At Yuis’s words, Edric remained silent for a long moment, his fingers gently combing through her hair. Then, finally, his lips parted.

“I suppose that’s true. I don’t think I could ever allow you to carry another man’s child and give that child the name of Descartes.”

Yuis let out a soft laugh at his remark.

“Do you really think I could ever do such a thing?”

Edric pressed a kiss to her damp hair and gave a quiet chuckle.

“No. Because you’re mine. And your child must be mine as well.”

It was a response that was so very him—but beneath those possessive words, Yuis could clearly feel the sincerity of his heart.

Unable to contain her joy, she placed a kiss on Edric’s cheek.

“Thank you.”

“For what?”

Edric asked, as though he truly didn’t understand, but in that moment, Yuis found him utterly endearing. So much so that she couldn’t help but show it.

When she wrapped her arms around his neck, Edric raised his hand and gently stroked down her arm.

“You’ll catch a cold.”

“No, I’m warm enough. I just… I love you so much.”

“Even if I had to live through that hellish life all over again just to have these days with you at the end of it, it would be worth it.”

Hearing this, Edric smiled and brought his lips to hers. Their mingled breaths smelt sweet and the air between them became heady in an instant.

The warm atmosphere of the bathroom quickly became hotter.

Soon, the space was filled with hushed, heavy breathing and soft gasps.

Without warning, Yuis’s body was lifted. She was sitting on the edge of the bath, her flushed, slightly dazed eyes fixed on Edric.

Perched precariously above the gently rippling water, she clutched at his arm and spoke in a pleading voice.

“E-Edric… let’s go out and—”

Her violet eyes were completely filled with him. Edric’s Adam’s apple bobbed with restraint as he looked into those eyes that saw only him, adored only him.

“This place is enough.”

“Ah…”

He lowered his head again, fully intent on setting her aflame once more—but then, abruptly, he pulled back and gazed into her eyes as he asked,

“Are you cold?”

“……No, that’s not it.”

As soon as she finished speaking, Edric began to lose himself in her body once more. The sight of his glistening lips rising after descending again and again, tasting her down to her most secret, intimate depths, was unbearably obscene.

Yuis was so embarrassed she wanted to cover her face—but she couldn’t bring herself to look away, regretting the thought of missing even a glimpse of him.

Edric, who had only just managed to lower himself into the bathtub, pulled Yuis into his arms, laid her down on a towel spread over the carpet, and took her as if he’d forgotten where they were entirely.

In an instant, he felt a little impatient.

“Ah!”

He gave Yuis a moment to cling to his shoulder — he had filled her up so suddenly — before beginning to move slowly. The damp air of the bathroom soon filled with her sharp, trembling m*ans.

Startled by the sound of her own voice echoing off the walls, Yuis instinctively tried to cover her mouth. Edric gently stopped her hand and pressed a kiss, then a bite, to her trembling fingertips.

Everything felt unbearably vivid. Yuis, who had once struggled just to bathe with him, was now flushed with shame, unable to believe that they were doing this together in the bathroom.

And that soon came as a dizzying stimulation to her. Under the bright lights, she couldn’t take her eyes off his expression.

The corners of his eyes crinkled slightly with every movement, a faint crease forming between his brows, and now and then, he would glance at her—each look felt like it scraped against her skin, raw and electric.

She couldn’t tear her eyes away from him—so utterly immersed in their shared moment, completely consumed by her.

The bathroom only served to intensify the experience. The humid air carried his low, husky voice and her m*ans, amplifying them until they echoed off the walls.

As he neared cl*max, his breath became ragged, mingling with the rising pitch of his voice and sending waves of stimulation through her.

Sensing that her time was up, Yuis pulled Edric in for a hug and pressed closer to him. He couldn’t push her away. Even after they had broken up, the two people who first met in the chaotic space and died together remained in each other’s embrace. T

The slightly cooled warmth enveloped them both, and soon an inexplicable emotion rose up inside Yuis. It was a feeling she couldn’t quite name, but it welled up inside her. It rose so suddenly that it sent ripples through her heart.

