Chapter 44

Hans, dressed neatly in contrast to Anita, frowned.

“I gave up everything because of you, didn’t I?”

Having stolen money from the Everett barony and fled, he could no longer return to his status as the illegitimate child of a noble.

Anita lowered her head, rubbing her aching belly.

‘I thought he was a responsible man…’

By the time she realized he only wanted to play noble and start a business, it was already too late.

She’d already gotten pregnant, and had given him all the money she had saved.

Once everything fell apart, Hans—who had always seemed gentle—began to reveal his true nature, constantly berating her.

Knowing his true colors, Anita shook her head.

“No. I thought I saw someone familiar, but I was wrong.”

“You’re lying, aren’t you?”

Hans chuckled and grabbed her by the wrist.

“You have to do as I say. I saved your life, remember? What do you think would happen if I told Count Queensguard about you? As for me, he’d probably just pay me off to keep quiet since I’ve still got a baron’s blood in me.”

Anita kept denying it, but Hans dragged her toward first class.

“Please show your first-class ticket.”

“I’ve got an acquaintance in there I need to see. If you don’t want to get fired, move.”

Shoving the crew member aside, Hans barged in and started wandering around the first-class cabin.

“Hans, stop.”

Anita, pale as a sheet, pleaded with him, but he wouldn’t yield.

“Anita? Is that you?”

And at last, they ran into Cynthia.

Seeing the golden goose, Hans beamed and greeted Cynthia and Massera.

“Are you an acquaintance of Anita’s? I’m Hans Everett, of House Everett. I’m Anita’s lover.”

“Lover?”

Cynthia’s red eyes turned to Anita, who was burdened with heavy luggage. Compared to Hans, she looked shabby and thin.

Cynthia approached Anita, who looked frightened, and whispered softly.

“Anita, you don’t look so well. Is something wrong? Is that man really your lover?”

“He is…”

“Is he perhaps the father?”

At Cynthia’s question, Anita’s eyes flew open in shock.

“How did you know I was pregnant? It shouldn't be obvious with these clothes…”

“I found out by chance back at the estate. It’s also part of why I saved you.”

At her warm voice, Anita felt tears welling up.

Contrary to what she’d feared, Cynthia didn’t threaten her or demand to know why she’d appeared.

“Sir Everett. Shall we go eat together? It’s on me.”

Cynthia offered while casting a slightly sharper gaze at Hans.

“...After all, a pregnant woman needs to eat well.”

Hearing that, Massera’s eyes shifted to Anita, who was carrying heavy bags.

Soon, Massera was glaring at Hans with visible displeasure.

Sensing the mood, Hans awkwardly picked up Anita’s luggage.

With an expression full of disbelief, Massera asked—

“If you hand your luggage to the crew, they will bring it to your room. Why are you carrying it around?”

“Well, we’re not actually first-class passengers…”

“Then what are you doing here?”

At the sharp question, Hans pointed at Anita with his chin.

“Anita was happy to see the former lady she served, so we just came to say hello.”

“How pathetic.”

Seeing right through him, Massera sighed and turned away.

However, he didn’t object when Cynthia said she would treat Anita to a meal.

***

Inside the luxurious restaurant in the first-class car.

The sound of someone chewing loudly with no table manners made the surrounding nobles frown.

Unlike Anita, who was cautiously eating, Hans was devouring the food greedily.

“Who’s the pregnant one here?”

Watching the scene, Massera asked Cynthia in a low voice.

Even Cynthia, who was usually cheerful and positive, had a sour look on her face.

Hans put down his fork, wiped his mouth, and returned to pretending he was nobility.

“You see, my family opposed my relationship with Anita since she’s a maid, so we’re in hiding. She is carrying my child, so I should take responsibility for her.”

He tried to present himself as a responsible man, using Anita to gain sympathy.

Massera sighed and called over a crew member.

“Please reserve a first-class room. A pregnant woman will be staying, so make sure it’s properly prepared.”

