“Congratulations, you’re pregnant.”

Kristin had visited the imperial gynecologist to confirm her suspicions and undergone a test.

The test took some time, but the results were immediate. The doctor had said with certainty,

“The test results confirm that you are indeed pregnant.”

Kristin was utterly surprised by the doctor’s words.

It had only been a few months since she married Duke Raphael and began living with him.

The news of her pregnancy was unexpected.

She had suspected it might be possible after the dream about the ripe peach, but she hadn’t thought it would come true.

Since the fresh peach in her dream turned out to be a pregnancy dream, it was likely that the baby would be a girl.

As she left the doctor’s office, Kristin was overwhelmed with joy.

Though her heart had been heavy and aching after seeing her father a few days prior, she thought that if he received proper treatment and regained his mental clarity, she might be able to introduce him to her child by this time next year.

There were about ten months left until her due date.

Pregnancy was usually estimated at ten months, but if labor began early, she could have the baby around the nine-month mark.

Kristin touched her stomach. Although she was slender and it was still early in her pregnancy, her belly hadn’t started to show, just touching it made the reality of carrying a child sink in.

*What should I do now?*

Kristin debated whether to tell Duke Raphael immediately or to prepare a surprise party to share the news with him.
Since he didn’t particularly enjoy loud gatherings, she decided to tell him carefully tonight, before bed.

As she strolled through the streets, something caught her eye.

It was a shop selling various fabrics.

Skilled in needlework, Kristin wanted to make clothes for her baby with her hands.

Making baby clothes was a first for Kristin, but it had been a dream of hers for a long time.

Although she had once considered remaining single, she had always dreamed of this after clearing up the misunderstanding with Duke Raphael,

“This time, I’ll make baby clothes. Before, I made handkerchiefs, hats, and cardigans, so that baby clothes might be easier than that.”

She also decided to add embroidery to the clothes she would make.

At least with the nine months ahead, she would have time to make the baby’s outerwear or clothes and add embroidery.

With her plans in mind, Kristin selected various materials from the fabric shop before returning to the mansion.

Back at the Duke’s residence, she laid the fabrics out on the bed, preparing to start making the baby clothes.

Once the clothes were finished, she planned to embroider the Rodney family initials, a blue rose, and lilies.

As she imagined this, a smile unconsciously spread across her face. Just then, one of the servants knocked and entered the room, asking,

“My lady, would you like me to clean again? If you have any laundry, I can take care of it. But what are these fabrics for? Are you making something new?”

Kristin, smiling at the surprised servant, quickly responded,

“Oh, well, I’m planning to make some clothes for the baby. I found out today at the ladies’ clinic that I’m pregnant. If Duke Raphael comes by later, could you keep this a secret for me? I’d like to tell him myself first.”

The servant, her face turning bright red, nodded and answered,

“Of course, My lady. Such news should come from you. I’m sure he’ll be delighted to hear it.”

“Right? I was so excited when I heard the results.”

“How lovely it would be if the baby looked like you and the Duke! How far along are you?”

“Not even three weeks yet.”

“Oh my, I can’t believe you’re pregnant, My lady!”

Kristin felt a bit embarrassed as the servant blushed further. Then, she continued,

“As the birth approaches, could you tell me what things I’ll need to raise the baby? I have so many questions.”

The servant standing before her was Kalia, who had two children of her own.

Kalia was a 26-year-old maid, five years older than Kristin, and she had married young, now raising two boys aged four and five.

“First, you’ll need plenty of cotton diapers. Yes, I’ve heard a shop in town specializes in selling them. It’s for noble families so that they can use them comfortably. Common folk like us tie fabric strips around the waist to secure diapers, but you shouldn’t use that method for nobles. You should go to a high-end shop and buy them there.”

“Really? There’s a place like that?”

Kristin had never heard of such a place before and was surprised.

Kalia was five years older than her, so Kristin couldn’t speak casually with her, but their relationship wasn’t uncomfortable, and Kristin would often ask for help when needed.

There had been a time when Kristin got lost in the Duke’s residence, and Kalia had laughed kindly, thinking Kristin was cute.

Even though Kalia was a maid and technically a lower rank, she genuinely cared for Kristin.

At that moment, Duke Raphael arrived at the mansion earlier than expected.

Kristin looked at the clock, puzzled.

Normally, he wouldn’t have returned until after sunset, but now, the sunset had just begun when he returned.
“Oh, the Duke is here? I can only imagine how happy he’ll be.”

Kalia said this and then spoke to Kristin. Kristin, after standing up, carefully placed the fabrics inside her blanket and then descended to the first floor.

—

“Are you here?”

Kristin, trying to calm her excited heart, spoke to him like nothing was amiss.

Duke Raphael smiled as he looked at Kristin.

It was certainly unusual. It wasn’t often that he laughed so carelessly.

So, Kristin asked him, “Did something good happen today?”

When Kristin asked Duke Raphael, his assistant, John, appeared beside him and answered on his behalf.

“I saw Her Lady entering the fabric shop earlier. I waited outside briefly to escort her back to the mansion, and I noticed she was buying various things inside.

The Duke visited the Imperial Palace, and by chance, he must have seen Her Lady at the same time as I did. He kept waiting for you, didn’t you, Duke?”

“Hahaha. Yes, that’s right. Today, I had something to discuss with His Majesty. Fortunately, my afternoon schedule was just about discussions with the Emperor and matters of the Empire, so I didn’t have anything else planned. I was strolling, and that’s when I saw you.”

“Oh my.”

Kristin’s face immediately flushed.

“From the shop window, I saw you smiling continuously, and I wondered what was going on. It looked like you were making clothes, but I couldn’t understand why you were so happy. Seeing you smile like that made me feel good too.”

“Duke, we’re having a baby.”

Kristin smiled as she spoke to the Duke.

Although she was embarrassed that the Duke had seen her in the shop, just the sight of him smiling at her gently made Kristin feel a flutter in her heart, she continued speaking to him.
“Anyway, let’s go upstairs. Since this is happening, I have something to show you.”

Kristin folded her arms as she spoke.

After marrying the Duke, Kristin received a lot of love, and without even realizing it, her playful side had increased.

Since becoming the Duchess, she had also received skincare and took walks in the Duke’s large garden both morning and evening to maintain a healthy lifestyle.

Thus, Kristin’s appearance grew more charming with each passing day, and she was no longer the pale and lifeless woman she had once been.

Though her cautious nature would occasionally show, her personality had completely changed.

Duke Raphael loved her deeply as he watched her.

Moreover, now that she was carrying their child, his affection for her grew.

“What are you planning to show me, Kristin?”

As Kristin reached the door, she spoke to him.

“I’ll show you once we go inside.”

“If we go into this room, we might end up having a late dinner. Kristin. Are you okay with that?”

“Huh?”

Kristin, blushing at his unexpected words, looked at him. Duke Raphael answered mischievously.

“I was just saying that if we talk too long, we might eat late. What are you imagining, Kristin?”

Seeing him teasing her, Kristin smiled, and he smiled back, saying,

“I’m curious about what you’ll show me.”