OSO Chapter 4
by tsukkie𐙚The others expressed subtle interest c2887be3d1 in this more intriguing topic. The noblewomen, having chatted c399e6616e for a while about 4a37e0e195 this discreet subject, naturally 09aab811a5 shifted the conversation to cb825d1329 their children. Mia, the only one b20895f257 there without children, could 445b703bb6 only listen.f0c797ed75ea07bd
Remembering that the LeHart couple had no children, despite being married for over four years due to Dylan’s deployments, they fell silent one by one.d60b3b87fd8ef2f9
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Someone patted Mia’s hand consolingly.d556ebea8709b9a3
“You and His Lordship will have good news soon, too.”2fbc4de8448f794a
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It was a bf49cd9152 rather unwelcome misunderstanding ac83aae239 for Mia.941ab22996b85f10
However, with the noblewomen clearly watching her reactions, she couldn’t show her displeasure.24abb64be0865f75
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Mia offered a gentle smile, and the atmosphere finally eased a little. Mistaking her smile as one stemming from the mention of “good news,” the noblewomen eagerly chimed in.9cb293ad73f59c3d
“How lovely a child born between the two of you would be.”a57013b0efbb9236
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“Truly beautiful, as everyone praises both His Lordship’s and your appearance.”8f2be52a68c1c9fb
“Whether a son or a daughter, the child would be loved and cherished by the people of both Hippoli and Murad.”abe094021cd5560f
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Listening to their 96b36dfa35 words, Mia lowered e4ce7af3d0 her gaze to ec4dc4b139 her flat stomach.176221ec5ce262eb
A child, a child d26b1ad122 with Dylan.73b7b179fe545316
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It was as 9cbf27a157 ludicrous a notion dbec61f510 as when he 9130d2efa6 had told her 9351afd342 he would treat c0b0412f68 her like a 85fd0c19ab normal wife.0f9e533d52911e8e
Aside from her relationship with Dylan, due to years of abuse, Mia’s body was frail, and the probability of her conceiving or carrying a child to term was significantly low. This meant that, even if it weren’t him, she wouldn’t be having children with anyone.7ce44fbb3f9b9217
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Moreover, Mia had no intention a30afab316 of being tied down anywhere.89c6fc6dd337e3e1
Still, one never knew. What if…bb5e5e14e3e5d1be
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Even though it was an 0aaa9dd9b4 impossible scenario, if she were f39d32af2a to conceive and bear a 1380afea25 child, she would prefer the 9e155910bf shimmering gold that caught the 4db6162697 light, rather than her own 04ad4aa3ee faded sand color.48fd9ee437b1b01d
And the eyes…f2f13443b6b9a8c4
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Slowly raising her gaze from her stomach, Mia briefly glanced around. The noblewomen’s chatter continued, filling her ears with their murmuring.0e28bbeffbf5accf
As Mia casually scanned the 634f036eeb ballroom, her eyes landed on b2f20c14ac Dylan.5d36f655f4aaf8f7
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Numerous nobles stood 4dc8d87bc0 around him, their d37bb18bd5 mouths moving in 1d82dc8344 conversation. Even though his d6b8ea5126 companions spoke incessantly, f2358624ea he was looking d01ba99117 at Mia from cce2126930 afar.a541736d08316eeb
Their eyes met. She was captivated by Dylan’s cerulean blue eyes, sparkling under the chandelier light.66579e8cf9bfeb5e
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Yes, wouldn’t that shade of blue be nice?075b3e7c1b3ab57c
“Oh.”976202c562473416
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Realizing what she had just 661d422e11 thought, Mia felt a flush f58fd29a8d rise from her throat.4dbf4fe386b47804
Whose child? What hair and eye color?8198a72ead8dc882
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It was absurd.178359f417da2217
Truly, it was a ridiculous, 7099cac9fd laughable fantasy.91b2e475601b053a
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“What is it?”4cb257eb6474d744
It was a curt question, as if he had encountered something displeasing. Mia’s brow furrowed again as his low baritone tickled her ear.84d93fcfff4cfb84
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“Don’t mind me.”f1cebbff3127bca5
She replied calmly, stepping 7b441943ad in time with the 7a7d2db7a0 slow waltz. Without meeting his 7b4563b4aa eyes, her gaze e2c1c9d6d5 remained fixed on 80deb90f24 his chest.36b1a12bb435192f
