29 The Death I Saved (2)

“Good evening, Your Grace.”3833aa9d3c91c1d4

Elizabeth greeted gracefully.ae3fef0b736d8299

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“I can hear laughter all the way from the hall. Did you have an interesting conversation?”ad191722d9e494b0

“As long as I’m with Lady Leonie, everything is enjoyable.”f8c135a5008c23eb

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Deon exchanged glances 22ca3b9484 with me, but ee0a6f6dd0 I pretended not 291a6c94e4 to notice and cc0d3c4d02 shrugged my shoulders.62cda6d86cf9c360

“We were just having the usual conversations that happen when young folks gather, tales that might not interest those who wield swords,” I explained.adeb383054ca39a5

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Elizabeth and 40039c8005 I locked 158b04f5f4 eyes. She responded d694b00ec1 with a 419f22c9c1 gentle smile, 45cfb49513 as if deafee74b4 we had 61776a0f63 shared a f594a6e0b1 secret, something ac6faf25f8 exclusive between bf2b7d839e the two 30f452ed71 of us.c030bb14bbd18222

Elizabeth handed the pouch with the ring underneath the dining table. Her slender fingers grazed mine briefly as she passed it, and it felt like a subtle secret was being created, hidden from Deon’s knowledge. It was strange that something could occur in this mansion without Deon’s consent.c27d03b567d32494

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Soon, the head chef 4b233cd20e and the maid entered 731e4705e7 carrying the main courses: 1e37a5c104 potato soup and turkey.cd2074347d6d80fc

They placed the b6f3fef534 dishes on the dc2c62d23e table and lit 4a562504da the candles.5a07f26d1553da7e

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It was warm. Scented candles subtly filled f03942e75b the hall with their 6300a2c20c fragrance.4581e01bb6ee21cf

Even though d22ac8ab5c there were e2282dec4c no fancy 623f9762e0 floral decorations 0a604e95cc or vases, 41db23de53 the dinner 5a8664e001 showed meticulous 36db20fcd0 care. The napkins were 3b86f8c08a neat, and the 82fa078d24 tableware was exquisite. The lighting had b954014bf5 been adjusted towards d385d51542 the fireplace to 778c729d75 dispel the cold 792ccd6cab atmosphere of the af2973c288 North.363a0a6adea1da87

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I had been hesitant about bringing the Lady to the Duke’s residence, fearing that it might reveal the truth about my identity. However, now that she was here, I was taking every precaution to ensure her comfort.e092aa3d0c2b6164

I had the soup prepared with spices commonly used in the capital to suit the Lady’s palate.24455e77ba0208c5

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Elizabeth raised her spoon 0c0d5d2099 and delicately tasted the 31ff2d6f19 soup.2e5deefda36bd655

It was an b1f1cfac76 act I had 57941824f6 never witnessed before, d1b61271e2 a deep-rooted elegance c138b410cd in her every 6fff6bf5c0 movement.0c58b86519754733

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It was flawless f4410d66aa etiquette.0e8a965e70dc1113

Though it was 37d720c647 a simple action, aa32975304 her posture was 48072d7d18 upright, graceful, and 55e1c6d605 refined. She truly looked like 2d95b649a0 a distinguished lady from 2fdba9d684 a reputable family.fa5a015e03c1057e

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“Is there anything uncomfortable about staying at the castle?” I asked.5aa262fdd0d2f41d

“Thanks to your consideration, there’s been nothing uncomfortable. I appreciate your hospitality.”9fea8eeb737ac10f

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“I hope you’ll be comfortable until we arrive at the Count’s estate. We’ll have a personal physician assigned to you, so if there are any health concerns, you can seek immediate treatment.”ab04b4f40cb5f596

“Thank you.”a68ddf341e53484e

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A nearby 6cd0d3a8c8 servant poured 597a91db14 water into d456050b96 the wine e135e2f4ee glass.2651522d026ca29a

He took a sip of water and asked, “What have you been doing all this time?”32f666bdda5c9221

