“Wh-Why…Why didn’t you tell me? Why?”
“The commander ordered that we never speak of it,” Ursuline replied stonily.
“You were in a critical condition, my lady. Not only were you drained of mana, but you were bleeding profusely. You could have died,” Elliot murmured. “We didn’t think you would be able to bear the shock of losing a child….”
“The…The shock of…losing a child…” Maxi muttered in a stupor, placing her hand on her abdomen. Their child had been right here one moment, then gone the next. She did not know how to accept that fact.
Being informed of a miscarried child she had not even been aware of did not immediately fill her with anguish. It felt more like a part of her became paralyzed. A vague sense of loss settled deep within her. Unable to cope with thissudden truth, Maxi stood stupefied.
Princess Agnes patted her on the shoulder. “I know it pains you, Maximilian…but there will be other children. The fact that you are safe and well is what matters most.”
Maxi looked blearily up at the princess, whose beautiful blue eyes were filled with pity. Suddenly, her heart clenched painfully as reality began to sink in. She knew very well how difficult her mother’s labor had been, and how she had suffered countless miscarriages before she finally bore Maxi. Whenever her father spoke, it always involved some sort of jab at her mother’s incompetence.
Maxi had seen firsthand the fate that awaited a woman who could not produce an heir. Rosetta’s mother had grown weaker by the day until, unable to leave her bed, she had passed away. Maxi’s heart shrank with fear.
No, Riftan was different. He would never subject her to such cruelty.
He might not be as cruel, but…
Maxi bit her lip. Her chest throbbed with anxiety as she recalled his grim expression. Riftan might just be holding himself back from blaming her despite feeling resentful. After all, he had implored her to stay out of danger. Considering how stubbornly she had gone against his wishes, she would have nothing to say if he blamed her for killing their child through her recklessness.
Overwhelmed with despair, Maxi buried her face in her hands. Uncontrollable tremors racked her whole body at the thought that Riftan might not want her anymore.
Elliot desperately tried to console her. “Please, my lady. It’s all in the past now. You mustn’t be distressed—”
“I-It’s not i-in the past for me!” Maxi screamed, pushinghis hand away.
Elliot looked down at her with a pained expression, and Maxi suddenly felt sick. She backed away, stumbling blindly through her tears.
At that moment, the Duke of Croyso gripped her arm from behind. Maxi froze and stifled a whimper as the gold ring on his bony finger dug into her flesh.
Wrapping an arm around Maxi’s shoulders, the duke turned to the knights and intoned, “I will be taking my daughter to Croyso Castle. Recuperating at her childhood home will be better for her.”
The knights immediately cried out their objections.
“Sir Riftan will be here soon! Without his permission, we cannot—”
“I will not have my daughter become gossip fodder for those frivolous nobles. You are being extremely inconsiderate.” The duke let out a sigh and turned his attention to the princess. “Is there anyone in Wedon ignorant of the marriage talks that happened between you and my son-in-law, Your Highness? How do you think your loyal servants view my daughter?”
Princess Agnes’s face flushed at his rebuke. “There is nothing between me and Riftan!”
“And do your servants think the same?” the duke retorted.
Her face pale now, the princess glowered at the duke before glancing off to the side. The servants standing in the corridor ducked their heads in unison, avoiding the princess’s icy blue eyes.
The duke clicked his tongue. “It will only be a matter of time before malicious rumors spread throughout the castle. I cannot allow my daughter to remain here any longer. I willtake her back to Croyso Castle, so you may tell Calypse that he can come for her if he so wishes.”
Unable to object, Princess Agnes pursed her lips.
Ursuline had been glaring at the duke throughout the altercation. He now turned his gaze to Maxi. “My lady…do you wish to return to Croyso Castle?”
“I-I…”
Maxi shrank into herself. She had been standing in a daze, barely listening to the exchange, as though it had nothing to do with her. The duke’s hand on her shoulder tightened, threatening her into submission. Though his vicious grip filled her with terror, she was even more afraid to face Riftan now that she knew she had lost their child.
“Yes…” she mumbled, her voice as empty as her aching heart.
Her eyes burned with hot tears. She bit her quivering lip and barely managed to suppress the sobs that threatened to spill out.
