien. If you use up all your energy at night, you might be too tired to grind your teeth.”

Jade said, gently narrowing his eyes.

“…Um, Jade.”

While it was good for breaking his stubbornness like earlier, I didn’t want to keep saying we should use separate bedrooms and suffer at night. He’s already tormenting me enough, and now he wants to drain more of my energy here.

“Oh, the whole day just passed by. I was planning to wake up after a short nap and read reports… More importantly, won’t you put me down now?”

I didn’t want to enter the mansion like this and receive stares from the servants.

“What if you fall while walking?”

“Am I some newborn foal? What reason is there for me to suddenly fall?”

Moreover, this garden had all its paths cleaned. After Blanche fell from tripping on a tiny pebble while playing in the garden, Jade had ordered the entire garden to be overhauled.

Knowing full well that pebbles could no longer be found since that day, Jade’s overprotectiveness extended even to me.

“Jade. I want to walk on my own feet.”

“……”

This guy, he’s ignoring and not answering words he doesn’t want to hear.

“I guess at my age, my legs are so weak that I need to be carried by my husband. I’m sad that my dignity isn’t being respected. It brings tears to my eyes.”

Boo-hoo, I pretended to cry while wiping non-existent tears. Jade laughed as if finding it absurd and gently pinched the bridge of my nose.

Then he set me down as carefully as if placing a glass sculpture.

“Arm.”

“I’ve got it.”

“Well done.”

I obediently held onto Jade’s arm. How nice it is to walk on my own. My dignity is preserved too. My gaze shifted from the ground to my stomach.

‘Will there… really be a baby?’

It would be better to call a doctor tomorrow for a definite diagnosis and then tell Jade.

‘Just because I’m experiencing the same symptoms as with Blanche doesn’t mean I’m definitely pregnant.’

My mood grew heavy again, and my steps slowed. Jade didn’t add any particular comments and quietly matched my pace.

“…Apple pie?”

The sweet scent of apple pie wafted from the kitchen. One of the chef’s specialties was apple pie. The crisp texture of finely chopped apples, the soft-grained pie, topped with fresh cream.

My mouth was already watering, and I licked my lips.

“Jade, it seems the chef prepared apple pie for tonight’s dessert. It sounds delicious.”

“Indeed. Sounds delicious. It’s time for dinner. Let’s go straight to the dining room.”

Jade didn’t seem interested in the apple pie, but he responded without showing it.

I entered the dining room with Jade.

Soon after, the food was served. Even though I said it was fine, Jade cut the steak and offered it to me.

The glossy steak, cooked to my favorite doneness, stimulated my appetite.

“Larien, say ah.”

“Am I a child?”

Feeling embarrassed by Jade’s hand, I took a bite, and just as I was about to chew.

“…Ugh.”

I felt like I was about to throw up right away.

“Larien? Does it not suit your taste? Don’t chew anymore, spit it out.”

Jade stood up, knocking his chair back, and put his hand to my mouth.

‘How can he casually put his hand…’

Unable to bring myself to spit into his hand, I forcibly swallowed. What should I do? My stomach is really churning.

‘Did I get indigestion? No, if my stomach was upset, I would know. I only ate half an orange slice before going to bed.’

The steak that looked so delicious just a moment ago now seemed repulsive. The grilled mushrooms I don’t usually eat caught my eye.

‘…It’s certain.’

When I was pregnant with Blanche, I also started avoiding seafood dishes I used to enjoy well, and my tastes changed.

This baby seems to be just like Blanche.

‘I am pregnant, aren’t I?’

The doubt I had been harboring…

I could sense it intuitively due to the morning sickness I had already experienced once.

That I really was pregnant.

‘I feel dizzy…’

As soon as I realized this fact, my vision blurred. A headache like throwing a stone into a calm lake dominated my mind. I used to get dizzy and collapse frequently like this before giving birth to Blanche…

“Larien!”

The last thing I remember was Jade shouting as he quickly caught me as I fell to the side.