~Chapter 130~
The next morning, I completed the pregnancy test Heinrich had instructed.
My mouth felt dry as the result came closer. My eyes trembled. It was as if an invisible weight pressed down hard on my shoulders.
Finally, the results appeared. When I dipped the needle into the urine, it turned black. When sugar was added, a lump formed. Both tests confirmed the same thing.
“Gasp!”
Ella looked at me, wide-eyed.
I was pregnant.
I couldn’t speak.
“Your Grace… congratulations!”
Ella’s voice trembled with excitement, but I still couldn’t gather my thoughts.
Pregnant… the child I had lost was coming back. I instinctively placed my hand over my lower abdomen. The pain and despair from before felt as vivid as yesterday.
“Ella.”
“Yes, Your Grace.”
“Do not… tell anyone about this. No one.”
Ella stared at me, concern in her eyes. She must be thinking the same thing I was. Her eyes glistened with tears.
“It’s okay, Ella. I just… want to be certain before I tell anyone. It’s too sudden.”
I needed time to accept it. And I wasn’t sure yet if I could protect this child safely.
“Understood, Your Grace. But… you must take care of yourself. Do not overwork. Promise me that.”
I nodded. Ella wiped her tears and exhaled.
“You should take this medicine.”
She handed me a painkiller safe for pregnant women. Heinrich’s foresight had been crucial—without him, I might never have known about the child.
“After yesterday, will this be okay?”
“Shall we call Heinrich?”
Ella asked eagerly. I shook my head. I was too afraid of hearing something wrong. If I lost the child without knowing again, I couldn’t forgive myself. I had never felt so weak. I gave a bitter smile.
“I’ll think about it, Ella.”
Today marked the start of the full merger between Sezares Bank and Graham Bank.
Though already approved by the Emperor, the process was far more complicated than I expected. To gain formal approval from the Estus Financial Committee, countless documents and verification steps were required.
Yet today, I found it hard to focus. The knowledge that I was not alone kept surfacing, and my hands instinctively brushed my stomach, then quickly pulled away. I worried someone might notice.
“President, let’s review the documents you prepared.”
Herres spread thick binders across the desk. Perhaps focusing on work was the better choice.
Focus, Anna. Don’t let yourself be overwhelmed.
I steadied myself and picked up the documents.
“Let’s start with the merger plan.”
The merger plan was the core document. Sezares Bank would be absorbed into Graham Bank, but in practice, Graham would selectively acquire only Sezares’ valuable assets.
Most of Sezares’ troubled assets had been caused by Egbert’s reckless investments. These had to be handled carefully during the merger. The Emperor would help where needed.
“Sezares Bank customers will continue under the same conditions with Graham Bank after the merger.”
This part was crucial—any issues could create serious complications, as these were nobles of the empire.
“We’ve also completed the organizational integration plan. Skilled Sezares employees will be absorbed, and redundant departments will be efficiently reorganized.”
I examined the organizational chart carefully. Even failing banks provided livelihoods. I didn’t want to harm anyone, though staff reorganization was necessary.
“Are the financial statements ready?”
“We prepared projections for three years. First year may show lower profitability due to integration costs, but synergy effects will appear from year two.”
I followed the numbers with my finger. After the merger, Graham Bank’s assets were expected to reach around 2 trillion Karls—top-tier in Estus.
The meeting was long, but I wanted nothing done carelessly. This carried my grandfather’s name. Even if I hadn’t intended it, Sezares was precious to me. I wanted to restore what Egbert had ruined, to honor my grandfather.
“You’ve been having a lot of snacks today, President.”
“Ah.”
I froze, realizing my hand had moved to my stomach.
“I was so worried yesterday. I didn’t expect you to return to work immediately.”
I had slept deeply in Baldwin’s arms last night. No nightmares haunted me. I almost forgot what had happened yesterday morning. I smiled awkwardly.
“Perhaps you should finish here and rest. This is enough for today.”
“Yes, President!”
After Herres left, a few things remained, so I didn’t return home immediately. The thought of facing Baldwin made me anxious. I wasn’t ready to tell him yet, and I didn’t know how he would react.
“This is maddening.”
I muttered under my breath. My weakness kept me from leaving even after work hours. Then, a knock sounded.
“Come in.”
Baldwin’s voice.
“Baldwin?”
He entered holding a bouquet of pink roses. Their soft scent filled the room. The petals shone in the sunset, almost otherworldly.
I stared, surprised.
“…Is today some special day? My birthday? No… Baldwin’s birthday? No…”
Baldwin chuckled softly at my muttering, a sound that made my heart ache. His gaze was tender, more so than ever.
“I just thought of you, Anna. On my way here, I saw a flower shop. These flowers reminded me of you. Gentle, delicate, yet strong. Like these roses. Hiding their thorns, they survive every danger.”
My heart fluttered. Someone loved me and believed in me. Someone supported me firmly. If he was here, together, could we overcome anything? Could we protect this child?
I received the bouquet as if in a trance. The scent was almost intoxicating. Buried in the petals, I whispered without thinking:
“Baldwin… I’m… pregnant.”
Tears threatened to fall. I looked at him, amazed, and whispered again:
“…I’m pregnant, Baldwin.”
