May's face paled with fear. She picked up the teapot and turned to leave.

"May, stop taking food back to your room all the time," Axel said.

Claude was puzzled and asked, "May, didn't you say you have no relatives? Is it someone from your hometown?"

"Don't listen to his nonsense," May forced out a smile and said, "The beef is all for you. I don't take any of it."

"Really? When Claude isn't around, you make the same simple dishes every day. But when there's beef, you secretly take it back to your room," Axel said exasperatingly.

Sensing the tension between Axel and May, Claude interrupted, "Let's make a beef stew! We have important guests on the way, and please cook up some other tasty dishes, May. Let's have a party tonight!"

Axel harrumphed coldly and turned away. When he saw Lionel, his face sank again, and he asked, "So, do you have any thoughts on this?"

"She's pregnant," Lionel said nonchalantly, "She looks to be about four months along, and her belly is beginning to show.