The Duchess and the Devil - Chapter 108

“Not much would have been different. We would still get married, and the child would be mine.”

His nonchalant tone showed clear conviction that he genuinely believed it.

If the child had been born, it would have officially become the heir to the Vaisil Duchy. A remarriage to the Maximilian Duchy in that state? If such a thing had happened, the capital would likely have been abuzz once more.

Had Judith safely given birth, she would still be the Duchess of Vaisil. After all, she had been divorced on the grounds of the miscarriage, accompanied by malicious rumors. If there was no fault to be found, there would have been no reason for the divorce.

Still, knowing Derrick, he would have pushed ahead with the marriage, regardless of his situation or public opinion.

“Judith.”

Lost in thought, Judith snapped back to reality at the sensation of a kiss on the corner of her eye.

“Do you want to have a baby again?”

The crimson pupils that met hers were so sharp that it seemed impossible to deceive him, no matter what she said.

Judith hesitated for a long time, tracing the broad expanse of his chest with her fingertips. It wasn’t that she never wanted to have a child. But perhaps because of the pain of having lost one before, the mere thought tightened her chest and filled her with dread.

The topic of having a baby had come up on their wedding night. Back then, Judith had hesitated, and when Derrick noticed her reluctance, he used magic to prevent conception. Thanks to that, though they had shared countless nights since their marriage, there had never been any signs of pregnancy.

When she couldn’t answer readily this time either, Derrick patted her shoulder lightly, as if to reassure her. Judith gazed at him silently as he comforted her, then asked,

“What about you?”

“I don’t care either way. If you want one, I’ll want one too. If not, that’s fine as well.”

“…”

“I told you, didn’t I? Whatever you want, you can use me for it.”

“Does that include having a baby?”

When she chuckled softly, Derrick’s lips curled into a smile as well. He caressed her cheek and murmured as he pressed a kiss to it.

“Still… if it’s a baby that looks like you, it’d be beautiful.”

Judith suddenly grew curious about the child Derrick was imagining. She opened her mouth to ask but was overcome by a wave of drowsiness before she could speak. The lingering sensations of their lovemaking quickly gave way to an overwhelming fatigue.

Nestled in Derrick’s arms, she surrendered to the night, no longer haunted by fear.

***

A bright and sunny afternoon.

The garden of the Marchioness Dyer’s residence was filled with the fragrant scent of blooming flowers. Amid this picturesque scene, Judith sat across from the Marchioness, engaging in a warm conversation. Today, the Marchioness’s two sons were also present.

Judith held the Marchioness’s hand as the two boys politely greeted her. She looked at them with gentle affection.

The elder son, Harry, seemed shy, sticking close to his mother, while the younger, Jeremy, was his opposite, eagerly attaching himself to Judith.

“Jeremy. Do you like having a younger sibling?”

Jeremy, who had been concentrating on eating his cake with his nose almost touching the plate, nodded at Judith’s question.

“Do you? Then do you want a little sister or a little brother?”

“I want a little sister.”

The Marchioness chuckled softly, taking a sip of tea. Judith patted Jeremy’s head and turned to ask the Marchioness,

“How are you feeling? Are you doing well?”

“Oh, yes, of course. I’ve had some abdominal tightness lately, but the tea you sent helped me recover quickly. Thank you.”

The Marchioness wasn’t the type to suffer greatly during pregnancy. That had been the case with her previous two sons, and it seemed likely that this time would be no different. Still, knowing Judith’s history with miscarriage, she chose her words with care, expressing gratitude for Judith’s thoughtful gift but avoiding unnecessary remarks.

“How is the Marquis?”

“Oh, he’s much the same as always. He’s a very reserved man, after all.”

Despite her words, a faint blush spread across the Marchioness’s cheeks.

Judith pictured the Marquis in her mind. As described, he was an aloof man, but his love for his wife was apparent. Judging by the Marchioness’s reaction, it was clear that his feelings were reciprocated.

