After Logan and Isabella got married, their relationship always seemed to run on parallel tracks.
Seeing Isabella’s face grow increasingly somber and lifeless, Logan was certain that the marriage was making her unhappy.
He wondered how he could bring just a hint of brightness back to her expression.
His fervent wish did not take long to be fulfilled.
It was, in truth, a moment he had been inwardly awaiting.
The existence of a child that would bridge the gap between them.
And this child became a lantern, illuminating her perpetually shadowed married life.
Isabella changed noticeably after learning she was pregnant.
Vitality returned to her face, and she ate and walked diligently, motivated by the child to come.
The child was a beacon of hope, reigniting the dying flame within her.
Logan was extremely pleased to see this change.
Especially, Logan could never forget that day’s scene.
The day after Isabella, having exhausted all her strength in childbirth, first held Aiden in her arms.
Watching from a slight distance, their eyes met, and she unconsciously curved her eyes in a smile toward him.
Her smile at him was like rain after a long drought.
Having been deprived for so long, he didn’t even feel the thirst; but after just a few sips, the thirst became more pronounced.
Logan strongly hoped that Isabella would smile more often in the future.
If only that were possible, he felt he could do anything that was needed of him.
***
Aiden.
That was the name of the couple’s child.
Since the child’s birth, Logan and Isabella’s relationship had begun to show subtle but real changes compared to before.
As this occurred, Logan became increasingly focused on growing his influence within the family to firmly protect Isabella and Aiden.
He had to demonstrate noticeable success, proving that he was more than just a simple heir, but someone who could further prosper the family name.
Logan had to safeguard Isabella from the persistent torment of the duchess, who seemed intent on causing misery not only to him but also to those around him.
As an heir born out of wedlock, the only way he could truly protect those he cared for was through this method.
Only then could he boldly reject the duchess’s remarks and enforce his own will.
It seemed Logan’s efforts were without major issues, yet Isabella’s happiness was short-lived.
One day, the duchess barged in unexpectedly.
And it just so happened that Logan was out at the time.
Most likely, the duchess had deliberately chosen such a day.
“Isabella, how have you been? It seems I must come to visit to see you.”
“……Mother.”
“I came to see Aiden.”
The Duchess glanced at Isabella only momentarily before immediately turning her attention to Aiden.
Her gaze seemed to appraise whether he was of any use.
“He seems healthy at least.”
She instructed the maid who followed her.
“Recruit the very best experts right away. He must lead the Lienster family, and he mustn’t lack anything.”
The Duchess looked down at Aiden and spoke coldly.
“He must be taught properly from an early age. Otherwise, how can he perform his role?”
The statement was tinged with underlying contempt.
“Nanny.”
“Yes, Madam.”
A middle-aged woman stooped immediately at the Duchess’s call, stepping forward.
Even from the first impression, it was clear she was as sharp-tongued as the Duchess.
“From today on, do not leave his side and take care of him.”
Her order was like one given to a faithful dog.
“I will bear it in mind.”
As the Duchess motioned for the nanny she had brought to take the child, Isabella intervened.
“No.”
Isabella firmly held Aiden in her arms and spoke assertively.
The two women faced off, as if in a standoff.
“What did you just say?”
The Duchess’s eyebrows raised sharply.
“I will raise Aiden myself.”
Isabella for the first time stood in opposition to the Duchess, indicating her refusal to comply.
“If education is necessary, I will decide that myself and find him a suitable teacher.”
“If Aiden were from an ordinary family, that might be acceptable.”
The Duchess scornfully laughed at Isabella’s claim.
“One must be taught well from an early age, and how would he grow up properly if the parents are incapable?”
The Duchess was dismissively alluding to Logan’s birth.
“How can I trust and entrust the upbringing to Logan, when an impure birth cannot be entirely cleansed, no matter how much one tries?”
The Duchess had reluctantly accepted Logan as an heir, but she never ceased to underscore to Logan and Isabella that he was a child brought in from outside, not born of her own.
“It’s because you don’t understand that I need to step in,” her voice was both noble and authoritative.
Isabella, holding Aiden, felt her grip tighten.
“Even so, it’s okay. We can manage, so don’t worry.”
Isabella met the Duchess’s gaze with determined eyes.
“Alright, let’s see how you do.”
The Duchess’s eyelids fluttered slightly, a mix of displeasure and intrigue.
“You have made your statement, and you must abide by it. But should any issues arise, I will take him without delay.”
The Duchess raised one corner of her mouth in a significant way.
