Honey, Why Can’t We Get a Divorce? Chapter 173 - Side story 26

“Duchess!”

 

From a distance, I could see Jasmine and Countess Cardel running toward us. They could have taken the carriage all the way here, but they probably got off at the main gate to walk, likely to see Theo. Tch, Theo is about to leave for the front lines soon. 

 

“It’s been such a long time! Have you recovered well?” 

 

“Oh my, you’ve lost so much weight! I actually brought some restorative medicine for you, so please take it right away.” 

 

I couldn’t help but laugh at their kind demeanor. 

 

It was fascinating and heartwarming to see people who had been afraid of me just a few months ago now genuinely worrying about me. 

 

“Come on in. It’s cold.” 

 

Jasmine and the Countess linked arms side by side. Feeling their warmth, I somehow felt even cozier. Matching their steps, I walked into the mansion with them. 

 

“Come to think of it, the Grand Duchess was ultimately divorced. Apparently, it was revealed that she had been supporting Prince Largo.”

 

“You’ve truly been through a lot, Duchess. To have been entangled with such a ruthless person, goodness.” 

 

I snickered at their words.

 

“What did I do? My husband did it all.”

 

“Oh my, it’s well known that you personally stepped in and captured Prince Largo. There’s no need to be modest in front of us.” 

 

It was probably because of the black magic. In truth, I wasn’t the one who did it—Angela was. But since the fact that she had returned and was staying at the estate was still unknown, there was no need to mention it. 

 

“But, Madam.” 

 

At that moment, Jasmine leaned toward me and asked. 

 

“I didn’t see Theo on the way here. Did he go out today?”

 

“Ah.”

 

I had been wondering how to bring up Theo’s departure for the battlefield, but the conversation naturally shifted in that direction. I smiled bitterly and answered.

 

“Theo will soon be heading to the northern front.”

 

“…Yes?” 

 

“So, he’s temporarily away from the mansion for training.”

 

“….”

 

Jasmine’s eyes trembled slightly. She quickly turned her head to look outside the mansion, but when she glanced back at me, the corners of her eyes were damp with tears. 

 

“Miss Jasmine? Are you okay?”

 

Countess Cardel asked in a worried voice. Jasmine sniffled.

 

“Theo was the first man I’ve ever liked…”

 

The meaning behind her mumbling was clear.

 

When Theo goes to the frontlines, his return will be uncertain. Of course, I believe in his safe return, imagining that he will come back victorious, but for Jasmine, who doesn’t know that, her anxiety and nervousness are inevitable. 

 

“In the end, it ends like this without even starting.” 

 

Ugh, Jasmine said, blowing her nose on her handkerchief.

 

“I should go on a blind date.”

 

She gave up really quickly.

 

Well, if I think about Irene, maybe it’s for the best? 

 

Afterward, when Theo returns, I decide I should formally introduce Irene, thinking to myself as I let people into the room.

 

“Wow. The room is really warm! Is that the cypress wood charcoal? The one that’s only harvested from the northern snow mountains?”

 

Cypress wood charcoal ignites much faster and produces more heat than regular firewood. It’s more expensive, but its ability to warm up a room quickly and efficiently makes it a staple item in the Duke’s residence. 

 

“Is it because you have a child? The air feels so warm.” 

 

“I guess so.” 

 

“So! Where is the baby, Madam? We came here today not for you, but to see the baby! As godmothers!” 

 

I smiled brightly and turned my head. Everyone’s eyes turned back to me. At the end of their gaze was a small crib.

 

“Oh my!” 

 

It seemed they really didn’t come to see me, as they all rushed towards the crib at once. Then, they looked down at the baby, who was peacefully asleep, holding onto the rails of the crib. 

 

“Oh my goodness. Look at these chubby cheeks, oh my. How can something be this adorable!” 

 

“Ha, I just want to poke it once. Just once!”

 

“Did you wash your hands?”

 

“No!”

 

“Then you can’t.”

 

They bickered as they continued to observe the baby. Judging by the genuine smiles on their faces, it seemed like they truly adored the child, which made me feel happy as well.

 

“His hair is black. He must take after His Excellency Duke.” 

 

“His arms and legs are already long. I think he resembles both of them.”

 

“What about the eyes? What color are they?”

 

Since the baby was asleep, his eyes were not visible. However, I couldn’t just wake him up, so I approached them and quietly spoke.  

 

“His eyes…” 

 

At that moment, the baby suddenly opened his eyes. It seemed like nap time was over. 

 

Fortunately, the baby didn’t cry much. I’d heard that a baby who doesn’t cry is a blessing, and it seemed like I was a blessed person. 

 

The baby, who had woken up but didn’t cry, stared blankly at the people around before breaking into a bright smile and letting out a joyful “Kyaa!” sound.

 

“Ahhh! So cute! The eyes look just like Madam!”

 

“No, how can a boy be this cute and pretty? Doesn’t he look like His Excellency?”

 

If I said that to Sylvester, would he like it or not? I snickered.

 

“Baby. Aren’t you hungry?”

 

The baby let out another cheerful “kyaah!” and smiled brightly. Whose child is this, so cute? I couldn’t help but smile as I gently held the baby in my arms. 

 

“Baby, you should greet your aunties, right?”

 

When I took the baby’s hand and waved it, they clutched their hearts and staggered.

 

“Ha… really, I think I understand what it means to feel full just by watching.”

 

“I don’t think I’ll get bored even if I just look at him all day. How can he be so pretty.”

 

They laughed and looked at the child.

 

“Uh, but, Madam.” 

 

Then, Countess Cardel tilted her head quietly and looked up at me.

 

“I have a question.”

 

“Mhm?” 

 

The Countess alternately looked at me and the baby and asked. 

 

“Why do you keep saying ‘baby’?”

 

“Oh my. That’s true. Why aren’t you calling the name?”

 

I instinctively blinked several times.

 

“Hmm, the thing is…” 

 

I debated whether I should tell the truth or come up with an excuse, but since no good excuse came to mind, I decided to tell them the truth.

 

“I haven’t decided on a name yet.”

 

“…Yes?”

 

“I haven’t decided on a name. So it’s still a baby.”

 

“…Yes?”

 

No, what can I do if I can’t think of one?

 

I turned my head away, pretending not to see their bewildered expressions. Tch. 

 

***

 

“Honey!”

 

As soon as Sylvester entered the room, I hurried to him.

 

“What’s this? Did you miss me after just a little time apart? I guess you didn’t have much fun with the ladies today, right?” 

 

He hugged me with both arms and kissed me on the cheek. 

 

“No. It was really fun. I just wanted to see you a little.”

 

“My wife is very honest. I like it.” 

 

“There’s something more important.”

 

I tapped his shoulder lightly. Sylvester, who had put me down on the floor, raised his eyebrows. His expression seemed to ask what was important.

 

“Our child. Now we have to decide on a name.”

 

I told Sylvester about everything that had happened today. Then Sylvester licked his lips, looking embarrassed. 

 

“How about we let him choose when he grows up?”

 

“And keep calling him baby until then?”

 

“Hmm.”

 

Sylvester shook his head. He probably didn’t think it was right.

 

“Or should we write down the candidates we chose on the floor and let him choose when he starts crawling?”

 

“Will that work?”

 

When I slapped him on the back to stop talking nonsense, Sylvester licked his lips again and put his arms around my waist.

 

“Do you have a name in mind?”

 

“That’s…”