The moment her father, Viscount Brandley, was mentioned.

Daphne gripped the blanket tightly.

“Complete innocence will be difficult, but he won’t rot in prison for life.”

Daphne was swept by a strange feeling.

No matter how much she resented her father, he was still the one who gave her his blood.

The moment she thought about him committing a crime and being unable to leave the cold prison until death, something inside Daphne seemed to snap.

Probably lingering attachment to her only blood relative.

In truth, Daphne had planned to stay quiet without appealing, whatever sentence her father received for his crimes.

If that was the price for the crimes her father committed, he should willingly pay it.

But Astaire seemed to think differently.

“…I don’t know if I should thank you.”

Daphne moved her lips haltingly. What came back, making her effort seem worthless, was an indifferent voice.

“You don’t need to thank me.”

Astaire had already returned to being the cold, calculating man she knew well.

Watching him, Daphne quietly mocked herself inside.

A man who turned his back on her without hesitation.

Right.

He was always this kind of man.

Now the only emotional connection remaining between them was that he was the father of this baby in her belly.

And Daphne still hadn’t forgotten.

Her decision to leave this man, Astaire.

‘And baby, you’re coming with me too.’

She didn’t want to raise this baby as the heir to House Seyfried. The child shouldn’t grow up as another bird in a cage. She wanted to raise the child more freely.

‘Even if it’s hard for me, you’ll become a child who explores this wide world.’

Daphne murmured inwardly.

She hoped time would pass quickly, bringing the moment when the baby could respond to her words.

The next day, Daphne’s father was sentenced to five years in prison.

“Viscount Theodore Brandley is sentenced to five years.”

Bang, bang, bang.

When the Emperor struck the gavel, the courtroom doors opened and Viscount Brandley was dragged out.

Just before Viscount Brandley was dragged away.

Until the very end, he looked at the empty seat beside Astaire. Searching for his daughter to the last. Astaire could only laugh.

If he truly cared for his daughter, he shouldn’t have touched gambling in the first place.

When the First Prince made his sweet offer, he should have consulted him instead of eagerly taking that hand.

Viscount Brandley’s five-year sentence was nothing less than a representation of the man’s foolishness and stupidity.

Just before the Emperor left the courtroom with his ailing body, Astaire’s eyes met his.

The Emperor’s eyes said he’d worked hard.

Astaire conveyed his thanks to the Emperor with a brief nod.

With this, the Emperor had provided Astaire with sufficient help.

Then now, it was Astaire’s turn to fulfill the Emperor’s request.

The task of making the son born from the woman the Emperor loved until the end into Emperor.

“Did the trial end well?”

When they came out of the palace, Germo, who’d been checking his pocket watch, quickly put it away.

Astaire boarded the open carriage. Germo followed after.

“You’re going to meet that person today.”

“Yes.”

It was time to meet the gynecologist who was monitoring Daphne.

Germo’s face beamed with smiles, seemingly pleased about the heir.

“I wonder if it’ll be a young lord or young lady. Aren’t you curious too, Your Grace?”

“Who knows.”

He found it absurd to even discuss the gender of a baby that didn’t exist in the first place.

“I’d prefer a young lady. How pretty would it be if a young lady who resembles the Madam came toddling along? I hope her eyes are bright blue like the Madam’s too.”

“You’re talking too much, Germo.”

“I apologize…”

Germo immediately deflated. The carriage still hadn’t even departed.

Actually, Astaire didn’t entirely dislike his aide’s chatter. Before he knew it, a slight curve formed on the cold Duke’s lips.

What if a baby really came to be?

Astaire’s smile stopped for a moment.

Then what would happen?

When his thoughts reached that point, his fingertips stiffened.

Come to think of it, he’d never properly imagined it.

The appearance of their child that Daphne would bear.

At some point, Astaire had been viewing their child purely as a tool.

A tool to save Daphne.

Of course, it would be best if a baby came.

But if, even as time passed, no baby came.

Then he’d have to decide.

He’d have to coordinate with the gynecologist and announce to the world that the baby had miscarried.

What reaction would Daphne show then?

He didn’t even want to imagine.

“Are you all right?”

Astaire frowned and pressed his fingertips firmly against his brow. His aide, keenly noticing the change, asked cautiously.

“I’m fine.”

Worrying too much about the future wasn’t good either.

The future was important, but always stay grounded in reality.

He tried to shake off his thoughts by repeating in his mind the maxim he always remembered.

That’s when it happened.

“Huh?”

Germo started getting out of the carriage. When he turned his head, puzzled by his behavior, sure enough, Phaios was walking toward them.

Astaire and Germo got out of the carriage to greet Phaios.

“What brings you here, Second Prince?”

“We’re in the same boat now, so must there be a reason for me to speak to you?”

His manner of speaking had aspects that grated on one’s nerves even more than the First Prince’s in some ways.

Astaire forcibly smoothed his furrowing brow.

“Where are you headed now? Duke Seyfried’s estate?”

“I’m going elsewhere.”

“Can you give me a ride on your way?”

“…Of course.”

Though he paused briefly, Astaire nodded.

Looking again, Phaios’s hands were full of items. And the attendant behind him also had gifts piled as high as a person.

“Don’t tell me you’re bringing all of these too?”

“Unfortunately, none of this is for you.”

