Chapter 17 – Part 16

“Her overall health isn’t very good.”

“How bad is it?”

“She’s anemic, has low muscle mass, and is underweight. Even a small shock could result in serious injury, like broken bones. Considering she needs to rest during this period, it’s surprising she’s held up this long.”

Marcus’s fingers grew colder with each explanation. Even when faced with countless bodies on the battlefield, he had never felt this kind of shock. Liese looked so pale that it wouldn’t have been surprising if she stopped breathing at any moment.

She had always had a small appetite. But to think she was now as frail as a street beggar was unimaginable.

“Your wife must take in sufficient nutrition and rest completely for the sake of the child. You must remember that even a small mistake could lead to a miscarriage.”

Marcus’s face darkened as he looked at Liese’s sunken eyelids. The doctor’s words, focusing on the baby rather than Liese, grated on him.

If something happened to Liese… it would be his fault.

How could he, of all people, not know that the woman he loved had become so weak?

Marcus’s troubled gaze shifted to Liese’s lower abdomen. It was hard to believe another life was growing inside that frail body.

“Would her recovery be faster without the baby?”

Marcus asked quietly, his voice heavy. The doctor raised her eyebrows.

“How can you say that without asking her?”

“I’m asking just in case.”

“There are ways, but a decision must be made before the fetus grows any further.”

The doctor, who seemed to be around the age of Liese’s nurse, did not easily back down.

“Don’t you find it admirable that the fetus has grown despite such harsh conditions?”

“Admirable? What do you mean?”

“I mentioned that the pregnancy symptoms appeared late, didn’t I?”

Ignoring his lowering voice, the doctor began to take out medicine bottles from the cupboard.

“They say the fetus knows the mother’s situation. If the mother can’t afford to care for it, the fetus often stays quiet.”

Marcus narrowed his eyes. It seemed absurd for a doctor to say such things.

“The baby has likely absorbed the minimum nutrition from the mother and stayed quiet. That’s why she probably didn’t even realize she was pregnant.”

The doctor, who had now filled the table with prenatal vitamins, reached the peak of her nonsensical talk.

“It means the baby is being very considerate of its mother.”

Marcus scoffed at the absurd logic. Despite his reaction, the doctor continued, showing him each bottle.

“She should take this supplement twice a day. This one is best taken first thing in the morning.”

As she went on with her instructions, she began lecturing him about taking care of the pregnant woman.

“No smoking or drinking for the sake of both the baby and the mother. Light walks are good. Intimate relations are fine, but given her poor health, it’s best to refrain for now.”

She also listed a few more precautions before suggesting they stay at the clinic for the night, promising to return in the morning. With that, the doctor finally left.

Marcus remained still for a long time, staring at Liese. Slowly, he reached out and gently caressed her cheek with his fingers.

Liese was visibly thinner than before. Her already small face had lost even more weight. He had seen the pronounced ribs when the doctor had lifted her clothes for the examination. He hadn’t realized it was that bad when she was clothed.

Marcus had planned to wait patiently until Liese was ready to leave Raum and join him in Bachmann. But this was a different matter entirely.

He needed to get her to Bachmann as soon as possible. She needed proper medical care focused solely on her, not from some quack doctor.

Once she woke up, he would give her half a day to say goodbye to her friends, the florist, and the church. He would leave the packing to his attendants and take her straight to Rosen.

While formulating this plan, Marcus sighed, feeling conflicted. He had come here to respect her wishes, yet he was making decisions on his own again.

What would Liese think of all this?

A young woman barely in her twenties wouldn’t be prepared for pregnancy. They hadn’t even formalized their relationship, so she might be unsure about the baby. She could be anxious and even rejecting the idea of this sudden child.

Perhaps that would be better for her. Her fragile body was already under too much strain; the idea of a child wasn’t even on Marcus’s mind.

Of course, the thought of having a child with the woman he loved was something he should celebrate. He had longed for a bond that could never be broken between them.

But in this situation, if someone asked if he was happy about her pregnancy, he couldn’t truthfully say yes.

