Kristin showed Duke Raphael the fabrics she had gathered to make baby clothes and said,

“I’m planning to make some baby clothes.”
Duke Raphael’s expression brightened significantly at her words.

He couldn’t help but admire Kristin’s sewing skills again. It was rare for a noblewoman in the Empire to make clothes for her child.

Moreover, the embroidery that Kristin had created so far was exquisite and dazzlingly beautiful.

The delicate stitches she used to form flowers and animal shapes seemed so alive as if the designs had come to life.

“Of course, it’s you, Kristin. The embroidery you’ve shown me so far has all been excellent.”

“Do you think so?”

“Of course. What more can I say? After you have the baby, what do you want to do?”

“What do you mean?”

“What kind of work do you want to do?”

In truth, Kristin had one wish that she hadn’t shared with Duke Raphael.

She wanted to run an embroidery school for poor commoners.

Although she had accumulated considerable wealth after becoming the owner of the Levi Mine, she had already entrusted it to Duke Raphael.

Her original intention had been to seize the wealth, but now that the mine was under his professional management, she had no more desire for it.

It was better for him to manage it rather than keep it for herself, so she handed over all matters regarding the mine to him.

Moreover, Oliver, who had worked as the mine manager, said he would continue in the role if it meant he could marry Cindy, and he wanted to provide a better life for his younger brother, Lenci, and Cindy.

Afterward, Kristin decided not to be consumed by the mine anymore and began dreaming of what she truly wanted.

One of those dreams was the embroidery school for commoners.

Embroidery materials were expensive, so commoners could only dream of having the opportunity to learn it, which was a hobby reserved for nobles.
Whenever Kristin worked on embroidery, whether at the Edite Mansion or the Duke’s residence, the servants would always admire her.

“After I give birth, I want to run an embroidery school. Many of the servants I’ve seen have shown interest in embroidery. They won’t be able to afford the materials and tuition so I could run it for free, and if they help with cleaning the classroom or preparing lessons, I could manage it without much effort. Additionally, if I sell the finished items to nobles, I won’t have to worry about material costs.”

“Kristin.”

“Yes, Duke?”

“If you really want this, why not try it now? It’s not hard to rent out a shop. Also, embroidery is good for prenatal care, isn’t it? Let’s start with a small number of students, and we can see how it goes before deciding whether to continue.”

“Can we really do that? I was worried because, now that I’m pregnant, I thought I couldn’t participate in charity events like before. I wasn’t sure how to spend my time at the Duke’s residence, but if you say that, I’m truly grateful, Duke.”

Duke Raphael laughed at Kristin’s words.

He wasn’t unaware of Kristin’s nature.

It would take at least ten months from pregnancy to childbirth, and knowing Kristin, he thought she would get restless and want to go out.

If that was the case, he preferred that she run an embroidery class for a few hours each day in a shop and do something that would genuinely make her happy.

Moreover, he didn’t want to see her lonely at the Duke’s residence any longer.

—

If Kristin had been left alone at the Duke’s residence due to her pregnancy, she would certainly have felt lonely.

“Then, it’s settled. Tomorrow, we’ll look for a shop location. I’ll follow your opinions while preparing, so feel free to tell me anything anytime.”

Duke Raphael’s words moved Kristin.
He was not only supportive of her wishes but also didn’t oppose them. She felt deeply grateful.

Kristin hugged the Duke gently and whispered,

“Thank you.”

—

Several months passed.

Kristin opened a small workshop and store on the main street, where she taught many commoners.

As she neared the final stages of her pregnancy, Lenci and Cindy, who had been very worried about her condition, came to the embroidery class to help Kristin with her lessons.

“My lady, can we sell this piece? It’s really well-made, don’t you think?”

“I’ve been thinking this piece turned out really well too. It seems like Cindy’s taste matches mine perfectly.”

Lenci and Cindy looked at Kristin, now showing a noticeable baby bump, as they spoke.

“You said you were going to Lake Mateo today, right? We’ll take care of the cleanup, so you should go.”

At that moment, the shop door opened, and Duke Raphael entered.

He looked around the store and then spoke to his assistant behind him.

“Move the threads and fabrics from the cart.”

“Yes, understood.”

The assistant moved quickly to carry out the Duke’s orders, and Lenci and Cindy, who were helping with the materials, were stunned when they saw the variety of colorful new threads.

They were threads that couldn’t be found in the Union Empire.

It was certain that these threads had been imported from neighboring countries.

“Duke, thank you. How did you know we were running low on materials?”

Kristin said to Duke Raphael, who shrugged nonchalantly.
“It’s nothing. Just in case, I bought them when I visited a neighboring country. I hope you like them, Kristin.”

“The material boxes have all been moved, Duke.”

“Really? Good work. Kristin and I will head to Lake Mateo, so you all can head home.”

When the Duke addressed his assistants, Jack cast a glance at Lenci. His behavior indicated that he planned to spend time with Lenci after work.

Kristin, pretending not to notice Jack and Lenci’s interaction, said,

“Well, I’ll be off then. See you all tomorrow.”

Kristin and Duke Raphael left the shop and headed toward Lake Mateo.

The last time they visited, it was a cold autumn day, but now it was the peak of summer.

Autumn would return in just a few weeks, just like last year.

The swift change in weather felt new and refreshing to Kristin.

It had already been over two years since she had been with Duke Raphael.

As they walked toward Lake Mateo, Kristin gently rubbed her swollen belly and whispered,

“Our baby, we’ll be able to see you in just a few months.”

“We’re so curious to see your face.”

—

Duke Raphael spoke as softly as possible, but the way he said it made him seem so cute that Kristin couldn’t help but smile.

“Why are you laughing?”

“Oh, it’s nothing. It’s just… the way you said that Raphael, it was, I don’t know how to put it, but it was cute.”

“I’m cute? That’s nonsense.”

But Duke Raphael kept smiling.

For him, the only thing left to worry about now was the safe birth of their child.

Since Kristin’s health was fragile, there was no avoiding his concern.

“Nothing should happen during childbirth. Should I hire a nurse for you? It’ll help Kristin.”

Although there were maids, they couldn’t replace a nurse. At least the nurse should be someone older.

If both the Duke’s mother and her mother were alive, they would have been grandmothers to the child, but since they had passed away, she was always troubled by that fact.

She wondered how happy her mother would have been to see the child being born.

Now, her face had grown faint in his memory, and it was hard even to recall her image, but she was still a presence she could never truly forget.

“I’m fine. I think it’ll be nice. I hope the person is kind, and above all, I hope they raise our child properly. Of course, I’ll be involved in the education too.”

“I’ll help too. I’m not very good at it, but I’ll help with the child’s care.”

“Is that a promise?”

When Kristin asked while looking at him, Duke Raphael nodded and continued.

“If it means making you happy, I’ll help care for the child. As for the child’s education, I’ll take care of that as much as I can, so don’t worry too much. I want them to grow up as the wisest and most exemplary child in the Empire. Oh, and if they inherit your kindness, Kristin, that would be even better.”

“Duke.”

Before long, the carriage arrived at Lake Mateo.

When they got off the carriage and looked at the lake, just looking at it made them feel a refreshing coolness.

It was a completely different scene from the autumn landscape they had seen before.

“This time, since it’s the three of us, should we stroll so that the child can feel the place?”

When Duke Raphael said this to Kristin, she didn’t respond with words but instead smiled, and the two of them walked slowly along the lakeside, holding hands, and starting another conversation.

Even from a distance, one could feel how affectionate they were and how much they cared for each other.

Though they had been through two separations, now only new blessings and hopes remained by their side.

~~THE END~~