CHAPTER 8

Armie and Leroy were both their classmates at the Academy. They had been dating since their academy days and announced their wedding at graduation.

“They make such a lovely couple…”

Renee exclaimed in pure admiration as they marched down the aisle.

“Yeah, they’re beautiful.”

Armie and Leroy walked slowly down the flower-lined aisle, arm in arm, both smiling broadly.

“Weddings sure have a way of stirring up emotions.” 

She heard a dry voice and glanced at Greta.

“Greta, are you okay?”

“Why?”

“You look a little tired.”

“You’re right. I’m feeling quite exhausted.” 

She had stayed at the Academy, continuing her studies and research.

“You seem very busy.”

“I was prepared for it, but the path to becoming a professor is tough.” 

“I can imagine. Still, it’s admirable, really.”

“Yeah, it’s great that you’re studying more…… I had a hard enough time in the academy.”

Renee grimaced in remembrance.

“Thanks. It’s the path I’ve chosen, so I have to work hard.”

Gretta glanced at both of them and then stared at Rienn intently.

“Why?”

“Rienn, I feel like something’s changed in you.”

“Huh?”

Rienn chuckled, feeling a bit flustered. 

“Yeah, I felt that too! Rienn, your vibe has changed.” 

“…….”

Wow. Renee was sharp in these matters.

With thick padding between the corset and the dress, they felt like her vibe had changed. Though they weren’t sure if it was really the vibe…

“Haha, maybe it’s because of the new dress?”

Rienn tried to casually brush it off.

“No, it’s not because of the clothes. Your overall vibe feels distinctly different.”

“I don’t know…….”

She scratched her head and avoided eye contact.

“Did you get a new dress?” 

Greta added, surprisingly.

“Oh, I received it as a gift.”

It was a surprise gift from Dian. Although she already had plenty of clothes at the mansion and didn’t need more, Dian generously gifted her at least twenty outfits, ranging from nightgowns to dresses for going out. The light blue dress complemented her blonde hair and blue eyes well.

‘You don’t have to come out.’

Before leaving, Dian, supported by Philip, escorted Rienn to the mansion entrance.

‘I wanted to see you off. You look lovely, Rienn.’

‘I’m just taking it easy. I’ll be back soon.’

‘Take care.’

It felt like they were living together.

While they had spent at least a month together each season before, back then Yan was with them, and their fathers took turns staying. During their academy days, they had different dorms.

Of course, it was a short-term cohabitation only, ending after the healing ritual.

“…Who gave you the gift?” 

Greta’s voice snapped Rienn out of her thoughts.

“Oh, Yan gave it to me.”

Sorry for lying…….

If she said it was from Dian, they might ask how he was doing. 

“That’s unexpected. I thought it would be from Dian.” 

“…….”

“Is Dian in his manor?”

Renee interrupted.

“He missed the noble meeting this time, so people were saying he went to his manor.”

Both of their gazes turned to Rienn.

“Well… he’s still in the capital, but he seems busy with various matters.”

“You haven’t seen him recently either?”

“Nope.”

Friends, I’m sorry…….

Rienn felt guilty for lying to her friends, even though she had seen Dian just two hours ago. But the current situation was confidential, so she had no choice.

“Oh, it looks like dinner is about to start.”

Rienn smoothly changed the subject.

She walked around the spacious banqueting hall and chatted with many friends. She was embarrassed when they asked her about Dian’s latest news, but overall, she enjoyed herself and didn’t realize how quickly time passed.

After placing down an empty glass and picking up a new one, Rufina looked at Rienn with a questioning look.

“Rienn, there’s plenty of wine, why are you only drinking juice? Are you…?”

“Oh?!”

Rienn burst into a forced laughter under the sudden scrutiny.

“No, nothing like that.”

“You’re good at drinking wine! It’s suspicious…”

“Pregnant…?”

She shook her head at how ridiculous that sounded.

“That’s not possible. I have to train later, so…”

“Well, Rienn is always diligent with her training.”

Her friends’ speculations weren’t entirely baseless. She’s not pregnant, she’s just being careful because she’s ‘nursing’. Although Dian assured her it was unnecessary to be cautious about food since he wasn’t a baby, she still made an effort to eat healthily since what she ate directly affected him.

“Still, you should let us know if there’s good news, okay?”

“Yeah, we’re waiting for the wedding invitation.”

“Whose wedding invitation……?”

“Yours and Dian’s, of course!”

“Haha, ha…….”

Suddenly, the air felt stifling.

“A wedding invitation, that’s ridiculous.”

“Why? I don’t think Dian would see it that way.”

“That’s right. Ah, Dian should have come.”

“Rienn, why hasn’t Dian been around lately?”

“I don’t know. It’s been a while since I’ve seen him.”

She felt like she’d answered the same question twenty times today. 

Should I just write it on my forehead?

Luckily, the conversation quickly moved on to other topics. As they chatted and ate some more, Rienn noticed Greta sitting alone and approached her.

“Hey, Greta, do you want me to get you some food?”

“No, I’ve had enough, thank you.”

“Okay.”

Rienn sat down in the chair next to her and leaned back. Perhaps it was because of the questions about Dian or because of fatigue that even though it was still daytime, Rienn felt tired and spaced out. Greta looked at her and chuckled.

“You don’t look so good.”

“Huh?”

She handed her a handkerchief and gestured towards Rienn’s chest.

“You spilled your drink. Wipe it up.”

“Aha.”

There was a dark stain in the center of her left br*ast area.

Where is this?

She quickly tried to wipe it away with the handkerchief, but the stain seemed to spread even more.

“…….”

And then, in that moment of wiping, Rienn realized. The gauze and corset underneath the dress were damp with liquid.

She froze in place.

“What’s wrong?”

Greta’s voice startled me.

“Oh, it’s nothing.”

Still holding the handkerchief against her chest, she looked around nervously. 

My bag. 

She stood up and quickly grabbed her bag with her other hand.

“Rienn? Why the sudden—”

“I need to use the restroom for a moment.”

She wandered around, looking for the restroom. After asking a servant, she went upstairs and found the restroom. She entered a stall, closed the door behind her, and let out a sigh.

“Phew, this is crazy….”

I was leaking milk.

Damn it, damn it!