“Understood. I’ll notify the medical staff as well.”

Anita fidgeted and tried to decline, but Massera waved his hand as if telling her not to worry.

Having gotten what he wanted, Hans smiled sinisterly.

‘Those who were raised with a silver spoon are so easy to exploit. Just a little sob story and they’ll act all sympathetic and hand you money.’

Massera stood up from his seat and said to Cynthia—

“I’ll head back first. Feel free to talk as long as you need.”

“Thank you.”

Cynthia saw Massera off with a gentle smile.

At that moment, Hans glanced at Anita’s plate and frowned.

“Hey, you ate so much that there’s nothing left for me. Gonna use the baby as an excuse to eat it all yourself?”

Hans had scolded her out of habit, but then realized too late where he was and glanced around, forcing a fake laugh to make it sound like a joke.

“You know I’m joking, right?”

Cynthia stared at him with a blank expression.

She knew she shouldn’t meddle in others’ domestic matters, but she simply couldn’t stand it.

“That wasn’t funny.”

“What?”

“You’re only eating thanks to Anita, so at least try not to be so shameless. And could you stop chewing like some peasant?”

As Cynthia openly reprimanded him, Hans’s face turned bright red with humiliation.

Cynthia burst into laughter seeing how embarrassed Hans got.

“You know I’m joking, right?”

She threw his own words right back at him.

‘That damned wench…!’

Burning with indignation, Hans gritted his teeth.

“Sir Hans, I hope the baby is born safely. And that Anita stays healthy too.”

Cynthia’s usually cheerful tone felt different somehow.

“You understand what I mean, don’t you?”

The knife in her hand, gripped tightly, seemed to glint ominously under her cold gaze.

***

After having a proper meal for the first time in a while, Anita followed the grumbling Hans back to first class.

“Anita, I live in the capital. I’ll give you my address.”

“My lady…”

“Think of me as a friend and contact me anytime, even if nothing’s wrong. I want to see your little one when they arrive.”

Cynthia offered her a choice, naturally and without pressure.

She didn’t have the courage to ask for help outright, but the thought of having someone to lean on brought her a little comfort.

Just then, Hans, who had been grumbling, turned to Anita and asked—

“Hey, that pale-looking woman is the maid you mentioned before, isn’t she?”

“No.”

“You only ever worked for the Queensguard family.”

Hans stepped closer, threatening Anita who stubbornly kept her mouth shut.

“They’ll find out anyway if they investigate. It’s better to speak up now, especially for your child’s sake.”

At that, Anita’s face turned pale again.

“Y-Yes, it’s her. She had her reasons, but it wouldn’t be good if it got out that she used to be a maid…”

Hearing this, Hans started making calculations in his head.

‘So that officer really doesn’t know his wife used to be a lowborn maid. No wonder the Count caused such a stir.’

But would he really go so far as to kill all the servants to silence them? Besides, she doesn’t even look like the daughter of that Count.

Whatever the story is, she clearly wants her past hidden. Maybe I can use this to my advantage and squeeze some money out of them. And teach her a lesson while I’m at it.

With those thoughts, Hans sneered wickedly.

“Thanks to me, you got a good meal and a first-class room. You should be grateful. This isn’t a place someone like you could ever get to in your life. While I'm at it, I’m going to order the finest wine and all the room service.”

As Hans smugly tried to step into the first-class room, a broad-shouldered crew member blocked his path.

“This room is reserved for a single guest.”

“What?”

Hans blinked in confusion, and the crew member spoke firmly.

“The reservation holder instructed that no one besides someone named Anita is to be let in.”

“That can’t be right.”

“Sir, I’ll have to ask you to leave.”

Faced with the burly crew member, Hans couldn’t act out like he had earlier.

‘Damn it…’

Hans clenched his fists tightly and cursed under his breath.

“Just they wait. I’ll make sure to squeeze a hefty sum out of them.”