Chapter 46

Lariana, who was pregnant, was slowly losing her mind every day, regardless of her love or feelings for Cain. There were several factors that drove her insane. If the only change in her daily life was Cain’s absence, she wouldn’t have been so anxious, but there were other changes as well.

Her mother-in-law, who had despised her as if she wanted to kill her, had changed. Marcella transformed into a different person overnight, and her one-sided affection and kindness only made Lariana more uneasy.

“Madam, what are you doing? It’s been two days already. You should eat for the sake of the baby.”

Jena looked at Lariana with a worried expression, observing her for days as she refrained from eating. Lariana pushed away the cart filled with freshly prepared food and leaned against the headboard.

“Jena, isn’t it strange?”

“What do you mean?”

“They used to make food with almost-rotten vegetables, partially cooked meat, or spoiled seafood and fish… But now the chef has changed.”

After Dorvan’s disappearance, the quality of the food deteriorated again. However, Lariana kept silent, afraid that the servants would suffer harm if she said anything. She didn’t receive the treatment of a proper noblewoman either. The servants acted subtly, making it difficult to point out their behavior. Although she received dishes made from poor-quality ingredients, they were not rotten or spoiled. Her clothes and bedding were also cleaned or tidied up every few days, not every day.

If she rang the bell, other than Jena, it took a while for the servants to come. 

However, all of that changed in an instant with Marcella’s transformation.

How could she accept this situation without questioning it?

‘And the food tastes strange. The aftertaste is bitter and sour. It’s clear that something poisonous has been added.’

To reassure Lariana, Jena started tasting the food on the cart one by one.

“Madam, I think it’s fine.”

“No, Jena. Pay close attention to the taste!”

“Am I not as sensitive as you, Madam? I really don’t know. Maybe it’s because you’re anxious due to the pregnancy?”

“I can’t eat it. No, I can’t eat it. You eat it and take it away.”

“Madam…”

Jena didn’t know what to do with her mistress’ unfamiliar behavior. She had always been cheerful and generous. No matter how difficult things were, she always thought of Jena first. But now she was acting like a tantrum-throwing child.

As the season transitioned from spring to summer, Lariana shivered even as she wore a robe over her negligee.

“Jena, I’m hungry.” Lariana cried like a child, her lips becoming dry and pale. Jena, feeling helpless, picked up the spoon herself. She scooped up the still-warm cream soup and brought it close to Lariana’s lips.

“If you’re hungry, you should eat.”

Lariana, with her mouth tightly shut, forcefully pushed the spoon away. Making an unpleasant noise, the spoon fell to the bedroom floor.

“Mother must have poisoned or drugged the food. Jena, why don’t you believe me? You betrayed me and told my mother everything, right? You’re a spy! That must be why. You betrayed me!”

Startled by the crashing sound of the spoon, Lariana lost her composure and grabbed her disheveled platinum blonde hair as if to tear it out.

“Jena, isn’t it strange? The bedding is changed every day. And my clothes are immediately laundered. It wasn’t like this before. The only person who took care of me in this mansion was you. No one else cared about me… “

Seeing her mistress screaming in madness, Jena also wanted to cry. Lariana was twenty-one years old, and Jena was barely twenty-three. The situation was too cruel and harsh for two young girls to endure.

Jena pulled Lariana towards her.

If Countess Heliosen were still alive, if her mother were alive, she would have at least told them what to do.

“Madam, please calm down. I think you’re feeling overly sensitive because you’re afraid of the Duchess.”

Lariana’s eyes flickered. 

Lariana, who had pushed Jena away with unexpected strength, saw Jena sprawled on the bedroom floor.

“Jena Selman, why are you taking her side? You were on my side. Could it be, could it be that you said something? Did you? Is that what happened? You betrayed me! You betrayed me!”

With mad eyes, Lariana grabbed Jena and tore at her platinum blonde hair again.

“Jena. Jena. Jena. I’m sorry. Why did I say that? … I’m sorry. Don’t leave me.”

“Why would I abandon you, Madam?”

“I’m scared. I want to see Cain. I don’t think I can protect the baby. I’m really hungry…”

Lariana, who hadn’t eaten properly for days, was truly starving. It felt like she would starve to death. If she wanted to protect the child, she had to eat, but she couldn’t trust the food provided by the Duchess.

“Madam, I’ll go out and pretend to eat, and I’ll secretly hide some fruits or something. they won’t put any poison on fresh and slightly ripe fruits.”

