Love Doesn't Matter

Chapter 104 – Every Moment With You

It was a small, two-story house with a gray roof. Despite the overgrown weeds and unruly shrubs, it was far from being a “haunted house.”

The sturdy dark bricks exuded strength and elegance, while the ivy-covered stone walls captured the enchanting atmosphere of late autumn.

Emilia selected a key from her bundle and opened the front door, stepping inside.

“Oh, how magnificent!” Khalia exclaimed.

“I was mentally prepared, you know… but there was no need… madness, isn’t it?” Mitch chimed in.

Mitch, too, looked around the house with eyes full of admiration.

The three of them eagerly explored the house, moving from the large fireplace to the tapestries and diligently ascending the stairs leading to the second floor.

Each bedroom had a bed, a wardrobe, and the furnishings were in decent condition. If not for the layer of dust and cobwebs, one could easily move in and live right away.

“Alright, everyone, you can go outside. I’ll take care of cleaning here,” Emilia said.

Mitch obediently put down the bucket of water, mop, and broom. Emilia looked at her determined sister with folded arms and couldn’t help but smile.

“Are you sure you’ll be okay? Aren’t you scared?”

She responded with a burst of laughter.

“Put that down and get out already.”

“…Alright.”

Emilia placed the large bag she was holding on the ground in front of herself.

Inside were clothes, towels, food, candles, and other items they needed for a thorough cleaning during the days Mitch and her mother would stay here.

“Hurry and go. You have work tomorrow, Nuna. You also need to take care of Charlotte.”

A hint of concern shadowed Mitch’s eyes as she mentioned Charlotte. Emilia could immediately tell that Charlotte was the cause of the family’s ill ease.

At another time, Emilia would have held the child and asked what happened. But now, she had no desire or enthusiasm to do so.

The family would eventually reconcile on their own. Each time the three of them mentioned the other’s names, there was a palpable sense of remorse.

“To be happy, trust is needed, not just order.”

Emilia reminded herself of those words as she suppressed the boiling emotions within her.

“Alright, I understand. I’ll take care of it.”

After patting her sister’s shoulder, Emilia stepped outside again.

Kalia was cutting the overgrown weeds around the house with a sickle. With each stoop, a sound like a cough escaped her, but at least it didn’t sound as harsh as the screeching metal from working in the factory.

“And what about Charlotte?”

“She went to see the orchard with Beppy.”

Emilia nodded and pulled out another sickle from the bag.

“Leave it to me. You go to the restaurant and work again.”

“It’s alright. I’ll do it until Uncle comes back.”

The sound of the grass being cut continued for a while. As Emilia bent down to cut the grass, her thoughts kept gravitating toward her lower abdomen, just like in the past few days.

No, it can’t be.

Without realizing it, her eyes closed tightly.

…But what if?

The strength in her hand, gripping the grass, slowly faded as she covered her lower abdomen with her palm. There was no visible change, but it felt as if something round was protruding.

Her heart thumped anxiously, pushing out restless blood.

Memories from the pig farm long ago flooded her mind. When did the pregnant sows give birth?… Ten months.

But humans are different.

When Lady Rosie gave birth to her youngest, it took about twelve months. The bulging curve distinctly appeared around five or six months.

The vivid image of Lady Rosie’s pregnant belly in her wide dress surged, and Emilia was seized by a sudden panic.

No. It can’t be. Snap out of it.

Emilia immediately scolded herself.

Don’t succumb to blind passion.

Don’t kneel before exaggerated trials.

Look, there is nothing stronger than a resolute will.

The passage from the book that had impetuously urged her before cutting her hair flashed through her mind once again.

Back then, she believed her judgment was correct. She was convinced that it was a resolute will. But it wasn’t at all.

That was the undiscerning passion born of ignorance and exaggerated trials. She mustn’t let her emotions sweep her away and come to hasty conclusions.

Emilia began to calm her mind and organize her thoughts.

How long had it been since her last period?… It had been over a month, going on two.

Dizzy moments, a queasy stomach, and fluctuating appetite flickered through her mind like ghosts. Could those be symptoms of pregnancy?

The things that had seemed insignificant kept converging into a single conclusion.

A baby.

A small, wriggling baby like a bird on the beach… a new life.

The moment that thought crossed her mind, an indescribable, intense heat poured out from her forehead. Simultaneously, a wave of dizziness and nausea surged.

If there really is a child inside me? If in one of those indiscriminate nights we spent together, a new life was conceived?

A different kind of tremor swept through her entire body, distinct from the fear that darkened her vision. Even though she firmly believed it couldn’t be, a strange certainty flooded in relentlessly, like a rising tide.

My child.

His child.

Her stomach twisted. She couldn’t breathe.

He is the sole heir of House Meyer. Whether Emilia liked it or not, if they had a child, it would be of Meyer bloodline. The weight of the name Meyer suffocated Emilia.

Now is not the time to be trembling in fear.

Regardless of how their relationship is labeled, a child could have been conceived between them at any moment, and now that she was aware of it, she must inform Hadius without fail.

Even if everything turns out to be a foolish misunderstanding, it must not be concealed. The mere possibility is reason enough to let him know.

The reason she lost her judgment and cut her hair was that she had pondered alone in her ignorance.

Emilia didn’t want to repeat the same mistake.

It’s not the time to sit idly. She must confide in him.

Emilia lowered the scythe she had been holding.

How should she do it? Should she go find Phil? Or Mr. Tobias from Basilion? Or Mr. Grozhang?

The problem is, she couldn’t just go to the villa or Basilion House without any thought, like before.

