“What?!” 

“Shh… father.” I pulled Kathrine closer to me by her shoulders with one hand and placed the other on her belly. “Think about the baby.”

“The what?!” The Marquess screamed even louder than last time. The Marchioness fainted at that moment. 

***

Before arriving at the mansion, Kathrine and I devised a plan at a nearby café. 

Ring. The bell rang as the door of the café opened.

“Welcome. A table for two?” A young woman greeted us and led us to a table when I gave a nod.

“Choose whatever you want.” I stated and plopped down onto my chair, leaning back with one leg over the other.

Kathrine looked at me in surprise. I ignored her as I took another sip of alcohol from my flask.

“Do you really mean it?” She carefully gauged my reaction. “I might choose something really expensive.”

Hah. Does she think that’ll scare me? Should I show her who she got involved with?

“You’ve got that smile on your face again. What are you thinking?” She pointed out, as she took a small nervous sip of tea.

“Waiter!” I yelled out. “ I’ll take everything you have!”

The waiter stumbled as Kathrine coughed, choking on the tea she was drinking.

“W-wait, I was just joking.” Her panicked face was just so cute that I had to tease her a little.

I leaned forward, and with a small smile I said, “I’m not” in a low voice.

Her face started to turn red as I called out to the waiter once more. “Just put one of everything on the table. Pack up everything else. I’m giving the rest to the Marquessate.”

Ah. I’ve always wanted to do that. I’ve been a broke college student with no hope for the future. Finally, I could finally say that one line I’ve always seen on tv.

It really is great to have money!

The food arrived soon after and we continued our conversation in hushed whispers.

“Ok, let me get this straight.” Kathrine took a bit of her cake. “You want me to drape myself over you as we walk through the front door of the house? I am to cling onto you and not let go.”

I gave a curt nod and she continued.

“We will pretend to be madly in love as you try to break off your engagement. If the attention is directed at me, then all I have to do is whine about how tired I am and how you promised I would be loved in the manor.”

I gave another nod as I took a bite of my dessert this time. “Yes, that's exactly it.”

“Ok, that seems doable.” Kathrine nodded and took a quick sip of her drink. “Just one question.”

For the first time since entering the café, I seriously looked at her. Her tone of voice just changed and her eyes narrowed.

“What if all that isn’t enough.” She stirred her drink with her straw. “What if you still can’t break it off? Shouldn’t we have a back up plan?” 

“Like what?”

“Let’s say I’m pregnant.”

 ***

A sigh. It was the most disappointed sigh I’ve ever heard.

“Are you sure?” The marquess asked, warily.

“Yes, father.” I looked into Kathrine’s eyes lovingly. “Rin has only ever been with me. It must be from that night of the festival.”

Kathrine leaned her head towards me and gave a nod to my chest.

“And how do you know it’s yours?” The marquess stared at Kathrine menacingly. “How do you know she hasn’t been with anyone else?”

“Father!” I raised my voice in anger and pulled Kathrine closer. “How can you accuse your soon to be daughter in law like that?”

“She is NOT my daughter in law nor will she ever be.”

“Let’s go, Rin.” I pulled her in the direction of my room. “We should give father and mother some space.”

“Lucian Devonshire, I did not permit you to leave.” The marquess fumed but couldn’t take another step with the weak marchioness in his arms.

Kathrine and I walked off, but not before hearing the marquess say, “Find out where she came from. Give me everything about her” to the butler.