29 The Death I Saved (2)

“Good evening, Your Grace.”11abe9dc2f4c2a5f

Elizabeth greeted gracefully.0801dca5376f90fc

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“I can hear laughter all the way from the hall. Did you have an interesting conversation?”4aaa12d842e057b3

“As long as I’m with Lady Leonie, everything is enjoyable.”a3b6f3f232cce6bb

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Deon exchanged c11372ed20 glances with b112c9473c me, but 280aa6d3aa I pretended 7f116142f4 not to 9ea8cf13ee notice and 10899de256 shrugged my 128fafc786 shoulders.c6c601c3a1fb6bdb

“We were just having the usual conversations that happen when young folks gather, tales that might not interest those who wield swords,” I explained.9662cf671450c479

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Elizabeth and I locked f170acc5fc eyes. She responded with a 0bb15d65ed gentle smile, as if f964d7c0c2 we had shared a 1d3a12746a secret, something exclusive between 4caa05d4ab the two of us.deafba08e28645c4

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.e88ee3de93a3efd8

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Soon, the head 513d5c52d1 chef and the 65d354ccd6 maid entered carrying dc6f1c5489 the main courses: 9512afcc65 potato soup and ed95b78cb3 turkey.36473b9a35bbc5a7

They placed the dishes 5ab92e4bb1 on the table and 713bab20df lit the candles.fe953892074aca30

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It was warm. Scented candles subtly 19dbe1b3df filled the hall a4f9afe221 with their fragrance.9555c9b2be16aa31

Even though ae1a4680f1 there were fab02dea21 no fancy 48b7132655 floral decorations ab73a59cdd or vases, 8795614e41 the dinner 75342e5dd0 showed meticulous 842491e097 care. The napkins 2fec771c9d were neat, d4f6ee7fb0 and the e4c0eb45d6 tableware was 60143fa9cc exquisite. The lighting had 455153fd21 been adjusted towards 22f87c7ea8 the fireplace to 7ca49fe150 dispel the cold 1c8d7bed1a atmosphere of the a8bd7813d0 North.faeb14fa6c6c9745

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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.383c26c763d34922

I had the soup prepared with spices commonly used in the capital to suit the Lady’s palate.c3590d18a1ec1c05

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Elizabeth raised 2c4842b5c8 her spoon e3655b2f63 and delicately 02898926df tasted the 44782d3336 soup.79c4ff83909e831e

It was an 2443c45192 act I had a844f8ab9a never witnessed before, 197c90dac6 a deep-rooted elegance 333b8ac1c2 in her every 977dc20031 movement.fc878684f1768565

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It was flawless etiquette.bb61be35199f74ef

Though it b677530b5f was a e23fd24ea9 simple action, b39e05cbdd her posture 5da7abb4c3 was upright, 568f88b12f graceful, and 00937bfc4c refined. She truly looked like da48a2449d a distinguished lady from a43ddee86a a reputable family.34ebd87d565fce7f

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“Is there anything uncomfortable about staying at the castle?” I asked.31f10ca5e434a32d

“Thanks to your consideration, there’s been nothing uncomfortable. I appreciate your hospitality.”1b82789c066f4ca3

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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.”bbcd2a5334086f75

“Thank you.”0174fc3baf47dac8

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A nearby servant poured 74895d5cfc water into the wine a9d59fd020 glass.c44afc496664f8e8

He took a sip of water and asked, “What have you been doing all this time?”4d228e753f3d519e

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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.”64bb6dce2b831a13

My casual response seemed 93431cbf8d to furrow his brow.7c5be603f951a7e0

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“Is that all?” he asked.8da7466f2902c518

“What more do I need?” I replied.4cc61c9b26c95a70

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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.”9aa820f4fc3dec85

“Going to the office? I haven’t been to the office…”19280bcb3ee6b05e

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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?4771998a2178fe50

“Did you delay work because of me? You’ve been busy showing me around the mansion…”6717a5bf056ce0bc

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Elizabeth asked cautiously. I shook my head.6d35b954c9af9643

“No, not at all. I’ve been diligently finishing my work. I even work late into the night. Don’t worry.”89e1bf995e2585eb

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I smoothly changed the c36f4455df subject, not forgetting to 27ab560f3a discreetly keep an eye 8f6eb84cca on Deon.ff43a6cba8ec3419

“Did you explore the mansion together?”0b94938a5c046c42

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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.”2cc8105647236840

