The start of the couple’s argument was Olivia’s story about her past life. It had been six years since they got married. Lizzy had grown into a graceful young lady after her debutante ball, and in the meantime, two younger siblings had been born to her.

Their second child was named “Themis,” after Marsden’s younger sister, and their youngest, “Iris,” after Olivia’s mother.

It had all started innocently, with their usual bedtime conversation. Olivia would later regret bringing it up.

“I don’t know how all three of the kids ended up looking like both you and me.”

“Right? I never thought I’d be allowed such a normal life.”

When Marsden, uncharacteristically, spoke in a soft and sentimental tone, Olivia made a joke, which turned out to be a huge mistake.

“You should count yourself blessed. Imagine if I’d married my fiancé in my past life and had kids with him. You and I would have just been enemies.”

“Fiancé?”

“Huh?”

“You had someone you were supposed to marry?”

The relaxed tone in Marsden’s voice suddenly grew cold. Olivia broke into a cold sweat. The secret she had kept hidden, hoping never to mention it, had slipped out without her realizing it.

“No, no, it’s just that my sister thought I’d stay single forever, so she arranged some meetings for me. The guy seemed decent—good personality, decent job and salary…”

Marsden didn’t hear another word. The mere thought of Olivia being married to someone else in another world and having children with him made his mind burn with jealousy.

“Marsden, you’re not upset, are you?”

“No, no, of course not. I wouldn’t be upset over something like that.”

He was upset. Yes, Marsden would get jealous over things like that.

“What was he like? Now I’m curious.”

Marsden’s eyes gleamed with a sharp edge, and Olivia’s mind screamed in warning.

“What does it matter? I dreamed about my sister recently, and she said he ended up marrying another woman and was doing just fine.”

“You asked her? You asked her if that man was doing well?”

Marsden’s voice dropped, and Olivia vigorously shook her head.

“Of course not! She brought it up first. Ugh, I shouldn’t have mentioned it. I’ve just made your jealousy worse.”

Indeed, Marsden was fiercely jealous of that man—whose name or appearance he didn’t even know. The fact that Olivia had once liked him enough to consider marrying him ignited Marsden’s possessiveness.

Marsden pressed his lips to Olivia’s neck, leaving a deep red mark. Olivia, her face flushed, cried out.

“H-Hey! Weren’t we just going to cuddle tonight?”

It was no wonder they had two daughters in the span of six years. Even Melanie had commented how it was a miracle they only had two, given Marsden’s seemingly insatiable desire for Olivia, which had only grown stronger over time.

“I’ve changed my mind.”

“M-Marsden…”

“Open your mouth.”

The sweet and caring husband transformed into someone wild and relentless in bed, leaving Olivia no room to breathe. His touch was gentle, but the moment she tried to regain her senses, Marsden would skillfully manipulate her feelings with a mere caress, completely disarming her.

Six years of marriage, and they knew each other’s bodies all too well. They each fought to conquer the other, but Marsden emerged victorious nine times out of ten—and this time was no different.

“Good night, Buddy.”

With frustration boiling inside her, Olivia eventually drifted off to sleep, hoping this would give her some peace for a while.

But that was a false hope. Over the next few weeks, Olivia found herself waking up later than the children, utterly exhausted from Marsden’s relentless energy. She slept without dreams, too tired for even those.

But one night, she dreamed of a little girl who looked just like her sister. The child beckoned her, as if daring her to catch her, before running across a green meadow, her figure glowing like a fairy in the sunlight.

“Mm…”

Olivia blinked her eyes open and slowly woke up, counting the days in her head.

“Oh, no.”

She’d missed it—her cycle hadn’t come. And that dream…

“This can’t be happening.”

Olivia pressed her forehead in exasperation. She was scheduled to help Glenn mediate a civil war between two neighboring kingdoms later that week. It was a crucial mission where her presence, as a border master of the Empire, was necessary.

“He’s never going to let me go.”

