#chid

“It’s alright, there is no need to rise. Your well-being comes first,” signalling his arrival, the Duke's dark timbering voice seemed to stop Ditoa's hands.

“How are you feeling? Has the doctor been here yet?” Marlene shook her head a little under the Duke’s worried gaze.

“He is supposed to come soon. But Her Highness said a doctor is not necessary,” said Ditoa.

“Marlene is my precious wife. If the doctor sees you, and says it’s nothing serious, then that’s fine. For now, however, please let him examine you.”

“Yes,” Marlene said meekly. What Aston said about the Duke was not superficial, he was truly a wonderful person. His personality was genuinely noble, earning him the deep loyalty of his retainers. And his rule was kind, earning him the love of his people, as Marlene noticed herself. On first sight, he seemed rough and blunt, but the kindness and care for others immediately softened Marlene’s anxious and tense heart.

To Marlene’s astonishment, the Duke did not ask her hand upon King Aston’s recommendation, it was the wish of the Duke himself.

“But you hadn’t even met me!” At that moment, embarrassment started to show on the Duke’s face, peeking even through his stern, thick beard.

“Your portrait was enough to steal my heart away. I shamelessly collected every rumor I could about you among the folk.”

“Oh my…!” Marlene’s eyes went round. Blood rose into Duke’s dark face as he looked at Marlene with sincere eyes.

“The more I heard the more I knew you were the only one for me.” The Duke held Marlene’s hand softly. “I am not planning to do anything you would not want. But you should know that it was me who wanted you to come here more than anyone.”

“You are too kind to me.” Bowing her head, Marlene could not stop the tears from overflowing.

There are so many kinds of people, she thought leaning on the Duke’s arm. She was born into a royal family, into a mold she could not bend nor break, like many people around her. That’s why the meeting with Allen was a shock.

Looking back on her relationship with the knight, it had been her first contact with the real world, which unfortunately never had a chance to go beyond a short introduction. She never expected it to happen again, but now, there was another man who had the power to overwhelm Marlene by his heartfelt affection.

“I am a lucky woman,” mused Marlene, honestly.

The Duke held her close with the gentle force of his arms. “Those words make me really happy.” Marlene buried her face in his warm chest, thinking.

Could it be that the fate was kind to me, after all?

As the Duke held her tightly, his beard scratched Marlene’s face. “Ah!” she squealed. “What’s wrong?” Startled, the Duke released Marlene to look at her face.

“It’s prickly!” Marlene blushed, blinking the last of her tears away before smiling. The Duke chuckled brightly.

Spending time like this, just the two of them, Marlene got to know the other side of the Duke. This one was rich in expression, unlike the stern face he usually wore in public.

His close retainers seemed to notice this change, too, as they smiled and gave warm looks to Marlene as well.

And yet…

Today, Marlene found it difficult to look the Duke in the face. It was because she knew the true reason behind her current illness.

Once the doctor examines me, everyone else will know, too. Marlene thought as she listened under her covers to the sound of the Duke’s fading steps as he walked away. It was only a few days ago that she noticed the changes in her body.

A child, the result of that time… Marlene intuitively knew.

Allen’s child. From the date, there was no mistake. It should have felt good to have something connecting her to someone, whom she once believed to be the love of her life. And one part of her was truly happy. But now, she was the Duchess [1] of Freid.

Giving birth to a child that does not share the Duke’s blood, was that something that could ever be forgiven?

It’s just me who knows.

Only Marlene knew the truth. Nobody, not even the doctor could know the father of a child which was not born yet.

The Duke would be overjoyed to hear the news. Could she not also come to believe that the child was his? The Duke would not doubt her for a second, would he?

It will be alright. Marlene thought. I alone will carry the burden.

Except…

The Duke’s sincerity and Allen’s unawareness made Marlene hesitate.

I may say I’ll carry the burden, but am I not just trying to escape the hardest part? Marlene asked herself.

I don’t want to lose his love.

But would she be able to continue accepting the Duke’s pure love while hiding such an important lie in the pit of her belly? Wouldn’t it mean betraying him twice fold?

Marlene lied back, gently stroking her stomach. She could feel nothing yet. But there were sure signs of a new life growing there.

Marlene shook her head gently.

I don’t need anything else but this.

Her breath got calm as she caressed her belly slowly.

End of Chapter.

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