Huh?
What is this guy talking about...?
Peter, Charlotte's ex-husband, unbelievably asked to confirm whether Charlotte is really pregnant or not.
It's obvious that she is pregnant. Why would she lie about something like that? Moreover, confirm it in a place like this......?
――Well, this is a world of magic. Moreover, the child in Charlotte's womb is our child. Peter should be able to sense the magical power of our offspring.
Charlotte glanced at me with her big, emerald eyes. We can communicate telepathically. So, this means that there must be a reason why she is looking at me.
――Ah, A nobleman's trick. Fufufu, I, being a part of the nobility, understand that much. However, I don't know what you want to say!
Peter followed Charlotte's gaze and locked eyes with me.
"Uho."
"Please stop, Charlotte-sama. I'll do anything you want."
"Anything, you say!"
"..................in my limit."
Charlotte is supposed to be the one who is getting in trouble, but oh well, I'm relieved to see my precious and beloved wife so calm.
"Because I believe in Desmond-sama."
"It's payback for making me feel embarrassed."
As I admired, Charlotte-chan blushing through our telepathic connection."
And you are?"
Oops, Peter spoke up.
Wait, is he still a little angry?
――Could it be that I should have been the one to speak up?
I really don't want to be remembered, and I don't want to talk to him,
'What is your name?'
Was that the case? He tried to build up our interactions with others, claiming to forget my name due to respect for my position?
"Desmond-sama is so sly... (puh)"
"That's not true! I don't have that kind of talent or social skills! Plus, That's just too devious and antagonistic!"
"It's too late for that now."
"...Eh...?"
Well then, "I am Baron Desmond Damwead, Lord of Aldora." I greet the Marquis of Swift.
"That's why it's too late."
"Shut up!"
"Is that so, you..."
Indeed, I had a feeling that there was too late. But aren't you being a bit too obvious? Still, as an adult, I lightly smiled, using my blonde-haired, blue-eyed, sweet noble face.
*Glittering*...
"...... my heart is racing......"
"What incredible courage and confidence...'D'ragon..."
"(Kuh, how long has it been since I had to hold back my laughter this much...)"
Oh, Papa's shoulders are shaking!
"I guess I was wrong about you being that kind of person........" Peter said.
I'm only a pervert man, I have no idea what you great people are thinking.
"I love the pervert Desmond-sama more than any of the great men."
"Thank you."
"You're welcome."
If Charlotte-chan keeps interjecting like this, I might start to relax. Battlefield? What was that thing again?
"But if you are such a person, then it is understandable that this nonsense rumor was spread." Peter looked at me, then at Charlotte.
"Rumors such as Charlotte being pregnant."
He, the man who couldn't impregnate Charlotte, didn't hide the contempt in his eyes.
"There are some terrible people out there. Saying that a woman who can't conceive now got pregnant, how can they do such a thing..." He looked at Charlotte with a pitying gaze, "But I must commend them for their courage. It seems that those who spread the rumors are planning to pick a fight with this Swift family - or perhaps with our faction."
――*chuckle chuckle.*
guffaw leaked from somewhere.
――*chuckle chuckle, chuckle chuckle*――
Until a moment ago, for some reason, there was an oddly uneasy feel in this venue, but when he spoke with righteous indignation and a haughty attitude, the ripples of laughter followed him.
It was a very unpleasant thing, and he seemed to be showing that it was his own power――it was like throwing a stone into a lake and watching the ripples spread――at the Peter Theater.
"What recklessness."
He says in a quiet voice.
"It seems they don't know their place, and they're ignorant, reckless, and heartless, using a woman who couldn't conceive as an excuse."
Hey, that's for me to react, right?
But of course, I'm not in the mood to throw that back at him.
"You probably think so too, Charlotte and Desmond. Our enemies seem to be trying to tear us apart, Earl Terrace." He gave a cold glance to Papa―― I'd like to commend him for not undermining me at every turn. Even it is one-sided.
He turns his attention back to us.
"Charlotte and Desmond."
Don't use that weird way of referring to us. And you don't have the right to call me by my name. But I think there's also a part of you that doesn't want to call me Baron.
