The words lingered on her tongue. Before the regression, even after nearly three years, an heir had been unthinkable. It was natural since she’d never even seen the sky needed to reach for stars. Back then, Duke Hewitt had never mentioned an heir to Karina. He must have known how distant her relationship with Aidan was.

It was more surprising now because he had never pressured Karina during those three long years. It really had been just two months.

“Pardon my rudeness, but have you been sharing a bed with His Highness recently?”

Karina groaned at her father’s question. The last official bedding was the night after the knights’ tournament when Aidan brought Liam Smith to the palace. Even that first and last time, she had actually spent the night alone in his bedroom while Aidan was absent from the palace.

Not knowing this, Duke Hewitt seemed puzzled by the lack of recent news.

“I know you two get along well.”

Aidan still came to see Karina frequently despite his busy schedule. Often without any particular purpose. Sometimes he would come just to see her face briefly. This had led to rumors among the servants that Aidan must really love Karina.

“So perhaps it’s time to plan for an heir…”

Duke Hewitt mentioned an heir again.

“I don’t think there’s any rush.”

Both Karina and Aidan were still young, and they’d only been married for two months. Moreover, contrary to what others believed, Karina had never properly shared a bed with him. But she couldn’t bring herself to suggest bedding for the sake of an heir.

No, before that, the divorce agreement worried her. Having an heir might make divorce impossible.

Though Karina had accepted a romance with Aidan, she still felt uncertain about life in the palace. Her terrible death three years later remained vivid in her mind. Though unlike before, Aidan was now properly establishing his position as heir to the throne, no one knew when the situation might suddenly change.

An heir… Karina hadn’t even imagined it.

“Her Majesty the Empress seems to be hurrying His Highness’s marriage.”

Duke Hewitt explained why he suddenly kept mentioning an heir after letting out a shallow sigh.

“Count Spencer is demanding responsibility for ruining his daughter’s prospects, but it doesn’t look easy. Above all, Her Majesty the Empress disapproves of her. As a parent, I can understand that. Before the incident with His Highness Lloyd, of all people…”

Duke Hewitt held back the rest. His gaze turned to Aidan, who was smiling while escorting Duchess Hewitt.

Because she was the woman who had rumors with Aidan.

Karina smiled bitterly as the words he swallowed seemed to replay in her ears. Despite knowing about Kate Spencer’s rumors with Aidan, Duke Hewitt had proceeded with her marriage to him. Not only that, even when Aidan had countless rumors with different women throughout those three years, Duke Hewitt had never suggested divorce to Karina. Of course, back then, Karina hadn’t thought of divorce either. She had simply assumed that was her place.

“Anyway, though they can’t move openly due to Count Spencer’s sensitivity, they’re secretly searching for suitable candidates to be His Highness Lloyd’s consort. Someone will likely be chosen soon.”

Hearing this, Karina felt sorry for Kate Spencer. She had become the subject of rumors without being chosen by either prince. She understood why Count Spencer was trying so hard to arrange a marriage with Lloyd. Without Lloyd, marriage to any other noble family would be difficult.

“Having an heir before His Highness finds a consort would be advantageous for the appointment of the crown prince.”

He explained that since heirs were precious in the imperial family, if other conditions were equal, the ministers would support the side that secured an heir.

“His Highness Aidan and you are in a more advantageous position now, so you should use that advantage.”

Karina didn’t respond. The very notion of Lloyd having a consort felt strange. In her previous life, he had been so obsessed with Karina that he never took an official consort until the moment he slit her throat. Thinking about it now, it truly was a terrible obsession.

Perhaps if he properly took a consort, that abnormal obsession would fade somewhat. While Duke Hewitt seemed anxious about Lloyd gaining equal standing with Aidan by taking a consort, Karina thought it wouldn’t be bad if Lloyd’s obsession with her disappeared by having a consort.

“You should discuss it seriously with His Highness.”

Duke Hewitt moved away after saying that much, as someone was calling for him. Left alone, Karina found herself lost in thought.

Aidan’s heir. Just thinking that far made her frown. She first recalled Kate Spencer’s child with Aidan. She shook her head to clear away memories of her previous life and reorganized her thoughts. An heir between Aidan and herself. It felt strange since she had never even imagined it.