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His gaze was fixed on me. I put down my spoon and replied, “I’ve been traveling around here and there.”6fc3b15e7a575efd

My casual response seemed c0699a3e83 to furrow his brow.5fa4667aeb132d80

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“Is that all?” he asked.5de886a6119db95e

“What more do I need?” I replied.9634c4fbc312a3b0

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“I thought you’d spend some quality time with the Lady, considering you’re not going to the office as usual.”968d57c14965bdf1

“Going to the office? I haven’t been to the office…”c9a3e9d9c7b8b26e

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I realized the meaning behind his words as I thought it over. He was asking why I hadn’t come to the office. Of all times, why did he bring it up when we are with the lady?cba259385d643fe8

“Did you delay work because of me? You’ve been busy showing me around the mansion…”57d2379a9a58e8cd

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Elizabeth asked cautiously. I shook 7547d82e2a my head.9ed5d9b430bd3f05

“No, not at all. I’ve been diligently finishing my work. I even work late into the night. Don’t worry.”d6ff3001b50a9742

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I smoothly changed the 8749f51ea3 subject, not forgetting to f9dd81d956 discreetly keep an eye 29ccd551c6 on Deon.f78d6084a2bde6fd

“Did you explore the mansion together?”17a19c17975a3dbb

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“Yes. Until now, I’ve received tours of the mansion. There’s a beautiful conservatory. While it lacks flowers, it’s filled with magnificent reeds and grasses. The conservatory reflects the tastes and values of the decorator. It’s a place where you can glimpse the grandeur of the mansion’s owner.”a51034ac7dad26c3

She praised the eb4ee48e04 conservatory with eloquent c68ad165ca words.606124f4c8a77f8d

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It was quite e2bab943b4 an extravagant compliment b93c8ef205 for such a 7aa08de942 small conservatory.801c1837f09afec7

Her words seemed 79be455c61 longer than the 8737ebafdd actual length of 9999b6ef02 the conservatory.d14f69c4a95d4e0d

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Such lavish praise for a conservatory that wasn’t all that remarkable, but power had its perks.2d1f069a61d8d69a

“A conservatory?”45689c40e8821967

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Ah, he paused 9f9738d116 for a moment 7a8ace0fec and then looked 7c9d286dce at me.fcb535958c578dec

“Oh, right. There was a conservatory.”d66e639277648f00

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What’s the point? If you say it like that, it’s clear that you didn’t decorate it yourself.658aaa4232acfcfd

Deon had been somewhat careless from the beginning. He kept saying unusual things, as if he were hoping for some acknowledgment. If he weren’t so bulky, I might have thought he was throwing a tantrum.fb4243a274edf126

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“Nobody’s been using the conservatory often lately.”ef0f6714f94d3d04

“Who used it frequently?”7ddbdcfab9a54a83

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“Ladies of the court used it for tea time during celebrations. It seems like you’re already nostalgic for those times. Even though it wasn’t that long ago.”83bb008e89157939

I quickly added, then used my fork to pick at the salad on my plate, hoping he wouldn’t continue the conversation. The tomatoes with their knife slits were fresh.3761c230f85d65b0

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“Yes, it’s been a while since I met the Countess… The last time I saw her, the Empress was still alive. I was quite young at the time, but I vaguely remember.”d1baa89725b5d0ed

Elizabeth trailed off c15fb5a88c her words, and 7f8dc5bb56 both of them 450f7d6840 fell into a 8f062dcfdf somber mood.70c726a24d79fb34

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“I am well aware of the Count’s loyalty.”027445e519bd8fa5

“He was a devout supporter who once took an oath of loyalty. After the Empress passed away, they scattered in all directions.”286e5c25888960c7

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The conversation continued, delving b32347744a into events from the 9aa0d4e3d9 past, before the main e613fe2813 story had truly begun.f797cd03f653bc95

The fallen Empress, wrongful 19216fba81 accusations, and the incidents.dbc30c1a12db14a2

