SWS CH 09

Chapter 09

“What exactly do you people want?”

Thomas tried to shake off Carlos’s grip roughly, but it didn’t budge in the slightest.

“I saw you coming out of that house.”

“So what?”

Irritated, Thomas replied sharply.

“What were you doing in there?”

“If it’s a doctor, isn’t it obvious? A medical checkup. Surely you’re not asking because I ate a meal in there.”

“And what was the result of the examination? If you answer properly, we’ll let you go peacefully—”

“She’s pregnant.”

“What?”

The answer came quickly and plainly.

“I told you the truth. I value my own life, you know.”

Revealing a patient’s personal information bothered him, but he quickly decided not to care.

Everyone in the neighborhood would know soon enough anyway.

That Michelle is pregnant.

What bothered him more was being held up like this and being unable to move on to his next appointment.

He still had a long line of patients waiting for house calls.

“If you doubt my word so much, feel free to send another physician to confirm it.”

Thomas had nothing to hide.

Judging by their status, there was only one reason such important people would be searching for a pregnant woman.

They’re probably thinking of hiring her as a wet nurse.

That wouldn’t be bad for Michelle either.

Especially since her husband had gone off to sea and no one knew when he’d return.

There were few jobs better than wet nursing for raising a child.

“If you’re done here, I’m leaving.”

At his glare, Carlos finally released his grip.

“H-How far along is she?”

Carlos asked in place of the stunned Francesca.

“Just over a month. It’s early.”

Just over a month.

That timing matched perfectly with when Docep had been going out at night.

“My lady… this means…”

It had to be Docep’s child.

***

“This is serious.”

At the Bloodymary estate.

The sighs of the two people sitting face-to-face in the duchess’s study grew heavier.

Carlos, who had been racking his brain, spoke first.

“Shouldn’t you inform His Grace and discuss this with him?”

Be honest about it?

“Do you still not know my husband? The moment he finds out Docep fathered a child out of wedlock, both Docep and this household will be ruined.”

Who was the duke?

A man known as the iron-blooded war demon.

He had crushed his own brothers to seize the Bloodymary dukedom.

Surrounded by enemies waiting for a single weakness, he survived situations where even the smallest flaw could cost him his life.

That was why he was strict with rules—both for himself and for his family.

“There’s no other solution, is there?”

“Should we take the child away…? If she approached for money, she might back down easily.”

“She’s a woman who came all the way to the ducal estate and then left quietly. There’s a strong chance money isn’t what she wants.”

And the fact that Young Master Docep himself disguised as a commoner to see her—

“She may want to live with Young Master Docep in that house.”

That was likely.

Otherwise, there was no reason to hide the pregnancy and leave.

She was probably trying to lure Docep into officially entering the Bloodymary family.

But—

“Absolutely not.”

Francesca cut him off sharply.

The second son of a swordsmanship family living like a commoner?

That was the worst possible outcome.

The stigma would follow both Docep and the family for the rest of their lives.

“But we can’t just leave things like this. At this rate, that common woman could become part of the family.”

“…No. If it’s temporary, it’s possible.”

“Temporary?”

“We should raise Docep’s child ourselves. No matter how incompetent Docep is, he’s still part of our bloodline.”

In other words, the child carried Bloodymary blood and could inherit sword aura.

If luck was on their side, the child might even surpass his father and bring honor to the family.

They couldn’t let such a child grow up as a commoner.

“So you’ll drive her out right after she gives birth?”

“That’s the plan.”

What other option was there?

Bring the woman into the household long enough for her to give birth to a Bloody Mary child, then make her leave.

If she caused trouble afterward, Francesca was even prepared to kill her.

Docep, this is the path you chose. This is all I can do as your mother.

At the very least, she would acknowledge the child as part of the family.

After the child grew a bit, they could claim it was adopted from a collateral branch.

Since there would be no formal marriage, it wouldn’t interfere with Docep’s future or the family’s standing.

The problem was the duke—her husband—who would return soon.

He would never accept this.

He’d probably disown Docep.

No matter how much of an ugly duckling he was, a mother’s heart still worried when her child was out of sight.

