Episode 94. Duel (6)

Maple trees stood neatly lined up in front of the Mountberne Count Family’s main gate. A small number of retainers with relatively high positions in the Mountberne Family were waiting for the midwife who was scheduled to arrive today. Of course, Edward, Marie, and Franchello were among them.

“They’re here.”

Franchello said, looking at the carriage slowing down as it crunched over the fallen leaves. The horses, which had been busily moving their legs, slowly came to a halt, and soon the carriage stopped a short distance from the main gate. The door of the carriage, emblazoned with the church’s seal, opened, and elderly nuns slowly stepped out. They belonged to the church and specialized in assisting with the births of nobles and royalty. Among them were two who were greedy enough to accept Franchello’s proposal. The first face was unfamiliar, but the second and third old women who followed were the ones Franchello had personally met and handed money pouches to. He had deliberately chosen ones from far away to avoid any future repercussions.

‘Hoo, things are going smoothly.’

With two out of the three already having their minds made up, the outcome wouldn’t change no matter how the remaining one judged. But as if mocking his thoughts, another foot emerged from inside the carriage. Franchello unconsciously assumed it would be a servant, but the owner of that foot seemed older than the other nuns, and to put it nicely, she had a firm conviction, but more often than not, she had that stubborn, unyielding face. Even if she were a cleric, there was no way nuns who valued frugality as a virtue would bring along a servant whose greed was so obvious. Unable to hide his slightly displeased expression, Franchello asked.

“Who are you? I’m sure we at Mountberne requested three midwives.”

“I’m Dorothy, hau. I’ve come to escort them and bring them here myself. All three of them haven’t even had the blood dry on their foreheads yet, so they’re not very trustworthy, you see. Wouldn’t four nyeon be more reliable than three nyeon?”

The old nun who identified herself as Dorothy seemed to be in a higher position than the other nuns. On closer inspection, the other nuns, even those Franchello had bribed, were subtly avoiding eye contact and watching the old woman’s every move. Feeling uneasy, Franchello wanted to exclude Dorothy at all costs, but he couldn’t argue with the statement that four were better than three. In the end, all he could do was,

“It’s true that four are better, if your skills are certain, that is. The other three are midwives who have proven their skills to some extent, but what confidence do you have to step forward like that?”

He could only nitpick like this. At those words, Dorothy Halmeoni let out a derisive chuckle.

“The number of children I’ve delivered would be more than all three of them combined, yu. Don’t worry about that. These yo-nyeon here, I taught them all, you see, u. Or perhaps, is there a reason why I shouldn’t step forward…?”

“No, that’s, no.”

There was no justification for refusing. He glared intensely at the two nuns, as if telling them to do something, but unfortunately for Franchello, they only avoided his gaze even more. There was nothing he could do. They would be more afraid of Dorothy, whom they would continue to see, than Franchello, whom they would only see once, and the fact that they had received money was something none of them could reveal.

“Oh my, look at my mind. Is Yulstein-gyeong here?”

“I am Yulstein, but…”

“Take this, shu. It’s a letter sent by a cheoja with the same surname as you. Don’t read it here.”

“Yes, yes.”

The unease Franchello felt intensified. The nun with such powerful authority seemed to have some kind of connection with that Edward bastard. At least, that was the truth in Franchello’s mind. Dorothy and the nuns, who had handed the letter to Edward, soon disappeared into the castle with Marie. The reason was that time was of the essence. Unable to put pressure on a figure from the church, Franchello, now in a difficult situation, had no choice but to anxiously await the results.

“It’s a pregnancy.”

And the result he didn’t want came out.

“Nuna, congratulations.”

“It’s all thanks to Eddie.”

Marie Nuna and I toasted to celebrate the pregnancy. Of course, Nuna couldn’t drink since she was pregnant, and I didn’t really enjoy alcohol either, so that’s just how it was said. Behind the joyful Nuna, Allen was seen with an awkward expression.

“Allen, Allen doesn’t seem very happy?”

“No, congratulations.”

