Happy?

He was happy beyond belief. That’s why he felt afraid. Afraid that all these moments might suddenly disappear.

Gently stroking her back covered in smooth nightwear, he gave the most certain answer.

“Chloe, I’m happy because you’re here.”

He felt glad and joyful to be able to do something for Chloe.

He had wanted to fully possess Dietrich and finally did, but it hadn’t brought the excitement he had expected. So he thought his personality was simply indifferent in that regard.

But that wasn’t true.

Just being able to add comfort to Chloe was reason enough to firmly keep this place. Of course, now there was one more reason added.

“When our baby is born, let’s live happily together like this for a long, long time…… I’ll love you even more from now on.”

Those were Chloe’s last mumbled words before falling asleep.

‘Yes, all of us together like this.’

Andert embraced her sound asleep as if responding to that promise. With one more goal added, his life purpose became even clearer.

He closed his eyes to her soft breathing sounds. The fullness in his chest made it unlikely he would fall asleep easily. But he wanted to fully feel this sweet serenity.

Moonlight gradually seeped in, gently wrapping the two of them over the accumulating silence. As the round moon outside rose higher, the autumn night calling winter deepened.

* * *

“How about this one? Wouldn’t it look pretty if made into something fluffy with this warm color? Or this one might be good too. The texture is so soft, like stroking fluffy sheep’s wool.”

Bellisa, with an excited face, kept showing balls of yarn that filled her basket.

Chloe, who had been trying to make small cushions for the baby crib, encountered the greatest challenge of choosing yarn. Since she had already been knitting socks and hats to send to the orphanage she sponsored, the colorful yarns seemed endless.

But since this work would take much more time than socks or hats, her eyes were more serious than ever as she carefully considered.

“Hmm, should I use this? The yellow seems like it would match well. Actually, I really like the light blue too.”

“Then why not make them separately with both colors? You’ll need two cushions anyway.”

Chloe burst into laughter at Bellisa’s simple solution. She had been so focused on choosing yarn that she had overlooked the most important fact.

“Yes, let’s do that. I’ll use these two, Bellisa.”

Chloe, comfortably leaning back on the sofa, skillfully unwound the yarn. As Bellisa said, baby items needed to be prepared in pairs.

“They’re twins, Duchess. During the early stage, we couldn’t diagnose it accurately. Congratulations again.”

The fact she learned belatedly had been a series of surprises.

House Dietrich also celebrated the double blessing upon hearing twins would be born. But the physician who offered congratulations repeatedly emphasized his cautions.

“With twins, as the mother, you will inevitably face more challenges. Please make sure to rest so that the due date can be maintained as much as possible.”

“Yes, Doctor. I will.”

Chloe readily agreed, understanding what Doctor Harmen’s advice meant.

Considering the possibility of premature birth was an appropriate precaution for a doctor. Of course, if they continued to grow healthily in her womb as they were now, there shouldn’t be major problems.

Chloe looked out at the frost-covered window. The sky, which had already entered winter, was turning completely red.

Time passed quickly. Soon it would be time for the days to warm and flowers to bloom. Chloe caressed her round, swollen belly, thinking of the babies she would meet around that time. Since becoming pregnant, it had been difficult to handle exhibitions that required frequent business trips and late nights.

Though the physician and others had discouraged it, above all, she didn’t want to worry Andert. The children had come like a gift after much difficulty. She wanted to focus on this time for now.

‘I can always work again in a year or two with renewed effort.’

Instead, Chloe began writing columns for the Bergen Artists Association booklet and another art magazine.

Working in the study during the day wasn’t particularly strenuous. Even the strict Roman, who paid attention to everything, didn’t object further, suggesting he felt the same way.

As she admired the sunset disappearing beyond the horizon, news of Andert’s return reached Chloe.

“My lady, the duke has arrived.”

After finishing her words, Bellisa hurriedly began gathering the balls of yarn.

Since the duke would come to see the mistress first as always, she needed to vacate the space before then. Just as she picked up the neatly organized basket, Andert appeared.