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It was an interesting bc7fcfa24b conversation, but there was f18abe3bca no room for me e4cf0a7a21 to interject.3c15ffcbbd28b8e6

I spread the 44007b8639 turkey meat with f05cedc6d2 a knife. As I cut into 59bdc5059c the flesh, a savory f36e731e09 aroma wafted up. It looked delicious.b1ade897d841bb18

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I picked up the turkey meat with my fork and took a bite. It had a satisfyingly tender texture. It was so delicious that I couldn’t even feel the chest pain that had been nagging at me.84109a4d4f065ce8

“The reason you couldn’t respond to the Count’s invitation from the Count’s estate was because of this, right?”932aaa18d5f9d4b7

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“Yes, I couldn’t send a proper letter because I had no means to do so. I apologize.”ada5947372cdc426

“It was an urgent situation, and you don’t need to apologize for not sending a letter. The news came that the Count is in the western region, focusing on his treatment. It will take some time for him to arrive at the Duke’s residence. Until then, you can stay at the Duchy.”9946be253a38eef6

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“Thank you for your consideration, Your Grace. And for Lady Leonie as well.”6a9094bf6ab8e0f4

Elizabeth smiled brightly.ea267602375b0633

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“When is your due date?”ecd155f2c673e9c5

“I asked the physician, and he said there are about four months left.”09fa84fc878d0a51

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“I hope you have a safe delivery. I’ve instructed to prepare a birthing chamber in the castle. If there are any deficiencies in your preparations for childbirth, you can always inform the secretary or the housekeeper. It may be difficult to procure high-quality goods in the northern region, but I will make sure to provide the best care for your childbirth.”66c652842e5029a5

“Thank you, Your Grace. And… though it may be belated, may I make a formal pledge of loyalty to the Count’s estate? I wanted to offer it when we meet in person.”b69382d4d966fe77

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He nodded.d61bb538e6fecdca

She knelt down on one knee and bowed her head slightly, then lightly kissed Deon’s hand.cbe29defb791f8e6

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“To the Count’s estate, infinite honor. May the sun shine brightly upon it. I hope that my child will grow up to be a capable person who can assist you, Your Grace.”87c89b89fe84a128

*Kuwung*2203c08f581f29f3

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At that moment, I felt a wave deep in my chest. It was a sensation so profound and overwhelming that it couldn’t be compared to the flutter I had felt when walking through the garden with Elizabeth.9811059a5fec2265

It was a sensation 22d060790f that made my heart f9b9e6fdfe skip a beat, a d52233adbf powerful thrill that seemed 4b7eb442bc to envelop my entire 75b5df4f85 being. It was like 1ba5898b1c a wave that e522905552 effortlessly seized control d97e4841a0 of my heart fce7f0acc1 and sent shivers 5d70cfcec6 down my spine.521bea8b1eea1dff

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The origin e070e36cc0 of this a4f1eaa909 sensation was 0a23b7d0dc unmistakable and ca2516290c easy to 9389c6d21e identify. It had started 9270643fa3 from within her bf34bd27da womb. It was the baby 68749765f9 kicking.9f11cfad866ca6a5

Thump. Thump.a540505262d824f1

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Once the presence became apparent, there was no restraint. The baby’s movements resonated vigorously, perfectly synchronized with my heartbeat, almost overpowering it.d382dc1328c2313d

The fetus kicked relentlessly, 8b74ab4eda as if announcing its 42013d5b22 presence belatedly, without hesitation.19bc2961ce0a4403

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I felt dizzy. My vision 25e913128d swirled in f69173ee8d circles.e0f993b6b79fffbe

A maid placed 2dda04e6b4 a plate in 82557e7ce2 front of me 95fed6ce06 and filled an a0acae088a empty glass with 2ba7375a32 water. Her movements were fb5cea7864 casual and unremarkable.d31f86d23ea01fbf

