Chapter Five
_ The Good News
* * *
When I heard about Ian, fear took hold of my heart. What is happening to my child? I could barely climb the stairs; some of the maids even helped me..
I finally reached my room, which felt very, very far away.
Ian was crying intensely and had been placed on my bed. I had never seen him cry like this. I looked at Rose with concern, and my voice barely came out:
"What is happening to my child?!"
My voice was trembling severely; I could barely gather my words. The doctor looked at me and spoke calmly..
"Come closer, my Lady..."
"..."
I approached with faltering steps, and when I looked at my child, whose face was red and tears were glistening in his eyes, my lips trembled and tears were on the verge of falling, barely holding myself together..
"Rest assured, my Lady, it is a normal situation for any infant; indigestion occurs in newborns."
"How does that happen? I am breastfeeding him normally.."
The doctor paused for a moment and said:
"My Lady, you must also take care of your diet and your physical and mental health. Try to reduce tension and anxiety, because that affects the Lady and the young Duke."
I felt a stab in my heart. Is this because of me?! Why is my child always hurt because of me..
"Can you examine him again?!"
* * * The doctor examined Ian several times then stepped back. Elite was so deeply worried that she could not even carry Ian, afraid she might hurt him, but Rose carried the intensely crying Ian and placed him in the lap of his mother, who stood fearfully at the end of the bed..
Elite hesitated several times as if she were carrying her child for the first time, but Rose said with a kind smile:
"Children get sick sometimes, it's fine.. it's not your fault."
Elite carried her child carefully and hugged him. The child, feeling his mother and her scent, calmed his crying until it disappeared. The doctor looked at the Duchess and Rose, then Rose signaled for him to leave, because Elite was almost absent-minded..
The doctor placed the prescription and signaled to Rose, saying in a whisper:
"One drop a day, before sleep."
Rose nodded her head in understanding, and the doctor disappeared quickly..
She was carrying her child, patting his head and stroking his cheeks. Ian, who began to relax in his mother's warmth, finally fell asleep..
Elite looked at Rose with a look that meant "What now?"
Rose, who felt as if she were teaching her young daughter, approached Elite and said in a whisper:
"We must put him to sleep now. He is tired from crying, but after two hours at most, we must wake him to feed him."
Elite was an obedient student and was firm in implementing everything..
Little Ian was placed in his private bed. Elite looked at her child, printed a gentle kiss on his head, and sat on her knees in front of her child's bed..
"My Lady, you must rest. Did you not hear what the doctor said?"
Elite nodded yes and looked at her child several times, then moved toward the balcony and said in a broken voice:
"Why is my child hurt because of me?! Why?!"
Rose approached her, and before she could speak, she saw tears flowing from Elite's eyes. Rose's heart swelled with sadness, then she patted Elite's shoulder and said gently:
"It is not the Lady's fault. Children get sick often. Moreover, the young Duke is very sensitive to his mother. He felt relieved because my Lady is near him. Do you want your child to be sad, my Lady?"
"..."
Elite looked at Rose and shook her head in denial, so Rose smiled and said gently:
"All my Lady has to do is take care of herself and not worry too much, and to look after her food and health... He will be fine."
Elite, feeling warmth from Rose's words, hugged Rose like a little child. Rose was shocked but patted Elite's head and back gently. After Elite calmed down, Rose pulled away and said gently:
"Why don't we wash the Lady's stained face? She has an important appointment today."
Elite remembered:
"Lewis and Aldora .."
Elite entered the bathroom quickly to wash her face, and after washing her face several times, she repeated within herself:
"Things will go well. I will create Ian's happiness and fulfill his wishes. Do not falter, Elite; your child needs you, and so does your family."
She took a deep breath, and when she came out, Rose was waiting for her at the dressing mirror.
"Why don't we re-decorate the Lady?"
Elite smiled and sat down for Rose to begin her work with mastery and speed, adjusting her makeup and disheveled hair..
"My Lady, ummm ..."
Elite looked at Rose in the mirror with impatience:
"Speak."
"Count Bryant and Miss Stanley are requesting to meet you."
"My brother and Aldora?"
"Yes, they have been waiting at the room door for about an hour..."
Elite stood up in shock and said sternly:
"Why did you not tell me?!"
Rose was worried that the Lady might be annoyed that they allowed them to enter this far or something of the sort. Rose hesitated:
"They entered because they were worried about the young Duke."
"Bring them in immediately."
Rose nodded quickly and moved to the door. Everyone was ignorant of the nature of the relationship between the siblings who only communicated now. As for the previous Duke, everyone knew that the Duchess, despite her compliance with his orders, hated and feared him, and many of them were happy at his expulsion and humiliation in that manner...
* * *
Lewis was embarrassed by involving the girl in this matter. He knew he was somewhat reckless, but he had never implicated anyone with him..
