After the bustling year-end passed, the new year arrived.

As January’s blizzards faded, the biting winds eased somewhat. After a brief walk, Chloe greeted Bellisa and signaled for her to rest.

“No need to come up, Bellisa. It’s already past 10 o’clock.”

“Yes, please rest well. If you need anything, please call me anytime, my lady.”

Leaving Bellisa, who had accompanied her on the walk with quick steps, behind, Chloe slowly climbed the stairs. Where the tree decorated with colorful beads and ribbons had stood, a large flowerpot now appeared.

After climbing a few steps, she reached nearly the same height as the tall plant. Chloe lightly brushed the fresh green leaves hanging nearby, then continued upward one step at a time.

Though she had finished dinner early, she felt bloated and had just returned from circling the garden once. Chloe, heading to the bedroom with her coat on, soon encountered a figure emerging into the corridor.

“Chloe.”

It was Andert, who had stayed in his office with matters to confirm with Daniel. But when he came up to the bedroom after finishing his work, Chloe was nowhere to be seen. So without hesitation, he had set out to find her.

“I just went for a walk. My digestion was poor, so I went around the garden once.”

“I could have gone with you.”

“I didn’t know your work would finish so quickly. Let’s go in now.”

Chloe showed a gentle smile and quietly led the man by the hand. Her eyes immediately guessed why he had come out into the corridor.

Andert quietly followed the gentle pull into the warm, cozy bedroom. After removing her thick coat, Chloe calmly set her muffler and gloves aside. As she moved with quiet precision, he watched her in silence.

The round curve clearly visible even over her loose clothing was lovely.

“Just a moment.”

With those brief words, Chloe disappeared into the dressing room and returned wearing season-appropriate sleepwear.

Since Chloe had already tied her hair to one side, there was nothing left for him to help with. Andert caught her gaze in the mirror as she sat at the dressing table and lightly raised one eyebrow.

He wanted to look at her a little longer as she laughed at his playful gesture. But based on several months’ experience, Chloe would soon fall into deep sleep.

Shaking off his slight disappointment, Andert kissed her forehead and cheek buried in the pillow.

“Good night, Chloe.”

After stroking the ends of her hair that softly curled around his fingers, he lay down beside her. She had certainly improved from before, when her bones were sharply visible, but despite eating well, Chloe still hadn’t gained much weight.

Perhaps that meant the babies in her womb were growing vigorously. After stroking her round shoulder covered in nightwear, he decided to think positively. While waiting for her even breathing to indicate deep sleep, Chloe, with wide-open eyes, spoke to him.

“Are you sleeping?”

“No, not yet.”

“Is it boring for you that I always fall asleep first every night?”

It was a simple, unadorned question. Suppressing a chuckle, Andert answered honestly.

“I’d like to stay awake with you, but that’s only relevant when you’re not pregnant.”

He meant exactly that.

Of course, there were times when his mind remained clear even after Chloe fell asleep. On those occasions, he would get up while minimizing noise and review remaining documents.

Since he naturally didn’t need much sleep, working during the quiet hours when others slept was familiar to him. So this wasn’t something Chloe needed to worry about at all.

“You should sleep well.”

Though his attractive lips smiled, Chloe looked at him with slightly more complex eyes.

For some time she hadn’t realized it, but Andert hadn’t attempted any physical intimacy beyond a certain level for months. Of course, she knew the man sharing her bed possessed remarkable self-control. Even during their dating period, he hadn’t shown any such inclinations until that night in Larcel.

Someone who could control himself over multiple changing seasons would likely be the same now. That’s what Chloe assumed.

And now she felt they were past the stage where they needed to be careful, so it shouldn’t be a big problem. Gathering a bit of courage, Chloe raised her hand and traced the man’s clearly defined jawline.

“I’m fine, Andert.”

It was a plain expression that couldn’t be called seductive.

But not to Andert, who understood her meaning. Just that one phrase was enough to make his lower body react uncomfortably.

The clear eyes looking up at him, the soft touch felt on his skin. And with every movement of the sleeve with small ruffles, Chloe’s familiar scent intensified.

