Where have you been?

She soon saw her husband who was sitting, through her slow-moving eyes. The talk with the Marquis seemed to be over. Moliti pushed her eyes out of the sleepiness.

Young Master Robert came and played for a while.

Again?

Ravens forehead creased a little. Molitia immediately made a quick excuse.

He doesnt have anyone around the same age. Its hard to play games.

But theres no reason for you, yourself, to play with him.

When the partys over, Im going back to the Duchy anyway. So, its okay to play until then. How bored he must have been all alone by himself.

Maybe because she remembered spending her own childhood alone? Molitia was used to strangely care about people who were alone. Raven sighed deeply before lifting his hand.

Come here, Molitia.

He reached for his approaching wife before making her sit on his lap. She had worn several layers of thick clothes, but still had a lightweight sensation pressed against his thigh.

When will you play with your husband if youre only playing with him?

After dinner, you completely monopolize me.

Thats not enough at all. You know yourself, your husband is very greedy.

Please stop that greed from leaving the Duchy entirely.

Molitia grumbled, drawing a smile naturally at the corners of Ravens mouth.

I dont think so. I cant even make that as an agreement.

He playfully stuck his lips in her hair. When his touch that was pressing against her neck started sweeping across her back, her smile burst outtickled.

As he slid down her round forehead, his lips then rested on her eyelids. The lips, which were kissing her trembling eyelids, flowed downwards as if they were drawing a particular trajectory.

Her lips were already chapped a little. The saliva then gently melted the wet pair of lips. He was trying to make up for what he hadnt seen for that short time with a loving kiss.

Molitias eyes then looked at him as the gap between lips widened, albeit with a slightly urging sound.

Raven.

Ravens eyes met hers. His black hair swished across his forehead with a soft rustle.

I met a strange man.

As soon as she finished speaking, he let go from touching her face. The eyes that had been gently loosened turned bitter all of a sudden.

What do you mean, a strange man?

I didnt see him really, but I heard the conversation and he mentioned the Kingdom of Portan.

He paused at the name of that particular kingdom. He had also been called to the Marquis just in time to talk about the Kingdom of Portan. Was it just a coincidence? The timing was too amazing to be called a coincidence, though.

Where did you hear that?

From the west tower. Young Master Robert said it was a long time since no one had used it.

How many people do you think were there?

Back then, I only heard around two people talking.

Molitia recalled the scene and told the story the way she heard. She didnt hear much, but it still contained a lot of information. Raven looked even more serious as he heard her talking.

would he be one of the guests of the Marquis?

He shook his head at Molitias careful words.

I cant guarantee it. It could just be a precaution against anyone who was listening, or the Marquis himself could be secretly working on it.

If thats the case, theres a possibility that the Marquisate has been divided into several factions.

I cant really confirm who it is yet, but its the same thing that we have to put everyone on the suspect list.

Ravens eyes slowly turned downward. His wifes lips were pouted a littleperhaps because she was already lost in thought. That small forehead of hers was surely to be in thought for him.

Raven swept her hair and patted her forehead gently. Raven then grabbed her by the shoulder as she locked him in her eyes.

Molitia.

Perhaps this would serve as a clue to everything that had been lost in the air. But what was more important had been the safety of his own wife.

You should not leave the room until the party. Even if you have to go out, you should always be attended to by a maid.

Would it be better to walk together even in the hall, then?

Yes.

Raven couldnt easily let go of his worries despite his wifes gentle nod.

This is not the Duchy. Furthermore, new people keep coming in because of the party that will be held soon. No one knows whos coming in all this mess.

If this place was a battlefield, we might be able to overcome the crisis just by cutting down everyone in the way. It was more comfortable for those who showed their intention clearly rather than for those who concealed themselves in this way.

You never know when, where, or what would actually happen. That fact had pressed on Ravens chest heavily.

I dont want you to be in any danger.

Okay, Ill be careful.

Ill have to think about the Marquis as well. I need to know for sure if hes truly involved in this or not.

Take care of yourself, too.

who? Who? Raven laughed before pinching her nose lightly.

Youve got too many trifling worries.

I dont want to hear that from you.

His forehead loosened since she was cute in responding by rubbing the back of his nose instead.

Okay, lets both be careful with others.

Sadly, her words began fizzling out. This was due to Molitia, who was already exhausted, started laying on the bed and had no time to go out then.

Raven, on the other hand, had stepped up the security surrounding her. Since he was still at the Marquis, there was practically nothing he could have done, but no one could say anything about placing the troops whom he had brought along right before their own door.

Raven then took advantage of this point to inspect every single person who passed by. Even Robert, who had come to play with Molitia, was stopped right at the door.

With less work to do under Ravens strict protection, she spent more time lying in bed and sleeping. Other than that, she read, sewed and sewed some more while her head kept tilting to every side.

Ah.

Molitia opened her eyes to the sharp touch of a needle that was stabbing her fingertip. A sigh leaked from her mouth when she realized that was dozing off without even noticing it at all.

She didnt know why but she had been so sleepy these days. She thought that she already had enough sleep at night, but she still found herself falling asleep.

Despite being with Raven this morning, she just couldnt resist the rush of sleepiness and slept away.

Molitias eyes, which had been pondering, became much thinner. Her hand then naturally went to wrap around her lower abdomen.

Am I?

Recently, she remembered that she hadnt been getting her period. Due to her weak body, she was used to having her period skipped from time to time.

No way.

is our child alive in here?

A child that would be born looking like them. The joy of imagining it was so overwhelming that her stomach felt bubbling away.

You cant even have any children.

At that moment, her shoulders immediately shrank at the loud voice ringing inside her head. Due to her thin body, her father used to brainwash her while shouting at her mercilessly.

She would never be able to bore children. Molitia was feeling slightly vague as well.

Her body could not have any children. Born to be too weak, it was hard to conceive anything.

Molitia lowered her hand, which was still wrapped around her belly. It might just be a useless idea. She didnt know when it would start again and as if it was nothing, it wasnt just once or twice that she had gotten irregular periods. In addition, the symptoms were just too poor.

She didnt want to have any unnecessary excitement. Molitia quickly shook her head and lifted her sewing once again. As soon as the party was held tomorrow, this stay at the Marquis would also come to an end.

If the symptoms still persisted in the Duchy, it wouldnt be too late to call for the doctor in order to be diagnosed.