Despite the symptoms of morning sickness that he had been deep down expecting, he couldn't just rejoice.
The moment he realized that, he felt his heart sink.
'It's not the time yet...'
What at least consoled her was that she still didn't feel nauseated enough to vomit.
—Oh, that's true.
Madam, Your Excellency has given me medicine to strengthen your health…
Melly, who was entering the bedroom with her, opened her mouth as if she had just remembered something, but stopped short when she saw Blair standing there and looked at her strangely.
-Lady?
What's wrong with him?
Lina, who was preparing food in the room, also quickly walked over upon hearing Melly's voice.
—Are you feeling unwell, ma'am?
-I'm not well.
It was just a slight dizziness.
Blair was quick to wave her hands in denial, but Lina and Melly's gaze became even more worried.
—Should I call the family doctor?
—It's not that big of a deal.
I think it's because it's been in hot water for too long.
Blair firmly held Lina's hand, who looked like she was ready to run off to call the doctor at any moment.
Luckily, Lina didn't go looking for the doctor.
Instead, he took Blair's hand, eyes filled with concern.
—It seems that your health has deteriorated greatly lately.
Why don't you eat a lot more and then go for a walk with me when you're done?
At Lina's overprotectiveness, Blair giggled and nodded.
—Okay, let's do it.
"Then call me if you need anything."
Lina and Melly left and finally Blair was alone in the room.
Blair walked over to the table where Lina had prepared the food.
The closer he got, the more intense the buttery aroma of the bread became, and the more his appetite disappeared.
He put away the bread and soup, the source of the smell, and returned to sit at the table.
Then, carefully, he placed a hand on his lower abdomen.
-…Little.
The voice with which she called to the child in her womb trembled subtly.
Just like the hand that caressed her belly.
Although she had tried her best to conceive him in the same situation and the same period as her past life, when Aziel was born, she could not be sure.
But if, in any case, it was something that she could only know by giving birth, she had no choice but to believe that this child was Aziel.
Thinking that Aziel, after a long time, had returned to look for her, she felt a wave of tears welling up in her eyes.
After returning to the past, many difficult things had happened.
From the beginning of this contract marriage, the incidents during the process of discovering the truth of the event from ten years ago, to the accusations that were pointed towards him due to current rumors.
But what had sustained her every moment she wanted to give up was the firm will to meet Aziel again, no matter what.
She was glad that the fruit she had held on to so tenaciously had finally nestled safely in her womb.
—In this life, I will never leave you alone.
'I will protect you by your side until you no longer need mom's help.'
Thinking that she was no longer alone, her weak heart grew a little stronger.
She had to be strong to protect the child in her womb.
Blair stayed like that for a long time, gently caressing her belly.
⋅•⋅⋅•⋅⊰⋅•⋅⋅•⋅⋅•⋅⋅•⋅∙∘☽༓☾∘∙•⋅⋅⋅•⋅⋅⊰⋅•⋅⋅•⋅⋅•⋅⋅•⋅
When Blair, after finishing eating, returned from a walk in the backyard with Lina, Baroness Sionel was waiting for her.
"Have you been okay all this time, ma'am?"
He had called her to make the dress she would wear to the National Foundation Festival in a fortnight.
-Thank you.
And you, ma'am, have you been well?
-Of course.
I can't be any other way if you remember to look for me just when you've almost forgotten me.
Baroness Sionel laughed in her characteristic high-octave voice, covering her mouth with a fan.
—By the way, are you coming for a walk?
—Yes, the weather has been nice lately.
-Gorgeous!
A healthy model enhances the clothes even more.
She led the conversation skillfully as she spread the fabrics she had prepared in front of Blair.
Although it could not be that she, the most popular fashion designer in the empire, was unaware of the rumors that were spreading throughout the capital, she did not dare to mention them lightly.
His art of handling, which at first glance seemed superficial but was not at all superficial, was truly professional.
Thanks to this, Blair was able to choose the fabric of the dress and talk about the design in peace.
Shortly after, Blair, who had finished the conversation, stood up first from his seat.
—I trust you this time too.
-Of course.
Leave it in my hands.
I will visit her again in a few days for the test.
When Baroness Sionel also stood up, her assistants began to gather the fabrics they had brought with impeccable precision.
Just as Blair, with her back to them, was about to leave the reception hall first, one of Baroness Sionel's assistants approached her.
He handed him a catalogue.
-Lady.
This is a catalog of the new products that have been released.
Take a look when you have time.
—Oh, thank you.
Blair extended her hand and received the catalogue.
At that moment, the assistant slipped something under the catalog.
