“Please believe me, it’s not a lie. I’m sure…”

“Enough.”

A gentle voice stopped her just as she opened her mouth to say more.

“……”

“You don’t need to say anything more.”

“What?”

Celia asked back in a dazed voice.

“Since you wouldn’t lie, everything you said must be true.”

“……”

Celia blinked, unable to believe what she had just heard. To think that such words of belief would come from Eugen’s mouth, who until just now had been accusing her of having an affair with his father.

“Please stand up first.”

Eugen said kindly.

“If you might be pregnant, crying and crawling on the floor isn’t good for the fetus’s safety. Of course, it would also negatively affect prenatal care.”

Now he was even worrying about the well-being of a child that may or may not be in her womb. Nevertheless, Celia couldn’t move, as if she was stuck to the floor.

“Come on.”

Eugen grabbed her arm and helped her up. Celia stood up in a daze, staring blankly at him. Due to his tall stature, Celia had to look up quite a bit. At that moment, his eyes wrinkled with a smile.

“Don’t cry. Look, your veil is all wet.”

The young Duke’s gaze went to Celia’s tear-stained eyes. He pulled down the veil that was marked with tear stains. Even as what she thought was her only defense was being removed, she couldn’t resist.

As the veil fell away like darkness lifting, what appeared was the same neat face of the man she had seen in the carriage that day.

Finally facing each other, a faint smile spread across his lips.

“Much better.”

“……”

Just as she was about to raise her hand to wipe away her tears, the soft touch of silk met her face.

Eugen had taken out a handkerchief and started wiping Celia’s face.

“It’s… fine.”

Despite Celia’s flustered words, Eugen didn’t stop until he had thoroughly wiped away all the tears around her eyes.

When Eugen smiled reassuringly as their eyes met, Celia became even more anxious. She didn’t know what words would come out of his mouth next.

She hoped he would be lenient with her like this. Considering her situation of being sold for money, she hoped he would show mercy…

“Of course, I believe what you say.”

“……”

Celia waited for Eugen’s next words, forgetting even to put her veil back on. Although he continued speaking in an infinitely gentle and kind tone, her anxiety wasn’t completely resolved.

“However… there’s one thing I can’t be certain about.”

“What do you mean?”

Celia asked, swallowing hard.

“About that child you say is in your womb.”

“……”

Celia unknowingly placed her hand on her flat stomach.

“I simply can’t know for sure. Whether my sibling is really in there, or…”

“It, it is!”

“How can you be sure? From what I know, it hasn’t been long since the wedding night.”

He knew even the exact date when Celia had hurriedly consummated with Andro.

“…A mother who’s pregnant knows. There’s that unique feeling…”

Celia blurted out whatever came to mind, having never been pregnant before. She hoped that he, who’s a man, wouldn’t know better.

“Oh, how fascinating. It’s an experience I could never understand.”

It was hard to tell if he was being sarcastic or genuinely intrigued. Celia gathered her thoughts again.

“I can be certain. This is… a mother’s intuition.”

“I see. Then I’ll gladly believe you.”

This easily? Celia looked at him with a suspicious gaze, unable to believe it readily.

“Ah, of course, we’ll go through other procedures regardless of my belief.”

“Other procedures?”

“I’ll have the family doctor examine your condition.”

“What do you…”

Celia said with a terrified look.

“Don’t worry. It won’t harm the fetus.”

“No, I can’t. I don’t trust it. What if it harms my child somehow?”

Celia backed away, clutching her stomach. Watching her with narrowed eyes, Eugen let out a low sigh.

“Do I look like such a vicious person that I would harm my own sibling?”

“……”

“That child is my sibling, madam. If it’s really in there, that is.”

“I told you it’s certain!”

Celia shouted without realizing. When Eugen furrowed his brow, she immediately flinched and lost her nerve. Seeing this, Eugen ran his hand through his raven-black hair and let out a small sigh.

“That’s why I’m saying we should have an examination. If it’s certain there’s a child, we need to prescribe appropriate treatment, and continuous check-ups from the doctor will be necessary.”

Faced with such reasonable words, Celia was left speechless.

“Well, then.”

“I swear as the head of the Hilbert family. I will never do anything to harm you or your child.”

“……”

Only then did Celia cautiously nod. Seeing her finally give permission, Eugen smiled.

A little while later, the doctor arrived at Celia’s quarters. As Celia reached for the veil she had taken off beside the bed, Eugen gently stopped her and continued speaking.

“I haven’t inherited bad habits to the point of making you wear a veil during your examination.”

At those words, Celia obediently put her hand that had been clutching the veil back under the covers.

The doctor, carrying his medical bag, approached and after palpating here and there, asked Celia a question.

“When was your wedding night?”

“Te-ten days ago.”

At Celia’s answer, the doctor tilted his head.

“Then it’s still… impossible to know for certain about conception, Your Grace.”

“Is that so?”

“Yes, it’s too early. While it varies among pregnant women, it’s difficult to determine based on palpation or physical symptoms at such an early stage.”

“……”

Celia quietly bit her lip.

“By any chance, do you have regular menstrual cycles?”

“I do.”

Celia’s face turned red at the fact that she was talking about her physical condition in front of men, but neither Eugen nor the doctor seemed to pay much attention to it.

“Then how long until we can know?”

“At least two months, and for complete certainty, about 100 days need to pass.”

“I see. Then we’ll call you again at that time.”

As Eugen nodded, the doctor packed his bag again and left the inner chamber.

Since even the head maid left to see the doctor out, Celia was once again left alone with Eugen.

What decision would he make now? In a situation where her pregnancy wasn’t certain, she couldn’t say anything even if Eugen decided to chase her out. After all, this pregnancy was…

“Did you hear?”

“Wh-what?”

“Why are you so nervous?”

Eugen said with a gentle smile, as if trying to ease her tension.

“It seems we need to wait at least two months, or more precisely, 100 days for certainty.”

“I heard that.”

Celia answered cautiously.

“Then, let’s put things on hold for that period.”

“……”

“Didn’t you hear that it takes that much time to prove there’s a child in that womb?”

“Well, yes, but…”

“So during that time, I’ll prepare separate quarters for you within the mansion, and you can stay there. Then we’ll be able to know for certain about the pregnancy.”

“……”

“Although it’s a contract signed by my father, even if the person involved has died, the contract is still valid. If you really have conceived my father’s child in that womb.”

As Eugen’s blue eyes blatantly fixed on Celia’s stomach, she unconsciously shrank back.

“I’ll gladly pay the amount stated in that contract, and ensure the child’s future as well. Of course, I’ll also guarantee your status and position.”

Celia’s eyes widened.

“I’ll recognize you as the Duchess of Hilbert. I’ll also discuss with the legal advisor about belatedly adding your name to the family register.”

Celia was overwhelmed by the words flowing from his mouth.

“Re-really? Really…?”

“I don’t make false promises.”

At Eugen’s firm words, Celia remained dazed for a moment before bowing her head.