Chapter 44

Lariana looked into the deep, blue eyes that gazed at her desperately, like the vast, dark sea. 

“No. Absolutely not. I love you. So please…”

* * *

Sunlight poured in through the arched window, dazzlingly bright. Birds chirped, and the sound of grasshoppers filled the air. The Duke’s garden was tranquil, peaceful, as if frozen in time.

Due to the brightness, Lariana covered herself with the square-patterned quilt, pulling it up to her head. The bedding carried the scent of sunlight and wind. It had been a long time since she had a clean and fresh quilt. Everything about the morning was perfect, yet Lariana felt melancholic. Her time was still stuck at the moment of the last ball.

“Madam, it’s already noon.”

For nearly a year, Lariana had been waking up late, using her health as an excuse. She would usually rise around lunchtime, exhausted from frequenting Marcella’s activities. It wasn’t just an act; she genuinely couldn’t wake up early anymore. She was plagued by drowsiness, poor digestion, and frequent bouts of dizziness. Her body was gradually weakening.

“I have a headache. My digestion isn’t good, and I feel a bit sick.”

“Are you in a lot of pain?”

“Rather than pain, I feel tired and exhausted.”

Concerned, Jena spoke with a worried voice, and Lariana finally lowered the temptingly soft quilt, leaning against the headboard.

Lately, she had lost her appetite and skipped breakfast. The taste of iron lingered in her mouth, so she had been filling the void with juice for the past few days. Jena handed her a glass of apple juice, but Lariana absentmindedly held it without drinking.

Observing Lariana’s state of mind, Jena spoke up, “Um… Madam, could it be that you’re pregnant?”

“What?”

Taken aback by the unexpected words, Lariana furrowed her brow.

“I… I roughly calculated, and it seems like it’s been quite some time since your last monthly cycle.”

Jena cared more about Lariana’s well-being than Lariana did herself. Since she personally washed and ironed the lingerie, including her underwear, she was well aware of any changes in her mistress.

Lariana stretched out her fingers, trying to recall when she last had her monthly cycle. Upon reflection, she realized it had been quite a long time since she had it, but she had been too preoccupied to notice.

There were more important matters for her to attend to than her monthly cycle. Her hands weakly fell onto the quilt. Could it really be pregnancy? She didn’t feel particularly happy. Lariana gently rubbed her belly beneath the negligee.

After getting married, she had been losing weight day by day, both her chest and belly had shrunk. After one year of marriage, her chest area had become so emaciated that her ribs were visible. However, upon hearing Jena’s words, today, for some reason, it felt like her chest had grown slightly, and her belly had protruded ever so slightly. It was strange, considering she hadn’t been eating much.

Cain’s image flashed in her mind. Lariana still couldn’t forgive him. Resentment remained in a corner of her heart.

However, at the same time, she felt conflicting emotions. She wanted to tell him about the pregnancy. If he could be happy about it and bless them…

“Could the master take care of you…” Jena’s cheerful words trailed off as she noticed Lariana’s troubled expression.

Externally, the Duke and Duchess’s relationship was known to be very bad, but the servants believed that the couple had a good relationship. Even before marriage, Cain was always overwhelmed with work and frequently locked himself in his study for long hours. Because of that, his madness would manifest, and for a dozen or so days, he wouldn’t even seek out Lariana, so the servants never suspected any discord.

Moreover, when Cain returned to his senses, he would spend several days locked in the bedroom with Lariana, so they couldn’t help but think that way.

It was a joyful occasion, but Lariana nervously bit her lip with a stern expression.

“Jena, you mustn’t tell anyone about this.”

“Of course.”

Marcella had been particularly harsh on her since the broken engagement of her niece, but if she knew about the pregnancy, there was no telling how she would behave. The moon was still as thin as a fingernail, which meant it would be a long time before Cain’s madness subsided.

“I will tell Cain myself. Until then, no one should know. You must act like nothing is wrong. Understand?”

“Yes. Don’t worry. I’m happy thinking that your baby will be born.”

Anxious, Lariana embraced Jena. Jena gently stroked Lariana’s trembling back.

“Shh. Someone might overhear us.”

Biting her nails, a worried Lariana glanced at the bedroom door. It felt like someone might be eavesdropping from the other side.

* * *

Marcella crumpled Evita’s response, which was given with red roses and crimson lilies.

