Mariam received an invitation to the Walsh mansion. Though she had experience working as a maid, this was her first time visiting as a guest, which made her very excited.

She filled a gift basket with some appetizing fruits from a nearby shop.

At the main gate, a guard verified her identity and opened the door. She then rode a small carriage to the entrance.

‘Such a large house in the capital. Nobles really are different.’

Mariam had learned through letters that Alice had become Khalid’s concubine. The letter also mentioned that while Alice remained a slave, fortunately her daughter Dorothy had been granted commoner status.

‘Is it because Dorothy is Lord Khalid’s daughter that she was given that status? But why is Alice still a slave?’

If he loved her, he could have accepted her as a commoner. It was somewhat incomprehensible.

When she arrived at the entrance, Alice and Khalid were waiting for her.

“Oh!”

While Alice was one thing, seeing the noble Khalid come out made Mariam’s body stiffen. Moreover, the dress Alice wore looked more suitable for a noblewoman than a slave.

As Mariam stepped out of the carriage, Alice embraced her.

“Mariam! It’s so good to see you.”

“Ah, um. Yes. Me too… Lord Khalid. It’s nice to meet you! Thank you for inviting me!”

Khalid stood silently. Seeing his apparent displeasure, Mariam felt even more intimidated.

They went to the reception room and sat on the sofa. Various cakes, cookies, and premium tea were served before Mariam.

Alice felt sorry for Mariam. They had planned to chat comfortably at a small cafe outside, but now they were here with Khalid in this formal setting.

“Eat plenty.”

“Yes. Doesn’t the tea smell wonderful?”

Mariam happily sipped the premium tea, enjoying its aroma.

Alice asked what she was curious about.

“Mariam. Are your parents doing better?”

Mariam’s parents had been in a carriage accident and were receiving treatment. Mariam nodded.

“Yes. They’ve improved recently and are looking for work.”

“That’s good.”

“…Oh, and I might quit the inn.”

“What? Why?”

Mariam scratched her face.

“The inn was sold to someone else. It might soon become a gambling house instead.”

“…Really?”

“Yes.”

Mariam swallowed the words: your regular customer was angry you weren’t there anymore, so he bought the place.

In the end, the owner lost the inn to a man named Belfi. Mariam had no intention of working at a gambling house, so she decided to leave.

The rumors about this man Belfi weren’t good either. There were stories that he would lend money to employees and then treat them like slaves if they couldn’t repay. Anyway, this was no longer Alice’s concern. Now that Alice had become the concubine of a Count, she only needed to raise Dorothy well.

“I’m glad you’re doing well. I was worried because Dorothy is so smart, just like Lord Khalid. Now school fees won’t be a problem.”

At Mariam’s words, Khalid suddenly flinched.

‘She resembles me? Could it be that Alice told Mariam the child is mine?’

Though it was just a passing comment, his ears perked up. Alice smiled naturally.

“Yes. After giving birth to Dorothy… I was so sick that I delayed registering her birth, and I’m grateful you helped me with that.”

The birth registration was delayed. Khalid took a deep breath. Suddenly his mind felt distant.

Mariam looked at Alice with an embarrassed smile.

“It was nothing. Anyway, it must be nice to be with Lord Khalid now?”

“…”

Alice’s face reddened. The two women chatted about difficult customers at the inn. Before long, they stopped paying attention to Khalid.

After seeing Mariam off, Alice changed into her nightgown. Dorothy had already returned and was sleeping quietly in her room.

Khalid stared intently at Alice’s back while she sat at her dressing table.

During the time he wasn’t by Alice’s side, Mariam had been there for her. At the very least, Mariam knew who Dorothy’s father was.

“…Lord Khalid?”

“You said Dorothy’s birth registration was delayed?”

“…Yes.”

Alice had given birth to Dorothy alone. Thinking there might be trackers, she rarely went outside. After completing all preparations and even cutting the umbilical cord herself, she felt chills and pain throughout her body. While the baby was crying and Alice was groaning alone, Mariam opened the front door and came in.

[Alice! I knew this would happen!]

