At this rate, it was absolutely impossible for Edith to claim that Benjamin was the father of her child.
Benjamin, unaware of Edith’s true intentions, was taken aback by the sudden news of her pregnancy and blinked before asking.
“Do I know the child’s father?”
“…”
In a situation like this, could there be any other question that would make Edith feel even more uncomfortable?
Walter was convinced when he saw Edith’s trembling reaction the moment she heard Benjamin’s question.
『 It seems your journalist friend has no tact and has ruined your plan.』
He became almost certain that Edith had his child, thanks to Benjamin’s honest reaction.
“… It’s Isaac’s child.”
Edith finally answered.
A name other than his own came out of Edith’s mouth, causing deep wrinkles to form on Walter’s forehead.
After the awkward silence dissipated, Walter asked in disbelief.
“Isaac? Wasn’t he missing?”
“It just happened that way. My situation became somewhat known, so he came to Fortrion Manor to find me.”
Edith shamelessly evaded him.
Although she herself thought it was an extremely poor lie, for the sake of the child, she believed it would be better to claim that it was Isaac’s child.
While Walter silently scrutinized her words in his mind, Benjamin sighed without even realizing it.
“Sigh… He’s returned. That’s good, Edith.”
Benjamin’s voice was not only filled with resignation; it also implied that the mention of Isaac’s name made him certain that he couldn’t get involved in this matter.
This reaction greatly annoyed Walter.
“Good, Edith. Isaac’s child… Congratulations.”
Benjamin’s reaction suggested that he had feelings for Edith that went beyond friendship.
Naturally, if she had someone else’s child, he would either have a stiff expression or at least not be able to muster a genuine smile. However, despite feeling a sense of defeat, Benjamin genuinely seemed to offer his congratulations.
Walter’s stomach churned as he imagined having the same reaction as Benjamin, as if someone had told him that Edith was pregnant by someone he didn’t want, like Nicholas Fortrion or Hans.
What on earth did Isaac mean to Edith?
“Then I’ll go inside and say hello. Benjamin, please keep this a secret.”
While Edith left for a moment to greet the Homans, Benjamin trudged toward the warehouse where the firewood was stored.
“Sigh…”
He leaned against the railing, took a deep breath, and retrieved a cigarette from his pocket.
Walter watched as he struck a match.
“I was forced to learn this while working as a journalist. I don’t normally smoke because Edith doesn’t like it.”
“Is that so?”
Walter leaned on the railing a few steps away and observed Benjamin, who seemed somewhat troubled.
Originally, Walter had come to ask him about his lineage, but judging by his series of reactions, it seemed like he should ask a different question first to ease his curiosity.
“What makes Isaac such an extraordinary guy?”
Then Benjamin sighed deeply, as if preparing to open up, and took another cigarette from his pocket before putting it in his mouth.
“I’ve never seen his face either. I’ve only heard stories about him. He was Edith’s childhood sweetheart, to whom she got engaged with a flower ring. It’s not just you; even I shouldn’t have anything to do with a guy like Isaac. He’s the one who made Edith live.”
“After her father and mother passed away, Edith has been living with just the thought that he might come back someday. Even her decision to work at the clinic at a young age was related to him.”
In other words, it meant that Edith had always been waiting for him.
Until this morning, Walter had been almost certain that Edith’s child was his.
However, after listening to Benjamin’s explanation, he recalled Edith secretly longing for Isaac.
Come to think of it, didn’t she say that the reason he caught her eye was because he resembled Isaac?
“…”
As he recalled that, a dark shadow appeared on Walter’s face.
The reason why he hadn’t asked her about the child’s father until now was because of a subtle confidence he had, but now he hesitated to ask because he was afraid that her answer might be different from what he wanted.
If Edith was looking at Walter with slightly different eyes than she did with others simply because he resembled Isaac…
“You can read people just by looking at their faces.”
Seeing his face darken, this time Benjamin felt a strange sense of satisfaction.
His own situation was by no means better than Walter’s, but at least he wasn’t alone in despair.
Walter changed the topic of the conversation to prevent Benjamin from feeling sorry for him.
“It’s enough to talk about a guy who has the nerve to get a woman pregnant and not even show his face. I heard from Edith that you’re investigating my kidnapping case.”
Benjamin noticed that his tone had just shifted in a different direction. He could sense Walter’s anxiety and knew right away why he had come to see him.
