“Isn’t it funny? I did my best for that woman, but she only thinks about leaving me.”

“…Leaving?”

“She probably wants to become Duke Pierren’s wife. To that woman, there’s only one man. Maybe they’ve already rolled around together.”

“…”

“I realized it too late. I did everything for her, but all she thinks about is leaving me.”

With a disappointed look, Bake exhaled a rough breath and firmly embraced Margaret.

“I promise. Once this is over, I’ll put everything back in its proper place.”

“Put it back?”

“Margaret Crayton, Lady of the Afterthought. Sounds cool, doesn’t it?”

Margaret frowned as if she couldn’t easily believe the answer that came out willingly.
However, Bake knew better than anyone what Margaret wanted.

“Is it true?”

“There’s someone more suitable for that position than you.”

“…”

“It just has to be over after this. Then we can be happy.”

Bake whispered softly, brushing Margaret’s cheek.

Tickling, every time Margaret’s head shook, her hair swept across Bake’s palm.

It had grown a bit compared to before, but Margaret’s hair was still shorter than that of other noblewomen. Because of that, when she let her hair down, it looked awkward, and she always tried to hide that fact by tying it up.

Bake thought about how Margaret’s shoulders would be more comfortable resting against his face, but he didn’t voice that thought.

Margaret Fisher was an easy woman. A woman who would quickly nestle in his arms with just a little favor and sweet words. She was easy to manipulate.

And, it didn’t matter if problems arose. There were plenty of other women from the start.

“For our happiness, there’s something you need to do.”

“…What is it?”

“I don’t want to ask you to do this, but time is running out.”

Bake’s gaze fell on Margaret’s stomach. Her stomach was protruding.

“I hope my first child doesn’t grow up as a bastard.”

“…”

“Above all, it’s natural for the father to be there when the child is born.”

“…”

“I swear. This time is different. I won’t waste it like the time I foolishly spent raising someone else’s child like an idiot.”

Bake embraced Margaret again. And he whispered in her ear.

I love you. In a very sweet voice.

“Your expression doesn’t look good. Did something bad happen?”

“…”

“Wasn’t it the reunion you were waiting for?”

Ruzen approached with a smirk. Margaret quickly wiped away tears with her handkerchief and turned slightly away from Ruzen.

“Are you crying?”

“Sorry…”

“There’s nothing to apologize to me for.”

“…”

Ruzen grinned and stopped in his tracks.

Margaret glanced at Ruzen from the corner of her eye and eventually lowered her gaze. Her hand holding the handkerchief was trembling.

“Do you need some time alone?”

“Oh, no!”

Margaret turned around in surprise, then quickly found her place again. After taking a few rapid breaths, she finally opened her mouth.

“It’s okay.”

“Do you need someone to be there for you?”

“Well, that…”

“Too bad. This is when you need a person like me who needs a drink.”

Ruzen shrugged casually, shaking off the nonchalant attitude.

Margaret clasped her hands tightly. She was grateful that Ruzen didn’t come close on purpose. And again, Bake’s words came to her mind.

“Don’t worry. Don’t misunderstand. From the beginning, isn’t the emperor trying to find my weaknesses by doing so?”
As if tears would flow any moment, Margaret bit her lower lip tightly.

Bake thought he was showing some kindness, but he hadn’t changed a bit.

Her heart churned at that fact. And at the same time, she felt resentful.

Since meeting Bake until now, she had lived only for him. She believed without a doubt that he would eventually realize her love and willingly sacrificed herself.

Bake was her savior who pulled her out of hell, he was her hero.

Swearing, Margaret could say that she loved Bake more fervently than anyone else.

But her love was never reciprocated.

Bake was always like that. He thought it was only natural for Margaret to love him. He always came to her only when she needed him, and otherwise easily discarded her.

And that, too, was only natural for Margaret.

Margaret closed her eyes tightly.

“…He asked me to spy on the emperor.”

“Spy? On me? Why?”

“He hoped to provide false information whenever the emperor wanted to investigate about himself.”

“I see. Our marquis didn’t like our alliance, did he?”

“He doesn’t trust the emperor.”

Margaret took a deep breath and turned around. Her hands were wrapped around her round belly.

It was okay for her to be used and discarded as needed, but not her child.

Thinking that way, the decision was easy.

Margaret shook when she looked at Bake’s face, but she quickly composed herself.

The emperor was right. Especially in such situations, it was right to make choices for herself and her child.

“I think there’s something I can do for the emperor.”

“…”

“And that would be for my child.”

Margaret’s face, bathed in light, suddenly looked darker.

Ruzen raised his lips while looking directly into her eyes. Margaret’s eyes, which usually gave a pale and indifferent impression, now seemed sharp and clear.