Chapter 4.6

The honeymoon, which had burned brightly day and night, came to an end after a week. Though Liam still wanted nothing more than to be close to Yvonne, he was now Earl of Arthus.

He had to attend the Rido Canal meetings he had skipped under the guise of his honeymoon and fulfill his duties as a lord. The thought of facing the work he had postponed drained his enthusiasm.

But the hardest part was being away from Yvonne. It was the first time a week had felt so short.

‘If I were still from the Conrad Family, what’s a week? I would’ve stayed with her for months.’

Swallowing his regret, Liam prepared to leave the mansion. Having finally groomed himself into a presentable state for the outside world, he hugged Yvonne tightly before showering her with kisses. Even then, he rubbed his face against her cheeks and neck for a long time, reluctant to leave until Gabriel’s impatient scolding finally drove him out of the mansion.

Only then could Yvonne begin her responsibilities. Following the lessons from her bridal training, she summoned the head maid and steward to assess the household’s affairs.

She had been taught that a wise bride should keep a close eye on the household management.

Though there were challenges, her experience as a maid under Baroness Bertrand had prepared her well, and she felt she could adapt quickly.

By afternoon, a doctor visited the mansion. It was something Yvonne had arranged with the head maid earlier that morning; the doctor was said to be the most skilled in Lambert.

“It’s an honor to meet you, Madame. My name is Gavain.”

Responding to his polite greeting, Yvonne nodded and invited him to sit.

“Please let me know what discomforts you’re experiencing.”

“I’m not uncomfortable, but… I wanted to inquire about some medicine.”

“Medicine, you say?”

“Is there something that helps with conceiving a child? And if there’s medicine to prevent miscarriages, I’d like that too.”

“Both do exist, but I’m not sure if you need them. You’re both young, aren’t you? It might be too early to worry about this. Why not wait a little longer?”

Yvonne bit her lip before cautiously speaking.

“Actually, my mother suffered frequent miscarriages. I’ve heard that this can be hereditary, so I’m worried. I want to prepare in advance.”

“Ah… There is indeed such a belief. It’s certainly a matter worth worrying about.”

Finally understanding, the doctor nodded and agreed to prepare the medicine. His softened response allowed Yvonne to breathe a sigh of relief.

She hadn’t lied entirely. Her mother, Mirabelle, had been unable to conceive more children after giving birth to Yvonne.

As for her twin sister, the real Jeanne’s mother, Clemen, she wasn’t sure…

Regardless, Yvonne was anxious about her ability to conceive. She had heard from the maids that women who miscarry once are likely to miscarry repeatedly.

While the miscarriage of her first child was largely due to external factors, a miscarriage was still a miscarriage.

Seeing Liam’s eagerness for children the previous night had only heightened her anxiety.

What if she conceived again but miscarried? What if she kept miscarrying afterward? These fears consumed her.

Had she married Earl Marlon, she wouldn’t have worried about this. But since her husband was Liam, it mattered deeply.

“Doctor, if my husband asks, could you say that I requested the medicine because I want to conceive quickly? It’s about the issue of succession…”

“I understand. If Monsieur asks, I’ll say as much.”

Gavain nodded in agreement. During his career, he had witnessed countless women mistreated or discarded by their husbands for failing to bear children.

As a doctor, he sympathized with such women and gladly agreed to Yvonne’s request. Only then could Yvonne feel reassured.

***

Upon his return, Liam immediately grabbed Yvonne and laid her on the bed. She hadn’t expected this, especially since he skipped dinner, and she gasped as she asked,

“Dinner…?”

“Later. I thought I’d go mad from missing you.”

“But…”

“Please. Today was really hard.”

Liam whined as he buried his face in Yvonne’s bare chest. Her soft, ample br*asts pressed against his face.

He buried his nose in her cleavage, inhaling deeply, letting her scent fill him.

Yes, this… This is what I missed.

Internally murmuring desires he couldn’t voice aloud, Liam kneaded and sucked on her br*asts.

The moment he attended the meeting earlier, Natong had predictably lashed out at him. He had raged, calling Liam a shameless beast for stealing his bride, accusing him of being less than human.

In response, Liam had replied curtly:

“Have you just realized? As Monsieur says, I’m not human. I’m worse than a dog. Woof woof.”

“You… insane…!”

Natong, overwhelmed by Liam’s words, had clutched his neck and groaned. To that, Liam had sarcastically added, 

“Monsieur Marton seems unwell due to his age. Perhaps he should rest at home.”

Liam was well aware that he had acted like a scoundrel. However, how could he look favorably upon Natong, who continued to covet his bride even after their marriage? Moreover, the thought that Yvonne had almost ended up under that old man made him restless. The idea that someone as beautiful and adorable as her could have been seen by that old man made his blood boil. 

Such a sight of hers should belong only to him. Yes, only to him. 

The anger and possessiveness he couldn’t suppress translated into his touch as he caressed Yvonne.

“Ah, uh… it hurts…”

“I’m sorry. Does it hurt a lot?”

“Not that much… just, a little gentler, please…”

Realizing belatedly that he had been gripping her chest too tightly, Liam eased his touch. 

Afterward, he resumed caressing her with care. Each time he suckled on her chest, Yvonne whimpered softly, as if she enjoyed it. After a long time of tender affection, he spread her legs apart.

