Chapter 35
Chapter 35
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: penny
Chapter: 35
Chapter Title: A Child is Born
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Carnivella awoke to the jolting of the carriage. When she sat up, she saw that they had already left the capital behind. Reshinka, spotting her, stepped out from the baggage cart and let her get some fresh air. She was glad to emerge from the dark confines.
‘How far have we come?’
A day? Two days? She had no idea. At least knowing this wasn’t the capital lifted her spirits.
“Have we arrived?”
“Not yet. We haven’t established a branch in the Luminir Empire side...”
They still had a full month of travel ahead. After that, she sat beside Reshinka and engaged in various conversations—more like one-sided lectures on knowledge. Afterward, she gazed quietly at the moon.
It was the same moon as the one back at the palace, yet the circumstances made it feel entirely new.
“It’s nice.”
The chill was pleasant. She savored the cold wind on her skin and the warmth of her own breath. Thanks to that, she spent the entire month in good spirits until they reached their destination.
“This is where Lady Lucia will stay.”
The house was old but cozy. It was just far enough from the village for privacy yet accessible enough to suit her tastes.
“This is near the Remius border, so please be discreet in your movements.”
“Understood.”
“Heh, understood. Do you like the house?”
“Yes, I do.”
Reshinka, relieved to see her approval, opened the door. The interior was already spotlessly clean. He sat in a chair and pulled out a pre-prepared contract.
“You’ve probably heard from Ray already, but we didn’t rescue you for free. It’s strictly for our own gain.”
“I know. There’s no such thing as a free lunch in this world.”
She might have raged about having to pay for simple goodwill, but surprisingly, she remained calm. She responded as if it were only natural. He thought to himself that she was no pushover.
She seemed like the type who would pay off this “price of escape” and walk away without a backward glance.
But he intended to let her know that paying off this “price of escape” was impossible.
“Just sign here.”
She was startled upon reading the contract. It proposed scouting her as a member of the Aremy organization.
‘Me, as a member?’
Setting aside what this Aremy organization was, the idea of recruiting her into it baffled her. Didn’t they know Lucia Takirai was hopeless with a sword?
Come to think of it, they didn’t seem to know much about “Lucia.” She suddenly recalled Lucamin mentioning that few people knew he had a younger sister. These people only knew of “Lucia’s” existence.
She hesitated to sign right away. For one thing, she didn’t know exactly what the organization did. And worst case, what if this was a slave contract...?
But as if sensing her reluctance, Reshinka let out a faint chuckle. Suddenly, she sensed the presences of several passersby laced with killing intent. Cold sweat trickled down her back.
‘If I refuse here, I’m dead.’
She had barely escaped Lainen— she couldn’t die like this. Plus, she had her promise to Ray.
‘But if I can grasp this organization’s weakness in return, I might break free from them.’
A flurry of thoughts raced through her mind in moments, but she kept her composure and signed. However, she planned to add one condition, just as she had in countless dire situations before—if she couldn’t avoid it, she’d turn it to her advantage.
“You want to bring me on as a member?”
“Yes, that’s right.”
“I’ve signed. From now on, I’m an Aremy member. But make me a high-ranking one. As the crown princess consort, I know far more about the imperial family than most. My value isn’t that of an ordinary member.”
‘This woman knows how to negotiate.’
Reshinka smirked at her bold proposal. She was no easy mark. He felt like she might turn the tables and take everything if he wasn’t careful.
“We’ll need to discuss this among ourselves.”
Exactly one week later, her proposal was accepted. Reshinka glanced curiously at her—she looked oddly fatigued despite ample rest—and said,
“For now, you don’t look well. Call for us once you’ve recovered.”
She smirked. Call for them? Hardly.
“First, get rid of the watchers circling the house. Their auras make it impossible to relax.”
“My apologies. I’ve dealt with so many escapees that...”
“I’m not like that. I’ll summon you myself once I’m recovered, so wait elsewhere until then.”
Did they think she’d run after seeing what happened to escapees? With watchers posted like that, they clearly had no intention of letting her go. That was why she dismissed any thought of fleeing entirely. Running would likely mean death.
“...Fine. But please, no matter what, don’t take more than a year.”
Unable to counter her firm stance, Reshinka withdrew to the neighboring village with his men. Once their presences vanished, she could finally relax.
‘I’m exhausted. I need to sleep first.’
She tried to recover through sleep, but her condition worsened over time. Her stomach churned despite not eating, and she constantly needed the bathroom. Alarmed by her deteriorating state, she panicked.
‘What’s wrong? Why...’
