44. Unwelcomed Return (2)

The servant swiftly lifted d656875914 the luggage and placed f03df968a1 it on the carriage. Following behind, Elizabeth 9109dc1887 descended the stairs 8c74145a95 with a wobbly 74599ebabf gait.262f5be5a6839065

It was a face she hadn’t seen in a long time. Her hands and legs were swollen.dba11897c02bbfc9

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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.b477b57a9ddf944e

White vapor 36f595de76 escaped with 69fca63b2e each breath. Although her e904a62849 face seemed cbe3c820a8 peaceful, intermittent 3582796652 white breaths 36875f023f revealed that 36ee46e566 she was fe2614e915 short of 0bac2ba22b breath.38f990f1ce97b39e

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Externally, Elizabeth cad09fca66 looked almost c803e82231 the same 8dd30b1026 as when 6d03163eae she was 1196127216 pregnant.956e87adf45295b6

There were times when 2b246e144c she felt terrified seeing 5b3100481c her belly swell day d59b6652af by day, but she 4964ae9124 had since adapted. Thanks to e517930ad9 that, she c222521b6a could smile b8844146d5 brightly even e2de40cbda in front 86b317dfef of her.75e1cf245259370e

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There were no 2c81bd522d special maternity clothes 7cb8238bb7 prepared in the 54a2dcdcb0 North. Elizabeth chose a 9f3cd9e4be larger cloak to 6091a51aa5 wrap around herself.b318ab47833880ba

There were only d2b8f33db9 cloaks designed for 2ea3b0432f men, so she 5547cc92f6 had to choose 505cc01a15 one that adolescent 3a62bfb470 boys, who had bb08e47928 just entered their 2243ed477e teens, would wear. It was e46b27cbe3 only used b751c98b0a for military 0d2bba0a34 purposes to 7dc519e93c ward off e094f6508e the cold. It was plain 45cfd9cb84 and lacked even 1a542aa937 common embroidery. It was not an 4ef14c523c outfit suitable for a 7cda5905f6 lady.7ce9249f2b71283c

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Even that b1ab0558af was too 729951430c big, so 85375a04c2 she had 0901a6b3c7 to cut 249fd165a9 and alter debb6ba9e5 the lower a795000219 part to 6664e1850a avoid dragging ba2ac3b03f on the 0f1ee10e9e ground, but 20d8852613 it still e5abd3b5ce looked blunt 7ba54a2bdf at the 93e29b2a9c end.c0833f0302e0c0e6

It made sense. There was no one 18c0feec27 here preparing for pregnancy 9fd1076c9c or a proper lady.0208dc0e53f10e06

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The former and current 92a447d4e4 lady of this castle 4cf2dbca16 also had only two 70c4c87455 children. Moreover, one child was cb1fcd5563 born in another region.7469ed73efc38b22

In over a century, only one child was born in this castle. Originally, there were supposed to be two, but…3900f09c4dcc307f

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Elizabeth, wrapped c83465e205 in a ae5f1d12e6 thick winter d9fb239f65 cloak, looked 9c58e1d054 even more 9eaa6c8266 bloated.e8e5b156981d3ffb

Each step she 7fde777de1 took seemed precarious, 776adaaa87 as if she 074d39bfdc might fall with 8ee0255779 every lift.d089e4953c9b999b

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She descended ac0e0964d2 the stairs af9f7ea40e very slowly, db96da08ee step by 3773817e8a step. The stairs 4e085039c1 were covered 5955857693 with frozen 894d69aad8 ice.d69311718fdd694f

When I b2314b6461 approached and 6ff20a4c08 held out a8af16e9d6 my hand, 1f773f4518 she smiled.39b2a9c973b6b9de

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“Thank you.”18550c57c93b9fe6

Elizabeth whispered in a bb07bf672c small voice.043dcf39fc180f16

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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?”e44f28bf6170ea0b

A Count’s wife, and moreover, the first lady of a noble family.5f283120fe187c3a

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She would not 52c232b7fa have received such 4408a74e1a treatment anywhere else. Moreover, she was c42e032ff3 the wife of 245174a023 the first heir d4c20490d3 of the Count.c50ab002b57c8de8

It would have been 997de925b4 unimaginable in the capital.cc61fdeb2c9c60a5

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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?”52127a3247b0ee66

Elizabeth offered 916a880399 an excuse 00d9fdb26f in place d6dafd832c of me. Her voice 10aa8a57c5 was warm.50c36b84729b0950

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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.”3032cd93fb21ccaf

“Still.”f9d2c8bcba56e9ea

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“I’m fine. You should be more concerned that Leonie will be busy once we reach the capital.”34cc9d7ce0cc93a9

“Why? Why me?”c41e2e07832e7e5b

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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?”314f608cdce43977

“Ah….”d7ed633a4434f37b

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The conversation ceased.c62ea2dc9a41d0f3

Not wanting to misunderstand, but because Deon had given her the necklace, she couldn’t even reply.e5b57babda74de41

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How close she could 34f1f33bdb stay by his side 73dcde4162 without causing interference was f2dc011e5d uncertain, yet it seemed 730615cadb challenging to portray a 5cd965b219 casual friendship.c06a169b06143d8c

