"What? I'm pregnant? Are you sure?"
Cheryl was so shocked that she forgot to hold back and screamed angrily.
"That's correct, Marchioness. You're pregnant, and you're two months along." explained the old doctor
Cheryl was perplexed. "Do you know how to calculate gestational age? You didn't even ask when I last had my period!"
The elderly doctor was taken aback. "However... Based on the pulse and—"
Cheryl became increasingly sceptical after hearing the old doctor's story.
She cut the old doctor's words without hesitation. "What? based on the pulse? Where did you learn this? It's ridiculous!"
"I learned it from the Eastern kingdom's medicine..."
Cheryl laughed bitterly, waving her hand. She thought it was all ridiculous.
She assumed that in the modern world, if one wanted to know the gestational age, one would calculate it from the previous period. This includes the most basic method. To be more precise, you must undergo a series of ultrasound examinations.
So Cheryl was surprised when this old doctor, who only worked by touching the pulse on her wrist and a few points on her body, suddenly concluded she was pregnant, even mentioning the gestational age so confidently.
Cheryl was thoughtful and had a lot of things she wanted to say, but in the eyes of others, particularly Edgar, her reaction was that she didn't like the pregnancy.
"Please, Madam Doctor, come out first. My wife and I need some alone time to talk about something." Edgar issued orders while gently shoving the doctor away.
"But, Marquess, there's a lot to think about during pregnancy. Those under three months of age are especially vulnerable. Then—"
"Never mind, we can talk about that later."
When Edgar said that, the old doctor was speechless. She, Beth, and the other maids left, leaving a couple from the Baldwins behind.
Edgar took a seat on the edge of the bed. He touched Cheryl's hand on the back that wasn't covered by the blanket. His black pupils focused on his wife's face, which appeared even paler than the previous afternoon.
"You have a very pale complexion. Are you feeling uneasy somewhere?" Edgar inquired.
Cheryl raised her head. However, because she was lying down and her head was partially buried in the pillow, her movements were barely discernible.
"Aside from feeling weak, I'm not experiencing any other discomfort."
"So... how do you feel about this pregnancy news?"
"Oh? What?" Cheryl had no idea what Edgar was talking about.
"I see you're upset about the news. Something like this should not have happened to you." Edgar looked deep into Cheryl's eyes, trying to figure out what the owner of the brown irises was thinking.
"Don't you ... don't want to have children with me?" In hushed tones, Edgar inquired.
"That was not my intention. It's just that the method that old doctor used surprised me. Using a testpack, er, I mean, a special tool to check whether a woman is pregnant or not, is supposed to be the first step in determining whether someone is pregnant or not." Cheryl averted her gaze slightly, embarrassed. She nearly said things from her world that Edgar would never understand.
When Edgar heard the foreign term his wife used, he immediately furrowed his brows.
"What is a testpack?" Edgar inquired.
Cheryl replied, still embarrassed, "I told you it's a tool used to determine whether someone is pregnant or not."
Edgar nodded, as if he was convinced.
"Where can I then find the tool?"
Cheryl choked on her own saliva as a result of Edgar's innocent question.
"It's not going to be found here," Cheryl replied.
"Is it manufactured in another country? Just tell me where you want it and I'll go look for it and buy it for you "Edgar stated. His expression was solemn.
Cheryl knew Edgar was devoted to his role as a husband. It moved her.
"Thank you, but there isn't any need. If the old doctor says I'm pregnant, I'm probably pregnant." Cheryl waved her hand, hoping her husband would forget about it.
The young Marquess remained silent. With a heavy expression, he just kept staring at his wife's face.
Cheryl began to feel uneasy in the face of her husband's burning gaze.
"Do you have anything you want to tell me?" Cheryl inquired.
Edgar's eyes widened, as he couldn't believe his wife could figure out what he was thinking.
"There is no need to delay. If you have something to say, say it." Cheryl sat up in bed, leaning against the headboard.
Edgar remained silent for a brief moment.
