Riviana often welcomed Margaret’s visits to the capital, never harboring suspicions, and the same went for others. When Margaret came to the capital and sought Creighton, everyone just assumed she had come for Riviana.

There was no guilt in deceiving Riviana, but over time even that feeling wore off.

“You seem jealous of her, but don’t bother yourself over a finished story. Especially if it’s for your child.”

“…….”

“And honestly, you’re not on a level to be jealous of Riviana.”

“What does it matter to you?”

“Do I really need to say it?”

As the conversation became increasingly tedious, Bake’s brow furrowed deeply.

Margaret was not a bad partner, but only when she was obedient and gentle. He had no need for a woman who argued back.

“Think about it calmly. Honestly, your absence would be good for the child’s life.”

“…….”

“The father is a merchant’s son, the mother is a fallen noble. The child is even born out of wedlock. Could such a child really lead a smooth life?”

“…….”

“Rather than having a mother like you, it would be better to be adopted. If adopted into Creighton’s house and disguised as one of their own, wouldn’t everyone believe the child is of true Creighton blood?”

Even if it was troublesome, since there was a child, Bake endured and lowered his voice to persuade her.

There was no thought of taking Margaret as his wife just because she bore his child. He was already fed up with the tag of being a merchant’s son who bought his position with money, let alone adding a fallen noble’s wife. The very thought was terrible.

“When you look at me, you know. Even after inheriting the title of a duke for over a decade, I still carry the tag of being a merchant’s son.”

“…….”

“So, you agree with me, right? Don’t you?”

No. She had never agreed.

That’s why she took the risk.

Strength filled Margaret’s fingertips.

Why she revealed her relationship with Bake to Riviana at the risk of being exposed by Bake.

It wasn’t out of simple jealousy, but defense. She intended to seize her position before the child could be taken away.

If she became the wife of Duke Creighton, the child wouldn’t have to be a bastard.

Just as Riviana’s former lover had returned.

Being by Bake’s side, she was the first to learn of Duke Pieren’s news. It was easy to see that he was still wandering, unable to forget Riviana.

Once she had thought that far, the next plan was not difficult.

If Bake wouldn’t leave Riviana, she thought she should do the opposite. The innocent Riviana would not ignore her husband’s infidelity.

The disappointed Riviana, aware of her husband’s infidelity, would fall into the arms of her former lover, and she could comfort the alone Bake.

It wasn’t pleasant for Riviana to become Duchess Pieren, but she could bear it as long as Riviana left Bake’s wife’s position.

Until then, she had enough generosity to endure the scandal that her friend would face due to the union with her former lover.

But Riviana did not divorce. Overlooking her husband’s infidelity for their young daughter, she even cut ties with her deeply cherished lover.

So she had no choice but to lay her hands on that little one.

And it would be the same in the future. Whether it was the child or something else, she couldn’t let anything harm her own child.

“If you want to protect your child’s position, don’t climb up.”

“…….”

“You know, there are plenty of women besides you.”

Watching Bake’s back as he lightly patted her shoulder and turned around, Margaret bit her lip.

“……I won’t give up. I can’t.”

Margaret held her belly with teary eyes.

Just watch. I swear, the man will regret it.

And he will come back to me. As always.

“I’ll come back for you when it’s over. Got it?”

Perhaps due to the illusion of having spent the night, Bake was more confident than usual, and more than anything, he tried to accommodate my feelings.

Knowing that my body was weak, he didn’t easily broach the subject, but it was clear he wanted to spend another night together.

Despite my full awareness of the barely concealed desire in Baker’s eyes, I pretended ignorance and allowed him to escort me to the room.

I wasn’t sure how long his patience would last, but for me, his flirtation was not a bad thing.

After all, the eyes of the maids who had to follow me around conveyed everything about Baker’s words and actions.

I held Baker’s hand all the way to the room.

Unlike the ladies who had arrived earlier and occupied the seats, the main characters of Duitang were not there.

They were preparing separately in the next room, and each of them would come out, introduce themselves to me, and then start filling the vacant seats.

Unlike the predetermined seats from the beginning, there were no designated seats in Duitang. It was a rule to leave a special first impression in a short time and get the seat closest to the host, just like a debutante.

Of course, this was just a formality, and there were more cases where the seats were determined in advance through conversations with the ladies they had met earlier.

Especially when the host was the former Empress, the mother of the Emperor, it was particularly severe. Many people would take the opportunity of a new host this time.

“Are the attendees ready?”

“They are wrapping up now.”

“Okay. Then have them enter in order as they are ready. I’ll read the attendee list in the meantime.”

“Yes, I understand.”

After dismissing the servant, I picked up the attendee list on the table, and Margaret, who seemed to have been waiting, spoke up.

“…Just how far do you plan to go?”

As the distance from Baker increased, Margaret, who seemed to have been waiting, spoke. This was because they finally had a chance to be alone, thanks to Baker’s constant following.

“What do you mean?”

“You said he’s your enemy.”

“So I did.”

“Riviana.”

“I told you, I can do anything.”

Without even looking at Margaret, I flipped through the list.

Without even looking, I knew exactly what she was feeling.

“But acting like this is too dangerous.”

“Then what should I do?”

“It’s not about using your body like this, but consulting with me more and using your head to move. It’s safer.”

“As I’ve said before, I don’t have the energy to worry about safety now. And I have no reason to discuss my problems with you.”

“What? What do you mean.”

Knockknock.

“Lady Creighton, the attendees are all ready. Shall I let them in?”

The servant who had briefly left the room returned before Margaret could ask why.

Ignoring the suspicious glance aimed at me, I put down the list I had been looking at and smiled faintly.

It was about time to get rid of the annoying watcher.