It's Too Late for Regrets - Chapter 5.2

A familiar silver glimmer shone from the Mun family residence.
“Aunt?”
She was a bit surprised, but this was also something she had gotten used to.

The elegant noblewoman with long silver hair braided up in a lavish style sat gracefully in front of the table.

With a slightly tired expression, Ines gave a simple greeting to Kyra.
“What brings you here?”
“I heard you’re pregnant.”
“…Yes.”

No casual greeting—straight to the point. Kyra asked in a cold, sharp voice.
“Is it really Rayan’s child?”

Kyra’s question didn’t surprise Ines at all.
She had been wondering when that line would come up.
Niece or aunt, they really were alike.

Ines replied emotionlessly.
“I don’t know what you mean by that. Are you suspecting that I committed some sort of betrayal?”
“It’s not impossible.”

She could guess what kind of doubts Rayan and Kyra had. The timing of her pregnancy lined up roughly with the crown prince’s return to Lezan, so it was only natural they’d suspect an affair.

At least Rayan seemed to believe the child was his. He had, after all, held her countless times after the crown prince left.

But Kyra was a bit different.
“If you dare to be carrying the child of a Lezan royal—”
“No one knows better than you, Aunt, that such a thing isn’t possible.”

Ines calmly cut her off.
“You’ve been monitoring my every move, haven’t you? Always.”

Even during the summer she spent with Edgar, Kyra had her under constant watch.

Most of the servants in the mansion moved on Kyra’s orders. Since Kyra was taking over the duties of the duchess, it was expected.

Even though Eleanor had an official duchess, Kyra still hadn’t handed over that authority to Ines.

After being harassed by Kyra for the past two years, Ines had started to get a sense of what she truly wanted.

Kyra wanted Eleanor. Its wealth, its prestige.

She clearly believed that once Ines was out of the picture, her son could take over the duchy.

Considering how much Rayan cared for his aunt, it wasn’t a stretch for Kyra to think that way.

So she probably considered Eleanor as good as hers, only to be suddenly faced with a low-born illegitimate daughter from Jenaire becoming his wife—and now pregnant.

Of course, to Kyra, Ines would be a thorn in the eye.

Ines tried not to tremble.
“I’ve already told His Highness. He accepted it… So I don’t think it’s something you need to question again.”

To have to say that her husband “accepted” her pregnancy—how pathetic.

As Ines reflected bitterly, Kyra’s gaze turned sharper.
“You’re becoming more defiant. Do you really think having a child means you’ll become the mistress of Eleanor?”
“Aunt, I’ve told you many times that I don’t need the position of Eleanor’s mistress.”
“Clever girl. Don’t spout such obvious lies.”

Kyra scoffed.
“If you weren’t after the duchess’ seat, you would’ve left already. No one knows better than you that you don’t belong here.”

Ines let out a shallow sigh.

Kyra misunderstood, thinking Ines was hungry for power. Because Rayan kept coming to her, Kyra assumed they were whispering sweet nothings in bed.

‘…Well, that wasn’t completely wrong once.’

Though Rayan didn’t seem to hear any of it, Ines reflected wryly.

If she had truly wanted power, she would’ve followed Jenaire’s orders and chosen the crown prince. She would’ve seduced him and led Lezan to ruin.

But even if she tried to explain all that to Kyra, she doubted the woman would listen.

“If you think Rayan will be kind to you forever, you’re mistaken, Ines.”
“…Your nephew has never once been kind to me.”
“Hah. You’re getting more and more arrogant.”

Ines kept her tone calm. But as the pointless conversation dragged on, she was growing more tired.
‘I really don’t need this.’

Titles, honor—those things only had value to the living.

Her body might not even last five more years, maybe seven at best. What good would ambition do?

“Don’t act so proud. Even if it’s a boy, it’s not certain Rayan will make him heir.”
“…I see.”

Ines replied without much interest. Hearing her say that, it was clear Kyra would go straight to Rayan, badmouthing Ines and even slandering the unborn child.

