“Mom!”
After helping Milena into the carriage, Lexion held out his hand to Ashdel. But the boy, clearly displeased with Lexion’s every move, didn’t hide his sour expression. Between Lexion and Milena, he had sensed a subtle tension that words couldn’t quite describe.
“What’s wrong, young master?”
“I just don’t like that my aunt is being fooled.”
“Fooled? What do you mean?”
“You know better than anyone. My aunt’s completely in the dark when it comes to news from the capital.”
Milena hadn’t heard any of the rumors about him. Looking at her inside the carriage, Lexion tried to suppress the nervousness welling up inside him.
Would it be okay if Milena found out?
He was well aware of the rumors—some of which he had even started himself. Though they had grown wildly out of proportion, he’d done nothing to stop them. On the contrary, he had used the exaggerated gossip to his advantage.
Even if it’s filthy and disgraceful… I thought I was fine with that. So why does it bother me so much now?
“So, it’s true then. Milena really doesn’t know, does she?”
“If she knew, she would’ve said something. She didn’t even know you were from the House of Silbert. Look, I don’t care how much you fool around, but don’t you dare mess with my aunt.”
Despite the little boy’s blunt warning, Lexion set aside his unease and gave a lazy smirk.
“Well, I’m not sure I can promise that.”
“What?!”
“What are you two whispering about?”
Their secret conversation was veiled under a magical barrier. Lexion casually dismissed it. Then, as if nothing had happened, he and Ashdel exchanged smiles. In front of Milena, they were perfectly in sync—two well-mannered gentlemen.
“Come on, get in. Ashdel, you too.”
“Okay!” Ashdel responded quickly and climbed in without Lexion’s help. Lexion turned and bowed to the countess, who was still watching them from afar.
His polite gesture was met with a return nod. As he glanced back toward the mansion, he caught sight of someone pressed close to a curtainless window. Cloaked in darkness, covered in what looked like cursed black magic, the figure appeared to him like tar-stained waste.
Is that the Tower Master’s doing too? Not my business, anyway.
Despite glimpsing a woman consumed by despair, he ignored her and boarded the carriage.
“Sit with me, Uncle.”
“…Do I really have to, young master?”
“Hmph, you’re going to try something with my aunt, aren’t you? Over my dead body.”
Lexion gave a reluctant smile before giving in. The boy’s fierce glare was like a tiny, tenacious guard dog. Though their romantic relationship had barely begun, the little sentry effectively dried out the atmosphere. Actually, had their romance really begun? Nothing had changed significantly between them.
As the carriage began moving and the seating remained unchanged, Ashdel gave a satisfied nod. Eventually, dozing off in the warm cabin, he laid his head on Lexion’s thigh and fell asleep. Milena smiled quietly at the cute sight.
“Like that, you really look like his dad…!”
But before she could finish, the carriage suddenly picked up speed as it left the Rustia estate. Enchanted by magic, the vehicle raced forward at a staggering pace.
Despite the rough terrain, the carriage moved smoothly, as if gliding over paved roads. Even the Grand Duke’s knights—known for stopping and interrogating anyone suspicious—did not dare halt the massive vehicle, awed by its grandeur and speed.
Flying the Silbert family crest, the carriage passed through checkpoints unimpeded. After clearing the northernmost gate, it picked up even more speed en route to the capital. The journey, typically taking more than two weeks, was reduced to just one day thanks to the magic-infused carriage. It felt as though space itself was being folded to shorten the trip.
As they neared the capital, the scenery, clothing, and lifestyles of people outside began to change—but Milena, unlike Ashdel, had no room to enjoy the view. Her face was turning visibly pale.
Ordinarily, Lexion would’ve noticed and cast a spell to ease her discomfort, but his mind was elsewhere.
The rumors about me… How can I tell her without shocking her?
The deeper his thoughts, the more drained Milena looked from the breakneck pace of travel.
Luckily, Ashdel’s innate magical energy unconsciously protected him. Gerard and Lexion, both accustomed to such enchantments, barely noticed the speed. Only Milena clung to the window frame, silently begging for the ride to end.
Clatter.
The carriage, which had been speeding like mad, finally slowed to a normal pace. Without stopping in line like other travelers, it passed straight through the massive central city walls.
Crossing the merchant quarters, they entered the noble district and arrived at a mansion closest to the Imperial Palace.
“We’ve arrived, my lord.”
It was the ducal mansion of the House of Silbert, where grandeur was the norm. Matching its magnificence, its master stepped out with elegance.
Earlier, his decision to take the best carriage had already caused a stir. Lexion, notorious for never using family resources when pursuing women, had personally taken the finest carriage to pick someone up? It was shocking enough to stun the entire ducal household.
With his usual stunning appearance, Lexion stepped down and offered his hand through the open door.
Who could it be?
Then a woman stepped out, her pale face gripping his hand tightly. Her elegant features drew everyone’s eyes. Servants had gathered in the spacious courtyard, now bustling with curiosity. Smiling calmly, Lexion declared:
“She’s my wife.”
“What?”
“I said, this is my wife.”
“Whaaat?!”
Gasps erupted from the crowd. Then someone pointed to Ashdel.
“Then that child…?”
“My son.”
Gasp!
The courtyard buzzed with whispers.
He had a hidden child?! And after acting like such trash all this time?
With the number of women he’d been with, no one would’ve been surprised if he had multiple illegitimate children.
The murmurs turned to muttered insults—words no servant would dare speak aloud to their master.
“My wife secretly had a child seven years ago and ran away. So I drowned myself in debauchery to forget her. Now I’ve finally come to my senses. Don’t look at me like that. I had no choice.”
What nonsense is he spouting now?
Milena looked up at his shameless face.
He said it so naturally that it almost sounded believable. But she didn’t have the energy to protest—her stomach was churning, and she covered her mouth urgently.
“Urgh.”
“Mom! Are you okay?”
“Gasp!”
Anyone could see—it looked exactly like morning sickness. The bustling courtyard suddenly fell silent.
All eyes turned sharply toward Lexion. Watching Milena sway and cover her mouth, they assumed she was an expectant mother with severe nausea. Her pale face completed the image. Everyone stared at Lexion as if he were a brute, while sending pitiful glances toward Milena.
The first to step forward was the former duchess, who managed the ducal household.
“What are you all doing? The new bride seems to have severe morning sickness. Call the physician, quickly!”
Huh?
Only then did Milena realize what misunderstanding they had fallen into. She had suddenly become a pregnant woman.
“I heard the news—you married my son.”
“…”
She wanted to apologize for not greeting her properly or informing her of the marriage—but her mouth wouldn’t move.
Lexion quickly scooped her up into his arms. Gritting her teeth against the sudden lift, she endured it.
“Mother, my wife isn’t feeling well.”
“Of course. It must’ve been a difficult journey from the north. Go on in.”
The duchess’s command and the arrival of a new family member had thrown the ducal household into chaos—but a chaos marked by the dignified efficiency befitting nobility. Still clutching her mouth, Milena was carried through the wide courtyard.
As they passed the duchess, Milena tightly shut her eyes.
Unbelievable.
Her first impression had gone terribly. She didn’t want to seem rude… She had hoped to make a good impression for a peaceful life in the capital.
“Milena, if you feel like throwing up, you can do it on my clothes.”
What is wrong with him?!
She thumped his chest, her stomach turning. This whole situation was Lexion’s fault.
“Haha, my wife is just too cute for her own good.”
God, I’m going to be sick for real.
At that ridiculous comment, she gave up trying to think. Unable even to check if Ashdel was following, her mind slowly faded into darkness.
