Limited Extra Time - Chapter 146

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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—— Page 1 ——

While the maidservants entered to clear the dishes, Carina Leopold remained silent, her meal finished.

Seeing someone who rarely sulked now visibly upset, I couldn’t help but wonder if I’d committed some grave mistake.

Millaiyen Pestellio drew in a sharp breath, his mind racing frantically.

“Carina, when would you like to visit the Aerial Count? I think we could receive a response by around next week….”

“…Is that so?”

“Yes, so shall we depart around this time next week? I won’t be able to stay long, but we should be able to remain there for about a week.”

At Millaiyen’s words, Carina nodded with a faint smile.

So Marin Aerial could be useful in such ways. I found myself feeling a tiny bit grateful for the fact that I had bound myself to her in the first place.

—— Page 2 ——

He felt a slight gratitude for the fact that he had formed a connection with her by chance.

“That’s wonderful.”

“Good. Then I’ll tell Peng to prepare accordingly.”

“I’m sorry. I was irritable for no reason. It’s just that lately my emotions have been overwhelming. When Winston or Periel Kalos arrive, I should ask them if Haron has caused any trouble.”

The fastest method would be to meet Ajidahaka, who is traveling the world.

Since it would be mana that separated from his body, he would detect the changes in my body the quickest. The problem is that there’s no way to know where he is or what he’s doing.

Carina Leopold exhaled a sigh, rubbing her forehead.

It was utterly frustrating. She herself acknowledged that lately there were moments when emotion surged ahead of reason.

“No, it’s not your fault. I’ll be more careful as well.”

“It’s not that.”

Carina Leopold exhaled a sigh and leaned back against her seat.

After eating, all that came over me was drowsiness. At this point, I was on the verge of laughing at the absurdity of it all. It seemed I would have to force myself to take a walk outside.

“Would it be alright if I went out for a walk after eating?”

“Alone?”

“Yes, just a walk. I won’t go far.”

Millaiyen Pestellio nodded at Carina’s words.

Soon after, Peng brought a large platter brimming with fruit. Millaiyen Pestellio glared at him, questioning what this was, but Peng merely shrugged wordlessly.

“Wow, it’s so sweet, probably because it’s summer.”

Carina’s fork moved ceaselessly. Millaiyen Pestellio watched as the fruit he had barely touched began to disappear cleanly

—— Page 3 ——

without taking long at all.

“I’ll be back from my walk.”

“…Don’t stray too far from the Duke’s Residence.”

“Yes.”

Carina nodded with a much brighter expression than before. As she left the Dining Hall, Millaiyen Pestellio let out a low sigh.

“Search for the Dragon. Something seems to be wrong. Contact Winston and Periel Kalos as well.”

“I will contact Winston. In this old man’s opinion, the Dragon is likely unrelated to this matter.”

“What are you talking about? Something feels off. The method was unstable from the start… Side effects are unavoidable, but….”

“Her appetite changed about a month ago, and she’s been eating more for roughly two months now. The increased drowsiness seems to have started around the same time.”

At Peng’s words, Millaiyen Pestellio’s expression hardened.

His expression had hardened into irritation, sharp tension radiating from his features. Peng exhaled a low sigh and carefully cleared away the empty plate.

“Well, and about a month before that, the Lady and His Excellency shared their first night together, did they not?”

Peng delivered his words with more directness.

The sharp edge that had been radiating from him dissipated in an instant. Bewilderment flickered across Millaiyen Pestellio’s face as he grasped the meaning effortlessly.

A look of embarrassment crossed his face.

“…Are you saying Carina Leopold is pregnant?”

“Considering the Lady’s recent behavior and her changed appetite… Yes, that is what I believe to be the case.”

Peng affirmed it.

Millaiyen Pestellio narrowed his brows and pressed his forehead with his hand. It should have been joyous, yet it was not.

I did not wish for her body to deteriorate. I did not wish for her time to be surrendered to a child.

—— Page 4 ——

When we both understood that our time together was not long… I did not wish for her suffering to deepen.

…Are you certain?

“Winston will arrive soon, so we can confirm it then.

However, the previous Lady showed similar signs, so I believe it will be accurate.”

“I see. Very well.”

Millaiyen Pestellio rose from his seat with a weary expression. It was not that I had never considered the possibility of a child, but I had deemed it selfish.

I thought it was Shim.

My chest already felt heavy thinking about what to tell Carina Leopold.

‘Will she be angry if I suggest we end it?’

