Please be Patient, Grand Duke - Chapter 116

As the nobles unpacked their belongings in the designated rooms, a feast was prepared in the dining hall. The meal was delayed more than usual as they awaited the arrival of the Emperor and the capital’s aristocrats.

The Emperor’s servants, accompanied by the household staff, busily arranged the food. Transparent glass bottles were filled with the finest wines, champagnes, and fruit-based beverages, while name tags for the invited guests were placed at each seat.

Before heading to Lia’s room, Pepe stopped by the kitchen to pick up a bottle of apple juice. There was also a tray filled with apple juice on the dining table. According to the kitchen staff, the Del Casa fruit merchants had indeed been busy serving the aristocracy.

Pepe felt anxious about the fact that the only thing Lia could comfortably eat was a red apple. Soon, when the weather turned warmer, apples would disappear from the market. He could only hope for her recovery as soon as possible.

Before going to Lia’s room, Pepe made his way to the room assigned to the Marquis and his wife. The thought of meeting his former mistress, who had once been his owner, weighed heavily on his wrapped hands. However, Pepe was able to encounter Betty without meeting the Marquise.

“My lady is looking for you, lady in waiting.”

Betty, who was in front of the door, approached Pepe with a mixture of surprise and anticipation. She held his hand with a stern yet warm smile, tilting her head.

“I’m glad to see you’re looking fine. I heard you had some trouble in the capital.”

“Oh, please don’t mention it. I couldn’t possibly tell you everything, even if I stayed up all night.”

“I see. Let’s take it step by step. But why did she want to see me…?”

Betty asked with a gaze that seemed to be a blend of expectation and worry.

“I don’t know the reason myself, but please come see her before the meal. After the meal, it seems that the ladies of the house will come to visit her.”

Feeling the weight of the surrounding gazes, Pepe quickly left the scene.

Canilia was not someone with a clearly defined profile, like other noble ladies. That’s why the nobles sought to gather information through the maids, and Pepe was their primary target.

Pepe confidently ignored the people who repeatedly called out to him and returned to Lia’s room with the help of Edit.

Lia’s expression noticeably brightened as she chose a dinner dress with Edit’s assistance.

“Is that apple juice?” she asked.

“Yes, miss. They even put plenty of ice in it, so you can enjoy it cold.”

“I wanted to drink it as is.”

Lia regained her appetite and accepted the juice that Pepe had prepared for her. Edit’s choice was a light blue dress. It was a dress with a loose form, flowing softly without constricting the chest or waist, offering both mobility and a lovely design.

“If you wear this, you won’t feel any tightness in your body, and you’ll be more comfortable.”

“Thank you, Edit.”

“Well then, I’ll go see the lady. Take your time coming down, don’t rush.”

Edit left the room after repeatedly insisting. She had become quite a burden to those around her since her health deteriorated. Moreover, she was prohibited from doing any volunteer work.

It was when she watched the busy Pepe fiddling with the juice glass that there was a knock on the door, and a visitor arrived.

“It’s Betty.”

Both Pepe and Lia had a slightly tense expression.

Lia nodded, and Pepe, who had tidied up the tray, opened the door.

It had been several years.

Betty, with her gray hair growing more prominent, stood a little awkwardly and greeted them.

“It’s been a long time, miss.”

There had been a night when they wondered what they should say when they met again. But that day came, and they couldn’t come to a conclusion. They just embraced a lukewarm longing and fell asleep.

However, when she actually saw Betty, laughter burst out of them like fools. As she laughed, the frozen expression on Betty’s face also melted away in an instant.

“Please come closer.”

Betty didn’t treat Lia as she used to. She showed a courteous attitude and didn’t even dare to lift her head.

Lia quietly stared at Betty’s wrinkled face for a moment and then held her hand.

“Betty, have I changed too much?”

Finally, Betty raised her head slightly and smiled gently.

“You haven’t changed a bit.”

Lia decided to forgive Betty, knowing what she had done for Anastasia and what choices she had made. Just a moment ago, she felt like she could be angry, but now all that came out was meaningless laughter.

“Betty, you haven’t changed a bit.”

“Don’t forgive me. If you forgive me, I will suffer even more.”

Betty’s head bowed deeply again.

“Betty.”

“You already know everything.”

“Betty, did you think I called you here to reprimand you?”

Lia looked down at Betty’s blushing earlobe, filled with guilt, and sat in the chair.

“I’m sorry.”

“It was my fault, miss.”

“Save that apology for my mother, not me. If you ever meet her, don’t run away; ask for forgiveness. That’s my request.”

Betty’s head moved heavily up and down.

“That’s all I need. I resented you more than you can imagine. But at least I’ve consumed every bit of that feeling, so now you can lift your head.”

Betty, who trembled with their clasped hands, raised her head as if she had released a heavy burden. Looking into Betty’s bloodshot eyes, Lia smiled brightly.

“I missed you, Betty.”

Overwhelmed with emotions, Betty swallowed her tears quietly, as if repenting for the past. She thought that it wouldn’t have been so evident if she had just been slapped rather than exposed like this.

When she first saw the child who came with Anastasia, she was engulfed in a strange shock. The child resembled Kieran so much, with glimpses of Laura’s face.

“I found him in the sewers. So… I made him look like a human, Betty.”

The child she had found, Even without confirming it, had Laura’s bloodline. That’s why she faced the child with guilt, fear, and a sense of responsibility that didn’t suit her.

The timid and crybaby child quickly accepted their fate and embraced their true self, becoming a cunning and shrewd individual named Canilian, living their life.

The child who used to be that way is now looking down on themselves, becoming a woman admired by everyone. Betty, who felt her legs giving way and was about to hesitate, was supported by Pepe, who guided her to a chair.

