Yes, Master. The servants answered obediently and immediately left the room.

Flustered, Yelena stole a peek at Duke Mayhard, realizing that the dining room was empty if not for the two of them.

Of course, she had also planned to request the servants to leave When the timing was just right.

After all, it felt weird to be talking about Their relationship with others around.

Wait, could it be?

Duke Mayhard started the conversation just as Yelenas began to ponder, causing her eyes to grow wide.

Yesterday Were you really under the influence of alcohol?

There. Duke Mayhard had started that topic.

Everything that required discussion was already on the table.

What else could Duke Maynard have possibly been referring to when he asked Yelena whether she was sincere or not?

He could only be questioning her actions from last nights incident, when she tried to forcefully remove his clothes; emboldened by her intoxicated state.

Yelena blinked, then took a deep breath. She clenched her fists tightly.

She felt as if she was about to burst in embarrassment, despite coming fully prepared to deal with this topic.

Yes.

Although I was drunk, everything I did was of my own free will. Of course, um I should apologize for my rashness.

No need.

Phew. Yelena took a swig of water.

While were at it, I think Ive waited long enough. It has been roughly three weeks since our wedding, but we havent consummated our marriage.

When had she mustered the courage to talk in such a way?

Yelena assumed it must have come from her shameful behavior from the previous night.

Since I went all out last night, what could I possibly be too afraid to talk about now?

Or something like that.

How much longer do I have to wait? Its not really something worth bragging about, but Im not a patient person.

She got more aggressive towards the end.

And immediately regretted it, getting nervous after having given her two cents.

How would he respond?

Duke Mayhard seemed to think over Yelenas somewhat provocative words for a bit before replying.

Is your family in need of an heir?

Pardon?

I am aware that you have two other siblings in the Sorte household.

He hesitated slightly, as if unsure of what expression to use.

Could there be an issue with your siblings?

No. Thats not it.

Though Yelena was taken aback by his response, she still replied.

So his question was, Do both of Yelenas siblings have fertility issues?

That meant Yelena was the only one who could give birth and continue their familys bloodline.

Nope.

Neither of her siblings had any such problems at all.

Yelena was confused as to why Duke had gotten such ideas about her siblings, while Duke Mayhard seemed to be more flustered by Yelenas immediate denial.

If thats not it, then why?

Duke Mayhard looked quite baffled, but his expression soon changed after arriving at a different conclusion.

Could you have misunderstood the conditions of this marriage-

I know that there werent any conditions that required us to produce heirs in this marriage.

Yelena snapped at him in defensive indignation.

She, too, knew that their marriage was not a normal one.

It served as an undeniable collateral for the deal made between Yelenas uncle and Duke Mayhard.

She knew that the marriage would not mean anything more than that.

But he didnt have to re-emphasize that by using the word condition.

Yelena froze as the thought crossed her mind.

Why did she feel disappointed?

This is weird. Its not like I didnt know about it. Since I came instead of Mielle

The time to regret it had passed.

While Yelena remained lost in thought, Duke Mayhard, who had gotten even more confused, seized his chance.

Only

Then why?

?

Why do you want to spend a night with me?

Yelena, herself, had temporarily forgotten as a result of being so flustered.

What did that question imply?

Were a married couple. Does it require any other special reason?

Of course, Yelena did have a special reason why she needed to spend a night with Duke Mayhard.

She needed to give birth to a warrior who could save the world from a demon invasion 20 years from now.