Mare was crossing the living room of their mansion, when a small shadow of someone running from her master's study appeared in the corner of her eye.

Squinting to check it out, Mare's heart skipped a beat when she found Luana covering her mouth with a hand. The other hand was draped over her flat stomach, as she moved to find the nearest bathroom from Rey's room.


"Madam!"

Luana turned her head, stopping her steps abruptly. Her eyeballs widened, just as Mare unceremoniously placed the bag of groceries on the expensive sofa. Approaching Luana, Mare who tried to quickly understand the situation then led Luana to reach the closest bathroom.

It wasn't the usual bathroom used by the masters, but it was still quite clean and Luana needed it as soon as possible now.


Opening the door to the bathroom, Mare gasped as Luana made a beeline for the sink. Her voice filled the predominantly cream-colored room, as they were the only two there.

The large mirror reflected Luana, who was now sitting with her hair down, letting out all the things that made her feel morning sickness.


"Luana, are you okay?" Mare moved closer, taking up a position right next to Luana and handing her some tissues.

Scooping up the tissue in between the liquid that still wanted to come out, Luana could only shake her head weakly. Mare didn't want to be presumptuous to her own employer, but Luana's hastily worn T-shirt successfully displayed the woman's slender neck. And Mare, caught some reddish marks that were almost purple, which just made her stomach tingle with heartburn.

Ah, it must be the two employers making out in the study!

Gosh, Mare smiled to herself.

The sound of water running from the faucet was the only sound, before Luana slowly raised her body. Wetting her face as well as washing her hands, she looked at herself in the mirror. Looking at her slightly disheveled self-with the remnants of tears probably lingering on her cheeks.

"Thank you, Mare," Luana said, glancing at her servant. "You saved me."

Mare gave a faint shake of her head, followed by a smile that spread later.

"Are you sick, Luana? Should I call a doctor to check on you today?"

As instructed, their great mistress was not supposed to be sick. Mare wondered how her master would react if he found Luana vomiting this early in the morning. Moreover, she looked weak and had sunken eyes.

"No, Mare," Luana refused as usual. "No need, I'm fine."

Mare gave her a probing look, even though she knew it was none of her business. It was just that maybe she needed to do something.

"Forgive my impudence, Luana," Mare said slowly. "But, how long have you been sick like this?"

Mare's question came out of nowhere, melodiously filling Luana's eardrums as she seemed to think a little. Pulling her memory back to the last few days, Luana swallowed hard.

"Uhm, maybe three days," she said softly. "But really, I'm fine, maybe I just ate too much."

Hearing Luana's explanation, Mare blinked a little.

Ah, really? Is it true that what all the residents of the mansion have been waiting for will soon become a reality?

A smile spread across Mare's lips as the young woman drew closer to Luana.

"Luana, you...," she stammered. "Did you get your period this month?"

Mare's question succeeded in making Luana pause this time, with a frown suddenly appearing on her forehead.

Ah, that's right. Menstruation. When did the last menstruate?

It took longer than Mare expected before Luana now gave a small shake of her head, with a bead that began to widen.

"Mare, I... haven't gotten my period since coming here."

The smile on Mare's lips widened, as if she was getting something that made her so happy. Finally, finally what they had been waiting for was coming. After all this time, the mansion was finally going to have a party.

"Ah, my Luana," Mare gave a warm hug. "I didn't know you would get it so soon. Thank you for bringing it to us. Thank you, Luana. Thank you."

Luana was stunned, not understanding where Mare was going with her conversation that morning. It wasn't even six o'clock yet, but look at how Mare had gone on and on like this.

If Luana thought she was the one lacking sleep, then it seemed like Mare was too because the woman was now hugging her even tighter.

Bringing what? Getting what?

"Mare, I don't understand," Luana whispered between the warm embrace of her servant. "What do you mean?"

Mare released the embrace slowly, and now took Luana's hand in turn to hold it. There was no awkwardness between them, and Mare was grateful that her master had married someone as tender-hearted as Luana.

"Great lady, you might be... pregnant."

As if struck by lightning in broad daylight, Luana froze. Even for a few seconds she stared at Mare with a look of disbelief, unable to blink an eye.

What kind of joke is this?! What does it contain?!

"That's impossible," Luana whispered softly, very softly. Her head was turned to avoid the happy gaze of Mare, who was really obviously happy. "That's impossible, Mare."

Mare let Luana unravel their handshake, as if the woman was not happy with what she had just said. Wouldn't every married woman be waiting for that news with bated breath? But why did Luana not seem to be on the same frequency as her?

Why did her face look sad?

Luana was still clearly confused, as she squeezed her intertwined fingers.

No, Luana. What the hell is this? You can't be carrying his child.

"Luana." Mare's voice was very soft. But Luana kept looking the other way, with a bead that suggested excessive anxiety. "Luana."

This time Luana turned her head. Her lips seemed to be trembling, as her brain was being forced to think even when she hadn't gotten enough sleep.

Was what Mare said true?

"Mare, I... can't be pregnant." Luana shook her head.

More precisely, I can't get pregnant. Let alone a child from Rey.

"Luana, calm down," Mare tried to give her full support. "Calm down, Luana. It's all just conjecture, because the servants have also started expecting this since you seemed to have a drastically increased appetite."

Luana was silent, absorbing every word Mare said.

"Of course, we dare not say anything first," the woman continued. "But this time I saw you experiencing symptoms that might corroborate that you are pregnant, which is why I offered to have you examined by a doctor as soon as possible, Luana."

The two pairs of eyes collided, but there was a different light shining from them. Mare's beam of happiness, and Luana's beam of despair.

"Moreover, you will be very happy, Luana," Mare said again. "You must know how to wish for a child for this family, as well as us servants and all who work here."

Luana bit her lower lip, still not knowing how she should act. It was still vague and gray, when just a few hours ago she revealed her identity to Rey. What if the servants in this house knew her true identity? What if others found out the secret?

"Mare." This time it was Luana who said softly. "You have to help me do something."

Mare blinked happily. "Tell me, what can I do?"

Luana took a deep breath before she spoke very softly. "Go and buy something to check if I'm pregnant or not. Do you know what it's called?"

"Testpack?"

"Yes, that. Buy it for me, without anyone knowing. Put it in my first nightstand drawer, and don't tell anyone about it, do you understand?"

Mare nodded in understanding. Of course, Luana must have wanted to surprise Mr. Rey.

"Do it this morning, Mare," Luana pleaded again. "I need to know the truth before I can make a decision."

Mare didn't pay much attention to Luana's last sentence, because she was already happy that Luana was pregnant.

"I'll do it," Mare said. "I'll be back in half an hour."

Luana nodded in return, and then allowed Mare to leave the bathroom. Just as the door closed again, Luana turned to stare at her self-portrait reflected in the mirror.

Luana, are you really pregnant? If you are, what are you going to do now? Are you willing to sacrifice everything to give birth to your child?