In the end, they didn't say anything and just spent the time together on the picnic in silence. Sophie was worried she would say the wrong things; Leland didn't know how to start a conversation.
He didn't really have anything to ask her about because he knew what she thought or felt. He could feel it as her mate. He knew she was worried about the missing money pouch, thinking Duke Romanov would be upset if he knew she was careless and lost the money he gave her.
Of course, he didn't feel that way, and he actually wanted her to stop worrying so much about money, but he couldn't say it openly because then Sophie would wonder if he could read her mind.
So, Leland only kept things to himself. He realized he didn't need words. Being here with her, enjoying the beautiful weather, was so lovely. It was the end of winter, and the temperature was not as cold as before. That's why people could enjoy a pleasant time being outdoors.
Finally, after almost one hour, all their food was gone, and there was nothing else to do. Sophie felt awkward sitting there with the duke, doing nothing. She cast her glance around them and sighed. Dinah was still not back.
Did she fail to find the young thief? At this point, Sophie no longer cared if her purse was found. She was just worried about Dinah and wanted her back.
"Are you looking for your maid?" Leland asked Sophie.
The beautiful woman nodded. "Yeah. I asked her to do some errands, but she has not returned after so long."
Leland tilted his head to their right and said, "She is there, waiting near the carriage. She didn't want to disturb us."
"Oh… she did?" Sophie instantly got up and brushed off her dress from the dust and small leaves. She was flustered when she realized Dinah had been around for who knows how long, watching her sit with Duke Romanov.
The man got up as well. He watched Sophie clean her dress and then take their picnic gears. Apparently, she wanted to end it now.
"Do you want to leave now?" He asked her.
Sophie bobbed her head. "Yes. This has been really nice. Thank you."
"For what?" Leland thought he should be the one to thank her for allowing him to be by her side and enjoy this wonderful day together.
"Uhmm… for letting me out and enjoying myself." Sophie wanted to say that she had always envied her cousins for being able to enjoy good stuff when they went sightseeing and visit the festivals.
She never had the money to buy anything and often had to swallow her saliva when Lucia and Valerie bought sweets and cakes.
Today, she was able to get whatever she wanted. It was all thanks to the duke. She didn't even feel too distraught when she lost her purse because the money was gifted to her. If she had to toil and work so hard for the little money she had, she might be devastated by the loss.
"I am having a good time too," Leland commented. He took the basket from her and reached out for her hand to hold. "Let's go home."
Sophie was dazed when she suddenly realized the basket was now moved hands and the duke held her hand to walk toward their carriage.
She felt her heart beating faster. Leland could feel the increase in her heart rate, but he was not sure if it was a good thing or bad.
"My lord," Dinah bowed her head when the Alpha and his mate reached their carriage.
She opened the door for them and waited for Leland to help Sophie get inside. Once Sophie sat on the carriage seat, Dinah winked at her, giving the sign that she managed to retrieve her purse. Sophie let out a relieved sigh.
"Let's go home," Leland told his coachman after he and Sophie were ready and Dinah sat beside the coachman.
"Yes, my lord." The coachman started driving the carriage home.
Sophie sat by the window and she opened it to see the view outside while the carriage was moving. She thought it was a nice change of scenery.
Unconsciously, she rubbed her belly. After eating so much during the picnic, she felt very full. Soon, she would start showing and her tummy will be protruding. She might not be able to go out as much. That's why she wanted to savor this moment.
It was a bit cold because the wind entered from the open window, but Sophie was stubborn. She would rather bear with the cold than not see the view.
DRAP
The beautiful woman turned to see her lap when another coat was draped on her stomach. It was done by the duke, but he didn't make any mention of it, just pretending to look outside his window too.
Sophie could only mouth her thank you and wrapped the coat more tightly to her body. This was really nice.
***
After the picnic, Sophie realized the duke had his soft side. Even though he didn't talk much, he was kind, gentle, and respectful towards her, and it was impossible for her to not see his good qualities.
However, there was also something else that started to grow and it affected Sophie's state drastically. Her stomach had already grown so much even though she was only four months in. She ballooned to such a size that scared her.
Sophie started to panic and knew that the people in the castle would look at her strangely because it didn't take at least five months after the wedding for her to reach this size.
The duke married her only two months ago. So, in other people's expectation, if Sophie immediately became pregnant after their first consummation, she should now be around ten weeks in... which was definitely... not this big.
However, contrary to her expectations, all of the people in the castle didn't even seem to notice.
Did Duke Romanov tell them in advance? Did they know that she was already pregnant before the duke married her?
Even Dinah didn't bat an eye at all or even brought up the fact that Sophie was pregnant and only did her best to serve her. The days flew past her quickly and before she knew it, Sophie was already just anxiously waiting for the time she'd give birth.
.
.
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From Missrealitybites:
Poor Sophie doesn't understand that everyone in the castle just assumes she is carrying wolf pups that don't need 9.5 months gestation period like humans. But yea! We'll have the pup(s) soon!!
New novel 𝓬hapters are published on fre ew𝒆bnovel.com