"What about what happened at the palace today?" Cheryl asked, rubbing her hands.
"... Yes."
"Do you not believe me?"
Cheryl's heart sank as she feared the man in front of her would say "yes." Her heart began to pound.
"It's not that I don't trust you, Cheryl. I just feel sorry for you. I'm not sure how you were saved, and that's what makes my heart ache. You would not have had such an experience if I had taken better care of you...."
Edgar's voice trembled and softened. This kind of Edgar, on the other hand, made Cheryl's heart feel sliced rather than angry. I'm sick and tired.
"It's not your fault, Edgar." Cheryl comforted the man by patting his strong shoulder.
Edgar was soothed by the warm palm on his shoulder. The bereaved husband raised his head, staring into his wife's eyes.
"You don't blame me?" Edgar inquired.
"No. However, I'm afraid you're the one who doesn't believe me. I'm afraid you believe I and the Crown Prince did something heinous because we were in the same room at the time." Cheryl stated.
"Of course, I have no reason to doubt you. I know you care about me." Edgar gave her a comforting look, as if Cheryl had confessed her feelings for him. "You love me, I know it."
On the young woman's brow, a deep frown appeared. She responded with a scowl, "Who said I didn't love you? This is slander! Don't just speak!"
"What kind of slander? I clearly heard you say, "I love you."" Edgar didn't want to be defeated.
"Then tell me when I said that."
"Whenever we make love, you're always raving and saying that you love me."
Cheryl's face flushed as a result of Edgar's blunt words.
"You shameless jerk!" She repeatedly smacked the pillow against Edgar's chest.
Edgar was not upset with his wife's treatment. Instead, he laughed with delight at having relieved the tension between husband and wife.
-
Already, two parties have come to warn the third daughter. Even Edgar's emissary caused a commotion in the midst of the still-going-on party.
It would be troubling no matter how high the royal family's social class was if someone purposefully messed up such an important event. Although the event went on into the evening, it was not as quiet as it had been.
Yvette sought an excuse to retire early, allowing the nobles to enjoy the banquet and feast amongst themselves.
The princess entered her room. Prince Marius trailed close behind.
"You are not required to accompany me, Your Highness. Don't waste time on me because you still have to accompany the invited guests."
Yvette attempted to expel Marius in a subtle manner. After all, she didn't care for this guy. Being alone with a man she didn't like made Yvette very uncomfortable, especially when walking down the aisle, which happened to be deserted.
Marius Laverty was born in the empire. His upbringing was stricter, especially since he was a prince who would one day ascend to the throne. One of the most important things to learn in order to stand in the midst of fierce inheritance battles is how to read the other person's mind. You must be able to read between the lines and predict what the person will do next.
Yvette's words were so clear that Marius understood them without even thinking about it. But he chose to remain silent.
"There have recently been troublemakers in the palace. This prince is concerned about the Princess's safety and is hesitant to leave you alone." Marius walked alongside Yvette, his lips curving into a lovely smile.
Yvette noticed the beauty as well. For a brief moment, she was stunned.
"It would be better if the person smiling at me right now was Edgar Baldwin..." Yvette thought half-dreamily.
Yvette's beautiful almond eyes looked intently into Marius' face while also appearing to be looking elsewhere.
Yvette was so preoccupied with her thoughts that she didn't notice the person standing in front of her. The princess collided with a maid carrying a tray of champagne.
"Ah!"
"Be careful, Third Princess!" Marius reached out and caught Yvette's waist, stopping her from falling.
Yvette was relieved that Marius was holding her and she didn't fall to the floor. But when she realised their entire bodies were pressed against each other, her hatred flared up once more. She pushed lightly against the man's chest, intending to separate herself.
Marius' arms, on the other hand, were too tight around her. She couldn't get it out of her head.
Marius stared intently at the third princess's beautiful face, closing the distance slowly as if he wanted to kiss her.
"What do you want to do, fourth Prince? Please exercise restraint!" Yvette yelled angrily.