Blair quickly replied without calculating, “If everything goes as planned, the baby will be born early next year.” The day Asiel was born was a day she would have to remember for the rest of her life, so she hadn’t bothered to calculate. Only after this did the two women’s expressions brighten considerably.

“Then, madam, the baby will likely be born around the same time as the young master.”

“That’s wonderful. Maybe they’ll become good friends since they’re close in age.”

Meanwhile, Blair, who had been watching the two of them enthusiastically discussing the future, muttered with a somewhat bitter smile,

“Yes, it would be nice if they could become friends.” Remembering that in her past life, Lena had not been able to see Asiel since she left the Marquisate before he was born, she felt a pang of regret.

“But… if I could go back to the past, I wish you could meet Asiel and watch him grow up.” This sincere and somewhat lonely wish was spoken quietly by Blair, who was enveloped in mixed emotions.
However, in this life, since she would leave the Marquisate before giving birth to Asiel, Lena would not be able to see Asiel. That was undoubtedly regrettable.

While discussing the expected baby with Melly, Lena suddenly remembered something and clapped her hands, turning to Blair.

“Ugh, get a hold of yourself. It’s past mealtime! Madam, is there anything you’d like to eat? Just let us know, and we’ll quickly inform the chef.”

“I feel queasy when I smell butter, so I think it would be better if the dishes didn’t contain butter. Preferably, focus more on fruits or vegetables.”

“I’ll convey that right away!”

Lena swiftly left the room with light steps. Watching Lena’s departing figure, Melly also stood up from her seat.

“Then, I’ll fetch some fresh water.”

Melly was about to leave the room with her light steps, but Blair, as if she had suddenly thought of something, called her back.

“Melly, I have a favor to ask as you go out.”

“Yes, please tell me.”

“Can you call Lady Sionel on your way out?”

To leave the Marquisate, contacting an ally was the first thing that needed to be done.

The news of Ivan’s engagement announced at yesterday’s Geon Gukje had an impact on today’s cabinet meeting.

After the cabinet meeting on the engagement ceremony budget concluded, nobles who attended the meeting flocked to Ivan, showering him with congratulations.

“Once again, sincere congratulations on the engagement, Your Majesty.”

“When I saw you yesterday, I thought you two looked like a perfect match, as if you were born for each other.”

The celebratory atmosphere continued until the nobles who had finished their greetings retreated somewhat, and Haldin approached.

“Apologies for interrupting you in the midst of your busy engagement preparations, but I would like to request a retrial of the ten-year-old Empress’s Palace fire incident soon.”

Not only did Ivan’s expression stiffen at the unexpected topic, but the surrounding nobles also fell into contemplation, having heard Haldin’s words.

“Thanks to Your Majesty’s heartfelt concern for that incident before, I was able to make up my mind.”

“…….”

“As you mentioned back then, would it be acceptable to request a fair and just verdict this time as well?”

Ivan looked at Haldin with a cold, fixed expression and suppressed a bitter laugh.

Though Haldin’s words might seem to express gratitude towards him, in reality, it was a trap that forced him to agree since there was no choice. Pressuring Haldin would inevitably give strength to the rumors that Katrina was behind the incident, just as he promised to reveal the truth of that incident before.

‘He requested to bring evidence of annihilation just yesterday.’

What wind had blown in that his attitude had changed overnight?

Although it was impossible to know what had changed Haldin’s mind, one thing was certain.

Bringing up this story in front of others meant opposing him, as if he would stand against him.
Ivan, with a momentarily stiff expression, made an effort to control himself and gave a predetermined response.

“Of course. If your claim is true, it means that the late Empress, who was my ancestor, is bearing an unjust accusation. As her descendant, it is only right for me to address that injustice.”

“I will soon inquire about the trial schedule.”

Having heard the expected answer, Haldin turned away as if there were no more matters to discuss.

What kind of trickery is this?

In the murmurs of the nobles watching his receding figure, Ivan’s gaze also narrowed.

The scenery of the square passed by outside the carriage window.

Perhaps because it was the last day of the festival celebrating Geon Gukje, the square was more crowded and lively than usual.

In this scene, what caught Haldin’s eyes was the sight of a child holding the hands of their parents.

Watching that sight with a distant gaze, Haldin broke the silence that had settled in the carriage.

“Ruth.”

Ruth, who had been dozing off due to the afternoon lethargy, woke up abruptly at the sound of his voice.

“Uh, yes?”

“Bring all the witnesses from ten years ago to the mansion.”

The witnesses related to the incident had been hidden in a different location beforehand, anticipating that the imperial side might catch wind of them and interfere.

Wiping away the drool that had flowed down his mouth, Ruth blinked his eyes.

Just yesterday, he had mentioned delaying the trial due to the emperor’s negotiation, but it was strange that he changed his mind in just a day.

“Then, is the negotiation with the Emperor resolved well?”

In response to Ruth’s question, Haldin recalled what the attending physician had said to him last night after examining Blair.

‘It seems that the madam has assumed her position.’

And also, the view of her stomach as he had observed her in the early morning hours after bringing Blair, who had fallen asleep in Pippy’s room, to bed.

Inside that stomach, a child who would inherit his blood was growing.

Now there was nothing he would lose in this trial. It was an unwinnable fight.

“Yes. Now, we just need to prepare for the trial without waiting any longer. And…”

Still keeping his eyes fixed on the three families outside the window, Haldin added.

“If there’s any good medicine for pregnant women, bring it.”

“What would you use that for…?”

About to ask for the reason behind the sudden request, Ruth hesitated momentarily as a possibility flashed through his mind.

No way.

And Haldin provided the answer he had feared.

“Blair is pregnant.”

Ruth’s eyes widened.

‘A few months ago, when I warned her to be careful about the joint meetings, she said it wouldn’t happen!’

In front of the unexpected news, a bewildered Ruth hesitated for a moment before cautiously asking.

“……C-Congratulations then?”

“Is that so?”

“You said it was a contract marriage.”

“It will truly become a marriage now.”

Looking at Haldin, who spoke strangely, Ruth seemed to find that piece of news not entirely unwelcome.

But in Ruth’s mind, another worry emerged.