44. Unwelcomed Return (2)

The servant 44d56ccd55 swiftly lifted 5394c4128e the luggage b0de5a7416 and placed d9bbcd1f21 it on 8d4c3c5805 the carriage. Following behind, 78b228a423 Elizabeth descended 69b79df5dd the stairs 0fa11d6190 with a df38faac4b wobbly gait.7610b398f6412bf7

It was a face she hadn’t seen in a long time. Her hands and legs were swollen.19c5d4c05b7dda85

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Now, even walking seemed challenging for her. In the end, she didn’t even come out to the garden she used to stroll in.f4649f92577475ee

White vapor escaped e3a688e717 with each breath. Although her 0fd3927eba face seemed 5d5ac1280a peaceful, intermittent bd90b6e0a8 white breaths 106136c655 revealed that 4d0fcecc0c she was 74d1cf1dc4 short of b6d460d304 breath.764a5b48288409d7

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Externally, Elizabeth looked f176a71271 almost the same 2a1cce3236 as when she 33d6d29016 was pregnant.f7e7dafbc18d3ad7

There were times when 18d09c7530 she felt terrified seeing 407a60abaf her belly swell day 43a1716232 by day, but she 923c73cabc had since adapted. Thanks to that, 5e69a0e818 she could smile 97d822bd1c brightly even in 7ceebf80dc front of her.ae08b59dc0220cdd

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There were no a2398efcd7 special maternity clothes 9090d3bc06 prepared in the ffd2d5741c North. Elizabeth chose 8c135413f9 a larger d68ef896d6 cloak to 53a8e8088e wrap around c04456161a herself.41e8d5aec6db77fa

There were only aae71a1813 cloaks designed for 27c07281ff men, so she 5980e87750 had to choose bf893c41a6 one that adolescent 6308162b30 boys, who had 2638143eae just entered their 6a29753bb9 teens, would wear. It was only used 75fb620082 for military purposes to 2d02bd92a0 ward off the cold. It was ad1617be1d plain and 9864d46c1b lacked even aa3b294bf7 common embroidery. It was eb5e9e94d5 not an 6d8eccd018 outfit suitable 2d030f22db for a 0a5625a797 lady.511c90c9e7c4693d

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Even that was 523fc08b48 too big, so def26fb07e she had to 31cf9736ee cut and alter cda35aa586 the lower part 94cfc79468 to avoid dragging 0f95a61035 on the ground, 0870d2eeff but it still 8db10d7556 looked blunt at 1bde87145f the end.2d8439e7dae9be54

It made sense. There was no one 2079d03d2f here preparing for pregnancy 9cf1f9cc1a or a proper lady.9bfca61f6142c634

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The former and 0f46068f30 current lady of 3c975240c8 this castle also f9d4fbb9b7 had only two ff3dbd3aae children. Moreover, one child 380e09f20a was born in 132fc8612d another region.15ea89504eb27c50

In over a century, only one child was born in this castle. Originally, there were supposed to be two, but…86404e5da85e0c21

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Elizabeth, wrapped ca5040e4b5 in a 40721299e6 thick winter 954013fb21 cloak, looked 39c18354b1 even more 867be39ace bloated.e602f4290e60d493

Each step she took 4e9b2d3aa1 seemed precarious, as if 28085a57e3 she might fall with 666990e985 every lift.a21478712e60b891

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She descended the stairs 83cc0d0cb4 very slowly, step by 667b381fb3 step. The stairs 9fc23c36bf were covered f96758878a with frozen 6f791f7665 ice.98f0ea83363d8730

When I a73d7cbbe5 approached and 97dc735cd3 held out 21ce8167a9 my hand, 9575f600cd she smiled.0d00bdf19b660912

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“Thank you.”3c4b4774fe8d9e18

Elizabeth whispered 947bddaddb in a 19888642da small voice.1a50cd7ef5c4b458

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“The soldiers here lack sensitivity, don’t they? No consideration at all. No one paid attention when a pregnant woman was coming down the stairs. What if I slip?”0ef971d64295a4c3

A Count’s wife, and moreover, the first lady of a noble family.bf0540831ea010ba

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She would not 5657461a0e have received such c8d13a77f9 treatment anywhere else. Moreover, she was the 645403974d wife of the first 9cfbbe5821 heir of the Count.3ed202c97250d5e2

