Deceived, Yet Drawn to You - Chapter 127

“There’s no way I forgot. It’s such an important examination.”

“I’ve already instructed Benjamin in advance, so if anything is needed at the hospital, don’t hesitate to tell him.”

“Okay.”

When Blair answered obediently, soft kisses fell repeatedly, as if praising a child. Even then, his lips didn’t withdraw easily. They brushed her temple and earlobe several times before slowly moving down to where her jaw and neck met.

The reason Edmund clung to her more than usual wasn’t anything else. It was because he wouldn’t be able to accompany her to this examination. He had matters related to Rufus that required his personal attention, making it impossible for him to leave. That seemed to weigh heavily on his mind.

“Once the stable period is clearly past, the doctor will come to the mansion to examine you directly, so bear with it and go just this once.”

“It’s not difficult to go to the hospital.”

“And I’ll assign guards, so from the moment you arrive at the hospital until you return home, you must stay with them at all times.”

“What kind of pregnant woman brings guards with her just to go to the hospital?”

“You’re not an ordinary pregnant woman.”

Instead of answering, Blair quietly lowered her gaze. Edmund, who had been gently stroking her waist from behind, added, “Promise me you will.”

“Oh… I promise.”

She had no choice but to answer, but she couldn’t help smiling slightly. The man who was already meticulous by nature had developed the habit of checking and tending to even the smallest details when it came to her health. His care had often been excessive, but Blair had to admit it now. Within Edmund’s touch, she felt an incomparable sense of comfort and security.

Only a few sips remained of the milk sweetened heavily with honey. When she set the glass down on the small round table, the man’s darkened eyes watched her intently.

Gray eyes like a city after rain. Edmund didn’t particularly like Eldenvale, but he resembled the city where he was born and raised.

Blair thought she would like it if their child inherited those eyes. Eyes that held a muted color, yet carried a firmness that wouldn’t easily break.

“…Let’s go to bed.”

“I’ll turn off the lights.”

When Edmund nodded readily, Blair went to the bed and lifted the covers. As she lay down on the soft mattress, darkness soon settled over the bedroom. With the sound of footsteps, familiar warmth settled beside her. Once again, Edmund was the one who reached out first in bed.

His large palm carefully caressed her stomach. Though it was difficult to notice just by looking, the slight swell of her lower abdomen was unmistakable when touched.

“I hope it doesn’t cause trouble.”

A faint trace of concern lingered in Edmund’s quiet murmur, as it always did. Blair smiled softly and looked at the man lying beside her. Even in the darkness, she could picture his face. His faintly furrowed dark brows and tightly closed lips. A face that suited a smile far better.

“How much trouble could a baby in the womb possibly cause?”

“I’m wondering if it might take after me.”

“You?”

“I’ve heard I caused my mother great hardship even before I was born. Her morning sickness was especially severe, and she couldn’t eat properly for quite some time.”

His low voice was dry as he recited a past he couldn’t even remember. Blair blinked and asked carefully, “Did Albert tell you that?”

“No. My mother told me herself. When I was young, I used to go up often to the attic where she stayed.”

The voice of Edmund’s mother, as he remembered it, had been calm, never once blaming her young son. She simply remained bedridden even after giving birth because her health never fully recovered, and that frail image seemed deeply etched into Edmund’s mind.

As Blair looked into the man’s eyes as he recalled it, her heart felt heavy. So much time had passed, and yet was he still carrying the burden of his mother’s suffering?

“But they say morning sickness isn’t entirely a bad thing.”

Blair reached out and gently stroked Edmund’s dark hair.

“It’s proof that the baby is safe inside, and it might also mean your body is doing exactly what it should.”

“….”

“And… I hope the baby looks like you.”

Edmund finally let out a quiet laugh. Then he tilted his head and pressed his lips to hers. He sucked at her lips as if biting, tasting the moist membrane lightly before sliding his tongue inside.

It was different from the kisses he’d been so careful with until now. The familiar roughness of his breath immediately overwhelmed Blair. His hand completely covered the back of her neck, gripping her head and twisting her jaw to wind his tongue around the deepest part of her mouth.

Their wet breaths tangled, and their inner thighs pressed together. Her breathing quickly grew uneven, but the man showed no sign of retreating. He devoured her relentlessly. His hand slid up along her waist and grasped her sensitive breast. Even through the fabric, she could feel the hardened desire of his body, and Blair’s heart pounded wildly.

Only then did Edmund, who had been kissing her deeply, lift his head. A thin strand of saliva stretched between their lips before snapping under their harsh breathing. His eyes, flickering with restrained desire, looked down at Blair for a moment.

“We should stop here.”

“I’m… fine.”

“I don’t think I’ll be able to hold back.”

Unlike his voice, which restrained itself with difficulty, his heated hand still rubbed her breast. She felt the same reluctance to stop after being filled with such overwhelming desire. Even at the villa, they’d rolled together several times without going all the way, and the pleasure she experienced had only been possible because of his patience.

Edmund pressed his lips firmly to Blair’s damp forehead, then pulled away. Lying beside her again, his breath remained uneven. As Blair looked up at him, who was covered in emotions far more intense than her own, she asked quietly, “Is it alright if we sleep while holding each other?”

“…You really are adorable.”

Edmund let out a soft laugh and pulled her into his arms.

“There’s no reason it wouldn’t be. Come here.”

He wrapped his strong arm around her as if embracing her completely, his hand gently patting her as if lulling her to sleep. Feeling the peaceful warmth, Blair buried her cheek deeper into his chest.

Then she quietly closed her eyes. At last, her heartbeat was returning to its normal rhythm.

17. Threshold

The next day, when it was time for Blair to leave for the hospital, Edmund came out of his study to personally see her off. As they left the main building together and reached the entrance near the fountain, Blair flinched slightly. Three guards in dark civilian clothing stood in front of two cars parked in a neat line.

“…Are all of them coming with me?”

“Yes.”

Edmund answered briefly as he adjusted the collar of her coat. His touch was careful as he fastened even the button below her neck that she hadn’t managed to secure.

“Who brings a line of guards just to go for a medical examination….”

Her muttering trailed off as a kiss fell on her lips.

“Come back safely. If anything happens, send a telegram immediately.”

“I will. I’ll be very careful. If I even get a scratch, my husband won’t let it pass.”

“How perceptive of you.”

With such excessive send-off, Blair climbed into the car. Edmund, who had been watching her with endlessly gentle eyes, shifted his gaze to the escort vehicle following behind.

Through the car window, the men gave him a subtle signal. That alone was enough. The instructions and equipment necessary for protecting a distinguished guest had already been delivered well in advance. Blair might be surprised and think it excessive if she knew, but Edmund didn’t care at all.

As long as something to protect and threats existed at the same time, caution wasn’t a choice for him, but an obvious necessity.

***

The car heading toward the capital reached the Royal Hospital of Borsa after well over an hour. When the vehicle stopped at the entrance, Benjamin came down the steps and personally greeted Blair.

“Mr. Jensen.”

“Good morning, madam. This way, please.”

Benjamin smiled kindly, as always, and escorted her to the obstetrics and gynecology examination room.

“You haven’t experienced any particular discomfort lately?”

“No, I feel very well. Though my husband treats me as if I’m made of glass.”

“That’s understandable.”

As they walked down the hospital corridor, Benjamin glanced back. After confirming the men following at a steady distance, he let out a quiet laugh.

“You’ve brought three of Edmund’s doubles with you, madam.”