“Is the work hard for you?”
“Not at all. It’s actually simple, so I like it more.”
“That’s a relief. I was worried the work might not suit you. By the way, I met the priest earlier, and he said the small house here is used as a prayer room. But he said I can still use the room here. They said they’ll let you stay for free while you’re working.”
“Thank you.”
“But the room has been empty for a long time, so cleaning it will be work, too. Are you okay with that? If the room is in bad shape, you can stay with me.”
Chartine secretly wanted me to live with her, but I didn’t want to cause trouble in someone else’s home.
“I’m fine. It might even be more convenient since it’s close to where I work.”
“Are you really okay? That room might be worse than the one you stayed in before.”
I nodded with a bright face. I had lived in places where cockroaches wandered around for fun and the smell of mold was always in the air, so I was used to it.
Since I answered so easily, Chartine muttered with worry.
“You might be really shocked when you see it in person.”
Just then, we arrived at the room I would be staying in. The door was tightly shut, but Chartine had the key and opened it. As the door creaked open, the smell of dust came out, and I saw an old chair. The furniture looked a bit old, but it had a classic feel to it. Chartine looked at me with concern.
“Will you be okay?”
I nodded and stepped into the room. It looked better than I expected. There were no signs of mold on the walls, and though dust was piled up, it looked clean overall.
“If I clean it, it’ll be good enough.”
Chartine pulled out cleaning tools from under the bed. Just as she was about to lift the cloth covering the furniture, I quickly stopped her.
“I’ll clean it. I feel like I’ve already caused you too much trouble.”
“No, it’s okay. I can help, too.”
I shook my head with a smile.
“Just helping me find a place to stay like this is already enough.”
When I spoke firmly, Chartine stepped back as if she had no choice. Then she handed me the key and reminded me,
“You can use the dining hall that the priests use for meals. And if you need anything, let me know. Even to buy fruit, you have to go all the way to the city center of Kellabird.”
It seemed this place was more remote than I thought, and even getting ingredients was difficult. But since I didn’t care much about food, I just nodded. Chartine also told me other things—for example, that I should lock the door tightly at night because animals might come in.
“Sometimes wolves wander around.”
I suddenly thought of Cedric. But only for a moment. I stopped myself from thinking more and just nodded.
“I’ll be careful.”
After looking around one last time, Chartine said,
“Are you really okay staying alone?”
“Yes. I’m the one using the room, so I should be the one to clean it.”
Chartine nodded and left the room. After that, I was really busy. The room had been empty for a long time, and cleaning it seemed endless—but it was actually better because it kept my mind from wandering.
After living there for about a month, I started to feel more relaxed than before. The biggest reason was that I had something to do. Since I was living with a routine, I hardly ever thought of Cedric anymore. Chartine helped me when I needed it, and the priests were kind, so everything was just right.
Now I truly felt I had no lingering feelings for Cedric. That was my greatest joy—not having to rely on him anymore.
Also, the food at the dining hall was simple but clean and satisfying. The cook, Floren, was a kind woman much older than me.
“Revril, eat a bit more. I don’t know if you can work properly after eating so little.”
I was eating a normal amount, but Floren worried and brought out more bread. Even though I was full, I ate a bit more, thankful that someone cared. Just as I was getting used to this peaceful and satisfying life, something strange started happening.
Lately, I’d been having a light fever, but I didn’t think much of it and stepped out of my room. But on the way to the dining hall, I kept smelling something strange. I didn’t want to go, but I told myself it was just a passing symptom and went anyway.
“You’re early today!”
Floren welcomed me with a bright smile as soon as she saw me. I barely managed to smile back and sat down. But the strong smell was still around me. I almost got up to leave, but Floren brought out toasted bread with mashed eggs.
As soon as I saw the mashed eggs, something rose from my stomach, and I quickly covered my mouth with my hand.
Floren looked at me with surprise.
“Are you okay?”
I barely nodded. But I couldn’t look at the eggs anymore, so I stood up. Floren watched me with concern.
“Does the food smell bad?”
She looked more worried than I was, so I shook my head.
“No. My stomach just suddenly felt bad.”
Floren narrowed her eyes and carefully said,
“Are you… pregnant?”
“What?”
“Well, if it makes you feel sick so suddenly like that…”
I was too shocked to answer. Floren suddenly grabbed my hand.
“You came here because of your ex-husband, right?”
Her question was so sudden that I couldn’t speak. When I blinked at her, Floren started sharing her own story.
“I went through something like that, too. That jerk even had a kid with another woman. And that was before he married me.”
“……”
“He treated me so well before we got married, so I trusted him. But then I found out he already had a kid. After that, I couldn’t trust anyone. I felt sick of it all and ran away to this place.”
Her story felt similar but also different. I couldn’t answer right away, and Floren pulled me outside.
“Just in case, you should get checked. The doctor who visits regularly is coming this morning.”
“I’m not pregnant. I…”
As I tried to explain, I suddenly remembered Cedric—and that night we spent together. I couldn’t finish my sentence. Floren looked at me knowingly, held my hand tightly, and patted it.
“Don’t worry. The priests here are very understanding.”
“No, that can’t be.”
I still wanted to deny it. Even if I didn’t use birth control, Cedric always took something before. He told me it was a contraceptive. And that last time… I didn’t remember him taking anything.
But still, this can’t be…
Since I couldn’t easily accept it, Floren said,
“It might be hard to believe right now. So just go see the doctor.”
Suddenly, I was scared. This couldn’t be happening. I finally felt free from Cedric. But if I was really pregnant… I was so shocked I couldn’t say anything, and Floren led me back to my room.
“I’ll talk to the priest for you. Take the day off. The doctor will be at the village square. Can you go there alone?”
I nodded without thinking. Floren looked at me seriously for a moment, then shook her head.
“No, stay here. I think Chartine should stay with you today.”
Then the door closed. I sat there in a daze, unable to believe what was happening.
This can’t be.
I couldn’t be pregnant. No—I must not be pregnant.
In front of the imperial palace of the Avenca Empire, many carriages were lined up endlessly. This was the first noble council held since the crown prince was imprisoned and Cedric officially began acting as regent. Almost all of the nobles were already gathered in the grand hall.
Even though the meeting hadn’t started yet, the nobles were sitting and chatting. They were especially focused on one issue, and when Baron Kentville arrived late, he asked Count Senre, who was sitting next to him.
“What’s going on? I know I’m a bit late.”
“I heard Count Yurnigel sent a letter pledging loyalty to Duke Jedburgh.”
“Count Yurnigel? Isn’t he on the crown prince’s side?”
“That’s right. And he’s very proud, too. He’s not someone who would send a letter unless he really had to.”
“Then why would he…”
Count Senre looked around carefully and then whispered,
“Things are tense these days.”
“Well, if even Count Yurnigel sent a letter to the Duke, he must be desperate.”
“It’s not desperation—it’s about survival.”
When Baron Kentville paused, Count Senre quietly added,
“These days, it’s a blessing not to be connected to the crown prince.”
