Chapter 27: 27 — Are You Okay?

"What’s going on here? Can anyone explain?" Cynthia demanded, crossing her arms as she glanced over the crowd of servants huddled in a circle.

"It’s nothing..." a man in a white shirt spoke, then hesitated. From his attire, Cynthia assumed he was the kitchen chef. "Your Highness, we’ve prepared your meal. You should eat it before it gets cold."

Cynthia clenched her jaw, suppressing the anger that threatened to surface. Though his words might seem considerate, their underlying meaning was clear to her: Mind your own business.

Forcing a bright grin, the silver-haired young woman shook her head.

"How could I eat peacefully when my employees are in distress? Why don’t you tell me what’s happening?"

No one responded directly; only murmurs circulated among the gathered servants.

Inhaling deeply, Cynthia gestured for the crowd to part, allowing her to see what was causing the commotion.

"Should we really let her see?"

"Won’t things get worse for her?"

"What if she gets punished because of this?"

Cynthia caught the faint whispers, though the full meaning eluded her. Had this been in her own palace, she would have fired them all on the spot. But here, in Selvaria, she needed to maintain a proper image, at least until she achieved her revenge against Lucian and—

Her thoughts halted abruptly as her eyes widened at the sight before her.

A blonde-haired woman was sitting on the floor, surrounded by broken glass.

At first glance, it might not be obvious, but there was no mistaking it—she was pregnant.

Cynthia had seen many noblewomen in high society attempt to conceal their pregnancies until their seventh month, but after witnessing enough cases, she had learned to recognize the signs early.

"Are you okay?" Cynthia asked, extending her hand toward the woman.

The blonde woman hesitated before nodding and rising from the floor, bowing deeply to the grand duchess.

"I greet the—"

She stopped, flinching as Cynthia’s cold fingertips touched her shoulder. The thin uniform did nothing to shield her from the grand duchess’s icy touch.

"There’s no need to bow. You’re pregnant, aren’t you?" Cynthia asked with a gentle smile.

The woman’s eyes widened in shock as she nodded, and the crowd reacted with a mix of surprise and disbelief.

Those who were unaware of the pregnancy were stunned, while those who knew couldn’t fathom how the grand duchess had discerned it so quickly.

"Is she really some..."

"Shh! She’ll hear you!"

Cynthia turned towards the servants, whose eyes were filled with fear as if she could uncover their secrets with a single glance.

A soft chuckle escaped her lips.

I love that they fear me... but honestly, I’m not some witch—

She gasped, startled by her own thoughts.

Was she truly not a witch?

It wouldn’t be impossible, considering she had come back to life after her death and even turned back time. It would sound like witchcraft to anyone who heard her.

She didn’t yet understand the details.

She had read countless magic books but found nothing related to such phenomena—no forbidden spells that could explain her situation either.

"Why are you working in the kitchen? It’s really hot and unsuitable for a pregnant woman to...," Cynthia pressed the palm of her hand on her face and sighed. "Ah, no. Let’s go see the physician," she suggested, walking outside the kitchen.

Hearing no footsteps following her, Cynthia turned around.

"What are you waiting for? Come and follow me," the soft voice she tried to maintain shifted to a harsher one.

Understanding it was an order, the blonde woman had no choice but to obey.

As the two women walked through the hallway, Cynthia asked about her to make their stroll seem less long.

Her name was Emma. She was a new employee and she had to work because her husband hurt his hands while working. Her pregnancy was sudden but she had no way to stop it or get rid of it.

"Please, don’t get me wrong! I love my child... but given the circumstances, I kind of wish it was later..."

The smile on Cynthia’s face dropped, and her face turned darker.

Thankfully, they reached the physician’s office room and they didn’t need to talk further.

Cynthia rapidly explained everything to the doctor and left the room.

"Kids... huh?"

Suddenly memories she wanted to desperately forget emerged in her mind.

"When will you have a child, Grand Duchess? It has been a few years already..."

"If you are having problems, then I can send you to a good physician."

