“……Yes. Please take care.”

But knowing that Chloe wouldn’t easily change her mind, he bowed his head as if resigned.

Concerned about the mistress going out alone, he had once reported this situation to the duke after much deliberation. However, the response was a calm instruction to leave it be.

“On that matter, let my wife do as she wishes.”

“But Your Grace, the Duchess Dietrich going about without even one attendant could cause talk in other noble houses.”

“Roman, in your judgment, am I the kind of person who cares about such things?”

What lay in that voice with little variation in tone was a gentle warning.

It meant not to cross the line any further, so Roman couldn’t press on. But it was true that he worried whenever he saw Chloe leaving with such a small entourage.

‘I hope nothing happens today either.’

After sending his private wish with the departing carriage, Roman turned away with no other choice.

Still, it was fortunate that the mistress had been sleeping well lately and taking proper meals. The chef was absolutely delighted that someone who used to eat as little as birds was now cleaning her plates.

It seemed best to inform the chef to prepare an intimate dinner for the ducal couple tonight. Roman’s neat trouser cuffs quickly disappeared up the stone steps bathed in brilliant sunlight as he sorted out his priorities.

* * *

The dinner feast that Roman and the chef had ambitiously prepared unfortunately never made it to the table that day.

“Nothing has changed here. It’s just like before.”

Chloe looked back at Andert from the observatory where the city view was clearly visible. His visit to the art museum two hours earlier hadn’t been a planned meeting.

“Go ahead with your work. I’ll look around the exhibition hall and wait.”

Andert had spoken casually, but people couldn’t hide their tension at his appearance. Even employees who needed to concentrate on finishing touches kept watching the duke.

Chloe, who had reluctantly planned to stay a few more hours, promised to return tomorrow and got up.

“Shall we go to the Vasa Observatory?”

Before boarding the carriage, Andert suggested as if he had already thought of a destination.

The observatory they visited after a long time was quiet. It couldn’t be otherwise. The night sky, where stars weren’t visible, was heavily covered with clouds. Like that day in their memories.

“It’s a similar scene to back then.”

Andert’s voice suddenly melted into the tranquil observatory.

Though he didn’t specifically mention it, they were thinking the same thing. Chloe’s heart fluttered at the intimacy that had built up day by day.

“Yes, it really is.”

“The moment I saw the evening sky full of clouds, I thought of this place. So I wanted to come here together again.”

Andert held her hand resting on the railing as he faced the wind coming from the front. Looking back, it had been an incredibly clumsy confession. But he wanted to remember this place where he had first honestly conveyed his feelings to Chloe for a long time.

Standing beside Andert and looking at the lights illuminating the city center, Chloe suddenly pointed to the stairs leading upward.

“There’s also a souvenir shop here. Shall we look around? It’s not big, but there are cute things to see. They even engrave constellations on purchased items for those who want. They also sell key rings that supposedly keep couples from separating if each takes half.”

“Sure, let’s go.”

Andert agreed immediately without much thought.

Of course, it wasn’t out of curiosity about souvenirs or constellation engravings. Soon after, the sound of shoes stepping evenly across the hard stone floor spread out.

“How about this?”

Chloe put down the item in her hand and showed him a ring from the opposite counter. But again, the answer was not much different from before.

“It’s nice.”

When the same answer came to questions pointing to completely different-looking items, it could be narrowed down to two cases.

Either he didn’t like any of the items, or he didn’t care either way.

Andert seemed to be the latter. Though his answer was brief, the look in his eyes directed at her was clearly affectionate.

Well, for someone like him with no particular preference in such matters, it might be a choice where he couldn’t feel the difference. She didn’t expect dramatic reactions from Andert every time. Just as things were now was more than good enough.

“Then, I’ll take this.”

After deliberating, Chloe chose a decoration that looked as if white stardust had been sprinkled on it. As expected, Andert simply nodded without adding anything else.

