Chapter 5
Isn’t that the lowest-capital work I can do? Besides, this place is even inside the novel I wrote. I have some experience, so it’s the easiest approach. So, it’s worth considering seriously.
That was when the baby started moving her mouth.
“Wah!”
I shook a rattle at the baby who seemed to be calling me. The baby stretched out those tiny hands.
Ugh, so cute.
“Still haven’t decided on the baby’s name?”
Actually, that was the most urgent problem.
“Yeah. Elsa, is there really no good name?”
I had already used all the good names when writing the novel, so nothing came to mind.
There were so many extras, supporting characters, and main characters in one novel.
Almost all the names had to be used. And I wanted to give the baby a meaningful and good name.
“Baby, what should I call you?”
The baby parted her pursed lips and sighed softly.
It was as if her eyes said,
‘Can’t you even do that?’
Could you also be on your second life? Or possessed? Nah, that can’t be.
I shook my head and poked the baby’s cheek. The baby babbled and reached for my finger. The maids gasped in admiration.
“Oh my! You must be hungry!”
“How can being hungry be so cute!”
They acted like they would pull out the mansion’s pillars for her. I left the baby with the maids and continued my thoughts.
Watching the baby drink the milk the maids gave and smile brightly.
Actually, the best way to name the baby would be for Ellice or Alexand to do it.
“Hmm…”
But that was impossible.
I thought it might be better to ask Maynus for help.
After all, Maynus was the head of the Jeremias family. He should be better than me, right?
“Do you think Maynus will come back tonight?”
“Hmm…”
Jewel looked outside.
The snow that started falling last night was still pouring. Maynus was amazing for sledding through that snow to the territory.
So diligent.
“He’ll come back when the snow stops. Otherwise, maybe he’ll stay there.”
“I hope the snow stops.”
“You want to see Maynus!”
Yuz shouted cheerfully.
No way.
Strangely, I felt like Jewel, Yuz, and even Elsa were hoping for a romance between Maynus and me.
I’m just freeloading here, and they want me to hope for love too?
Of course, I like a gentle herbivore like Maynus, but I’m too weak right now.
I have a baby to raise.
“It’s not like that. I have something to talk about.”
“That’s how it starts, huh! Uh!”
“You say anything! Sorry, Lady Veloce. But I’m rooting for you too.”
Such cute maids.
I chuckled. Actually, I didn’t mind being involved with someone like Maynus.
If I asked Maynus, he’d probably help. Gentle herbivores can’t resist someone pitiful like me.
Or maybe…
Has he fallen for my looks?
I admit I’m pretty. Isn’t it a rule that villains are the second prettiest after saints?
Black hair and blue eyes gave a classic, melancholic vibe.
Ahem. Of course, Maynus wouldn’t fall for that… but since people keep talking about romance, my thoughts drifted there.
Anyway, Maynus is the only one I can ask for help now…
Help me, Maynus!
━━━━⊱⋆⊰━━━━
The bridge collapsed under the weight of the heavy snow over the river.
Maynus clicked his tongue when he saw the devastation.
The bridge had passed inspection during repairs, but more snow than expected was the problem.
Fortunately, it happened at dawn, so no one was hurt. Large rocks that fell on the frozen river caused big cracks.
If a strong impact hit, the frozen riverbed would collapse. A temporary measure was needed to cross the river.
Maynus checked the still snowing sky and gestured to Kahir.
Pulling down his thick fur that covered his face, Maynus spoke quietly.
“We need to put something temporary. Call the engineers and buy all the wood.”
“It’s winter now, so there won’t be much wood available.”
“Wet wood wouldn’t sell. Buy the trees damaged by the snow and build a temporary bridge at the narrowest part of the riverbank.”
“Yes, Your Excellency.”
Kahir turned his horse toward the market with several knights.
Entor, the mansion’s knight commander standing beside Maynus, called him.
“Your Excellency. You should warm up now. It doesn’t look like the snow will stop. Let’s go to the lord’s castle.”
Maynus nodded briefly.
There was nothing to do standing here. Maynus headed to the lord’s castle where Eden was waiting.
The territory near the capital, only three hours from the capital’s mansion, had a well-developed downtown.
Maynus got off his horse and walked through it.
“My lord!”
“You came because of the collapsed bridge?”
“Oh, did you hear the rumor?”
“What rumor?”
“They say the lord had a baby with his fiancée. They say the wedding will be soon!”
“What great news! Soon? I should prepare a wedding gift…”
The man who noticed Maynus’s gaze shut his mouth tight. Maynus’s look was not kind.
But Maynus passed by as if nothing happened, and they continued talking.
About what flowers to decorate the wedding with and when and where to hold it.
━━━━⊱⋆⊰━━━━
Maynus took off his hat and placed it down quietly.
“Why is he like that?”
Eden Daunis gestured, and Entor shrugged. Entor’s last name was Daunis.
They were twin brothers.
“Eden.”
“Yes, Your Excellency.”
“I thought I told you to correct the rumors.”
“Ah.”
Maynus must have heard some rumors while passing through downtown.
“You have sharp ears…”
“What?”
Maynus glared at Eden.
“No, Your Excellency! I tried, but rumors run wild. It’s not something you can fix in a day.”
Maynus ground his teeth. His headaches flared up again as winter crept in.
It was absurd to suddenly have a wife and child without knowing.
“Are you admitting you’re incompetent?”
“Your Excellency, I want to deny it too, but it’s impossible. People only hear what they want.”
Eden hadn’t given up.
He had told the servants the baby was Ellice and Alexand’s child.
The problem was people interpreted it however they liked…
Eden glanced at Maynus.
“Well… people now say that the kind Duke Maynus will marry Lady Veloce, who brought his nephew, and adopt the baby as his legitimate heir.”
“…”
Maynus went pale and stiff.
What…?
He was speechless, mouth agape.
How could rumors spread like that?
The engagement between Veloce and Maynus had long been meaningless! Maynus’s lips trembled.
Should he have refused when Veloce first knocked on his door?
Maynus leaned back in his chair.
“I think it’s better to just leave it be. Adding fuel to the rumors.”
Maynus closed his eyes with a pale face.
Just kick her out.
Yes, if Veloce leaves, all these annoying rumors will die down.
He decided to meet Veloce as soon as she returned to the capital’s mansion and settle things.
Maynus made up his mind again.
━━━━⊱⋆⊰━━━━
But Maynus couldn’t keep that promise.
“Wah… Gah!”
The baby reached out and smiled brightly. It felt like the corrupted heart was being purified or the darkness born from being worldly was washing away.
Maynus blinked slowly. It was like a devil and an angel were fighting in his mind.
‘What do rumors matter! Maynus, are you really going to kick her out? You… you’re really cruel.’
‘Maynus. What does it matter? That baby has nothing to do with you! Who cares if you kick her out now? You hate trouble, don’t you?’
Maynus’s eyes shook in confusion. Veloce noticed the trembling too. She cautiously approached Maynus.
“Would you like to hold her hand?”
Startled, Maynus took two steps back.
Yosunn
Thank you💖😍