The Duke Only Needs My Child - Chapter 153

After that day, Herdin completely moved in with Blair.

As he stayed here, the people serving him naturally came to visit as well. Because of this, the already modest house became even more crowded.

As a result, Lina, who was in charge of floor cleaning, was on edge. At this time when Blair had to be careful even when walking, with outsiders constantly coming in and out, there was never a dry spot on the floor.

Unlike the always-open duke’s residence, having to go down and open the door herself every time someone visited also contributed to her irritation.

However, today too, an uninvited guest arrived without fail.

“Haha, hello.”

Luth, who received an unexplained glare from Lina as soon as she opened the door, greeted her with an awkward smile.

But contrary to the saying that you can’t spit on a smiling face, Lina jerked her eyes with a very displeased expression.

At Luth’s shoes covered in snow.

Only then did Luth realize the reason for the piercing glare and shook the snow off his shoes.

Of course, below the entrance.

“…I’m sorry.”

He apologized to Lina and then rushed up to the second floor as if escaping. He must have run into Blair, as her voice could be heard greeting him kindly.

‘Well, as long as the lady is happy, that’s what matters.’

Lina thought as she carefully wiped the spot where Luth had passed once more. To ensure that not even the tiniest bit of moisture could endanger Blair.

* * *

Leaving behind Lina’s frosty gaze, Luth, who had come up to meet Herdin, heard a shocking statement.

“I’m thinking of taking about two months off work.”

“…Are you serious?”

“I need to be by Blair’s side. It’s the most difficult time for her.”

Luth was dumbfounded at Herdin’s words.

What nonsense, anyone listening would think they were living separately from Blair. He had just seen her in the next room.

“You’re already right next to her now.”

“I mean I can’t be apart from her for even a moment. They say if you don’t do it when your wife is pregnant, it lasts a lifetime. You should remember that too.”

Herdin was saying what could be summarized in five words as ‘I don’t want to work’ quite seriously.

Compared to just two weeks ago when he looked like he was dying alive, this was much better, but…

“What do you mean take time off? It’s not like you’re the one giving birth.”

These words had no effect on Luth. If Herdin took time off, it would be his job as an aide to deal with it.

In the first place, it was impossible to handle everything without him, the lord.

“And if you say you’re taking time off, wouldn’t the lady be the first to worry?”

When Luth mentioned Blair, Herdin swallowed a sigh and didn’t bring up that topic anymore. Instead, he opened the cigar box on the table. But the box was empty.

In this small house, there was simply no place to smoke cigars away from Blair.

So he had emptied the box completely, thinking to quit cigars altogether. Even if he opened the box out of habit, he wouldn’t be able to smoke.

It wasn’t easy to quit cigars overnight when he used to smoke more than a dozen a day, but every time he opened the box, holding Blair in his arms strengthened his resolve.

But now Blair was in the next room.

Tap tap. His discomfort from the inevitable withdrawal symptoms, with no way to alleviate them, was evident in his fingers tapping on the table.

Regardless, Luth, who had processed and organized the urgent documents in order, spoke up.

“By the way, have you thought about moving to Libren?”

“To Libren?”

“With only a few months left until the due date, I think going all the way to the islands would be burdensome for the lady, and it might be better to stay comfortably in Libren. It would also be good for checking on the progress of the port construction.”

Herdin didn’t dislike life in this village.

The house, room, and bed were all small, but he could use that as an excuse to stay closer to Blair.

Since it was quite far from Libren, Luth didn’t come often, so he could spend more time with Blair.

Above all, he liked the little daily routines, including going for walks with Blair twice a day, morning and evening.

But as Luth said, thinking of Blair’s safe delivery, going to Libren was the right choice.

Seeing that Herdin was pondering for quite a long time, Luth sighed and revealed the real reason he suggested going to Libren.

“And the lady’s maid gives me dirty looks for dirtying the floor.”

That woman is scary, you know.

Herdin raised the corners of his mouth, seemingly satisfied with that.

Unfortunately for Luth, from Herdin’s perspective, that was also a reason why he liked this small house.

* * *

That evening, lying on the small bed holding Blair, Herdin asked her if she wanted to go to Libren or preferred to give birth here.

