If it hadn’t been the right moment for the phrase to come up, it was undoubtedly believed.

‘Things are happening as they are meant to be.’

“Things are happening as they are meant to be,” Reese quoted Jayden’s words exactly.

“See, you also mobilized the Royal Guard. The male protagonist in the book I saw also mobilized the Royal Guard. Three thousand of them. How many did you mobilize?”

There was no answer. There was no doubt that it was the same number.
“Summon them right away. Call them immediately to protect you!”

Reese shouted excitedly. She seemed on the verge of bursting into tears.

Hersis sat facing Reese again.

“Reese.”

He called her name, wrapping his warm and firm hands around her shoulders. The tight grip seemed to calm Reese’s excitement a bit.

“If something is really meant to happen, how would wars and disasters have been avoided? How did Ishar not fall into the hands of the Grand Duke again?”

“That… maybe it was just good luck. Or perhaps, it wouldn’t have significantly affected the course of fate even if it didn’t happen.”

‘As if you married me instead of Lilia.’

“Your thoughts are like that.”

Hersis chuckled. It was a laughter that seemed to convey an effort to lead the thoughts in a negative direction, strangely mocking.

“I don’t know if these words will help change your mind, but…”

“…….”

“If my uncle leads the rebels and attacks, I wouldn’t leave my safety in someone else’s hands, even if I heard about it in advance.”

Hersis added, seeing Reese stare blankly without understanding what he meant.

“I wouldn’t have asked Ishar for soldiers.”

“Then…”

“There’s a better way. Why would I call someone else and entrust my safety to them? Even if they are highly honorable and loyal, in the end, they are Ishar’s people, not mine.”

“…….”

Was it because too many stories were exchanged at once?

Despite being a clearly understandable explanation, Reese didn’t seem to understand.

But Hersis didn’t give Reese enough time to understand.

“So, what I want to say is that I won’t walk the path you know.”

“…….”

“I guarantee nothing will happen. That’s why I sent the army out.”

It was a voice full of certainty.

If she were to harbor more doubts here, it would rather be insulting to him.

“Do you trust me?”

Hersis asked, meeting her gaze. Reese silently nodded.

Then he stood up again and reached out to Reese.

“So, get ready quickly. Before it gets too late.”

Reese took his hand and stood up with his support.

Hersis immediately pulled the bell cord. Rosalind and the chambermaid, who were waiting outside, came in upon hearing the bell ringing.

As Hersis nodded, they automatically started packing. Rosalind went to fetch the outdoor clothes.

“The riverside will be filled with willow branches.”

Hersis spoke to Reese about the temporary residence.

“You especially liked the willow trees in Baron Verium’s estate.”

Reese nodded with a bitter smile.

“That’s right.”

“The weather is warm, and the air is refreshing, so it’ll be good for giving birth and postpartum recovery.”

With those words, Hersis turned his head away.
Rosa had been quietly waiting by the side, and her thick dark blue outing dress hung over her arms.

“Hurry up and change.”

After instructing Rosa, Hersis turned to Reese again, smiling. Rosa, who had approached closely, reached out her hand to unbutton Reese’s dress.

However, instead of undressing, Reese spoke up.

“I didn’t say I was going.”

Hersis, who had reached the door, stopped abruptly. He slowly turned around.

Reese looked directly at him and spoke in a firm voice.

“I’ll give birth to the child next to you, not the willow trees.”

The child.

She had to give birth to the child somewhere else…

That fact squeezed Reese’s consciousness, which had been momentarily relaxed.

“I want to give birth to the child next to you.”

She wanted to show him Kane’s face just after being born.

She wanted him to realize that he finally had an heir. Somehow, it felt like that would expedite the resolution of the situation.

“No.”

Hersis firmly refused. In response, Reese retorted.

“You said nothing would happen.”

“…….”

“You clearly said that. So, can’t I give birth to the child here?”

“That’s a different issue.”

How is it different?

But if it continued like this, there was a concern that the conversation would become lengthy. Reese remembered that there had never been a time when a prolonged conversation was advantageous for her.

“If you decide to send me out in the end…”

There was ultimately no other way.

“I will choose the child.”

“…….”

“In a situation where I have to choose between the child and me, I will choose the child!”

In response to her words, Hersis bit his lower lip sharply with a sharp gaze.

In the suddenly tense atmosphere, the attendants didn’t know what to do. Even Rosa was wearing a puzzled expression, unsure whether to step back or stay where she was.

Finally, Hersis spoke with a growling tone.

“Do you think I would let that happen?”

“You have no choice, do you?”

Reese replied, grabbing her chin.

“After all, it’s not even a palace. Whether it’s a doctor or a midwife, twist their arms enough, and they’ll listen to me. I can do whatever I want.”

“…….”

“Have you forgotten? Before I was your wife, I was Reese Verium.”

Reese Verium, who once no one could stop once she set her mind to something. That was who she was.

And among the things she had stubbornly insisted on, there were almost none that she hadn’t achieved…

“Pfft!”

After a long silence, he suddenly burst into laughter.

Like a balloon that had been tautly inflated suddenly popping, there were audible gasps from all around. Perhaps everyone had been holding their breath.

“You haven’t changed at all.”

Hersis spoke with a voice tinted with laughter.

Reese, feeling a bit awkward, replied with a determined face.

“People… usually don’t change much.”