Rudella, startled, widened her eyes and covered her mouth with both hands.
Her delicate fingers concealed her small lips.
The moment the fork neared, the scent of fresh cream and the distinctive aroma of the cake’s sponge rushed in, and a wave of nausea spread from the tip of her nose through her entire body.
Fortunately, she hadn’t eaten anything today, so there was nothing to throw up…
“…”
“…”
The problem was that she was in front of them.
“Rudella…?”
Yohan looked at Rudella with worried eyes.
Francia was utterly shocked, her eyes wide like a startled rabbit.
“I-I’m fine. I just feel a bit… Ugh…!”
As she spoke, another wave of nausea hit, and Rudella hurriedly excused herself.
No way…
Seeing her like that, Yohan’s mind went blank. A single possibility flashed through his head. The moment the cake got close to her lips, she gagged—there could be only one reason.
Pregnancy.
The symptom commonly known as morning sickness.
The timing must be…
“The first time.”
They hadn’t done it inside except for that one time.
And that night, they had done it six times there was no avoiding it.
If she really was pregnant, it was something to celebrate. It was joyful news.
He should be grateful to Rudella.
But…
My God.
The completely unexpected revelation sent Yohan into shock. Even though this should be a blessing, given his relationship with Francia, the situation was anything but simple.
Yohan turned his head awkwardly. Francia’s gaze was unfocused, staring blankly into the air. Her lips, which had been tightly shut, were now slightly parted. She looked dazed.
“Yohan…”
Feeling his gaze, Francia looked at him. Her face seemed on the verge of crumpling, but she was clearly trying her best to hold it together.
“Tell me it’s not true…”
“…”
“Yohan?”
Her crimson eyes trembled faintly as she stared at him. His silence told her everything. What she had feared was true.
“…When?”
Francia’s voice dropped to a chilling tone. A coldness crept up Yohan’s neck. Was it just his imagination, or was there actual hostility in her voice?
“Judging by the timing of her morning sickness… It must have been the first time we were together. That was the only time I… inside…”
Yohan’s voice trailed off. This should have been joyful news, something to celebrate. But he couldn’t bring himself to say it confidently in front of Francia.
“The first time…”
Francia recalled her own first time. Yohan wouldn’t know, but back then, he had also released inside her.
She, too, had wanted to bear his child. But unfortunately, the timing hadn’t aligned, and she never conceived.
They had both been loved by Yohan from the very beginning—
Yet the outcomes were completely different.
Rudella carried his child.
Francia did not.
‘Why…?’
Francia’s eyes glistened. It wasn’t jealousy that made her emotions surge. A new life was coming into the world—it was something to celebrate, a joyous occasion.
But an indescribable sorrow filled her chest.
Had she stolen Yohan away from the man he was meant to be with?
Was this punishment for that?
It was a foolish thought, but she couldn’t shake it.
“…Francia.”
Yohan gently pulled her into an embrace, softly stroking her hair.
“It’s okay. You are still my first, and that won’t change.”
His attention would naturally turn to Rudella, the expectant mother—
But the same would have happened even if it were Francia in her place.
“…”
Even with his comforting words, Francia didn’t respond.
She simply looked up at him with damp eyes and murmured softly,
“Take Lady Rudella to the physician… and have her examined.”
* * *
Yohan and Francia took Rudella to the Ferbache imperial estate for a checkup.
“Have you had your monthly cycle?”
The Ferbache family physician inquired.
“It’s been over a month, but it hasn’t come yet.”
“I see.”
The physician nodded and took a magical device from his bag. It was an instrument designed to detect pregnancy using mana, resembling a small scale.
“Please place your hand here.”
As Rudella placed her hand on the device, the needle split into two.
Observing it for a moment, the physician nodded again.
“Congratulations. You’re pregnant.”
At his words, Rudella was momentarily speechless. Her sky-blue eyes trembled.
“I-Is it true? Am I really…?”
Her voice quivered with cautious excitement, and a faint blush spread across her cheeks. The physician gave her a warm smile.
“Yes. The symptoms you’re experiencing are typical of six weeks into pregnancy. And from what I can see, the mana flow has split into two, which confirms it.”
A soft glow spread across Rudella’s face at that moment. The smile that blossomed on her lips was as pure and joyous as a flower sprouting its first bud.
Swiftly, she turned her head to Yohan, who had been watching beside her. Her sky-blue eyes shimmered with life and excitement.
When Yohan gave her a small, reassuring smile and nodded, the corners of Rudella’s lips curled up even more.
“Is there anything I should be cautious about?”
Rudella asked.
“It’s best to limit black tea to no more than one cup a day. Avoid undercooked meat, milk, and cheese as well. And if you feel nauseous like today, drinking water can help—”
The physician continued listing precautions, covering everything that could be harmful to a pregnant woman.
“That’s all. Please make sure to follow my advice. Since it’s the early stage of pregnancy, you must prioritize rest.”
As the physician was packing up his bag, Rudella blushed and hesitantly asked in a small voice,
“Then… when can I have… relations again?”
