"I will go."
["Shirley~"]
"No. I'm going, no matter what!"
Two days later, the morning atmosphere in front of the Aschenford residence was filled with noise.
The noise was caused by Shirley's insistence on going with Escar, and Escar's stubbornness in wanting Shirley to stay at home.
["It's not that I want to stop you from leaving the house, but given your condition this time, I'm worried."]
Didn't the doctor advise that his beloved wife not do too much, as it might cause exhaustion?
["Please, just wait at home, okay?"]
The distance from March Aschenford's residence to the capital, or more specifically the royal palace, was not exactly close.
It took eight hours of travel if the carriage was driven at high speed.
["I will explain your absence as best as I can."]
"Nooo~! I …!"
Then, what if the carriage was driven at a slower pace, out of concern for Shirley's still fragile pregnancy?
"I—urphh!"
The protest Shirley was about to make was immediately cut off by her own hand, which muffled her mouth.
At the same time, the nausea hit her violently, as if violently stirring her stomach contents, forcing Shirley to bend over.
"Huekk!"
Without being able to stop it, Shirley vomited in the yard.
In front of the passing servants, and next to Escar, who had neatly dressed and was ready to leave the residence.
"Hukk! Hueek!"
"…!"
Instead of feeling disgusted or disturbed, Escar crouched down.
He didn't mind that his appearance might be messed up by the dust from one of his legs bent on the ground, or that he might get splashed with Shirley's vomit.
"…."
Instead, the gentle-faced young man was clearly worried.
With his green eyes trembling from panic, he gazed at his wife with anxious concern.
His arm, covered in white gloves, was raised.
He used his firm fingers to gently rub the back of her neck, then patted her back slowly to ensure his strength, which he sometimes couldn't control, didn't hurt her at all.
PUK …! PUK …!
"Huft! Huh~! Huft!"
Shirley breathed heavily.
Her body was shaking, and her vision was blurry.
Moreover, the intense nausea wouldn't leave her stomach, which felt empty.
She didn't even have the strength to speak right now. Let alone continue protesting about going to the party.
SRAK!
Escar took his handkerchief and wiped the remaining vomit from the sides of Shirley's lips.
The man was conflicted.
What should he do?
He couldn't bear to leave his wife, who looked like she was suffering so much, to go enjoy the coronation and wedding party.
SRUKK~!
"What the …?!"
After wiping Shirley's lips, without a word, Escar left his special book behind to lift Shirley into his arms … and began walking back toward the residence.
"…!"
Shirley wanted to protest again.
But this time, weakness overwhelmed her pride.
Her usually fiery red eyes now looked dim.
Her eyelids began to close.
She lost consciousness!
This only made Escar more worried.
So, he quickened his pace back into the residence.
More specifically, he gently placed his wife on the bed she loved to sleep in alone.
"…!"
Once he had laid her down and carefully tucked the blanket around Shirley, Escar gestured to the ginger-haired servant to come over.
"Is there anything I can assist you with, Milord?" The servant asked in a soft, almost whispering voice—none other than Ginger.
"…!"
Ah, that's right.
He had forgotten he left his special communication book outside in the yard.
So, ….
"…?" Ginger raised an eyebrow in confusion, as the Marquess turned his head around first.
But once Escar pointed to Shirley with all his fingers, then gestured to his own clothing and finally pointed to the wardrobe, … Ginger immediately understood.
"Alright, I will do that."
The request was clear: to help change the current outfit the Marchioness was wearing.
Well, it wasn't without reason.
Besides Escar's concern about the strong odor of Shirley's vomit, which might linger on her, it was also because of the complex design and weight of the gown.
Yes.
Shirley had initially planned to accompany him.
That's why she had prepared herself, dressing up beautifully.
But since things had turned out this way, … Escar wanted Shirley to stay at home, and wear something comfortable instead.
KNOCK! KNOCK!
"…!"
The knock at the door drew his attention.
Standing in the doorway was Sir Bashilian.
"…!"
Escar quickly approached the knight, his bodyguard.
Without warning, he grabbed one of Sir Bashilian's arms, turned his hand over, and wrote something with his finger on the palm.
["Call the female doctor who examined her before."]
"I will inform Miss Villicia."
["Wait!"]
As Sir Bashilian was about to leave to tell Villicia, as instructed, Escar stopped him by writing something else.
["Tell her to stay here for now until I return from the invitation."]
"I understand."
After making sure everything he wanted to say was communicated, Escar let the knight leave.
He lowered his head.
Clenching both of his hands tightly.
With his head feeling heavy, he glanced back.
His tear-filled eyes fixed on Shirley, lying weakly.
He didn't want to leave.
In fact, he wanted to always be by his wife's side, no matter the situation.
In both joy and sorrow.
But … today's party invitation was crucial.
If one representative from the noble house didn't attend, their loyalty would be questioned.
So …
"I'll go now, my wife~"
… Escar forced himself.
As he prayed in his heart, he gave a bitter smile.
"May God always grant you health."
•••
The coronation of the young new king was a success.
Following that, the wedding ceremony was successfully held.
This is where everything takes place.