The last time they met, he clearly said it. He would become Duke Meyer and then return.

That statement only sounded like he wouldn’t be able to meet until he became Duke Meyer.

What should she do? Should she send a letter in Erynian? But what if the Duchess of Meyer finds out first?

Emilia stumbled her way and sat down on the porch chair.

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While trembling with terror, strange thoughts flooded her mind.

Amid the overwhelming emotions crashing like a tidal wave, one thing alone gripped her heart.

Whether it was due to anxiety, desperation, or simply a desire to rely on someone, the reason didn’t matter.

I want to see him.

The sharpened blade pierced deeply into her chest.

I want to see him so much it feels like I’ll die.

The heat that started from her chest seared up into her throat along with a dry swallow.

Emilia took a deep breath, swallowing the hot feelings that seemed like they would burst out at any moment.

_____________

Erynian Second Steelworks.

Covered in sweat and oil, the men sat on the trench under the flowing molten metal and wielded hammers, clubs, and rifles.

It had already been a week.

Erdua, the supervisor of the factory, was exhausted. The thugs were in the same state.

Standing alone on the other side of them was Hadius Meyer. Erdua could only gaze at the back of Hadius from a distance.

It wasn’t just once or twice that he had felt a cold sweat. The thugs seemed ready to snap Hadius’ neck at any moment, and Hadius didn’t budge an inch.

He calmly said ‘you’re all fired’ even when facing dozens of muzzles aimed at him.

Every time that happened, Erdua pondered whether he should quietly back away and run to the guild office or go see Caitlyn Meyer.

What is he thinking? He doesn’t seem to have any solid plan.

Erdua couldn’t understand Hadius Meyer, who was so courageous that it was hard to call it bravery.

Should he provoke them further, lock the factory doors, and destroy the machines?

No, should he just pull the trigger in a fit of rage…?

She felt a sinking in her chest again.

“Master Meyer,”

Erdua cautiously approached Hadius.

“This should be enough. Mrs. Meyer and the investors will understand. You’ve done your best…”

That’s when it happened.

A man at the front of the thugs suddenly raised his hand. It was Andrei, the ringleader.

“Very well. Let’s negotiate,”

Hadius stepped into the factory as if he had been waiting, and Erdua didn’t know what to do next.

The factory gates began to close.

“You can’t go,” a rough man stood in front of Erdua, blocking her way.

“…!”

Erdua was terrified, but she couldn’t leave Lord Meyer alone in the midst of enemy territory, no matter what.

“L-Lord!”

Hadius turned his body slightly and raised his arm, signaling that it was okay.

“H-However…”

A short man pulled Erdua out forcefully, and the heavy doors closed behind Hadius with a thud.

Andrei jumped down and stood in front of him. The nearly 200 workers fell silent, and a sense of stillness settled in the air.

Under the streaks of light streaming through the high factory windows, the two faced each other.

“Well, is it over? We held on for a week as promised.”

Andrei spread his arms wide, as if to say, “It’s your turn now.”

“Yes, we made a deal.”

Hadius looked indifferently at the workers surrounding him.

“Meyer Steel does not negotiate with bandits. That’s our principle, and from this moment on, all of you are dismissed. Drop your weapons and disband immediately.”

A flicker of uncertainty appeared on the faces of the workers who had been sullenly observing.

“Of course,”

Hadius took off his gloves and spoke coldly.

“Regretting the loss of your jobs overnight, I, as the representative of Meyer Steel, am giving you one last chance. You will work at Kund’s new factory.”

A commotion spread in a wave among the workers. Despite everything being planned in advance, the realization of the situation still left them uneasy.

Andrei calmed them down and faced Hadius once again.

“Please swear, milord. If you do as you say… I promise to alleviate the injustice suffered by our fallen comrades because of your greed.”

Hadius nodded.

“Meyer Steel must take full responsibility to ensure that such incidents do not repeat among powerless workers. If you promise to uphold that, we, too, will risk our lives to keep our promise.”

Instead of a verbal response, Hadius extended his hand to Andrei. It was a gesture that showed their equal relationship and the nature of their transaction. Andrei reached out and firmly shook Lord’s hand. That gesture alone was enough.

People who had climbed up on the trenches began to descend one by one. The fortress-like barrier disappeared too quickly, as if it were being blown away in an instant.

When the locked factory doors opened and the workers streamed out, Erdua’s eyes widened.

“Milord?”

“Leave for Norwak immediately. Relay the message to Duchess Meyer. The directors have all been dismissed, and the situation has been resolved.”

“Huh?!”

Erdua, shouting as if she couldn’t believe her ears, was left behind as Hadius silently walked away.

That night, Hadius finally relaxed and soaked in hot water. Everything was proceeding smoothly.

Erdua had departed for Norwak, and the dismissed workers would join Vermar at Kund.

Of course, Duchess Meyer was not easily swayed and might have questions about this strange strike and the even stranger resolution process.

But in a few days, they would receive a letter, and they would lose any interest or energy to care about this minor issue.

They would be consumed by fear and self-destruction.

Having finished his bath, Hadius donned his robe and poured himself a drink.

Sitting by the window, he gazed quietly at the night sky.

The stars filling the sky seemed ready to cascade down at any moment. Suddenly, the night from that day came to his mind.

The day they had spent together all night, the day they had embraced each other under the starry sky with their cold bodies.

Even holding each other like dolls, it felt as if they possessed the whole world.

The memories from that time flowed down like starlight, dazzling his vision. Everything disappeared, leaving only one longing gripping his heart.

What are you doing right now?

I wish you were here. At this moment. No, every moment…