The group heading to the villa was small. It consisted only of Clayton, Dalia, and a minimal number of attendants escorting them.
Having grown accustomed to a life where the maid handled everything, it was inconvenient without Samantha. However, temporary attendants at the lodges along the way helped enough to prevent any major discomfort.
"It's not as difficult as I thought."
She was worried since she had never ridden a carriage for long, but the frequent stops in villages along the way made it manageable.
Perhaps because it was a long trip, the carriage was also larger and more comfortable than before.
Dalia, gazing out the window, subtly turned her head.
The man sitting across from her was impeccably composed, absorbed in reviewing his documents.
Though they were married, the lack of conversation between them was notable. Still, while they rarely spoke, the atmosphere wasn't awkward.
Sharing the same room for days was starting to pay off. Moreover...
"Today, we'll stop at the last village before arriving in Hudson. We'll stay overnight at the estate of the Monsell Viscount."
Sharing even a rough daily plan like this was a significant improvement.
"Now and then, he even asks if I'm feeling okay."
His tone and gaze had softened compared to before.
In the past, he wouldn't have cared whether she was unwell, but now he showed concern and consideration if something seemed amiss.
When sitting for too long became uncomfortable, he would stop the carriage for a walk. When she was thirsty, he would hand her water without being asked—things unimaginable for the old Clayton.
She didn't feel loved by Clayton yet, but she was sure she had become someone important to him.
"If things keep going like this, it'll be fine."
The day she would reveal her pregnancy to him wasn't far off.
"I just want to be treated like a pregnant woman for once!"
She didn't want to be treated like royalty.
She just wanted to eat freely without worrying about morning sickness or the growing appetite she'd been struggling to suppress.
"I also want to meet the doctor openly, not in secret."
Above all, she worried most about falling ill during the journey.
Thankfully, her naturally strong constitution had kept her fine so far, but one could never predict these things.
How long had the carriage traveled with the two of them? A small yet bustling village began to appear outside the window.
It looked slightly larger than the villages they had stopped at before, hinting that it was the center of the territory.
As she admired the scenery outside the window, the carriage soon slowed down and came to a halt with a clattering sound.
Clayton, who got out of the carriage first, extended his hand to Dalia.
Just as Dalia set her foot on the ground, a young couple approached them as if they had been waiting.
The man with dark brown hair among them bowed respectfully to the pair.
"Nice to meet you. I'm Damon Monsell. It's an honor to host you, Duke Seir and Duchess Seir. This is my wife standing beside me."
At Damon's gesture, the woman took a step forward.
"Nice to meet you. I'm Gretel Monsell."
The woman, with her hair swept to one side, appeared youthful.
At most, she seemed a year or two older than Dalia.
Pleased to meet someone around her age, Dalia greeted her cheerfully.
"Nice to meet you. I'm Dalia Seir."
As she responded to their greetings, Dalia's gaze naturally lowered, and she found herself staring intently at Gretel's belly.
This was because, compared to her slender upper body, her belly protruded noticeably.
Noticing Dalia's gaze, Gretel smiled warmly and stroked her belly.
"I'm expecting to give birth soon."
"Oh my, congratulations!"
So, she was indeed pregnant.
Seeing such a heavily pregnant woman for the first time since arriving here, Dalia looked at Gretel's belly with a mix of amazement and delight.
Then, she lifted her gaze to take in Gretel's face.
Perhaps because she was about to become a mother, Gretel exuded a mature and graceful aura.
It was a stark contrast to the demanding and arrogant Marchioness Borsen she had encountered in the capital.
"Thank you, Duchess. If this one is born healthy, I'll have nothing more to wish for."
"This one, too? Do you already have a child?"
"Yes, the child in my belly is my second."
"Then where is your first…?"
Dalia instinctively looked around for the child.
"Oh, there she comes."
Just as Gretel finished speaking, a child appeared, rubbing her eyes while nestled in her nanny's arms.
The child, perhaps around three years old, had her brown hair tied into two adorable pigtails and looked utterly charming.
"Oh, my goodness."
"Rea, greet the Duchess of Seir."
"Hello, Rea."
Dalia bent slightly to meet the child's eye level.
The child shyly buried her face in the nanny's arms, seemingly bashful around strangers.
"I'm sorry, Duchess. She's a bit shy around new people…"
Feeling embarrassed by her child's behavior, Gretel gave an awkward smile and gently scolded her, but the child wouldn't budge.
Finding the sight so adorable she could almost pinch her cheeks, Dalia gave a bright smile.
"It's fine. She's absolutely adorable."
She truly meant it.
Thinking that covering her eyes meant she couldn't be seen, Rea hid her face in the nanny's arms, but her chubby cheeks peeked out, looking so soft they might burst with juice if pinched.
"Thank you for saying that, Duchess."
"By the way, when is the baby due? Is it not too hard on your body?"
"The baby is due next month. It's a bit exhausting, but it's manageable."
Gretel, placing a hand on her waist, looked at her belly with gentle eyes.
The way she stroked her belly conveyed her eager desire to meet her child.
Watching her, Dalia felt a little restless and began asking Gretel various questions.
Did you have morning sickness in the beginning? What kinds of foods did you eat? And also…"
Having neither revealed her pregnancy to anyone nor sought advice, Dalia took this opportunity to ask all her questions.
There were countless things she wanted to ask Gretel.
Watching Dalia bombard her with questions, Gretel's lips curved into a smile.
"You seem very interested, Duchess. Let's head inside first. I'll sit down and tell you everything."
"Oh…"
Only then did Dalia realize that she had just gotten off the carriage. She blushed, feeling like she was inconveniencing someone who was heavily pregnant.
"I'm sorry. Your child was just so adorable that I…"
"It's alright. I've also been wanting to have this kind of conversation. I'm really looking forward to tea time with you, Duchess."
As the two women conversed warmly, Viscount Monsell approached Clayton.
"It seems my wife and the Duchess get along well. This place is so remote that she hasn't had any ladies her age around."
Judging by Gretel's expression, which was as bright as Dalia's, his words seemed true.
Damon's face also showed a sense of contentment as he watched.
But there was one exception. Unlike the others, Clayton's face remained cold.
Oblivious to Clayton's demeanor, Damon continued speaking without realizing.
"Women change when they have children."
"…Change?"
"Yes. My wife used to be very timid and had difficulty talking to strangers. Much like my daughter's personality now."
At Damon's words, Clayton glanced at Viscountess Monsell, who was effortlessly conversing with Dalia.
She seemed far removed from the timidity the Viscount described.
"But after having a child and raising her, she became much stronger and more confident."
He laughed heartily and looked at his wife, his gaze brimming with affection for her.
"My wife always says that her life is divided into before and after giving birth to Rea. I feel the same. It wasn't until Rea was born that we felt like a real family."
"..."
"You'll understand as well, Your Grace, once your child is bo—"
Damon, who had been speaking thoughtlessly, abruptly stopped.
This was because he finally noticed that Clayton's expression had hardened.
Worried that he might have offended the Duke, the Viscount cautiously observed his reaction.
However, Clayton seemed indifferent to Damon's words and simply muttered under his breath.
"A real family…"
His eyes were fixed on Dalia, who was smiling with the child.