<…A note?>
In the brief moment that Blair was blinking strangely, the assistant had already hurried away.
So I couldn't open it right there.
There was a person who he suspected might have sent it to him.
—I'm going to rest a little.
Go attend to your affairs.
Returning to her room, Blair ushered Lina and Melly out as well, and then produced from her hand the note she had received moments before from Baroness Sionel's assistant.
Upon unfolding it, his eyes came across content written in familiar calligraphy.
⌜'I have something important to tell you in person, but I have not been able to contact you due to the severe surveillance in the ducal mansion.
Even the maid who used to transmit the messages has been under surveillance, so it has been difficult for me to get close.’⌟
It seemed that Herdin had not only prohibited him from leaving and tightened the security of the ducal mansion, but had also completely blocked any contact with the outside.
Only then did she understand why she hadn't heard from Mikhail in all that time.
⌜’Before I arrange a meeting, there is something I would like to ask you first.’⌟
⌜'Are that plan and determination that you told me about at the beginning still valid?'⌟
The plan and determination that Mikhail was asking about probably referred to what she herself had told him the first time she went to the guild.
Cause a scandal, abandon his current name and status and leave the ducal house.
⌜'If your plan has not changed, I am in the best position to help you.'⌟
⌜’The day Baroness Sionel comes with the dress already tried on, send your response through the same assistant who gave you this note.
I'll be waiting.'⌟
After reading the note in its entirety, Blair took the flowers from a nearby vase, stuck the paper into the fireplace, and poured water over it until it was soaked and mushy.
Then, with the poker, he completely dismantled it until its shape was unrecognizable.
But now that the morning sickness had even started, I also had to consider the worst-case scenario.
As she replaced the flowers in the empty vase, Blair's eyes looked serene and calm, as if she had already put all her thoughts in order.
⋅•⋅⋅•⋅⊰⋅•⋅⋅•⋅⋅•⋅⋅•⋅∙∘☽༓☾∘∙•⋅⋅⋅•⋅⋅⊰⋅•⋅⋅•⋅⋅•⋅⋅•⋅
Before dinner time, Herdin, who had returned home, took a bath and went to find Blair in her room.
It was their daily routine to return to the mansion after their external business, hug Blair, and when night came, have dinner together in the bedroom.
But contrary to her plan, Blair was fast asleep.
It was a pity that his plans had gone awry, but the night was long, and a brief rest was not something he could not understand.
She knew well who was responsible for having left her exhausted day and night lately, so she couldn't help but feel a certain burden of conscience.
Herdin sat quietly on the edge of the bed and quietly watched the sleeping Blair.
Everything was going smoothly.
He had gathered all the evidence that would reveal the details of the fire at the Empress's Palace ten years ago.
Herdin's gaze went to Blair's flat belly, covered by the blanket.
If I created a bond that no one could separate, a bond that tied you to me, and so you stayed by my side...
If only that happened, he felt that all the restlessness that still lingered at his feet would disappear completely.
Herdin covered and caressed Blair's belly with his large hand, and finally, unable to contain the desire that boiled within him, he leaned his body towards her.
The desire that had possessed her incessantly for some time could not wait for even that brief moment of tranquility.
Just at the moment when his selfish lips were about to devour her defenseless lips, Blair's firmly closed eyelids trembled subtly and she slowly opened her eyes.
—…Ah.
As soon as she opened her eyes, Blair opened them wide, surprised to see his face right in front of her nose.
But the culprit, caught just before committing the crime, far from being surprised, brazenly devoured her lips immediately.
The lips, repeating the cycle of sucking, biting and releasing, intertwined more deeply and persistently.
Soon his hand came up naturally on her belly.
At that moment, Blair, who returned his kisses awkwardly, passively dodged him.
Herdin, who noticed it acutely, parted his lips and looked at her, to which Blair responded in a murmur.
—…I don't think I feel well.
As she said this, Blair's hand, hidden under the blanket, wrapped around her lower abdomen as if to protect it.
In the early stages of pregnancy, the probability of miscarriage was high.
Now that she knew she was pregnant, she had to avoid sleeping with him at all costs.
Herdin's eyes narrowed as he watched Blair in that state.
—Have you had a medical examination?
And have you taken the medicine?
—It's not that big of a deal.
I'm just… a little tired.
I want to rest.
Blair muddled through like that as she watched his reaction.
Fortunately, Herdin did not insist any further and moved away.
Relieved, Blair calmed down and was about to close her eyes again when Herdin's words made her heart sink.
—By the way, it seems to me that you haven't had your period yet this month.
…To be continued