Duke Lilia smiled at the news that I was pregnant and left for the Duchy of Verma. He requested that the progress be reported in a letter. Pervin also called a doctor without delay, in the name of confirming my pregnancy. Dr. Vandsh Doppari, the elderly doctor who examined me the other day when I woke up. He was quite trusted by the Duke of Carlisle, as he had prescribed a medicine to the previous Duchess, who had suffered from infertility for several years, and had made a great contribution to seeing the light of day in the world. He even called in the family’s doctor, and rumors were already going around in social circles. There are rumors that the Duchess of Carlisle is several months pregnant, that the two of you actually have good chemistry, that you two were so hot at night, etc. For me and Pervin, it wasn’t such a bad rumor. However, the problem was that this rumor spread to Carlisle’s retainers.
* * *
When I heard that I was going to see a doctor, the elders of the Carlisle family came to the mansion all at once. The employees, including Mrs. Tilly, Marianne, and Alfred, were already in a festive mood as they saw me not doing anything as time passed. Moreover, seeing the bearded elders of the Carlisle family excitedly gathered in the drawing room as if they were receiving gifts made me feel even more disturbed.
‘I may not be pregnant, but what if I’m already so happy?’
At that moment, I felt something wet on my skin. I quickly ran to the bathroom without telling anyone.
* * *
Pervin also returned home early from the imperial palace today and came to the mansion. I greeted him urgently, before anyone else. With so many people coming and going through the mansion, the only place for us to be was a shabby warehouse near the entrance.
“Pervin, come here for a moment.”
Without knowing what was going on, Pervin was led by my hand and headed to the warehouse. As I closed the warehouse door, Pervin pressed himself against me in the cramped space. He tilted his face slightly and brushed his dazzling white blond hair. The look in his eyes as he looked down at me while slightly lifting his chin was more mysterious than ever.
“You welcome me like this, should I do something in return? A hug? Or a passionate kiss?”
“Don’t play around.”
I was embarrassed and whispered to Pervin.
“How did this all happen, you? Why did all the elderly people come to my house when I was just getting a check-up?”
Pervin answered calmly.
“It’s all for you. The more people see the evidence, the more they will believe it.”
“But I’m not really pregnant, the doctor would definitely know that…”
“Don’t worry too much. Mrs. Tilly said you were definitely pregnant.”
When he looked at me like I had no idea what he was talking about, I looked around, lifted his toes, and whispered.
“I’m talking about moonwalking. A little while ago.”
Pervin blinked at my cautious voice. Then he looked over my entire body and looked at my flushed face. He slowly opened his mouth.
“Moon visit?”
The thought that he was looking at me with an incomprehensible expression made me wonder if he didn’t know what to do. Of course, that wouldn’t happen, but I clearly conveyed my physical condition to him.
“That thing that happens once a month. This is proof that the child did not enter.”
“I know what ‘moon visit’ is, Irwen.”
The tone that was friendly when he was led here by my hand has now turned sad. Why do those eyes looking at me look so pitiful? The strength in his arms that hugged me became stronger. It was as if I could feel a sadness that could not be seen with my eyes.
“You even gave him a name, and I hugged you several times even in my dreams, and even fought with those children to get your affection. You mean this was all an illusion?”
“You had a dream?”
“I fought so fiercely with the kids to get the seat next to you, and I’ve never had such a tough battle in my life.”
From what he said, it seemed like he was having a fetal dream, so I felt embarrassed for some reason. However, I didn’t have time to feel embarrassed, so I hurried to speak.
“Anyway, if Dr. Moppari only finds out that I’m running around, it means that the elders came here in vain. Then, I would have deceived them by failing to tell them in advance that I was going to run away. How on earth should I fix this?”
“First of all, I’m the only one who knows that you run amok. And Mr. Dumpari doesn’t have the ability to tell what you’re doing. His reputation was only overhyped because he accidentally got his mother pregnant. And, he said, the way to determine pregnancy is to drip parrot blood onto his wrist. Does that make sense?”
“I’ve never heard of that method. Aren’t you disparaging the family doctor too much? You are not an expert in medicine…”
“Irwen, listen to me.”
Pervin began to explain calmly.
“Of course, it’s true that our family respects him. Because I was born at the time he was treating his mother, and I was born healthy. But I personally don’t trust his medical skills.”
“Why?”
“Before my mother became pregnant, he was considered a poor doctor. Of course, as long as he succeeded in safely giving birth to the Duke of Carlisle’s heir, he was definitely a household name. But now, twenty years later, he is just an ordinary doctor who treats simple things. And he has a fierce sense of challenge, believing that sometimes he is so unique that he believes in strange treatment methods. But don’t worry, the elders trust Mr. Dumpari like they worship him.”
Pervin assured me as if to reassure me.
“Obviously, that doctor is not skilled, so he won’t be able to figure out that you’re running away. I promise. He will just diagnose you as not pregnant.”
I decided to believe Pervin. Because he was the only person I could trust here. At least he won’t let me be embarrassed here.
“But it’s true that it’s disappointing.”
Pervin squeezed my hand and focused his gaze on my stomach.
“I was ready to love as best as I could…”
He seemed to be struggling to swallow his regret under his kind gaze. And, in fact, it was the same for me who pretended to be resolute… It would be a lie if I said I never imagined having a child of our own.