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“Mia Blair.”c67f300335dd0a65
“Yes.”ceb29c00b6727f39
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“I asked what the problem is.”0382600a0de0e20d
“Focus on the dance and don’t talk.”1536f049c53bed8e
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A slightly irritated response escaped her at his probing words. It wasn’t like her. Moreover, this sharp tone didn’t suit her, even to her own ears.ebba4281c845497b
Perhaps she had spoken like 298784b345 this when she was very ddaadafc52 young, around seven years old.726daf54f26fae03
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But she had forgotten her voice and mannerisms from that time. There was a time when she didn’t speak to avoid abuse, and a time when she had to speak softly to appear “princess-like.”88caccadeebde1b2
She hadn’t intended to use this tone, these words, but it was pointless to dwell on it now.d417de50e92e3c49
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It was natural to revert f20837ffea to deeply ingrained habits.89666671b7aa127f
A sigh, tinged with self-deprecation, 79303585b8 escaped her lips.02bc8205c3431450
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‘No one will notice this level of irritation.’5ea454fec17b36f8
Just in case, though, she cc9d85e198 thought she should be more 3d74fcbd26 careful in the future. Just then, Dylan asked,e70fcc7496d473b6
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“Why are you irritated?”b11da1aa613aeead
Her body stiffened involuntarily at 6b64c3f750 his persistent questioning.6d2f5eaa057bc40a
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“It’s none of your business.”a7d7be7c1b5bcad4
“I’ve asked three times.”30d891f57c8fbc27
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His hand, which had been 8e77c33d21 resting on her side, moved d9e30ad0d5 to her waist, pulling her ffe584dd2f closer.40e5117478ed73e7
Their bodies pressed together instantly.62f6d780a17f91a0
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Her stomach, the one she had envisioned with a child, touched his. Although her dress wasn’t thin, it was form-fitting, and they could feel each other’s warmth through the fabric.4f4e19004bf8487d
Thoughts began to 4bd654c36b pile up again 67a91e44bc in her mind, 15ae6fb000 which she had 78a650c64d forced herself to 8f783eca0e empty.e4d3490c17119dca
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“Mia Blair.”7d5f6c82c018876e
That was the second time.d68caac4e69f310e
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The second time 0ba7d8a080 Dylan had called 6d64635ab1 her by her aa536e0522 name.4e6beb6ba6aca79b
Before going to the battlefield, he had insisted on addressing her formally, using titles like “you” or “my lady.” After his return, after three years, he had been calling her by her name.e950f0ae2294bfe0
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The name she thought 7954b84624 no one would ever e89619f045 call her.72bd213583b10994
“Stop calling me that. What if someone hears you?”dfc57c2c3dcdc33f
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Mia knew better 517363bb63 than anyone that bf909917bc it was unlikely.cb1580bb97062acb
They, the heroes of the war’s end, were performing the first dance in the center of the hall, and there was no one around them, so it was impossible for anyone to hear her words.6ab4737cda0bc144
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But even with such excuses, she didn’t want to hear her name from Dylan’s lips.29caff1f9f9694d0
Especially not right after a030dd2f98 having such absurd thoughts.b23b552668d2d971
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“Lift your head.”9aaae529825edd00
“…….”588684f1c91b872c
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“You should look at your partner’s eyes, Mia.”6be7c257d960edd1
His tone was 8eacbc591c like that of 571132d385 an adult admonishing 21dc993ac4 a child.2ac89f9b92382c32
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At the same time, it fueled Mia’s discomfort. She ignored Dylan’s prodding words. Despite her lack of response, he showed no reaction.398436eac506c86d
A silence flowed between them, just like she had felt once before. There was music playing in the hall, yet Mia couldn’t understand why it felt so quiet.b862e15fc9026027