“Thank you, Pepe. You’ve changed a lot too.”

“No, Miss, you’ve changed more.”

“No, I…”

Still as adorable as ever.

Betty swallowed her words, pressing a handkerchief against her eyes with an expression of deep emotion as she looked at Lia. Truly, the child who resembled Laura to the point of sending shivers down one’s spine.

Pepe handed Betty a cup of apple tea, firmly pressing against her chest.

“Lately, Miss has been feeling unwell, so she only eats apple-related things. Try this. It tastes good.”

“You’re not feeling well?”

“Yeah, I’ve been feeling nauseous lately.”

Lia was the one to answer the question. She sipped the apple tea that Pepe prepared for her and faintly smiled.

Betty finally noticed the basket of apples, apple juice, and a pie with thinly sliced apples placed on the table.

“Is there… another reason?”

Betty couldn’t bring herself to drink from the teacup and placed it on her lap.

“Another reason?”

“Have you seen a doctor?”

“Yeah, they said I should keep my body warm and rest well. They couldn’t prescribe any medication.”

“Did they explain the diagnosis?”

“They said it’s not an illness.”

Betty trembled, grabbing Pepe and asking when Lia’s last menstrual cycle was and when the nausea started.

Only then did Pepe’s face turn pale, and she hurriedly started counting on her fingers. But it seemed like the calculations weren’t going well, as she clutched her chest.

“Two months… It was two months ago, Betty. I was too preoccupied in Geore to pay attention. So… it’s been over two months.”

“That’s right, Geore! Because Miss was in Geore, the calculations got messed up. But how…”

“Why are you all acting like this? Huh?”

Lia, speaking in place of Pepe, urged them to speak quickly.

Pepe and Betty glanced at each other, then suddenly stood up from their seats, spreading their skirts wide and bowing before Lia.

“Congratulations on your pregnancy, Miss.”

Blushing cheeks on Pepe, a warm smile on Betty’s face.

Lia questioned them with a bewildered expression, as if doubting her own ears.

“What did you say?”

“It’s true. Laura did the same. She only ate apples for ten months, Miss. It’s clear that you’re pregnant.”

In an instant, the plush sofa seemed to sink deeply. The center of Lia’s body felt unsteady, her vision blurred, and the cup she was holding fell from her hands.

It didn’t break as it landed on the carpet, but the spilled tea stained the carpet.

This can’t be real. Pregnant? Did I… have a child?

But why didn’t the doctor tell me? What about Edit? Jasmine?

No, Claude seemed genuinely unaware.

“It seems like Madam hid it for you. That’s why… something felt strange. Lately, she couldn’t stop laughing in her room.”

“Why didn’t you say anything, Pepe? If you had suspicions, you should have spoken up.”

“Well, I thought… maybe it could tarnish Miss’s reputation…”

Lia pressed her forehead, exhaling a long sigh of disappointment. Well, an unmarried virgin having a child would certainly ruin her reputation and that of her family.

She anxiously placed her hand over her lower abdomen.

“Keep it a secret from the Duke. Do you understand?”

“Yes?”

Pepe’s eyes widened as she struggled to comprehend.

“Pretend you don’t know anything. I’m fine. I’ll decide when to speak up. If I do it now… I might have to stay confined to my bed.”

Pepe finally realized the gravity of the situation and opened her mouth in realization.

Lia slowly paced around the room and approached the table. When she saw a basket filled with exceptionally red and beautiful apples, she let out a hollow laugh.

Apples made her mouth water, but the thought of other foods made her stomach churn.

“So, it was all because of morning sickness…”

At that moment, a knock came at the door, and Claude entered dressed in formal attire.

Lia involuntarily held her breath at his sudden appearance, and Betty lowered her head deeply and stepped back.

Claude’s gaze briefly chilled as he recognized Betty as the maid of Viscount Veil. Then he sat down with a nonchalant air on the sofa behind Lia and crossed his long legs with the help of Pepe, who was admiringly helping her remove the dress.

“I saw that maid earlier.”

Lia, having removed the dress, stood hurriedly in front of the mirror, realizing that she hadn’t changed into her dress yet.

“A familiar face.”

Claude scanned the surroundings suspiciously and fixed his gaze on Lia’s back, where her bones could be felt through her dry skin.

“While I was in Cosoar, she served as my governess. It’s been a while since we greeted each other.”

“Hmm… The Emperor invited the Viscount Veil couple. It seems you’re still weak against Gliad.”

Lia laughed lightly and put on the dress brought by Pepe. When the gazes of the two met through the mirror, her cheeks blushed. She gently touched her exposed neck and shifted her gaze to the accessories placed on the table.

Just then, Claude got up and approached her slowly. Pepe, who was tying the ribbon on his chest, was startled and took a step back.

Approaching her, Claude wrapped his hands around her slightly drooping shoulders and pressed his lips against her white shoulder. At the moment when the hot breath brushed against her, a shiver ran down her spine. Dry saliva gulped down, and for a moment, her lips parted as if in surprise, meeting the calm azure eyes in the mirror.

“No.”

At the sudden refusal, Claude’s eyebrows furrowed.

“What did I do?”

“Well, um… It’s just that… Anyway, no. This kind of thing should wait until I’m feeling a little better…”

Finally, a sigh was heard along with a groan of understanding.

With a hesitant voice, Lia felt that Edit and Jasmine must have known the reason why this was hidden from her.

“I can’t keep His Majesty waiting. Get ready. I’ll be waiting at the entrance to the dining hall.”

With a kiss on her cheek, he obediently retreated and left the room.

Lia blinked her eyes rapidly and lightly tapped her remembered cheek. Her heart felt like it was about to burst.