The duke, who always headed straight to one person, kissed his wife’s warm cheek.

“Chloe, how was your day?”

“I finished editing the article to send to the association this morning. Now I was about to make cushions for the baby crib. How about you?”

Bellisa left the bedroom where familiar and affectionate conversation flowed. Just before turning the corridor, she heard Chloe’s faint laughter. Though fierce winds blew outside in winter, the Dietrich mansion was filled with warm coziness.

As the ducal couple remained happy day after day, even the servants who had been gossiping behind their backs no longer spoke up. They seemed to have belatedly realized it was a futile effort. Walking with quick steps, Bellisa suddenly recalled a task.

‘Ah, right. Chocolate cake.’

It was Chloe’s casual answer when asked what snack she would like. She needed to quickly inform the chef to prepare it for after dinner.

First to the kitchen on the first floor. Bellisa energetically descended the stairs toward her destination.

* * *

News of Duchess Dietrich’s pregnancy spread quickly through Vasa’s noble houses and social circles.

Though not explicitly stated, the prevailing opinion had been that expecting an heir in House Dietrich would be difficult. Those well-versed in gossip all showed surprised reactions upon hearing the rumor.

Added to that was the new information that twins would be born to House Dietrich.

“Goodness! Twins?”

“Yes, that’s what they say.”

“My, I thought pregnancy wouldn’t be easy in a family traditionally short on offspring, but apparently that’s not the case.”

“When the babies are born, House Dietrich couldn’t ask for more. They finally have children to inherit all that wealth.”

“Exactly. I even thought Patrick’s son might step forward someday.”

“How could that be? His Highness personally stripped Patrick of all rights and banished him from Artion. The deprivation of rights applies equally to his children, so there’s no need to consider that possibility.”

“Ah, that’s right. Anyway, the old Duke Dietrich can finally breathe a sigh of relief.”

The woman who added this comment subtly criticized the old duke’s behavior of having children with women other than his wife.

Andert and Chloe continued to dominate the conversation around the round tea table. Of course, the dialogue was led by those whose insides twisted strangely at the news delivered today.

Realistically, it was difficult to disregard Duke Dietrich. Moreover, Johannes, the master of Denev Palace, was flaunting his close friendship with Andert.

‘Whether there are hidden circumstances behind it or not, what matters is that Andert’s position has become that much more solid.’

Those who coldly assessed the situation didn’t make the mistake of openly showing antipathy toward Duke Dietrich.

But they had been hoping inwardly.

No matter how much one possesses, if there are no children to inherit, House Dietrich’s power would inevitably falter. But Chloe had become pregnant. And with twins, no less…

‘So she’s finally caught a late streak of luck.’

The daughter of Viscount Hardin who constantly attracted scandals. It seemed Chloe, whose early fortune had been negligible, was finally experiencing a turn of luck, albeit late.

“By the way, about the charity bazaar hosted by House Dietrich. I hear they plan to hold the event on a large scale every autumn. I thought it would end as a one-time event this year.”

“The public reception was so good. They donated the amount collected there, with House Dietrich contributing a large sum. And the ducal couple each donated separately.”

“I heard the duchess proposed and led that event too?”

“She used her head well. She firmly reinforced the Dietrich name in people’s minds all at once.”

“Well, the mistress of House Dietrich isn’t stupid. Though she dropped out midway, she eventually re-enrolled and graduated early from school……”

Those who presumed beyond what Chloe had intended trailed off.

“Hmm, so it seems she’s not solely interested in outside affairs after all. I thought she had built walls around that aspect since she never invited us.”

A disgruntled voice added pointedly. But it was soon drowned out by voices clamoring about the donation amount put forth by House Dietrich.

With nothing particular to criticize, it was difficult to openly say anything negative while saving face. Especially regarding the bazaar that had successfully concluded with massive donations.

Those who had to suppress their displeased inner thoughts quietly closed their mouths. They had wanted to see Dietrich stumble once, but that seemed unlikely.

People only continue doing something fruitless if there’s some entertainment value in return. But this yielded no results, making it entirely unsatisfying.

* * *