Perhaps the week they had spent passionately together had paid off, for even without much attention, she was already wet. After savoring her thoroughly, Liam finally let her go.

Later that evening, they finished the meal they had missed earlier. But soon after, Liam embraced Yvonne again, his hands wandering over her body as he suddenly asked,

“I heard the doctor visited today. Are you feeling unwell?”

“Oh, no. I’m not unwell. It’s just…”

“There must’ve been a reason for calling the doctor, wasn’t there?”

Yvonne flinched. Liam had been out all day. Upon his return, he had skipped dinner and immediately sought her out in the bedroom. He had stayed with her since, leaving no time for anyone to inform him about the doctor’s visit. 

Yet, he knew. 

This could only mean that someone was reporting everything to him in real-time. It was natural for the estate’s staff to be loyal to their lord, but she hadn’t expected the reports to be so immediate.

‘I’m glad I met the doctor alone.’ 

And she was grateful she had prepared an explanation in advance. After hesitating for a moment, Yvonne finally spoke.

“Well… you mentioned wanting children the other day.”

“I did. And?”

“I want to have children soon too.”

“My children?”

“Yes, your children. So, I asked for medicine to help conceive faster—ah!”

Liam hugged her tightly. Though they were already in each other’s arms, his embrace grew even firmer, startling her. When he began showering her rounded shoulders with kisses, Yvonne trembled.

“Liam?”

“Ah, Jeanne… truly…”

What should I do with her? 

Every word she said, every little action, made him feel like he was losing his mind with love.

Unable to resist, Liam climbed on top of her, planting kisses along her shoulders and arms. His arousal pressed against her leg, making Yvonne stammer in surprise.

“W-wasn’t earlier supposed to be the last time for today?”

“I thought so too, but…”

Liam spread her legs wide once more. The blunt head of his member rubbed against her wet entrance.

“You said you wanted to have children soon.”

“That’s true, but today was already enough—uh!”

“When my wife desires it this much…”

“Ah, uh! I-I’m sorry—ah!”

“As her husband, I must fulfill my duty. This will work better than any medicine the doctor gave.”

“Ahh, uh! Please, slowly—ah, not there—!”

The large size of him hit all her sensitive spots as he moved inside her. 

Yvonne quickly reached her climax beneath him. And even after several more peaks of pleasure, she eventually passed out, exhausted.

***

The late Earl of Arthus had married off his four daughters early and, after losing his wife, had entrusted all household affairs to the steward and head maid while personally managing the estate. 

Being of advanced age, he rarely invited guests to the mansion. As such, the mansion was maintained by a single maid to care for the guest rooms, a head maid, a gardener, a servant for his personal needs, and a steward—just five staff members in total.

For someone of his title and social standing, this was a modest number. However, the Earl had lived a content life and passed away, leaving Liam to inherit the title.

When the young Liam arrived from the capital and inspected the mansion, his only comment was:

“This place needs a complete overhaul.”

Thus, a major renovation of the mansion’s interior and exterior began. While it wasn’t possible to fix everything, the most visible areas were prioritized.

Additionally, a large number of new staff were hired, meaning most of the current staff were young and newly employed.

“It’s fortunate that our lord married you, Madam, during such a chaotic time. Having someone to oversee the household is essential.”

The head maid chattered as she praised Yvonne. She added that Yvonne could decorate the mansion however she pleased.

However, among the many words the head maid spoke, only one detail caught Yvonne’s attention: her husband’s origins in the capital.

“Did you say Liam came from the capital?”

“Yes, that’s correct. The second daughter married into a very wealthy family. Usually, the third or youngest is considered the prettiest, but in the Arthus Family, the second daughter was the most beautiful. She was also very intelligent.”

Having raised the four daughters herself, the head maid spoke with pride.

“Of course, the other daughters married into good families too, but none could compare to the second.”

“Do you know which family it was?”

“Well, um…”

The head maid, who had been happily chatting moments ago, furrowed her brow and hesitated before shaking her head.

“I’m sorry, Madam. My memory isn’t what it used to be. But it was certainly a prominent family.”

“That’s all right. It happens. But how did Liam end up inheriting this place? I heard his original family was quite affluent.”

“Oh, that’s because he was the third son and wasn’t in line to inherit anything. And it just so happened that the late Earl had no heirs.”

“The third son…”

Yvonne’s voice trembled slightly as she repeated the words. Her tone, tinged with unease, made the head maid look at her curiously. But Yvonne was too preoccupied with her thoughts to notice.

A third son from a prominent family in the capital.

The man she had buried deep in her memory surfaced. The third son of the Marquis of Conrad. The man who had cruelly trampled on her innocence, thrown gold coin at her in mockery, and almost fathered a child she would have borne in misery.

“No… it can’t be…”

“Pardon?”

“Nothing. It’s nothing.”

Yvonne forced a smile and asked the head maid to tell her more about Liam’s mother. Though puzzled by Yvonne’s reaction, the head maid resumed speaking.

As the conversation shifted, Yvonne pressed down on her pounding heart.

‘It can’t be.’

There was no way that cruel man could be the same gentle husband she now had.

Though she hadn’t seen his face clearly in the dark back then and could no longer remember his voice, she vividly recalled his vulgar and menacing tone.

It was too different from her kind and loving husband. Surely, she was just being overly sensitive due to a series of coincidences.

Yvonne tried to reassure herself.