"Let's settle the uncertain rumors once and for all," he said, looking at me with his blue eyes.
It was a terrifying gaze that didn't betray any hint of warmth. He asked if it was alright to touch Charlotte's belly. He said he would check if she was really pregnant.
How arrogant and insulting.
He used to be Charlotte's husband, so why would he say such a cruel thing? It's impossible to even consider making such an offer. I was about to refuse, but...
"It's alright, Desmond-sama."
"Charlotte..."
"That was to be expected."
What does she mean by that?
Certainly, unlike me, Charlotte is talented and would have foreseen that this situation could happen. That's why, to be honest, I was feeling nervous and not thinking too much about what was going to be said or done. Other than that one time, my "chicken instinct" hadn't reacted, so I thought everything would be fine and continued on.
Even in dealing with aristocrats, we had Charlotte-chan, the cheat sheet, if things went wrong.
――But let's leave that aside.
I nodded.
Then Peter put his hand on Charlotte's stomach,
――"She's not pregnant."
Oh....... a resounding groan from all around.
Peter cowered his shoulders and removed his hand from Charlotte's stomach. As if he had touched something foul. If I hadn't foreseen it, and if Charlotte hadn't caught my clenched fist, I would have punched him.
If I hit him, I would be in the wrong. It's the same in another world. I'm a baron and the other guy is a marquis, hitting him with a fist could be seen as beating him repeatedly.
However, no matter how much he insists that there is no one inside, there is no way to change the fact that there is someone there. No matter how much he tries to argue, what is to be born will be born. There is no way to overturn that.
So, I will just ignore this argument...
"It seems you have something you want to say. Do you think I'm lying?"
His blue eyes gaze at me, at us, and it's true. I'm just stunned, he speaks in such an arrogant tone, as if he's the main character, and all the others are supporting roles to enhance his own."
If that's the case, why don't you ask someone else to check it for you?"
"――――Stop it! Desmond-sama!"
And then, I quickly looked at "they" in my vision.
Residents of the aristocratic society, swirling with intrigue and scheming. Moreover, they are the ones who were chosen by Marquis Swift to be here today. His confidants. That is to say, it's not about blood - of course, there are probably some intermarriage relations here and there - it's about "faction".
These are people who try to outsmart each other, holding hands with each other in the muddy waters of the aristocratic society. Just a moment ago, they were even showing a willingness to use me, an enemy, as an ally if I am useful to them.
The fact that Charlotte is pregnant is a fact. And if it is confirmed, Peter's disgrace will be exposed. However, if these people...
Crossing a red light together is fine!
When power and majority rule are combined, red looks green and green looks red!
No, even so, there's no way to deny that Charlotte is pregnant. And even if they are their own faction, there should be a faction of the Terrace family――or so I thought? They may not have been invited to this place, but if they were, they would be countered in the same way.
――These guys are idiots, aren't they?
Or ―― are they trying to bait me?
Waiting for me to hit them.
I may be a chicken, but when it comes to Charlotte, I can't help but get fired up. I might even punch someone for her sake.
I can't help but look at her when she starts fidgeting.
Seriously though, why are these guys so juvenile and resorting to such measures? Don't they have anything better to do?
I had no idea when they send "Ephemera" after me, but the journey has been peaceful. Thanks to that, I've had plenty of time to have some intimate moments with Charlotte. Ahem. Also, thinking of interfering with my pride and joy, my second wife and capable government official Liz's territory management.... that might be too difficult. Even invading our territory would be hard since old man is there...
What? They're actually pretty cornered...? And him, too.
Even though they're in the same faction... as nobles, Peter must have paid a pretty penny, huh? That's the only explanation.
"Our perceptive lord is hard to deal with."
It would have been nice if Charlotte could have responded, but...
"Hmmm, so proud of Liz I see."
"What? Charlotte is becoming more jealous since Mama's incident!"
"Of course I'm proud of Charlotte. She's my precious, precious, precious wife."
"................... ――gufufu"
"!?"
―― Speaking of which, Charlotte, are you fine? If so, then say something...
I was being naïve and foolish for thinking that way.
RECENTLY UPDATES
