SWS CH 08

Chapter 08

There was a story behind this potato pancake, in its own way.

Back when I lived with my in-laws, there was a time I craved potato pancakes so badly that I secretly bought potatoes at the market and made the batter.

But before I could even fry them, my mother-in-law discovered it. She scolded me, asking why I would make something her son didn’t even eat, and threw all the potatoes out of the house.

I just wanted to eat them.

“That’s amazing, Halara! I never thought you were the type to care about cooking at all.”

“Haha. It’s something I tried when I was very young.”

“When was that? Come to think of it, what about your parents? When did you start living alone?”

“Huh?”

I don’t know that.

How would I know the backstory of a minor extra?

“Come on, tell me. We’re close now. I’m not asking for anything deep, just something simple! I’m curious.”

Of all things, my neighbor had to be this nosy. This was troublesome.

“Uh—look! Someone’s here!”

I blurted out anything I could to dodge the question.

“Oh? They’re here early.”

And someone really was there. Not at my house, but at Michelle’s next door.

“Wow… really.”

A man holding a square bag was looking this way.

“Doctor Thomas! Over here!”

Michelle waved him over, opening the gate like it was her own house.

***

At the same time, near Halara’s house.

Francesca arrived at Halara’s home at last, holding a black parasol.

Karl followed behind her, acting as her guard.

“My lady, wouldn’t it be better to summon her to the estate and question her? Or call the young master instead? Coming out like this is dangerous.”

“If the duke finds out I’m letting a common woman come and go freely, what then? This ends here. I’ll take her to a physician if I must and confirm whether she’s pregnant.”

At least for now, her husband being away was a blessing.

Francesca intended to settle this matter before he returned and strode forward confidently.

***

“Thomas, thank you for coming all this way.”

Doctor Thomas was a physician with wrinkles and dark circles under his eyes.

Despite his tired appearance, his shirt was neatly pressed.

The way he scanned the interior as soon as he entered reminded me of my obsessive mother-in-law.

“Hello.”

“Are you the owner of this house?”

“Yes.”

“Your name?”

“Halara.”

“Halara. The house is neat, just like your name.”

So that inspection had been an evaluation.

He seemed to relax slightly and stepped inside.

“It’s been a while, Thomas. This is my neighbor.”

Michelle greeted him warmly.

“Yes, well. But why did you insist on coming to this house?”

At his prickly question, Michelle laughed heartily.

“To introduce my neighbor, and dinner isn’t finished yet. You haven’t eaten, have you?”

“Well… no.”

“I knew it. You’re always chasing patients around. When would you ever eat?”

“Is that why you called me?”

Michelle looked at his skinny frame and pushed the potato pancakes toward him.

“Try some.”

“What is this?”

“Just try it. It’s good.”

Whether out of curiosity or simple hunger, Thomas picked up a fork without much hesitation.

“This is… what exactly?”

After one bite, his eyes widened, and then he buried himself in the plate.

“Eat as much as you like. There’s more batter; I’ll make more.”

Seeing that, I grabbed the potato batter and headed to the yard.

I’d set up the brazier outside so the smell of oil wouldn’t fill the house.

Food should never stop coming!

“Please wait just a bit!”

“Alright. Let me know if you need help.”

“Michelle, you rest here.”

She didn’t look well.

There had to be a reason she’d called a doctor.

“For some reason, I’m worried.”

I didn’t want Michelle to be sick.

She was the first person I’d grown close to in this world, and I didn’t want to be alone here.

“I’ll ask her later.”

Sizzle—!

As I watched the potato pancakes crisp up, trying to swallow my worry, I heard movement near the yard entrance.

Someone was there.

I could hear quiet arguing.

Sure enough—

‘A man.’

The tip of a shoe that hadn’t been hidden properly caught my eye.

Shiny shoes, too—expensive, like the ones worn by men who used to chase Halara around.

‘So annoying. Seriously.’

I quickly took the cooked pancake off the heat.

Then I turned the “No Men Allowed” sign so it was clearly visible.

***

The potato pancake party came to an end.

“I wondered how we’d ever finish this much.”

Smack.

Thomas wiped his mouth. His shirt was stretched tight over his belly.

I politely looked away.

Michelle’s belly was sticking out just the same.

“Did you enjoy it?”

“Yes. Thanks to you, I’ve been eating like a king lately. Ho ho ho!”

“By the way, Auntie.”

After clearing her plate, I gently placed my hand over hers.