Rayan, soft-hearted toward someone like a mother to him, might frown—but he wouldn’t push Kyra away.

If anything, it would be lucky if he didn’t take her side.

‘I hope it’s a girl.’

Ines rubbed her tired eyes. If the baby was born safely, she hoped it would be a daughter—one who didn’t resemble her at all.

A child who looked just like her father, enough that no one could deny the Eleanor bloodline.

Then, she wouldn’t face such ridiculous doubts. And it would be easier to protect the child from Kyra.

Even after her death, Rayan might care for a daughter better. But if it was a son…
Then what should she do?

Ines gently touched her belly, which was just beginning to show.

Her blue eyes, which had lost their shine since winter, now glimmered faintly.

Since last autumn, whenever Rayan stayed at the mansion for more than a week, he made a point to have dinner with Ines at least once.

It was always outside the mansion.

There had been a time when she’d begged to go out, but now it was simply exhausting.

The faint smell of raw beef made her nauseous.

Now four months pregnant, her morning sickness had worsened, and she could hardly touch any food. She picked at her steak but eventually put down her fork.

As always, they spoke little during meals.

Once dinner ended, the dishes were cleared, and a simple dessert was brought to the table.

Only then did Ines finally manage to breathe properly.
“….”

Rayan carefully observed his wife.

Though she was four months pregnant, she was so thin that it barely showed. She looked more like a patient than an expectant mother.

Sweat beaded on her forehead, her face pale.

She looked just like she had before their marriage—frail and thin. It made him anxious.

“Ines, you don’t look well.”
“It’s nothing.”

Ines gave a formal smile. Since she said it was nothing, there was no point pressing further.

Still, Rayan couldn’t take his eyes off her.

In truth, even without the child, it was hard to ignore Ines without making a conscious effort.

It had become that way at some point.

Specifically, ever since she stopped saying “I love you.”

He realized she’d stopped making that natural confession about four months ago—right after he’d kept her in the bedroom for nearly a month.

Since then, something had felt off.

He finally understood it the day he returned from a business trip to the desert project and held her in his arms.

The longer he stayed away, the more mentally exhausted he became, and the only way he could relieve it was by burying his face in her neck and inhaling her scent.

Being with her physically was the most effective way to silence his thoughts.

Her consent—or lack thereof—didn’t matter that much.
Because he knew she loved him.

<…If we’re done, I’d like to rest now.>

But ever since that day, Ines had been oddly cold toward him.

Not only did she stop saying “I love you,” she never spoke first anymore, and after they were done, she’d always turn her back first.

And he couldn’t forget what she said when she told him about the pregnancy.
<Don’t worry. I don’t think the baby will be born safely anyway.>

He was sure—the old Ines would never have said something like that.

So maybe the autumn incident still left a scar. Or maybe…

He watched her put down her fork after poking at a few pieces of fruit.
‘Is it because she’s pregnant?’

She’d always been sensitive. Her change in behavior lined up with her pregnancy.

Maybe the child made her more on edge. Rayan tried to convince himself of that.

In that case, she needed proper care and food. The most urgent issue seemed to be her meals.

“Did the food not suit your taste?”
“It was just… okay.”
“Must be the chef’s poor skills. I’ll have him replaced.”
“No, that’s not necessary. The food was fine.”
“Then eat. If you can’t handle the main dishes, at least try dessert.”
“I don’t really want—”
“Then order something else. If we bring out dozens of dishes, one should suit your taste.”

Rayan’s firm tone made Ines flinch slightly.

She looked at him, trying to read his thoughts, then let out a small sigh and nodded.
“…I’ll eat. I don’t want to cause trouble for the restaurant.”

In the end, she reluctantly began to eat the cake.

Rayan didn’t take his eyes off her until she finished her plate.

A silent pressure.

For years now, the chef and the family doctor had reported regularly about her.

There was no lack in material support, the baby was growing well, and she wasn’t skipping meals.

So why did she seem to get thinner every time he saw her?

Ines briefly looked up to check his reaction, then quickly lowered her eyes again.

Her face clearly showed discomfort.

Support