If anything, it’s fortunate that this Halara woman has stayed quiet.

If she had demanded money for carrying Docep’s child or spread rumors as leverage, the duke would have already heard.

By not doing so, she had inadvertently benefited both herself and Francesca.

“I’ll meet her tomorrow and formally discuss entering the household.”

“Immediately?”

“We’re in a state of emergency. Time is critical. Have the annex cleaned at once, and bring Docep back—even if you have to drag him.”

***

It was early morning.

Last night, Michelle and I chatted late into the night while snacking.

She said she was getting sleepy and went home around midnight.

I got up early and tidied the house.

“Michelle is pregnant… I’ll be meeting my niece or nephew soon.”

I hummed to myself.

I like babies.

They’re lovable just by existing.

“Right. Should I go buy some yarn at the market? You can never have too many baby clothes.”

Do they sell yarn at the market?

If they do, I’ll knit a baby hat.

I’m actually very good at knitting.

I have good hands—there’s nothing I can’t do.

“Come to think of it, it doesn’t even have to be food… I could sell scrubbers or something.”

Ideas kept bubbling up.

There were so many business possibilities.

Maybe I really was suited for this place.

After quickly shopping at the market and returning home, I saw a familiar face in front of my house.

“Oh? You came again today.”

I gave a short wave.

Only then did he straighten up from leaning against the wall.

“You left without saying anything yesterday. I was worried.”

“…Worried?”

“Yes. I wondered if something happened. Some man was chasing you.”

He was big. What was their relationship?

“Did you borrow money somewhere else besides me?”

He didn’t answer.

Maybe he didn’t want to talk about himself.

Well, I wasn’t exactly free to talk about my own situation either.

“I have something for you.”

At that, he raised his head slightly.

Through his parted hair, I caught a glimpse of neat, sharp eyes.

“You haven’t eaten lunch yet, right?”

“It’s only ten.”

Huh?

“How do you know it’s ten?”

There wasn’t even a clock.

All he had was a sword.

“If you’re curious, will you discount the apple money?”

“No. Of course not.”

He’s good.

Even bargaining.

“Come in.”

I removed the sign I’d propped up instead of locking the door.

The lock had been loose since the start and was useless.

“If you’re going to let me in this easily, why put up that sign?”

“What?”

“Never mind.”

His tone suddenly turned cold as he strode inside.

What a strange man.

I sat him at the table and went to the kitchen to reheat the potato pancakes from yesterday.

“This is called potato pancakes. It’s made from the potatoes you grated.”

“Potato pancakes? They look bad.”

“What did you say?”

“Where’s the fork?”

“…I’ll get it.”

He says they look bad, but he’s curious.

Annoyed, I quickly placed a fork in front of him.

Let’s see if he can stay that arrogant after tasting it.

“Enjoy.”

The appearance was unfamiliar, after all.

But taste is what matters.

Sure enough, the reaction came immediately.

He froze after the first bite, then began eating briskly.

The potato pancakes vanished into his stomach in no time.

Still holding the fork, he stared regretfully at the empty plate.

I said proudly,

“My cooking is pretty amazing, right?”

“…You really made this yourself?”

“Yes.”

He looked at me silently, clearly skeptical.

I didn’t mind.

That just meant it was delicious.

I put more pancakes on his plate and sat across from him.

“Eat comfortably. I’ll knit over here.”

“Knitting?”

“This.”

I showed him the linen I’d just bought, cut into long strips like yarn.

They didn’t sell actual knitting yarn, so I had no choice.

He glanced down, understanding.

Watching him quietly demolish the pancakes, I figured the potato pancake party might have to continue another day.

***

After Docep left, Halara picked up the pace.

Three hours passed in the blink of an eye, and a hat and socks were finished.

“Not bad.”

The undyed linen was rough, but the shape came out well thanks to my skill.

“Cotton would’ve been better, though.”

This world didn’t seem to have cotton.

There was wool and silk, but no ordinary cotton.

And with my limited funds, cheap linen was all I could afford.

“Well, it’s the thought that counts.”

That was when I heard it—

A steady knocking at the door.