Olivia’s mind raced, but she found no solution. If she tried to hide it, her sharp-witted husband would figure it out immediately, and whether she confessed or not, the result would likely be her being confined to the house.

* * *

Luckily, Marsden had left a note saying he was heading to check on the Duke’s estate for a while. He preferred living at the Marquis’ estate, where Olivia had grown up, so he made frequent trips back and forth to manage the Duke’s household.

Olivia quickly thanked the heavens and called Lizzy. Lizzy, looking exhausted, fell into her mother’s arms.

“Hah, I’m sorry I’m late. Themis just wouldn’t let me go.”

“It’s okay. I called for you early in the morning, after all.”

Five-year-old Themis was more stubborn and rebellious than Iris, who was a year younger. Themis had a strong attachment to Lizzy, and whenever Lizzy gave more attention to Iris, Themis would retaliate by giving Iris a little smack. Marsden found it amusing how Themis had the same jealous personality as his younger sister. In truth, both Iris and Lizzy were quite mature for their ages.

“So, what’s going on, Mom?”

“I’m pregnant.”

“…What?”

Lizzy’s mouth fell open. Olivia reached out and closed it for her before continuing.

“I’m pregnant, so what should I do? When do you think I should tell your father?”

“Wait, Mom… have you seen a doctor?”

“No, but I missed my period this month, and I even had a pregnancy dream.”

Lizzy placed her hands on her forehead, reacting exactly as Olivia had earlier that morning.

“Okay, I knew you and Dad were known for having the best relationship in the empire, but ‘this’ much!?”

“We were really careful after Iris. I mean, we ‘really’ tried. I had no idea this would happen! And if I call the doctor, your father will find out immediately.”

“Dad has a little jealousy problem, remember? If there’s anything in your schedule he doesn’t know about, he can’t stand it. He’ll dig into everything.”

Of course, Olivia knew. Even with three kids, she had told Marsden that no one would be interested in her anymore. Not because of age or appearance, but because who would approach a married woman with three kids?

Still, whenever any man showed even the slightest friendliness toward her, Marsden would instantly radiate murderous intent, putting Olivia in awkward situations more times than she could count. On the contrary, he would growl that her charm only increased with time.

“But, Mom, aren’t you heading into a conflict zone soon? I know you’re not directly participating, but is that really okay? You’ve only missed one period, and if you just had the pregnancy dream, it’s still early—you need to be careful.”

Having cared for two younger siblings, Lizzy gave her advice without hesitation. And Olivia, knowing Lizzy was right, covered her face with her hands.

“Mom, I don’t want another war breaking out in a neighboring country either. I know how much what happened with Katlan still weighs on you, even though it’s been less than ten years. But you need to think about yourself and the baby too.”

Olivia bit her lower lip, lost in thought.

“If it’s that important, I’ll go in your place.”

“No way, it’s still too dangerous for you.”

“I’m 18 already.”

“Even so, no. Unless we go together, I won’t allow it.”

‘Eighteen?’ Sure, maybe in this world, she was considered an adult, but Olivia still saw her daughter as a baby, even though they were only ten years apart. Olivia felt deeply protective of Lizzy.

“Then are you planning to sneak off like this? No way. I’m against it too and Dad will lose his mind if he finds out.”

Seven years ago, Marsden had been punished for saving Olivia, which prohibited him from leaving the empire. Since he couldn’t go with her, finding out about the pregnancy would likely result in him locking her up.

“Even if you take a carriage, what are you going to do if your body gets too heavy? What about the morning sickness? I saw how sick you got early on in every pregnancy.”

Lizzy was unusually worked up. Olivia put a finger to her lips and hushed her, but Lizzy didn’t stop.

“In any case, no way! Absolutely not! If anything happens to you, this whole family falls apart! The country could collapse! No!”

“Lizzy, someone’s going to hear you. Calm down…”

“Who can’t hear it?”

A familiar, even-toned voice interrupted, and a sudden chill filled the room. Both Olivia and Lizzy froze on the spot.

TL NOTE: Visit dusk blossoms for more chapters of the side story.