“It’s not for your sake, but it’s a topic that has interested me from the start. Plus, Edith asked me to look into it. I can’t say for sure yet which bloodline you belong to, but I can’t exclude the possibility of a connection with House Lexion for now.”
“… Lexion?”
When the unexpected family name came out of Benjamin’s mouth, Walter had no choice but to ask for clarification.
Was there anyone in the entire empire who hadn’t heard of the name Lexion?
Even in Walter’s mind, which had no childhood memories, Lexion was a prominent family with significant influence.
He had been thinking that he had a relatively decent bloodline, one that Nicholas hadn’t even complained about and had chosen to raise, was quite good.
But Lexion, of all houses. If he truly belonged to that bloodline, he could understand why Edith would want to hide the child.
『 Weren’t they known as a family that deals harshly and cruelly with those who inherit their power?』
Benjamin patiently explained to him everything he had researched so far.
Walter could instantly understand why Edith had asked him to come and hear the explanation directly.
“In that way, after Nicholas kidnapped you, I looked into the Lexion family. So, I investigated families that pass down power through bloodlines, with a focus on Lexion.”
As Benjamin spoke, he scrutinized Walter’s appearance.
He was a journalist who never used the word ‘certain’ without evidence, so he couldn’t make a definitive statement. But…
『 When I first saw him, I wondered who he resembled. It turns out Walter resembles the Duke of Lexion.』
Benjamin had seen the Duke only once up close during the capital’s New Year celebration.
The Duke had such overwhelming authority that it was clear why the Imperial Consort Dowager, who carried the only descendant of the Imperial Family, trembled as she tried to restrain him.
Benjamin remembered how he involuntarily lowered his head when he caught sight of the Duke’s thick black hair and eyes that were almost the color of crimson gold.
“Anyway, if you want to investigate your origins, you’ll have to go to the capital. In Fortrion, you’ll have to rely on connections or letters to get anything done.”
“I was already planning to leave with Edith.”
Naturally, when he mentioned that he would be traveling with Edith, Benjamin felt a strange bitterness in his heart.
However, Benjamin knew that if Walter was by Edith’s side, he didn’t need to worry about her safety. Still, he couldn’t help but feel a sense of vague defeat once again.
『 As soon as I finish my reporting in Fortrion, I’ll have to go to the capital. First, I should write a letter to my editor…』
Benjamin revised his future plans, hoping to be of help to Edith, who was unfamiliar with the capital.
──────────✿◦•
While Walter and Benjamin were talking, Edith was receiving a long hug at the Homan Clinic.
“Oh my god, Edith… You’ve become thin because of all the hardships you’ve endured. Oh my gosh.”
Mrs. Homan held her in her warm embrace and would not let her go, pouring out all the worries that had been on her mind as she heard the news.
Finally, the director of the Homan Clinic handed a handkerchief to his tearful wife and gently patted Edith’s shoulder.
“You’ve been through a lot, Edith.”
When the director of the Homan Clinic had taken Edith in, a girl who had lost her mother and was wandering, he had said these same comforting words to her.
As soon as Edith heard these comforting words, which seemed to imply that none of what had happened was her fault and that she didn’t need to explain anything, she couldn’t hold back the tears she had been holding in.
After having a cup of warm tea to calm her heart…
“I’m planning to go to the capital with someone I trust.”
Edith carefully shared her plan. She regretted that she couldn’t reveal her pregnancy yet because she didn’t want the Homan couple to get involved in any potential danger.
Instead of prying further when Edith referred to the person as ‘someone I trust,’ the Homan couple didn’t ask any more questions.
“Alright. We’ll trust your judgment.”
“When you go, take care of yourself, and if you get the chance, make sure to focus on your studies.”
“Thank you both.”
Edith smiled brightly and bid farewell before entering the bustling interior of the clinic.
Inside, her closest colleague and friend, Sullivan, who had worked alongside her, was there.
“Oh my god, Edith!”
Even while tending to the patients, she immediately recognized Edith and was delighted to see her.
After briefly greeting her, Edith recalled her original purpose and asked her in a low voice.
“Sullivan, about the medicine you took when you were pregnant… Can you tell me which herbs to use and how to make it?”
❀.°• ─ ─ ─ ─ ─ ─ ─ ─ ─ ─ •°.❀
