Epilogue: Sensual Moments Outdoors (3)

Every day in Spain was stimulating. They craved each other like animals and ate plenty of delicious food, but Eirin still became thin.

When the two returned to their homeland, they had rather busier days than usual. Due to being away from the estate for a month, Alexander had a lot to do. There were times when he was summoned to the royal palace, and he had to go to the capital to assist with the government’s military policy, leaving the mansion empty.

And Eirin.

‘Our Duchess is really busy. She hardly ever leaves the study all day long, you know.’

‘What is she so busy with in the study all day?’

‘Don’t you know? The Duchess, unlike other ladies, has a passion for learning. She used to study French, and these days, she’s studying Spanish.’

‘What’s the point of learning all that?’

‘Well, you see, for a household like the Bellaston Duchy, they have country houses in Spain and France. She must be planning to manage all of that.’

‘Ah, how impressive.’

And so Eirin kept busy, much to the chagrin of her maids. 

[The Pirate and the Lady]

A story about a lady who is stranded on an island in Spain and falls in love with a pirate she meets there. It was a story with plenty of romance and erotic relationships. It was in the same style as what she had been writing, but on a slightly grander scale. If she hadn’t traveled to Spain, she would never have imagined a story of this magnitude.

But now, thanks to the diverse experiences she had there, ideas were pouring out. So when Alexander was busy, Eirin was singularly focused on the novel.

And finally, three months after returning from Spain.

“It’s done.”

Eirin, who had been engrossed in the novel all day, her hand aching, had finally written the last sentence. This was the first time she had written a novel so quickly. But she could confidently say that the quality was the best among all she had written so far.

“Phew. I should have Victoria read it.”

I wonder if she’ll like it as much as I do. 

She whispered as she closed the manuscript.

The sound of the door opening reverberated through the study. Eirin’s hand, which had been relentlessly moving the pen, paused at the unfamiliar sound.

Who could it be?

At this late hour, there shouldn’t be anyone coming to the Duchess’s study. The only one who could be looking for her, Alexander, had been away in the capital for a few days.

She lifted her head and swept her disheveled red hair back. Through the gap in the thick birch wood door, bright light flowed in, and slowly, a man emerged through the shimmering light.

Tall with a sturdy build, soft brown hair, and a slightly sun-kissed, handsome complexion – the appearance of this man, who should not have been in this study, made Eirin take a deep breath.

“Alexander?”

How could he be here?

As Eirin blinked, he lifted the corner of his mouth in a smile.

“As expected, I knew you’d be here, my lady.”

“How did you come? I didn’t hear the sound of a carriage.”

“I was in a hurry, so I rode a horse.”

“All by yourself?”

He nodded. It takes 6 hours to ride from the capital to here.

“I didn’t even take a single break.”

“You shouldn’t have come without resting.”

“I couldn’t bear it any longer. I wanted to see you.”

Eirin quickly got up from her seat and went to him. Lifting herself on her toes, she embraced Alexander.

The strong man’s arms tightly enveloped her.

“I missed you too, Alexander.”

“You can keep writing your novel a little longer. I have that much self-control.”

His gaze fell on Eirin’s hands, stained with ink blots. Even as he said that, the man’s arms did not release her. Eirin shook her head.

“I’ve just finished it.”

“Is it complete?”

“Yes. Now I am perfectly yours.”

At those words, Alexander let out a wry chuckle. There were times when he was so busy that they couldn’t spend time together, and there were times when Eirin was so busy with deadlines that she couldn’t even have proper meals.

“But you’ll get busy again when you start your next novel.”

At his words, Eirin shook her head.

“For now, I want to take a break from writing novels and rest.”

“You are?”

“Yes.”

She had wanted to tell him this news when he returned from the capital, and she had wanted to share the story in a grander way, but seeing Alexander’s face, she couldn’t hold back her joyful heart any longer. Eirin raised her hand and placed it on his face, fixing her gaze on him and parting her lips.

“Because there is something I should focus on more than novels for now.”

Eirin took a deep breath and exhaled.  Nervous about making this first confession, her heart was pounding.

“Alexander.”

Calling his name slowly, Eirin whispered the words of a lifetime.

“I think I’m with child.”

At her faintly uttered words, Alexander’s brow furrowed.

“I’ve never missed a monthly cycle before in my life. It’s never happened before. I’ve been more tired than usual and have had no appetite, so when you were away in the capital, I called the doctor, and he confirmed it.”

“So a child has been conceived between us?”

“Yes. And I think perhaps…”

Eirin blushed as she said,

“It might have happened when we went to Spain.”

“My goodness.”

The face of the man, who was usually so detached from everything, stiffened.

“How do you feel about it, Alexander?”

But to Eirin’s cautious question, he did not immediately respond.

The silence was frightening.

Now that she thought about it, Alexander had never shown any interest in marriage before meeting her. He had never brought up the topic of children either. For a nobleman, the natural desire to carry on the lineage would be expected, but he had never expressed such a wish, even telling Eirin that she could pursue whatever she wanted.

His thoughtfulness had made Eirin happy, but now she was worried that the news of a child might be something he didn’t want.

To fill the silence, Eirin’s lips began to chatter.

“How do you feel about it? I’m so happy about it. A child with you. I’m so overjoyed and excited. I didn’t even know I wanted a child, but the news of having your child makes me so happy and thrilled. How adorable will it be?”

“Oh, Eirin.”

“It may be difficult for me to write novels for a while after having the baby, but this experience can also become inspiration for another great novel like this one. But even if you’re not happy, I understand. It’s so sudden, after all.”

At her words, Alexander’s expression, which had been as rigid as ice, softened like melting ice.

“I couldn’t put my feelings into words just now. It’s as if I’m walking on clouds.”

The man’s soft voice resounded.

“I’m a bit afraid of the change, but I’m so happy. So delighted.”

Alexander tightened his embrace around her, then briefly loosened his arms, seemingly worried about the child.

“I’m happy.”

“Really?”

“Of course. Eirin, the thought of seeing a child who resembles you fills me with joy.”

At his words, the tension in her mind gradually eased. Eirin looked up at the face of the man she loved. The perfect face, sculpted like a masterpiece of the century, was shimmering with light.

“But I have so many flaws. Will I be an okay mother, even if I’m such a quirky one?”

As if dismissing her words, Alexander laughed.

“You’ll be just fine.”

He corrected himself.

“I love you.”

He whispered sweetly.

“I love you, the quirky you who sometimes bites into a scone and daydreams about a novel, the cute you who smiles at me with a twinkle in her eye when something funny happens, and I’m thrilled and ecstatic to have you as my wife and the mother of my child.”

And once again, Alexander pulled her into his embrace. His affectionate confession continued.

Eirin was happy too.

She was glad that Alexander was her man. And now, with the baby growing inside her, she was glad that he was the father. 

It was a life she had never dreamed of, but it was more joyful and enjoyable than the one she had imagined.

Truly, Eirin was content with everything.

She was happy.

<FIN>

 A Lady’s Peculiar Hobby