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「I'm Having a Baby」So My Husband Told Me

Bedtime Story 8 ~ When We Become Husband and Wife, Will We Do This and That...?

Translated by: S3

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「It is a pleasure to meet you. I am Cloud Fondis.」

I was captivated by his black hair and blue eyes. The moment he introduced himself, a strong wind seemed to blow through my heart.

Lord Cloud, the eccentric Duke who was my partner for this miai (arranged meeting). Despite me being a Viscount's daughter—a considerably lower rank—he was not the least bit condescending and politely bowed to greet me.

His appearance was truly exquisite... beautiful. It was the first time in my life I had thought a man was beautiful. Lord Cloud possessed that degree of beauty. I'm sorry for calling you an old man just based on your age. Let's seal that fact in the darkness.

Behind Lord Cloud, an elderly butler bowed respectfully. Coming from my house, which has zero servants, let alone a butler, I painfully realized we lived in entirely different worlds.

Even the clothes he was wearing, though they looked modest, I could tell by the fabric alone they must be incredibly expensive. I know that much.

Wait, isn't that pair of shoes Lord Cloud is wearing more expensive than my entire outfit combined? After all, my clothes were just outfits I'd dug out of a used clothing store in town that kind of made me look like a noble... And of course, there were patches in places you couldn't see.

To Lord Cloud, the question would probably be, 「What are patches?」 He must be completely unfamiliar with them.

Why is a man dressed in such luxury clothes visiting our poor noble shack?

I started to feel embarrassed. The tea and sweets I offered, while eye-wateringly expensive for my family, were probably pocket-change for him.

So, I wished he would leave without touching them. My brothers would devour them in an instant. Please pretend you didn't see the sweets that aren't up to your standard.

Just as I was thinking that, he called out, 「Lady Melissa?」

「Please, help yourself to the sweets if you'd like.」

「No, I don't.」

I must have been glaring at the sweets, which led to a strange misunderstanding. This makes me look like nothing more than a gluttonous child.

Well, I suppose I am just a child.

As I considered this, I slowly calmed down.

That's right, I'm just a fourteen-year-old child. In that case, I should feel free to ask whatever questions I want.

Given the financial aid, and his acceptable looks, I felt ready to marry him right now, but there were a few points that made me hesitant to be so reckless.

「Um, may I ask a question?」

「Of course, ask anything you wish.」

He's such a gentleman. Twenty-one years old is definitely an adult.

「Well, why me?」

「Because you captivated me.」

That was both clear and unclear.

「Have we met before?」

「I happened to see you by chance, Lady Melissa.」

「I'm only fourteen.」

「I am only twenty-one.」

「Isn't that quite a difference in age?」

When I said that, Lord Cloud immediately denied it, saying, 「Not at all.」

「Listen, Lady Melissa, please think about this carefully.」

「Uh, about what?」

「When you are twenty, I will be twenty-seven.」

「Right...」

「You wouldn't be concerned about the age gap then, would you?」

「Well, no, but... still...」

「Then, imagine this.」

What is this game?

「When you are fifty, I will be fifty-seven. See? The age gap isn't bothersome, is it?」

「Well, that's true, but... still...」

「Then, imagine this!」

What now!?

「When you are two hundred, I will be two hundred and seven. Will you be concerned about the age gap then!?」

「I don't think I'll live to that unprecedented age!?」

What is wrong with this noble!

I heard the beautiful first impression of him crumbling away.

Realizing what a strange person he was, my head gradually cleared.

That's when I asked the question that concerned me most about marriage.

「Putting the age gap aside... I am still fourteen.」

「That is correct, you are fourteen.」

「So, um... well... if we were to marry...」

「Yes, if we were to marry?」

Why is he smiling so happily?

「The, um... things that a married couple does... you know...」

「Yes?」

「Err...」

Do I have to say this directly?!

I'd prefer he understand this as an adult.

However, Lord Cloud, who seemed like a naive, pure noble boy, didn't understand what I was trying to say and was smiling, waiting for my next words.

Seriously, what should I do?

As I struggled, the butler standing behind him whispered something in his ear.

Upon hearing it, he seemed to finally understand, nodding with a laugh and saying, 「Ah.」

「You are talking about having children?」

「Y-yes, that's right.」

His direct phrasing made me feel embarrassed.

But if I were to marry, this was an unavoidable topic. I'd be marrying the head of a Dukedom, so naturally, an heir would be needed.

However, I'm still fourteen.

Even if not right away, having children immediately after marriage is something I would rather... no, something I strongly wish to avoid.

「I'd like to wait until I'm at least twenty...」

「You do not need to worry about that.」

The Duke, with a solemn expression, said there was no need to worry.

「Meaning?」

Lord Cloud hesitated for a moment at my question. But then, as if making up his mind, he looked up and met my eyes... and with a slight tremor in his beautiful blue eyes, he said:

「I am unable to perform such an act.」