Millaiyen had no intention of forcing any decision regarding the child upon her. If she wished to end the pregnancy, he would accept it; if she chose to carry it to term, he would do his utmost to raise the child alongside her.

The child would undoubtedly be precious beyond measure, yet it would inevitably become a source of her lingering attachment.

He slowly lowered his head.

Whichever path she chose, he hoped it would be one she would never regret.

“You are indeed pregnant. It appears to be approximately three months along.”

Carina Leopold’s eyes widened considerably at Winston’s words, spoken after so long an absence, before gradually settling into a calm expression.

Shock was evident upon her face, yet there was also an air of

having anticipated this very outcome.

“You don’t seem particularly surprised.”

“I was already aware of the symptoms of pregnancy. However, I thought it made more sense to attribute the changes to what happened with Haron rather than to be caught off guard by this.”

Carina Leopold exhaled a quiet sigh.

She had never harbored any firm intention against bearing a child, yet the sudden arrival of this news was undeniably disconcerting.

—— Page 5 ——

She drew her slender hand across her face.

When she glanced subtly to the side, Millaiyen stood with his arms crossed, his expression grave and contemplative.

She had expected him to speak, yet contrary to her anticipation, he remained silent.

Winston smiled faintly.

“And it seems Your Excellency is not particularly surprised either.”

“…Peng did mention the possibility beforehand.”

A dry sigh escaped between his lips as he answered matter-of-factly.

“Really? Why didn’t you tell me!”

“I didn’t want to trouble you with something uncertain.”

“Even so… you should have said something.”

“I’m sorry. I didn’t know what to do… whether I should be happy or beat my head against the wall for being so complacent.”

Carina’s brow furrowed at the self-reproach evident in Millaiyen’s voice.

Winston rose from his seat with tactful discretion. He bowed lightly and departed through the door that Peng held open for him.

“Why would Millaiyen be foolish?”

“I didn’t want to burden you. This would… shackle you. I never wanted that.”

“I’m bewildered, but I’m not opposed to it. I’ve always wanted to have a child anyway.”

Millaiyen drew a breath.

He slowly covered his eyes with his palm. The frustration felt as though it would turn his stomach inside out. He understood her heart, but he could not help but consider the future.

“A child would… become an attachment for you. Your already limited time could not be spent entirely for yourself… and my broken hand

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would become a source of pain.”

Carina fell silent at Millaiyen’s words.

She understood painfully well what he feared.

For one destined to live a predetermined life, perhaps a new life was something that should never be.

It would wound the child, become an attachment for her, and become a memory he could never forget no matter how hard he tried.

“Then, when you’ve let go of that entire reality? What of Millaiyen’s desire? Don’t you wish to raise a child?”

“… If I didn’t think about it, I would want to. Our happiness would transcend the worries I harbor.”

“That’s enough for me. Someday… even if you find yourself alone, if you won’t have to feel lonely, that’s all I need. I have my own desires too. I wanted a family, after all.”

Carina Leopold cradled Millaiyen Pestellio’s cheeks in her hands, speaking softly as she caressed them with care.

Her touch was gentle, fingers brushing tenderly across his skin. Watching his contorted expression, she carefully pressed her lips to his forehead.

“…Are you truly certain about this?”

“Yes. To be honest, I already knew something was growing inside me, but I don’t have the resolve to end it.”

“Then… going to Marin Aerial….”

“I’m still going.”

At her resolute tone, Millaiyen Pestellio fell silent. He knew better than anyone how crude and unrefined Marin Aerial’s speech and language could be.

“I’m certain it won’t be good for prenatal care.”

“Are you already trying to play the father?”

“…Not quite playing the father, but my conviction remains firm that Marin Aerial would be detrimental to your mental state in many ways.”

At his words, Carina Leopold burst into soft laughter. It was hard to believe, yet the reality that a life was growing inside her womb felt both wondrous and strange.

—— Page 7 ——

A new life was developing within this small body of hers.

Was this not a miracle unfolding within her?

“Still, I want to go. I wish to see the Sea.”

“…Very well. I’ll proceed as planned.”

Though reluctance was written across his face, Millaiyen Pestellio nodded obediently.

There were far fewer instances when he refused to honor Carina Leopold’s wishes, though his manner had become noticeably more cautious.

“Tell me if there’s anything you wish to eat.”

“There’s nothing in particular.”

“Whenever you need.”

Millaiyen leaned down and pressed a gentle kiss to the nape of her neck before pulling away. His hand moved with careful tenderness across her abdomen, caressing it once.

His gaze descended slowly, growing distant.

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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