34: Losing Even the Last Ray of Light

Lying on the bed, Aella gently placed both hands on her stomach.

‘Inside me… Kael’s child… our child.’

Aella shed tears of joy she couldn’t show in front of Dr. Wilson. She believed that although Kael resented her, he wouldn’t hate the child growing within her. Kina had warned her not to expect too much, but Aella held onto hope.

“This child alone… Kael will love this child. If this child alone can be loved by him, that will be enough for me…”

Closing her eyes, Aella softly caressed her belly.

“Baby, I will always hope and pray that you can receive your father’s love and attention. That’s all your mother wishes for.”

When the sound of Aella’s lullaby seeped through the tightly closed door, Kina covered her mouth with both hands.

Of course, the Duchess’s pregnancy was a cause for celebration in the Hormons household. However, the existence of the baby growing inside the Duchess, who wasn’t even treated as a person in the estate, seemed to hold little significance to Kael.

If, as the Duchess wished, Kael could show affection for the child, it would ease some of her burdens.

‘But will the Duke truly accept as his own a child who carries half the blood of the Count Blueanz he despises?’

Kina sighed deeply. Having stayed by Aella’s side for so long, she had decided to dedicate her life to serving her mistress.

Kina had been abandoned by her merciless parents, who considered her a useless daughter and threw her out to reduce the burden on their struggling household. It was Aella, then just a young girl, who had taken her in.

Because of Aella, Kina’s life had been saved, and she had found a job. From that moment on, she had resolved to serve Aella as her hands and feet.

Having steadfastly protected Aella all these years, Kina now found the situation unbearably tragic.

Why did her mistress, who had done nothing wrong, have to suffer so much?

She couldn’t stand Count Blueanz, who had caused all this, nor Kael, who once loved Aella passionately but now pushed her into the abyss.

“Rensi… That woman still hasn’t been caught. Ugh, why do I feel so uneasy…?”

Just as Kina was calming her nerves, she heard footsteps approaching.

Step, step, step.

Turning her head, Kina saw Kael for the first time in a long while and bowed her head.

“Move aside.”

“The Madam is resting right now…”

Kael ignored her, pushed past, and opened the door without knocking. Kina glared at him sharply.

Startled by the sudden opening of the door, Aella, who had been singing a lullaby to the baby in her womb, turned her gaze to the doorway. There stood Kael, staring at her with a cold expression.

“Duke…”

“I heard you’re pregnant.”

“…Yes.”

“Haha, hahahaha.”

“…”

The sharp laughter that pierced her ears made Aella wish she couldn’t hear at all.

“So, the Empress’s dream of pregnancy was accurate.”

“!”

“Congratulations, Duchess, on your pregnancy.”

“…”

“I’ll have your quarters changed. I can’t have the child of the Hormons family born in such a shabby place.”

“Thank you, Duke.”

Kael strode toward Aella, who stood with her head bowed like a sinner, and gazed down at her frail figure.

She didn’t seem physically suited for pregnancy at all.

“Since there are eyes watching, make sure you don’t skip meals from now on.”

“Yes.”

“If you don’t want anything to happen to the child, try to avoid going out as much as possible.”

“…”

For some reason, Aella heard his words differently. Though she didn’t want to admit it, it was clear Kael Hormons did not welcome the life growing within her.

“Why aren’t you answering?”

“I’ll keep that in mind.”

“I’ll assign a new physician instead of Dr. Wilson.”

“Yes.”

After saying what he wanted, Kael left the room. Following him, the butler Matteo entered.

“Your Grace, congratulations on your pregnancy.”

“Thank you.”

Aella smiled faintly at Matteo, who seemed genuinely happy.

“Your Grace.”

“…”

Aella looked at Matteo, who cautiously held her hands tightly.

“Although the Duke’s words may sound harsh, I’m sure he is truly happy about the news of the baby.”

‘As if.’

Seeing Kina’s bitter expression behind Matteo, Aella barely held back a laugh.

“Now, Your Grace, let me escort you to your new room.”

The room Matteo led her to was much better than the shabby one she had stayed in before.

It had a soft bed with a pleasant fragrance and warm sunlight streaming in.

“If there’s anything you’d like to eat, just let me know.”

Aella nodded silently and lay down on the bed.

‘This feels nice.’

“Your Grace.”

Meeting Kina’s gaze as she approached, Aella reached out and held her hand.

“What’s wrong, Kina?”

“I’m sorry. Hic. Sniff. I can’t do anything for you, Your Grace.”

“You’re so silly.”

Shaking her head, Aella sat up, pulled Kina onto the bed, and embraced her, gently patting her back as she sobbed.

“Kina, just being by my side gives me strength.”

“Sniff. Hic! Your Grace, Your Grace!”

“Thank you so much, Kina. Let’s watch over this child together.”

“Yes! I’ll make baby clothes for the little one!”

“You’re so silly.”

“But what about your morning sickness? You need to eat well, especially now.”

“I’ll be fine. It’ll pass soon.”

Placing her hands on her belly, Aella closed her eyes.

‘Baby, you’re the ray of light in your mother’s life. I’ll live for you from now on. Thank you for coming to me.’

