It was something that she could have never imagined in her whole life. It was an imagination as well as happiness that she had given up over and over again under all kinds of ridicule and insults.
âI grew up hearing the words that said Iâll never be able to have a child in my life. My body is weak and so are my organsâthey are too weak to function properly.â
Nevertheless, she still thought of a child who would look like him and herself. Even as she watched him take those birth control pills, she still dreamed of holding a child while smiling happily.
Even though she strictly knew that it was just a dream that would never come true for her.
âAnd then, Iâm carrying your child. I canât just give up on a child who stayed hard by my side in order to live  even when it went through such an unbearable time.â
Ravenâs bleak sense had filled his throat with those determined eyes. He too, had felt the same way as herself.
âSo, please donât give up. Raven, please.â
âBut you could die.â
âIâm not dying.â
âMolitia, youââ
Raven slowly took her hand. Her wrist, which could seemingly break even with just a little effort, remained unchanged even as he approached her.
But it was fine since there had been the warmth that could actually touch it. He wanted to be with this warmth forever. It was crystal clear that this warmth of the two would be absolute affectionate; if not three.
ââŠI donât want to imagine a world without you, Molitia. I just donât want to taste that terrible sense of despair that Iâve experienced this time once again. I felt like my blood was slowly being drained without you. It was even better to be on the battlefield and being threatened with my life instead.â
âRaven.â
âYouâre much more important to me than the child.â
âI canât give it up.â
Ravenâs eyes were shaken by Molitiaâs words. Did she even know? Her face was so small and her body was thin. He always worried that she might break someday.
ââŠYou ought to think about this calmly.â
âRaven!â
âTake a good rest. Donât get up as much as you can and get some rest too.â
Raven immediately stood up from his seat. His gaze was no longer fixed on Molitia.
âLetâs get the doctor too.â
He turned his back before leaving without any hesitation. Shortly after Raven left, she heard a knock on the door.
âNo way, is it him?â
The door eventually opened towards the end of Molitiaâs low voice.
âMadame.â
There stood the Dukeâs doctor. Of course, for some reason, Molitia couldnât hide her disappointment entirely.
âHow are you feeling?â
âIâm fine.â
âYou donât feel any pain?â
Her hand reflexively brushed against her cheek at the doctorâs remark. Her swollen cheeks gave her a tingling sensation one her fingertips had touched them.
The doctor, who seemed to understand even when she didnât say it, quickly began the treatment. The small face and her pitifully swollen cheeks were all crinkled whenever the cotton soaked with medicine was applied.
After finishing the treatment of her cheek, she slowly touched other places as well. Molitia was only watching as the doctorâs hand moved diligently.
âYou must be feeling much better, but still, you need to relax as well.â
The doctor put her back to bed and continued.
âYou have to refrain from sitting down straight. Except for eating and doing your business, itâs better to keep on lying down. If you happen to bleed again, do call me right away.â
âI took a cold pill the other day; isnât that harmful to my child?â
âFortunately, there are no drugs that could harm the child directly. But from now onwards, I will prescribe a much milder medicine instead. The baby consumes what My Lady eats after all.â
Molitiaâs hand fidgeted at the doctorâs words that were spoken softly. She then raised her eyes after tapping her fingertips several times.
ââŠmy bodyâis it too dangerous to give birth?â
Her hand instantly stopped while she was still organizing her bag.
âMadame, thatâsâŠâŠâ
âBe honest with meâwithout holding back at all.â
She heard that couples usually resembled one another. Molitiaâs firm voice reminded her of the Duke. However, the first thing that had been asked by the two of them was different. It was a question to find out whom they had put foremost.
The doctor, who agonized about it for a while, eventually looked up.
âAs a matter of fact, the probability is half and half. The baby may not be able to withstand Madameâs frail body. Or instead, when you raise the baby, it might be smooth sailing, but when the time comes to give birth, there might be a crisis.â
âThen, are you against me giving birth?â
Molitia placed her hand on her stomach. Her thin wrists were moving ever so cautiously.
âMadame.â
Her anxious eyes slowly entangled with the doctorâs. Her shoulders gradually shrank from anxiety that could be seen clearly upon her body.
Nevertheless, her face didnât falter at all. Her hands were still wrapped around the child in her stomach as if she was protecting it. Seeing her determined expression, the doctor eventually stopped talking.