Seeing him act true to character, Chloe’s smile widened. Seeing that smile, Andert tapped her palm with his fingertips as if asking why she was smiling.

“Because I’m happy. Let’s go now.”

Chloe answered casually and shared the rings handed by the owner, one for each of them.

A short while later, a pendant reflecting the light dangled from Andert’s fingertips as he left the observatory. Like the sparkle that fully captured Chloe’s excitement as she walked with him.

* * *

Chloe became aware of her different physical condition the day after the exhibition successfully opened.

After the exhibition’s opening proceeded smoothly and she felt relieved, she spent the entire morning in discussion with the butler. Roman, who had preliminarily concluded discussions about the charity bazaar hosted by House Dietrich, gathered the documents with a relieved face.

“Then, as per the draft, I will first prepare the venue and invitations. I will organize the remaining detailed matters separately and inform you.”

Only after the butler who had finished his business left did Chloe get a moment to breathe. Her hand, which had been caressing the delicate petals in the flower vase, paused at that moment.

Drowsiness that came at all hours, noticeably increased food intake. And her menstruation that hadn’t started despite the month’s end approaching.

But she couldn’t draw any conclusions based solely on her period. She had missed it a few times before.

‘But……’

Her body felt unusually heavy and tired. Until now, she had attributed this to overexertion from preparing for the exhibition, so she hadn’t given it much thought. But considering everything one by one, she began to wonder.

Chloe unconsciously calmed her pounding heart. This was because of memories of having the same expectation before.

It had been a cycle of disappointment and renewed hope. If following the usual pattern, the probability was high that it would be the same this time too. But contrary to her reason trying to stay cool, Chloe had already risen from her seat.

‘Perhaps…… there might really be that one-in-a-million chance.’

If so, she didn’t want to waste time not knowing.

“Congratulations on your pregnancy.”

“Calculating the date, your due date is early April next year. It’s perfect timing, neither too cold nor too hot.”

Congratulations from another doctor who joined Doctor Harmen, the physician, followed in succession. But Chloe could only blink her eyes, unable to say anything.

“……Are you sure?”

Even when she finally managed to ask, it still didn’t feel real.

She had thought it would be difficult. That was usually the case. If pregnancy didn’t occur within a few years of marriage, the label of infertile was attached, and it was the same for Chloe.

“I am sure, Duchess Dietrich. Do you have any discomfort or difficulties in particular?”

The doctor in charge of childbirth continued filling out the chart as he had always done.

Facing a dazed mother-to-be was a common occurrence. Of course, meeting a patient who was the Duchess of Dietrich, at the request of colleague and senior Doctor Harmen, was a special case.

Chloe answered each detailed question carefully.

“No. Nothing besides increased food intake and sleep.”

“Then, have you experienced any other physical changes like accelerated pulse as if your blood pressure is rising?”

“No, I haven’t noticed anything unusual yet.”

“Yes, since you’re still in the early stages, other physical symptoms may soon accompany it. As I’ve explained, you need to be especially careful about staying stable during early pregnancy compared to other times. I’ll see you at your next examination. Congratulations again.”

After informing her of the next appointment date, he left with a respectful bow.

Chloe finally clasped her hands resting on her knees with her pounding heart. Her pulse rose violently as if it might leap out.

Doctor Harmen handed her a neatly folded piece of paper and asked with concern.

“I’ve organized the precautions you should take during early pregnancy for easy reference. Have you experienced any dizziness or light-headedness recently?”

“Thank you. And no, I haven’t felt dizzy.”

“That’s fortunate. I asked to confirm because of your fainting spell some time ago. Please send word immediately if you experience any discomfort.”

Chloe readily agreed with the physician’s explanation.

Doctor Harmen, closing the medical chart, emphasized again that what she needed now was comfortable rest. He also had a niece who had taken a class with Duchess Dietrich for a semester. So he was genuinely worried that Chloe might overexert herself without taking care of her body. He briefly thought it fortunate that she had graduated from school.