'I don't know the extent to which Elite has changed, but I don't know, perhaps she will be annoyed by the crossing of boundaries, from me or from the Miss... '
He looked at Aldora, who was leaning against the wall opposite the door. The behavior might seem un-noble, but she did not wish to pretend, and Lewis was relieved by this. When Aldora raised her gaze to Lewis, he turned his head; he felt his ears burning. it was embarrassing when you are caught eavesdropping on others..
As for Aldora, who was thinking anxiously, she believed that the harm of a dear person is a sad thing, and surely if the young Duke was harmed, the Duchess would be hurt. She was thinking with great sadness, forgetting her mistake in crossing boundaries..
She felt a prickle and raised her head to find the Count looking at her. She felt embarrassed, especially when he turned his face away..
She realized that she was acting in a somewhat chaotic manner, so she straightened her posture. Before she could open her mouth, the doctor came out of the room, who was shocked to see the Count and a young lady with him. He hesitated a little, but Lewis was faster:
"How is Ian?!"
"The young Duke is fine. These are things that usually happen with newborns. I have prescribed a medicine and things will be fine... I take my leave."
The doctor felt anxious and nervous from Lewis's personality, which was similar to his sister's. After he spoke, he bowed and left in a hurry... Lewis and Aldora sighed with relief...
When the doctor disappeared completely, Lewis looked at the knights and said:
"I want a meeting with my younger sister."
The matter was stern, but the words spoken about the Duchess were informal. No one knew the extent of the closeness between the siblings, so they decided not to interfere. The knight knocked on the door; Rose answered him and he informed her of the presence of the Count and Miss Aldora. After only a few minutes, Elite came out in a hurry and received them warmly, guiding them to sit at the table on the balcony and ordering the servants to prepare tea and refreshments..
Lewis was looking at the room, which he had entered once at the Duke's funeral without his sister's knowledge, but it was very different; the room had become beautiful and bright. A white room engraved with gold, and even the golden chandelier had been changed to a white crystal chandelier, and the gaudy curtains had become bright and beautiful in color. The bed had changed, the furniture had changed, not only the bedroom but the entire palace. It had become more and more like Elite, his little sister; Elite's touches were very clear...
'It seems my sister wanted to erase any trace of the previous Duke. He was a tyrant who deserved to die. If I had known, I would have gone with the Paladin when I was requested and witnessed his death with my own eyes, to quench my thirst for revenge... '
"Leewiis .."
Lewis looked at his sister who was calling him. Elite smiled and said cheerfully:
"Do you like my taste?!"
"Ah?"
Lewis understood the matter and said:
"My sister's taste is beautiful. I felt warmth.... Ummm before we sit, can I greet our Ian?"
Elite felt happy at her brother's warm and sincere words for her child and pointed him to the place of the bed very near her own. Lewis smiled at his sister's intense affection for her child, then moved..
Elite looked at Aldora, who stood quietly further away, and said gently:
"Miss Stanley, do you want to see my child?!"
"Yes, ah... I mean it would be a great honor."
Elite laughed and said with pride and cheer:
"No one has identified my child except the heads of the subordinate families in the Temple. It will be an honor for you to meet the young Duke."
Elite's words contained pride and affection. Aldora smiled and nodded yes, and they moved toward Ian, whom Lewis had preceded...
Lewis was looking at Ian, and upon focusing on the child's face, Lewis's face paled. He looked at his sister who had approached with Aldora, and when his sister came near, he whispered with concern:
"He resembles the Duke."
"I know, but his eyes resemble mine... When he opens them, you will see that. My child is the kindest child in the world. Despite the Duke's vileness, he was a handsome man even before he passed away."
Elite smiled brightly, making Lewis unable to open his mouth. Aldora spoke gently as if possessed by the sleeping child Ian:
"My Lady, I think the young Duke will become even more handsome, for his mother is a very beautiful woman."
Elite laughed and looked at Lewis then at Aldora and said cheerfully:
"My child is the most wonderful..... We must leave the little angel to sleep; he has tired himself a lot."
Lewis and Aldora supported that, and they all moved to the balcony...
* * *
In a dark place, or rather in a cave reached by no sunlight, a soldier covered his face completely and most of his body. He wiped the blood from his deep wound in his left arm, using clean rags to stop the bleeding. A handkerchief fell from between his clothes. He wiped his blood-stained hand and took the handkerchief carefully. He smiled cheerfully at the handkerchief embroidered with a small golden flower with a black stem and leaves, beside it his name in a thread mixed of black and gold. A handkerchief embroidered with effort; despite the weakness of the embroidery, it was considered elegant...
He returned the handkerchief between his clothes with a feeling of relaxation, then looked at the soldiers with him and said deeply and confidently:
"Victory will become our ally this time ..."
