Angie's eyes shot open a moment later. A burning thirst set in. She got up, felt for water on the table, and drank it. Then she staggered out of the room to find her mother. The rain was pounding furiously against the window. It seemed like only an hour had passed.
Mom... Where are you? And Dad?
The middle of the living room was tidy as if the work was over. The couple was nowhere to be found. At that moment, a murmur of voices could be heard from the pantry. Angie had just reached the pantry. Her mother's agitated voice was leaking out through the slightly open door.
“I’m sure she’s pregnant. I checked her pulse and it’s positive. But we have to keep it a secret. If they find out... Mrs. Dunst will try to take Angie away, and Angie could be in danger. Mrs. Dunst thinks we’re ignorant of the secrets of the doctrine, but the truth is...”
Doctrine? Secret? Mother's words were mumbled and cut off at the end. Father Patrick's words were also low-pitched and hard to hear.
“Then is that really the only way?”
“Yes. I can’t help it for Angie. It’s the only way for our daughter to live happily and worry-free like she has always done.”
Because of the sound of the rain, even her mother's words were now heard as a hum. When Angie tiptoed a few steps closer, her father Patrick let out a deep sigh.
“I understand. But we must keep the fact of the pregnancy a secret from anyone. If by any chance the existence of the child is known... it’s terrifying to even imagine. Master Kyle and they will kill Angie as soon as she gives birth. The late Edward was a soft-hearted and ruthless man, but Master Kyle may be different.”
“I think so too. Master Kyle is a much more fearsome and cold-hearted person than Edward. His affection for Angie may be genuine, but when it comes to children... I think he would do it by principle. I don’t know why he would do it, but he said that the horrific act was an absolute doctrine procedure for the ritual.”
Angie sank to the ground without a sound. Her legs gave out, and she couldn't stand any longer. Thunder roared and thumped in her ears. Her heart pounded like crazy.
Laura said something more, but it was hard to hear because of the thunder. Angie managed to get up and lean against the wall. The couple talked for a while longer. Then there was a rustling sound as if Laura had hurriedly gotten up from her seat.
“I should go get some medicine while I’m at it. They say a real storm is coming in this afternoon. I’ll go and be back right now.”
“The road is slippery and dangerous. Come with me...”
“Don’t worry, I’ll borrow Mr. Olson’s carriage and go without taking the shortcut over the cliff. I can’t leave Angie alone, so you stay at home. And if by any chance Jerome or anyone comes to the Duke’s mansion to find Angie... Just tell them we’re all going to the capital. I think it’ll be safer that way.”
“Yes, I understand.”
Angie quickly turned around after hearing that. She went back to her room, lay down on her bed, and covered herself with the blanket over her head when she heard footsteps. The door opened and she felt Laura’s presence. Angie pretended to be deeply asleep, and she deliberately took deep breaths and exhaled repeatedly.
“Angie... Poor thing. No matter what happens, we’ll protect you. Dad and I will protect you, so just wait a little longer. Our daughter.”
Mother clicked her tongue, whispered sadly, and left the room again. Before long, the sound of a carriage wheel could be heard faintly outside. It seemed that she had gone to the lower village to get the painkiller she mentioned earlier.
Angie threw back the covers and jumped up, the words her parents had exchanged just moments ago playing clearly in her head.
"Because Master Kyle and them will kill Angie as soon as she gives birth. The late Edward was a soft-hearted and venomous person, but Master Kyle may be different."
"I think so too. Lord Kyle is much scarier and colder than Edward. His love for Angie may be sincere, but when it comes to children... I think he’d be principled."
Angie was holding onto the blanket so tightly that her fingernails almost fell off. Her heart was pounding like crazy. Before she knew it, her hands had left the blanket and were hugging her stomach.
You're going to kill the baby right after it's born? Does that mean you're going to cause a miscarriage or kill the baby right after it's born? Why? Because it's going to interfere with your marriage with Leticia? So...?
Ritual and doctrine, she couldn't understand what her mother's last words meant. Angie buried her face in her hands. A fear she had never felt before burrowed deep into her bones.
Mom, Dad. What should I do...?
Fortunately, her parents were completely on her side. The sincerity of the two of them, who wanted to protect and defend her no matter what, was clearly visible. After all, where in the world would there be a parent who is not on the absolute side of their child? Any normal person would be like that.
But the Master was not like that. Even if it was an illegitimate child, he would kill his own child. It was a story more terrifying and horrible than the words Martin Silva had claimed in his dreams, or the secrets of the island that Michael had told him in the morning.
Wouldn't they rather have an abortion without having to give birth at all? That would be much cleaner and less cumbersome.
Angie got out of bed and changed into the clothes her mother had left behind. She couldn't just sit there and do nothing. She didn't want to cry. Her escape would be discovered by noon at the latest. Maybe they already knew and were searching. Jerome or someone else could come looking for her at any moment.
What should I do? If I'm really pregnant, I should hide it and proceed with the rest as originally planned...
Angie tried to come to her senses and gather her thoughts. Her hands unconsciously wrapped around her stomach. But even though she was afraid, she couldn't help but feel foolish. She couldn't give up a single ray of hope.
