“……So, you mean you will raise the child?”

“Do we have any other options?”

“But even so…….”

I took a deep breath, my hand placed over my heart. To Duke Pieren, it must have looked like I was trying to keep my emotions in check.

“Everyone does that. If such a thing actually happens, we have no other choice.”

Actually, it’s not surprising.

Nobles value bloodline. They do not want the blood of the family to flow out.

Bastards are considered dirty, but cases of abandonment are rare. More often than not, they would decide to bring them in rather than leaving potential problems.

“……I didn’t expect you to say such things.”

“Just because I lost my memory, it doesn’t mean I’m a child. I don’t want to be emotional.”

“…….”

“I never thought this would happen to me, but if it does, I have to act as I’ve been taught. Like a noble.”

Strength entered into the Duke Pieren’s hands that held the newspaper.

I placed my hand over my heart again.

“I am a Creighton. As long as I carry that name, I have a duty to uphold the honor of that name. I cannot let the flaws of the family go beyond the fence.”

“Like a noble, you mean?”

A visibly nervous expression came over Duke Pieren’s face. He was sensitive to talks about his origins.

I confidently placed my hand on my stomach.

“For the sake of our child who will be born.”

“…….”

Even if the child successfully enters the family, it doesn’t mean they become a full member of the family. The stigma of being a bastard lasts a lifetime. Even if they carry the family’s name, they are seeds of disturbance, and that doesn’t change.

For families without heirs, it might be different, but it’s rare for someone to want to share the pie with unwanted siblings.

Bastards from large families are unwelcome, especially if they are older.

The Empire fundamentally follows primogeniture, where the eldest inherits most of the family assets. A conflict arises between a tainted, insufficient eldest son and a problemfree younger son.

The problem that has been repeating for a long time is still ongoing.

Just like the actions taken to prevent causing such problems.

It’s possible to accept the child purely as a member of the family, but often it’s the opposite. It was common for a healthy bastard to experience an unfortunate accident before entering the mansion.

But no one questioned these events. Things that happen inside the mansion can’t easily be questioned, even by the Emperor. That was the unwritten rule of the nobility. It was also a privilege given to the spouse of the one who committed the adultery.

“Don’t forget. Until our child is born. I will endure until then.”

I stood up from my seat.

I hardly touched anything besides the tea, but I wasn’t hungry. I lost my appetite the moment I saw my husband’s face.

“Oh, who do we have here. Isn’t this Lady Creighton. I didn’t expect you to attend today.”

“How have you been, Your Majesty?”

“I’ve been well. How can I be at ease when a friend is suffering? I haven’t been able to sleep these past few days.”

Despite saying that, the Emperor’s face was radiant, he looked healthy. Duke Pieren must have noticed too, his lips slightly pursed as he glanced upwards.

“The matter will be settled soon.”

“Of course, it will. Your face should ease when there’s no problem, Lady Creighton.”

“…….”

“Don’t worry. I believe in Duke Creighton. Honestly, it’s absurd. An affair with a wife’s friend is not even a thirdrate gossip.”

The Emperor winked and turned his body around. It was a gesture that could seem frivolous, but thanks to his neat face, it didn’t look that way.

Above all, I knew his actions didn’t entirely represent him.

The Emperor was a person accustomed to maintaining and expressing his demeanor as he wished. Just by looking at his appearance, it would be hard to guess what he’s thinking at the moment.

So naturally, I had doubts. Whether he really was on my side.

I lowered my gaze slightly to avoid the Emperor’s smile.

Even then, I could easily predict that the Emperor was still smiling.

“Come, come over here. Today, I’ll personally pour tea for you.”

Instead of a servant, the Emperor himself opened the door, acting as a doorman.

There was a guest who had arrived before us in the room. Of course, that guest was Margaret.

“There’s no need for introductions since we all know each other. Good.”

The Emperor smirked and motioned for everyone to sit. However, nobody spoke until everyone was seated and the Emperor had brought out the tea set.

“It seems like we’re in for a long conversation, let’s start with tea. Speaking makes one’s throat dry, after all.”

The Emperor spoke cheerfully. It was an insensitive action, but everyone knew that he was acting this way on purpose.

The young Emperor used his position in an entirely different way. There weren’t many people who could express dissatisfaction to the Emperor, even if he behaved rudely, so he made a game of their reactions.

“You seem to be doing well.”

Apart from the Emperor, I was the first one to speak.