“What are you thinking about so deeply?”

Turning at an unfamiliar male voice, she saw a well-dressed man bowing to her.

“Pleased to meet you, Your Highness. I am Harry Settler from Baristo across the sea.”

“Ah, you’re already acquainted. Your Highness, this is Count Settler who came from Baristo for trade. The leather goods he brought are of the highest quality and very popular among the nobles lately.”

Duke Hewitt approached upon seeing them together and briefly explained about him. Then he was immediately called away by someone else.

“He looks busy.”

Harry Settler remarked, gesturing toward Duke Hewitt. It was a familiar sight to Karina. Especially today, since it was a party hosted by House Hewitt.

“This is my first visit to both the Griffith Empire and House Hewitt, and though the Duke said he would guide me, I’ve been abandoned.”

Harry Settler continued with a smile. Though he said he was abandoned, he didn’t seem particularly upset.

“If it’s not presumptuous, might I request Your Highness to guide me instead?”

He asked with a bow. He said he had only been here for a few days and knew no one except Duke Hewitt. Though he was invited as a prince’s consort, it wasn’t strange to ask Karina, who grew up here, for guidance.

She actually wondered if guidance was really needed during a party. Still, she thought it proper to be courteous to Duke Hewitt’s guest.

“If I can be of help…”

“That won’t do.”

An arm suddenly appeared from the side, wrapping around Karina’s shoulders and pulling her slightly.

“My consort will be too busy guiding me.”

Aidan had appeared at some point and stood between Karina and Harry Settler to answer instead.

“Pleased to meet you. I am Harry Settler from Baristo.”

Harry Settler bowed deeply in courtesy.

“Baristo?”

Aidan turned to Karina and asked. He seemed to need an explanation of where that was. Karina, however, knew nothing, except that it was across the sea on another continent, so she had nothing to tell him.

“It’s on a continent that takes fifteen days by ship to reach. Until now, there has been no exchange between here and Baristo, so the name must be unfamiliar.”

“In other words, you’re saying you’re suspicious.”

At his blunt words, Karina quickly jabbed Aidan’s side. He usually maintained his princely facade well, but she couldn’t understand why he suddenly wanted to show his true nature.

“It seems they don’t teach in your country that one shouldn’t carelessly flirt with another man’s wife.”

At those sharp words, a low “ah” of realization escaped.

“You seem to misunderstand.”

Harry Settler also looked troubled. Since he hadn’t actually been flirting, Karina found it absurd too.

“He’s just a guest who came to House Hewitt for trade.”

When Karina interjected, Aidan turned to her with a displeased expression.

“Are you taking another man’s side now?”

He whispered quietly in her ear so only she could hear. Another man… It was absurd to use such an expression about someone they’d met just minutes ago.

“He is House Hewitt’s guest.”

She answered more deliberately than before, emphasizing each syllable. It meant not to make strange misunderstandings.

“Then there’s even less need for you to guide him. Karina, you’re no longer House Hewitt’s young lady but a member of the Griffith Imperial Family.”

Whatever the case, he clearly didn’t want Karina guiding this man.

“Count Settler, here you are.”

Duchess Hewitt approached and addressed him.

“I was greeting Her Highness the Consort.”

Harry Settler answered with a faint smile. Though the previous situation might have been unpleasant, he showed no sign of it before Duchess Hewitt.

“I wanted to introduce you anyway, so this is perfect. Come this way. I’ll guide you.”

At Duchess Hewitt’s invitation, Harry Settler gave a slight bow to Aidan and Karina before following her.

“You said it was nothing? Seeing Mother step in personally, he seems to be an important guest.”

She commented while watching Harry Settler’s retreating figure.

“It was plenty significant to me. You don’t seem to understand.”

Aidan smiled and grabbed Karina’s hand. People around them glanced at Aidan and Karina. They were already attracting enough attention just for being the royal couple, but with Aidan openly holding Karina’s hand tightly, people’s gazes seemed to keep turning to their clasped hands.

“Could you let go of my hand…”

“Why?”

Aidan asked back as if he couldn’t understand why he should let go.

“Because many people are watching.”

“So what if they watch? It’s not like we’re having an affair.”