Maybe her parents were wrong. The young master had definitely been scared and out of his mind the past few days. But she couldn't forget the affection he had shown her before, the warmest and most affectionate Kai to her.
She knew marriage was inevitable. He had said it countless times. She still had no intention of living in the shadows as his mistress.
But shouldn't they talk about their true feelings one more time? About the baby in her stomach. And about how he had repeatedly said he would explain everything when he arrived in the capital. She didn't know why her parents thought he would get rid of the baby, but she wanted to believe him one more time.
At least his affection was certain. There was no doubt that he loved her.
Laura Ridsdel got out of the carriage that had arrived through the pouring rain, and a moment later sat down opposite Mrs. Dunst and told her the whole story, leaving out the part about Angie's pregnancy.
Louis Dunst listened intently to the story the other person had told her, but she was very cautious. When Laura tried to persuade her more, the middle-aged woman finally gave up and took out a bottle of medicine from the storage room. Her eyes were still filled with agony.
“I guess there’s no choice. I think it would be best to completely cut off ties between Angie and the master.”
“Thank you for your understanding, ma’am.”
“But you’re willing to take the risk of side effects... Are you really okay with that?”
“If she's happier starting over as a new person, I think it’s much better than being unhappy in reality. We’ll protect and guard Angie, so there won’t be any problems anymore.”
“I understand. If you have made that strong a decision...”
“Yes. Angie is like our own daughter.”
As Laura carefully placed the bottle in her bosom and was about to get up, Mrs. Dunst lowered her voice and asked tentatively.
“Does Angie show any other physical symptoms besides the emotional distress she is experiencing?”
Laura's heart sank. Her shaking eyes revealed a trembling that she could not hide.
“No. Why is that...”
“If she's not feeling well, I’d like to give her some other medicine that could be a nutritional supplement.”
“Oh, she felt a little weak, so I stopped by the village pharmacy before coming here to get some medicine for her aches and pains. Oh, by the way, speaking of which, this medicine... is it okay to take it with something else?”
“If it’s because of the pain medication, it doesn’t matter. It will work separately.”
“Then I feel relieved.”
Laura bowed her head several times to express her gratitude before leaving the room. Only then did her green eyes, which had finally found relief, and her blonde hair, neatly tied up into a single ponytail, resemble Angie's appearance at first glance.
Well, that's natural. The helper and the remedy child, who play the role of parents, are primarily connected based on their similarities in appearance.
As soon as Louis Dunst saw Laura's back through the window, she pulled the rope. Yasmine, the chambermaid who had been waiting, came in.
Mom... Where are you? And Dad?
The middle of the living room was tidy as if the work was over. The couple was nowhere to be found. At that moment, a murmur of voices could be heard from the pantry. Angie had just reached the pantry. Her mother's agitated voice was leaking out through the slightly open door.
“I’m sure she’s pregnant. I checked her pulse and it’s positive. But we have to keep it a secret. If they find out... Mrs. Dunst will try to take Angie away, and Angie could be in danger. Mrs. Dunst thinks we’re ignorant of the secrets of the doctrine, but the truth is...”
Doctrine? Secret? Mother's words were mumbled and cut off at the end. Father Patrick's words were also low-pitched and hard to hear.
“Then is that really the only way?”
“Yes. I can’t help it for Angie. It’s the only way for our daughter to live happily and worry-free like she has always done.”
Because of the sound of the rain, even her mother's words were now heard as a hum. When Angie tiptoed a few steps closer, her father Patrick let out a deep sigh.
“I understand. But we must keep the fact of the pregnancy a secret from anyone. If by any chance the existence of the child is known... it’s terrifying to even imagine. Master Kyle and they will kill Angie as soon as she gives birth. The late Edward was a soft-hearted and ruthless man, but Master Kyle may be different.”
“I think so too. Master Kyle is a much more fearsome and cold-hearted person than Edward. His affection for Angie may be genuine, but when it comes to children... I think he would do it by principle. I don’t know why he would do it, but he said that the horrific act was an absolute doctrine procedure for the ritual.”
Angie sank to the ground without a sound. Her legs gave out, and she couldn't stand any longer. Thunder roared and thumped in her ears. Her heart pounded like crazy.
Laura said something more, but it was hard to hear because of the thunder. Angie managed to get up and lean against the wall. The couple talked for a while longer. Then there was a rustling sound as if Laura had hurriedly gotten up from her seat.
“I should go get some medicine while I’m at it. They say a real storm is coming in this afternoon. I’ll go and be back right now.”
“The road is slippery and dangerous. Come with me...”
“Don’t worry, I’ll borrow Mr. Olson’s carriage and go without taking the shortcut over the cliff. I can’t leave Angie alone, so you stay at home. And if by any chance Jerome or anyone comes to the Duke’s mansion to find Angie... Just tell them we’re all going to the capital. I think it’ll be safer that way.”
“Yes, I understand.”