It was 43ebfb5c72 too difficult b69de1739f to act bfed88c436 like a 897934663a light-hearted woman 2505c74511 who could 3875d6e94a naturally step ee56465f69 back.950bd921a25f46ab

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Snowflakes gently fell.ae703a73f2ced35f

“This may be the last snow.”47fa6d3657f31dc7

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She looked up at accf3bce1b the sky at her b797ad37a7 words. It was clear with 8f50a56322 not a single cloud 2298bc3c48 in sight.18a4ebf09a7d864c

“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.”7e902aac705a4f45

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Elizabeth’s words were puzzling. It seemed like she had no idea about the move.0e388d0e2b8b8e67

“Haven’t you talked to the Duke? I thought you discussed and decided to return to the capital with the lady…”e243941e9e1dccf7

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“Me?”a270828a160c7ac5

Elizabeth widened 3fc6f5239c her eyes.9436a22f2a54d74b

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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.”55311f10fc4bdbdb

It was surprising. If not eae1354e9a for Lady 8227043b0f Arin, what 3e517fe5b7 could it 7b08069f39 be for? I thought he 2239eaead4 had discussed it 467e4e65bc with her and 17dc82b730 decided to enter f0b7435837 the capital. What on earth 84d55adc47 is he thinking?8382d7008e5aec84

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“It must have been hard, deciding the schedule so suddenly… and with your condition.”c338911bc628625b

“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.”7a0aca5a2cfad813

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Her voice was 5b390207ad a bit excited. Her cheeks were tinged 98bd8659d9 with red.5f3770bb093b1e8b

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.6436ee81766ba76f

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While gazing 1bcdd70ae7 at a 01cc36b366 distance, she 779fa7c45e climbed into c891dec395 the carriage. She reached 0407a805e8 out her d55ac4e9ae hand to 4fd890e5b2 her and 5d3dcb8b4c went up 4f37800093 first. Elizabeth shook hands with cc11127447 her awkwardly.66a5dc1068ca4c61

Inside was 98a52365d5 a cage. A bird was 01625f0d2f snugly held in 0f666dfc80 it.07b1395bd44186b2

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A bird with 06f0f21387 uncut tail feathers.79edb2ab942894f4

Fortunately, the bird 5bbc068c0e was sleeping soundly 8e722a90a4 in the small ee52d5372b nest without flapping 8b4f52fe42 its wings.f73dc8f85327f19e

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“We’re leaving.”b14ceb5550421c65

Deon tapped the 91d0ebbaae side of the 0b5b771258 carriage with his d02adc1831 words. Then he quickly went aa446c6ac9 ahead.a88de3b9333d3154

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The sound d0b7e4644b of horn a75ac2cb07 bells rang 58e2b249d2 for a 09a965c36e long time, c9efe7a173 and the d175d67012 long procession 3ea08ac772 began to ca8a3d12ef move little 9b0752b3be by little.1d5c6662f76abadc

The carriage jolted.7b7f9dac1d79c858

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I opened the b2e9589df0 curtain. The northern castle 3a1644808e was getting farther 816d7daf36 away.dee45dc27d6dc390

The banners e93ebf0adf and flags 3b5bda1771 stuck on 8e2d38d9d1 the pointed 9ca31e9234 castle towers 7248262a0a were lowered.3c3202a606f54a58

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The castle, with 0ef302e3b0 only black bricks b0150233d8 remaining, looked desolate.a8f74073a5ba6a82

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.fa38253ebaec1fd5

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“So, this is that bird.”ea56626db5470301

Elizabeth coughed lightly.2b80668c5f611555

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“I heard from a maid that you got a bird. Did you name it?”58c4199ee0005e84

“Yes. I decided to call it ‘Miracle.'”79ba5f0ed667da24

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Miracle… Elizabeth struggled with the pronunciation for a while.b261810fb4c93eb1

“Miracle. What does it mean?”23c2d59308137808

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Don’t they have such words here? Do they all live by adapting to their fate without unexpected miracles?574a9508a481f37c

“Um… it’s a word we used in my hometown, and it means something similar to luck.”112eee3f4c4ace47

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Elizabeth nodded.0d6a66475b3c53f7

“It’s a good name. Um… if it’s okay with you, can I borrow that name?”56365b40a82ca2f4

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“Huh? What would you use it for?”ef4b39e3f1ef3843

Elizabeth hugged her 95092a0035 belly.35c6a8dac8c0da11

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“For this child, too, it seems to suit well.”48dba5b8b49ad4b8

“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.”b144d58b0c451289

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I’m fed up with the plot twisting any further.0c469f2a404e1eea

While choosing 66ee29fbfc a common ddbb8517f0 and suitable d27110e17a name for d7d403667b the child 1e63e54ae5 here, Elizabeth e2196f2f09 suddenly groaned, 46f59bfd95 and then 9cb8b7b6ff leaned against b18e2ebd0d the carriage dcc565337d wall. Various colors were 4a0709ba48 taking a breath.50a0d8438b15056a