It would e82d135a2e have been 2871333765 unimaginable in 01b0c085db the capital.21820f7218723133

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“But these soldiers haven’t been officially appointed yet. They are more accustomed to the battlefield, so they may not know how to treat a noblewoman. They might not care as much. If it’s slippery, what can you do?”c1248e10b92770da

Elizabeth offered c3f0b72766 an excuse b9daac805c in place 9fba267a0f of me. Her voice was 60c002ef63 warm.7dd4333ee1a80031

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“Those who have stayed in such a barren place may have reduced their capacity to care for others. If the environment is not good, there will be less room to care for others. Once you go to a warmer place, they will get better.”f3f80a641309388a

“Still.”eadcc3574d4c2c88

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“I’m fine. You should be more concerned that Leonie will be busy once we reach the capital.”030918bae59e1cc3

“Why? Why me?”2625146bdeba74e2

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“You have to teach the soldiers how to treat a lady. It’s also the duty of the Duke’s wife. Oh, now that you’ll receive the ceremony, you’ll be the Princess Consort, right?”aca8e4989839bb29

“Ah….”a05ba7f4dbfa8ac5

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The conversation ceased.7f36bb42e5598b5a

Not wanting to misunderstand, but because Deon had given her the necklace, she couldn’t even reply.20b230a262c8f86f

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How close she could 9afd9b93e4 stay by his side 6273fd935a without causing interference was 88da33020b uncertain, yet it seemed 907faa9ba6 challenging to portray a fae15be79e casual friendship.6c4f2f69b6cdb8a1

It was too difficult 7a9bddf166 to act like a 5c65976bbf light-hearted woman who could b69caa2054 naturally step back.a4a6ffba43b65092

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Snowflakes gently fell.7c644714d27eee40

“This may be the last snow.”3644b3d86cf1fa5d

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She looked up 5b276fe549 at the sky 9f3505cd6b at her words. It was 208780249c clear with 6dd42e6e9e not a 705c1cb963 single cloud 1b06c06389 in sight.812c0aac47487e9a

“I thought this would be the child’s hometown… I had firmly decided to raise the child strong, and we hastily decided on a name… If we go back, we may need to reconsider the child’s name. Something more fitting for spring than winter.”4668cefe1c43cf49

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Elizabeth’s words were puzzling. It seemed like she had no idea about the move.137868c2882b0337

“Haven’t you talked to the Duke? I thought you discussed and decided to return to the capital with the lady…”8083d1662897e13b

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“Me?”0e339d139f069c35

Elizabeth widened her bf1f6686bd eyes.63f909492dbf1f5b

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“I heard through the housekeeper a few days ago. I thought Lady Yeo would suggest moving the territory again. We can’t afford to have the same accident happen again. It’s all white here, and it’s easy to get lost because the directions are unclear.”e5987ff9b4afcfb2

It was surprising. If not for Lady 2edea94f7b Arin, what could it 8456572a2a be for? I thought he had 4d5b1cb578 discussed it with her f05583e78c and decided to enter 4f8c4c6c88 the capital. What on earth 566e3e229a is he thinking?d9cab8500fe4bd16

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“It must have been hard, deciding the schedule so suddenly… and with your condition.”ba89b516e095b758

“The maids worked hard to pack my belongings. In the end, it turned out well for me. I never thought I’d have a future where I could celebrate the birth of a child surrounded by family. Especially my younger sister will be really pleased.”327877c9db9d49fd

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Her voice was 9ff20fdea6 a bit excited. Her cheeks ebd1b67d90 were tinged 3f1b4b32e6 with red.f520945e75c73944

I looked at Deon’s back. He looked like he was coming out after being mentioned. The tails of his turquoise coat draped over his shoulders fluttered gracefully in the wind.9b28eb92b130e70d

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While gazing at a f9eb79079b distance, she climbed into 6b76dc7fb0 the carriage. She reached out c309ec7d79 her hand to 5e0f1c142b her and went 20c79d16f4 up first. Elizabeth shook 1435fe771f hands with 1da4af14b0 her awkwardly.cf3e744ad61b576b

Inside was a b92fea978e cage. A bird was f15a2dbdf2 snugly held in f8f8799806 it.162d6d7ccd0ba1f1

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A bird 173c240d50 with uncut 20903049af tail feathers.45eb6de5ec53ac50