Yuis still didn’t fully understand what it meant to be pregnant with his child. Her first pregnancy had been filled with nothing but fear and sorrow. This made her feel even more guilty and apologetic.

The child who had once left because of her had now returned, suddenly and quietly. The regret of not being able to protect that child, and the gnawing guilt, would likely never fade. Nor would the longing.

If only they had been braver or more honest. Would they have avoided taking such a long, winding path to reach each other again?

Lost in thoughts of what could never be undone, she didn’t notice when Edric turned back towards her after adjusting the water temperature in the bath.

Stepping closer, he gently kissed the bridge of her nose. Yuis looked up at him and held out her arms.

With a quiet chuckle, Edric accepted her silent invitation, as though indulging a small whim. He lifted her into his arms, carefully washing away every trace of himself, before stepping into the warm bath with her.

***

“I should see Dr. Hans after our visit to the palace.”

Yuis gave the instruction to Miles as they sat enjoying tea following lunch.

“Yes, Madam. I’ll make the arrangements.”

Miles replied, bowing his head. Out in the garden, the yellow roses had begun to bloom. A breeze rustled through the leaves, carrying the delicate scent of roses with it. The fragrance reached Yuis’s nose, and her violet eyes shimmered as she gazed out at the garden.

‘Maybe I’ll be able to show you these yellow roses one day, little one.’

Since regaining her health, her regular cycle had stopped suddenly. At first, she thought it might just be starting late. But then the changes began.

She had a constant chill and experienced heavy drowsiness without warning, often falling asleep before Edric returned home.

Her appetite had also changed; where once she had enjoyed delicate flavours, now she craved only meat. It was not just a vague longing, but a sharp, desperate need — nothing else would do.

Meat had always been Edric’s favorite, not hers. She’d never paid much attention to it before—never really cared for it.
But now, she understood. She felt it deep within her, with absolute, unwavering certainty.

That their child had returned to them. A precious life had found its way back.

“…Then, Madam…”

At Miles’s words, Yuis turned her gaze to him. With a worried look, he asked gently,

“Would it not be better to refrain from attending the tea party at the palace this time?”

Yuis set down her teacup, falling into quiet thought.

To mark the start of the social season, Empress Hailey of Kalang hosted a tea party. Olivia, Terian and the Princess of Hetar were all expected to attend.

Yuis had already agreed to go.

Until now, she had deliberately avoided meeting Terian — all because of Edric. He disliked the idea of her being near Terian intensely.

However, Yuis no longer wished to avoid her.

Terian was leaving Kalang after the tea party, so Yuis knew that she could no longer hurt her.

Besides, she was Kalang’s duchess — the only one there had ever been. She wanted to fulfil the duties of her title with dignity.

“No. I’ll attend.”

At her firm answer, Miles bowed even lower.

“Then I shall see that everything is prepared without delay.”

“Thank you.”

Terian, who had once seemed intent on making Yuis’s life miserable, had become the tragic protagonist in her own melodrama.

Her husband had loved another woman for many years and had only ever married Terian to protect that love.

Unfortunately, Terian only discovered this after the wedding.

Even after hearing her story, Yuis felt nothing. No sympathy. No hatred. No sorrow. Just nothing.

Although Yuis had suspected that Edric might have been involved in what happened to Terian, she still hadn’t done anything about it.

She still couldn’t fathom why Terian had gone to such extremes. Ultimately, she had simply chosen to let it lie and keep it hidden.

Now, she didn’t even feel the need to ask.

The past should remain in the past. All she wanted was to live her life with Edric to the fullest.

So, she wouldn’t avoid it.

That included the princess of Hetar as well.

Yuis hadn’t been blind to the provocation she had faced all those years ago. She knew exactly what it meant. But now, that same princess was living in Kalang as the countess.

Everyone knew what that marriage truly signified: Kalang was tightening the leash around Hetar. So she would stand tall.

As Edric always said, she belonged in that position. Once she returned from the tea party and saw Dr Hans, she would tell Edric everything.

They were going to have a child. The fruit of their love had come back to them once more.

Lifting her teacup to her lips, a quiet smile bloomed across her face, filled with nothing but happiness.