In the banquet hall, the first night of the celebration for this joyful day is underway.
"It's a pleasure to meet you. May health and happiness always bless you."
"How are you, Lord Marquess?"
["I'm fine~ How about you all?"]
Escar and Duke Esclat, who came to introduce his fiancée, Princess Cherin Soultherns, exchanged formal greetings with one another.
Unlike usual, where the Duke was crude and careless, now, since he was bringing someone he did not want to show his embarrassing side to, … Lewin Esclat had to maintain his dignity.
As a man, as a nobleman, as a renowned Duke, and also … as the future husband of the princess.
"A greeting to you as well, Lord Marquess."
In addition to the Duke, there was also Count Hellington, who similarly brought his partner to the party. That being Countess Amarily Hellington.
"…."
At this point, only Escar came alone.
Sir Bashilian was excluded because he wasn't a partner, but just an attendant.
"It seems I'll be hearing good news from your household soon, right?"
Duke Esclat, who didn't want to express his curiosity too directly, continued the conversation to avoid awkwardness by speaking calmly, choosing his words carefully.
SRATH~! SRATH~!
["How do you know?"]
"Ekhem!"
Lewin Esclat cleared his throat.
His turquoise eyes darted, exchanging glances between Sir Bashilian and Count Hellington, back and forth.
It was obvious. It seemed Escar was truly naive, so he couldn't realize it sooner than the others.
"Ehh, look who it is~?"
"…!"
The attention of the six people suddenly turned towards the source of the approaching voice.
The charismatic voice caused Princess Cherin to tightly grip Lewin Esclat's arm, and the other four were left wide-eyed in surprise.
"We face the sun and moon of the kingdom."
Simultaneously, all six people, who were approached by the star of today's grand celebration, lowered their bodies.
"May health and happiness always bless you."
They all gave their respectful greetings to the young King of the Soultherns Kingdom, Michael, and his Queen, Arabella. Everyone seemed to give a sincere greeting, except for ….
GRRT!
… A princess who was a perfect copy of the young king, who tightened her grip on her partner's arm again, after lifting the hem of her dress to make a respectful gesture.
"Yes, yes. Forget the formalities. Aren't you all familiar with me?"
"Haha, yeah …." Duke Esclat laughed emptily at the unfunny joke.
The others could only manage stiff smiles.
Especially Princess Cherin, who smiled out of obligation.
"Cherin, my sweet little sister~!"
JOLT!
As expected, the blonde girl, now with her hair tied high and adorned with shining hairpins on every strand, was greatly startled when her name was casually called.
"How have you been after 15 days staying at the Esclat residence? Comfortable, right? That careless man hasn't done anything strange, right? You must be eager to be officially married soon, huh?"
"T-thank you for your concern."
The barrage of questions from King Soultherns, now Princess Cherin's half-brother, Michael, was truly annoying.
Besides being overly inquisitive, his tone when expressing his curiosity was really irksome.
"I-it's true. As you hoped, I feel comfortable with Lord Duke. I also hope to marry him soon."
Although Princess Cherin spoke fully like this, she still couldn't bring herself to look directly at the one asking the questions.
"I-I hope Your Majesty blesses us both."
"Of course. Certainly. I will."
Perhaps, because what he targeted was so easily tamed, or because there was no more interesting topic to discuss, ….
"By the way …."
… The king then turned his attention to a conspicuous person.
"… Where is your wife, Aschenford?"
"…!"
Yes. He surprised everyone there by directly targeting Escar.
"Does her absence … have something to do with her feelings towards me in the past?"
Unlike everyone else, who widened their eyes and felt uneasy, the person being targeted, Escar Aschenford, remained calm.
He even seemed rather composed.
SRATH~! SRATH~!
["Ah? My wife? I'm sorry, she's not feeling well."]
"Really? Not feeling well or just feeling something else, hm?"
Ah, damn.
["Really, my wife is not feeling well."]
"Yeah, yeah. Keep denying it. If she's not feeling well, what's the cause?"
["The doctor advised that she shouldn't engage in activities that would exhaust her."]
It wasn't Escar, but rather Lewin Esclat, who had been watching the king closely all along, especially his annoying grin, wanting to destroy that grin at least once.
Was there a chance to see that grin from the one who used to be his role model, but recently showed his ugly side, disappear in an instant, even if just for a moment?
["Because she's early in her pregnancy."]
CRASH!
Huh?!
["So, I apologize if I was rude."]
It was truly incredible!
["I used my authority as the head of the household and forbade her from coming here."]
The prayer and hope that Lewin had just mentally expressed were quickly granted by God!
["You, who are so kind and helpful to anyone, …."]
His annoying grin, his irritating mannerisms, and his disgusting facial expressions were suddenly swept away by a powerful blow from his own companion, … Escar, the one who couldn't stand discomfort, but when he was uncomfortable, he struck back sharply!
["… Surely you can understand and forgive us humble ones, right? …."]
Ah, truly. It was a masterpiece!
The annoying, manipulative, and cunning king finally showed an expression of annoyance for the first time.
He ….
["… Your Majesty?"]
… Looked so frustrated!