The Story of a Modest Young Lady Who Formed a New Engagement the Day After Her Engagement Was Annulled - Chapter 37

A year had passed since I became Eleanora Lotus from Eleanora Narcissus.

Morning. I awoke in Lord Fels’s bedroom. He was already gone from the bed, and I felt a pang of loneliness at the absence of the person who should have been sleeping beside me. Fully awakened by the sunlight streaming through the bedroom window, I slowly raised my body from the bed.

Then, I gently placed my hand over my stomach atop my nightgown. Our long-awaited child was also dwelling within my womb, and the doctor had recently informed me that my morning sickness had finally subsided, and I had entered the stable period of pregnancy.

The thought of another life growing inside me felt incredibly strange, but when I remembered it was Lord Fels’s and my child, I couldn’t help but feel overwhelming affection. Until recently, I had worried everyone in the Lotus Margrave family, but now that my condition had improved, they were all breathing sighs of relief.

Just as I was smiling wryly, thinking I had truly caused everyone concern, the sound of the door closing reached my ears, and someone approached the bed. Pushing aside the canopy curtain with one hand, Lord Fels peered in.

“Eleanora? You can still sleep if you’d like.”

“Good morning, Lord Fels. I’m awake now, so I’ll get up.”

Lord Fels gently reached out and touched my cheek. His warm hand felt so comforting that I closed my eyes and placed my left hand over his. I heard his soft chuckle.

“How are you feeling?”

Since my pregnancy was confirmed, these words from Lord Fels had become his catchphrase. Even though I was in the stable period and didn’t require the same level of concern as before, he was truly diligent. I opened my eyes that I had closed.

Lord Fels’s appearance before he cut his hair short was also wonderful, but his current short hairstyle suited his dignified face perfectly. Though I saw him every day, I never grew tired of looking at him. No! I was sure I would never grow tired of it. Because he was the most important person in this world to me. Not wanting to see a sad expression on Lord Fels’s face, I smiled.

“I’m fine. I’m sorry for worrying you.”

“I want to worry about you. You’re important to me. Also, it’s been a year, yet your speech remains formal. And…—”

At my words, Lord Fels smiled while raising his eyebrows in a crisscross manner. My way of speaking was somewhat habitual, and changing it immediately was quite difficult. Though I spoke more casually with my birth mother and younger brother.

Knowing this, Lord Fels apparently wished for me to speak to him in my natural tone. But to me, Lord Fels was special and my husband.

“How many times must I tell you that the honorific isn’t necessary?”

“…Th-that is…”

Lord Fels told me this with a face like a mischievous child. Though he wanted me to call him by name without honorifics after our marriage, I still couldn’t bring myself to do it easily. Feeling embarrassed, I let my gaze wander left and right until Lord Fels, seeming unable to bear it, shrugged his shoulders.

“Sorry. I don’t mean to trouble you, but you’re incredibly adorable when you call my name, Eleanora. I couldn’t help myself.”

With a deeply disappointed expression, Lord Fels placed light kisses on my forehead and cheek. His body heat and scent came so close that my heart leaped with a thump. Even though we’d done more than kiss, even though I’d spent over a year with him, I still wasn’t used to it, and my face grew hot. Seeing me like that, Lord Fels made a satisfied face and chuckled softly. Feeling it was unfair that only I was like this, I grew frustrated and attempted to retaliate.

“Fe… Fels…”

When I called Lord Fels by name without the honorific, I often turned bright red with embarrassment. Yet today, he looked incredibly happy.

“Mhm. Once again, good morning. Eleanora.”

My bright red face was reflected in Lord Fels’s narrowed gray-silver eyes. Though I felt like I had fallen right into Lord Fels’s scheme, it was probably fine to have days like this.

Feeling a bit lonely as Lord Fels, with a satisfied expression, created distance between us, I moved to get out of bed, thinking it was about time, when I felt a discomfort in my throat. I made a sound as if exhaling air, and Lord Fels’s eyes widened as he leaned his upper body close to me.

“Eleanora? Was that a cough? This is serious. I’ll call the doctor.”

Lord Fels, who had placed his hand on my cheek again, looked flustered and turned to leave the room. Not wanting to cause a big fuss, I immediately spoke up.

“Lord Fels! It’s just that my throat was dry from waking up! There’s no need for a doctor!”

It was merely a sound I made to clear the discomfort in my throat. Even if we called the doctor, it would likely end with ‘You’re healthy.’ At my voice, Lord Fels turned back, made a strange face, and sat on the edge of the bed.

“But what if something happens to you, Eleanora? I don’t even want to think about losing you.”

“I’m fine. I really just cleared my throat because it was dry. There’s no need to worry. But thank you for your concern, Lord Fels.”

Lord Fels touched my cheek again and stroked it with his thumb. His other arm reached for my waist but was dropped onto the bed midway. Feeling slightly disappointed, I narrowed my eyes and rang the bell beside the bed. Resolving to get up properly this time, I moved my body, and Lord Fels guided me. As I put on my velvet slippers, Lord Fels, looking down at me, stared intently. Feeling somewhat shy, I gathered the collar of my nightgown with my hand.

“You’re adorable in your nightgown too. It’s a privilege only I get to see, so don’t show it to anyone.”

Chuckling, his sturdy arms reached for my waist and gently held me back. Lord Fels buried his face in my shoulder, and I was enveloped in his arms. His scent and the sound of his heartbeat reached me, and I was embraced by an unbearable sense of security and happiness.

After being held for a while, my attendant Ria, who had cleared her throat with an “Ahem!”, visited the room. I wanted to ask when she had arrived, but I was the one who had rung the bell. Lord Fels, with a face that seemed to say ‘At a good moment,’ told me we’d have breakfast together in the dining room and quickly left the room.

“Good morning, Madam.”

“Ria, good morning. Please help me change.”

“Understood.”

Smiling wryly at Ria’s meaningful grin, I received her assistance and changed clothes. As I prepared to go for breakfast, I absentmindedly placed my hand on my stomach.

“Are you alright, Young Mistress?”

“Everyone worries too much. Also, Ria. You’re calling me ‘Young Mistress’…”

“I’m doing it intentionally. The entire Lotus household has been eagerly awaiting this. It can’t be helped that we worry. Madam of the Narcissus family and the young master are also looking forward to it. Please do take care.”

Ria chuckled and began walking ahead, saying we should go to the dining room. Watching her back, I formed words.

“Thank you.”

At my voice, Ria turned around and gave a small bow. Then she faced forward again and walked toward the bedroom door. I placed my hand on my stomach once more and slowly stroked it up and down. I hoped for a boy, but that was something only God could decide. So, I simply prayed for