Then she recalled experiencing similar symptoms once before. No way—just that one time?
“Yes, you’re pregnant.”
She had suspected it. And her suspicions were confirmed by the doctor. She was stunned. She hadn’t expected a child to arrive so suddenly. And one she didn’t even want.
“......”
After secretly seeing the doctor without Reshinka’s knowledge, she agonized. Should she get rid of it? What if carrying an unwanted child became a weakness?
‘No, I can’t do that.’
She thought of the queen who had abandoned her. And her loathsome father, who had gone traveling while she cried alone!
She couldn’t let this child endure such pain. She couldn’t let it know what abandonment felt like. So she had to protect it herself. But she couldn’t let them find out. Who knew what they’d do to the child.
She began observing the villagers. She needed to find someone trustworthy enough to raise the child safely, hidden from their eyes.
But how could she, who trusted no one, judge properly? Time passed, and no suitable person appeared. She grew increasingly anxious.
‘What should I do?’
She might end up birthing the child only to abandon it immediately—the worst possible scenario. Even if it was for protection, it would scar the child. And that went against her resolve.
Distraught, she kept walking. As she did, a café caught her eye. Lately, she’d craved sweet drinks, so she went in and ordered one. There, she saw a group harassing the female owner.
‘They really have nothing better to do.’
She watched their antics indifferently. Such oxygen-wasters existed everywhere.
“Please, let me go! I told you I have a husband!”
“If he’s not here now, he doesn’t count.”
“Let’s just hang out till he gets back.”
“You gotta spend a hot night with your big bro here, right?”
The harassment escalated endlessly, and her ears felt like they’d rot from listening. She grabbed a nearby stick and struck the men in turn—heads, throats, solar plexuses, knees, calves. They collapsed with groans.
“I overheard you saying it’d rot my ears, so get lost now. Or I’ll come to your homes and beat you there.”
“Eeek...”
“What? Think I won’t? How about an expedition to your place tonight?”
She raised the stick again. Fear bloomed on their faces. They scrambled up and fled outside.
“Argh! We’ll never come back to a dump like this!”
“Yeah, never again!”
She didn’t forget the threatening parting words. Setting the stick down, she muttered,
“If they could just keep their mouths shut...”
The owner approached, offering a dessert she hadn’t ordered.
“Ah, thank you. If you hadn’t been here, I don’t know what...”
“I just got annoyed at their talk. Don’t overhype it.”
“No, still, thank you.”
She accepted without protest and enjoyed the drink and dessert. After paying only for the drink, she stepped out. Then the owner ran after her.
“Um, excuse me...”
“What is it?”
“Please come by often. I’ll treat you to lots of delicious drinks! Oh, for free, of course.”
“No need to go that far.”
There was no such thing as kindness without strings. That was her life’s philosophy. So she refused. The owner’s eyes welled up.
“Please let me repay the favor! And more than anything...”
“More than anything?”
“Please stay at our café until my husband returns. It’s scary being alone...”
“......”
She chuckled. It suddenly seemed like a good idea. Refusing repeatedly felt awkward, and staying cooped up at home wasn’t great either. When she nodded, the owner clasped her hands in感動.
“Oh, thank you so much!”
“It’s nothing.”
She replied indifferently. Yet the owner beamed endlessly, clutching her hand.
The café owner’s name was Marie. Her husband was a traveling merchant, so his return would take time. She ran the place alone, but people mistook her for single and caused trouble.
‘She’s someone I like.’
Carnivella took a liking to Marie. She seemed naive yet tight-lipped, and her gaze held no ulterior motives. Even Lainen’s eyes had burned with desire for her.
Days turned to weeks, then a month, a season. She became convinced: she could entrust the child to Marie. Marie’s character suggested she’d never abandon or neglect it.
Plus, as her and Lainen’s child, it would likely have blond or black hair at birth. Marie had black hair, so if things got messy, she could pass it off as Marie’s.
“Marie, do you like children?”
“Children?”
“Yes. Ever want to raise one...”
“I’d love to have kids. I do want them. But I’m infertile, so I can’t.”
“Then...”
She explained she was pregnant but couldn’t raise the child herself, and Marie seemed perfect for it.
“Lucy, you’re just...”
Marie seemed to have leaped to another misunderstanding. Carnivella spent all her energy calming the teary woman.
‘Whew.’
Still, she’d found someone to care for the child. For the first time in ages, she slept soundly.
‘Sleep well, little one...’
Many days passed like that. With Marie’s help, she prepared smoothly to welcome the child. Amid a winter so cold it could freeze everything, the baby arrived right as the season began.