Allen, who had watched Nuna and I diligently making a baby until last night, said with a reluctant expression. He seemed confused about whether he should congratulate his master’s affair and the resulting pregnancy. Still, when Marie Nuna got up from her seat and hugged him, he carefully hugged her back, making sure not to touch her stomach.

“You’ve worked hard.”

“Well, this much is nothing.”

Sern, who was sitting next to me, said to me. He was eating dinner next to me because Marie Nuna had said she absolutely couldn’t sit next to him, as he had forcibly tied her up.

“Really, when I first heard that my younger sibling couldn’t have children, I thought it was a big problem, but to think you’d succeed like this…. Actually, I was worried that you wouldn’t be able to have children even after several years, and that there might be a sexual problem with my younger sibling and his wife. I was especially worried about Marie. Seeing that you’ve safely become pregnant like this, I really think it’s a relief.”

“Haha, someone might hear you.”

Sern was someone whose words and voice volume increased in private settings, especially when he had a little alcohol. Even now, in a situation where no one was drinking, he stubbornly poured himself a glass of wine, saying he couldn’t resist, and he had been pouring out various stories since he was young. I was starting to worry that he might reveal the relationship between Marie and me to someone while drunk.

“Aigoo, whatever it is, I’m really relieved that I can worry less about my younger sibling.”

“…Isn’t it because you no longer have a reason to visit Mountberne??”

“Haha… it’s a combination of that, you see.”

At my question, Sern said with a face that had lost its drunken flush. Now that the heir was clear, the retainers or factions would begin a power struggle to seize the initiative. Still… that was a problem I didn’t need to get involved in. Unlike the previous problem where the heir was unclear, and it wasn’t even something directly related to my bloodline, worrying about things outside my authority. I’m Yulstein, and this is Mountberne. Marie Nuna isn’t alone, and Sern-gyeong is also here, so they’ll be able to handle it appropriately.

“Then I’ll get up now.”

“Call a servant to take you to your room….”

“No. I’ve already finished preparing to leave right away. I’m a bit busy, you see… I need to return to the main family as soon as possible. When are you planning to leave, Edward-gyeong?”

Leaving…. Returning. Hearing those words made me think that I should start going back soon too. It’s a bit late today… tomorrow? I should leave tomorrow.

“It hasn’t been decided yet, but… I think I’ll probably leave around tomorrow.”

“It seems you still have some things left to do. Well, I’ll go ahead first. Then, goodbye. Marie, see you next time.”

Saying that, Sern left. Marie Nuna and I finished dinner while chatting about trivial things. Although we didn’t drink a single drop of alcohol, Marie Nuna said in a captivating voice, as if intoxicated by the atmosphere.

“Eddie…. Are you leaving?”

“…I have to, Nuna.”

Marie Nuna’s face was full of regret. Nuna had completely fallen in love with me, but she couldn’t bring herself to openly tell a married man to have an affair. Of course, I didn’t feel very sorry for the person Marie Nuna would think of… but it was true that I was having an affair. So, after much deliberation, what Nuna wanted from me was a compromise of sorts.

“Tomorrow… could you at least stay until the retainers’ meeting is over?”

“Okay.”

Relief spread across Marie Nuna’s face. After finishing the meal as it was, I stopped Nuna, who was naturally leading me to the bedroom.

“…Do you not like it?”

“No, I’m just worried it might not be good for the baby.”

There was a baby growing in the room, and I was going to mercilessly beat that room with a long stick. I wouldn’t actually go inside, but it would be scary just to bang on the door from the outside. Nuna seemed to understand and gave up as if she couldn’t help it, so I hugged her gently.

“Instead, there’s a place I want to go with you.”

“Where…?”

“There’s someone who doesn’t know this fact yet.”

After thinking for a moment, Nuna recalled that person and made a face as if she hated her.

“That person…? I don’t really want to see her.”

“But wouldn’t she be happy if we told her that she’s going to have a baby?”

“I, is that so?”

It was sarcasm, but Marie Nuna took the words too literally. Still, she didn’t seem to dislike it, and she followed me to that room without complaint. Of course, Allen was also with us from behind.