4. In front of warm fire

After an extremely busy year, the winter has come back when we have to spend a year digging up what we have accumulated. I don't know how long I've been waiting for this winter since the wind got chilly. That is because i planted sweet potatoes in a small field around the castle this year. All the sweet potatoes were dried well and piled up in the warehouse.

"It's snowing a lot."

Killian got up from the bed and turned on the lamp. Even though it was already morning, our room was still quiet, dark. Then, he walked towards the window, pulled up the curtain and looked outside for a moment, and said.

"I think I was deceived by my father. He said it would snow a little, but this isn't 'a little'."

Mountain philiac, which had already turned into a snow-white mountain, was faintly visible behind the haze of the blizzard.

"It's time for everyone to take a break, right?"

I stretched my body, got up from the bed, and called Anna. After wiping our faces and our body with a warm water and wet towel, Anna brought us. We changed into warm and comfortable clothes and took a walk around the castle. To check around if there is any damage caused by the heavy snowfall, we also checked the stored food if there's any lacking, we also checked the heating work place to find if there's any problem with the heating, and checked if there's any people sick or suffering.

"I feel so relieved. There's no problem today as well."

"It would be nice if it snowed moderately and stopped."

We always have to pay attention to the villagers if they face any problems due to the heavy snow, but I don't think there will be any major accidents because we have been working a lot winter facilities this year.

"Let's eat some roasted sweet potatoes."

"Let's do that."

I sat in front of the large fireplace in the castle first-floor living room and gently swept the ash beneath the burning firewood. Then I buried some dried sweet potatoes there.

"Hmm. I think you're obsessed with roasted sweet potatoes these days."

"Actually, i like sitting and talking with you like this, then eating the potatoes."

"But still, I really enjoyed eating sweet potatoes with you."

". . . . I'm not saying that sweet potatoes taste bad."

The first time i started roasting sweet potatoes, Killian wondered why a Countess rummaged through the ashes. Of course, the fuss subsided when I put some warm roasted sweet potato in his mouth.

"How do you know how to plant sweet potatoes? Is that also knowledge that you learned in your past life?"

"Oh. it's not. That is. . . Something I learned through a farming book in the library of Ludwig's family mansion."

Killian, who carefully spread the ashes covering the sweet potatoes with a poker, turned his head at me.

"The person who will become a Countess, learning how to grow the sweet potatoes?"

"That's. . . . Because I thought maybe one day I'll have to run away at night. That's why i learned how to grow plans. So I guess i have to grow something to make a living somewhere."

Killian's hand stopped.

"Run away at night?"

"Yes. I'm saying this now, but i was really serious at that time. Because Riegelhoff family seemed ready to do something even though i already tried my best to stop them, and at the same time, Ludwig's family kept doubting me."

Killian's expression hardened again. But I told him not to feel guilty.

"I didn't blame you or Ludwig family. At that time, I just looked at the book by accident and thought maybe one day i could use that theory. . . ."

"I'm sorry, but no matter what happened later, you won't be succeeded run away at night."

"Yes? Why?"

"Because I'll chase after you and catch you."

Ah, it seems that Killian's face hardened earlier, not because he felt guilt but because he was angry. I thought his setting as an 'obsessed man' still remains.

"But if I hadn't changed my mind at that time, I might be in Drivan or Apentus by now."

"No, I'll searched all the way there and find you, and even if you hadn't changed your mind there at that time, you'll still be here, next to me."

"Ah. . . .Yes, well, whatever."

For some reason, his obsession should have been directed at Lizzy, but now has completely shifted to me. I walked over the fireplace to check if the sweet potatoes were cooked, chuckling at Killian's affectionate threats.

'Ouch!'

As I was crawling on the floor, my stomach suddenly felt stinging.

'I eat a lot of sweet potatoes, so i think my intestines system is working so hard that made my stomach is twisted.'

Isn't sweet potato good for constipation? Thanks to that, I've been going to the bathroom a lot these days, but sometimes i have my stomach aches because I'm too active.

'But I can't give up roasted sweet potatoes with Killian.'

I put on thick gloves and took out the well-baked sweet potatoes, and placed them on a plate. Then, she peeled it off while saying,'It's hot!' and shared it with Killian. Killian, who was eating sweet potatoes with me without knowing that he had a soot on his cheeks, was quite cute.

* * *

After a long winter, spring breeze began to blow in Ryzen.

"The season of roasted sweet potatoes has passed. Now, i can't deny that spring has started."

While others are happy that spring has come, i who used enjoyed to roast sweet potatoes at the fireplaces during the winter. I feel a little sad that winter has gone. While i was talking nonsense, Killian, who hugged me from behind, said something shocked me.

"You've been eating roasted sweet potatoes as a snack, in addition to your meals all winter. It looks like you've gained some weight because you have a belly fat here."

"Huh? Is that so?"

"It was a because you been eating and sleeping, eating and sleeping almost like a bear. So It's natural to gain weight."

"Uh. . . . I didn't know."

"Don't starve yourself just because you want to lose weight. You're still pretty."

Killian said playfully while rubbing my belly fat. For some reason, I felt frustrated and slapped his hand, but Killian kissed my cheek and lips without hesitation.