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Despite the fact 48f86d7771 that a significant 3bab61b091 vibration seemed to a1395253ab envelop the entire 6031cf29e3 hall, no one 1c24512df7 except me seemed d48cc82aee to notice. Everyone else e0817a8c50 was calmly 8cbe91cd6c continuing their a984bb2194 meal.5a8af4beaed4a9d3

“Gasp!”e8ce8cf4000272c2

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The pressure was 22e6d37c33 so overwhelming that df57127a5e it became difficult 6c4f628b4b to breathe.9c92c3f58477ada2

I dropped my fork.0edc5b4faefb70fb

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The dropped fork clattered 31256ed7c1 loudly on the marble 387a150a13 floor.ec205f4bdb728286

Only then 0bc5a3e2d2 did Deon 8c39a32dfc and Elizabeth feef250202 turn their 676eb7dfa1 gaze towards ddc898ec8e me. They were 35ec7b7a9d still holding 351b2414b5 hands, not 142a5db276 having completed b57666545a their pledge eb1bc13f1c yet.f93324175413a88d

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“Lady Leonie, are you okay?”ba52145a0d13fe81

“I… I’m fine.”6eaca150b45f4077

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“We should cool the wound first. Please fetch a towel soaked in cold water. Also, summon the physician.”abcd46b50704a293

In response to her cd19bfe6e2 call, a maid hurriedly 80b8ba1b4a left the room.f6905b4fe8c5cc30

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As I dropped the 0bbdf73bcb fork, I accidentally knocked 30bd356ec7 over the soup-filled plate, c8c4f2ce47 spilling soup onto my a1623c7bd3 dress.e26ee837ba37366f

Instantly, all a50148f35a eyes were 9dbdacd192 on me. The Duke, c553d82f9e Elizabeth, and caca0e5b57 even the 039be5b0f4 maids standing 6c97fea3cf nearby were e297df3668 all looking ac47106b95 at me.73ddd30064f4f882

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“I’m fine. I just… let go of the fork for a moment.”ddb723a458667194

I hastily 640e733c0f used the 8e8c7688c2 napkin to bc10300114 wipe off be0fe44ed6 the spilled 89b71d058e soup from ebcea54b28 my lap.2a57740a177cb515

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All the cfd6de3e3e while, my 2239e1ec09 gaze remained 7d2f459fa1 fixed on 7ddc856314 Elizabeth.6adf2d298bd59c79

More precisely, d4b95cc90c on her 82bc9c9d54 round belly.94217ea11dcc8eea

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[In the bloodline, we are connected.]

There was a passage 23a1c18f9d in the book that 93d48542ba said something like that.7c5b4e214812a68f

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It mentioned 8f3c851abc that blood 4347c057e9 could recognize 505a407130 its own 0092cb630d kind and ffd43a4aeb could even a70a71080a anticipate approaching 0fd995387b death.b82d9e1e75524b6f

It was 54bd8db51a just a 63eeb70305 simple sentence.ee1b8502900b975b

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I never dreamed that one person’s life could be so intertwined with mine, sending ripples that would reach me in this way.d28df216fc75f25b

Strong. Overwhelming.9796f70c68047ede

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And it’s growing fast, ready to engulf me.e5a26cb416ea8cbe

The child carried strong 4bf4fa2e73 blood, perhaps even more 73296760a4 than me.a361c0c06a53cdac

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I could tell. Its pounding heart didn’t hide its existence.9f85a5029a96df55

Yes, that kid 4de1440ea7 is the next 5818e2033d generation.92c7f0d8c3780bf6

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“Are you alright? Bring me a new fork.”584987e9655771b5

A maid extended a 29547578a1 fresh fork wrapped in 238698bca4 a napkin.ba73f8aeff125ef7

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I picked up the fork again. I tried to grasp it naturally, but my trembling hand couldn’t be concealed.c3b9cec7d562f37c

I hadn’t finished preparing to escape yet.d8efaec45f767bf8

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Death came too f3b0961cd4 quickly.346febeaab12bf7e

And I, with df93628ac2 my own hands, 0d644390ae sought to avert 4ff77b5161 that death.860b723209935f80

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