—

News of the Duchess of Hormons’s pregnancy spread quickly. While some congratulated her, those who hated Count Blueanz because of the late Duke’s death had nothing good to say.

One such example was Rensi. She resented Aella Blueanz even more, blaming her for becoming the dark sorceress’s puppet and lamenting her own ruined life.

“That wretched woman! She should’ve died from the curse! How dare she carry the Duke’s child! I’m furious! I’m going mad! Agh!”

As Rensi raged, the door opened, and she froze in fear. Bowing her head, she faced Letia, who entered the room.

Letia was someone who could be kind when she was in a good mood but would break every bone in Rensi’s body if she was displeased. She was a sadistic lunatic who enjoyed watching others beg for mercy in pain.

Rensi had to survive under Letia’s thumb, even as her puppet. She didn’t want to die, so she begged and groveled to keep her life.

“You’ve heard, haven’t you? About the Duchess of Hormons.”

“…Yes.”

“Today, I finally learned why your curse hasn’t affected her.”

“!”

“Her mother and grandfather have been protecting her.”

“What do you mean? Her mother and grandfather—”

“I know. Her mother was frail and passed away, but her grandfather, who was quite healthy, died because of my sorcery.”

“…”

“Even after death, his desire to protect his daughter and granddaughter must have moved the heavens, because curses don’t seem to affect her directly. So, while your curse was delivered, it didn’t touch her. In other words, no matter how much you curse her, it’s useless.”

As Rensi burned with frustration, Letia whispered in her ear.

“But the child she carries is different.”

“!”

“Though curses can’t touch her, what would happen if she lost the baby?”

Seeing Letia’s sinister smile, Rensi’s eyes lit up with newfound determination.

“What should I do?”

Letia whispered instructions to Rensi, knowing she was a disposable pawn.

“What if I get caught?”

“You have me, don’t you? Trust me, and all you need to do is act.”

“You won’t abandon me, right? Right, Letia?”

“Of course. You’re my puppet, and I won’t let you break.”

“Oh, I’ll do anything for you, Letia! Please don’t abandon me!”

Letia caressed Rensi’s cheeks and smiled warmly.

“Of course. For now, let’s wait until she steps outside the estate.”

“Yes!”

As Rensi nodded vigorously, Letia stroked her hair and smirked.

‘While this fool draws attention, I’ll sneak into that pig’s estate and carry out my perfect revenge!’

Feeling the Emperor’s tightening grip, Letia sensed danger. While the Emperor himself wasn’t much of a threat, the Empress was a different story.

Alenoa Albazar, the princess of the magical kingdom Sertia, was Letia’s natural enemy as a dark sorceress.

It was Alenoa who was strangling Letia’s plans.

Letia planned to sacrifice Rensi to distract her pursuers while hiding in Count Blueanz’s estate. There, she would exact her revenge on those who had scorned her, including her former lover who had betrayed her after using her forbidden magic.

‘Once I gather just a bit more power, the day of my revenge will come.’

Letia stroked Rensi’s trembling head as she clung to her skirt.

“Shall we have a feast? Come on, let’s go.”

“Yes!”

Watching Rensi devour the meal like a starving beast, Letia smiled with satisfaction.

‘This will be your last supper.’

—

Aella’s pregnancy spared her from being treated like a ghost. While none of the servants spoke to her, they ensured she received proper treatment as the Duchess carrying the Hormons family’s child.

Kael visited Aella only to inquire about the child’s condition.

To Aella, even this was a great joy.

When winter came, Aella was told by her new physician that it would be good to visit the hospital for a check-up. Relishing the chance to go outside, she prepared for the outing.

Having grown accustomed to going out alone or with Kina, Aella found the escorting knights of the Hormons household uncomfortable. Still, she enjoyed the fresh air as she rode the carriage to the hospital.

Upon arriving, Kina stepped out first and extended her hand. Aella took it and slowly descended from the carriage.

“Your Grace, since it’s been a while, how about stopping by a dessert café after the hospital?”

“That sounds lovely.”

Smiling, Aella took a step toward the hospital.

Thud, thud, thud!

“?”

Hearing hurried footsteps, Aella turned instinctively and saw someone rushing toward her, cloaked in a robe.

“Die! Aella Blueanz!”

“!”

“Your Grace!”

In the hands of Rensi, whose bloodshot eyes glared at her, was a sharp weapon. Aella instinctively pushed Kina aside and tried to protect her belly, but the force of Rensi’s shove knocked her to the ground.

Then—

“No, please don’t do this…”

“Die!”

“Your Grace!!!”

Stab!

Feeling the sharp pain of something piercing her stomach, Aella lost consciousness.

When she opened her eyes again, she saw a white ceiling.

“Ugh…”

“Your Grace!”

“Kina? Where am I?”

“Sniff. You’re in the hospital, Your Grace. Sniff. Sob! I’m so glad you’re safe. Truly!”

Aella turned to Kina, who clutched her hand tightly and sobbed.

“The baby?”

“…”

“Kina. My baby is fine, isn’t it?”

“Your Grace. Sniff. Sob. Sob. Your Grace.”

As Kina continued to cry, Aella realized she had lost even the last ray of light she had wanted to protect.