“Actually, I’m not curious about the bazaar, Chloe. But I’d love to hear more about you.”

Chloe was momentarily flustered by the too honest answer. She knew he didn’t speak indirectly, but it was still difficult to get completely used to his communication style, which was fundamentally the opposite of hers.

At that moment, the extremely realistic yet cynical Andert reached out his hand affectionately. Chloe seemed troubled that the money was profit generated from bonds she had received as compensation.

But he had no intention of interfering with how she used it. Whether she reinvested or donated, it was entirely up to Chloe’s choice.

What Andert was curious about was something else.

“Tell me the real story.”

He guessed Chloe had other business. He was glad she had come all this way to see him. But there was certainly a reason for the different flow than usual.

Chloe wasn’t the type to come to the office just for dinner.

At least, that’s what the wife he loved was like.

“Dinner is over and we’ve had our everyday chat, so it seems it’s time to hear what you want to say.”

Andert added, circling her wedding ring with his fingertips as he held her hand. Chloe, who had shrunk her hand at the ticklish sensation running up her skin, quietly met his gaze.

He narrowed his eyes as if to say tell me anything and waited silently. Actually, there was one thing that crossed his mind.

‘Is she planning to start working in earnest, traveling to and from Bergen?’

If it was something Chloe couldn’t easily bring up, that seemed highly likely.

The exhibition hall completed by the Bergen Artists Association had been in need of professional staff for several months. Bergen, with its diverse works pouring in, had the conditions for Chloe to be ambitious about work. Moreover, that exhibition hall was also where many of the artifacts left to her by Countess Hassel were displayed.

“Andert.”

At the familiar call, he nodded slightly. He didn’t want to stop what Chloe wanted to do. It was he who had procured an office for her to work comfortably.

But he couldn’t completely shake off the emptiness gnawing at a corner of his heart. It was natural to be displeased about the increasing time he spent apart from Chloe.

Still, he needed to be composed. If Chloe wanted it, he didn’t want to be the person blocking her path. Just then, a pleasant voice reached his ears as he was making a firm resolution.

“I hope our child takes after you and me equally.”

“……”

“Actually, I visited the hospital during the day. After confirming the pregnancy, I came impulsively because I missed you. But then I hesitated about how to bring it up.”

Andert needed a moment to fully understand Chloe’s words. But he couldn’t easily open his mouth.

Even when comforting Chloe’s worries about pregnancy in Larcel, he hadn’t hesitated about what to say. But now, for some reason, no words came to mind.

Perhaps he had only vaguely thought of it as a distant matter. Knowing what his father and Fabiana had done to obtain an heir, he didn’t want to obsess over children. He just wanted to live happily with Chloe.

Then Chloe, who seemed choked up, continued.

“I only began to think ‘what if’ today. I’m embarrassed, but I didn’t connect my constant drowsiness and increased appetite to pregnancy. But after the thought occurred to me, I didn’t want to waste time. So I went to see Doctor Harmen.”

“……Chloe.”

It might have seemed like a somewhat stiff reaction. Andert neither showed passionate joy nor bombarded her with questions.

But Chloe knew that the tight grip on her hand represented all his emotions. He was a man who had been trained in emotional detachment since childhood.

Although Andert, who had discovered love, showed surprisingly honest aspects. But someone unfamiliar with paternity or maternity couldn’t change dramatically in an instant.

So she wanted to walk through that process together slowly. While giving the child the love that Andert hadn’t received or experienced without reservation…

Chloe believed that time would also be a warm comfort to him, who had no memories to recall from his childhood.

“Looking at the due date, it seems the child came to us in Larcel. It’s a place with truly special meaning for us, isn’t it? When the baby grows up, I want to take them to Larcel first.”

Chloe smiled brightly with reddened eyes. At the same time, her slender hand firmly supported Andert. It was an all-embracing acceptance, as if saying there was nothing to worry about, lean on me.

