Chapter 5.3

Liam couldn’t calm down easily.  

He felt like he was flying in the sky.  

For the past few months, Yvonne’s pregnancy had been a significant issue.  

But now his wife was finally pregnant!  

Although s*x was forbidden for the time being, what did it matter? His wife was pregnant!  

Liam wanted to proudly announce Yvonne’s pregnancy throughout the entire region.  

Natong, who still obsessed over Yvonne, would surely grimace at the news…  

‘No.’  

It was a sin to think of a senile old man on such a joyous occasion.  

Where else could I share this news? Should I inform the local church of Yvonne’s pregnancy and make a donation?  

Then the high-ranking clergy, the Monsignors, might all come to bless his child.  

Although Liam didn’t believe in God, thinking of his child made that seem not so bad.  

He left the mansion with a broad smile, thinking of things to do for his unborn child.  

The five family heads attending the meeting exchanged glances about Liam.  

‘What’s up with him?’  

‘I don’t know.’  

It was true that Liam’s demeanor had softened since marrying Yvonne, but today it was excessive.  

There was something unsettling about it.  

Usually, he would never let Natong’s provocations go unanswered, or he would scrutinize the agendas thoroughly.  

But today, no matter what Natong said, he responded with, “Let’s do that,” or “Yes, that’s good,” so everyone found it strange.  

Thanks to that, the agenda was processed quickly, allowing them to play poker and go hunting in the morning for the first time in a long while, but Liam’s reaction was concerning.  

Finally, one of them, who had been watching carefully, spoke up.  

“Monsieur Arthus, is there good news?”  

“How did you know? Oh, I guess I showed it too much.”  

“Judging by your reaction, it must be really good news. We would love for you to share that happy news with us.”  

“Oh, it’s nothing much…”  

Liam waved his hand.  

But he couldn’t hide the twitching smile at the corners of his mouth.  

Everyone thought of one thing at that sight.  

‘It’s not nothing.’  

It seemed he was itching to boast but was holding back.  

He clearly wanted someone to ask.  

Though his obvious reaction was annoying, seeing him so happy made them curious.  

What kind of news could it be to make him like that?  

“Our chi…”  

Liam, who was about to speak excitedly, paused when he saw Natong.  

He hesitated to share the news with Natong present.  

Even after marriage, Natong had coveted his wife and was resentful; he wouldn’t be pleased to hear about the pregnancy.  

‘I’d be lucky if he doesn’t curse us.’  

Of course, that was something that should never happen.  

Therefore, Liam had to quickly revise his original plan to boast about Yvonne’s pregnancy everywhere.

Once Yvonne’s belly began to show, everyone would know anyway, but until the child was securely settled, it would remain an absolute secret.  

“It’s nothing. On second thought, it’s not something to boast about.”  

To Liam, it was a valid reason, but those waiting for his words couldn’t help but feel let down.  

Especially Natong, who frowned irritably. Though he couldn’t show it due to deep-seated feelings with Liam, he had been listening intently, curious about Liam’s good news.  

“Is it just my feeling, or are you not speaking because of me?”  

“You’re mistaken.”  

Pointlessly perceptive.  

Liam cursed Natong inwardly, holding the documents with a smile.  

“There are many pending issues, so let’s get back to work.”  

It was obvious he was changing the subject, but there was nothing to say against it. They were about to finish the meeting and leave.  

“By the way, Monsieur Arthus, do you remember that from next month, the meetings will be held at your residence?”  

Viscount Biohel asked Liam. It was one of the common agreements among the five families of the Rido Canal. To rotate the meetings at each of the five families’ residences monthly.  

It was time for it to be held at the Arthus Family’s turn. But the response was unexpected.  

“I’m sorry, but that seems difficult.”  

“What? Why…?”  

“I’m still in the midst of my honeymoon. If we hold the meeting at our residence, I might not be able to concentrate.”  

“Monsieur, I believe it’s been almost three months since your wedding.”  

“That’s why it’s still a honeymoon. I’d like to skip my turn for at least one year. Instead, I’ll send each of you a horse with a good pedigree.”  

In reality, saying one year meant only skipping two or three turns as the five families rotated.  

It wasn’t a lifetime refusal, and skipping that much was negotiable. Especially with the offer of a horse with a good pedigree… It was quite tempting.  

“It’s not difficult, but may I ask the reason?”  

“That much should deter anyone from coveting my wife.”  

“Hey, hey!”  

Though there was no subject, it was aimed at Natong, who clutched his neck in shock. But Liam cheerfully responded that he was leaving and stood up.  