Phaios added with a grin.

“These are all my gifts for the Duchess and the baby to be born.”

Not a single one was a welcome gift.

“Thank you so much for the gifts.”

Astaire’s words were extremely polite, but his displeased expression and attitude were full of the air of ‘why are you sending these things?’

Phaios seemed to enjoy the Duke’s discomfort instead.

“Can you take me to the ducal estate?”

“The carriage is cramped, so you might be uncomfortable.”

Even when refused indirectly, this prince was utterly shameless.

“The Duke’s carriage looks as spacious as my carriage at the palace.”

“You might be uncomfortable riding with us.”

“It’s not that I’m uncomfortable, but that you are.”

Even knowing full well, Phaios showed no intention of backing down.

In the end, Astaire slowly moved his body to make space for the Second Prince to sit beside him.

The Second Prince sat down, and before long the carriage began to depart.

“Is the Duchess at the estate?”

Of course, there was no way Daphne had gone far. But Astaire didn’t want to answer obediently.

“She might be out for a while meeting with other ladies.”

“True, the Duchess must have many friends.”

It was obvious to anyone that Phaios was coming to the ducal estate to see Daphne. That obvious fact displeased Astaire.

Once they arrived at the estate, he wanted to hide his wife completely from this man Phaios’s eyes somehow.

“When will the baby be born?”

“…More than half a year remains.”

At Phaios’s casual question, Astaire paused for a moment.

He had to time it well.

Otherwise, he might carelessly be dragged away for insulting the imperial family.

They had only a few days left.

Of course, in case Daphne truly couldn’t have a baby, he’d deceived even her into acting pregnant.

Even Astaire couldn’t be certain this was the right thing to do.

What if Daphne continued to believe she was truly pregnant? Then what about the sense of loss when she heard she’d miscarried?

Or in the worst case, if she learned the pregnancy news was false from the start.

Then he’d be giving Daphne an indelible wound.

Astaire wasn’t unaware of that.

But first, saving her from the First Prince’s clutches was the priority.

Comforting her when she was covered in wounds was also his role.

Astaire believed that.

If she had to be hurt, he would hurt her.

Either way, she could never live without him.

Astaire firmly believed this without doubt.

“Aren’t you curious what gifts I brought?”

He wanted to be lost in his own thoughts, but Phaios kept chattering beside him. Astaire suppressed the urge to cover his ears and slowly accommodated the Second Prince.

“…I’m curious, Second Prince.”

“Foods good for pregnant women, and clothes and shoes for when the baby is born.”

“Thank you.”

Of course, once Phaios left the estate, all the gifts he gave would be secretly disposed of. Astaire was already thinking about how to get rid of the gifts without Daphne noticing.

Then Phaios’s attitude suddenly became respectful.

“And I have a request.”

Unlike that man who was good at sneering with a smiling face, Astaire found his change in attitude completely unwelcome.

“What is it, Second Prince?”

Astaire added the honorific slowly, like chewing and spitting it out.

“If the baby is born…”

The Second Prince hesitated uncharacteristically, not speaking easily. His attitude felt ominous, so Astaire subtly urged the prince on.

“Yes.”

“Can I become the baby’s godfather?”

Astaire momentarily doubted his ears.

“…What?”

“I’m saying I want to become your baby’s godfather.”

Even though he denied reality for a moment, the Second Prince coldly awakened him to reality with a sneer.

Naturally, Astaire wanted to refuse outright.

But the other party was the Second Prince, royalty.

It was extremely regrettable that even he couldn’t speak freely to such a person.

“I’ve already decided on someone to be the baby’s godfather, so that will be difficult.”

“Who on earth is that? Surely not my brother.”

“I’ve asked Marquis Aiter.”

“Were you close enough with Marquis Aiter to ask him to be your child’s godfather?”

Phaios tilted his head questioningly. Soon, a sneering curve formed on the man’s face.

“Ah, right. Did you think I didn’t know Duke Seyfried has no friends?”

“Marquis Aiter is my vassal.”

“A vassal and a friend are different, Duke.”

Phaios laughed with his eyes half-closed, sneering like he couldn’t believe it.

Astaire quietly clenched his fist, suppressing his emotions as he responded.

“Thank you for informing me, Second Prince. I’ve learned something.”

“I’m glad the Duke learned something.”

That’s when it happened.

“Ugh!”

Aide Germo, sitting beside Astaire, covered his mouth with a pale face. The eyes of the two men exchanging barbed words fixed on the man retching.

“What’s wrong?”

“What’s the matter?”

“Urgh!”

Germo bowed his head once more. He clutched his solar plexus, his face twisted in pain.

“I’m, I’m sorry… My stomach isn’t feeling well.”

In truth, this young aide wanted to shout.

That because of you two endlessly bickering in this cramped carriage, motion sickness he never had was hitting him.

“His Grace and a guest have arrived, Madam.”

A guest?

Daphne quietly set her book down on her lap and raised her head.

Astaire rarely brought anyone. Even when he did, he took them straight to his office instead of the drawing room, busy discussing work.

For that Astaire to bring a guest to the drawing room.

Looking again, the maids’ movements were quite bustling as they received the guest. Their faces even held tension not usually seen.

Who could it be?

Daphne went down to the first floor first.

And the moment she saw the guest who’d come to the estate, her eyes widened.