It seemed as if she was testing Isabella.
“That won’t be necessary.”
Isabella’s response was firm.
Neither the Duchess nor the nanny she brought could be allowed to handle Aiden carelessly.
***
Logan received the news on his way back from inspecting the ships at the harbor.
He hurried to the mansion, but it was already too late.
By the time he arrived, the situation had been resolved.
He wanted to go to Isabella immediately to comfort and soothe her, but there was something even more urgent.
Logan went after the Duchess, who had already left her seat.
He warned the Duchess not to even think about forcibly taking Aiden from Isabella.
He declared that if she attempted such a thing, he would not stand by idly.
He acknowledged that while he might sustain a serious hit if he took drastic measures, the Duchess would also stand to lose much that she had enjoyed until now.
He advised her to stop while she was ahead.
He knew that such warnings were often temporary.
But Logan wanted to prevent Isabella from being approached by the Duchess, even for a moment.
If he couldn’t even do that much, he would never forgive his own helplessness.
Only after the Duchess showed signs of stepping back did Logan seek out Isabella.
Isabella, unable to hide her anxiousness, was pacing the room.
“Madam.”
It was then that Isabella turned to look at him.
“You….”
Isabella’s voice was trembling, weak.
“Don’t worry. It will go your way.”
He told her not to worry because it wouldn’t happen as her mother wished.
“I will make sure of it. Trust me.”
“……”
Isabella gave a small nod.
Yet it seemed that was not enough to fully reassure her.
It had been since the Duchess’s visit.
Isabella hadn’t taken her eyes off Aiden for a second, fearing the Duchess would take him away.
Moreover, she was being careful not to make any mistakes that could be used against her.
“Why does your face look like that?”
It was evident that Isabella was losing weight day by day.
The darkness under her eyes suggested she wasn’t sleeping well.
“……It’s nothing.”
Isabella covered her face with her hands and turned away.
Logan could not hold on to her any longer in the face of her clear rejection.
***
“Oh my, that wasn’t the reason.”
Isabella, having heard Logan’s words, clarified in surprise.
“That time… it wasn’t that I was rejecting you; I covered my face because I was a mess.”
Isabella remembered clearly what the situation had been like at that time.
She had met him in a disheveled state, not having even properly washed her face, and she had been quite embarrassed.
Not wanting to show him that state, she had deliberately covered her face and hurried away.
“……Is that what it was?”
“At that time, even if my face was a mess, I didn’t have the leisure to care about it.”
“I had no idea… and thought you were covering your face because you didn’t want to see me.”
Logan mumbled in confusion.
“Did you really think that way until now?”
“……”
Logan’s vacant gaze was the confirmation.
Realizing the complete misunderstanding, both let out deflated laughter at the same time.
***
Logan was unable to hold onto Isabella.
But he couldn’t just let it go.
Clearly, her face was paler than usual, and she was not in good condition.
“Why has she suddenly become so unwell? Could there be a problem with her health?”
Logan called a maid and asked why Isabella’s complexion was so poor.
“It’s not that. It’s just that Master Aiden wakes up frequently at night. Once he starts crying, he doesn’t stop easily.”
“…….”
Logan knew all too well how it was when Aiden cried.
Aiden had been robust since birth. He ate a lot and for a baby, he was quite strong.
And he would burst into vigorous crying even from a sound sleep.
His cry was so loud and spirited that it startled everyone.
Naturally, it was not easy for Isabella to look after Aiden completely on edge.
In fact, there was no need for her to be so tired from Aiden crying throughout the night.
Usually, a nurse would take him away and put him to sleep at night.
Even if not, it was still easier to manage with someone to help by her side.
But Isabella could not do that because of the recent intrusion of the Duchess.
Currently, Isabella was taking care of Aiden directly, attending to everything from one to ten.
‘She must not intend to discuss it with me either.’
Logan could not be at ease. He was worried it might ruin Isabella’s health.
“Isn’t there something I can do to help?”
At least, he wished she could get enough sleep at night.
After much thought, Logan finished his work by evening and spent every night studying childcare books he had selected.
He also secretly called in a professional nurse to learn how to directly care for the child.
Logan was already accepting it.
That he might not be accepted by Isabella.
Still, he wanted to at least be a presence who supports Isabella and Aiden from behind.
‘Wouldn’t that be what family is?’
But Logan’s wish collapsed again.
One day, an aide came in urgently and informed him of a critical situation.
“The young madam has collapsed!”
In the end, Isabella could not endure and had collapsed.
