I Became a Mother of a Sub-Male Son

Even while returning to the Duke’s house, there was silence in Mazaan. It was only natural that the Duke wasn’t the type to talk loudly, and he kept his mouth shut. She still felt complex and nuanced, so she needed time to think. It felt a little cramped, so she opened the small window of the carriage halfway. A cool breeze came inside and cooled her aching head. She should have opened it a long time ago. While she was staring blankly through the window, her eyes widened at the familiar carriage in the distance.

 

“Duke, look over there.”

 

The Duke’s gaze, who had been examining documents, turned to the window. He soon frowned and clicked his tongue slightly.

 

“You’re being quite cruel.”

 

“This is the carriage with the Blonde family emblem on it, right?”

 

“Okay.”

 

“I guess it’s Lady Ladiana, right? I guess that’s why she came all the way here?”

 

The Duke put down the document in his hand next to him without answering. Just as the carriage reached the main gate, he saw Lady Ladiana get off from the carriage across from them. Her face looked quite gaunt, as if she had suffered a lot over the past few days. It’s not like they haven’t seen each other for that long, but was it really that bad? When she got off the carriage with a dazed mind. Lady Ladiana, who saw her, shed tears and hugged her tightly.

 

“Lady Ladiana?”

 

“Lady Elia. I heard that you have been in a lot of pain. Are you okay? I heard that you are suffering from all kinds of illnesses to the point where you can’t even leave your room, so I thought something was wrong with you…”

 

“…yes?”

 

She stared at her, not understanding what she was talking about. It’s true that she went through some bad things physically and mentally that left her weak, but that was all she did. But all kinds of diseases?

 

“It’s true that I was unwell, but it wasn’t anything serious. You don’t have to worry. As you can see, I’m fine.”

 

“That’s good, but I’m still worried because her face has become so gaunt.”

 

“I’m worried that Lady Ladiana looks very thin. Are you eating well?”

 

“…Actually, I didn’t have an appetite so I ended up eating a little bit.”

 

She looked at Ladiana, who was muttering helplessly, and then looked behind her. She stood looking at them with a look on her face that did not please the Duke.

 

“Duke. If you don’t mind, would it be possible for her to serve food to Ladiana and her daughter?”

 

“…”

 

“Duke?”

 

“Do whatever you feel like.”

 

If it sounded like a voice full of dissatisfaction, was it a mistake? She turned and looked at the back of the Duke going through the front door for a moment and then said.

 

“The Duke has given permission, so let’s go inside, my lady.”

 

“Yes, Lady Elia.”

 

Looking at her wide smile, Ladiana took her mind off the Duke and looked at her.

 

He smiled at her. When she entered the mansion with Ladiana, she went straight to the restaurant.

 

“The chefs here are very good. I guarantee the taste. I’m sure your appetite will come back.”

 

“Is that so?”

 

“Yes.”

 

After talking about this and that, she arrived at the restaurant before she knew it. As I went inside and sat down in a suitable place, the maid came by.

 

“Please bring me some food that is edible.”

 

“All right.”

 

As the maid went out, Ladiana immediately grabbed her hand and pulled her in.

 

“Why are you doing this?”

 

“Her wrists are thinner than I’ve seen them before.”

 

She asked her worriedly. She looked at her wrist that Ladiana was holding for a moment. She was not sure if she’s missing or not, did that make a difference?

 

“Really? I’m not sure.”

 

“It has definitely become thinner. My jawline is also much thinner than before.”

 

Ladiana carefully inspected her body, touching it here and there with a serious look on her face.

 

“It’s really okay.”

 

“But just in case, I’ll make some medicine that will help your health and send it to you. So, you must take it. Do you understand?”

 

“Yes, got it.”

 

At that time, the door opened with a loud knock and the maids came in bringing food. It consisted of about five or six types of mostly easily digestible foods.

 

“Then eat it, my lady.”

 

“Okay.”

 

Among the food served on the table, she tried to eat a little bit of the yellow, watery soup with a spoon. As expected, it was flawless and tasted just right. It was neither too salty nor too bland and had just the right amount of sweetness, so it went down her throat.

 

“The soup is really delicious.”

 

“Yes?”

 

“Thank you, young lady. Even take care of my meals.”

 

“What. I heard you couldn’t even eat properly because you were worried about me. It’s natural to be worried.”

 

There was actually a separate reason why I was particularly concerned about Ladiana. She was none other than the Emperor. Just now she was saying that Ladiana had lovesickness and that she couldn’t get enough of her and the duke. She decided that if she was going to make a fuss even if she did well, it would be better to do well.

 

‘Let’s just do as good as we can.’

 

At the same time, if she act as a stepping stone so that Ladiana could connect with the Emperor, she would no longer be hated by the Emperor, and in one way or another, she was an inseparable being between the nobles and the imperial family, so she had to somehow maintain the relationship. Because she didn’t want the child to be harmed because of her.

 

“You should try this too, my lady. The fish meat is so tender that it melts in your mouth.”

 

She said as Ladiana placed some of her fish meat on her plate. She smiled as she ate the fish fillet she gave her.

