The bustling corridor fell silent. Women dressed in various colors craned their necks and peered into the reception room.
Karan had asked for volunteers to assist with the engagement ceremony, and surprisingly, there were quite a few applicants.
When reviewing the documents, she wondered if all these people would actually show up. But at first glance, it seemed they had all arrived.
‘Our Miss won’t be disappointed’.
Regina thought with peace of mind.
“Are you the ones who volunteered to help with Miss and His Highness Karan’s engagement preparations? She’d like to meet each of you individually. First, Young Lady Fiona, please come in.”
Fiona, dressed in green, nodded toward Regina.
Regina briefly reviewed the document about Fiona and then escorted her inside.
“Hello, Miss Elise. I’m Fiona Scott.”
“Welcome, Miss Scott. Don’t feel pressured. I’ll ask you a few questions and then send you on your way.”
Elise proceeded with the prepared questions. Why did she volunteer? What was most important about the Tetris engagement ceremony? What was she good at?
These were basic questions, but hidden among them were traps that could reveal clues about her relationship with Bennett.
“Okay, we’re done. I’ll contact you tomorrow afternoon, Miss Scott.”
“Already?”
The other person stood up, seemingly disappointed, while rambling on about something Elise couldn’t quite catch.
‘Wow, look at our Miss’ rhetoric. She really grills and boils it.’
Regina admired Elise’s eloquence and then proceeded to call the next applicant, and the one after that.
“Are you tired?”
Half a day had passed. Elise was feeling weary, and Regina, who had to offer drinks to the new applicants every time they arrived, was also feeling drained.
“How many more to go?”
“Just one more.”
“Is that one by any chance…?”
“Yes, exactly. It’s Melanie Odilon. The one who’s previously engaged to His Highness Karan.”
Seeing Melanie’s name on the list surprised Elise.
Karan had supposedly sorted out the engagement discussions, but something didn’t quite add up.
“Ask her to come in.”
Elise tried to put on a cheerful expression as she welcomed Melanie.
She really intended to do so.
“I’m pregnant. It is His Highness Karan’s child. Elise, I won’t tell you not to get engaged to His Highness. Instead, I’ll have to enter the royal family even if it means becoming a concubine.”
It had been a smooth day, a rare occurrence. Elise had just started her duties in Tetris.
But then this shocking revelation came out of nowhere. It hit her harder than an unexpected accident. Elise was too stunned to speak for a while.
Instead, she stared at Melanie, wide-eyed.
While Elise hadn’t entirely believed Karan’s promise not to take concubines during the marriage contract negotiations, she never imagined she’d encounter the institution of concubinage like this.
“Please sit.”
Elise, who let out a deep sigh from within, gestured for Melanie to take a seat.
“Did I hear correctly? You are pregnant with His Highness Karan’s child?”
What was she supposed to do now?
Seeing Melanie, who didn’t come because of Karan, it seemed their conversation wasn’t going smoothly.
“Then, please sit. It’s not good for a pregnant woman to keep standing.”
Although I’ve never experienced having a child, I had studied pregnancy and childbirth while dreaming of having two kids with Chase.
Judging by her belly, it seemed to be early in the pregnancy. A very delicate time.
Melanie narrowed her eyes and glared at Elise as she took her seat.
“Oh, Miss, should I bring some te-te-tea?”
Regina stammered, trying to ask. Elise glanced at Melanie.
“I don’t feel like eating anything. And I have morning sickness.”
Regina hesitated, swaying slightly. If she hadn’t been sitting down, Elise wouldn’t have been able to stand straight either.
“Regina, go outside and guard the door.”
Regina reluctantly shuffled away from the room.
“I’ll call you comfortable. After all, we have the same husband.”
Elise reached for a teacup, startled.
Remember your manners, Elise.
With great effort, Elise lifted the teacup. The tea trembled in the cup. Her face reflected in the tea was pale.
“Elise, I’ll help with the engagement preparations. If you want, I can assist with the wedding preparations too. My family will support you as a reliable ally. So, tell His Highness Karan to accept me as a concubine.”
Elise, who had been collecting her thoughts, noticed something odd about Melanie’s words.
If she was carrying Karan’s child, it was only natural that she would become a concubine. So why had Melanie sought her out?
Why ask her to speak to Karan? It was as if Melanie expected her to reject the pregnancy, as though Karan would spurn her for being pregnant with his child.
‘Was Karan such a terrible man…?’
Elise’s eyes darkened.
****
“What? Melanie?”
Bang. Karan slammed the desk and stood up. The owl, which had been dozing off at the loud noise, fluttered awake.