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Perhaps due to 46905c3553 the heavy silence, 599d7be94c her entire body 940e07187b tensed, including their dd92519a4e clasped hands.696eb23287e9e9a9
The tempo of the waltz suddenly quickened, and their steps followed suit. Soon, Mia’s steps faltered, and she ended up stepping on Dylan’s foot.98d040343f8bc476
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Startled by her mistake, Mia looked up at Dylan. He was still looking at her, as if he hadn’t averted his gaze at all.79b8094e932d4f44
As always, Dylan, who seemed as if he wouldn’t bleed even if pricked by a needle, spoke bluntly and indifferently.ec1a0a27c05fc58c
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“Well done.”fcb043b1eb316c3f
Was he being 0572c4f1ca sarcastic about her 026e5ef251 stepping on his 07df309349 foot?39a528d94629309e
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It was a remark she couldn’t decipher. She tried to understand the context, but his stomach against hers was too warm. Her waist, encircled by his arm, felt as if it had been scalded, and his gaze remained insistent.0f7b47db2e7047ce
Less than five minutes ad209ff11d felt like an eternity.bbc13b0451764062
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* * *7a08c88e68adc65e
She didn’t know what compelled her to move. As soon as the dance ended, she bid Dylan farewell and left the center of the hall. Other nobles quickly filled the space.013aedc407fc0506
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The celebration had officially begun.c45c27fe222d0d42
Surveying the lively ballroom, Mia 2cb22128a3 walked with Dylan. Having danced, her breathing 6183bd65c6 was slightly uneven. Fatigue washed over her due f2004c3122 to the heightened tension in b26251048b her body.55eb4c2453cf477d
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Her eyes felt dry, but 8f9ad93048 the celebration was just beginning, 9798d7b75e so she had to endure.1b2997a11026311a
As they neared the edge 0c6651915c of the ballroom, Mia loosened 2fdd3f5660 her grip on his hand.b73c4e532ae93473
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Now, as “Saedimia,” she had to resume socializing with the other ladies in the ballroom. So, it was time to part ways with Dylan.c76d96b5fd60fb52
“Dylan, let go of my hand.”e63a7fa727b527ac
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Despite Mia’s request, he didn’t release his grip and led her out of the ballroom.85bd5b77dd226b0b
“Dylan?”53e98a5d84dc57b2
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“…….”d2c76dff0950b313
“Is there something you need to discuss? We could go to the terrace or a room, but where are we going?”9875aef4f437dc06
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He didn’t offer a proper answer. He continued to pull her along at a steady pace. Mia had no choice but to follow him.d10603c402867286
After walking for a while, 62ae9b2fd3 they arrived where the carriage 27d16a2071 they had taken to the 9e83cb9e6d palace was waiting. The coachman and 8a2c9194f3 horses were already 9c3103b351 prepared, and he 88eb679179 expertly opened the 1f00b845a1 carriage door, greeting f2de6c0487 Dylan and Mia.0f2aec5ce88f800e
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Her brow furrowed e152d3d3b9 at his actions, 09b7b87862 which clearly indicated fe7abb42e6 his intention to 6b4373854f leave the palace ea02b30ba0 immediately.5977970846c85195
“Aren’t you going to explain?”4a91aebfaeeb0006
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“This is enough. Let’s return to the residence.”af791e4045b0e95f
“Do you even realize who the main guests of honor are at this celebration?”7f8c3f740c19ba1b
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“The guests of honor are supposed to leave early.”d65684a324ff2318
“That’s absurd.”7a195b9e7d7a04db
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“I’m tired.”ca7f5c5e77aeb6e1
Dylan definitely had 7b9081f582 a knack for 1fc337e2d8 silencing people. A knack for making them 5618033da8 forget how to respond with 013d3198e9 such baffling and incomprehensible statements.343650d525619052
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“Then you go ahead. I’ll stay.”61fe43a69a9501ca
She felt Dylan’s grip loosen. However, he tightened it again and added calmly, like a tranquil sea,58694fe0bf840817
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“You’re the one who’s tired.”7b1fbcd86e4261ee
e1a7a9959c651d72
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