She praised the 50ab22c3ee conservatory with eloquent 1b2c04ea94 words.e0fd4711a8c2463f

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It was quite f6f2fff0ee an extravagant compliment 60c7643a25 for such a 0161088d23 small conservatory.aa8f6ac4c6866796

Her words 6f36ac994a seemed longer ad0bcbd8cd than the eb37a6883f actual length eab732b361 of the 1f0c7b1e29 conservatory.4828b158ff94abcb

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Such lavish praise for a conservatory that wasn’t all that remarkable, but power had its perks.a03542ef5210648d

“A conservatory?”4b81f3a22b3100d8

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Ah, he b3a71c88fb paused for 481ccd4236 a moment e9fd426139 and then c37685420d looked at c1e5582d15 me.5a5dd95193c2b046

“Oh, right. There was a conservatory.”c9d8e99c220e591c

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What’s the point? If you say it like that, it’s clear that you didn’t decorate it yourself.8ed4406d8a9a4c75

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.a85295df36dc695a

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“Nobody’s been using the conservatory often lately.”c43b08ed41555645

“Who used it frequently?”8730606f98ff92a6

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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.”76fe7cb380924d98

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.4b0f1572b4f0d753

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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.”5949ba8edd617ae2

Elizabeth trailed off 5070cfb4c9 her words, and c088916526 both of them c74e937b3a fell into a 5cb8719f8d somber mood.c77336ba3d888985

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“I am well aware of the Count’s loyalty.”e12b84c0de64e9e3

“He was a devout supporter who once took an oath of loyalty. After the Empress passed away, they scattered in all directions.”f284825bb00781e2

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The conversation continued, aa78ecfd09 delving into events 01df29d466 from the past, d9b91d714d before the main 848c1451a6 story had truly c9c0571164 begun.0aa2b3bd59e7cbe7

The fallen 1f9e26964e Empress, wrongful 8a9a910207 accusations, and dc66a8c8c8 the incidents.b4019a41b0efbfb5

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It was an 9544bfe3ea interesting conversation, but 237ef53290 there was no 7dd5a69b1b room for me 37a0c7e25d to interject.10372c7f75295c65

I spread the turkey da1c6d3539 meat with a knife. As I cut 7981252c80 into the flesh, cd94e76e49 a savory aroma d06f9626de wafted up. It looked delicious.cd5ff6e8585558fe

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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.ce5c6f1783cf11ff

“The reason you couldn’t respond to the Count’s invitation from the Count’s estate was because of this, right?”ebe65232b6f7841b

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“Yes, I couldn’t send a proper letter because I had no means to do so. I apologize.”97cb8b1ba96001c4

“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.”5543447f0bbed79f

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“Thank you for your consideration, Your Grace. And for Lady Leonie as well.”0331a836c0a2a45c

Elizabeth smiled brightly.c17ec042d416d2a5

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“When is your due date?”bea86f001cb2aa4c

“I asked the physician, and he said there are about four months left.”7db93f33d10d68e0

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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.”7c5c768ccd83ccad

“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.”6f87323d2817958b

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He nodded.9d2683b0e4d6dacc

She knelt down on one knee and bowed her head slightly, then lightly kissed Deon’s hand.7ddea0729ad0b67f

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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.”953538e290f6e542

*Kuwung*4a2b7c8de1db78c4

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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.f2a17f9728e16242

It was a sensation 7d1c6b77b6 that made my heart 204226167d skip a beat, a 51bba151d3 powerful thrill that seemed c3ec3d31ea to envelop my entire 20e414b51a being. It was like bc390bfb81 a wave that cc2d6dba5c effortlessly seized control 00c57097d3 of my heart 7fe9a69488 and sent shivers b57ec8f204 down my spine.91255c50f4fa4eec

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The origin 7743885719 of this 10fe38de97 sensation was 656be0ae8c unmistakable and 9b41ff33b9 easy to b91d068868 identify. It had started 638904b917 from within her 283f9476bc womb. It was 411689834e the baby bb2f8518a7 kicking.55385712606a2464

Thump. Thump.9af7fe6ddb3b6a20

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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.0b2a38d9d48c46b0

The fetus kicked relentlessly, bdc672b16e as if announcing its af5ccd53de presence belatedly, without hesitation.d4185e6831c3010a