He thought they should go to Libren for Blair’s safety and convenience, but he didn’t want to force his thoughts on her.

He had promised to discuss, consider, and decide everything with her from now on.

“To Libren?”

Surprised by the unexpected question, Blair blinked and thought for a moment before asking again.

“Hmm… What do you want to do?”

“For me, I’d like you to be more comfortable in Libren, but…”

But why should his opinion matter about her residence?

As Luth said, it’s not like he’s the one giving birth, and he won’t particularly suffer.

“What’s important is your wish.”

As for the midwife, they could bring one from Libren to be on standby, solving that issue.

So he intended to follow his wife’s wishes completely. Her comfort was the top priority.

When the choice was entirely given to her, Blair fell into contemplation. Her small lips, slightly protruding as she was lost in thought, looked cute.

As Herdin watched her quietly, unable to resist, he was about to touch those lips with his finger when Blair finished her deliberation. Unfortunately.

“Then let’s stay here for two more weeks before going.”

Blair gently cupped Herdin’s cheek, meeting his eyes as she added.

“I like staying just the two of us in this quiet village.”

As she said this, Blair’s violet eyes curved into crescent moons as she smiled.

Herdin suddenly felt as if he had been hit on the head by her words.

How could this woman think like that?

He found her lovable, feeling her heart cherishing the time they spent alone together.

Herdin couldn’t take his eyes off Blair as he mulled over her words.

Just the two of us.

Strictly speaking, it wasn’t just the two of them, but it was true that they spent more time alone together than when they stayed at the mansion.

‘When the child is born, I suppose our time alone will decrease.’

Should we really send away all the maids and kitchen staff and stay in this house just the two of us for two weeks? If it’s about taking care of her, he could do it all himself.

Sleeping in each other’s arms and waking up late, cooking together, eating, walking, and if their eyes met, indulging in each other anywhere in this small house…

Just the thought of it made him feel crazy with joy. Luth’s concerns became irrelevant.

“Herdin?”

When Herdin didn’t show much reaction to her words and remained still, Blair blinked her eyes curiously as she looked at him.

“Don’t you like it?”

Meeting her eyes, Herdin finally snapped out of his imagination. His innocent wife would surely be shocked if she knew what kind of lewd thoughts had crossed his mind.

Fearing that Blair might misunderstand his intentions, he quickly agreed with her words.

“No, of course not. Let’s do that, us.”

Only then did Blair smile brightly, seemingly relieved. Then, caressing his cheek, she whispered.

“Thank you. For discussing it with me.”

“Don’t praise me for something so obvious. I’ll get spoiled.”

“It’s not easy for a person to change. It’s definitely praiseworthy. Then what should I do when I want to praise you?”

Herdin quietly gazed at her eyes sparkling in the lamplight, then shifted his gaze to her lips below.

The reddish lips that had been tempting him all along.

“Kiss me.”

At his blatant request, Blair immediately narrowed her eyes. He could guess what she was about to say next without hearing it. Something about the meaning of praise being diminished…

Herdin covered her lips with his own as soon as Blair opened her mouth. Blair, who seemed momentarily surprised, soon smiled as if giving in and responded to his kiss.

The kiss, which started with light, playful touches, quickly heated up as their breaths intertwined. At the same time, Herdin’s hand naturally began to caress her belly.

Whenever they kissed or engaged in intimate skinship, touching her belly gave him a strange sense of sacrilege, as if the child was watching.

And his wife’s embarrassed face at this fact also played a part in stimulating his desire.

Gradually feeling Blair’s breathing become rapid, Herdin parted his lips.

“…Herdin.”

Blair’s eyes, flushed with heat and visible up close, and her red lips wet with saliva of unknown origin, were beautiful.

He had always thought so, but he newly appreciated this small bed that allowed him to feel her warmth more closely by pressing them together.

Herdin embraced her again and overlapped their lips.

At that moment, as if jealous of mom and dad’s display of affection, the child between them kicked. Feeling it simultaneously, the two broke their lips apart and burst into laughter.

Herdin kissed Blair again as she laughed joyfully and whispered.

“I love you.”