“Wouldn’t it be okay to start thinking about the baby’s name?”
Edith cautiously brought up the topic, and Walter agreed.
In the Agnas Empire, there was a superstition that if parents decided on their child’s name too early, it would bring bad luck. Although there wasn’t much basis for it, parents with children tended to pay attention to even small superstitions, so it was common to decide on a child’s name just 10 days before their birth.
Although he had never told Edith, Walter had been studying how others named their children for this moment.
“…”
But a theory was a theory, and when it came to actually choosing a name for the little one between Edith and him, there were too many good names. Walter ran his hand through Edith’s hair and thought for a moment.
Surely, just a moment ago, it would have been impossible to narrow it down to a final ten names by the end of the day, but as he looked into her sparkling water-like eyes, a name popped into his head.
“If it’s a daughter, it’s Alyssa. If it’s a son, it’s Adrian.”
“…”
Edith couldn’t help but be surprised when she heard the first names that came out of his mouth.
⋙“Isaac, Isaac! Let’s name our children Alyssa for a girl and Adrian for a boy, what do you think?”⋘
⋙“I heard that children’s names are given a few days before they are born. Otherwise, the babies will get sick.”⋘
What came out of his mouth were the names she had chosen after walking through a reed field with Isaac during their childhood.
Although they were two young children playing pretend, they playfully chose children’s names. But because of his soft, golden eyes that gently curved, she still remembered that moment until now.
『 Is it possible that Walter’s memory is subconsciously recalling what happened back then?』
She didn’t bother to ask, as she didn’t want to put pressure on him to quickly regain his memories, but she couldn’t hide her joy. Edith answered with a smile on her face.
“I like the names, Walter. Let’s go with that.”
Walter’s eyes softened at her immediate response.
“If you like the name I blurted out first, are you hiding some other thoughts? It seems a bit suspicious.”
In response to Walter’s subtle interrogation, Edith had no choice but to tell the truth.
“When we were little, we had a brief conversation about that. About names for children, something like that.”
Edith shrugged lightly, realizing that if she said it out loud, she would sound like someone who was obsessed with every memory of Isaac.
Walter was unable to say anything for a moment as he watched her reminisce as if it was nothing special.
His heart thudded heavily in his chest as he realized that she was holding onto so many memories, including his name.
Edith turned to Walter, who was looking at her with an indescribable expression on his face.
“It’s okay if you don’t remember. You’ll just have to take your time remembering your time as Isaac.”
“…”
“Once our baby is born, there will be a lot of things to do together, so we will make a lot of new memories, right?”
“I guess so.”
Walter grinned and intertwined his fingers with Edith’s hand. He could feel her pulse as their hands were firmly clasped as if they would never loosen.
Edith, leaning on his broad shoulder, said as she felt his body warmth spreading.
“When you first lost your memory, there was nothing you could do. And now, if you ever have a problem with your magic, we can get help from Lexion and solve them.”
There was an urgency in Edith’s voice, a desire to never lose the time they had spent together again. As if captivated by the clear voice, Walter unknowingly made a promise.
“There won’t be a second time.”
Although Walter has to get a checkup, so far, he hasn’t used too much magic beyond the doctor’s warnings.
In the last letter from Theos, there was a hopeful message about the possibility of fixing his distorted magic.
“I’ll remember every moment of when I was your first love, so prepare your heart.”
“Ahem…”
Edith coughed as she remembered her past behavior, when she had acted out at the thought of having Isaac all to herself.
Walter pulled their clasped hands together and planted a long kiss on the back of her hand.
“I will make you happy from now on. It seems like it was just yesterday that we were locked up in the Viscount’s manor, but things are better now, aren’t they?”
“Becoming the Little Duke of Lexion doesn’t exactly qualify as an improvement.”
“Anyway, all M’lady needs to do is believe in my skills.”
His life has always been like this. Even when he was clueless and frustrated, his determination to solve the situation kept him going, and eventually, Walter got where he wanted to go.
So, he believes it will be okay this time too, Walter thought.
──────────✿◦•
Meanwhile, in the capital, Gilbert was hearing an unexpected excuse.
“I’m sorry, Gilbert. I couldn’t sleep at all because the Imperial Consort had asked me to do something. I have to go to work tomorrow too, so I don’t think I’ll have time to spend with you.”