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I felt dizzy. My vision swirled 10b5dbdf48 in circles.d31d53a8f5f8507f

A maid ae5a672039 placed a 07993163f8 plate in 38da8163bf front of a5dab5c6e0 me and ed35c1a5d0 filled an f0d9d3e887 empty glass 4c80ae683a with water. Her movements were b7fba951ff casual and unremarkable.d74174776a4c4fd8

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Despite the 1f0489510d fact that a453cd94fb a significant 7f5a1bad14 vibration seemed b91bc8e633 to envelop 619e953602 the entire df323cc0fb hall, no d9e8056441 one except 0c28b11d20 me seemed 34d8c5bfd0 to notice. Everyone else was 21f85990bc calmly continuing their bb454a7945 meal.0a87f9edff0df3d8

“Gasp!”ad43481941b3e730

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The pressure was cc949c3995 so overwhelming that a6810b3331 it became difficult f23a1c6ae8 to breathe.3df7ae1ceb7c7ef0

I dropped 7f212f1f3a my fork.4d5b7fb95b5ac6a3

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The dropped fork clattered f5a6ce274a loudly on the marble 4313061d9a floor.28b1711a5510ebaa

Only then did Deon 48523b198d and Elizabeth turn their 67287b960b gaze towards me. They were still holding bd0ffb66ca hands, not having completed 48c3e93679 their pledge yet.9e31194cd848cdcc

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“Lady Leonie, are you okay?”84bb0adb4b5d1d15

“I… I’m fine.”00b3a20b351ae1e7

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“We should cool the wound first. Please fetch a towel soaked in cold water. Also, summon the physician.”01767b5edca37645

In response to her 4704e9e2b9 call, a maid hurriedly ea54b41204 left the room.afaca6b8d1e9d2fc

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As I 0072f54e8f dropped the 9d0c821564 fork, I 2ccc894d22 accidentally knocked 2b747d2fc2 over the 14e728c184 soup-filled plate, 2d83986fa6 spilling soup 22bcd8fa3e onto my a1e24539ae dress.f257a142da8e030d

Instantly, all eyes were daa14b9f38 on me. The Duke, Elizabeth, 0e5cbd359c and even the 1eaf77b14e maids standing nearby 30bbd78a1d were all looking babf876e74 at me.7664f3dc83c151f9

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“I’m fine. I just… let go of the fork for a moment.”93893c2d94af7e8a

I hastily used the c5e55664e9 napkin to wipe off 3268726321 the spilled soup from 95f756e8b0 my lap.7e6c49d05f324de1

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All the while, my fdc6a4e63b gaze remained fixed on 180d790ae1 Elizabeth.3a8c86a09dda948e

More precisely, on 33dc6f2e34 her round belly.85c30217d63203ae

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[In the bloodline, we are connected.]

There was 5b7444a502 a passage ab77ec55d4 in the d9a40c5077 book that e51c0a256f said something 072d40e4e5 like that.e1a8d75f8ca15a69

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It mentioned that 4cd8ceb751 blood could recognize 3c88d237d7 its own kind a8b6f7e047 and could even fa2c2fa428 anticipate approaching death.858820c5e28741f3

It was 8af87b0e0f just a 1b89b66149 simple sentence.627a683888f7ae84

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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.0804a444d7a9c459

Strong. Overwhelming.13d1e86910489dfa

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And it’s growing fast, ready to engulf me.ee86caa669b2c9b4

The child carried 20475e0d0e strong blood, perhaps bf980890dd even more than 02b0833138 me.574ae237385d3f24

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I could tell. Its pounding heart didn’t hide its existence.9f36cfecc55a14e8

Yes, that kid 5d46ecf767 is the next 2ceed28dba generation.518953321b2d81e4

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“Are you alright? Bring me a new fork.”d5472af0f10400be

A maid d692d9d57d extended a e89148c294 fresh fork 06e42bd6b3 wrapped in 7af6f3d887 a napkin.1d0c32e7ccd60b0c

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I picked up the fork again. I tried to grasp it naturally, but my trembling hand couldn’t be concealed.36fb652a98750a44

I hadn’t finished preparing to escape yet.dd6508c32db48a84

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Death came too quickly.9a0fbe8099179425

And I, 70403b7060 with my 86676b79ad own hands, 52b769da19 sought to 7ce9a72773 avert that 363cb9617d death.948849ebbb6c274c

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 9e7b24d3e1419da1