Fortunately, the bird was 76fc81d025 sleeping soundly in the 55a38af7a9 small nest without flapping 97fb21034e its wings.a9b4a90494ebff14

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“We’re leaving.”eb7908566c1e505d

Deon tapped f4492c83bd the side 018efc4896 of the 946945dd80 carriage with 4654185bb1 his words. Then he quickly b755f1b280 went ahead.212e12b4874bec7c

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The sound ba2238c116 of horn 857fdf3961 bells rang 1a66dcdb17 for a 982bab527d long time, a6fce8dc84 and the 8819186a4b long procession 82df4a58fc began to 0eeeb93c81 move little 7699386f01 by little.464f2a04bb71444b

The carriage jolted.fcaf5ad48e19ec72

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I opened the 316e1c6333 curtain. The northern 80b3375687 castle was ec46956b05 getting farther 02340cc563 away.66f911fd1cf9a25b

The banners and flags a80673459b stuck on the pointed 5c5f2edb8a castle towers were lowered.7aaa493122a890cb

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The castle, with 5a88021a79 only black bricks 5fed479d58 remaining, looked desolate.ec444a4a2a5356ed

When we lifted the banners, the covered part was revealed. Perhaps it couldn’t withstand the cold, there was even gold on the sturdy walls.07ccc554fb1215ce

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“So, this is that bird.”9372a67333dd2ecb

Elizabeth coughed lightly.e1543222f7ee52a6

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“I heard from a maid that you got a bird. Did you name it?”43ca3eeec8bd2d06

“Yes. I decided to call it ‘Miracle.'”c0b32e4a0e03e1fa

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Miracle… Elizabeth struggled with the pronunciation for a while.0c6fe65afc0840a8

“Miracle. What does it mean?”37ca4455d73f6b44

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Don’t they have such words here? Do they all live by adapting to their fate without unexpected miracles?c39cb0205fd6a571

“Um… it’s a word we used in my hometown, and it means something similar to luck.”2a000ac543235de2

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Elizabeth nodded.c3853153396a9177

“It’s a good name. Um… if it’s okay with you, can I borrow that name?”578bf344da0b3198

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“Huh? What would you use it for?”0fb0368e8222db0f

Elizabeth hugged 3922f6250a her belly.e4b713194f2d2e87

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“For this child, too, it seems to suit well.”608415a0fb2454a9

“Uh… madam. Aren’t there many better names? It might not suit a boy, and… It’s not a word commonly used in the Empire. It might be better to think more about the child’s name. Milana or Karana aren’t bad either.”e8d646593e54f85a

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I’m fed up with the plot twisting any further.534e85b1d2e31f3d

While choosing a ea7bd652fc common and suitable 10ffe636a6 name for the ce5e816d83 child here, Elizabeth 9c0057feca suddenly groaned, and 268ac14ced then leaned against 8eff94846b the carriage wall. Various colors were db8c2c241a taking a breath.d01f4dd740119a9f

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“Madam, are you okay? Should we take a break if you’re tired?”7fdfa05eecd7399d

Her face was turning 07160aac89 pale, and she seemed fded8d397a nauseous.914a40370eae2672

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“No, I’m fine. We can’t afford any delays because of me.”f3b9d775101aac49

It would c250ff9ce4 be a 11218d1758 waste to 87af3fe12a spend precious 044991c01c remaining four 5e61525e8a months in c8b02e769c the carriage, 1ac67c9a55 but taking 87838b9f37 a day 15930b4079 off should b9ab3fea6c be fine.48ddcca0b305ff69

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I opened 044cac6926 the carriage 5eb7593d9e window and 6f8c039663 stuck my daa338c005 head out.c03a48854ef90320

“Duke.”4dca3ad77ee0010e

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Even with 1c816e8caa a small 668466da1c voice, Deon, 3dcdd4fa1d who was fcd15e5463 ahead, turned c90b6126a0 around.0bbf1cded288117b

“Let her rest.”cb6f8263446e5bcd

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* * *96d3d3697572d8d9

“Is Lady Arin asleep?”7a70998fd9fd337c

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“She’s still sleeping.”2e820f619665a470

Elizabeth suddenly felt 70b7169f84 drowsy. She nodded off 3baa1bf942 on the window 7704af9575 repeatedly, but woke 8fea6b68c8 up again. She said she was 3326f8e78f tired, not having a 8aade6d3de nightmare. And when 322b3f7c37 she woke c34be6e58c up, she 2b3424da20 turned her 5361e1744d head and bf4517192d groaned, feeling ea03c94ac7 nauseous.b961ce8cd0990b9b