Gilbert, doubting his ears, asked Elizabeth again.
“It’s just about having a meal together. And if you’re lucky, you might catch a glimpse of Elise.”
“…”
The moment she heard Gilbert use her daughter’s name in a threatening manner, a vein bulged on Elizabeth’s forehead.
『 It was you who tried to sell Elise to a pedophile, and yet, you had the nerve.』
Although she felt sick to her stomach, Elizabeth recalled the letter she had received from Edith.
╭══════
Now that the snake has been caught safely, I hope you will do your best without being swayed by word games.
══════╯
The snake was referring to Baron Humphrey, who had tried to claim her daughter in exchange for some kind of mine.
『 I didn’t expect to hear good news this quickly.』
The exceptional speed at which Lexion handled affairs was impressive, but what moved Elizabeth’s heart was the fact that Edith went out of her way to send a letter, even using a code.
『 She knows I’m anxious because of Elise.』
When she was acting under Count Gerturk’s orders, she didn’t receive any updates on the progress of the situation and often hoped that time would pass quickly.
However, Edith not only shared the details but also took the time to consider what might be the most fearful aspect from her own perspective.
『 Maybe the employer is not as bad as I thought.』
Elizabeth kept her composure, eager to share the good news with Edith, who had given her the chance to get revenge.
“If I’m sure I can dine with Elise, I’ll make time. But if you’re not sure, I won’t be able to clear my schedule. I have a meeting with my lawyer this afternoon.”
Gilbert was momentarily dumbfounded and asked back.
“You don’t have time to meet with me, but you’ll try to make time for Elize?”
“You know, I’m busy with the lawsuit right now.”
“…”
When Elizabeth mentioned the lawsuit, Gilbert couldn’t say anything.
『 The woman who filed a lawsuit against the lady-in-waiting who served the one and only Imperial Consort is truly amazing. Was her name Isabelle or something?』
Thanks to the Imperial Consort’s use of her power, the murder charge against Gerturk and Elizabeth had not yet proceeded to a criminal trial.
Since the murder of the Viscount was carried out by Gerturk, it was natural that there was no progress in the case.
However, Elizabeth was experiencing quite a hassle with the personal lawsuit that she had to hire lawyers.
『 Was she the daughter of the Karkus’s owner? My Noonim’s child will soon ascend to the throne, yet they foolishly sided with the aristocratic faction.』
Isabelle took issue with Elizabeth’s failure to fulfill her duties as a viscountess and demanded that most of her inheritance be returned to her.
If Elizabeth loses the lawsuit, she would have to sell the manor she currently lives in, so it was understandable that her nerves were on edge.
“Gilbert, if you really want to spend time with me so badly, help me. Hiring more lawyers might make a difference in the progress.”
Elizabeth retorted that if he was going to whine, he should at least spend some money.
When she complained and asked for financial help, Gilbert hesitated to speak but ultimately had no choice but to return to the county.
However, even at the county manor, he couldn’t find peace.
“Gilbert.”
When he heard Count Gerturk’s voice, Gilbert sighed inwardly.
“Yes, Hyung-nim.”
“Contact Baron Humphrey again.”
“Yes.”
“Don’t just say it, get things done. Noonim asked me to stop by her palace sometime next week. So I assume she wants to know if there’s been any disruption in the production of the magicites.”
“What can I do when the ground near the mine has weakened due to the heavy rains?”
Gilbert responded bluntly and headed to his room.
All the news coming from Baron Humphrey that there was a setback in the production of magicites were lies elaborately fabricated by Walter and the mages of Lexion.
However, even though he was not there, he did not doubt that all the letters the Baron regularly sent were true.
『 Why does something like this always happen?』
Gilbert shook his head as he took a drink of the dark brown liquor. He pondered the situation of the magicite mine and reluctantly accepted that it was beyond anyone’s control due to natural circumstances. However, he couldn’t help but feel bothered by Elizabeth’s indifferent reaction.
Under normal circumstances, Elizabeth would have done everything in her power to help him regain Patricia’s trust, but now that she wasn’t, his position was at risk.
With no other options, Gilbert irritably called out to his subordinate.
“Hey, I have to secretly visit Baron Humphrey, so get ready.”
He had no idea what he would discover there.
❀.°• ─ ─ ─ ─ ─ ─ ─ ─ ─ ─ •°.❀