Mariam bathed the baby and helped with everything. Alice was bedridden and couldn’t get up for a while. By the time she could barely move around, six months had already passed since Dorothy’s birth.

Whenever she recalled that time, she always felt grateful to Mariam.

“During the day, I hired someone to look after the baby, and after work, Mariam took care of her personally.”

“…Alice.”

Khalid approached Alice and knelt on one knee in front of her.

“…?”

Khalid kissed the back of Alice’s hand with his moist lips.

“I’m sorry.”

“…For what?”

“I thought Dorothy was born too late to be my child… My inflexible personality feels like a curse at times like this. Alice, Dorothy is my child, isn’t she?”

At Khalid’s words, tears streamed down Alice’s face. She had given up telling him because he had been so adamant.

“…I misunderstood.”

“Lord Khalid…”

“Forgive my pettiness.”

Khalid knelt fully before Alice. She held his face and kissed his lips.

“…There’s nothing to forgive. I never resented you in the first place.”

“…Tell me what you want. I’ll grant anything except you leaving me.”

His words were unexpected.

“Then how about freeing me from slavery?”

“That’s…”

Unless she remained a slave, she couldn’t be his personal property. Despite saying she could ask for anything, Khalid seemed somewhat anxious about this request.

Khalid nuzzled his face against her knees.

“Alice… You won’t leave me, will you?”

“Of course not, Lord Khalid.”

“…Alright. I’ll trust you one last time.”

‘One last time…’

Alice found his words somewhat frightening. However, she had no intention of leaving him either. If not for Mariam, Khalid’s misunderstanding might never have been resolved.

* * *

Khalid spread Alice’s thighs and began licking her womanhood. Sitting in the chair, Alice gripped his head tightly.

“Ah… hah. Mmph.”

“Hoo. Alice.”

“Haah…”

As Alice’s insides became moist, Khalid lifted her up and laid her on the bed. He removed her thin nightgown. After undressing himself, he slowly licked from her neck to her br*asts.

“Ah…. hah.”

“Does it feel good? Tell me where it feels good.”

“H-how…”

‘How can I say such embarrassing things?’

Alice’s face turned red. But contrary to her inner thoughts, her hands pointed to her br*asts.

“Here…”

“And?”

Seeing Khalid’s smirk, Alice didn’t know where to look. His golden hair and blue eyes reminiscent of the ocean were truly beautiful. It was almost unbelievable that someone so beautiful loved her.

“I like it all. Anywhere you touch me…”

“…I see. I want to make every part of you mine… This is troublesome, I just want to thrust into you.”

He had intended to take his time with f*replay today. However, his manhood was throbbing and pulsating.

Alice smiled.

“…Do it.”

At her soft whisper, Khalid spread her thighs in one motion and thrust inside her.

“Ah…!”

Thump. Thump. Strong hip movements began. Feeling a sense of liberation, Khalid licked her ear.

“Hoo…. This feels so good.”

“M-me too. Hnng.”

Alice wrapped her arms around Khalid’s neck. He continued his vigorous thrusting while kissing her. With each thrust, Alice nearly bit her tongue from the intensity, but she enjoyed becoming one with him.

“Ah…! Hnngh. Mmm…!”

“Alice…!”

“Ah. Hah. K-Khalid…”

When Alice tried to avoid him due to the intense movements, Khalid thrust even deeper, making it impossible for her to escape.

“Aaah…!”

After thrusting deep into her womb several times, Alice’s body trembled. A flood of fluid gushed from inside her. The squelching sounds grew louder, and Alice became more aroused with each of Khalid’s movements.

“I-I’m sensitive…! Ah, hng.”

“Did you climax while I was still inside…?”

“Hnng. Yes. Ah. Yes…”

Alice covered her face with her hands, seemingly embarrassed. Khalid removed her hands.

“…When you were Noel, you tried so hard to act like a man. I didn’t notice then, but why do you look only like a woman now? I guess my eyes were wrong back then.”

“Mmm. Hah. Lord… Khalid.”

“You were beautiful then and you’re beautiful now, Alice.”