Vol. 1 Chapter 7.1 - I know and, I know

Regardless of the situation, Aelock was currently raising Klopps first child in his belly. It wasnt something to go out and brag about, but he also didnt think he needed to cower and hide about it. He also didnt have any acquaintances who would reach out to him to socialize now.

The alphas att.i.tude changed a bit now that he knew his omega was pregnant. He didnt hit Aelock and checked once a day to make sure he was safe.

Youre a little late today.

Ah, there were a lot of people rus.h.i.+ng to me. There are quite a few people these days who are losing money on foolish investments, Klopp said as he handed his coat, hat, and gloves to Martha.

Aelock was sitting in the living room, reading a book with a blanket on his lap. He didnt have anything else to do, so he decided that he wanted to do a bit of prenatal care for the child. Right now, he was engrossed in reading the works of ancient philosophers. Getting immersed in the cla.s.sics that required a few minutes per line to ponder, time pa.s.sed quickly, and above all, his heart felt at ease.

At first, he would play the piano or violin at the music hall, but now his belly had grown too big, and he couldnt sit at the piano or stand for too long because his legs hurt. There was a piece that he wanted to hear, but it didnt seem like Klopp would allow him to go out, and Klopp didnt seem willing to invite a performer too, so Aelock just held it back.

How was your day?

Just as Aelock wanted to speak up after flipping his book, Martha, who was putting away Klopps coat, spoke first.

He had been eating well and exercising. The baby is growing well. Other than that, he spent the whole day sitting and reading.

The baby must be smart.

As they exchanged conversation as if gossiping about themselves, Aelock glanced at them with a stern expression before returning his gaze to his book. Aelock thought Klopp would leave soon, but instead, he sat down on the couch across from him.

What are you reading?

.

Of all books, why did he pick this one today? And why did Klopp ask something he usually wouldnt? Aelock didnt deliberately avoid eye contact, but he didnt think he needed to see the other mans sneer. As he was in the middle of reading a book.

What does the book say? What form of sin is it when a pervert who l.u.s.ts after the same alpha instigates a pregnant omega to his death?

The fingers gripping the book became white with tension. The pages he was about to turn creaked.

The crimes discussed in this book are not related to actual criminal law, but rather philosophical and moral sins that should not be committed as social leaders.

I see. Thats why you could commit such a sin without a conscience. Youve never been taught about it. Wouldnt it be better for you to read

before reading that? It would teach you the basics that you need to have as a human being.

Hearing those words, Aelock raised his eyes and looked at Klopp. His tone was sarcastic, but his expression was serious. He was tired of the hatred and condemnation pouring out without the slightest pretense. Aelock sighed softly and closed his book.

Ill take note of that.

He stood up, leaving to sleep first. And Klopp did not stop him.

The usual bedtime routine done by the butler was now taken over by Martha, who had a displeased face. She was Klopps right-hand woman, in charge of everything in the estate, where there was no butler.

I wish I could have some warm tea before bed.

Tea is not good for the baby.

It is not good for the baby either if the expecting mother is unhappy.

At those words, Martha, who was tidying the bed, glared at him fiercely. She quickly approached and roughly took off Aelocks clothes and dressed him in a white nightgown. Her hands were rough like a stern nanny dealing with a naughty child. She forcibly pushed Aelock onto the bed. Being forcefully pushed to the bed, he tried to reach for a book that he hadnt finished reading on the table, but Martha hit the back of his hand painfully.

What do you think youre doing?!

I cant allow you to stay up any later than this. Sleep is essential for the babys growth.

He was an adult and of higher status than her, and on top of that, he was pregnant with her masters child. He felt offended by her harsh words.

Even as Klopps housekeeper, youre being out of line. Is your master aware of your rudeness?

He didnt like to directly say he dislike a servant, but he had no choice since Martha was unmanageable. Despite Aelocks scolding, she continued to spit harsh words.

My master is probably unaware of it, as he is rotting in the ground with his unborn child. So dont try to act like youre my master under the excuse of your petty pregnancy.

Oh. Martha was probably Rayfiels servant. Now he understood why the middle-aged omega was so ferocious. She would probably be this mean to Aelock for the rest of her life. Martha turned off the light and left without asked.

He couldnt sleep, so he lay in the dark room and stared blankly at the dark ceiling. Aelock decided that he would have to send her away when he gave birth. No matter what, the servant of his deceased ex-wife would not be good for the babys emotional development. He wrapped his round belly and closed his eyes, thinking about how to persuade Klopp for the baby.

Martha, who had revealed her true colors, often made Aelock miserable. At first, he wanted to let it go, but later, she crossed the line too much. She made him eat all the leftover meal that didnt suit Aelocks taste.

Some people cant eat this, even if they want to. If you dont finish everything, I will inform the master.

I dont like fish. Give it to someone else who wants to eat it.

Im telling you to eat it for the child, not for yourself. Its a generational tradition from the paternal side of the family to have the pregnant woman eat fish.

As soon as he heard the word you, Aelock raised his head and glared at Martha. He couldnt hear the rest of her words because of the shocking vocabulary. No matter how low he had fallen, a commoner shouldnt use such language toward a n.o.ble. Aelock couldnt bear the rising anger and shame, and he spoke in a stern voice with a slightly reddened face.

Once I give birth to my child, Ill kick you out.

Martha snorted at those words.

Whos talking about whom?

As the biological mother of the child who will inherit the Viscount estate, I can no longer tolerate your rudeness.

Then do you think one can tolerate a pathetic, selfish person who killed a kind master and his baby, yet still complains about food?

The frank reproach stung him. Aelocks mouth hung open. For a moment, he was stunned by her unsophisticated and crude language. Aelock let out his anger which rarely happened.

Get out right away. Your vulgar language is rotting my ears!

I dont want to breathe the same air as something whos not even human too.

She cursed until the end, and Aelocks hands on the chair trembled due to the shock. He couldnt bear the sudden rush of fatigue and went to bed early. Late at night, he heard the voices of Klopp and Martha through the crack of the door. Aelock covered his ears with his hands.

From the next day on, fish was added to all his meals.

Oh no, its fish.

A piece of smoked red-fleshed fish fillet came in the grocery basket in front of the cabin today. It was nicely trimmed for eating, seasoned with bay leaves and whole peppercorns, and wrapped in clean paper. Judging by the skillful work, it was probably done by Martha.

Fish was always the hardest food to get on the street. Even though he had eaten fish countless times before, he couldnt remember what it tasted like. He thought for a moment about what to do with it, then he unwrapped it and put it in a rustic pot, then he threw it into the fire pit, which was still burning. It was fish, so he figured he could just roast it.

Soon a delicious aroma wafted through the air, and without realizing it, his mouth watered. He opened the hot pot to reveal juicy and delicious roasted meat. Aelock picked up his fork and took a piece of perfectly cooked meat. Carefully putting it in his mouth, the meat melted on the tip of his tongue. Suddenly, he was overwhelmed with hunger.

Its delicious. Dont you think so too?

As if answering his question, the baby in his stomach gave a weak kick in response. Laughter burst out of him. It seemed like the fathers love for fish was genetically pa.s.sed to the baby. Yielding to the babys urging a few more times, Aelock happily tore into the hot flesh, blowing on it to cool it down.

After eating fish for the first time in a long time, he felt drowsy after the full meal. The baby seemed satisfied and slept without any more movements. He hadnt seen Klopp yet today, so he tried to wait it out, but his heavy eyelids kept closing, and darkness crept in. Unable to hold out any longer, Aelock ended up sitting at the foot of the bed, only his upper body resting on the bed, and fell deeply asleep.