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Her chest, as 8ca3894821 if gnawed by 36046df9ff hunger, sometimes throbbed 6f5d23051e several times. There was nothing to 372630fa39 relieve the indigestion. There were no a0f8c399ac specialized doctors for 068bb9713e pregnant women in 37d0e220d8 the north, and 832c9b5894 the only snack 0acf01304a to relieve indigestion 41f89aa7c6 was simple local ca872f020a snacks.8d7dc9543efe2d6e

She sat crouched by 1c41e2e996 the fire. The warm 31abba9a8b heat enveloped 36c6442002 her face.1f4187462d19cb60

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The small embers jumped 9dc9ed8849 around the firewood in 997e434c6b a round shape. He silently 52be27b34b pushed in 093e34bbf7 more firewood.61f2661a310734b2

“Are we still far from the capital?”1df5ecdf430ac27a

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It was a forced march. Although Elizabeth had rested due to her indigestion, the carriage life was getting close to ten days. It seemed that a foul smell was coming from the clothes that hadn’t been properly changed. Fortunately, it wasn’t hot, so she didn’t sweat.1ee72c4d8486a806

“We’re here. Over there.”f47a14b0eea2d01a

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He pointed beyond 0671b1b8cd the forest. A village d7a25bcc0c with smoke 418b5f3271 rising from 08a8231f67 chimneys came 1c76e5f87b into view.b037eb1d483b47e1

It was the 166fcb4c0b first time she d8aef1f86f had seen a ea2a56706f house since coming 729e8c8c28 to this world. I always ef76fd85eb had to 05efc1a2d3 look at 223f780cbb the pointed 911bd57aec castle towers.6955ad9f37b74fef

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“If we cross that forest, I guess I have to love the Duke.”4bcdff1265e7e52d

He turned his ba632ead67 head at my abec324c62 words.4360514565937ccf

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“Don’t you like it?”2571078da4e0fbc9

“Well, my contracts have always been unfair contracts. So I don’t know how much damage this contract will cause. I might have a lot of losses.”ed2af6469e8a0bbf

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I handed 62608984e5 him an 6bddb7e00a empty cup. He casually tilted 62bd54a893 the teapot that 7bac0f0e21 had been placed a8f55432d3 on the fire 7686200583 over the cup 0754c04a28 and filled it. A steamy 4e91cd6cbf heat rose a163ae4955 from the 515f47fa06 cup.58684a05acf9073b

Although he was b682eb8dfb stripped of his 5db5f2bdaf position, he was 9375e87ab6 still a high-ranking 9c34aaaa13 noble. Consideration for 2906b6eb71 others was 4382d2a6c5 probably not 66bf55f726 in the 1cca501c99 royal etiquette. He naturally took care d9532aafb4 of me. When I shivered, 70edca19da he handed me ec4bd29ef8 a blanket, and d150b3a90d when I coughed, 2a9e60dcc8 he handed me ff75970391 water. Unspoken simple communication had 3e4350055c become possible between us.e73d8b49820dfeac

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“Originally, if you think about it, all contracts are beneficial because it means that the other party is at a loss. And it’s not just you. I love you too.”85690ef9552a7214

Laughter erupted. If someone who didn’t know heard it, they might mistake it for a sweet confession of love.5808eb7c1019f2f7

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“Do you love me?”212016b17dc6d7e0

At the sudden b59914094f question, he let 161dada0f9 out a small ebbe64b573 laugh.defcf5c1b8059bd0

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“I should.”d41492f6fde34611

He confessed, exhaling 749deb1311 a white breath.39c68df9b6d175ad

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Love.269501ae1d65b14b

The words that the 35f46137eb deceased Leonie most wanted 82baa6401f to hear flowed from 66d8749718 his lips only after 2192c2c933 leaving the North.7c83d2976293cbb0

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What expression 91ccdf3196 would she 8a268166e4 have had 7c11e11261 if she 15e175e3c9 had heard 70379bf726 those words?01b98d7b8c122faf

Descending to the 1a00e9ace6 South, perhaps due 9072552560 to the warmer 4fe5a8ce81 weather, the surroundings 08e29b87d0 felt a bit 3a94713c8f warmer.9fa0208db3f06382

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