~CHAPTER 82~
What in the world just happened right now.
Linsia gasped while breathing unevenly because of the sudden pain.
Her body kept tilting as if she couldn’t even stay standing properly.
Her stomach hurt.
Linsia placed her hand over her abdomen.
She wanted to ask for help, but no words came out.
Despite how much it hurt, despite feeling like she was about to die from the pain, her consciousness did not fade and instead became clearer.
Voices of people sounded sharp and distinct within her hazy and clouded mind.
“You, go bring a physician.”
“It’s only a drug that forces someone to speak the truth. There’s nothing to worry about, Captain.”
My stomach hurts this much, and they say it’s just a truth serum?
Linsia wanted to scream, but her voice would not come out properly.
“She must be pretending to be in pain with evil intentions.”
Please just be quiet.
The words she would normally barely hear became small fragments that pierced right into her ears one by one.
“She must feel something suspicious, that’s why she’s pretending to collapse.”
“Why would anyone have use for a lethal poison.”
I’d rather lose consciousness, lose all sensation, so I wouldn’t have to hear anything.
“Your Grace, did you bring Lefatam so you could poison His Grace? That child’s father… Your Grace?”
Noah’s voice, who had been questioning her closely, slowly faded away.
As if she finally realized Linsia was truly in pain only after seeing her face.
Just in time, Ethan rushed inside.
Even though possessing a forbidden substance alone was already a grave crime, he was still the only one inside the castle who could treat a pregnant woman.
“…This substance is poisonous for pregnant women, but it was originally used as medicine.”
“I-I didn’t do this because I wanted Her Grace to end up like this.”
“Please help me move her to her chamber first.”
Noah began explaining herself, but once it was revealed that what she gave Linsia was truly harmful, the voices around flipped instantly like turning a palm over.
“Good grief, so she really caused trouble?”
“She wanted the duchess seat that badly.”
While being carried on Hue’s back, Linsia heard hostility shift toward someone else.
Even in her chamber, even with Ethan present, the pain did not subside nor change significantly.
Linsia wanted to ask if she could.
Is my child safe?
Why won’t you treat me?
Why won’t you…
There were so many questions, but the breath clogged in her throat and nothing left her mouth.
All that escaped were gasps and rough breaths.
Her oversensitive senses magnified every inch of pain.
This place felt terrifying and dreadful.
And yet, in all this, I’m thinking I want to see Harbich.
Wanting to see the man who deceived me.
My feelings are disgusting.
“Is it not life threatening poison? Why aren’t you treating her?”
Hue’s voice held impatience.
“It does not threaten her life immediately. The child’s life as well…”
“…”
“The most appropriate option I can advise as a physician is to neutralize it with another drug. The pain will disappear, but so will the child. The other method leaves permanent physical damage.”
Hearing Ethan’s words, Linsia felt like her mind turned ice white.
Now she understood why he hesitated to speak right away.
Harbich is going to give up my child.
“…Right now. Ha, no.”
“Sir, then I have no choice but to wait for His Grace to arrive.”
“Damn it. What kind of poison is this.”
Something heavy sounded as if Hue kicked something.
I want to speak to Harbich. Please, don’t erase our child. Linsia clutched her stomach tightly.
“This drug was often used in affairs. The legal wife would use it to torment the mistress.”
“A drug?”
Harbich arrived at the perfect timing.
He listened to Ethan’s explanation, anger filling him the entire time.
His low voice and rough breathing made it clear.
“What will you do?”
Linsia felt anxious at the man who did not choose right away.
Harbich, don’t let me give up loving you.
Don’t abandon our child so I won’t hate you forever.
…So I can love you.
“…Give her a narcotic painkiller.”
Linsia felt the pain calm down, then lost consciousness.
* * *
When she opened her eyes, Harbich entered her sight.
Linsia turned her head when she felt an unfamiliar sensation in her hand.
“Linsia.”
She saw the man who had been standing there without knowing for how long.
“Are you alright?”
Instead of answering, Linsia simply nodded.
“You are under the effect of a narcotic painkiller. Your senses are dulled. Ah, the reason you took it is…”
“I know. I was conscious.”
Harbich let out a faint sigh.
Under the influence of the painkiller, Linsia felt her speech and movements slow down.
The sensation felt slightly strange, and she frowned.
Harbich reached out, but Linsia flinched reflexively.
His hand did not touch her.
“I know it was a painful decision for you.”
“…How could I give up my child. I am the father.”
“Thank you.”
He bit his lip and spoke slowly.
“I only did what I should. Don’t thank me.”
Their eyes met in the air between them.
Harbich held her hand tightly and spoke desperately.
“I was wrong.”
“It’s not your fault. I’m just… because I’m a Durrand…”
“Don’t say such things.”
Linsia carefully pulled her hand away and avoided his eyes.
She hesitated, then opened her lips.
“…You know. I have a request.”
* * *
What does it feel like to do something you hate most in the world and only get your punishment delayed.
It wasn’t even complete forgiveness.
The penalty was simply postponed.
Honestly, when Harbich received the choice, he was going to give up Linsia’s child.
“Then it’s only natural.”
Linsia would never fail to know that.
She said she heard everything.
Harbich stared at the man who had infiltrated the inner castle.
“…Uh, hello?”
If it were you, would you be fine?
He desperately wanted to retort, but instead chose silence.
He couldn’t even judge the man as someone whose brain had been replaced with jelly anymore.
The most pathetic person in this castle was Harbich himself.
“Linsia wished to have you as her guard anyway. Good timing.”
“Oh, Her Highness is looking for me. I guess the ducal castle is…”
Harbich’s chest twisted with rage at the man who failed to read the situation.
“I’d rather not give her the news that you’re dead and can’t guard her.”
Harbich brought Tereo and headed toward Linsia’s chamber.
He encountered several retainers, but they only bowed instead of stopping Tereo.
Harbich knew very well why they stepped back.
The one who raged and protested about interrogating the Aidan family too harshly was already imprisoned.
The one who argued Harbich was being overly protective about Linsia was locked up somewhere else.
Once he acted, everything afterward became easy.
The older retainers couldn’t stop him.
That made it even more laughable.
I should’ve done this from the beginning.
I should’ve crushed responsibility and guilt using power.
Looking back, it was emotional and certainly something to earn resentment.
But so what.
This fury won’t fade unless I do it.
This anger won’t disappear.
Not satisfied with imprisoning people over trivial reasons, Harbich spoke coldly to the pale retainers.
“If my wife no longer wishes to live in this land because of this incident, I don’t think I can let you all live.”
The gratitude he once had for those who stayed with him since he became head of household ended yesterday.
If they understood his devotion, they would never have treated his wife that way.
“Is this the place?”