“Jena, that’s right. Let’s do that! Yes. Please do it for me. You’re on my side, right? Ah, I’m relieved. If we eat fruits, the baby and I can survive.”

With joy in her heart, Lariana pulled Jena close and kissed her cheek repeatedly. Jena looked at her with a serious expression and then quickly got up from her seat.

Jena left the bedroom as Lariana gently stroked her belly.

Jena had found a way. A way for her and the baby to survive without starving. If they sustained themselves with fruits, at least they wouldn’t perish together.

May they endure safely until Cain returns.

* * *

Marcella was listening to the report of her maid, Nellua, about her daughter-in-law. 

“The Duchess has not come out of her bedroom for a week now. She barely eats when we check her meals,” Nellua said. 

“Is she determined to die? She had plenty of time before, why now?” 

If it were her usual self, Marcella would not have let Lariana, who kept avoiding morning greetings, go unnoticed. But ever since she found out she was pregnant, she had been observing the situation without taking any action. However, she could no longer ignore it. 

“I need to go see Lariana.” Marcella stood up from her seat, releasing her hand from the teacup she was holding. 

Her steps, leaving the greenhouse, headed towards the main residence of the Duchess. In front of Lariana’s bedroom, there were cries filling the air. The servants who were watching bowed their heads as Marcella appeared. 

Although Marcella had never been pregnant herself, she had heard many stories from noble ladies. They said that pregnancy caused severe emotional changes or even depression. Marcella knocked on the door. 

Then suddenly, the screams stopped abruptly. 

“Lariana, it’s me. Let me in.” 

“Um, Mother. Just a moment. Just a moment….” 

She had no intention to wait. Since it wasn’t a knock to ask for permission anyway. Marcella swung open the bedroom door wide. The sight before her was dismal. Lariana, with disheveled hair and wearing a negligee, was hurriedly getting up from the floor. She looked far from someone who was pregnant, with a pale complexion showing prominently. 

How dare she, carrying the successor of Delacroix in her womb, do such a thing. Marcella wanted to slap her daughter-in-law’s cheek and raise her voice. But she barely held onto her reason and patience, and instead, spoke with a gentle tone, “…Lariana. Are you alright?” 

Lariana trembled, hunching her shoulders. 

“It seems that staying locked up in the bedroom is not showing any signs of improvement. Come out to the garden. Let’s take a walk together.” 

It was absurd. Taking a walk together. It was something that couldn’t happen between her and Marcella. 

Marcella had undoubtedly noticed the pregnancy. 

“Lariana?” 

“Mother. I’m sorry, but I don’t have the strength to walk….” 

“I expected it. But by any chance…” 

“Ah, no. It’s not true. I’ll go.” Lariana interrupted her mother’s words. She was afraid of what would follow. 

If Marcella asked about her pregnancy, it would be difficult to lie. 

“Huh?” Marcella looked at Lariana up and down, as if questioning her. Lariana instinctively hunched her shoulders, trying her best to hide her belly. 

“Mother, I’ll go. I’ll go for a walk.” 

“Alright. Get ready. Wait here while I go.” 

“Ah… yes.” 

Marcella was clearly suspicious of her. She even hesitated to change her clothes in the bedroom. Her body was getting thinner, and her belly was protruding more than ever. 

If someone saw her changing clothes, they would easily notice her pregnancy. 

“Mother, it might take some time to get ready. How about you go to the garden first?” 

“Am I supposed to leave you alone while you’re in pain? It is also my duty to protect my daughter-in-law until Cain returns.” 

The quick-witted Jena brought a privacy screen from the dressing room. By setting up the screen, she could cover her body. Lariana quickly and efficiently changed her clothes. Wearing an elegant chemise, she covered her belly with a lilac-colored organza shawl. 

“Mother, I’ll just comb my hair and come down. Please go ahead.” 

“Alright…I understand.” Marcella left the bedroom first. 

Lariana quickly combed her hair a few times with a pearl comb. Her hair was tangled and did not comb well, probably because she hadn’t properly groomed it. She looked in the mirror for the first time in a while and was shocked by her own appearance. She looked like a portrait of a dead beauty that was said to be popular these days. 

When she applied cream made from crushed red rose petals to her lips and cheeks, she regained some color. In addition, she dabbed perfume on her hair ends. Now, she looked presentable.

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