Amelia had always been mentally fragile. She was a woman who lived relying on alcohol due to her husband’s indifference, who never looked her way. It was impossible for her to endure being in such a situation and hearing facts like that. Her heart was pounding, and her hands were trembling.

“……When did you know?”

When had Raphael known about this? And when had he planned to tell her? Next year, like the original Amelia? When she thought there was no way out?

“It hasn’t been long. About a year ago. Because I didn’t realize anything was wrong until then.”

“You might as well not have told me at all. It would have been easier to die not knowing.”

Then the original Amelia might not have made that choice either. It was a shockingly surprising fact, even for her, who knew the original story.

“There’s no way, is there?”

Despite him clearly saying that it wouldn’t return, she found herself hoping. She laughed at herself for feeling so ridiculous for still wanting to live.

“There will never be such a thing.”

“Let go of me.”

Amelia tried to get up abruptly at his action of holding her trembling hand. If it weren’t for the other hand pressing on her shoulder. It felt like her emotions were welling up at the warmth of his hand, which was unbelievably tender for such an indifferent man.

“Even with all the money in the world, it’s impossible, right?”

They both knew that even if he could bring people like before, it couldn’t be cured. That’s why this man with an unchanging expression was looking anxious. He seemed unaware of the expression he was making.

She had no idea he could make such a face. The golden eyes that she only ever found intimidating now wavered, and his handsome face became fierce because he was frowning.

Why? Wasn’t he the person who wouldn’t bat an eyelid even if she died in front of him?

“I’m fine now, so please let me go.”

Seeing the man who had a more pained expression than her, the one involved, she started to feel the reality of it all. It was real. She became calmer instead.

So originally, Amelia would have passed away by now…… But by having Leonel, her life extended? Did Leonel serve as the mana core inside her womb? If that influence allowed her to hold on for five more years then……

“If the mana core is shattered, then we’ll just have to make a new one.”

“What…?”

With his own mouth, he said there were no solution, and now he was talking about making a new one. But his face was the epitome of seriousness. It was hard to believe that this was the same person who had been wavering just moments ago, now with such a resolute expression on his face. In fact, he seemed even more ruthless than usual.

Even under the bright light, his golden eyes shone differently than before. Yes, they were exactly like the eyes of a beast about to hunt. The eyes of a predator fixed on its prey, right before the pounce.

“What are you going to make…”

It didn’t take long for her to understand what he meant. Suddenly, her arms were grasped, as though they were shackled. The large shadow loomed over her once again. The atmosphere was different from before. If everything up to now had been a joke…

“Wait a moment… ugh…!”

They say the surest way to hunt is to bite the nape of your prey’s neck. She was helpless when felt his hot breath near her neck, and something damp touched her skin. A strange sensation made her toes curl, and Amelia shivered.

“Uh. Uh… Raphael…”

The dampness turned out to be none other than his tongue. Was Raphael really licking her neck right now? She couldn’t accept it. But when a stinging pain followed, she realized it was real. He was now nibbling and biting her.

He intended to create a child.

“Are you… in your right mind right now?”

To make a child? With her? He certainly wasn’t in his right mind. In their marriage, Leonel was an accident, a result of Amelia’s desire. If not for that incident, Leonel would not have been destined to be born.

“Completely sane.”

Amelia struggled as Raphael began to undo the front of her dress with his other hand. It was clear he wasn’t in his full senses. She couldn’t believe that the person before her was Raphael Lloyd Siegfried. Wasn’t he the one who feared even the slightest touch with Amelia?

And now he was undressing her of his own volition? And that wasn’t all; he had even spoken of making a child.

“I guess I’m going to lose my mind in another way.”

“Come to your senses, huh….. please!”

Even though he had once complained about the way she smelled, Raphael was now inhaling her body scent. Amelia closed her eyes tightly. She couldn’t bear the situation in front of her. Could this be a terrible nightmare? She knew it wasn’t. She couldn’t have imagined such a Raphael even in her dreams.

How could his thinking jump to that conclusion? She hadn’t realized that creating a new one meant making a child.

“Raphael!”

Feeling like something serious was about to happen, Amelia called out his name with all her strength. Only then did he look into her eyes.

“Calm down. I’m not dying yet.”

“No, at this rate, it wouldn’t be strange if you died at any moment.”

“You said next year.”

Amelia actually knew that she would live until next year. Above all, it made no sense to have a child to avoid death.

“Besides, we haven’t even heard the results yet.”

What was the point of bringing all those strange soups and people if it was going to be like this? Raphael’s pupils were slowly returning to normal.

“Will you let me go?”

“I…”

“I won’t die on my own, so let me go.”

The strength in his hand holding hers loosened. Amelia looked at him as if he was asking him to trust her.

“I think I was too hasty.”

She hadn’t realized that he would want to save his troublesome wife so desperately. To the point of losing his composure. She thought that no matter what happened, she would never see this man get excited…

“But my mind hasn’t changed.”

“What?”

“It’s about time we started thinking about having a second child, isn’t it?”

It seemed his sanity had not yet fully returned since he was still saying strange things. Was he really talking about having a second child between him and her? Until just a few months ago, Raphael despised Amelia.

“As I said before… it’s heavy when you’re on top of me.”

With her hands now free, Amelia pushed Raphael away. She was surprised at how easily he moved back, but she tried not to show it. She thought that with his bear-like build, he wouldn’t budge…

“I’ll listen this time, since it’s about my body.”

Amelia quickly adjusted her dress. He had undone it with one hand. More than half of the front was undone, and it could have been dangerous if she wasn’t careful.

“Ah, and… if you use this as an excuse to impose restrictions on me again.”

“It doesn’t matter as long as you take care of your health.”

He wasn’t someone who said one thing and did another, right? She eyed him suspiciously. It was unfair that she was the only one looking like a mess. Her dress might be fixed but it still looked hastily put up, her hair was disheveled, and her neck flushed.

Anyone could tell she had a passionate night. In contrast, not a single hair on Raphael’s head was out of place.

“Just as I have not laid a hand on Your Grace, I hope there will be no more of this in the future.”

“……”

“Especially this, what are you going to do about it?”

It wasn’t like she could say anything about having possessed Amelia. She had done even worse things without hesitation. If she got angry with him here, it would be like a pot calling the kettle black. Besides, he had the plausible excuse of doing it for her health.

“Next time, I won’t just let it go.”

Raphael Lloyd Siegfried was a very honest man. He didn’t say he wouldn’t do it until the end. It meant that if the opportunity arose, he would do it again.

“Don’t even dream of having a second child. Unless you plan to have it alone.”

“But how long are you going to call me Your Grace and Grand Duke?”

Whether he was tired of her nagging or it was just a petty quibble. Amelia wrapped a shawl around her neck one last time to cover herself up as much as possible.

“Because you are ‘Your Grace the Grand Duke’.”

She ignored his frown, looking as though something didn’t sit right with him. She wasn’t interested in fostering camaraderie now.

“Isn’t it strange to keep calling your husband ‘Your Grace’?”

“We’ve arrived.”

The reception room was lined with people Raphael summoned. When she entered, they all had expressions as if they had seen something they shouldn’t have.

“They all look like they’ve seen something you shouldn’t.”

Everyone’s tension was obvious. She didn’t know why they were looking at her with such eyes, but she could tell that the news wasn’t good.

“Your… Your Grace the Grand Duchess… do you feel ill at all?”

“No, not at all.”

Upon hearing her response, the expressions of those present grew even more grave. It seemed she might have to meet their expectations by lying down in bed.

“Currently, the Grand Duchess has absolutely no mana core.”

The room fell into a solemn silence instantly.