CH 184

“I want to go to a bookstore,” Cecile muttered after a brief moment of contemplation. Back at the imperial palace, Tania had always been the one who purchased and brought the books to her. Forget visiting a bookstore, when Cecile was out on official duties, she couldn’t even attend an author’s signing event. But this was Aluna… Maybe she had a chance to visit one here? It was more relaxed and peaceful than the imperial palace. Cecile wondered whether to ask Estian, but soon shook her head. “He’ll definitely order for the whole bookstore to be moved here if I mention it,” she sighed.

Returning the ladder to its place, Cecile went out to the balcony. She was greeted by a breathtaking view that didn’t lose its appeal even after seeing it day in and day out. It was a beautiful sight to behold at every moment. Aluna truly lived up to its reputation of being the best tourist and resort city in the empire.

Settling onto a chair, she murmured, “Oh, it came today too! What a big family.” In the distance, a deer family had emerged from the forest and walked to the limestone ponds for a drink. Next to the doe was a stag with large antlers, and behind them were five fawns.

While watching this heartwarming scene, a memory suddenly flashed in Cecile’s mind. ‘That man!’ She was remembering the man that spouted drivel about finding Estian a mate, and who’d hounded her about whether she was carrying his spawn. Not only that, she was also recalling something Estian had once asked her… On the day Cecile had charged into her husband’s chambers, he’d also questioned whether she wanted children like everyone else. Now that she thought about it, hadn’t he already expressed long ago that he had zero intentions of siring an heir?

‘It can’t be…’ As her mind raced, a scene began unfolding in Cecile’s mind—a child resembling Estian showing up and calling him father, while behind the child stood a crying woman who sobs, “It’s our child.”

“No!” Cecile shouted. That’s impossible—Estian was extremely thorough with contraception. She didn’t know his methods, but since she still wasn’t with child despite their vigorous nightly activities, that she could be certain of. Cecile’s hand unconsciously moved to her belly.

‘Isn’t he impotent?’ Suddenly, her thoughts turned to an offhand remark Aled had once made.

“He’s not!” Cecile involuntarily yelled, jumping up to her feet. Besides, even if Estian wasn’t impotent, children wouldn’t be in the cards for a while. Not with his recent behavior. Though her husband had become more affectionate since their return from the dukedom of Etia, their intimacy at night was limited to holding hands.

“Shouldn’t the moon be in the sky before you ask for it?” Estian soothed. Even though Cecile’s health had steadily improved after coming to Aluna, and she required less and less sleep, Estian continued to treat her like she was porcelain.

‘Seriously, where did that beast of a man who prowled into the empress’s palace every night disappear to, leaving behind this ascetic saint? He says it’s because he worries for my body, but… It seems like a serious talk about this is necessary too.’

Wandering back to their room, Cecile found Estian inside. Was he preparing to go somewhere? He was changing out of his usual formal wear into simpler clothes laid out beside him.

Under the bright light, his firm chest, wide shoulders and those well-toned muscles that bulged with every moment could be appreciated even better. It was mesmerizing. This man was her man, so why was she being restricted like this to only looking? This was torture!

“Cecile? What’re you doing over there and not coming in?”

“I was just watching a bit,” Cecile said, discreetly wiping away her drool.

Estian seemed nonplussed but finished changing his clothes, before walking over and kissing his wife on the forehead. “I’m sorry, but head to bed first. There’s somewhere I need to go for a while…”

“Let’s go together!”

“No, I’ll finish my business quick and—”

“Let’s go together!”

“It might be dangerous…”

“That’s why let’s go together! I’ll protect you! Girgantia, Tania! What’re you guys doing! Get ready to go— Mmph!”

“Alright, alright. You can come, so be quiet,” Estian murmured, hastily covering Cecile’s mouth. Looking deeply troubled and somewhat embarrassed too, he continued, “I didn’t want to let you know if possible…”

* * *

An hour later, Cecile found herself standing in front of an empty shop with Estian. She quickly read the sign of the shop.

Maggie’s Pie Shop—Aluna’s Original Famous Apple Pie