Chapter 3.4

It was fortunate that Sir Forrest was away on a business trip at this time. Otherwise, they would have undoubtedly been caught in an embarrassing situation or left behind traces that couldn’t be hidden.

Lian’s desire far exceeded her expectations, and it seemed as though they had broken the dam that held it back. From that moment on, he pursued her even more relentlessly, constantly kissing her and seeking to be close to her. Eventually, she had to draw a line and stop him herself.

“We…… can’t do this anymore.”

“Why?”

“Because…… it’s almost time for my cycle. What if I get pregnant?”

It was while they were sitting side by side on the sofa, petting Amber, that she hesitantly brought it up. His expression shifted into one of surprise, and then, as if he couldn’t believe what he had just heard, he replied.

“Then we’ll just have the baby.”

“What……?”

“Wouldn’t it be a good thing if we had a child? Or are you scared of having one right now?”

What kind of reckless statement was that? His casual tone made her feel frustrated and angry. How could he take the matter of having a child so lightly?

“Sir Clyde.”

She called him in a cold tone, reverting to the formal title she used to address him. He looked at her with a startled expression, his mouth slightly agape.

“Why are you calling me that again?”

His face resembled that of a scolded puppy, but she didn’t waver. She glared at him and spoke.

“Have you traveled to the provinces often?”

At her abrupt question, he looked puzzled, as if wondering why she was asking, but he eventually nodded.

“Then have you ever taken a proper look around the villages?”

“Well, not really. I’ve only been there for expeditions, so I’ve never had a reason to look around in detail. But why are you suddenly asking about that?”

“I think you should know. I’m not saying this applies to the Imperial Knights, but whenever groups like that pass through villages, illegitimate children often appear. I’ve seen many cases like that when I used to live in the countryside.”

“Why are you bringing this up all of a sudden?”

He asked, clearly not understanding her point. Of course, he didn’t get it. She let out a deep sigh and replied.

“It feels like you’re asking me to become one of those cases.”

She deliberately focused her gaze on the cat sitting on her lap, avoiding looking at his face. She couldn’t bring herself to say such things while meeting his eyes.

“Sir Clyde, raising a child alone is incredibly difficult. Especially in my case, where I don’t have any family and have to work to support myself. Having a child in such circumstances would be an unbearable burden. I simply don’t have the means to handle it right now. So please, don’t say things like that so carelessly. For me, pregnancy isn’t something I can take lightly.”

“Why…….”

“Pardon?”

His voice trembled as he spoke, sounding weak and defeated. She turned to him, confused, only to be shocked by the despair written across his face.

“Why do you look like that? Don’t you understand what I’m saying? Let me explain again……”

“That’s not it. I’m asking why you’re thinking that way. Why are you imagining such a scenario? Why are you thinking like that?”

“What are you talking about? It’s only natural for me to consider the future……”

“What’s natural about it? Is it natural to assume we’ll separate in the future? If you have a child? Are you planning to abandon me and leave? And then raise the child alone?”

His words left her stunned.

It was true that they had shared their feelings for each other. It was also true that they had shared their bodies. But wasn’t that all? Nothing about their reality had changed.

“Well…… isn’t that how it usually goes? Knights don’t usually marry. As I said earlier, I’ve seen many cases like that. They promise to return, but they never do…… and the women are left to raise the children alone.”

She knew he loved her now. But marriage was a different matter. It required a clear promise. They hadn’t discussed anything of the sort. And in such a situation, having a child felt like being told to raise it alone.

As if reading her thoughts, he asked her.

“Hestia, do you not want to stay with me in the future?”

“What?”

“Did you not accept me with the intention of marrying me?”

The moment she heard those words, she looked at him with her mouth slightly open. She hadn’t expected him to say something like that. Feeling upset, she replied.

“But… is that something that can happen just because you want it to? You know, our statuses are different…”

“That doesn’t matter. Why would something like that even be important?”

“Besides, men like you… usually don’t marry someone just because they’ve spent one night with them, do they? I was prepared for that…”

“Ha. Now I understand. That’s why you were talking about illegitimate children and all that.”

He responded immediately, his face showing disbelief. His firm tone even carried a hint of anger, as if he was offended by the fact that she saw him in such a light. Disappointment seemed to seep into his expression, as though he couldn’t believe she thought of him that way.

But she still couldn’t wrap her head around his words and actions. Had he confessed to her from the beginning with the intention of marrying her?

Even though he denied it, she couldn’t easily believe him. Seeing her doubt, he looked upset and pulled her hand, the one stroking Amber, toward him. Lowering his head, he kissed the back of her hand and spoke.

“This won’t do. I feel like this is my fault. Just wait here for a little while.”

“Why? What are you going to do?”

“It won’t take long.”

With a determined look, he stood up. As he left the room and headed outside the estate, she followed him, repeatedly asking what he was planning, but he deliberately avoided answering, only saying, “Later.” Then, as he buttoned his shirt, he asked her a question, as if he wanted to confirm something.

“I’ll ask you one last time. Answer me carefully.”

“What is it?”

“You don’t regret accepting me, do you? And you still mean it when you say you love me?”

“Of course, I do. But why are you suddenly asking me that?”

“That’s all I needed to hear.”

Letting out a sigh of relief, he gave her a brief kiss. Then, with hurried steps, he brushed past her.

“Are you going out alone? Wait, let me come with you…”

“I’m not a fool anymore. I’ll be fine, Hestia.”

“But…”

“Don’t tell me you trust that sly guy’s words more than mine?”

“It’s not that… but until now, we’ve always gone out together. So, let me come with you too—”

“You’ll end up coming anyway. But for now, I need to go alone. There’s no time. Just wait for me here. You trust me, don’t you?”

His tone was firm, leaving no room for argument. Indeed, Lian’s current state seemed to show that, while his memories hadn’t fully returned, his mental state had matured into that of a full-grown adult. He was composed, and at times, even displayed a sharpness that could intimidate Sir Forrest himself.

In the end, she nodded.

“I trust you. Please be careful.”

Hearing her words, he smiled softly, his amber eyes curving gently. He seemed pleased to have earned her trust.

So, he can go out without me now.

The thought left her feeling unexpectedly bitter. While she was smiling faintly, he said, “I’ll be back,” and draped a cloak over his shoulders.

Lian soon left the estate. She tried to calm her unease by stroking Amber.

“What on earth is he thinking…?”

As if in response, the cat let out a soft meow. Of course, she couldn’t understand what it meant.

“I hope it’s nothing serious.”

Feeling dejected, she returned to her room and laid down on the bed.

Little did she know that Lian’s actions would soon turn the capital upside down.