Infidelity

Since that farce with Sylphie, the seasons had shifted from summer to winter.

Today, the Greyrat family received some good news-Zenith was pregnant!

Everyone gathered in the living room to share the good news.

"Congratulations, Mother!"

"Congratulations, Mom!"

Rudeus and Radeus offered their heartfelt congratulations.

Zenith had actually been worrying lately over why she could not conceive a second time, but it seemed there was no problem after all.

"Now Rad and Rudeus will have a little brother or sister!"

Happiness shone on Zenith's face as she looked at her two adorable sons.

"Make sure you protect your little sister, Rad, Rudeus!" Paul told them earnestly.

"Yes, sir!"

The two immediately stood at attention and saluted!

Everyone laughed at the mischievous pair, except for Lilia, who stood off to the side...

Rudeus did not notice, but Radeus, with his Six Eyes, did.

Back in their room, Radeus pulled Rudeus aside for a talk.

"Something's off with Lilia!"

"What do you mean? You must have seen wrong."

Rudeus had no idea what Radeus was talking about.

"Did you notice Lilia's expression when Mom said she was pregnant today?"

Radeus looked into Rudeus's eyes as he spoke.

"No, I didn't notice at all."

Radeus's stare made Rudeus a little uneasy.

"Lilia hasn't smiled once today, and when she heard Mom was pregnant, she looked even worse. I think something big is going to happen..."

"Seriously?" Rudeus was a little skeptical.

"You know what my eyes can do, don't you?" Radeus said.

Radeus had previously revealed some of his special abilities to Rudeus, including the Six Eyes.

"No way. Please, not this!"

Seeing Radeus's serious expression, Rudeus could only believe him. His eyes were an authority when it came to perception.

Sure enough, at lunch, Lilia looked gravely at the four of them as they ate.

"I'm pregnant!"

Lilia bowed to the four of them. Pregnancy should have been something to celebrate, but...

At her words, all four seemed to have been struck by a time-stopping spell. Their utensils froze in midair just before reaching their mouths, and they did not even react when food dripped onto the floor. Everyone stared at Lilia with wide eyes.

Whose child?

That was the first thought that surfaced in Zenith's, Radeus's, and the others' minds.

In fact, there was no need to think about it. There was currently only one male here capable of fathering a child. Yes, there was no candidate other than Paul Greyrat.

Realizing this, Rudeus and Radeus both turned to look at Paul.

It really happened. Something bad!

Zenith also turned to Paul, her eyes filled with disbelief and a sliver of hope-hope that it was not Paul's. But that hope was dashed.

Paul looked terrified, cold sweat streaming down his face.

Seeing everyone turn toward him, Paul quickly bowed his head in apology, pressing his forehead against the table without moving.

"S-sorry. It's probably my child!"

Seeing Paul admit his fault so readily, Rudeus could not help thinking:

How embarrassing. No, should I praise him for being an honest man instead?

That's pretty good. I don't dislike that side of you, Father! Though you really were in the wrong!

Even if things couldn't possibly get any worse!

Smack!

Zenith walked up to Paul with an expressionless face and slapped him hard. The red mark left on his cheek was a testament to her anger and disappointment.

Radeus could not bear to watch. The atmosphere was far too painful.

Outside, the snowstorm grew fiercer, until it was impossible to see into the distance. Outside, the cold pierced your body to the bone; inside, you could feel the chill in your heart...

This is bad! What do we do? Think of something, Rad-aemon! Rudeus pleaded with Radeus for help.

What am I supposed to do? Let's give them some time to calm down first!

Radeus could not handle this sort of thing either. Their best option now was to let them calm down for a while.

Zenith and Lilia sat across from each other at the dining table, their faces dark and neither saying a word. Paul sat in another section of the room, looking dejected.

Only after a long while did Zenith slowly speak.

"So, what do you intend to do, Lilia?"

"I intend to leave on my own after helping you give birth, madam..."

Lilia kept her head lowered, not daring to look at Zenith.

"What about the child you're carrying? If you leave in weather like this, can the two of you survive?"

Faced with Zenith's questions, Lilia did not know what to say and could only remain silent.

How could a woman who had just given birth survive in snow like this? This world was not that kind.

Zenith was deeply torn. She was a follower of Millis, whose teachings prescribed monogamy, a rule all its followers observed.

Thus, no follower of Millis could tolerate a husband's infidelity, but she and Lilia were also very close.

Although Lilia was the family's maid, no one treated her as merely a maid. To Zenith, their relationship was like that of close girlfriends.

Driving her out now would be no different from sending Lilia and her unborn child to their deaths. Zenith could not do that.

Radeus and Rudeus could not bear it either, but what were they supposed to do?

What do we do? Hurry up and think of something!

Rudeus was growing anxious. If this continued, Lilia would undoubtedly die.

You have a plan, I know you do. You go first, and I'll back you up! Radeus told Rudeus.

To be honest, Radeus had no idea what to do. This was Paul's fault to begin with. Zenith should not have to bear such immense pressure, and whichever choice she made, someone would be hurt.

Rudeus took a deep breath. Now he had to bite the bullet.

Whatever happened, putting the blame on Paul was the best choice.

"Mom, we're getting two new family members at once, so why is everyone so gloomy?"

Rudeus walked up to Zenith and tugged at her skirt.

"Because your father and Lilia did something they shouldn't have."

"But could Lilia really stand up to Father? Father was actually forcing Lilia. I heard it once when I was passing by at night. Father has something he's holding over her."

"I think it's all Father's fault!"

"Huh?" All three exclaimed.

Zenith, Paul, and Lilia were all astonished. This was completely made up.

Paul wanted to explain, but he knew his son meant well. He had to take the blame, and it was his fault to begin with.

"Lilia, is that true?" Zenith asked.

"No, nothing of the sort happened!"

Instead, Lilia shook her head and denied it. She could not keep making mistakes. She could not keep deceiving Zenith.

Radeus greatly admired Rudeus's approach, but after pinning everything on Paul, was it really right to leave Zenith to make a painful choice alone?

Given Zenith's personality, she would surely forgive Lilia. After all, she did not want Lilia to die either. But what about Zenith, left to make that choice alone? Who would stand by her side?

At that thought, Radeus stepped forward, hugged Zenith's legs, and said:

"Mom, I don't know what happened, but I want you to always be happy. So whatever you choose, I'll be on your side."

"I'm your ally, Mom. I'll always, always love you, and everyone in this family..."

Hearing Radeus's words, Zenith hugged Rudeus and Radeus and began to cry.

After letting her feelings out, Zenith allowed Lilia to stay after all, but when she passed Paul, she was still furious with him.

Let's wish Paul luck!