Eek. Haltbin, who had covered his face with his hands, quickly stepped back.
“Your Highness, please calm down.”
“Calm down? Do I look calm? How dare that insane woman go to Elise?”
“She volunteered to help with the engagement preparations.”
“Crazy.”
Karan muttered to himself. He wanted to pour out a lot of harsh curses, but even the curses were a luxury for her.
What nonsense would Melanie spout to Elise? Just imagining it made Karan’s head ache.
“Surely she won’t harm Elise?”
“Haha, surely…..right?”
Haltbin’s words trailed off. He was uncertain.
Melanie had a bad habit. Her reputation for being venomous stemmed from that habit.
She acted without restraint, even toward those younger or of lower status. If she didn’t like someone, objects and hands would fly.
Although she had quieted down after the scolding from the aging Duke Odilon, her true nature hadn’t changed.
Like Karan, Haltbin also began to worry about Elise.
Haltbin followed Karan, who had already headed towards the corridor.
Karan ignored the greetings from the palace staff, focusing solely on walking.
Right now, he saw nothing and heard nothing.
Melanie spouting nonsense to Elise, and Elise, who stood her ground, getting hurt—those scenes replayed in her mind.
Karan’s anger boiled like a furnace.
From his office to the reception room where Elise was waiting, Karan arrived in the blink of an eye.
“Your Highness!”
Regina, guarding the reception room door, confirmed it was Karan and immediately bowed.
Karan rolled his eyes and looked down at Regina.
Receiving just one icy glance from Karan, Regina felt her whole body freeze.
“Where is Elise?”
“Inside, Your–Highness.”
Karan appeared as composed as usual. His face, expressionless.
Although it should be unfamiliar, it was a very familiar expression to Regina, different from when Karan was with Elise.
Yet somehow, Regina’s breath caught. It felt like someone was pressing hard on her throat and chest.
“Open the door.”
“Bu-, Bu-, But, Your–Highness…”
Regina managed to reply.
“I’ll do it.”
Haltbin took Regina’s arm and gently moved her aside. He knocked on the door promptly.
“Miss Elise, Your Highness has arrived.”
Inside, there was a brief commotion. Karan’s ears perked up.
Faintly, Melanie’s voice came from beyond the door.
“You called for His Highness? How could you? Elise, you were quite cunning!”
Karan clenched his teeth. Who was she insulting?
“Melanie, surely you know. I’ve been with you all along. Where would I find a chance to call for His Highness?”
Elise calmly retorted, but her voice was filled with anger.
Karan’s temples and jawline tensed.
Although permission to enter hadn’t been granted yet, Karan couldn’t wait any longer. He flung the door open.
“Kyaa!”
Melanie screamed as if she’d seen a ghost, hiding behind Elise.
“Don’t, don’t come!”
Haltbin quickly closed the door, fearing Melanie’s words might leak outside.
“Get over here right now…Melanie.”
Karan said through gritted teeth.
“I refuse. Are you going to drag me out? I’ve said everything I wanted to say to Elise.”
“Must I really be the one to drag you out?”
Karan narrowed the distance.
“Don’t come near me! Don’t!”
Melanie clung to Elise’s chair, making whale-like noises.
Elise winced, covering her ears with one hand, trying to make sense of the situation.
A woman, who claimed to be pregnant with Karan’s child, was causing a scene as she looked at him. And there was Karan, who supposedly abandoned his child, glaring at the woman, as if he was about to kill her.
‘Something’s not right.’
Elise decided to separate the two and have individual conversations. She couldn’t rely solely on Melanie’s words to make a decision; there were too many uncertainties.
“Your Highness.”
Just as Karan was about to grab Melanie, Elise’s faint call stopped him in his tracks. Karan froze, as if caught in an ice spell.
“Your Highness, I wish we could sit down and talk calmly.”
“Elise, I welcome any conversation with you. However, it seems difficult right now. First, let’s escort Melanie outside and ensure she doesn’t cause any trouble near the palace. Then we can talk.”
“Your Highness!”
Elise called out to Karan. Karan raised an eyebrow.
Elise sighed. After observing, Elise confirmed that Melanie was indeed pregnant.
She had spoken out of turn and unconsciously protected her belly several times.
Dragging Melanie out wouldn’t be right, especially if it was Karan’s child…
‘Does he not know, or is he deliberately hiding it?’
Seeing Karan, Elise struggled with conflicting emotions.
Elise tightly closed her eyes.
When she showed her discomfort, the surroundings became quiet. Karan was watching Elise’s reaction, and Melanie was sneaking glances at Karan, who was watching Elise.
Mais por favor 😍😍🇧🇷