Arranged Marriage

A year (3)

"However, I don't think anyone will be troubled. Rather, a lot of people will welcome this news."

Karlyle turns his gaze to Luther. Luther is having his usual smile. It reminds him of Ash. Though they look nothing alike.

Karlyle agrees with Luther in skepticism. His grandfather is extremely conservative, and his mother doesn't care about him very much. And his father, he doesn't know if he cares. But it's questionable how he views a male Alpha being pregnant. He also wonders whether Kyle will welcome the news. If Kyle hears how dangerous this pregnancy can be, he might hate it.

The more he thinks about it, the more he realizes that no one will welcome this child. Karlyle silently gathers his clothes. Luther watches him for a while, and only speaks after he's done.

"If you want to make the decision, it has to be within this month. Because of your health condition, the longer it drags on, the higher the risks are."

Though Karlyle has better health than most people, Luther repeatedly mentions how dangerous it is. It isn't surprising, seeing how his body has already been in this state.

"Young Lady decided to have you after much thought. So please think about it carefully, Young Master."

Karlyle blinks as Luther mentions his mother. To Karlyle, Alice Frost is as rational as his grandfather. Why would his mother make such a decision? In fact, he has doubts about his mother's choice to marry his father.

"That decision was so unlike her."

Luther laughs heartily at his brief comment.

"Everyone said that. No one would have thought a girl who had been quiet all her life would have such an incident."

'Incident'. Karlyle turns to Luther at that.

"The fact that she made the decision to have you when she didn't have to meant that she loved Jonathan very much."

"My father would not force her to do that."

"I know. Your father didn't agree at first. Oh, don't get me wrong. When Young Lady made the decision, Jonathan was the one looking forward to you the most."

It is a strange feeling to hear stories about his parents from someone else. Karlyle narrows his eyes, feeling weirdly overcome by emotions that are uncharacteristic of him.

"What I mean is that Young Lady was looking forward to the family she would create. Your parents didn't expect to have children, but when the opportunity came, maybe Young Lady wanted to keep a trace of her beloved in a different way. It's just my speculation. Personally, I think it's boring to say that a child is a token of love."

Finally, Luther cleans up the machine and turns off the screen. As the sound lingering in his ears disappears, Karlyle feels an odd sense of emptiness. While he's silently putting on his shoes, Luther gives him a piece of advice.

"I hope you make the decision you want."

Luther smiles and bows his head briefly before leaving the room. Perhaps he wants to give Karlyle time to think. Standing in the empty clinic, he stares at the screen of the machine that has been turned off. If he aborts the child, the sound just now, will be gone and never come back.

He just can't decide.

Despite having had to make several important decisions in the past, Karlyle is at a loss. This feeling, he sometimes doubted whether it existed. Yet recently, it has taken hold of him particularly. Amidst the constant conflict of reason and emotion, Karlyle finally admits.

He doesn't want to abort the child.

And he can't figure out why.

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