“Why does my niece never listen?”

Evita refused the dinner Marcella had prepared. As the future mother-in-law, Marcella believed that she should be the first to be approached, but her niece’s stubbornness reached the sky.

Marcella believed that all of this was because she was an illegitimate child. If she wasn’t a that, everything would have been different.

“Madam, please don’t be upset.”

Nellua, the maid sitting across from her, got up and approached Marcella. Nellua began to gently massage Marcella’s shoulders with skillful hands.

“This is what happens to us illegitimate child, no matter how high a position we rise to.”

“That’s right. By the way, what about Lariana?”

“She still complains of poor health. I noticed it when I observed Jena. It seems she’s been feeling weak since around lunchtime.”

“That child is lazy and tends to oversleep even when she’s not even feeling sick. Have you checked with Damian if her health is truly poor?”

“That’s strange. She does seem to be unwell, but… they didn’t call Damian.”

Lariana had a strong patience and rarely spoke ill of them. Marcella admired and acknowledged her daughter-in-law’s patience. But to be so sick for days and not call the family physician…

Marcella’s eyes sharpened.

“Really? When was the last time she had her monthly cycle?”

Ah, a short sigh escaped from Nellua’s lips.

“I will check immediately.”

* * *

Dr. Damian was a relatively neutral person between Cain and Marcella, but he wasn’t someone who could be greatly trusted. Therefore, calling Damian to confirm the pregnancy felt as if Lariana was directly admitting to being pregnant. If she was indeed pregnant, would Marcella change her attitude? Based on her behavior so far, there was no possibility of that happening. So, Lariana had to stand up against her mother-in-law for a full ten months until the child was safely born. Her husband had hardly been able to protect her for a few days out of those ten months.

Lariana made up her mind. Not for Cain, but for the sake of the child, she would fight her mother-in-law with all her might. 

“Madam, the carriage has arrived.” 

“I will be right down.” 

“Jena, there’s no need to worry so much.” When Jena said that the carriage had arrived, she quickly came to Lariana’s side and supported her. It was early summer, but she wore a thin lace shawl to cover her stomach unnecessarily. 

“I’m anxious, that’s why.” 

“I told you. We have to act as if nothing is wrong.” 

“That’s why I’m even more concerned.” Without realizing it, Lariana placed her hand on her belly. It was a reflexive action to prepare for any potential danger. The Delacroix Mansion was as grand as its reputation. It was as tall as a palace in order to showcase its dignity, and as a result, the staircase was also long. 

It seemed endless from the second floor to the central entrance on the first floor. While descending the stairs, Lariana took a moment to rest on the landing. 

“If I… am indeed pregnant, I should move the bedroom to the second floor.”

“No, the first floor is better. The second floor is too high. And I will sleep by your side every day.” 

Just as they turned the corner of the landing, Lariana saw the familiar figure of people beneath the massive crystal chandelier. They were people that Lariana knew very well. Cain and Evita entered the mansion, receiving the greetings of the servants as if they were a married couple. 

Hoping that the child in her belly would forget this scene, Lariana walked down the stairs without showing any reaction. 

“You’re not feeling well and yet you insist on going out? Where are you going?” Cain looked at Lariana with crossed arms and a disdainful expression. In order to avoid encountering the crazed Cain, Lariana had made great efforts throughout their married life. 

However, like a hunting dog, there were inevitable encounters that could not be prevented no matter how hard she tried. In the face of Cain’s arrogant attitude, Lariana closed her mouth. 

The more she spoke, the more likely it was that both she and Cain would be exposed. Evita, who was observing Lariana’s expression, approached her and gently linked arms with her. 

“Lariana, are you feeling well?” In an attempt to ease the tense atmosphere, Evita suddenly made a move, causing Lariana to lose her balance and sway heavily.

 Thanks to Jena’s support, Lariana managed not to fall. Clutching her stomach with both hands, she felt something snap in her mind. The reasoning she had held tightly onto had disappeared in an instant. 

“Where do you think you’re touching? Lady Kaidel, how rude!” “Oh, no, I just…” Startled by Lariana’s outburst, Evita stuttered, unsure of what to do. 

Trembling, her desperate eyes sought salvation as she glanced at Cain. Lariana sneered at Evita, who trembled before her. She felt as if she had become a villainess in a scandalous novel. Read ahead here.