“My goodness!” Cecile exclaimed, jumping up from her seat. Covering her mouth with her hands and her eyes sparkling, her behavior belied her 50 years, resembling more a girl excitedly gossiping about a love affair.

Grand Duke Albrecht? That would be more than welcome. Of course, the news of having a child before marriage was not something to celebrate, and the public’s view wouldn’t be kind. But if it had to be anyone, better the father be someone of the highest standing.

In that regard, Grand Duke Albrecht was an ideal candidate. He had impeccable qualifications, noble lineage, and above all, a chaste personal life devoid of any scandal. Cecile liked the idea of him being Celeste’s partner.

She clasped her flushed face with trembling hands, appearing as if she, not Celeste, had found a suitor.

“So, he came all the way here for her? My goodness, oh Lord.”

What should be prepared first? Rumors, especially those involving romantic affairs, spread like wildfire. The news that Countess Luise had become an unwed mother would soon be all over the capital.

In a haste, Cecile thought about arranging a wedding as soon as possible. To her, Celeste was like a daughter. What parent could watch their child’s reputation crumble without doing something?

“It’s just my speculation, but I think it’s Grand Duke Albrecht. There have always been weird rumors about Countess Celeste and Grand Duke Toscour, but we know those were baseless.”

Franz had his reasons for frequently inviting Celeste to his mansion. It was more about business relations with her family than personal matters, and they had to remain tight-lipped about it, however inconvenient the scandalous rumors were. The household staff knew how unfair it was.

“And I sensed something was off when Grand Duke Albrecht visited us in Urentum. Even if he was conducting an imperial investigation, it was unusual for a man of his stature to personally visit such a remote village. And the way he looked at Countess Celeste… When the explosion happened, he shielded her with his body, even injuring himself in the process!”

There was no need for further explanation. A man throwing himself into harm’s way to save a woman? That spoke volumes. Only love could drive such an act.

“Our Countess, so capable and industrious. And to think, she had been secretly involved with Grand Duke Albrecht… When did they even find the time and place for such a romantic liaison?” Cecile’s lips twitched with amusement.

“Then the private talk they’re having in the study now, is it about marriage?”

“Marriage?”

Wasn’t that jumping several steps ahead in their relationship? Hanna and Liv looked taken aback by the rapid progression of events.
Of course, considering her age, Celeste was more than ready for marriage, but marriage so suddenly?

“We need to hurry, there’s a child involved now. It’s already late,” Cecile insisted, to which Lady Margaret seemed to agree. The two middle-aged ladies began discussing wedding preparations.

All these conversations, from Carl’s unexpected arrival to talks of marriage preparation, were happening without the input of those directly involved, but that seemed insignificant in the grand scheme.

They debated dates, venues, and guest lists, and no one dared to interrupt the spirited discussion of Cecile and Margaret.

The two main subjects of this heated topic, Carl and Celeste, called them back just as the ladies were about to put their discussions into writing.

Pressing me like this must mean he’s sensed something. As I fumbled for a proper response, Carl kept his gaze fixed on me.

“I have no memory…”

But the only answer I could give was that I had no memory, no knowledge.

I didn’t know what happened between Carl and Celeste two years ago, when or where Celeste gave birth, or who brought Valerie to me. Naturally, I was extremely cautious with my response.

Even if I saw the potion change to transparent, I couldn’t just blurt out, “Yes, Valerie seems to be your child!” without thinking of the consequences.

“I see, you’re going to stick with the ‘no memory’ response. I thought so.”

Carl straightened up from his leaning position, and my eyes followed his movements.

Straightening up, Carl reached into his uniform and pulled something out. I stared in confusion, wondering what he was doing.

“If you can’t remember, then we’ll just have to check directly.”

In his hand was a familiar potion bottle. It was the same magical potion I had first seen in Urentum to confirm Valerie’s paternity!

How did that end up in his possession? I was baffled.

“Where did you get that?”

“I confiscated it from Alphonso, the detective in Urentum.”

“Ah…”

That detective who was more trouble than help.

“After the explosion, we searched and confiscated several items, including several bottles of this potion. I thought I’d bring one, just in case.”

He shook the bottle slightly, with a somewhat annoyingly complacent expression.

“You’re not going to get away with the ‘I don’t remember’ excuse, are you?”

“Could you please call the child? Celeste.”

There he goes, casually using a pet name. Were Carl and Celeste really that close? My head started to throb.

“Would you rather I call her for you?”

I just sat there, unable to find the right words. Then, unable to wait even a moment longer, Carl rang the handbell on the table.

Moments later, Muller appeared at the sound of a knock, and Carl whispered something to him.

It seemed inevitable that Carl and I would be linked as Valerie’s parents. Whether this was a good or bad situation for me was yet to be seen.

Muller, the capable butler, acted swiftly, perhaps thinking that a suitable husband had finally appeared for his unwed mistress. He seemed determined to settle the matter before Grand Duke Albrecht changed his mind about leaving the mansion.
So, in just about five minutes, with no regard to my feelings or wishes, everything around me was sorted out. In that short span, the study had transformed into what seemed like a paternity test center.

“My lord.”

Muller, Lady Margaret, Cecile, Liv, Hanna, and even Kendrick – as if they were waiting for the cue, they all poured into the study through the opened door.

Those people, they are like one entity in five bodies. How can they stick together like that?

“Are you conducting a paternity test?”

The group, led by Cecile, started murmuring. Hanna had an ‘I knew it’ expression, Kendrick looked perplexed, and Lady Margaret appeared as if she was on the verge of tears.

Ah, I couldn’t help but sigh.

How many times is this now? It feels like taking a test whose answers I already know, over and over again.

I took the opportunity of the commotion to take Valerie, who was in Liv’s arms, and sat her on the table. Sitting there with the baby in my arms, under everyone’s gaze, while just moments ago I was in a private conversation with Carl, felt surreal.

Valerie, as if understanding my mood, didn’t babble as usual but quietly nestled against me.

I gently held the tiny, maple leaf-like hand of the child. The thought of having to draw blood from these little fingers again was really unwelcome, but there was no way to refuse the Grand Duke’s request to personally verify if she was his daughter.