Chapter 112
Her heart, which had been racing, seemed to stop in that instant. Blair couldn’t open her mouth right away and stared up at Edmund for a long time. He, too, remained silent with a calm expression. He seemed to be watching her reaction carefully.
Fruit. What kind of fruit did he mean?
“I’ve always wanted to bear the fruit of love.”
Blair suddenly recalled the words she had once spoken.
“I think a child is the fruit of love.”
That was exactly the fruit he meant. Her gaze dropped without her realizing it. A cool hand covered her lower abdomen, still completely flat for now.
But could this really be called the fruit born from love?
Her heartbeat, which had nearly stopped, began racing again. Blair could not tell whether it was from joy or fear. Even after sharing undeniable sweetness with him just moments ago, faint confusion rising from somewhere suddenly seized her.
Had she truly believed, somewhere deep inside, that it wouldn’t be the case, even after coming all the way to the hospital for an examination? Now that that vague belief had shattered, her breath felt tight.
“Fortunately, they said there’s nothing wrong with your health. It’s just that there are many things to be careful about in the early stages of pregnancy. You mustn’t overexert yourself, you mustn’t let yourself become anxious, and even a little fatigue can have an effect, so you should be careful.”
“….”
“Blair, are you listening?”
“…Yes.”
“It’s fine to be as cautious as you want from now on, so only think about your body. That’s what matters most.”
His low, steady voice continued, but Blair realized she couldn’t hear his words clearly. Even as she tried to grasp their meaning, each word echoed faintly, like sound spreading from far away.
At that moment, his large hand gently cupped her cheeks. Only when his warmth seeped into her skin did Blair finally lift her head.
“For the time being, it would be best not to return to the mansion.”
“…Why?”
“What you need right now is stability, and Eldenvale is not a place where your mind and body can rest easily.”
“….”
“So stay in the capital. How about the townhouse in Chails? You like it there. It’s quiet, and the environment is comfortable. It’s perfect.”
Edmund spoke calmly, like someone who had planned everything in advance. As if he had been preparing for this moment all along. Blair, who had only been blinking as she listened, suddenly asked.
“Then what about you, Edmund?”
“Of course I’ll stay by your side.”
He didn’t hesitate at all. A gentle warmth spread through his gray eyes.
“Wouldn’t you feel uneasy if you were apart from me?”
“…But you’re still the heir on paper, and I remember that the heir must remain in Eldenvale.”
“Now that my wife is carrying a child, that rule no longer takes priority. Protecting the family’s heir is a higher duty.”
There was no room to argue. Edmund’s words were always logically flawless. She only needed to trust him and feel reassured, yet somewhere in Blair’s chest, it felt like a small thorn had lodged itself. She couldn’t easily shake the discomfort whose source she didn’t know.
“Then… is there anything I need to do now?”
“Nothing.”
His answer came without hesitation, firm and absolute.
“Don’t listen to bad news, close your ears… and spend your time resting comfortably, only looking at good things.”
“Until when?”
“Until I say it’s all right.”
Blair lowered her eyes again. There was nothing more she could add.
“I know you must be very confused. But I want you to trust me and follow me.”
Edmund pulled the silent woman into his arms and whispered quietly near her ear. Blair leaned against him and still could not say anything.
***
After leaving the hospital, the two of them headed straight for the townhouse in Chails.
Blair couldn’t believe this was already her third time visiting Chails. The first time was as his contractual partner, the second as a woman beginning to fall for him, and now as a wife carrying his child. Each time she visited this place, her position changed like the passing of seasons.
When the car, cutting through the cold air, came to a stop, rows of luxurious multi story buildings greeted them. Edmund held Blair tightly, as if he wouldn’t allow even the slightest draft to reach her, and opened the entrance door.
As they stepped into the entrance hall, warm air melted Blair’s frozen cheeks. Edmund led her straight to the dining room and looked back at her.
“You must be hungry. Is there anything you want to eat in particular?”
After thinking briefly, he added, “Chails isn’t much different from Eldenvale. Just tell me whatever you want.”
“Um… it’s fine. I think I can eat anything right now.”
“Then I’ll have them bring the meal right away. Warm yourself first.”
Edmund walked over to the blazing fireplace and tossed in extra firewood. Then he pulled out the chair closest to the fire, placed a cushion on it, and looked straight at Blair.
“This spot is warm.”
The slightly excessive care made Blair’s face grow warm and left her feeling a little dazed. Still, she didn’t dislike it, so she quietly followed his words.
“…Thank you.”
“I’ll go to the kitchen, so wait here for a moment.”
Before she could reply, he moved those long legs and disappeared. Blair sat there blankly, quietly waiting for him while wrapped in the warm, cozy environment, feeling slightly unreal.
The meal was prepared remarkably quickly. It was astonishing that such a feast could be prepared in such a short time. Steam rising from the table full of food pleasantly stirred Blair’s hunger.
“It seems morning sickness hasn’t started yet.”
Edmund, who had been watching Blair closely, murmured suddenly. He said it after seeing that she didn’t hesitate at all despite the golden brown steak right in front of her.
“It seems so.”
“They say it usually starts around now, so that’s fortunate. You should eat plenty of meat at times like this.”
As he said that, he began cutting her portion of meat himself with a knife. Seeing how almost overly earnest he was, Blair swallowed dryly. Surely he wasn’t planning to feed her himself?
“…You don’t have to go that far.”
“When you carry a child, your bones weaken, and even small things can become a burden.”
“You think I’ll get injured cutting a steak? My goodness, Ed.”
“I just want to avoid even the smallest risk.”
“You really….”
In the end, Blair couldn’t win against his stubbornness. The man, who had carefully cut the steak into bite-sized pieces, placed the plate in front of her. Fortunately, she avoided the disaster of him feeding her himself.
“Blair, is there anything you want to try?”
Edmund asked while they were in the middle of their meal. Blair brought bread spread with grapefruit jam to her mouth and looked at him.
“Something I want to try?”
“For example, visiting the greenhouse, or watching horse racing. I’ve thought of a few light activities. The doctor said it wouldn’t be good for you to stay inside the house all the time.”
“Um….”
“It’d be good for you to move around a little and get some fresh air before it gets too cold. Still, I want to hear your opinion. What do you think?”
Blair blinked and sank into thought. Something she wanted to try. It was a category she hadn’t taken the time to consider before. What could it be?
Then suddenly, a memory from a few months ago crossed her mind. On the day they went to the Marquis of Lancaster’s villa, there was a curiosity that had quietly grown while she spoke with Edmund. Back then, it had remained only a thought, but now it naturally rose to her lips.
“…I thought of something.”
Blair set the bread down on her plate.
“I was going to say it before, but I held back… and I just remembered it now.”
When she spoke a little shyly, Edmund tilted his head, his expression more gentle than before.
“Tell me anything.”
“Shooting.”
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Thearchival
lol girl I don’t think Ed is gonna allow shooting practice