“Not yet,” Richard reported, causing Kian’s gaze to lower.

He had been consistently checking on Vivianne’s pregnancy status through Baldwin’s physician, but there was still no significant news. With just over a month remaining until the red moon would rise, it might be too early to confirm a pregnancy.

Nevertheless, given the gravity of the situation, he couldn’t help feeling increasingly anxious.

“Is there any indication of physical problems?”

“No. According to our information, there should be no major issues preventing Lady Vivianne from becoming pregnant. Her health is in good condition.”

“That’s a relief.”

Kian found it impossible to focus on the documents before him. Sitting at his desk, he put down the quill he had been holding. Though he had brought urgent work from Larson to handle, nothing was more time-sensitive than ensuring Vivianne’s pregnancy.

“Master, forgive my boldness, but why are you rushing this matter so urgently?”

“I’m worried.”

Richard’s eyes widened slightly at the honest answer.

“I’m anxious she might disappear from before my eyes again.”

“This may be presumptuous of me, but I don’t believe this is a problem that can be resolved by being impatient.”

“You’re right about that.”

From the perspective of someone unaware that she would turn to sea foam without becoming pregnant, it was reasonable advice. Kian partially agreed with Richard’s sentiment, but he simply couldn’t approach this particular issue rationally.

“Did you obtain that medicine?”

“Yes. It’s reportedly quite effective among noblewomen, with an excellent reputation.”

With some difficulty, he had acquired medicine to aid conception. He would have to deceive Vivianne by claiming it was merely a nutritional supplement. The situation had already resulted in a substantial payment to Baldwin’s physician.

“Make sure she takes it without missing a single day.”

“Yes, sir.”

There weren’t many options available anyway. All they could do was try their best until the end. Beyond that, there was nothing else they could do.

* * *

“Vivi, you’re so fortunate.”

“Why do you say that?”

“Because you’re beautiful. I see you every day, yet I’m still amazed each time I look at you.”

Josephine, who was brushing Vivianne’s hair in front of the dressing table, smiled with crinkled eyes.

“Come now, Josephine, you’re beautiful too.”

“Flattery won’t get you anything from me. Besides, there’s simply no comparison between us.”

“That’s not true at all.”

“I wish I could be born as beautiful as you in my next life.”

Josephine showed her various ribbons, and Vivianne chose a white lace one. Josephine loosely tied Vivianne’s half-braided hair with it, letting the rest cascade over her shoulders.

“Regardless, Vivi, you’re living a life that any woman would envy. Duke Larson is the most eligible bachelor in all of Eligard.”

“Kian?”

“Yes. He’s handsome, wealthy, high-ranking, and was an excellent soldier. Every young lady can’t help but admire him.”

Thinking back to how Angela had tried to impress Kian, Vivianne had to admit there was truth to those words.

“Being engaged to such a man, everyone will envy you. Aren’t you happy, Vivi?”

“I do like it, but… honestly, I’m not sure.”

“Why not?”

“I don’t feel like I truly know Kian yet.”

Josephine waved her hand dismissively.

“Oh, Vivi, don’t think like that. It’s perfectly natural.”

“Natural?”

“Yes. Even after living with my husband for over thirty years, there are many times when I wonder if he’s the same man I thought I knew. It’s simply impossible to know someone completely.”

“Do you think so? Maybe I’m just feeling insecure because of my missing memories.”

“What does the past matter? The present is what’s important, don’t you agree?”

That wasn’t wrong. Vivianne nodded slowly.

“Besides, honestly, it’s quite obvious what happened.”

Obvious? Vivianne’s eyes widened.

“What? Do you have some idea?”

“Yes. I heard you were originally Duke Larson’s mistress. The truth is, there’s really only one conflict that high-ranking nobles and their mistresses experience.”

“What is it?”

Their eyes met in the mirror. Josephine’s expression grew serious as she turned Vivianne’s body on the stool to face her.

“Noble men don’t usually marry their mistresses. They marry daughters from other noble families of similar status. A noble’s marriage isn’t simply a union between a man and woman, it involves matters of interest between families. Many mistresses suffer because of this issue.”

“Ah, I see.”

“But the Duke proposed to you, didn’t he? That means he’s willing to give up all the benefits he could gain through a strategic marriage. Plus, now the Marchioness will be your strong family backing. If that was the problem… it seems everything has already been resolved, hasn’t it?”

