Chapter 5.2

The next day, Yvonne woke up very late in the afternoon. It was nothing unusual; she often fell asleep exhausted after being with Liam all night and woke up in the afternoon. But strangely, she felt sleepy again soon after. When the warm sunlight streamed through the window, Yvonne began to doze off.

Watching her nodding off and startling awake, the head maid cautiously asked if she should call the doctor. Yvonne, feeling a bit different than usual, agreed.

The doctor, Gavain, soon visited the estate. After hearing Yvonne’s symptoms, he spoke carefully.

“Perhaps… How about taking a pregnancy test?”

“Me, pregnant? I haven’t even had morning sickness.”

“Pregnancy doesn’t always involve morning sickness. It wouldn’t hurt to check with a detailed test.”

“But…”

Yvonne involuntarily recalled the bundle Philip had thrown at her. Her heart pounded with fear.

“Madame?”

“Ah.”

The doctor called out to Yvonne. It was only then she realized she was in Lambert, not Rivette.

‘Yes. It’s different now.’

The previous pregnancy wasn’t blessed, but this one was. Liam would surely be happy. And so would she.

“Test… Yes, I’ll do it. Please proceed.”

“Certainly. I’ll prepare it right away.”

“Um, one more thing. Could you keep this a secret until the results are certain? From my husband. As you know, he’s very hopeful. I don’t want to disappoint him unnecessarily.”

“Of course, Madame. You know how discreet I can be.”

“Of course. I always trust you.”

Yvonne spoke sincerely. As she said, Gavain had kept her secrets from the beginning. Not only that, he was doing his best to accommodate her.

After receiving the prepared test bundle, Yvonne handed it to Gavain. He left, promising to return the next day.

* * *

It was a long day. Yvonne was so anxious waiting for Gavain that she couldn’t finish her tasks properly.

From the moment Gavain suggested the test, her mind was in turmoil.

What if it’s not pregnancy? The lack of morning sickness, unlike last time, bothered her. Gavain had said one could be pregnant without morning sickness, but she was still worried.

What if it’s not pregnancy but an illness, or some other unknown issue… No. Maybe it’s really pregnancy. If it is, will Liam be happy? He will, right?

Liam persistently asked if something was wrong when he noticed Yvonne’s unusual restlessness. However, she kept evading by saying she’d tell him later.

Thus, Yvonne waited endlessly for Gavain’s visit. She wished he would come soon and give her the results.

After what felt like an eternity, Gavain visited the estate early in the afternoon, well past lunchtime.

“Good afternoon, Madame.”

“Yes. Good afternoon, Doctor. So, what are the results…?”

It wasn’t polite to jump straight to the point upon meeting someone, but Yvonne asked immediately.

Her heart was racing too much for idle chatter. Gavain, understanding her impatience, opened his mouth without taking offense.

“It may be early to congratulate you, but I must say, congratulations.”

“By that, you mean…”

“You’re pregnant. The wheat seeds and barley sprouts in the bundle have sprouted.”

Yvonne couldn’t react immediately. She stood frozen in disbelief, then cautiously moved her lips.

“Really? Am I really pregnant?”

“Yes, Madame. They sprouted in just one day.”

“I… I’m really pregnant…”

“Yes.”

As Gavain repeatedly confirmed, Yvonne’s face gradually brightened. Unbeknownst to her, tears welled up in her eyes.

Seeing Yvonne finally cry, Gavain handed her a handkerchief, acknowledging her emotional struggle.

He then spoke about what to do and what not to do during pregnancy before leaving.

He particularly emphasized something.

“Do you understand? You must refrain from intimacy with your husband for a while. For the next two months.”

She wished he could have told Liam directly.

But it was impossible to ask someone to wait for a person who would return only around evening. Even after the doctor left, Yvonne couldn’t believe she was pregnant.

‘A child is in my womb again…’

Yvonne gazed blankly out the window at the Seine River, gently rubbing her belly. It was still flat, but it was certain there was a child inside.

“A child…”

Liam’s child. And her own child.

“Ah…”

Tears welled up in Yvonne’s eyes again. She was happy. And grateful. Grateful to the child who gave her another chance.

‘I will definitely give birth this time. And I will raise the child with love. Shower them with affection.’

She knew it was mere self-consolation, as this child couldn’t possibly be the same as the one she lost. But she resolved to give birth to and cherish this child.

Yvonne paced by the window overlooking the estate. She was eager to share the joyful news with her husband.

After waiting and hoping for Liam to return, she finally saw the familiar carriage entering the estate.

