Blair, who returned to her room, glanced at Lena and Melli, then took out the note she received from Lady Sionelle’s attendant a while ago.

As she unfolded the note, the familiar handwriting caught her eye.

[I have an important story to tell you, but currently, the Duke’s security is strict, and I couldn’t contact you. Even the maids who usually deliver messages are under surveillance, making it difficult to approach.]

Now she understood why there had been no contact from Mikhail for a while.
[Before arranging a meeting, there’s something I’d like to ask first.

Is the plan and intention you mentioned initially still valid?]

Mikhail’s inquiry about the ‘plan and intention’ probably referred to the story she told when she first visited the guild. The plan to cause a scandal, discard her current name and status, and leave the Duchy.

[If the plan hasn’t changed, I will assist you accordingly. On the day Lady Sionelle brings the completed dress, please respond to the attendant who handed you the note. I’ll be waiting.]

After reading the note, Blair plucked flowers from a nearby vase, placed the note in the fireplace, poured water over it, and turned it into a mushy mess. Then, she stirred the paper so thoroughly that its original form was unrecognizable.

‘I wanted to attend the trial for the Empress if possible, considering everything…’

Now that she had started to show signs of pregnancy, she had to consider the worst-case scenario.

Blair, with a calm and composed gaze as if organizing all her thoughts, inserted flowers back into the empty vase.

Before the dinner time, Haldin, who returned home, bathed and then went to Blair’s room. Embracing Blair when returning from outside and having dinner together in the bedroom had become routine.

However, contrary to his plans, Blair was sound asleep.

It was a bit disappointing that the plan had deviated, but it wasn’t entirely unexpected that she needed a short break, considering her recent exhaustion.

Haldin quietly sat by the bed and looked at the peacefully sleeping Blair.

Everything was going smoothly.

All the evidence to reveal the details of the fire incident at the Empress’s palace ten years ago had been collected.

‘Now, all that’s left is…’

Haldin’s gaze turned to Blair’s flat belly covered by the blanket.

If anyone could create an unbreakable bond that would keep her by his side, if she could remain with him.

If that happened, all the anxiety that lingered at his feet would disappear.

Haldin covered Blair’s belly with his large hand, gently caressing it, and eventually, unable to overcome the boiling desire, he bowed down to her.

The desire that had been persistently brewing for a while couldn’t even wait for a moment of tranquility.

The moment his selfish lips tried to swallow her defenseless ones.

As the tightly closed eyelids subtly trembled, Blair slowly opened her eyes.

“…Ah.”

As soon as she opened her eyes, Blair, surprised by the face in front of her, widened her eyes.

But the person caught in the act showed no surprise; instead, he shamelessly continued to swallow her lips.

The lips that alternated between sucking and releasing became entwined more deeply and persistently. Eventually, his hand naturally moved up to her belly.

At that moment, Blair, who had been passively responding to his kiss, avoided him with reluctance.
When Haldin, who keenly noticed it, pulled away and looked at her, Blair replied as if murmuring.

“…I don’t feel well.”

The hand hidden under Blair’s blanket, as she spoke, was wrapped around her lower abdomen as if protecting it.

In the early stages of pregnancy, the chance of a miscarriage is high.

Now that she knew about the pregnancy, she had to avoid overlapping with him as much as possible.

Haldin’s expression turned sharp as he looked at Blair.

“Have you had a check-up? Did you take any medicine?”

“It’s not that serious. Just… I’m a bit tired. I want to rest.”

Blair mumbled like that, watching his reaction. Fortunately, Haldin didn’t inquire further and withdrew.

Relieved, Blair let her guard down and was about to close her eyes again when Haldin’s words reached her and shook her heart.

“But this month, it seems like we haven’t had our usual intimate time.”