TVOWW 85

Chapter 85,

“My Wife and Our Child”:

I was startled and looked at Johan.

“Johan?”

A lot seemed to flash through his crimson eyes. He stretched his long legs and approached with long strides.

‘Will he recognize it immediately, just like Erich did?’

If he didn’t realize it was a spirit, there could be a strange misunderstanding.

Johan came up to the bed where I was lying and sat at the head, gently touching my flustered cheek with his index finger.

“Have you been well?”

Contrary to my expectation that he would ask about the spirit baby, he asked about me first.

“Y-Yeah.”

Johan’s gaze shifted to the sleeping baby. But his expression didn’t seem negative. It was more like he was seeing something nostalgic and warm.

Johan looked back at me with a faint smile after watching the baby. His Adam’s apple moved slightly.

“We have a child between us.”

I nodded carefully while shaking the tiny hand of the baby who was clutching my finger.

“Yes… the baby is beautiful, isn’t he?”

“He is.”

Johan nodded.

“He takes after his wife, which makes it even better.”

“After me? Just by looking at his hair, he seems more like you, Johan.”

“Look closely. See the softness of his cheeks? And the gentle lines overall? That’s all you.”

I tilted my head.

‘Even so, he looks more like Johan?’

It seemed Johan had lost a bit of his objectivity. Then he tugged gently at my cheek, making me smile.

“See? The expression is exactly the same.”

“Everyone’s face looks the same if you pull their cheeks.”

“No. When you see this adorable aura, anyone would know he’s your baby. You can’t imitate that aura no matter what.”

Adorable.

‘Why does this word feel so different?’

I unconsciously smiled, feeling a little ticklish.

“Do you find me adorable?”

It had been a long time since Johan had said he loved me, yet I still couldn’t get used to it.

“I’m even worried that others will find him adorable too.”

Johan slid his arm behind my neck and laid his large hand on the baby’s back in my arms. It was his usual calm gesture, yet I noticed his hand trembling.

“He’s so adorable.”

Johan murmured in a breathless voice.

“How could I have left you?”

He seemed to overlay the image of the baby and me with memories of his lost family. I didn’t say a word.

‘Family must mean something completely different to Johan.’

He had completely lost his family.

“By the way, Johan. What should we call the baby? Parents are supposed to name their child, after all.”

• No! How could I let that shameless black magician name our spirit baby?!

• Even if some of his essence is mixed in, there must be limits. A name is so important to a spirit, and you’re letting him decide?!

The trees seemed to protest.

Johan, furrowing his thick eyebrows slightly, poked the baby’s soft cheek.

“You must be careful when naming a spirit.”

“…You recognized it as a spirit immediately?”

“Of course. I could feel his spirit energy right away.”

“Then why…?”

I was genuinely amazed that Johan could immediately call the spirit baby our child.

‘If he recognized it as a spirit, wouldn’t my behavior seem strange?’

And being a spirit that appeared out of nowhere could easily make someone suspicious of me.

“Hmm…”

“See?”

Even asleep, the spirit baby nuzzled against Johan’s chest, as if recognizing him as its father.

“This baby is already ours. What does it matter that he’s a spirit?”

“…”

“Of course, he feels my energy, and he takes after you, but that’s unavoidable.”

Johan smiled languidly.

‘Ah, I feel uneasy.’

It was a perfect, beautiful moment, yet my chest felt tight. I averted Johan’s gaze and smiled softly.

‘I’m so scared all of this could disappear.’

At that moment, I realized I now had so much that my past self could never have possessed.

‘How did Johan manage to endure it all?’

Perhaps for Johan, those childhood memories were as vivid as this moment was for me. Could he have survived losing something he believed was his?

It seemed unnecessary to dwell on it.

‘If I were Johan…’

What choice would I have made?

Erich looked at his master with a dignified composure.

“Master, I am Erich Blonue, Baron.”

Though he had sworn loyalty to Estelle, that didn’t change the fact that Johan was his master. Estelle simply had a higher priority at the moment.

“Any investigation on the spirit?”

“Yes. Here are the records regarding spirits.”

Johan narrowed his eyes as he skimmed through them.

“So, the reason spirits are born is still unclear.”

“Yes. It seems spirits aren’t suited to mingle with humans…”

“No. In fact, if the birth process of spirits were well known, that would raise even more questions.”

Fortunately, Johan had something he could focus on.

‘The Blanchet mansion carries my black magic energy.’

There was an altar in the basement for Johan to make pacts with demons, making the mansion essentially his domain.

‘That’s probably why the spirit resembles me.’

But not all questions were answered. The spirit was born in front of Estelle and resembled her.

‘It must be related to Estelle.’

“Fairy.”

Johan addressed Erich.

“While investigating the spirit, did you find anything on fairies?”

“Fairies…?”

Erich hesitated before answering.

“There’s very little information, so none came up during the investigation. Shall we look into fairies more closely?”

“Yes. Investigate.”

Offering a fairy as a sacrifice would be postponed as much as possible, but preparing for any scenario wouldn’t hurt.

“Leave no detail behind, however small.”

Johan unconsciously thought of Estelle’s lovable smile and the adorable baby in her arms.

‘Father, mother, Lily.’

He repeated the names he had buried deep inside.

‘Blame me, resent me. I…’

Johan’s gaze landed on the Eden Rose he had plucked from the garden. Its greenery shone dazzlingly in the sunlight.

The spirit baby immediately drew intense attention.

