Chapter 56. A Lie That Will Soon Be Exposed

‘It’s true. You’re pregnant. What do I do, miss? If the Duke finds out…’

Helen had noticed something was wrong a few days ago. She was sleeping more, irritable, and her period was late. Suspecting something amiss, she consulted an external doctor.

She avoided the family physician to prevent the Duke from finding out. Regardless of the pregnancy, the Duke would be furious if he knew she had undergone such an examination.

But to actually be pregnant!

An unmarried noblewoman getting pregnant was scandalous, especially without an engagement.

Helen anxiously bit her nails, waiting for Sezad. She needed him desperately.

When Sezad arrived, Helen immediately accused him.

“Why did you lie about the business trip?”

She hadn’t meant to lash out, but it came out involuntarily.

“Did Paris tell you?”

Sezad responded shamelessly, without any intention of apologizing, as he sat down and lit a cigar.

The pungent aroma filled the office. He exhaled smoke and spoke to Helen.

“Why do you think I did that?”

“Can you put out the cigar? The smell is awful.”

Covering her nose with a handkerchief, Sezad instead blew smoke toward her and smirked.

“No. Just tell me why you’re here.”

“Answer me first. Why did you lie, and why are you avoiding me?”

“Who knows?”

“Do you hate me now? Or did you use me for your business?”

“Use you? Hardly.”

Sezad only chuckled at Helen’s interrogation without giving a proper answer. Annoyed, Helen snatched the cigar from his hand and crushed it in the ashtray.

It was an instinctive act, fearing it might harm the baby in her belly. She spoke anxiously.

“You told Paris you don’t intend to marry me.”

“I just said not right now. You know I’m very busy.”

“I’m the one preparing the wedding anyway. What does your busyness have to do with it?”

“Why are you so anxious today? My dear princess?”

Sezad pulled her by the waist and sat her on his thigh. Stroking her thigh gently, he said,

“Just wait a little. I’ll give you a grand wedding.”

“There’s no time, no time.”

Helen bit her nails and pressed him again.

“What’s this about you having many lovers in Vaikan?”

“Hahaha, Paris must have been talking nonsense. Making my dear princess all worried.”

“Is it true?”

“Island women are all the same. Where would I find another woman like my princess?”

“So, there are others?”

At Helen’s sulky reaction, Sezad lowered his lips and said,

“Didn’t we agree to respect each other’s privacy? I thought my princess would understand.”

“I’m all in for you these days. The old Helen Blanche is gone.”

“Our relationship was never about fidelity. You liked my body, didn’t you? Don’t think I didn’t know you met other men when I wasn’t around.”

“I didn’t sleep with them… I swear.”

Helen replied with a nervous face, wrapping her arms around Sezad’s neck. After a moment, she kissed him and spoke in a coquettish voice, different from her angry tone.

“I’m settling down with one man now.”

“Haha.”

Sezad burst into laughter and pushed Helen away. He knew she attended Joseph’s party last night.

Noticing something was off with Helen today, Sezad decided it was time to end things with her. Continuing this relationship could ruin everything.

“It seems we have different thoughts, princess.”

“Sezad?”

“I can’t be satisfied with just one woman.”

“…….”

“If you don’t like it, we should reconsider our marriage.”

“Sezad!”

Helen jumped at the mention of reconsidering the marriage. She was determined to secure the marriage today, especially since she had a reason to rush.

Helen trembled and made a bombshell declaration.

“That can’t happen.”

“Why not?”

“Because I’m pregnant with your child.”

“……!”

Sezad’s eyes widened at Helen’s shocking confession. She continued, tears streaming down her face, looking pitiful to anyone who saw.

“So you have to take responsibility for me. Our child is here.”

“……Haha, this is ridiculous.”

Sezad covered his eyes with one hand and started laughing like a madman. Helen waited silently, and he grabbed her wrist and muttered.

“Are you sure it’s mine?”

“I’m sure. I met other men after you, but I never went all the way.”

It was a lie. She never started a relationship without finishing it. But this child was definitely Sezad’s. It had to be.

“…….”

Sezad said nothing. Helen anxiously watched his expression. Even a bold lie seemed to have caught him off guard.

His gaze shifted to her belly. It’s still flat, but soon it will swell. Helen cradled her stomach and murmured.

“So don’t think about abandoning me.”

Marrying a decent man was crucial. She needed to hold the wedding before her belly showed to avoid gossip.

She also wanted to secure her dowry before Paris could take her share.

Besides, her father would never consider any man other than Sezad. The other men she met were all poor, making it even more necessary.

With a dowry, she could maintain her dignity and live comfortably. Helen clung to Sezad, acting pitifully, and he finally spoke.

“Who else knows about this?”

“No one but my maid.”

Helen fluttered her eyelashes, gauging Sezad’s reaction. He asked again for confirmation.

“So your family doesn’t know yet.”

“Right. Being pregnant before marriage is a disgrace to the family. I was so shocked when I found out. And then you lied to me, so I got upset without realizing it. I’m sorry.”

“…….”

“And you should quit smoking for the baby’s sake, right?”

At Helen’s shameless words, Sezad suddenly bent over. His shoulders shook as if greatly surprised.

Helen was about to pat his back when he burst out laughing.

“Pfft.”

“……?”

Was he crying or laughing?

Sezad’s laughter grew louder, eventually turning into a hearty laugh. His reaction was entirely different from what she expected.

“Hahaha!”

“Sezad?”

Helen blinked in confusion.

“You’re a real piece of work.”

Sezad lifted his head and stared at Helen with a sharp gaze. She hesitated under his intimidating look as he pushed her onto the sofa and said,

“You’ve been tricking men like this, haven’t you? Don’t try that on me.”

“What are you saying? Sezad, let go. It hurts.”

Helen struggled against his forceful grip, but Sezad held her tighter and growled.

“Did you think I’d marry you just because you said you were pregnant? Why should I believe a woman who’s been with any man?”

“…….”

“Did I seem like a responsible guy to you? That’s too generous.”

He grasped her belly lightly, making her groan.

“Ouch.”

“It looks like you’re in the early stages. Your br*asts are swollen, so you must be pregnant. Whose child is it, really?”

Mocking her as he groped her chest, Helen hit his shoulder and shouted.

“Stop it!”

“Why? If it’s my child, I can touch the woman carrying it, right?”

“It hurts, it hurts!”

As his hand ventured under her skirt, Helen grew frightened and struggled. Sezad pulled back and spoke coldly.

“Lies have limits. This is ridiculous.”

“……sob.”

Helen trembled and clutched her clothes. Something was wrong with his reaction. He seemed to doubt he was the father, so Helen stood up and raised her voice.

“It’s really your child! I swear!”

“Do you think I don’t know how you nobles operate? I was kind to you, and you took advantage.”

“Don’t insult me and the baby! The baby can hear you!”

Crying and sniffling, Helen continued her lie. Sezad ground his teeth with a terrifying glare.

“I’m telling you, it can’t be my child. Your pregnancy has nothing to do with me.”

“W-what?”

Helen faltered at his confident words, and Sezad dropped a bombshell.

“Didn’t I tell you I was captured as a slave? I became impotent then. How could I father a child?”

* * *