Elliope unconsciously took a deep breath and held it. Without realising it, one of her hands had moved down to her stomach, feeling the smooth skin.

‘What does that mean?’

It was difficult to make sense of the words she had just heard.

As Elliope curled up, a crooked smile appeared on Kallian’s otherwise expressionless face.

Leanne’s face flushed and her lips quivered slightly, as if she was struggling to process what she had just heard.

“It’s not an unfounded accusation.”

“So you say you have proof?”

Kallian slowly tilted his head, his gaze fixed intently on Leanne’s lips, as if urging her to continue. His gaze was as sharp as a blade scraping against skin.

Leanne felt her face grow hot and took a deep breath.

“My mother… Her Majesty the Empress… could tolerate a momentary lapse, but she never wanted an illegitimate child to be born.”

“……”

“She feared that His Majesty the Emperor might grow fond of such a child. Especially if it was a son – for then he might become a threat to the princes born to the Empress.”

Leanne justified the Empress’s actions.

It was only natural for her mother to act as she did. Therefore, at the very least, she had no right to condemn her.

“But to openly harm the maid… Elliope’s mother… would have been difficult with so many eyes watching.”

Kallian remained silent, staring down at her without the slightest movement. Leanne swallowed hard.

“So they moved her to a secluded palace… and had another maid secretly poison her bit by bit.”

Killing her outright was a challenge, but gradually weakening and eventually killing her over time was much easier. 

Fortunately, the Emperor never came looking for her again after her workplace was changed. Although the Empress feared that he might become attached to another woman and child, she knew that he was far too shallow and calculating for that. 

Nevertheless, she continued to have the maid poisoned, not wanting to leave any threats or evidence that might cause trouble in the future.

“The poison from the bellorante flower isn’t immediately fatal… but it gradually deteriorates the health of those who consume it. There are also rumours that it can cause infertility.”

“……”

“Nevertheless, the child was born, but that was because the mother had already become pregnant before she started taking the poison.”

In fact, Elliope’s mother did not live long after giving birth – she died of illness. This alone was proof that the poison from the Bellorante flower was effective.

“…Even if the accumulated poison in the mother’s body does not kill the fetus, it is said to have the effect of rendering the child infertile as well.”

Leanne’s palms grew damp with sweat. Calmly she announced her conclusion.

“You will not be able to have children.”

“……”

“And even if they do, there is a high chance that the child will be stillborn. For nobles who value bloodlines, a wife who cannot bear an heir would be a serious blemish.”

And Elliope, who had been hiding, heard everything as well.

Beep.

A ringing sound echoed in her ears, gnawing at her senses as far as her head.

……

Struggling to regain her fading consciousness, Elliope staggered to her feet and began to walk quietly away.

The thought of seeing Kallian’s face vanished like smoke.

He needs a family.

Not only Elliope, Kallian also needed a family.

As the last heir of the late Grand Duke Elsen, he carried the weight of Dylan’s expectations and those of the hidden subordinates who followed him.

Under the circumstances, she couldn’t bear to put another dead child in his arms.

She couldn’t let him hold another small coffin.

Her mind went numb. Before she knew it, she had wandered into the cold, wind-swept garden.

Amidst the tangled thoughts swirling in her head, another realisation whispered to her.

‘…The Empress knew.’

At the very least, the Empress – the one who had ordered the poisoning – knew the truth and had passed that knowledge on to Leanne.

Perhaps even the Emperor had known.

And yet…

“Do you understand? It is your duty to bear his child.”

“You must bear his child to strengthen the alliance. That way the Grand Duke can’t go back on his word!”

With that, they had put pressure on her and taught her how to serve him in bed.

The Empress had known all along that she would never be able to conceive.

She had known how Elliope would be treated.

And yet she had sent her to the Grand Duchy of Ilmos instead of Leanne.

“Ugh… hhk-“

A wave of nausea swept through her, but having eaten nothing, there was nothing to bring it up.

“Hhkk.”

In the next moment, Elliope let out a long, pained sob.

“…Hhk, hhk.”

She hadn’t even known she was unable to bear a child.

She remembered the nights she had spent in that cold room, leaning against the wall, trying to fulfil the only duty she had been given – to carry the Grand Duke’s heir.

Her former self had seemed so foolish and pathetic.

Even if Theodor had embraced her, she would never have been able to bear the fruit of their union, and it would have become nothing more than a desperate attachment.

And she would have clung to him even more.

No matter how many times they were together, a child would never come. In a different way, but with the same inevitable end, she would have withered away.

“Hhk… hhuuk… hik.”

But even in the midst of all the anger and grief…

She couldn’t erase the image of little Kallian holding a lifeless child.