Angie quickly turned around after hearing that. She went back to her room, lay down on her bed, and covered herself with the blanket over her head when she heard footsteps. The door opened and she felt Laura’s presence. Angie pretended to be deeply asleep, and she deliberately took deep breaths and exhaled repeatedly.
“Angie... Poor thing. No matter what happens, we’ll protect you. Dad and I will protect you, so just wait a little longer. Our daughter.”
Mother clicked her tongue, whispered sadly, and left the room again. Before long, the sound of a carriage wheel could be heard faintly outside. It seemed that she had gone to the lower village to get the painkiller she mentioned earlier.
Angie threw back the covers and jumped up, the words her parents had exchanged just moments ago playing clearly in her head.
"Because Master Kyle and them will kill Angie as soon as she gives birth. The late Edward was a soft-hearted and venomous person, but Master Kyle may be different."
"I think so too. Lord Kyle is much scarier and colder than Edward. His love for Angie may be sincere, but when it comes to children... I think he’d be principled."
Angie was holding onto the blanket so tightly that her fingernails almost fell off. Her heart was pounding like crazy. Before she knew it, her hands had left the blanket and were hugging her stomach.
You're going to kill the baby right after it's born? Does that mean you're going to cause a miscarriage or kill the baby right after it's born? Why? Because it's going to interfere with your marriage with Leticia? So...?
Ritual and doctrine, she couldn't understand what her mother's last words meant. Angie buried her face in her hands. A fear she had never felt before burrowed deep into her bones.
Mom, Dad. What should I do...?
Fortunately, her parents were completely on her side. The sincerity of the two of them, who wanted to protect and defend her no matter what, was clearly visible. After all, where in the world would there be a parent who is not on the absolute side of their child? Any normal person would be like that.
But the Master was not like that. Even if it was an illegitimate child, he would kill his own child. It was a story more terrifying and horrible than the words Martin Silva had claimed in his dreams, or the secrets of the island that Michael had told him in the morning.
Wouldn't they rather have an abortion without having to give birth at all? That would be much cleaner and less cumbersome.
Angie got out of bed and changed into the clothes her mother had left behind. She couldn't just sit there and do nothing. She didn't want to cry. Her escape would be discovered by noon at the latest. Maybe they already knew and were searching. Jerome or someone else could come looking for her at any moment.
What should I do? If I'm really pregnant, I should hide it and proceed with the rest as originally planned...
Angie tried to come to her senses and gather her thoughts. Her hands unconsciously wrapped around her stomach. But even though she was afraid, she couldn't help but feel foolish. She couldn't give up a single ray of hope.
Maybe her parents were wrong. The young master had definitely been scared and out of his mind the past few days. But she couldn't forget the affection he had shown her before, the warmest and most affectionate Kai to her.
She knew marriage was inevitable. He had said it countless times. She still had no intention of living in the shadows as his mistress.
But shouldn't they talk about their true feelings one more time? About the baby in her stomach. And about how he had repeatedly said he would explain everything when he arrived in the capital. She didn't know why her parents thought he would get rid of the baby, but she wanted to believe him one more time.
At least his affection was certain. There was no doubt that he loved her.
***
Laura Ridsdel got out of the carriage that had arrived through the pouring rain, and a moment later sat down opposite Mrs. Dunst and told her the whole story, leaving out the part about Angie's pregnancy.
Louis Dunst listened intently to the story the other person had told her, but she was very cautious. When Laura tried to persuade her more, the middle-aged woman finally gave up and took out a bottle of medicine from the storage room. Her eyes were still filled with agony.
“I guess there’s no choice. I think it would be best to completely cut off ties between Angie and the master.”
“Thank you for your understanding, ma’am.”
“But you’re willing to take the risk of side effects... Are you really okay with that?”
“If she's happier starting over as a new person, I think it’s much better than being unhappy in reality. We’ll protect and guard Angie, so there won’t be any problems anymore.”
“I understand. If you have made that strong a decision...”
“Yes. Angie is like our own daughter.”
As Laura carefully placed the bottle in her bosom and was about to get up, Mrs. Dunst lowered her voice and asked tentatively.
“Does Angie show any other physical symptoms besides the emotional distress she is experiencing?”
Laura's heart sank. Her shaking eyes revealed a trembling that she could not hide.
“No. Why is that...”
“If she's not feeling well, I’d like to give her some other medicine that could be a nutritional supplement.”
“Oh, she felt a little weak, so I stopped by the village pharmacy before coming here to get some medicine for her aches and pains. Oh, by the way, speaking of which, this medicine... is it okay to take it with something else?”
“If it’s because of the pain medication, it doesn’t matter. It will work separately.”
“Then I feel relieved.”
Laura bowed her head several times to express her gratitude before leaving the room. Only then did her green eyes, which had finally found relief, and her blonde hair, neatly tied up into a single ponytail, resemble Angie's appearance at first glance.
Well, that's natural. The helper and the remedy child, who play the role of parents, are primarily connected based on their similarities in appearance.
As soon as Louis Dunst saw Laura's back through the window, she pulled the rope. Yasmine, the chambermaid who had been waiting, came in.
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