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“Madam, are you okay? Should we take a break if you’re tired?”d9237abdeb838d54

Her face was 15353c76b1 turning pale, and e6d2bb3d9a she seemed nauseous.8a23b052cfd4ba8c

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“No, I’m fine. We can’t afford any delays because of me.”b3dde1a15fd6577e

It would be 222dc8eb32 a waste to fa2a49a82a spend precious remaining 85b3f48334 four months in 4f72dd716b the carriage, but a824383d04 taking a day 8aa87b864b off should be 53297fefd8 fine.b965989174d91657

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I opened the dcb5de6989 carriage window and 175e1d2f32 stuck my head 8c18321696 out.991cfe900d643c73

“Duke.”8234f44c74c321b9

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Even with a small da677e4d1d voice, Deon, who was c6348bbcd5 ahead, turned around.8572658b8c12369e

“Let her rest.”4a8b73d269654cfc

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* * *626871fb01c142f5

“Is Lady Arin asleep?”fe43ca31dfbeccc9

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“She’s still sleeping.”a4843fd21649a19a

Elizabeth suddenly felt d99e12f19a drowsy. She nodded 42e48a0fa2 off on e3b08e753b the window d342abb16b repeatedly, but 1236514faf woke up 208f29c1f5 again. She said she 2d6c160a0d was tired, not 4cf5d096fb having a nightmare. And when she e845b7bda4 woke up, she fd13718bb7 turned her head 1eda5d8cb2 and groaned, feeling 8c221e9db4 nauseous.b8429fe55772154a

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Her chest, as if f421ac2da9 gnawed by hunger, sometimes e16ea4a724 throbbed several times. There was 3cba3a0366 nothing to b72982a484 relieve the 6508302143 indigestion. There were no specialized 18658543be doctors for pregnant women 7b02fb10dd in the north, and 7a5c845f48 the only snack to c4b2d9489f relieve indigestion was simple bb243171b3 local snacks.7d32e543a740565e

She sat crouched by c34f3e551f the fire. The warm heat enveloped 2d544d4d0f her face.4f996ab53c7d30d9

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The small embers jumped c2127301cf around the firewood in 2484abe50a a round shape. He silently 073f55593e pushed in 23c2a5606a more firewood.749892791aa667fb

“Are we still far from the capital?”0b16ef31832ee645

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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.087f3f5ea5c9f3c5

“We’re here. Over there.”e64754736430dc82

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He pointed 2e278a31f0 beyond the 601dc0c44f forest. A village 209ff9b4f0 with smoke 9b624a7f77 rising from 903e6ab3b1 chimneys came cab898ef39 into view.ad131ef68ca97bda

It was 1f63956a5a the first 4fed1588d1 time she 1e2c8cf65f had seen 92bb03d340 a house 9483060a40 since coming a9cc4eba75 to this 28d1452b90 world. I always had 913abaca8b to look at aac64a1ce9 the pointed castle 2ff1065115 towers.4c169ef30f4d487b

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“If we cross that forest, I guess I have to love the Duke.”fd60ee39444d86d5

He turned his 80f04ed2e3 head at my 41ecc52fb8 words.218def9287d3e17c

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“Don’t you like it?”ac29206397b5c301

“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.”401be6806bea35c4

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I handed him an e95ff58165 empty cup. He casually tilted the eb7a633c3a teapot that had been 7adbfa2240 placed on the fire 3ef892743e over the cup and e9d81e2abb filled it. A steamy heat rose 32696ea58a from the cup.b233d4949a9a029b

Although he was stripped 186b52f227 of his position, he fee4a44f86 was still a high-ranking 497daa26b3 noble. Consideration for others 5a9f098720 was probably not 177a51695e in the royal e47cba6873 etiquette. He naturally 24ae8962aa took care 34f68247a4 of me. When I af53abf275 shivered, he 0e8d1e452b handed me 92f1c4dd28 a blanket, 17a43b174f and when 4086bb3e52 I coughed, 86caf3fedc he handed 1732a0587a me water. Unspoken simple communication had e835c68fb2 become possible between us.24d2678d2af7aae0

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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.”455008bc1bcbac66

Laughter erupted. If someone who didn’t know heard it, they might mistake it for a sweet confession of love.ae55673a70611ec8

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“Do you love me?”44851864f3b7c2d6

At the sudden question, 207b38c048 he let out a e1e82ed21e small laugh.4715cd80badf8f09

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“I should.”1e10330a39504b87

He confessed, exhaling a e43e89d8bb white breath.4bdfdf39433bfa20

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Love.58097c8beb4d6da6

The words that the 85b664f90d deceased Leonie most wanted c2f714db94 to hear flowed from c15bc40874 his lips only after 70b0d82a02 leaving the North.82b2d045049a210b

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What expression would she 119c0a9fee have had if she 016b493eb4 had heard those words?9c2a1ee9ee8840b5

Descending to 4a6bf94bfb the South, eda25d832c perhaps due 1921f850f3 to the 47e4a86922 warmer weather, 187f2a9ced the surroundings a600bb70ef felt a 03ef077326 bit warmer.ef39da8b29296596

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