To her, this was an important matter.
“It’s best to avoid it during the early stages and right before delivery. I’ll write down the details so you can refer to them anytime.”
With that, the physician took a sheet of paper from his assistant and swiftly jotted down the necessary information.
“You can review it at your own pace.”
“Thank you.”
Taking the paper, Rudella widened her eyes and carefully read through the contents.
“Once again, congratulations on your pregnancy. That concludes the checkup.”
“Thank you.”
“No need for thanks, Your Grace. It’s my duty.”
Yohan, Francia, and Rudella left the examination room and headed to the reception hall.
With slumped shoulders, Francia spoke in a subdued voice.
“…Congratulations, Lady Rudella.”
“Thank you, Lady Francia.”
Rudella smiled warmly as she expressed her gratitude. If not for Francia, she wouldn’t have had the opportunity to bear Yohan’s child—the child of the man she loved most.
For that reason, she had no intention of being antagonistic or engaging in a power struggle. This was already a delicate situation.
Yohan asked with concern,
“Rudella, until the Rahardt estate is completed, I’ll arrange for attendants to help you.”
“It’s fine. My belly isn’t even showing yet, and Vera is with me, so there’s no issue.”
Rudella responded with a small smile.
“How about staying at the Ferbache estate?”
“No, thank you. I have things to take care of.”
It would be beneficial to stay at this estate for a while, but how could the pregnant concubine live in the household of the legal wife? That was simply unthinkable.
“I understand. I’ll visit frequently, so you’ll be fine.”
“…Alright, then.”
With that, Yohan stood up.
“Let’s go, Rudella. I’ll take you home.”
“Yes, let’s.”
Before leaving, Yohan gently patted Francia’s head and gave her a small smile.
“……I’ll be back soon. Let’s talk then.”
“…Alright.”
* * *
Inside the carriage heading to Rudella’s home.
Yohan gently caressed the back of her hand.
“Thank you, Rudella.”
“For what?”
“For carrying my child.”
At his straightforward words, Rudella momentarily caught her breath and her face flushed.
“As your future wife, it’s only natural…”
In truth, an out-of-wedlock pregnancy would have been a troublesome situation, but it didn’t apply to Rudella. She had already severed ties with her family.
However…
“What worries me is that I’ll have to be away often… I’m sorry I won’t be by your side.”
Yohan’s voice was filled with regret. As a husband and soon-to-be father, he should be there for her, but his duties as a minister left him little time.
“It’s alright. Just carrying your child is enough for me.”
Even so, Rudella neither complained nor felt hurt. Instead, she gently clasped Yohan’s hand, which was caressing hers, and offered a soft smile.
“The things you worry about won’t happen. The crown prince who could have threatened me is dead, and the Bismarck family has no energy to spare for me. So, you don’t need to worry.”
Saying that, Rudella carefully leaned toward Yohan and pressed her small lips against his cheek.
“I love you, Yohan.”
* * *
After safely escorting Rudella home, Yohan was now on his knees, condemned as a traitor.
Under normal circumstances, Francia would have stopped him, but right now, she wasn’t in the mood for that.
Letting out a deep sigh, Francia looked down at him.
“…I know this isn’t your fault, Yohan.”
“…”
Yohan simply pressed his lips together and listened to what she had to say.
“You couldn’t help it, could you? If a beauty like Miss Rudella asked, how could you refuse? No matter how much self-control you have, in that moment, you had no choice but to give in. Just like on our first night.”
Francia had no intention of truly blaming Yohan. In the end, this was just a matter of timing and luck. Had things been different, it could have been her who conceived a child on their first night.
“I won’t be angry, but promise me one thing.”
“What is it?”
Yohan tilted his head slightly. Right now, he was prepared to grant her any request.
“We used to do it three times a week let’s make it six.”
“…Pardon?”
Six times a week?
Yohan blinked, wondering if he had misheard. But Francia’s eyes didn’t waver in the slightest. She was completely serious—no hint of playfulness.
“I’d like to have a child right away, but that’s not possible. I still have my government service to complete, and if both Miss Rudella and I got pregnant at the same time, it’d be difficult for you as well. But in exchange, I’ll make sure I receive just as much of your love.”
Her voice was firm.
This time, she wouldn’t back down.
“Six times…”
Yohan didn’t show it, but he was troubled. Francia usually needed at least three times a week to be satisfied, and now she wanted six?
Even a man with monstrous stamina wouldn’t survive.
“Is that a problem? You always said I was your number one. But now, you can’t even grant me this? Did you favor Miss Rudella so much that you let her conceive first? Is that it?”
Francia’s gaze grew cold.
“This time, I’m not giving in.”
Yohan had no choice but to accept. Even if it became physically demanding, he would have to endure it. Francia was truly upset this time.
“Understood. Six times a week. Even if you ask me to stop, I won’t.”
Satisfied with his answer, Francia smiled.
“Well then, starting tonight.”
Swish.
She slowly slipped off her outer garment.
“Don’t think too much tonight.”