“I’m not sick so you don’t need to worry.”

“You always just say you’re fine.”

“No I don’t. If I wasn’t fine, I would have told you not to go today.”

Alisa shook her head side to side and smiled brightly.

In the end, Rashid had to get in his carriage without being able to stay with her until the examination was over.

Before departing, he made sure to call the physician separately and leave the order ‘Report to me immediately if anything happens.’

Though the mansion’s servants had developed the habit of swiftly reporting anything related to Alisa to him, important matters needed to be reemphasized.

“Send a messenger to the imperial palace if anything happens.”

“Ah, yes. But there won’t be anything like that.”

Alisa smiled brightly as she saw him off. Rashid barely managed to leave the mansion, forcing his feet that seemed stuck to the ground to move.

* * *

Time passed excruciatingly slowly. He couldn’t remember what was discussed or how the meeting proceeded, and it was a day where he desperately wished for the sun to set quickly.

When Rashid returned in the evening, Alisa had already gone to bed early.

It wasn’t that late though. It was usually the time they would enjoy dinner together, so Rashid thought something was strange.

But the physician hadn’t left any particular message. According to Sylvester, he had only said she was quite healthy and should just take care of her health going forward. Meaning Rashid had nothing special to worry about.

‘Was she tired?’

He fell into thought while touching Alisa’s forehead as she slept with soft breaths.

Since returning to Granrose recently, Alisa had been especially pushing herself. Even in Camelli she had obsessively pored over records and processed documents saying she needed to study, but at least there she didn’t have to feel fatigue from dealing with people.

But the capital was different. Because social affairs also became part of a duchess’s duties.

Though she maintained good relationships with Princess Jeanne and Madame Spendal as before, that alone wasn’t enough to fulfill the role of a duchess. It was a position entangled with that many busy and complex interests.

So there was a part of him that wished she wouldn’t be bound by that position. When just staying by his side was enough, why did she need to wear herself out working and attending all sorts of parties?

Because he truly thought Alisa didn’t need to do anything, he conveyed his thoughts to her again.

Then Alisa wrinkled her nose bridge thoroughly and said ‘Am I being a hindrance? Should I just stay still because I’m not helping?’ which made Rashid shut his mouth. That day ended up spending the whole night coaxing and comforting the sullen Alisa.

‘Even that aspect is lovely though.’

Alisa always moves forward somehow. When there’s something she doesn’t know, she learns it, somehow masters what she wants to know, and inevitably realizes her benevolent will to be helpful to others.

Not staying still but walking in the direction she set for herself, toward what would make her happier and better—she remained a brilliant existence to Rashid.

My sun, that’s why I love you.

Because you are the eternal light that always illuminates me and drives away darkness.

Rashid lay beside Alisa and quietly embraced her. Overwhelming warmth soaked his chest.

“Mmm……”

Perhaps sensing the body holding her firmly, Alisa made small sleeping complaints. Then she shifted and buried her head in Rashid’s chest. After waiting a moment, regular breathing sounds started tickling his embrace.

Rashid matched rhythm with those breaths and knew the name of what was welling up in his chest.

It was happiness.

* * *

After that day, Alisa spent some time living somewhat statically.

She didn’t attend any evening balls at all, instead socializing with noble ladies at tea parties. Not just horseback riding, but she barely went outside unless absolutely necessary.

So naturally Rashid’s worry grew like a snowball rolling down a slope.

Above all, going to bed early every night was a big problem. Even on days when he returned early or stayed at the mansion, she wouldn’t let him touch her saying she was too tired.

One can only endure for a day or two, now it felt unbearable. Thinking back now, it was amazing how he had endured that long time in the past.

Finally Rashid called the physician separately for an interview. The physician was already visiting Alisa daily for examinations these days.

The physician who was suddenly dragged to the duke’s office was very tense. Though his position meant he met with the duke quite often, Rashid was particularly cold and sharp in temperament when it came to matters related to the duchess, so caution was needed.

Tap tap, Rashid drummed on the chair’s armrest a few times before crossing his arms.

“The duchess seems quite lacking in energy lately, is there really nothing wrong?”

Rashid asked while calmly suppressing the urge to grab his collar. Though his tone was polite, the cold air he emanated conveyed a stern warning to answer properly or be prepared.

The physician rolled his eyes left and right for a moment choosing his words before finally opening his mouth.

“Yes, Your Grace. The lady’s health is peaceful. I merely advised that resting would be better for her health than being too busy.”

“Medicine.”

“I prescribed medicine that can boost vitality.”

“You’re sure she’s really alright.”

“How could I dare lie about such a matter?”

Only after repeated confirmation did Rashid release the physician from the room.

The physician hurriedly escaped the mansion while clutching his chest.

Left alone in the office, Rashid calmly went over whether he had done something wrong.

They say her health is fine, and though she’s not moving around much she seems energetic, according to what Benjamin found out there’s no trouble in social circles, and no troubling incidents in territory affairs either. Just what is the problem? Though he thought about it all day, no answer came.

“Hah.”

Rashid ran his hand through his hair with a long sigh. Deep colors resembling darkness revealed low golden lights that had sunk into neatly arranged places.

Truly, Alisa Penvernon was his greatest challenge on earth. Rashid remained lost in thought for a long time before this lovely obstacle that he simply couldn’t handle.

Perhaps she felt sorry for him like that?

A few days later, Alisa sent word that she had something to tell Rashid.

Rashid didn’t understand that request. Something to tell him? Couldn’t she say such things anytime? During meals, or teatime, or even in bed—she could bring it up whenever she wanted.

But Alisa set out tea at the bedroom table as if she needed to create some specific setting. The fragrance of newly brought tea was abundant. Looking closely, all the flower arrangements and sheets on the table seemed replaced with new ones too.

It was late at night after finishing dinner. Though she said she had something to tell him, spending time like this wasn’t different from usual. After all, they sat in these chairs every night having many conversations.

But today’s Alisa was somehow different. She just stared at him intently with her mouth firmly closed.

“……So, Alisa.”

As if she’s waiting for him to ask first.

“What did you want to tell me?”

So Rashid did just that.

“……Don’t be surprised.”

The response was unexpected. If she hadn’t said that he probably wouldn’t have been surprised, but hearing it made him feel like he needed mental preparation.

Rashid nodded slightly.

Then Alisa raised and lowered her shoulders slightly, before opening her mouth, seemingly determined.

“……I’d like you to think of a name.”

“A name?”

Rashid narrowed his eyes as he asked back.

“Yes.”

She smiled brightly.

“A name for the baby.”

“Baby?”

“Yes!”

With a cheerful answer, Alisa lightly placed both hands on her belly.

“A name for our baby.”

Ah.

Rashid’s eyes widened for a moment as he lost his words.

“The physician must have coordinated well. I was worried he might tell you early. I really wanted to tell you myself.”

Alisa’s cheeks were beautifully tinged peach-colored as she smiled shyly. Her gentle hands caressing her belly were infused with various emotions of surprise and wonder.

“A baby…… Alisa.”

His own voice sounded stupid coming out of his mouth.

Why didn’t I think of this? In the past he would have guessed more easily, but somehow it had become a forgotten word the longer they spent time together.

“Ah, I only found out for sure today…. Before that it was like having circumstantial evidence but no physical evidence? Still, I was careful just in case. Aren’t you curious how I got that circumstantial evidence?”

Since Alisa raised her voice at the end as if asking him to please ask, Rashid did that again too. When he nodded slightly, the corners of her eyes curved prettily at getting the response she waited for.

“I had a dream.”

“……What kind of dream?”