The m＊rder case between the two families was concluded as accidental death by self-defense.

Alicia and Anton were sentenced to two months in prison for the accidental death.

Aselidia, which was ultimately proven to have harbored a s*x offender, lost tremendous face, while Hurion was able to save some dignity.

However, with Karin, Hurion’s designated heir, going to Aselidia, internal chaos erupted as various parties vied for the now-vacant heir position.

Aselidia suffered damage to its reputation, and Hurion suffered losses from internal turmoil, so in the end, only the Emperor benefited.

“Don’t you think he expected this to happen from the beginning?”

“Do you really think so?”

In Karin’s room, Luke and Karin chatted quietly together. Luke tried to spend as much time as possible beside Karin as her due date approached, and Karin would tell Luke various stories.

“The Emperor isn’t a god, so he probably couldn’t have predicted we’d end up like this. But as a result, he gained tremendous benefits from a single command.”

“That’s true. But didn’t it work out well for us? Our child will be able to do what they want to do. They won’t be forced to become a lord of some territory.”

Karin looked down at her belly. With her due date next month, her belly had grown so large she couldn’t even lie flat anymore, and the baby was inside.

“It’s not like a fairy tale where the two families become friends.”

Karin murmured. Luke, who was sitting beside her reading a book while drinking tea, nodded.

“The rift between them has been too deep for too long. I’d rather they each go their separate ways like this.”

“Do you think that day will come?”

“It’s difficult now, but someday it will happen. Just like how everyone now takes it for granted that you, Hurion’s legitimate heir, live as Aselidia’s duchess.”

Actually, it still wasn’t taken for granted. The servants felt confused when Karin, whom they thought had left, returned to manage the household, and the relatives who occasionally visited invariably gave Karin uncomfortable looks.

However, Karin silently endured the cold treatment and suspicious glances. She couldn’t expect to be accepted and welcomed by everyone from the start.

The original female lead Alicia had also received such cold treatment for being called Aselidia’s lackey, which made her wonder sometimes. Why had things turned out this way for her?

Was this twisted story really right?

“Sometimes it feels strange.”

“What does?”

“That I ended up in this kind of relationship with a man who molested me at our second meeting.”

Luke spat out the tea he was drinking with a “pfft.” Karin frowned with disgust and handed him a handkerchief.

“Gross.”

“Cough, cough.”

“Why are you so surprised? Are you okay? If you’re going to feel guilty about it now, you shouldn’t have done it in the first place.”

Luke blushed and kept coughing. Then, when he calmed down a bit, he cleared his throat and said:

“You’re never going to forget that incident for the rest of your life, are you?”

“Of course not. I mean, we were talking at our second meeting and you put your hand on—”

“Well, I won’t forget that you said you’d just have the baby and leave either. What were you thinking when you said that?”

The couple both blushed and glared at each other. Then, without either taking the lead, they bitterly looked away.

“Should we agree not to talk about that time?”

“That would be best.”

“Good. From now on, if you bring up that story, you have to pay money.”

Karin made this threat. Luke stared at his wife and smiled.

“Why are you smiling?”

“Because you’re pretty.”

“Liar, I’m so swollen.”

Karin said, looking down at her forearm. To Luke, it still looked so thin he wondered if she could properly hold a spoon, but Karin had been upset the whole time, saying she’d gained weight and was swollen since getting pregnant.

“You’re pretty even when swollen.”

Luke said this because if he said she wasn’t swollen, Karin would feel bitter that he didn’t need to go that far. At this, Karin giggled.

“You’re really in trouble. Am I that pretty to you?”

“Always, more than anything.”

“…Thank you. I’m a bit embarrassed.”

When sincere praise returned to her joking words, Karin blushed and turned her head. Luke bookmarked the book he was reading, closed it, put it away, and stood up.

“Shall we go for a walk?”

“Sure.”

Karin took Luke’s hand and walked out of the room.

Now she was used to holding this hand. After next month, she would get used to holding the baby’s small hand too, and someday that hand would grow bigger and the day would come to let it go.

Until then, Karin decided to do what she could and faithfully love everything.

“Ah.”

The baby kicked her belly hard, responding to her thoughts. Karin still got startled by the fetal movements, which were hard to describe in words.

“This little one must be mischievous.”

“I hope it’s a healthy and spirited child. Our firstborn.”

There was an ominous implication in those words. Karin narrowed her eyes and looked at her husband beside her.

“Firstborn…?”

“Of course, if you prefer an only child, that’s how it would be…”

Even while saying this, Luke gently pressed and stroked the back of her hand with his thumb. Karin was flabbergasted.

“We did it yesterday too!”

“Even doing it every day with you wouldn’t be enough.”

“…Good grief. Fine, be gentle. In exchange.”

Karin shook her head in disbelief. Then she thought for a moment and murmured:

“Up to three should be manageable somehow…”

If she had three children in consecutive years, it would be tough, so she’d need to control the timing, but she doubted whether her husband would listen.

Family planning and life planning were both serious matters. Karin felt worried for some reason and unconsciously looked to the side, meeting Luke’s eyes as he looked at her warmly.

Just that alone seemed to melt away all her worries.

‘It’ll work out somehow.’

So for now, she would take a walk with this person. With the person she loved.

fin.