"Bunch of hypocrites," Cynthia mumbled, biting her fingernails remembering the exact anxiety she felt when she was among the noble women who pretended to be by her side yet showed her that she didn’t belong in this country.

"Your Highness, you need to get ready," Anni rushed through the hallway.

She stopped before the silver-haired young lady who raised an eyebrow, puzzled.

"Where are we going?"

"Well... there is a reception ball for your wedding and..."

"Hah!" Cynthia scoffed.

This is ridiculous! They didn’t bother to notify me when it was MY wedding reception.

"A-are you alright?" Anni asked, noticing the change in the grand duchess’s complexion.

"Oh, yes. I just... didn’t expect there to be any reception ball for my wedding," Cynthia’s wry smile followed by a soft chuckle.

"Anyhow, call my other new maids. I believe we don’t have time to waste right?"

Anni nodded with a faint smile, her eyes filled with pity for the woman everyone whispered rumours about.

She is such a caring lady. She even helped a maid get treated by a physician only reserved for nobles. I’m sure she’s just misunderstood!

The brown-haired maid told herself, clenching her fist, determined to make sure she could help the grand duchess clear her name.

"The others need to see how kind and gentle she is unlike those rumours!" Anni’s mumbling reached Cynthia’s ear.

The silver-haired young woman’s lips twisted into a satisfied smile.

"I’m the one who made sure these rumours go throughout every kingdom," she muttered to herself.

She needed to ensure everyone feared her before stepping foot in enemy territory. The past could not be allowed to repeat itself.

Losing her parents was a devastating failure, but at least she had managed to save her brother, Prince Vincent, in this life. She also maintained a good relationship with her elder brother, King Alistair, with whom her bond had deteriorated in the past.

The one thing she hadn’t been able to change was everything that happened in Selvarys.

The mansion was as cold and mysterious as ever, almost as if it were haunted. She was still an outcast, spoken to only when necessary.

The servants avoided her, not out of open disdain as they had in her past life, but out of fear of drawing her attention.

"Your Highness, are there any ornaments you wish to wear?" Anni inquired as Jane and Hilda helped the grand duchess with her hair and dress.

She had returned to her bedroom to make use of her dressing table. She didn’t want to hinder Lucian as she had other things to worry about.

"A pair of ruby earrings would go perfectly with this silver outfit," Cynthia replied with a smirk.

Anni nodded and adorned the silver-haired young woman with a ruby necklace and matching earrings.

Jane and Hilda, the young women assigned by Philip, carefully placed a few golden pieces in her hair, arranging them like the decorations of a Selvarian bride.

"By the way... my brothers are coming, right?" Cynthia asked hesitantly.

She was curious whether the past she lived in could actually be changed. If her brothers would drop their busy schedule just to meet her in this foreign country.

It shouldn’t be hard thanks to teleportation portals but... none of them were present in my past life.

"Of course they were invited!" Anni exclaimed, flashing a smile at the lady who seemed worried about not being able to her family members.

"Would you know who else they invited?"

Anni shook her head.

"The head maid manages all these—" Anni gasped. "I mean, you are supposed to do this but... since... you are still new..."

The hesitation in Anni’s sentence made it clear to Cynthia— she held no power in this mansion. Even if she portrayed herself as such, none of it would matter if the owner of the household, the grand duke, didn’t acknowledge her authority.

It’s hard to even see him. He hates the sight of me. How am I supposed to convince him to acknowledge me as his wife and give me more authority in the mansion? Now that I think about it...

Cynthia nervously bit her thumbnail a few times, and before realizing it, she heard a breaking sound.

Isn’t today ’that day’?

"Damn it," she mumbled, looking at her broken nail. "Now, the nobles will have more to talk about," she sighed, tilting her head to the back.

"What’s wrong, Your Highness?" Hilda, who was doing the grand duchess’ hair along with Jane, hesitantly asked.

"Nothing. When does this banquet start?"

"At... five I believe?"

"Let’s go," Cynthia rose from the chair on which she was seated and headed towards the door.

Before she reached the exit, the door creaked open.

"Why are you here?" She asked, raising an eyebrow at the silhouette before her.

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