Ironically, Chloe was the one who was pregnant and needed protection. Yet she was the one comforting the other.

Finally collecting himself, Andert rose from his seat. Screech, the chair pushed by the sudden movement created a dissonance that echoed throughout the interior now filled with guests. His polished shoes moved without delay, circling the table to approach her.

The gazes drawn by the noise naturally followed him. Simultaneously, Andert bent his upper body and pulled Chloe into an embrace.

“I love you.”

It wasn’t a particularly loud voice. But it was faintly audible to those who were closely watching Duke Dietrich who had suddenly stood up.

Andert, unconcerned with the people staring with wide eyes, embraced her fragile shoulders. Chloe had been falling asleep early quite frequently lately. Come to think of it, her increased food intake was also a noticeable change.

Even today, he had faced a Chloe who ate much better than usual. But he hadn’t connected it to another possibility.

After releasing his arms that had embraced her warm presence, he gently wiped her moist eyes. Then a small but clear voice reached him.

“Let’s raise our child with love. As a bright and healthy child with many childhood memories.”

“……Yes. Let’s do that, Chloe.”

He willingly answered the tender whisper that touched his heart. Chloe was someone who could always do that. His only light, she would surely become a good mother.

The problem was himself. But with Chloe by his side, he felt he could do anything.

Andert kissed her cheek without letting go of Chloe’s hand, which had become the most certain guide in his life.

* * *

Even after learning about her pregnancy, Chloe didn’t feel any particular symptoms.

From her own perspective, the only changes were increased sleepiness and larger meal portions. She had heard that many women suffer from morning sickness, but it seemed she wasn’t one of them.

“It’s a tremendous blessing. How difficult it would have been if you couldn’t eat well, my lady! I’ve already informed the chef, so please let us know whenever you want something.”

“I will, thank you.”

Chloe responded with a bright smile to the butler’s pleased face.

As Roman said, being able to rest comfortably without suffering from morning sickness was close to a stroke of luck. After reporting a few more matters, he only left the room after making sure the duchess had no discomforts.

Then Andert, who had been quietly watching from the sofa, approached her side. As their eyes met while she was letting down her pinned-up hair, he naturally extended his hand.

“Let me do it.”

His large, firm hands received the brush and carefully combed through her long brown hair.

The first time Andert brushed Chloe’s hair had been by chance. It started when he sat behind her as she struggled to untangle her hair caught in a decorative pin. Since then, Andert often brushed her long hair before bedtime.

“It’s fine, Andert.”

Even Chloe, who had repeatedly tried to take back the brush out of embarrassment, now willingly entrusted her hair to him.

“Chloe, are you sleepy?”

“Just a little.”

Seeing her drowsy face, Andert put down the brush and picked up a ribbon placed to one side.

His hands gathering her hair to one side and tying it began to move faster. Perhaps due to accumulated experience, the daintily tied knot wasn’t as terrible as before.

Andert smiled after completing Chloe’s ritual sequence before getting into bed.

“I’m really getting good at this now. If we have a daughter, I think I’ll be able to tie her hair well too.”

It clearly wasn’t worthy of such generous praise. But he readily accepted the affectionate compliment.

“I will. Now sleep well, Chloe.”

“Good night.”

After their goodnight kiss, Andert took his place beside her warm presence. He naturally continued the daily routine of waking up in this bedroom.

Even Roman, who initially couldn’t hide his bewilderment, now habitually greeted him coming out of the mistress’s bedroom every morning. Just then, Chloe, whom he thought was sound asleep, spoke to him.

“Thank you, Andert.”

At the unexpected greeting, he let out a light laugh like air escaping. Yet he pulled Chloe, lying on her side in his arms, even closer.

“For what?”

“For everything. For carefully brushing my hair…… and even for tying the ribbon so prettily. I’m…… really happy falling asleep with you like this. I hope you are too. You are happy, right?”

The voice humming against his chest continued intermittently. At Chloe’s sleepy question, Andert suddenly felt afraid.