Episode 104: Uh…
Rudella, startled, widened her eyes and covered her mouth with both hands. Her delicate hands hid her small lips.
The moment the fork drew closer, the smell of the cream and the unique scent of the cake overwhelmed her. A wave of nausea started at her nose and quickly spread through her entire body.
The only saving grace was that she hadn’t eaten anything today, so there was nothing to throw up.
“…”
“…”
The problem was that this happened right in front of the other two.
“Rudella…?”
Yohan looked at her with concern in his eyes. Francia, on the other hand, was wide-eyed, her expression like that of a startled rabbit.
“I-I’m fine. I just feel a bit… Ugh…!”
As she tried to speak, another wave of nausea hit her, and Rudella hurriedly left the room.
‘Could it be…?’
Watching her, Yohan’s mind went blank. A single possibility flashed through his head. There was only one reason why someone might gag the moment a piece of cake approached their mouth.
Pregnancy.
Specifically, morning sickness.
The timing must have been…
‘Our first time.’
There was no other occasion where it could have happened. That night, they had done it six times, so it was inevitable.
If she truly was pregnant, it was a blessing and something to be celebrated. Rudella deserved gratitude.
But still…
‘O my God.’
Yohan was overwhelmed by the unexpected news. While it was a joyous and celebratory event, the situation was anything but simple when Francia was taken into account.
With a creaking motion, Yohan glanced to the side. Francia’s gaze was unfocused, staring blankly into space. Her tightly pressed lips had parted slightly, and she appeared utterly stunned.
“Yohan…”
Feeling his gaze, Francia looked back at him. Her face seemed ready to crumble, though it was clear she was trying her best to hold it together.
“It’s not true… is it?”
“…”
“Yohan?”
Francia’s crimson eyes trembled slightly as she looked at him. Yohan’s silence confirmed her suspicions—it was the truth.
“…When?”
Her voice dropped, carrying a chilling tone that sent shivers down Yohan’s spine. Was it just his imagination, or did he sense a faint trace of killing intent?
“Judging by the timing of the morning sickness… it must have been the first time we were together. That was the only time I… finished inside her.”
Yohan’s voice trailed off. Though this was wonderful news and something to celebrate, he couldn’t say it proudly in front of Francia.
“The first time…”
Francia recalled her own first experience with Yohan. Though he wasn’t aware, she too remembered him finishing inside her at that time.
She had hoped to conceive Yohan’s child herself, but unfortunately, the timing hadn’t worked in her favor, and she hadn’t become pregnant.
Though they had both received Yohan’s love from their first time together, the results couldn’t have been more different. Rudella had conceived a child, while Francia hadn’t.
‘Why…?’
Francia’s eyes grew misty. It wasn’t jealousy that overwhelmed her—it was an indescribable sense of sorrow.
A new life was always something to celebrate, something joyous. Yet, a wave of unexplainable grief washed over her.
Was this punishment for stealing Yohan, who was supposed to be the man of Rudbeckia? The thought was ridiculous, yet it crept into her mind.
“Francia…”
Yohan gently hugged her and softly stroked her head.
“It’s okay. You will always be my first, Francia. That hasn’t changed.”
Of course, his attention would naturally shift to Rudella, the expectant mother, but that was unavoidable. The same would have happened if the situation were reversed.
“…”
But Francia didn’t respond to his reassurance. Instead, she looked at Yohan with tear-filled eyes and quietly said:
“…Take Miss Rudella to the physician and have her examined.”
***
Yohan and Francia accompanied Rudella to the Fervache Mansion in the capital.
“Have you had your monthly cycle?”
The Fervache family’s physician asked.
“It’s been a little over a month, but no.”
“I see.”
The physician nodded and retrieved a magical artifact from their bag. The device, resembling a scale, was used to confirm pregnancy through magical energy.
“Please place your hand here.”
When Rudella placed her hand on the device, the needle split into two.
The physician observed it for a moment before nodding.
“Congratulations. You’re pregnant.”
As soon as the words left the physician’s mouth, Rudella was momentarily speechless. Her sky-blue eyes trembled.
“R-Really? I’m really…?”
Her trembling voice was cautious, and her cheeks flushed red. The physician smiled kindly.
“Yes. The symptoms you’re experiencing align with the sixth week of pregnancy. Furthermore, the flow of magical energy splitting into two confirms it.”
At that moment, Rudella’s face lit up with joy. Her smile, pure and radiant, was like a flower just beginning to bloom.
Whoosh! Rudella quickly turned her head to look at Yohan, who had been watching from the side. Her sky-blue eyes sparkled with vitality and emotion.
When Yohan smiled softly and nodded, the corners of Rudella’s lips curved upward into a wide smile.
“Are there any precautions I should take?”
Rudella asked.
“It’s best to limit black tea to one cup or less. Avoid undercooked meat, milk, and cheese as well. If you feel nauseous like today, drinking water should help—”
The physician continued to explain, listing all the things that were not ideal for pregnant women.
“That’s it. Please make sure to follow these guidelines carefully. Since this is the early stage of pregnancy, absolute rest is crucial.”