She wanted to put a warm, healthy child in Kallian’s arms – not a cold, tiny coffin.

She wanted to fill his embrace with boundless warmth, no matter how small, to drive away the coldness of the past.

She longed to erase painful memories and start a loving family with him – not with Theodor, but with Kallian.

She wanted to give a child who looked like Kallian everything a child deserved.

“Haa… hhk-ugh….”

A grief as sharp as a blade pierced her chest, cutting deep.

Broken sobs escaped her small, trembling body in ragged gasps, as if she were drowning in grief.

When she finally stumbled back to the infirmary, weak and unsteady, Ruben was waiting for her. Instead of speaking, he just stared at her with a confused and bewildered expression.

***

“So it would be better for you to find another noble lady to bear you a child.”

Even after Elliope, consumed by grief, had fled the scene, Leanne remained in place, her hands trembling as she finished speaking.

Kallian was a good man. He deserved to know at least that much.

‘If he found out the truth on his own…’

Leanne was sure of one thing – once Kallian found out, he would leave Elliope without a moment’s hesitation.

Problems with producing an heir are a fatal flaw among nobles and royalty.

Even if he didn’t choose her as his new wife, it would be good for him to meet another woman and remain a valuable pillar of the Empire.

But even after she had finished speaking, Kallian remained motionless, only smiling.

When Leanne hesitated, wondering if he hadn’t understood her words and if she should repeat them, she wavered for a moment.

“That’s amusing.”

“……”

“The fact that the Imperial Family knew all this and still sent my wife to the Grand Duchy.”

Kallian spoke slowly, his words deliberate.

“Does His Grace the Grand Duke know of this?”

“The Grand Duke only ever intended to take her as a mistress. If he wants a real wife, he can marry someone else.”

“Hah.”

A short laugh escaped him. Judging by the emotion behind it, it was anything but a good sign.

“Viscount Elsen, I am very serious…”

“If it’s Bellorante’s flowers, I’ve ingested quite a few of them myself, Your Highness.”

Leanne’s eyes widened in shock at Kallian’s words. Kallian just shrugged his shoulders as if it were nothing.

“The poison from that flower was among those I consumed when I drank in the Grand Duke’s place.”

“T-That…”

“So if we cannot have children, it will not be my wife’s fault. The amount of Bellorante flower poison I consumed is many times greater than what she did.”

A cynical smile formed on Kallian’s lips. Even as he revealed this truth, there wasn’t the slightest hint of shame on his face.

“A sterile stud. I don’t think that’s such a bad thing.”

“T-That…”

“Without any particular worries or burdens, I can devote myself entirely to serving my wife, giving her everything for as long as she wishes.”

At his blunt words, Leanne’s face went pale. She bit her lower lip as heat rushed to her ears, causing them to burn.

“Oh dear. I could put it more bluntly if you’d like.”

“Enough.”

“Anyway, I have no particular complaints. Besides, the toxins from the Bellorante flower-“

“I said stop it!”

Leanne shouted abruptly and stepped back. But Kallian remained rooted to the spot, the corners of his lips still curled into a smirk.

“Well, it seems there’s no reason for Your Highness to want me anymore.”

“……”

“Well, that would be quite convenient for me.”

“You…!”

Leanne had no way of refuting his words. It was as if he had seen through the thoughts she was secretly struggling with.

Her face stiffened as if insulted, but Kallian continued without hesitation.

“If anyone dares to say something like, ‘The Viscount Elsen family cannot produce children’…”

His soft, velvety voice lingered in Leanne’s ears.

“So you will spread a rumour that Viscount Elsen, the so-called husband, is nothing but a facade – a sterile man?”

“……”

“If the Imperial Family dares to harm my wife… and then shamelessly spreads the lie that it was her fault…”

As Kallian spoke, he took a single step forward.

In an instant, his hand reached out swiftly and brushed over Leanne’s supposed wound, as if deliberately testing it.

Leanne flinched, and in that brief moment, the false blood smeared across her skin was wiped away, revealing the unblemished flesh beneath.

The corners of Kallian’s lips turned up at the sight.

“I told you to stop!”

Leanne shouted sharply, her face deathly pale.

Hearing her voice, the Imperial Knights rushed over.

“Your Highness?”

“Are you all right?”

At their words, Leanne pressed her lips together and turned her head away without answering.

The knights, their faces filled with concern, glanced at Leanne before shifting their gaze to Kallian.

“Viscount Elsen.”

“There has been a request from the Grand Duke of Ilmos to bring you to him.”

“It would be wise not to resist.”

At these words, Kallian let out a small sigh.

But his gaze remained fixed on the now empty spot.