“What is it? Why are you like this?”

“Are you very sick?”

I glanced at Thomas and squeezed her hand.

Don’t hide it, not with a doctor here.

When she saw the worry in my eyes, Michelle suddenly hugged me.

Her laughter burst out loudly.

“Oh my goodness. You were worried about me?”

“Is this really the time to laugh? Please tell me. Your husband is away at sea, right? Does he know?”

“Oh, Halara. How do I explain this…?”

Michelle pulled away, lips twitching awkwardly.

Then Thomas stepped forward and grabbed her wrist.

What is this development?

“Don’t tell me you two…?”

Was the husband she said lived far away actually Thomas?

“She’s pregnant.”

“Oh my, I thought so. Ho ho.”

Pregnant?

What is happening right now?

“She must be quite lively, making us wait so long. There’s no need to check further.”

Thomas adjusted his glasses and closed his bag.

“Pregnant?”

I was the one who was shocked.

Aunt Michelle was pregnant?

“Surprised? I’ve had a big appetite lately, felt chills, and my period stopped. I knew something was off.”

“But you said your husband went far away by ship…”

“Oh my! When I counted the days, it lined up perfectly with when he left. Ho ho. Oh dear, how embarrassing!”

Thump thump!

She shyly patted Thomas’s shoulder.

Michelle was pregnant.

Thomas had only come to examine her.

“Congratulations!”

Pregnant!

What wonderful news!

“I’m so embarrassed. Even though he’s been sailing for years, to get pregnant only now…”

“It’s a total blessing. You should’ve told me sooner! I’d have prepared something even better than potato pancakes. This won’t do. I’ll go to the market and buy ingredients right now!”

“Should we? Let’s cook something tasty together and chat.”

“Deal!”

“Deal? What’s that? Anyway, it sounds great!”

Hahaha.

“Thomas, you’ll join us, right? You came all this way; I’ll treat. Oh, and please check this girl’s head too. She hit it pretty hard.”

Michelle grabbed Thomas as he was about to leave.

“No. I hate eating at night. I’ll just finish the consultation and go.”

“Oh, no! I’m totally fine!”

Despite my protests, he bowed politely and left without a hint of hesitation.

***

“Head Butler, has the physician arrived yet?”

At Francesca’s subdued voice, Carlos shook his head.

“No. I sent word just before he went out to come straight here, but it seems he got lost.”

She had summoned one of the family physicians—someone discreet.

If rumors spread, there’d be no time to respond before they exploded.

“Send someone and tell him to hurry.”

“I’ve already sent several people. My lady, perhaps you should return tomorrow after dawn?”

“Do you think I can sleep peacefully after hearing your report?”

“No…”

“Where is Docep?”

“He’s still out. It seems he comes back, but his room is always empty. They say it’s nearly impossible to catch him.”

“Doesn’t he know his mother is being eaten alive with worry?”

Questioning Docep directly was difficult.

For now, the best option was to meet Halara and confirm the truth.

‘Is she really pregnant? And if she is, why did she lie to me?’

Even if she wasn’t pregnant, there was still reason to see her.

“You’re certain Docep has been meeting that girl alone?”

“My lady… This is the twenty-second time you’ve asked. I’m certain. If not, why would the young master run when he saw me?”

“Your tone is getting sharp.”

“My apologies.”

Carlos was just as distressed.

Just then—

Under the evening glow, an old wooden door opened.

A man wearing a hat stepped out.

Holding his breath, Carlos examined the man’s face as he exited Halara’s house.

It was someone unfamiliar.

So she really was a temptress—putting up a ‘No Men’ sign and still calling in another man who wasn’t the young master.

“My lady… it seems my investigation was insufficient—”

“He’s a physician.”

“A physician?”

Carlos narrowed his eyes.

As expected of my lady.

That worn badge on the square bag—the symbol of a doctor. To spot it in this darkness…

“I’ll bring him immediately!”

Carlos rushed forward.

Dragging the physician back was easy.

Carlos was one of the chief butlers of a swordsmanship family—trained rigorously from birth. His build rivaled that of a knight.

“I’ve brought him.”

“What is the meaning of this?!”

The physician, his belly bulging, was forced to his knees before Francesca.

Francesca pressed a hand to her temple irritably.

“Get him up. Do I look like some back-alley thug?”

“My apologies. I acted without thinking.”

Under Carlos’s grip, Thomas was forcibly hauled to his feet.