 

“Yes. It’s delicious. It really melts.”

 

“After seeing the young lady’s face like this again, I feel like my appetite is growing.”

 

Ladiana said, her cheeks blushing. She felt embarrassed by her shy appearance. Of course, it was true that she was beautiful, but it was nothing compared to the Emperor. It strangely bothered her that Ladiana put the Emperor behind her and cared more about her. The Emperor was just being grumpy right now, but what if the direction deviated a little more from that line? Of course, the Duke would be fine, but it was clear that she would be put in a difficult situation.

 

“Well, do you know what? They say a hunting competition hosted by the imperial family will be held in about two months.”

 

“A hunting competition?”

 

“Yes. It was originally a competition held once a year, but it was not held last year due to a severe drought in the western region.”

 

“Then I guess it will open this time without any problems?”

 

“Yes. If there are no problems.”

 

“Has Lady Ladiana ever been to a hunting competition?”

 

“No. I haven’t.”

 

She shook her head and took a few sips of the fruit drink in front of her.

 

“It is said that in this hunting competition, a particularly large reward will be given to the person who comes in first place.”

 

“What kind of reward is it?”

 

“I don’t know about that. I just heard that a big reward is given.”

 

“Okay.”

 

It’s a hunting competition… It’s a story that’s been mentioned a few times in books. She pretended not to know it, but she knew everything about the reward. It was a precious gem, and its value was considerable, as was the reward given to the person who came first in the hunting competition. The name of the gem was God’s Tears. It was a gem in the shape of a water drop and transparent on the inside, and she said it was given that name because it was so rare that it was difficult to put a price on it. The reason the Emperor offered the jewel as a reward for a hunting competition was to boost the morale of the nobles. This was to ease the tension that might lead to war in the near future.

 

“I would like to go there sometime.”

 

“You mean the hunting competition?”

 

“Yes. Of course I can’t participate, but I think it would be nice to at least watch.”

 

“Then, why don’t you ask the Duke for a favor? I heard that the Duke will also be attending this hunting competition.”

 

The Duke was participating in this hunting competition?

 

“The Duke?”

 

“Yes. You’ve never participated before, but I heard a rumor that you’re going this time.”

 

After saying that, Ladiana finished eating her food. In fact, it was the Emperor who won the hunting competition. As a result, he took the reward for raising the nobles’ morale. The Emperor would also know that he would come in first place in the hunting competition. He had excellent hunting skills. But what if the Duke, who originally did not participate in the hunting competition, participates this time? Once again, she was uncertain about the future as the plot changed from the book. She thought the Duke would win if we were to measure it physically.

 

While she was thinking quietly, a flash occurred to her mind. Yes, there was that… When the 4th mine appeared, she didn’t know how to get it by blowing her nose without touching the ground, but unlike before, she ate the food with a happy heart and diligently filled her stomach. She didn’t even know that Ladiana was surprised when she saw me pouring in endless amounts of food and looked at her with wide eyes.

 

* * *

 

“It was fun, Lady Elia.”

 

“Me too. Then please be careful going in, Lady Ladiana.”

 

Ladiana hugged her lightly and got into her carriage. It was the moment she turned her body after seeing her off.

 

“Omg!”

 

She was shocked. In the distance, the Duke was once again standing like a scarecrow, watching them. In a situation where her heart almost dropped, she could barely breathe.

 

“I can’t survive, really.”

 

If she said honestly that he was in a bad mood, what’s the point? She knew he had that look on his face because she said she was bringing the lady inside. So she walked to the Duke, trying her best to pretend to have a calm expression.

 

“What are you doing here?”

 

“What does it have to do with you?”

 

“…?”

 

“I asked what does my standing here have to do with you?”

 

Seeing the Duke’s sharp-edged appearance made her sigh again. It’s not like he was some kind of kid, but she didn’t know why he got angry and upset every time she did something. As a result, he started to become jealous of his own son, too.

 

“I just asked because I saw you.”

 

She shrugged her shoulders and passed by the Duke. Even as she walked, she felt like her spine was standing on end. She could feel the intense gaze and it seemed as if the Duke was now glaring at her. It’s not like he’s some kind of stalker, he just came to her without warning and watched over her whenever she did something…

 

“Wait, stalker?”

 

She stopped dead in her tracks. Why did she completely forget about it all this time? The first thing the Duke did when he took an interest in her was to stalk her viciously. She barely moved her neck, which was not turning, and looked behind her. She felt eyes on her just a moment ago, but the Duke was gone and she couldn’t see him.

 

She touched her cool arms and barely walked towards her room.

 

* * *

 

And two mornings later. While passing through the hallway, she bumped into a maid who was coming across from her. The maid was probably on her way back from cleaning, and she was carrying a container full of trash. Then she bumped into her and the contents of her trash can spilled all over the floor.

 

She was asking the maid if she was okay when she inadvertently looked down at the floor. For some reason, a familiar piece of cloth caught her eye. She reached out her hand and picked up the shredded piece of cloth and held it close to her eye. And at that moment she realized. This piece of cloth was part of Richard’s handkerchief that was lost in the room a few days ago.

 

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