Chapter 60
Lincia pulled the small bell cord to summon Ethan.
He had examined her when she fainted, but she wanted to hear the diagnosis directly.
Ethan was too busy to serve only as her personal physician, so she had to schedule appointments unless it was urgent.
So for the two days before his visit, she made sure to eat well.
Harvich asked her every night if she was eating properly, and whenever she said yes, the “reward” was a longer kiss.
Remembering that made her face flush red.
She lowered her head and listened closely to the man’s words.
“You’ve entered the stabilization period. The baby is very strong compared to the mother, so you must eat well to avoid fainting again like last time.”
Ethan adjusted his slipping glasses and explained gently.
His voice was quiet, but every word was clear.
“…When can I start taking light walks?”
“Anytime, Your Highness. But since you still have anemia, you should take an attendant with you. If you feel dizzy, lie down immediately. Falling would not be good for either you or the baby.”
Lincia nodded slowly.
“I’ll prescribe some invigorating herbs that are safe for the baby.”
She replied with another small nod.
Ethan packed up his medical bag and stood.
“Your Highness, shall I prepare for your walk?”
At Lincia’s words, Anna hesitated, then confessed honestly.
“…Actually, I met His Majesty in the apothecary recently.”
“Are you hurt?”
Lincia looked her over.
The mention of Yulias caught her attention, but she was more worried about Anna herself.
Her wrist had healed enough to remove the bandage, but the swelling on her ankle had returned.
“You should’ve let Ethan check that.”
“There’s another physician who treats the servants! And besides, he’s Your Highness’s doctor. He’s busy enough already…”
“…Wouldn’t it be better to rest until your ankle heals? Don’t worry about me. And now there’s also Erna.”
“I’m fine. More importantly, His Majesty told me to tell you that he won’t approach you if you don’t wish it, but that you should take walks and get some fresh air.”
Lincia blinked, surprised by Yulias’s message.
“…He said that?”
“Yes. And he also said he never ordered Oberok to harm you. He wanted you to know that.”
At Anna’s words, Lincia’s breath caught in her throat.
The name Oberok alone made her chest tighten.
Seeing her stiff expression, Anna stopped talking.
“Since His Majesty is in the outer palace, how about walking around the Grand Duke’s castle? You’ve been in your chamber for too long.”
“…When Harvich returns, I’ll ask if he’ll come with me.”
To be honest, Lincia didn’t enjoy wandering the Grand Duke’s castle.
Most people there disliked her, and they didn’t bother to hide it.
It was similar to how she’d been treated at the imperial palace,
but the malice here—inside the home of the man she loved—felt different.
Sometimes, even Harvich’s gaze felt no different from theirs.
As her expression darkened, Anna quickly changed the subject.
“By the way, I’ve been curious about your wedding portrait. I bet it’s beautiful!”
Her tone was bright and curious, reminding Lincia of the imperial court painter who had painted her several times.
But she had never seen her wedding portrait.
When she asked Harvich about it, his reply was short.
Unlike the imperial palace, which proudly displayed portraits in public halls, the Grand Duke’s castle had hung theirs deep within its inner chambers.
The portrait room was beyond the document archives.
At that time, Lincia didn’t have the right to go there—
not alone, and not to bother Harvich for something as trivial as a painting.
Besides, back then, their relationship wasn’t what it was now.
“…Would you like to see it?”
“Yes. I’m curious, and the one at the palace was painted long ago.”
After a brief thought, Lincia pulled the bell cord again to call Erna.
Anna likely knew Harvich’s schedule too, but Lincia preferred to send her message through someone else.
Anna was from the imperial palace, and she knew how the castle’s servants looked down on her.
Soon there was a knock, and Erna entered.
“You called for me, Your Highness?”
“What is he doing now?”
“The Grand Duke is currently at the outer palace, according to his schedule. Do you need something from him?”
It suddenly felt hard to say she wanted to see him.
“Oh, I just had something to ask.”
Only a few months ago, Harvich hadn’t shared any of his plans with her.
Whether he was leaving for the imperial palace or away for days, she could never see him even if she wanted to.
Recently, his attitude had changed—but she couldn’t help worrying about what might happen if she reached out first.
“It’s nothing.”
Just because Harvich liked her now didn’t mean she could easily close the distance between them.
She didn’t want to expect too much and end up hurt again.
Maybe that was a cowardly thought, but she wanted to stay within the bounds of the love he offered—so she wouldn’t break when that affection faded.
She still didn’t know where his feelings truly came from, and many things between them remained unresolved.
Turning her gaze from her stomach’s curve, Lincia looked away.
Erna bowed silently and left.
Lincia felt pathetic for being unable to say even simple words.
Anna quietly watched her.
“Your Highness, shall I read to you?”
Trying to change the mood, Anna smiled softly, and Lincia couldn’t help but smile back.
***
She had only meant to nap for a moment, but when she opened her eyes, the sky outside was glowing red.
She wasn’t usually one to sleep so much, but lately she couldn’t fight the drowsiness—perhaps because of the baby.
“…Anna, water.”
“You’re awake.”
The low, familiar voice made Lincia open her eyes.
Through the haze, she saw Harvich pouring water into a cup.
For a moment, she thought she was dreaming.
Why was he here…?
“…Harvich?”
“Yes.”
He handed her the cup.
It felt so unreal that she wondered if this was all in her head.
Yet the weight of the cup and the cool taste of water on her lips were too vivid.
Still, it felt strange to see him here, at this hour, in her room.
Bathed in the red light of sunset, Harvich looked unfamiliar—
and yet she couldn’t take her eyes off him.
“Did something happen? Is something wrong?”
Lincia asked nervously.
Harvich carefully took her hand.
His skin was rough and warm enough to make her shiver.
“I heard from Erna that you asked what I was doing.”
Lincia blinked, realizing that if she’d known he’d come over something so small, she wouldn’t have asked.
“I’m sorry if it bothered you. It wasn’t important enough for you to come here yourself.”
His broad fingers slowly traced her slender ones.
“I wanted to see you.”