Marcus’s hand froze as he brushed his hair back. Liese, who had seemed unconscious, was now wide awake, staring at him.

…How long has she been awake?

“It’s a clinic. You collapsed suddenly, so I had to find a doctor.”

Marcus spoke calmly, sitting on the edge of her bed. Her clear eyes followed his movements.

“How do you feel?”

“I’m not in pain. Just a little thirsty.”

Marcus poured water from a bottle on the small table and handed it to her. Liese, still lying on the pillow, slowly sat up and took a few sips. Even that seemed precarious, making Marcus feel increasingly anxious.

“The doctor examined you while you were unconscious.”

Liese listened quietly, her lips still moist from the water. Marcus hesitated for a moment before speaking softly.

“She said you’re not alone.”

Liese inhaled sharply but didn’t look particularly surprised. She remained silent for a long time, eyes lowered in contemplation. Marcus tried to read something in her clear eyes, but it was futile.

“To be honest, your condition isn’t good. Worse than it looks, and I’m worried it might get worse.”

“I had a feeling.”

Her calm voice made Marcus fall silent.

“About being pregnant. I eventually convinced myself it wasn’t true, but I had my suspicions.”

“Why did you think it wasn’t?”

“I was too scared… I needed to believe it wasn’t true.”

Liese’s voice trailed off as she recalled her thoughts. With the conversation opened, Marcus found it easier to continue.

“If you don’t want it, it’s not too late.”

“Not too late?”

“You know what I mean.”

When Liese’s green eyes wavered slightly as she looked at Marcus, he intertwined his fingers with hers. He completely enveloped her small, cold hand with his warmth.

“There was a time when I thought that pregnancy could be a shackle binding you to me. But now, Liese, I don’t want to hold you that way.”

His voice was firm and unwavering. Marcus gently squeezed Liese’s hand that he was holding.

“So, please, don’t push yourself too hard. My only wish is that you don’t suffer.”

Liese listened carefully, pausing before she slowly began to speak.

“Marcus, did you know that my morning sickness started the day you appeared?”

Her frail voice had a strangely conciliatory tone. This time, it was Marcus who remained silent.

“Looking back, I realize it now. The symptoms have been there since the morning I saw your shadow at the flower shop.”

“…”

“The baby must have been quietly hiding while I was alone. Even though it’s been with me since last year, it stayed silent, maybe worried that I was struggling…”

She had heard everything. Liese must have absorbed everything the doctor had mumbled. Marcus silently stroked the back of her hand.

“But when you appeared, it seemed to make its presence known. Maybe the baby was happy to see you.”

“Lieselotte.”

“…Yes?”

“Do you really want to have this baby?”

‘Would you be okay if I became even more obsessively attached to your well-being than I am now? Would you truly want to have my child, knowing you could never escape from me until death?’

Marcus swallowed these questions, fearing that she might immediately recoil and shake her head.

How contradictory love is. To wish for Liese to never be in pain, while also hoping she wouldn’t push him away.

Liese blinked a few times. The doctor had administered a mild sedative. Although it was safe for pregnant women and might have a minimal effect, it seemed to be taking hold.

“Let’s sleep on it and think about it again.”

Marcus slightly turned Liese’s shoulders and laid her back down. The feel of her bones under his palm made his brow furrow.

“I’ll stay by your side.”

But he didn’t show it and pressed his lips to her forehead. Liese, who had been looking up at him, gradually lost consciousness as if watercolors were spreading across paper.

His affectionate gaze lingered on her before falling to her belly. As his worried expression returned, Marcus let out a silent sigh, careful not to wake her.

After covering the soundly sleeping Liese with a blanket, he pulled up a chair and sat beside her.

Instead of revealing all his raw emotions to a woman who was already sensitive, his task was to present them in a way she could understand.

And to listen to her wishes.

Marcus silently repeated these thoughts, lowering his eyes. He had spent countless nights alone, but never had he been so deeply reflective as he was today.