Chapter 12
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Translator: Ace
Chapter: 12
Chapter Title: The Countess and Postpartum Care (3)
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"This is why people should live kindly. Because I live kindly, I'm pulling in that fat salary. Heh heh."
Dominic's lips refused to stop curling upward even as he headed off to meet the Countess.
"I have no idea what 'fat salary' means exactly, but enough about money already. There are too many ears in the castle. And you, living kindly? You're really without shame."
"What, even conscience now? Don't you secretly think the same, Sir Knight? That I'm a virtuous, righteous, just, and brave hero of this era."
"I've heard enough nonsense from you today."
"Aw, come on~ So why'd a guy like you defend me in front of the Lord? Did we suddenly become buddies or something?"
As Dominic grinned slyly, Ian clicked his tongue loud enough for him to hear.
"Hmph. If I'd revealed your true nature before the Lord, it would've meant the previous Village Chief who passed the position to you, the merchants you've dealt with, and even the Old Lord who entrusted you with his diet—all of them were fools. My words were set in stone."
"Ah, yes. Impressive, Sir Knight."
Dominic had long since tuned out Ian's words, cherry-picking only what he wanted to hear.
"By the way, what's the Countess like normally? Tell me what you know."
"...I've never served her directly, so I'm not sure. The word was she's picky like most noble ladies, but after getting pregnant, she became much more lenient."
"She seemed pleased with the dinner I prepared last time. Feels promising, right?"
Sweet gig, sweet gig! he chanted inwardly.
"But didn't the Lord say she's been holed up in her room since two nights after giving birth?"
"She's just recovered her body, so she wants some rest. Nobody likes being bothered when they're trying to chill."
Dominic brushed it off casually.
In his past life, he'd witnessed his sister—already a hothead—hit absolute rock bottom right after giving birth to his niece.
She just pushed out a whole person. Weird if her mindset didn't change. Good food'll cheer her up.
High nutrition, low irritation!
A postpartum menu for new moms was already slotting into place in his mind.
"I don't know, it didn't work!"
A hysterical shout echoed from the Countess's room.
"Just try it once—"
"Emily! Thank the Count, but tell him no need! Right now! I'm already a mess, and now this? A cook? You mocking me?!"
Dominic stood awkwardly outside the door, unable to enter, his mind racing.
Uh-oh. This ain't good.
One wrong move, and his weekly gold coin lottery was toast.
"Sigh... Sorry. The Countess has zero appetite right now... I'll report to the Lord."
It's flying away~!
Dominic could almost see gold coins sprouting wings and vanishing into the distance.
Sure, some seaweed profits were stacking up as his cut, but passing up easy money was a whole other story.
"Wait!"
"...Yes?"
He grabbed the Head Maid before she could turn away.
"The Lord said she loved the seaweed soup! So she must have an appetite. Why suddenly refuse food...? Ah!"
Mid-sentence, a memory from his past life flashed by.
[You trying to feud with pumpkins? You'll get diabetes. All that sugar in pumpkin juice.]
[Shut it! Keep eating like this, and you'll balloon up! Gotta lose it first.]
[That's all supposed to be on you, sis...! Ow!]
[Out! Get out, you punk!]
His sister right after the baby was the same as ever.
But three days later, dropping by the postpartum center for a peek at the meals, he'd barely recognized her.
Postpartum swelling—I'd heard the term, but her hands and feet were so puffy, like balloons.
He'd studied edema in nursing textbooks, but seeing it on family hit different.
The Countess locked herself away after just twelve days. She just said no to food. No way she's not hungry.
Decision made, Dominic approached the Head Maid cautiously.
"Is the swelling bad?"
"...!"
"Her body's storing water and fat to make milk. Some women swell more than others. Diet's key to fixing it fast. I can help."
"...Wait here."
"Sure."
Postpartum edema hit over half of moms—super common.
Local moms probably dealt with it too.
But less movement and greasy food during pregnancy worsened it. The Countess seemed like a severe case.
First kid for the Lord, so a noble lady already low on activity probably didn't budge. And dining nightly with the Old Lord? Bet it was all oily, salty stuff to suit his tastes.
Looking back, she'd been plump at that meal he'd prepped on the Old Lord's orders—weight gain was obvious.
Creak—
How much time passed?
The tightly shut door finally opened.
"She bids you enter."
Following the Head Maid inside revealed a sitting room, not the bedroom.
A living room inside the bedroom? This the legendary 'room within a room'?
As idle thoughts crossed his mind, the Countess emerged from the adjoining bedroom, supported by a maid.
"My lady."
"My lady."
Ian bowed first; Dominic glanced and mimicked quickly. In that instant, he sized up her state.
It's bad.
She'd been a bit chubby before; now she looked inflated, like someone stuck a straw in her and blew.
Her arms spilling from the loose indoor dress explained the locked door perfectly.
"...You handle Father's diet too, so I trust you."
Unlike her earlier hysterics, her voice now trembled with tears.
Self-esteem's probably shot. Hope it's not postpartum depression too—that'd be rough...
Hormonal crashes could corner anyone.
Teens in puberty, midlifers in menopause, new moms—all victims.
For noblewomen here, beauty was destiny.
Snag a good husband, dominate social circles—minimum looks required.
"I've restricted food, but the weight won't budge..."
"Here's what she's eaten lately."
The Head Maid handed over a note.
"Hmm—."
"Cut more?"
Her voice dripped exhaustion.
Dominic let out a small sigh.
"You need to eat."
"What? Didn't you say you'd help?!"
"That's why you need to eat."
"...What?"
"Promise me. Follow my diet to the letter."
"But...!"
"Get sick, you see a healer and take their meds, right? Same thing. What I prescribe is medicine. No skipping or cutting. Stick to it, and you'll be back to normal soon."
Watching it all, Ian sensed an odd conviction in Dominic's words.
No mana, that's for sure.
Weird from the start.
Seemed cowed by status, yet spat whatever he wanted regardless. Greedy and selfish for rewards, but food talk rang sincere.
Faith in himself? Where's that even come from?
Ian struggled to build self-belief despite endless training; Dominic baffled him.
Plus, sage-like moments: wild ideas solving problems, pure views sans bias.
Really just past-life flexibility on class and unknown knowledge here. But Ian didn't know, so Dominic never seemed like some village chief.
Watch and see.
This time, he'd won another's trust too.