* * *
When I went to the living room, Pervin was tidying up the surroundings. As I entered, the doctor who had been talking with Pervin took off his hat and bowed to me. Mr. Paris, who was short and small, had wrinkles on his face like tree rings and his hair was white. The only thing that shined in his aging body were his intelligent-looking eyes. He couldn’t hide his trembling emotions and lowered his head towards me.
“Ma’am, it’s been a while since I’ve seen you. It’s definitely Doppari.”
…Must be a quack? It sounds like that. I wondered if medicine really followed its name. I responded to the greeting, trying hard to suppress a smile.
“I owed you a lot last time. Thanks to you, my body was able to recover quickly.”
I kindly gave him the back of my hand. His hand trembled as if he was honored to lightly kiss the back of my hand.
“My goodness, such a beautiful and noble person finally has a successor. I am proud to say that this is the second most thrilling event in my career as a doctor.”
But why are you shaking your hands like this? Doesn’t that person need to see a doctor more than I do right now? The elders of the Carlyle family all looked at me and showed respect. I had seen them at the sponsorship last time, so they felt familiar. None of them had even touched alcohol, but their faces were filled with excitement as if they had just had a drink.
“Finally, something is making progress. Congratulations, ma’am.”
“As expected, it was effective to receive good luck even if it meant spending money.”
“Hey, Bocelli. It seems that as much as you care about your successor, you are getting some results. I hope we can see our successor before we die!”
Why are these people so excited? For some reason, my face seems to be turning red.
“Don’t be so excited, you excited old man. You have to die to see your child come into the world. You can’t die of excitement right here.”
“Now. Doctor Dompari, please do a quick examination.”
Pervin calmly called Dr. Dompari and had him examine me. Miss Paris gave me a drop of her prepared parrot blood. The Carlisle elders seemed familiar with his behavior.
“I remember confirming the previous duchess’ pregnancy in that way.”
“It may seem strange, but it is a very accurate method. I’ve never been wrong before.”
“If you drop a drop of that blood on your wrist and it forms, you are pregnant. If a trickle flows down, you are not pregnant.”
“Mr. Dompari, so, what will be the result?”
I stretched out my arms straight, looking at everyone. Please get away, get away… If this was missing, I could be diagnosed as not pregnant without having to know that I was pregnant. However, this blood was solid as if it were some kind of jelly. 1 second, 2 seconds, 3 seconds… Doctor Doppari looked at everyone with trembling eyelids due to presbyopia and declared.
“You’re pregnant.”
At that moment, when even the elderly people’s eyes widened, an ear-popping roar rang out.
“Pregnancy! She is pregnant, finally!”
Nonsense! When I looked around in shock and surprise, I saw that the Carlisle retainers were not making a fuss among themselves.
“I am sorry for putting pressure on the Duchess. You wanted to make our old people’s hearts flutter by rewarding us with such wonderful results!”
“He is the child of Verma’s beauty and Theresia’s handsome man. How outstanding is his beauty? Maybe I should get special glasses so I don’t get blinded by her beauty?”
“For some reason, I’ve been having a good dream lately, so I guess I did it to bring good news.”
Pervin let out a profound sigh and wrapped his arms around my shoulders. I felt an embarrassing tremor in his arms holding me. Don’t be embarrassed either.
It was so cold that I could barely close my mouth. No, how can I be sure of my pregnancy just by relying on this ridiculous test method? At that time when everyone was filled with joy. Around the time I was alone and filled with astonishment. Only then did the blood that had accumulated on my wrist flow out again. As three streams of blood flowed down my white wrist, I sighed in relief. Pervin, who was next to me, also had his wavering eyes peacefully return to his calm face. However, the elders around him said the test was wrong and told him to try again. Teacher Doppari said this couldn’t be happening and conducted the test again. However, even after repeating it two, three, and ten times, the blood did not form and continued to flow. The atmosphere suddenly froze, as if it had been a crucible of joy. Teacher Dompari looked at me as if he was embarrassed.
“What should I do about this…?”
Now everyone is watching me. The elders of the Carlisle family were also expecting a pregnancy, but their faces darkened with even more disappointment. Mrs. Tilly, who was waiting next to her, dropped to her knees in disbelief.
“No, that can’t be possible. I didn’t say anything because I thought it was unfair, but I have to say it. Not long ago, in a dream, I held two baby lions.”
Pervin opened his mouth as if trying to stop the very excited Madame Tilly.
“Okay, Mrs. Tilly. We know what you mean…”
“They were definitely white and cute baby lions. He even told me to see you soon! You probably haven’t forgotten, that I dreamed your master’s prenatal dream instead of your late ancestor’s wife. “This is definitely pregnancy.”
Mrs. Tilly turned her anger on Mr. Moffari.
“Doctor Dompari, are you sure you made a misdiagnosis? Honestly, the way they drip blood on their wrists is so old-fashioned that I can’t believe it.”
“So you’re saying I’m an old-fashioned doctor and you can’t trust me, Mrs. Tilly?”
“Yes, sir.”
Mrs. Tilly spoke as she looked at Pervin and me.
“I wish the prenatal dream I had was ten times more accurate.”
“Ha, why are you having a fetal dream that even you didn’t have, Mrs. Tilly?”
“Sir, I am the person who dreamed the previous duchess’s pregnancy dream. At that time, wolf cubs jumped into the ma’am, but this time, it was very vivid to see cute baby lions jumping into the ma’am.”
Next to me, I saw Pervin making an embarrassed expression. Mrs. Tilly continued her words undeterred.
“Originally, it was said that prenatal dreams were something someone else could dream for you.”
—————————————————————
Translator Note:
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