Chapter 95

---

"I really thought Lady Mary was pregnant."

Upon hearing Alicia's confession, Mary haughtily retorted, "You're just a mistaken country girl." The story, of course, goes back to the exchange program between Karelia Academy and Elesiana Academy a few days ago. Mary had been jealous of the women around Adi, mistaking her jealousy for indigestion. However, it wasn't just Mary who was mistaken. It turned out that Alicia had thought Mary was pregnant and was trying to hide it by claiming she had indigestion.

What a misunderstanding. ... And Mary, who had continued to mistake her indigestion for a long time, laughed at Alicia through her nose, placing herself on a high pedestal.

"But if it were Lady Mary and Adi's child, it would be a very cute kid! It's only natural to look forward to it!"

Hearing Alicia's assertion, Mary shrugged. But she couldn't help but think about a child with Adi. What would the hair color be like? The eye color? The personality? Would it be a boy or a girl...?

Mary liked her own silver hair, but she also loved Adi's rust-colored hair. Of course, the same went for their eye colors.

As Alicia said, no matter which one the child resembled, whether it was a boy or a girl, it would be an adorable child. That's why she couldn't help but think about it.

In the midst of this, Adi, sipping his tea, began to speak.

"By the way, I used to think about what it would be like if a child were born between you and Patrick."

"Between me and Mary?"

Patrick turned his gaze to Adi, as if to say, "Why would you think that?" In response, Adi corrected himself, emphasizing, "I said, used to." The 'past' he referred to was when he believed his love was unattainable and convinced himself that Mary would be happy if she were with Patrick. There was no love between Mary and Patrick; it was all a political marriage. Therefore, they had to produce an heir for the prosperity of both families.

"If I could take care of your child, I thought that would be enough to give up."

Hearing this, Mary called out Adi's name, her voice tinged with nostalgia. She gently held his hand, which had moved away from the teacup.

"Mary and Patrick's child... Hey, Patrick?"

"An heir without love. But if I think about it being between me and Mary, it would be an excellent child, no matter which one it resembled. It wouldn't look bad either. But..."

"Yes, that's true. No matter which one it resembled, it would be an excellent and beautiful child. But..."

"An extremely well-mannered child."

Mary and Patrick inadvertently said in unison.

But it was true. If a child were born between Mary and Patrick, it would be an excellent child, no matter which one it resembled. Patrick, who excelled in both academics and sports, and Mary, who could be a perfect lady if she wanted to—though she rarely did—both had outstanding qualities. In fact, at the university level, Patrick remained the top student, and Mary maintained her excellent grades—consistently ranking fifth. "Fifth is the key! Fourth or sixth wouldn't do!" Mary had proudly declared, holding her test results.

In terms of appearance, both stood out in the social world. Patrick's dark blue hair exuded a calm beauty, while Mary's silver hair was striking. Their eye colors, which suited them, would captivate anyone, regardless of the hair color combination.

No matter which one the child resembled, it would be a child that no ordinary noble child could match. ... And no matter which one it resembled, it would be a well-mannered child.

"A well-mannered child among well-mannered children. Maybe we'll have a cat."

"Our child would be a cat. It would be a challenge to make it an heir."

"Personality-wise, it would be a child with a lot of quirks, no matter which one it resembled... Oh dear, I can only see a future where Adi is being dragged around."

"Indeed. Moreover, it's questionable whether Adi would even listen to us properly..."

Patrick showed his reluctance about the imaginary child. It would certainly be an excellent child, no matter which one it resembled, but it would also reveal its troublesome true nature to those it trusted. ... And that 'trusted person' would be Adi, no matter which one it resembled.

Would their child grow up properly? Patrick worried needlessly, but Alicia confidently declared, "It will be fine!"

"If it's a child of Patrick and Mary, it will surely grow up to be a good child! Adisia will always be by their side to protect them!"

"Adisia, is that a combination of my name and yours? Could it be our child?"

"Yes!"

"I have a lot to say, but I want to come up with a better name..."

Adi sighed, but Alicia paid no attention, enthusiastically describing how the imaginary child Adisia would dote on Mary and the others. It seemed that in imagining 'Patrick and Mary's child,' she had also imagined 'her and Adi's child,' and she looked quite pleased.

However, she wasn't really thinking about a future with Adi; it was just imagination. And because it was imagination, even Mary found it amusing and laughed slyly.

"A country girl and Adi's child? Such a child could never match our Maryrick!"

"Mary, is this child with a metallic name our child?"

"Yes!"

"It seems there was already a conflict over the name."

Patrick calmly sipped his tea, but Mary paid no attention. She described how excellent Maryrick would be and how he would be strong and assertive, even towards Adisia. Incidentally, she firmly stated, "He won't be a drill!" but Patrick muttered, "A drill Maryrick... sounds strong," and quickly coughed to cover it up.

Both Mary and Alicia were just talking about their imaginations. They had no intention of making it a reality; they didn't even wish for it. It was like talking about a fairy tale in a play or a book. That's why they could say whatever they wanted. When Mary talked about Maryrick's excellence, Alicia, not to be outdone, described how loyal and devoted Adisia would be.

"Adisia loves Maryrick so much that she will always dance with him at parties, whether he's a boy or a girl!"

"Don't you think you're setting up a 'dragging around' contest for children? Fine, I'll raise Maryrick to be strong and give them a run for their money!"

The two, talking about their imaginary children, seemed to be having a great time. Adi and Patrick didn't feel like interrupting; they exchanged glances and shrugged. The idea of a child with someone other than themselves could have been a source of jealousy, but how could they be jealous of Mary and Alicia's imaginary talk?

It was just imagination. Moreover, both Mary and Alicia always sought agreement from each other, saying things like, "Right, Adi?" or "Patrick, don't you think so?" Their eyes sparkled with joy, and after shrugging and agreeing, they would enthusiastically continue their imaginary talk.

After watching Mary and Alicia talk about their imaginary children for a while, Adi and Patrick said in unison, "Children..."

They then noticed each other's voices, widened their eyes, and exchanged awkward glances.

"Well, it's a matter for the future. ... But in any case,"

"Yes, it's still a long way off. ... But whenever it happens,"

"We can't leave the naming to them."

The two men, determined to work together if necessary, looked at their partners, who were still talking animatedly, with a mix of amusement and exasperation.