Smiling, Judith took another sip of tea. The Marchioness looked at her for a long moment, hesitating before finally summoning the courage to speak.

“What about you, Judith?”

Judith set her teacup down on its saucer and raised her gaze.

“About having a baby.”

Had it been someone else, Judith might have perceived the question as an attempt to probe her weaknesses. Bringing up the topic of children in front of someone who had miscarried could easily come across as a blatant act of rudeness.

But coming from the Marchioness, who had always been by her side, and knowing the intentions behind her words, Judith responded calmly.

“Well, it’s already been a year since Derrick and I got married.”

A brief silence lingered over the table. Judith’s gaze turned toward the garden, where flowers were blooming in abundance. Her amber eyes, seemingly immersed in deep thought, reflected a profound stillness like the depths of an ocean.

It was only after a while that she finally opened her lips.

“Honestly… I’m not sure. As you know, when I was pregnant, I went through a lot.”

“Yes, that’s true.”

“If I had even one good memory to hold onto, I might have found the courage to try again. But back then, all I had were difficult memories…”

Memories of helplessness and frustration, etched deeply into her heart. Tossed about in the cruel schemes of a wicked demon, she was left powerless.

The events that followed the hunting competition had been more than enough to shake Judith’s already precarious world. The dark currents of a curse that struck with her pregnancy, dizzying hallucinations, Derrick’s absence—and then…

Judith shook her head slowly. It was all in the past now. She didn’t want to dwell on those bitter memories.

“That’s why I think I’m scared.”

Pregnancy would surely be a joyful thing, but the possibility of it becoming a reminder of the past loomed over her like a shadow. There was guilt for losing the child so helplessly, though she couldn’t deny other fears as well.

The Marchioness, unaware of the bloody battles with demons and how Judith had been a victim amidst the chaos, nodded in understanding. Perhaps she was recalling the circumstances surrounding “Judith Vaisil” at that time—being framed as the culprit behind the villa murder or miscarrying during a funeral.

Sensing the heaviness in Judith’s response, the Marchioness deftly changed the subject to lighten the mood. The air, which had been tense, gradually softened, and the cheerful atmosphere returned.

Their conversation was interrupted by an unexpected visitor just as Judith was wiping cream from Jeremy’s lips with a handkerchief.

“Sister!”

Someone came dashing toward them like the wind. A loud voice accompanied the broad figure of a man who wrapped his arms around the Marchioness’s shoulders from behind. Startled, Judith froze, her handkerchief still in hand, her eyes wide like a startled rabbit.

Unlike Judith, the Marchioness let out a small sigh, seemingly accustomed to the intrusion.

“Ted. Can’t you behave yourself for once?”

“Haha, I was just so happy to see you.”

“We just had breakfast together. Anyone would think it’s been ages since we last met.”

The Marchioness spoke in a tone that reflected familiarity and affection, as though addressing someone very close. Moreover, the man’s hair matched hers in color, suggesting their relationship. Judith’s gaze flitted between the two heads, which seemed to blend perfectly in tone.

“Did you have a good ride at the stables?”

“Yes, of course.”

The man flashed a dazzling smile, his attitude as amiable as could be.

The mention of the stables naturally drew Judith’s attention to his attire. His fitted navy jacket with metallic buttons and tight breeches that outlined his muscular thighs clearly marked him as a rider. Coupled with his well-groomed appearance and his tall, robust figure, he seemed like the type who would be quite popular among young ladies of his age.

As the Marchioness conversed with him, she noticed Judith’s gaze belatedly.

“Introduce yourself properly.”

She tugged at the man’s arm, gesturing toward Judith with her eyes.

“It’s a pleasure to meet you, I’m…”

The man, who had been focused solely on the Marchioness until now, turned his gaze toward Judith for the first time.

The moment his bright eyes met hers, he froze as if struck by lightning, his posture stiffening where he stood.