Outside, Gabriel, who had been waiting for Liam, approached him.  

“I heard Monsieur Marlon’s shout from outside… Did you fight again?”  

“Fight? I just teased him.”  

“Is it because of Madame Arthus again?”  

Liam shrugged. Gabriel, knowing that meant yes, sighed.  

“Isn’t she pregnant now? And yet he’s like that?”  

“I didn’t tell him. I didn’t think anything good would come of it.”  

“Ah… Well, if it’s Monsieur Marlon, indeed.”  

“So keep it a secret for now.”  

“Oh, where would I blab about it?”  

True enough.  

Liam quickly agreed. That was why he boasted to Gabriel about Yvonne’s pregnancy as soon as they met.  

Gabriel was discreet, and Liam was his only friend. Just as Liam, with his limited social circle, could only confide in Gabriel.  

* * *  

After Yvonne became pregnant, Liam’s routine changed slightly. He was still eager to lay Yvonne on the bed, but now he would also rub her flat belly.  

At first, she let it go, thinking he was just happy, but it started to become bothersome. Still, she couldn’t tell him to stop. Seeing how happy he was, she couldn’t possibly say it.  

“We should start thinking of a name.”  

“Already? We don’t even know the baby’s gender yet.”  

“We can come up with both. Or give a gender-neutral name. There’s a saying that a gender-neutral name brings health.”  

Health.  

It was a word that caught Yvonne’s attention. Worried about another miscarriage, Yvonne strongly agreed for once.  

“As you say, a gender-neutral name sounds good.”  

“Great. I’ll ask Monsieur Debroge to search the Debroge family lineage.”  

“What? There’s no need, Liam. I think it would be better to choose from your family’s lineage.”  

Yvonne shook her head, surprised.  

She didn’t want to take a name from the Debroge lineage, whom she barely knew.  

But Liam didn’t seem pleased either.  

“From our family lineage? Or the Arthus Family?”  

“Either is fine. By the way, can I ask about your original family? I heard you came from the capital…”  

Suddenly, Liam’s face hardened. At his rather stern expression, Yvonne involuntarily paused. It felt like she had touched something wrong.  

Realizing Yvonne was afraid, Liam quickly adjusted his expression.  

“Ah, sorry. I didn’t expect you to be curious about that. I don’t like to talk about my family…”  

Knowing he had been rather sharp, Liam smiled as warmly as he could.  

“Later. I’ll tell you later.”  

“Okay…”  

“For the baby’s name, it’s better to look through the Arthus Family lineage as you wish.”  

His tone was somehow soothing. Yvonne nodded silently. She could only guess one thing. Liam didn’t like his family.  

Yvonne decided to be careful about mentioning his family in front of Liam.  

* * *  

Afterward, Liam carefully chose the baby’s name. Every night after returning from the Rido Canal meetings, he would search the archives for the lineage. The lineage detailed the person’s illnesses and deeds quite thoroughly.  

They were usually records made by the butlers and headmaids of the time, along with the descendants’ records.  

Nowadays, they don’t write in such detail… But for naming a child, it was very fortunate.  

After weeks of searching the lineage, Liam finally chose a candidate for the baby’s name.  

“Claude, how about it? I found he lived the longest and healthiest. He was also respected for his medical knowledge.”  

“I like it.”  

Thus, the baby’s name was chosen. Yvonne repeated the baby’s name to herself several times.  

Before, it was simply a baby, but naming it made her feel closer to it.  

“I hope the baby is born soon. I’m curious who the baby will resemble. Or it would be nice if it looks like both of us.”  

Hearing Liam’s murmur, Yvonne thought, 

‘Is that so?’  

Her wish was simply for the baby to be born healthy, nothing more.  

Therefore, she hadn’t imagined it as vividly as Liam, but the more she listened, the more she began to imagine the baby’s future.  

‘I hope the baby resembles Liam more.’  

There wasn’t a particular reason. Yvonne simply didn’t like her own face much. Then she suddenly remembered something she had forgotten.  

That this wasn’t her place. That it was a place she had to leave when the real Jeanne returned.  

Realizing that, Yvonne wished even more for the baby to resemble Liam.  

Since she and her cousin looked so alike, if the baby resembled her, it might seem like Jeanne’s child.  

‘I don’t want that.’  

When she eventually had to leave, she hoped people wouldn’t see her child with Jeanne and think it was Jeanne’s child.  

Honestly, she was greedy. Even if the real Jeanne returned, she wanted this place to remain hers.