As the physician finished and began packing their bag, Rudella blushed and hesitantly asked in a quiet voice:
“Then… when can we… resume relations?”
It was a very important matter to her.
“It’s best to avoid it during the early stages and right before delivery. I’ll write everything down for you to review at your leisure.”
The physician said this while taking a piece of paper from their assistant. With swift movements of the pen, they wrote detailed instructions.
“Please take your time reading it.”
“Thank you.”
Rudella took the paper and carefully scrutinized its contents.
“Once again, congratulations on your pregnancy. The examination is complete.”
“Thank you.”
“No, it’s my duty, Duke.”
Yohan, Francia, and Rudella left the examination room and headed to the parlor.
Francia slumped her shoulders and spoke.
“…Congratulations, Miss Rudella.”
“Thank you, Lady Francia.”
Rudella smiled warmly as she expressed her gratitude. If not for Francia, she wouldn’t have been able to carry the child of the man she loved most—Yohan.
For that reason, she had no intention of creating tension or hostility now. This was a sensitive situation for all involved.
Yohan asked with concern,
“Rudella, I’ll send some staff to help you until the Lahart Mansion is completed.”
“That won’t be necessary. I’m not showing yet, and Vera is with me, so there’s no problem.”
Rudella gave a small smile in response to his concern.
“What about staying at the Fervache Mansion?”
“That’s fine. I have a few things I need to organize anyway.”
While staying here could be convenient, it was unthinkable for a concubine who conceived first to live in the home of the main wife.
“That’s fine. I’ll visit you regularly, so don’t worry.”
“…Alright, then.”
As the conversation ended, Yohan rose from his seat.
“Let’s go, Rudella. I’ll escort you home.”
“Yes, let’s.”
Yohan gently patted Francia’s head and gave her a soft smile.
“…I’ll drop her off and be back shortly. Let’s talk then.”
“…Alright.”
Inside the carriage on the way to Rudella’s home,
Yohan gently stroked the back of her hand.
“Thank you, Rudella.”
“For what?”
“For carrying my child.”
At his straightforward words, Rudella instinctively held her breath, her face turning red.
“As your future wife, it’s only natural…”
While a pregnancy before marriage would normally cause quite the scandal, this wasn’t an issue for Rudella. She had already severed ties with her family.
However…
“What worries me is that I’ll soon have to be away often… I’m sorry I won’t be able to stay by your side.”
Yohan’s voice carried a hint of dejection. As a husband and father-to-be, he wanted to be there for her, but his duties as a minister left him with little time.
“It’s alright. Just knowing I’m carrying your child is enough for me.”
Even so, Rudella didn’t complain or feel upset. She softly clasped Yohan’s hand, which was stroking hers, and gave a gentle smile.
“You don’t have to worry. Nothing will happen. The crown prince who could have been a threat is already gone, and the Bismarck family doesn’t have the capacity to interfere anymore. So, there’s no need to fret.”
After saying this, Rudella leaned her head gently toward Yohan, placing a tender kiss on his cheek.
“I love you, Yohan.”
***
Later, after safely escorting Rudella home,
Yohan found himself kneeling like a criminal, his head bowed low.
On a normal day, Francia might have stopped him, but today, she was in no mood to do so.
Francia let out a deep sigh, looking at him.
“…I know this isn’t entirely your fault.”
“…”
Yohan kept his lips tightly sealed, quietly listening to her words.
“How could you have resisted, after all? When someone as beautiful as Miss Rudella makes such a request, it’s hard to say no, no matter how strong your self-control is. It was probably just like our first night together.”
Francia didn’t truly intend to blame Yohan. This was all a matter of timing and chance. After all, she could have been the one to conceive during their first night together if things had been slightly different.
“I won’t get angry, but I want you to promise me one thing.”
“What is it?”
Yohan tilted his head slightly. He was ready to agree to whatever she wanted.
“The three nights a week will become six nights a week.”
“…What?”
Six nights a week?
Yohan blinked, wondering if he had misheard. But Francia’s gaze didn’t waver. She was utterly serious, without a hint of playfulness.
“I want to have your child, too, but it’s not possible right now. I still have my duties as a civil officer, and if both Miss Rudella and I were pregnant at the same time, it would only cause problems for you. But I will make sure I receive just as much of your love.”
Francia’s tone was resolute. She wasn’t willing to back down this time.
“Six nights…”
Yohan didn’t let it show, but he was troubled. Francia’s satisfaction usually required at least three rounds in one night. Doing that six times a week?
Even with his exceptional stamina, it would be impossible to endure.
“Can’t you do it? You always say I’m your number one, but now you won’t meet this request? Is it because you favor Miss Rudella, letting her conceive first? Is that it?”
Francia’s cold gaze pierced through him.
“This time, I won’t back down.”
Though it would be physically taxing, Yohan had no choice but to comply. If it was tough, he would simply have to muster more strength. Francia was clearly furious, and this was her way of asserting herself.
“Alright. Six nights a week. I won’t stop even if you ask me to.”
Satisfied with his response, Francia smiled sweetly.
“Then let’s start tonight.”
Rustle.
Francia slowly removed her outer garment.
“Don’t think too hard about it tonight.”
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