Josephine smiled, showing it was truly nothing to worry about.

Had she been worrying unnecessarily?

Indeed, if Kian hadn’t proposed marriage, considering separation due to an uncertain future would have been a natural progression. Vivianne nodded slowly.

“You’re right. I’m truly grateful.”

Finding Vivianne adorable, Josephine gently patted her head.

“It’s all your good fortune, Vivi. You must have done something to deserve such love. So don’t worry anymore. From now on, only happiness awaits you.”

“Thank you, Josephine.”

Only happiness awaits.

Could she really feel at ease?

She hoped Josephine was right.

“You’re a child who can be happy wherever you go.”

“Because happiness is within you, Vivi.”

Vivianne recalled the Marchioness Baldwin’s words, trying hard to ignore the spark of anxiety lurking in her heart.

* * *

“Ah! Huff… I can’t… anymore. Stop.”

Drenched in sweat and panting heavily, Vivianne desperately covered herself with the blanket.

“Just one more time. Please?”

“Absolutely not. I have no strength left in my body.”

“You just need to lie still. I’ll take care of everything.”

Kian was quite persistent. Vivianne shook her head vigorously, pushing away the man trying to climb on top of her again.

“Why are you being like this? If you keep this up, I won’t do it anymore.”

“I’m sorry. What about just holding you?”

“Then you’ll start touching me, kissing me… and mating again.”

“Vivi. Please.”

Vivianne rolled herself tightly in the blanket, creating an impenetrable defense against his advances.

“You can hold me in caterpillar form. That’s all.”

“Caterpillar?”

“Yes. Someone said I look like a caterpillar like this.”

“Who said that?”

Whoever had seen her like this must have been extremely close to her.

“Wasn’t it you, Kian?”

“No. Who was it?”

“…”

“If you’re going to hide it, you should hide it completely. If I find out who it was, they won’t escape unharmed.”

“Stop saying such terrible things.”

Vivianne lowered her voice and whispered reproachfully.

Kian, who had been staying in the guest bedroom, had secretly slipped into Vivianne’s bedroom late at night. She was anxious about making too much noise since her room was right next to Marchioness Baldwin’s bedroom.

Resigned, Kian tightly embraced Vivianne’s blanket-wrapped body.

“By the way, Kian.”

“Yes?”

“Are you really all right with marrying me?”

“What do you mean?”

“Josephine told me that nobles usually marry other nobles, not their mistresses. She said noble marriages involve matters of interest between families.”

“Josephine said unnecessary things.”

He dismissed it flatly, suggesting it wasn’t even worth discussing.

“Do I look so pathetic that I would be concerned with such matters?”

“No, that’s not what I meant… I was just curious. Did we fight about this before? Or was I worried about it?”

“Well, we didn’t specifically fight about it, but you might have been anxious on your own. I never brought up marriage directly before.”

That wasn’t a lie. Vivianne had occasionally shown signs of anxiety regarding his fiancée.

“Will you marry your fiancée, Kian?”

“You keep telling me to trust you, but your actions remain ambiguous.”

He remembered her crying, tears falling steadily from her eyes out of distress. Reassuring Vivianne was still difficult now, but why had he behaved that way then? Recalling his own foolishness made his chest tighten.

“From now on, I will never do anything to make you feel insecure.”

His gaze was more serious than ever.

“…All right. I’ll try to trust you.”

Still wrapped in the blanket, Vivianne turned to face him and nuzzled her forehead against his collarbone.

“I have a wish.”

“Tell me what it is.”

“I want to visit Larson.”

“Larson?”

“Yes.”

Vivianne’s eyes sparkled with intelligence even in the darkness.

Going to Larson with Vivianne—it was something he had been eagerly anticipating. Yet when he actually heard her request, he felt his breath catch.

“If I visit where you live, I might remember something more.”

But those were precisely the memories he hoped she wouldn’t recall.

“Josephine says the coral beaches at Larson are beautiful.”

Yes, that’s where I found you, and also where I lost you.

“I want to see it. And if we… if we get married someday, that’s where we’ll live together, right? I’m curious what kind of place it is. Please?”

Fortunately, she didn’t seem to remember yet. But how long would this dreamlike luck continue?

“Let’s do that.”

Still, as long as you remain by my side, I have no choice but to grant your wishes.

Whatever you desire, it doesn’t matter what it is.

“Let’s go to Larson together.”