Soon, Liam alighted from the carriage. Seeing him, Yvonne ran to him at once.

“Liam…!”

“Jeanne?”

Liam was surprised to see his wife flying into his arms like a bird.

He knew Yvonne would come to greet him. Though she often skipped seeing him off in the mornings after he tired her out the night before, she always came out to greet him.

However, even then, it was at the entrance of the mansion, not outside like this, welcoming him.  

“Why did you come out in the cold? Stay inside.”  

“I missed you so much. I couldn’t wait.”  

“Are you trying to seduce me now?”  

“What? No…!”  

Liam lifted Yvonne.  

Yvonne, suddenly in his arms, let out a small scream of surprise.  

He would occasionally lift her like this, but only in places like the second floor or the bedroom where the servants wouldn’t see.  

She had never been held in front of all the servants like this…  

Embarrassed, Yvonne looked around and saw that all the servants were watching them with curious eyes.  

Under the pouring gazes, Yvonne blushed and whispered, clinging tightly to Liam’s thick coat.  

“Put me down.”  

“No, I don’t want to. You seduced me first, so take responsibility.”  

“When did I seduce you… I was just waiting for you.”  

“You’re still seducing me now. Acting so cute, what man wouldn’t fall for it?”  

Unable to resist, Liam kissed Yvonne’s cheek.  

Even though it was a light touch, Yvonne was startled and called his name, 

“Liam!”  

Of course, Liam found even that cute and hurriedly headed to the bedroom, laying her on the bed as usual.  

While kissing her, he threw off his coat, and Yvonne pushed him away, shaking her head.  

“No, no! Not from today, no!”  

“Why? Are you having your cycle?”  

“No, it’s not that…”  

“Then there’s no reason not to.”  

“No! It’s not my cycle, but really, no! Let me go!”  

Yvonne’s gesture and voice were unusually firm.  

Even Liam, who was always captivated by his wife, had to stop.  

He slowly raised his head and asked.  

“Why do you say no?”  

“There’s a reason now. Can you sit up? I don’t think I can say this like this…”  

“There’s nothing that can’t be said like this…”  

“Liam.”  

Yvonne added seriously, something she rarely did.  

“It’s serious.”  

This made him sit up straight.  

As Liam sat beside her, Yvonne quickly tidied her clothes.  

He had undressed her so quickly that half of her clothes were already undone.  

“Why bother dressing? You’ll have to take it off soon anyway.”  

“…”  

Yvonne glared at him, and Liam chuckled.  

Seeing the mischievousness in her husband’s face, Yvonne half-gave up and spoke.  

“As you know, the doctor visited yesterday and today.”  

“So I heard. Didn’t he just prescribe the usual medicine?”  

“No. Not this time. I don’t think I’ll need to take that medicine for a while.”  

“Why the change of heart… Wait.”  

Liam paused mid-sentence.  

His eyes were slightly wider than usual.  

Watching his incredulous expression, Yvonne smiled faintly, waiting for his next words.  

“No way.”  

“…”  

“No way, are you pregnant?”  

“That’s right.”  

Yvonne nodded slightly and whispered.  

“They say I’m… pregnant.”  

It was the news she wanted to share since noon.  

Finally, speaking it out loud, Yvonne’s heart pounded more than ever.  

It felt like the sound of her heart was pounding against her eardrums.  

She was that excited and expectant but also afraid.  

Afraid of how her husband would react.  

Liam, hearing Yvonne’s confession, couldn’t speak for a while.  

He stood still with a somewhat blank expression, then muttered softly,  

“Damn.”  

It was a curse filled with quite fierce emotion.  

Startled by his unexpected reaction, Yvonne flinched.  

His response was not among the scenarios she had imagined while waiting.  

Soon, Liam rubbed his face with his hands, roughly swept his hair back, and suddenly embraced her.  

Startled by his unpredictable behavior, Yvonne froze.  

He then rubbed his face against her neck and murmured.  

“Ah, Jeanne. I’m so happy I could go crazy.”  

“…”  

“You, carrying my child, really… I can’t believe we have a child…”  

The words that poured out were filled with emotion.  

When Liam raised his head, his face was filled with joy, just as his words were.  

Only then did Yvonne relax.  

“Are you happy?”  

“More than words can express.”  

“Me too.”  

Liam caressed Yvonne’s cheek, stroked her shoulder, and gently kissed her.  

After the short kiss, he hugged Yvonne tightly again, endlessly murmuring.  

“I love you.”