"I have to check the southern part of the territory today. I'll be back soon. So have some more rest."

"Don't just think about coming home quickly. But make sure you took a closer look without missing anything."

"Ha. . . . I think you love this territory more than me."

Killian was pretending to be upset, so i gave him a deep kiss on his lips and sent him on his way. After confirming that he was left the gate, I called Anna.

"Anna. Bring the congressman."

"Yes? Ma'am . Aren't you feeling uncomfortable?"

"I need to check something, so please bring the congressman quietly without letting anyone know."

Anna never questioned about my oder unless it's about my health. She ran like a wind with a nervous expression. It's not that I wasn't nervous, but i was impressed by the thought when I touched my soft and fleshy lower belly.

'Now that I think about it, I haven't had my period for four months. How I didn't notice it?'

Killian and I, who have been busy for the past year, vent our regrets by spending time together last winter. We stayed together all day, read books, ate roasted sweet potatoes, exchanged stories, and enjoyed watching the snow fall together. I had so much fun that I thought I forgot that I hadn't had my period about four months. I only noticed that this morning when Killian told me that I had a fat belly.

'Well, you've never eaten anything weird, have you?'

I felt anxious because I sometimes drank a sip or two of wine during a meal.

'No. I might have really gained weight because of the roasted sweet potatoes, and my period was a bit irregular.'

Well, it's only been delayed for about two months, but it could have been worse because I pushed myself too hard last year. I was waiting anxiously, Anna showed up and brought the congressman.

"Where you feel uncomfortable, Ma'am?"

"It's not that I'm feeling uncomfortable. . . . I just want you to check if I'm pregnant."

At the words, the congressman and Anna's eyes fluttered at the same time.

"Ma-Ma'am!"

"Don't make a fuss yet, Anna. It could just be menstrual irregularity."

I quickly got rid of my expectations because I was afraid Anna would be disappointed. However, the congressman, who examined me carefully, smiled brightly and told me the good news.

"Congratulations. You're pregnant. I think it's been a while."

"I haven't had. . . . My period is about four months. But actually, I have irregular period. . . . "

"Excuse me, but allow me to touch your belly for a moment."

The congressman put a thin towel on my belly, carefully touched my belly, asked about this and that, and nodded.

"I think you are already 3 months pregnant. So, by this summer, good news will spread throughout this territory."

Only then was I able to smile with relief.

"Your baby is a very good child. He didn't give his mother fatigue and didn't give her morning sickness."

"Now that I think about it, no matter how much I like sweet potatoes, I felt like I ate them a little too much. Is that also an effect of morning sickness? But I heard that the food will cause food poisoning?"

"Could be. But you don't feel unwell, right?"

"I guess so. Because I didn't feel any pain, I ate and slept, ate, and slept."

The congressman seemed happy, but Anna slumped her shoulders.

"I am ashamed of myself. Although I am a maid who is close to you, I didn't even realize that my ma'am's pregnant."

"Why is it Anna's fault? Neither Killian nor I were aware of this. I think this baby is pretty quiet."

After comforting Anna, I waited for Killian to return home with a mixture of anticipation and anxiety. Killian returned to the castle before dinner time, as he said he would come back early. As always, we set the table in our room and had dinner in a comfortable way.

"Is the south of the territory in a good condition?"

"Yes. I thought we had to fix the bridge across the stream, but it wasn't a big deal."

"That's a relief."

Killian nodded and took a sip of his wine, looked at me softly, and smiled.

"What's wrong?"

"It's just. . . . I'm so happy with my life right now. Sometimes I feel so happy that i still can't believe. . . . "

I was happy to see if Killian was happy. But i frowned my eyebrows, pretending to be in trouble.

"What should I do, Killian? I think sooner or later. . . .your happy life will fall apart."

Killian's face suddenly stiffened as if he were stabbed by a sharp knife in his heart.

"What's going on, Edith?"

Just looking at his face, I could tell he was thinking of all kinds of worst things scenarios. I decided to tell him the truth before he became too serious.

"That's . . . . You told me that I'm gained weight and had a fat belly. . . ."

"You're not that fat. I made a mistake. I was wrong."

"That-That's not it. I called the congressman and asked. . . ."

When he heard that I had called the congressman, Killian even dropped the knife and fork he was holding. Then he approached me, knelt down in front of me, and held my hand tightly.

"Edith. . . .No matter what happens, I will stay by your side. Don't be afraid. I will do whatever it takes to get the medicine. . . ."

"No, that's not it. . . . I'm having a baby in my belly."

Everyone should have seen Killian's face at this moment. It's the first time I've seen Killian make such a silly face.

"Is that true?"

"Yes. That's right."

"Really, I mean, we having a child?"

"That's right."

Suddenly, tears flowed down on his cheeks.

"Killian. . . . ?"

"Thank you. . . . Thank you, Edith . . . Thank you. . . ."

He knelt down and kissed the back of my hand and kept saying thank you. My eyes grew hot, and I ended up crying along with him. But his excitement ends there. From the next day, I was not allowed to leave the room for half a day. I was treated like glass that could break at any time. I shouldn't underestimate this obsession male lead. . . . .