From the moment the baby entered the mansion, all eyes followed him.

The Blanchet household welcomed and adored the baby naturally, even accepting the fact that he was a spirit without question.

‘Am I the strange one? Why is everyone so easily convinced?’

• It’s because he’s cute!

The trees seemed to read my thoughts and shouted aloud:

• Look how he smiles, then hides in someone’s arms when others approach. How adorable!

• Cuteness surpasses all logic and rules, dominating the world. In that sense, bring the spirit baby to the forest quickly. Hurry!

Indeed, the baby’s cuteness seemed almost supernatural.

‘Because he takes after both Johan and me.’

I had always been called doll-like beautiful, and Johan’s looks spoke for themselves. The spirit baby, a mix of both of us plus the natural softness of a baby, was utterly charming.

Since the spirit baby was awake only about an hour each day, everyone competed fiercely for that time.

“Milady, has the baby woken up?”

Betty ran over, cheeks flushed.

“Still sleeping.”

“Oh my, even asleep, he looks like an angel…”

“Or he might reject attention again.”

“M-Milady… my poor heart…”

The spirit baby ignored Betty’s enthusiastic approach, likely startled by an excited adult.

“But this time is different. I won’t get excited.”

“You?”

“I’m quite cold-headed, you know. Though I don’t show it in front of you, I’m ruthless.”

“…”

“I’m serious!”

Knock, knock.

“Milady, I brought something the spirit baby might need.”

The maids at the door watched the baby longingly, reluctant to approach too close.

“You can come closer. He’s part of the household now.”

“Really… is that alright?”

“Of course. And since it’s my first time caring for a baby, I need your help.”

The maids immediately crowded around, proudly declaring:

“Don’t worry, milady! I’m the eldest of six siblings.”

“My mother was the village midwife. I’m an expert in child care.”

“I also have several younger siblings…”

The maids, including Betty, gathered near me but kept a respectful distance, not wanting to scare the baby.

The baby clung to me, asleep, holding onto me with his tiny fingers and short arms.

“How can he look so angelic even when asleep?”

“How could he resemble both of you so perfectly? So adorable.”

“I’ve always wanted a child between you two. Seeing a baby that resembles you both makes it feel like it’s already happened.”

Feeling either the maids’ admiration or having a good dream, the baby stirred his cheeks and smiled faintly. I tenderly stroked his head.

The maids quietly gasped, barely containing their delight.

“Look at him smile! So cute. I want to touch his cheeks…”

“Milady, what is the baby’s gender?”

“He’s a spirit, so… perhaps no gender?”

I pondered their question quietly.

‘As a spirit, the gender is…’

• A boy.

• Even spirits have genders, dear.

I answered naturally, as if I already knew.

“He’s a boy.”

“Oh my, a lovely young master visiting the Blanchet family.”

“Somehow, even as a baby, he has a mysterious charisma.”

That was likely due to the spirit’s unique aura. I didn’t comment further and continued stroking the baby’s back.

Suddenly, the baby opened his eyes wide.

“Hoo…”

Awake, he seemed to be searching for something, turning his head, making his plump cheeks jiggle.

“Ah… my heart can’t take this!”

Every glance from him drew delighted exclamations from the maids.

‘What is he looking for?’

The baby nuzzled back into my arms, seemingly anxious.

“Are you looking for something?”

“Gaa…”

Is that his answer?

“Yes, yes.”

I didn’t understand his words.

“Did everyone finish their work and gather in milady’s room?”

Patricia’s voice froze the maids in place.

“H-Housekeeper…”

“Return to your positions. After finishing your tasks, I will check whether everyone is performing their duties.”

“Yes, ma’am!”

The maids hurried outside. Patricia, displeased with their behavior, approached me holding a letter.

“Milady, apologies during your rest, but a letter has arrived under the name of the High Priest.”

“The High Priest?”

“Yes. Please check it.”

The seal bore the High Priest’s mark, but inside was a letter from the Saint.

“I would like to invite the Blanchet Countess to the temple.
—Saint Stella.”

Betty hesitantly spoke.

“Could she have finally lost her mind while praying?”

“Betty Blonue.”

Patricia scolded her strictly.

“You have a spirit baby here, watch your words.”

Of course, the Saint was an important person.

“No matter how unqualified or reckless a Saint may be, how could you speak such things aloud?”

“Housekeeper, I didn’t mean to say it like that…”

“…”

I looked at the letter and asked Patricia:

“Do I have a reason to accept the Saint’s invitation?”

“No.”

Patricia answered firmly. After a moment of thought, I said:

“Then I’ll reply that I will visit the temple soon.”

“Eh?”

“It seems more justified to go when there’s no pressing reason rather than because there is one.”

The temple was surprised at the news of the Blanchet Countess’ visit.

“Is it true that the Blanchet Countess will visit the temple today?”

“Yes.”

“I expected her to refuse… Is she concerned about the High Priest’s reputation?”

“I’m not sure.”

The temple waited for her arrival.

“Is that carriage from the Blanchet household?”

It looked a bit shabby for the Countess. The carriage door opened.

But the person who emerged wasn’t the Countess.

“Excuse me, may I ask who you are…?”

“Ah, we are from the House of Viscount Albert. We are from the United Kingdom, and the Blanchet Countess created a meeting so the Saint could personally correct a misunderstanding, so we came.”

“Actually, it’s a meeting to apologize to the Countess for the previous incident.”

“Oh, right.”

The priests’ eyes widened.

“…Excuse me?”