Choosing the Baby’s Father From the Following – Chapter 24

𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐩𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝟐𝟒
Lurik frowned.

“Her eye color changes depending on her mood.”

It seemed he didn’t know about it either.

But then, he continued speaking, sounding bewildered yet also annoyed.

“Are you talking about that rumor that my eyes turn black when I’m angry? Did you listen to the soldiers’ nonsense about me being possessed by an evil spirit?”

I widened my eyes.

“The soldiers…… said such a thing?”

“They talk behind my back. Stupid fools who think I can’t hear them. They’re not even worth dealing with.”

A sigh escaped my lips.

It seemed Lurik had been in danger since he was on the battlefield.

‘The more reason why we need Helena……’

Unaware of my anxious thoughts, Lurik chuckled and let go of my hand.

“Your hand has warmed up, so it seems you’re feeling a bit better. It wouldn’t look good for an older brother to stay in his grown sister’s room for too long.”

“Are you leaving?”

He nodded.

“I’ve called for a physician. It’s taking some time because it’s not someone who resides within the monastery. I’ll have them report the diagnosis directly to me, so don’t worry about it.”

A physician!

We had barely managed to control the outburst, and now we faced another mountain of problems.

I had no choice but to nod.

“See you tomorrow, Brother.”

🔹🔹🔹🔹🔹🔹

As soon as Lurik left, Phoebe entered the room with a worried expression.

“You weren’t scolded too much by His Highness, were you?”

I held Phoebe’s hand, knowing she must have been anxious.

“I’m sorry. You were surprised, weren’t you?”

“Did you really faint? You haven’t been feeling well lately…… You need to see the royal physician at the palace immediately, not some countryside doctor. You can’t go all the way to Babenberg like this!”

Come to think of it, Phoebe might have been counting down the days until my period.

‘I wanted to postpone telling Phoebe the truth until after we left the capital……’

Now that Lurik had a firm hold on me, it seemed difficult to deceive Phoebe until then.

‘Phoebe is in the same boat as me anyway.’

If my pregnancy is discovered, Phoebe, who has always been by my side, won’t be able to avoid responsibility.

Even if I manage to escape the capital safely, the only one who will be with me is Phoebe.

I swallowed hard and looked at her.

“Phoebe, you’re on my side, right? No matter what? Right?”

Phoebe looked at me with reproachful eyes.

“Are you seriously asking me that? I apologize for daring to slap the maid in front of His Highness earlier. But if I hadn’t done that, Lurik-jeonha would have.”

It was as I expected.

Phoebe boldly questioned me.

“Do you think it would have ended with just a slap?”

“……Yes, I know.”

When I readily agreed, Phoebe asked with a grumpy face.

“Then tell me now. Why did you lie to me? A maid isn’t stupid enough to confuse His Highness’s orders.”

That’s right.

I thought the time had come, but I had to say something else.

“Before I explain that, I have a favor to ask. Call Ren.”

“At this hour? If Lurik-jeonha finds out……”

“Tell him to come without being caught. Quickly.”

Phoebe looked as if she wanted to protest, but perhaps because my voice was so serious, she simply nodded.

“You promise to explain everything, right?”

“I promise.”

As soon as Phoebe heard my answer, she left the room.

It only took a short while before a popping sound came from the fireplace, indicating her return.

🔹🔹🔹🔹🔹🔹

When the physician arrived a little later, I had switched clothes with Phoebe and was eavesdropping by the door.

Ren’s voice could be heard from outside.

“I am the Tower Master of the Imperial Magic Tower. Spread your arms wide, as you must be searched before seeing Her Highness.”

“Oh, yes……”

Even though the physician had already been searched by the guards, he seemed flustered by the overbearing command of the man called the Tower Master.

‘Of course, Ren would have already attached a magical device to him.’

The door opened soon after.

The physician appeared, looking more like a patient himself, and bowed to me.

“I have come to examine Her Highness.”

“Come this way.”

I skillfully imitated Phoebe, hiding my hair inside an indoor bonnet.

My poor maid was lying in bed, looking as pale as a seriously ill patient.

‘Of course, it’s probably because of the despair of lying in her mistress’s bed……’

The physician wouldn’t know that.

“Greetings, Your Highness. I am the physician who often visits here for examinations…… Gernas Noe.”

The physician was trembling.

He must have been quite nervous after going through multiple searches.

I wondered if he would even be able to properly examine her like this.

‘Fortunately for me, he’s not a renowned physician who would recognize Phoebe’s feigned illness.’

He began to examine Phoebe.

My one and only maid, usually quite healthy, was trembling with her fingertips due to the distress of her current situation.

“You…… fainted?”

The physician cautiously confirmed, using his stethoscope.

Phoebe answered curtly, afraid that he might discover her true identity.

“I was just a little dizzy.”

The physician nodded.

“You must have been tired from the long journey. You probably used various magic, such as gates, on your way here, which can be a burden for sensitive individuals.”

Phoebe closed her eyes tightly and recited the lines I had told her.

“Yes, it’s nothing serious, so just tell my brother that.”

After finishing the examination, the physician prescribed painkillers, fatigue relievers, and tonics.

“Oh, and it’s best to avoid hot springs when you’re experiencing dizziness. I don’t know how long you’ll be staying at the monastery, but please get plenty of rest.”

I answered on behalf of Phoebe, who just nodded vaguely.

“We will rest. Thank you.”

Before the physician could leave the room, Ren suddenly entered and put his arm around the physician’s shoulders in a friendly manner.

“Are you done with the examination? How is Her Highness doing?”

The physician cringed with an uncomfortable expression.

“She’s…… alright.”

“Good work.”

Ren patted the physician’s shoulder as if to commend him, while discreetly removing the magical device he had attached earlier.

As soon as the door closed, Phoebe brushed her shoulder with her hand.

—Click.

With a light sound, the small device Ren had attached fell onto the bed.

Phoebe glared at it and said,

“If you don’t explain what’s going on right now, I’m going straight to His Highness.”

A lie……

Even if I didn’t explain, Phoebe wouldn’t actually go to Lurik first, but I couldn’t let that happen.

Just then, Ren approached and removed the magical device from my shoulder in the same manner.

‘So, with such a simple device, he can make our faces appear different?’

I was impressed as I looked at the small jewel-like object in Ren’s palm.

Of course, it wasn’t something anyone could do; it was Ren’s ability, but it was still fascinating.

Then, finally letting out a sigh of relief, I looked at Ren.

“Thank you, Ren. I’ll talk to Phoebe now.”

He turned to Phoebe and grinned.

“Go easy on her, Phoebe.”

While Phoebe glared at him, Ren opened the door and disappeared.

Phoebe meticulously checked the door to make sure it was locked, then began to undress me.

Without taking her eyes off me, she sharply questioned,

“Tell me quickly, Your Highness. I’m going crazy with curiosity.”

“I’m pregnant.”

Silence fell as soon as I blurted it out.

Then came a muffled scream, followed by sobs.

My poor maid collapsed at my feet.

“I’m sorry, Phoebe……”

I clung to Phoebe like that, apologizing profusely for something I hadn’t even done.

🔹🔹🔹🔹🔹🔹

“Is it Ren-nim’s child?”

Phoebe finally stopped crying and asked.

She seemed to think so, since Ren had helped me avoid the physician.

I shook my head, but I couldn’t tell her that I didn’t know who the father was.

“The father of the child is……”

So, I said in a serious voice,

“I can’t tell you yet.”

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