Pregnancy for a Successor - Chapter 25

Celia lowered her gaze unconsciously. Her eyes caught sight of numerous red marks imprinted on her loosened neckline.

Even as she watched Celia cover her neckline with a flustered expression, Mrs. Letten’s face remained unchanged.

“I, I……”

It wasn’t a dream. She wanted to believe it was, but everything was a vivid reality. The sin of last night that could neither be undone nor denied.

Though her body had been thoroughly washed, the traces he left behind were stark. Judging by the countless marks on her chest and neck, it was clear that similar or even more intense marks remained in the lower areas where he had lingered all night.

“Now, I’ll bring you your meal.”

Before the shock could even subside, as Celia looked down at the food placed before her, she suddenly felt a strange sense of incongruity and looked around, realizing the reason.

The maid who brought her soup was not Anne. Instead, another maid brought by Mrs. Letten was helping with the meal service. Finding this odd, Celia asked Mrs. Letten.

“By the way, why don’t I see Anne?”

Celia searched with her eyes for Anne, who usually attended to her in the mornings. When the familiar face she usually encountered first thing in the morning disappeared, it felt strange. The absence of the maid who always attended to her made her even more sensitive amidst the already confusing situation.

“Ah, she went down to her hometown.”

“So suddenly?”

“She has a man to marry. She said she’s going to start a family and live happily.”

“But without even saying goodbye?”

Celia tried to calm her pounding heart. As the events of Anne taking her to the masquerade ball and what happened that day flashed through her mind, her body involuntarily showed an anxious reaction.

“It seems she had to leave in a hurry. The master has taken care of her generously, so you don’t need to worry.”

“That’s a relief.”

Celia tried to calm her rapidly beating heart.

“Here, this is the letter Anne left.”

As Celia unfolded the note Mrs. Letten handed her, she saw the round handwriting.

[Madam, I’m sorry for leaving so suddenly. I don’t know how to apologize. It was an honor to serve you. Thank you for everything. — Anne]

Celia recalled Anne’s bright smiling face. Since coming to the Duke’s residence, she had been able to stay without much discomfort thanks to Anne’s kindness. Thinking that Anne was no longer there, a sigh escaped her lips without realizing it.

“From today, a new maid will attend to you. She’s quick-handed and capable, so she’ll serve you without any inconvenience.”

“…Yes.”

Celia nodded, clutching her neckline even tighter.

“You must be tired, take a nap. You need to rest well until tonight.”

“Tonight…?”

Celia looked at Mrs. Letten with fearful eyes. She smiled, bowed, and then left. Left alone, Celia paced around the room with a bewildered expression. She couldn’t understand what was happening.

Click.

A suspicious sound came from the door. It was the kind of sound made when locking a door.

Mrs. Letten’s smiling face seemed to already know about the intruder who had entered her room. No, it couldn’t be…

Celia ran barefoot to the door and grabbed the handle.

Clunk.

The sound of the lock engaging echoed ominously. No matter how many times she pulled and turned, it was useless. The door was already firmly locked from the outside.

“No.”

Celia, pale with fear, frantically pounded on the door.

“Mrs. Letten! Open this! Mrs. Letten, please open it, please!”

Celia begged, clinging to the door until her voice was hoarse. But the closed door didn’t budge.

“You won’t be able to leave this room until you’re pregnant.”

Only Eugen’s words from last night echoed long in Celia’s ears.

***

Eugen’s eyes swept across the bedroom as he entered. The sheets were crumpled as if the bed’s owner had just left the place.

He gazed impassively at the curtains gently fluttering in the wind blowing through the wide-open window.

Approaching the window, he reached out and slowly closed it. As the wind ceased, an even greater silence fell over the room.

His eyes returned to the bed. Sharp as a blade, his eyes casually scanned the white sheets.

Eugen reached out and picked up a few strands of golden hair that shone brightly. Next to the bed, a pair of dainty slippers that resembled their owner lay carelessly.

Tilting his head as he looked at the slippers decorated with pearls and embroidery on the edges, he picked them up, placed them neatly, and then turned to walk away. He headed towards the reception room connected to the bedroom.

The reception room, which had never received outside guests, was entirely Celia’s space. In this sunny and warm place, she used to do small pastimes.

On the tea table were unfinished embroidery, half-knitted socks, and animal dolls scattered about.

Eugen picked them up and chuckled. After putting them down, he scanned the room again. Now his steps were heading towards a clear destination.

The curtain drawn on one side of the reception room was trembling slightly. He stood in front of it for a long time, as though he was appreciating a work of art. During this time, the vibration of the slightly trembling curtain intensified.

He took a step forward and gently pulled the curtain open.

“……”

In a corner hidden behind the curtain, Celia sat curled up.

As the curtain opened, large green eyes filled with tears looked up at him. Her toes peeking out from under her nightgown were curled up from the cold. Her body, curled up with her knees hugged to her chest as if trying to hide herself, looked pitiful and lovely.

“I don’t think we’re playing hide and seek.”

Hearing the words of the man who tilted his head slightly, tears flowed from Celia’s eyes.

“Why are you crying like this?”

The man asked gently, as if soothing a crying child, and knelt down in front of Celia.

As the large man leaned in, Celia retreated into the corner as if trying to escape. She did so even though there was no more corner to squeeze into, already curled up as much as possible.

“……”

“This makes me want to grant you anything.”

Green eyes looking up at him filled with tears again.

“What are you thinking?”

“……”

Celia came to her senses at the gaze looking down at her. The moment she clearly recognized the man’s presence beyond her tear-blurred vision, she vividly remembered yesterday’s events.

The heavy and sensual scent emanating from the man who had come close and sat down was deeply ingrained in her body as well. It was an unforgettable scent.

“May I ask why you cried to the point of being this wet?”

“No, you can’t……”

Celia burst into tears again. Like water that had been pent up finally bursting forth, the tears showed no signs of stopping. Celia flinched and retreated from the hand reaching out to her. His hand touched the hair that was stuck to her face.

The touch that peeled away the hair stuck to her cheeks wet with tears was quite affectionate. Every time his long, well-shaped fingers caressed her cheek while tucking her disheveled golden hair behind her ear, Celia trembled like a leaf fluttering in the wind.

“Were you waiting?”

When Eugen asked, Celia rolled her eyes, not knowing how to answer.

“Don’t say you weren’t.”

“……”

“Because I don’t know what I’ll do if you do.”

It was a voice suppressing an utterly beastly nature. Celia sniffled and finally gave the answer he wanted.

“…Yes.”

“Good girl.”

He smiled, seemingly pleased with Celia’s answer. Then he raised his hand and began to slowly caress her cheek.

His fingers lingered on her cheek for a long time, seemingly enjoying the soft and plump feel of her cheek in his hand. Then suddenly, he grabbed her arm and pulled her towards him. Her body was instantly drawn into his embrace.

Her body was small and fragile enough to be completely immersed in his arms. Just looking at their appearance, it seemed as if a black monster had swallowed Celia whole.