It was not an encouragement, but an assertion. The besieged soldiers in the cave ignited at his deep voice and strong tone...
* * *
In the atmosphere where silence prevailed, Elite looked at the two people before her with a gentle smile. She was thinking of a way to break the silence but failed, then she remembered:
"Miss Stanley, have you made your debut yet or not?!"
Aldora hesitated and looked at Elite with embarrassment:
"I have not debuted yet. My brother says there is still time for the debut."
"The Baron truly thinks of his sister, but have you thought when you will debut?"
Aldora nodded yes and said:
"I have thought of the end-of-year festival; it will be suitable since I will turn twenty at the beginning of winter."
"Truly beautiful. And are you thinking of having a birthday party?!"
"In fact, no... I don't have friends."
Aldora was about to die of embarrassment from Elite's many and strange questions.
"And am I not the Miss's friend?"
Aldora stammered and looked at Elite and said:
"But Your Highness ..."
"Do not feel embarrassed, it's fine ..."
"But Elite, haven't you turned twenty several months ago... you didn't hold any celebration?"
"..."
"..."
Elite felt embarrassed by her brother's question, but Lewis smiled gently at his interruption of them, then said cheerfully:
"My sister wants to become the Miss's friend regardless of anything else."
Aldora felt shocked and looked at the embarrassed Elite and said:
"My brother, I mean, are you not Miss Stanley at my age? I would be happy with her friendship, and also I hope she becomes my brother's wife, but I do not want to force her."
Aldora's face ignited with embarrassment more and more, and she no longer knew what she should say. She looked at Elite and Lewis and lowered her head, saying in an embarrassed voice:
"I also hope to become the Duchess's friend, but... the matter is embarrassing."
"..."
"..."
"The subject of marriage needs time for thought, excuse me."
Aldora was almost about to cry from embarrassment, but Lewis was looking at her gently and said:
"It is an important decision; take your time, Miss Stanley."
Elite looked at her brother and Aldora and smiled happily, then said:
"Miss Stanley, then do not worry, all the time will be yours. By the way, since you agree for us to become friends... why don't we step away from formalities? You can call me Elite."
Aldora was shocked and looked at Elite, saying joyfully:
"The Duchess is very kind. I will be happy if the Duchess calls me by my first name, Aldora ..."
"Good! Aldora, I agree. And we can leave formalities aside. You can come here at any time; it's fine to come daily. It would be better because your brother exhausts me with work."
"But my brother says that you are the one who makes him work a lot."
Elite laughed and said with pride:
"It is for the benefit of the people of the Duchy, so he should not grumble.."
Lewis looked at the two girls and felt that he had become like a wall. He stood quietly and looked at the two girls talking with each other in harmony and smiled gently:
'This is the meaning of having a friend your age.'
He moved quietly, and when the chair made a sound... he gritted his teeth, and before he could move another step..
"Where are you going?!"
Lewis was embarrassed because his position was very silly, then he looked at his sister and said:
"I will wander the palace a little while you two finish your conversation."
Elite nodded yes, and then Lewis left...
* * * When Lewis left, Elite resumed the conversation with Aldora, and she truly felt very comfortable with her and had a good feeling...
After they talked a lot until evening approached, Aldora left despite Elite's desire for her to stay longer. She saw her off until her carriage arrived...
When she returned to her room, she found Ian had started to wake up; in any case, she was thinking of waking him..
When he saw his mother, he made sweet sounds. Elite felt warmth in her heart. Elite carried her little one and began feeding him while stroking his silver hair..
"Ian my little one, even if you become like your father, it doesn't matter... my child is wonderful and will become honest, just, and strong, and will be a loyal lover. I will not allow anyone to pollute you; I will take care of you intensely..."
She kissed her little one's head and finished feeding him. She looked at the clock and found that dinner time was approaching.
"Has Lewis left? I don't think so. He told me he would wander a bit around."
Elite rang the bell, and Rose entered with two maids.
"Rose, take care of Ian. Tia, ask if the Count is still in the palace, and if you find him, tell him that I am waiting for him at the dinner table. Laura, prepare my bath."
The maids bowed and started their work. Tia, the maid with short golden hair and blue eyes, went out panting to look for the Count..
And Laura, the maid with brown hair braided in a bun and dark green eyes, prepared the bath...
Rose approached Elite and completed before taking Ian with a wink:
"Is there any good news?!"
Elite laughed and said:
"You are truly curious. Not yet... but I feel the arrival of the good news."
Rose and Elite laughed cheerfully.
"My Lady, the bath is ready."
Elite gave Ian to Rose and entered the bathroom alone because she does not like anyone to help her in bathing...
* * *
...... To be continued ......
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The same username
@sara_luffy11