“You’re not pregnant, are you?” Millard glared at Diana with suspicion.
At that question, Diana felt a sudden, sinking sensation in her chest.
Millard’s suspicious gaze made Diana’s heart drop.
Ah. It was like someone had poured cold water over her head.
Diana was suddenly dragged back to reality by Millard’s words. Her feelings, which had been unsettled because of Kayden, quickly returned to their normal course and settled down. She clenched her fist tightly under her skirt.
…Right. Now that I think about it, it’s about time the topic of children came up.
Millard was wary of her, asking the question to guard his already precarious position in case she got pregnant. Thanks to his question, Diana was reminded of a fact she had momentarily forgotten. The fact that Viscount Sudsfield would start interfering in matters of children, worried about Kayden’s change of heart. As she recalled this, the rosy feelings in her heart quickly turned cold and blue.
Diana closed her eyes painfully. I must not give in… Half the reason Diana had decided to divorce Kayden in a year was because of Rebecca, and the other half was because of Viscount Sudsfield.
Kayden Seirik Bluebell deserved to be treated better. She couldn’t shackle him with herself and Viscount Sudsfield.
But I can’t just kill the viscount…
Diana definitely disliked Viscount Sudsfield. But that didn’t mean she wanted to kill him. He was certainly not a good father to Diana and not a very decent human being either. He was undoubtedly a hindrance to Kayden. But that alone wasn’t enough reason to kill him. More accurately, she didn’t want to kill him. She had done enough of those things when she was under Rebecca.
Diana had to cut them off here before her feelings grew too deep to handle. That was the right thing to do…
“…”
But why did a part of her heart already ache, as if she had been heartbroken?
* * *
The imperial family’s summer vacation was more like a periodic local inspection disguised as a vacation. Under the pretext of exchanging pleasantries with the local lords, the imperial family was sent to inspect the region. Kayden and Diana were assigned to the Barony Wolford. They headed to the baron’s mansion with their escort, Antar.
The carriage stopped in front of the baron’s mansion. Kayden got out first, a melting smile on his face. “Wife, take it.”
“…Thank you, Your Highness.” Aware of the people watching, Diana smiled back and took his hand as she got out of the carriage.
Baron Wolford and his daughter, who were waiting nervously in front of the mansion, bowed deeply.
“G-Greetings to the Third Prince. May the glory of the light be with you.”
“May the glory of the light be with you.”
“May the blessing of light be with you as well. You may raise your heads.”
Kayden smiled warmly as he adjusted Diana’s ribbon. His smile left the baron and his daughter momentarily stunned. The daughter, in particular, blushed.
Seeing this, Diana instinctively moved to shield Kayden. She realized her action a moment too late, and Kayden had already noticed. The corner of his lips began to curl up as if he had found something to tease about.
Diana quickly denied it. “It’s not like that.”
“What isn’t?”
“Just… it’s not what you’re thinking.”
“I haven’t said anything yet, Diana.”
Kayden chuckled softly and tapped the tip of her nose. Diana glared at him, trying to hide her flushed cheeks with her hands.
The baron, embarrassed by the couple’s display of affection, cautiously spoke up. “I’m sorry for the inconvenience. You must be tired from the long journey, but due to a problem with one of the ingredients, the meal isn’t ready yet…”
“Ah, it’s alright. I was planning to check the ledgers first anyway.”
“Ah, in that case, let me guide you right away.”
“This way, please.”
Baron Wolford and his daughter, Roana Wolford, led the group inside.
Unlike other lords who often tried to stall, Baron Wolford quickly and accurately guided Kayden to the parlor where the ledgers were kept. Kayden seemed pleased. Many lords did not cooperate with inspections, so finding someone as courteous as this was rare. His enthusiasm for inspecting the ledgers grew, encouraged by the baron’s cooperative attitude.
Diana stood quietly by his side, pondering what to do after the hunting festival.
“Why is this section handled like this?”
“Ah, let me explain that.”
When Kayden questioned something in the ledger, Roana Wolford stepped in to explain.
It was said that Baron Wolford, who had lost his wife, raised his only daughter with great care, and she certainly seemed to be a capable heir. However, despite understanding the professional context, Diana couldn’t help but notice Roana’s occasional admiring glances at Kayden. Even though she had decided to let go of her feelings for Kayden, it was hard not to be conscious of Roana.
Feeling increasingly uncomfortable, Diana stood up and tapped Kayden on the shoulder. “Um, Kayden. Would it be alright if I took a look around outside? I’ll go with Sir Antar.”
“Ah, sure. I didn’t realize. Sorry about that.”
“It’s fine. I’ll be back slowly after you finish.”
Diana smiled and left with Antar, but she couldn’t take her eyes off Kayden and Roana until the door to the parlor closed. She left the baron’s mansion with a dark expression. Walking along a path lined with fruit trees, she sighed deeply. A self-deprecating smile briefly touched her lips.
Giving up on my feelings, huh.
Diana felt pathetic to be so affected even during such official matters. She shook her head and slapped her cheeks several times to clear her mind.
Get it together. Get a grip. Diana Sudsfield.
Suddenly, she felt a warm grip on her hands. Startled, Diana turned to see Antar holding her hands to stop her.
“Sir Antar?”
“…Ah.”
Diana called out in a bewildered voice. Antar seemed more surprised than she was and quickly let go of her hands.
“I-I’m sorry. I was worried you might hurt your face…”
“I see. Thank you for your concern. But don’t worry, this won’t harm my face.”
Diana smiled understandingly at his sudden action. However, her profile grew darker as she turned to face forward again.
Walking a few steps behind her, Antar continued to watch her closely. Eventually, he spoke cautiously. “Your Highness.”
“Hmm?”
“May I ask a presumptuous question?”
Diana stopped in surprise at the uncharacteristic question from the usually silent Antar. A presumptuous question? Could it be something about D. Obscure…?
Diana tried to guess Antar’s intentions as she met his eyes. But his sky-blue eyes were as calm as ever, making it impossible to read his thoughts. After a moment’s hesitation, she nodded. She trusted that Antar wouldn’t ask anything harmful to her.
“What is it?”
“Does Lady Roana Wolford… bother you?”
…Ah, she hadn’t expected that question.
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Our mans needs to seduce a little stronger..
Thanks for the tl! ✨