The depth of desire he had suppressed since hearing of her pregnancy had reached its limit. But no matter how desperate he felt, it wasn’t enough to threaten what was precious now.

Selecting his heated breaths carefully, he kissed each finger that gently caressed his chin. Then he shook his head casually.

“I’m not fine, Chloe.”

Andert intended to faithfully follow Doctor Harmen’s advice.

“Early pregnancy is when the risk of miscarriage is highest, so please ensure the duchess can stay as comfortable as possible. Even routine marital relations can be too strenuous for a pregnant woman with a weak constitution. In my opinion, I would strongly advise the duchess, who conceived with difficulty, to maintain stability until after delivery. Moreover, twins have a higher possibility of premature birth, so please be particularly mindful of this.”

This earnest request was delivered by the obstetrician while Chloe was briefly absent.

The intention behind bringing it up in his wife’s absence was clear. Of course, Harmen, the Dietrich family physician, tended to be somewhat overly cautious.

His advice likely included extra concern to prevent any unfortunate incidents. But if even the slightest chance of harm came to Chloe, it would be irreversible.

Moreover, knowing Chloe’s desire for children, he didn’t want to risk any danger.

“Andert.”

Just his name. Even with just his name called in this moment, the heat rose steeply.

But he disguised his calm with a smooth smile. Though his composure wasn’t specifically honed for moments like this, it proved useful nonetheless.

Exactly thirty minutes later, Chloe dozed off. It was thanks to Andert’s effort to change the mood by shifting the topic.

“Chloe, what do you think about creating a greenhouse garden in the courtyard attached to the annex?”

“A greenhouse garden?”

“I’ve heard that a greenhouse has many benefits for children. They can see flowers and trees even in cold weather.”

“Ah, that would be wonderful during the chilly seasons.”

“If there’s any other space you prefer besides that one, we can change the purpose however you like.”

“I don’t have anything specific in mind right now…… So, I’ll think about it more and decide later.”

Perhaps she had noticed his effort, as Chloe willingly followed his conversation. That must be it.

Chloe wasn’t the type to overlook changes in her partner’s demeanor.

The greenhouse garden was a matter he could entrust to Roman and experts. He had brought up something he hadn’t considered until yesterday because of a landscape specialist’s recommendation during today’s meeting.

Though the children’s rooms had been selected long ago, he hadn’t placed much meaning in making spaces more cozy. So he had just realized an aspect he had overlooked.

‘Of course, I intend to leave all that to Chloe’s preferences.’

As he stared at her long eyelashes as she slept on her side, a shallow sigh escaped between his teeth.

His self-restraint had clear reasons, so he would make the same choice if the situation arose again.

Still, it wasn’t so simple. When even Chloe’s innocent gaze aroused him, this thirst was all too natural. With difficulty, he tore his gaze from her defenseless sleeping face to the plain ceiling. Then his eyes turned toward the window where dim light filtered in.

It seemed he would have trouble falling asleep tonight. The next moment, he rose, pulling back the smooth bedding. Even that movement was controlled so that Chloe lying beside him wouldn’t feel any major disturbance.

Immediately after, faint water sounds leaked from the quietly closed bathroom.

* * *

As Chloe’s due date approached, the Dietrich household staff also became busy.

Roman in particular showed enthusiasm by checking the cleanliness of the nursery every morning. Chloe was surprised by the floors polished to a shine and windowsills without a speck of dust. Though she soon tried to dissuade him that such thoroughness wasn’t necessary, it was futile.

“Cleanliness is most important for babies with weak immune systems, so I’ll pay extra attention.”

Roman, with his distinctly perfectionist tendencies, seemed to be emphasizing the precautions received from the physician to the maids as well.

Chloe decided not to interfere in this matter. She had delegated staff matters to Roman. Moreover, knowing his loyalty to House Dietrich, there was no cause for concern.

Every night before falling asleep, Chloe would take Andert’s hand and carefully place it on her belly.

“Say hello. I think they’re happy to see you. This one’s here, and the other baby’s foot is around here.”