CHAPTER 23

The mansion’s study was bigger than most libraries, with almost every book imaginable.

There must be at least one book on breastfeeding or br*ast ailments.

She quickly dried her hair and got dressed.

“Indeed…”

“…..”

There were several books in the lifestyle section related to the topic. She browsed through them sitting between shelves, scanning each one. Most of it was information she already knew or had experienced with Angela. She focused more on issues that could arise during breastfeeding and found what she needed.

“Aha…….”

It turns out that her tightly engorged br*asts were a symptom of “br*ast engorgement. As expected, it was caused by not emptying her br*asts enough. If it persisted and became severe, it could lead to sore br*asts and mastitis, and then the pain would go beyond the br*asts and become systemic, with fever, chills, and muscle aches, like she was really sick.

“This won’t do.”

The relief for engorgement was, of course, frequent breastfeeding. If that wasn’t possible, hand expression was recommended, and using cold cabbage leaves for compresses could also help.

“Cabbage, huh…”

An unexpected method. By chilling cabbage leaves and placing them on the br*asts, relief could be achieved. It was simple, so she decided to try it out immediately.

She left the study and headed to the dining room this time.

“Miss! Will you be having a meal?”

The head chef, Rachel, approached with a bright smile.

“Ah…….”

I hadn’t come here to eat, but since I was here, why not?

“It’s morning, so I’ll just have some fruit, please.”

“Yes, I’ll have it ready right away!”

Rachel brought a platter full of fruits, salad, and orange juice. She slowly ate it all, feeling refreshed. But at the same time, her br*asts were starting to ache, especially the left br*ast, which she hadn’t pumped properly. It seemed like the milk was accumulating again.

After quickly finishing the meal, she wandered into the kitchen connected to the dining room.

“Miss? What can I do for you?”

“Rachel, do you happen to have cabbage?”

“Cabbage? Of course! What would you like me to cook? Cabbage soup? Cabbage sandwich? Stir-fried cabbage?!”

Calm down, Rachel.

“Haha, I don’t mean to eat it, but I’ve heard that cabbage is good for your skin, and I’m going to put some leaves on my face, do you mind if I take one?”

Rachel’s eyes widened in surprise.

“Oh, cabbage? Yes, just a moment, please!”

She went to the cool storage room herself and brought back several heads of cabbage.

“I don’t need much!”

“It’s better to have more than less! Shall I wash and prepare the leaves for you?”

“Yes, please.”

Was putting cabbage on the chest a widely known method? I hope Rachel didn’t notice…

Rachel quickly got to work.

“You’re already too fair-skinned for that.”

“Haha, really?”

“Yep. But if you say cabbage is good for the skin, I’ll have to try it later.”

I wonder if it has any effect on the face…

“That’s a good idea. Oh, this much is enough!”

A large basket was piled high with light green leaves. Enough to cover her entire body.

“I’ll take this. Thank you, Rachel!”

Before Rachel could pour out more, Rienn quickly grabbed the basket.

“I’ll make a delicious soup with the leftovers! If you need anything else, just let me know!”

“Sure!”

She walked out of the dining room, smiling at the ever-perky Rachel. Holding the basket close to her chest, she made her way back to her bedroom. She picked up a leaf of cabbage and bit into it. It was crisp, and fresh, with a subtle sweetness.

I needed to pierce the milk clog holes.

As she climbed the stairs of the spacious hall, she heard footsteps coming from the entrance. Was it Ralph?

When she turned around,

“!!!”

Her heart dropped.

“Rienn.”

Dian was approaching.

“…….”

He was up the stairs in a flash, standing three or four steps below her. They were at eye level, and she stared blankly into his face.

“D-Dian.”

“Yeah.”

He also looked at her intently.

It was so sudden, so startling, so disorienting. Her heart thudded in her chest.

“I thought you were going to stay in the Marquisate, why did you come to the capital? Is something wrong?”

Ah…….

“I… I had some matters to attend to in the capital.”

“What matters?”

“Just… uh, personal matters…”

“…….”

Dian made a face of incomprehension. He glanced down at the basket of cabbage she was hugging, his confusion growing deeper.

She was too flustered. She hadn’t expected Dian to come.

Come to think of it, he could have come at any time. He knew she was heading to the capital, and they had always freely visited each other’s homes. It’s just that she hadn’t considered it in reverse, especially since she had become accustomed to going to his when Dian was unwell recently.

“Give it to me.”

Dian took the basket from her arms and held it himself.

“How are you feeling?”

“Me?”

“Yes. Are your br*asts okay?”

“!”

She looked around in a panic. Hoping no one was listening.

“There’s no one around.”

“Really?”

She figured he’d be right.

“I’m… I’m fine…”

She mumbled, avoiding eye contact. She didn’t mean to lie, but she planned to take the potion first, and then tell Dian if they didn’t work…….

What was I supposed to do now?

“Are you healthy?”

“Yeah, I’m healthy.”

Dian replied expressionlessly and dryly. He still looked at her intensely, and she couldn’t help but meet his gaze. It felt good to see him after a long time, but it also brought a lot of buried issues to the surface. She felt confused, unsure of what to do.

“Don’t just stand here, go somewhere first-“

“Rienn.”

“Huh?”

“Why are you avoiding me?”

“…….”

He took another step up, narrowing the distance between them.

“You’ve been avoiding me, ever since before you left.”

Before I left.

She tried to be as unobtrusive as possible, but he knew.

“That’s… it’s…

“Is it because of the healing ritual? You weren’t like this with me before…… wait.”

A look of surprise suddenly crossed Dian’s face. He put one hand on her shoulder and leaned in. In the close proximity, he took a deep breath.