* * *
“Of course, the most important thing is a balanced diet. You need to eat well from all food groups.”
The elderly lady was well-versed in pregnancy care, having overseen the former duchess’s pregnancies and deliveries.
It was only natural for her to speak with such confidence.
“Shellfish, pork, eggs—things like that are all good for the mother. I’ll make sure they’re prepared healthily and deliciously, so try to eat everything if you can.”
Adam nodded.
Even though it was the middle of the day, sleepiness was pulling at him.
Feeling his vision turn hazy, he leaned back in his chair.
“Hmm, it’s a relief your morning sickness isn’t too bad yet. But you never know—it can suddenly get worse. It’s quite a troublesome thing, you see. Vomiting, feeling miserable… it’s hard even to watch. And preparing meals becomes difficult too.”
“I see—”
“Wait.”
The woman turned, startled.
On the long sofa, the two dukes sat.
Isaac, one of them, had spoken.
“Does it last until childbirth? Morning sickness, I mean.”
She tried to hide her surprise, but failed.
She’d been told theirs was just a contractual relationship—yet here they both were, making no move to return to the castle, even listening in on pregnancy talk.
Normally, by now, they’d have left saying, ‘That’s the omega’s business.’
“Ahem. Usually it gets better after about four months, Your Grace.”
“Four months?”
Chester frowned in displeasure.
The woman gave a small, knowing smile.
“Yes, it’s not easy. But this young mother is strong and healthy, so I’m sure she’ll endure just fine.”
“Hmm.”
Chester’s eyes drifted to Adam, scanning him from head to toe before shaking his head.
“Not strong. Better than when we first met, sure, but still not what I’d call healthy. He needs to put on more weight.”
“I’m not that bad, Chester… I’ve gained plenty. And I think you mean I’m sturdier than a woman’s body, right?”
“No, you’re still delicate. Hm… maybe more rich food.”
‘Delicate?’
Adam unconsciously ran his hands over his own body.
Thin, yes, but reasonably so—not fragile by any means.
‘Well… I guess to them, no one probably looks not delicate.’
Adam chuckled inwardly as the woman cleared her throat, signaling she would continue.
“The early stages of pregnancy are very risky. Many end in miscarriage. I’ve seen so many cases where someone is happily pregnant, only to lose the baby suddenly. This is the time to be extremely careful—over and over again.”
At the word risky, Adam’s face stiffened.
‘Miscarriage?’
Just the thought of it sent a cold shiver down his spine.
“What should I do?”
“You need to stay as comfortable and happy as possible. But you should also avoid overly strenuous activity. No long trips, no intense exercise. You understand what I mean, right?”
The lady suggested things like walks, painting, and reading—everything Adam enjoyed.
Relieved, Adam nodded.
“Yes, I’ll be careful.”
“Good.”
She handed him a book she’d been holding—about pregnancy—and instructed him to read it all before politely bowing to the dukes.
Once she left, Adam ran his fingers along the book’s edge.
‘Miscarriage? Absolutely not.’
He didn’t want the dukes to ever have to worry about something like that.
Just the thought made him feel guilty.
His expression darkened—and at that moment, someone pinched his cheek.
Startled more than hurt, Adam’s eyes went wide.
“Don’t start thinking strange thoughts.”
It was Isaac who had spoken.
“How did you know?”
“It’s written all over your face.”
“Ah…”
“Didn’t you hear what she said? Miscarriages happen often. That means even if you have one, it’s not unusual.”
“Still…”
“No ‘still.’ Just keep your mind at ease.”
Isaac’s firm, no-nonsense tone somehow reassured Adam.
He soon smiled and nodded.
“You’re right, Sir Isaac. Keeping my body and mind calm is my duty.”
“Exactly.”
“Thank you for always being so kind to me.”
Without a word, Isaac smoothed Adam’s hair and touched the back of his neck.
The gentle patting calmed the restless swirl inside him.
Adam closed his eyes, breathing deeply.
The drowsiness he’d been holding back began to wash over him again.
“Shall we put you to bed?”
Chester’s arm wrapped around his shoulders as he whispered.
Adam leaned against him, body growing heavy.
“Would that be alright?”
“There’s nothing here you can’t do.”
Without waiting for an answer, Chester lifted him up.
The languor was so deep that Adam didn’t even have the strength to squirm like he usually did.
He simply let his arms and legs hang, and Chester chuckled.
“Cute and pitiful at the same time.”
“Please don’t feel sorry for me. This is just my duty.”
“Duty, huh…”
Chester murmured lowly, his expression thoughtful.
Adam gave him a questioning look, but instead of answering, Chester laid him down on the bed.
“No, it’s nothing. Want me to close the curtains?”
“It’s fine. I like the sunlight.”
Adam’s gaze drifted to the window.
In the distance, he could faintly make out a waterfall.
Without thinking, he murmured,
“Guess I won’t get to see the waterfall.”
“Why not?”
“Because she said no traveling.”
“She meant long trips that take days. A short walk into the mountains should be fine.”
“Really?”
“I’ll ask her. Might be better than lying in bed all day.”
Chester patted Adam’s stomach with a warm hand, and Adam’s heart sped up.
Truth be told, the waterfall itself didn’t matter much.
What he liked was this person’s touch and the affection it carried.
Running his hands over the soft blanket, Adam felt the sunlight and the gentle patting and thought—he couldn’t be happier.
Peaceful days followed.
Chester played piano for him and brought him rare books.
Every time Adam smiled softly, Chester would smile back—smiles that could only express pure joy.
Isaac, too, was sincere in caring for him.
At the first sign of morning sickness, he summoned renowned chefs, ordering them to prepare every kind of dish and personally overseeing the process.
In the end, Adam found the one thing that perfectly suited his taste: grapes.
He ignored all the exquisite dishes and just nibbled on grapes nonstop.
“S-sorry. You went through the trouble, and yet…”
“Ahaha!”
Adam’s cheeks puffed like a squirrel’s as he stammered an apology.
Isaac, who had been watching with a serious face, suddenly burst out laughing.
Then he cupped Adam’s cheeks and kissed his grape-flavored lips.
Adam felt the blend of worry and affection in that soft kiss.
Summer deepened.
Adam’s complexion brightened as his health remained steady.
‘Good. Everything will be fine. At this rate, I can give birth to a healthy baby—one who will lead this family someday, a precious little one.’
The summer nights were gentle and fragrant.
Watching the peaceful scenery outside the window, Adam let himself sink into the quiet.
He would remember that night air for a long time—because before long, an unexpected trial would come.
Adam couldn’t have imagined the cold, dark experience that would descend on him.
For now, he simply gazed out the window.
“We’ll be gone for a few days.”
It was morning, the sunlight wrapping the mountain ridges in gold.
Chester continued,
“We have to go to the Imperial Palace. It’s an important matter, so we have to be there in person.”
At the words important matter, Adam instinctively nodded.
“It must be really important.”
“Land taxes.”
Isaac spoke as he stepped outside.
The damp morning air caressed his face.
* * *
I just hope whatever is gonna happen, won’t effect the baby in the womb and him mentally that would result in such