บท 8: So, Every Day, My Madam Bathes Me?

A few days after the incident in which Liam woke up, Harriet woke up with cramps in her stomach. Sensing this as a bad omen, Harriet quickly got up and saw a red stain on her bedsheet.

She felt a stabbing feeling in her chest.

Amelia, her maidservant, walked over to her in the bathroom as she cleaned herself up and massaged her shoulders gently.

"Madam, there is no need to be discouraged. This is only the first month," she said.

Harriet nodded while flashing a gentle smile at the beautiful middle-aged woman. It was she who taught Harriet everything about the Lycan mating process. She helped her prepare for her first night and suggested a suitable scent to wear that night.

"We've been fortunate Young Lord didn't refuse to interact with you," the woman said. She quickly continued, "I didn't mean to upset you by saying that.".

Amelia helped Harriet dry off her body after the bath. Then she helped her put on her underwear, which was now heavily layered because she was on her period. Then, she was helped to put on her beautiful dress.

While helping her, Amelia spoke softly, "It will be difficult for those who are not a true Mate of a Lycan to get pregnant. We don't know why."

Harriet, who was listening, was silent until she felt like asking something. "Then, in what kind of cases is a substitute Mate used?"

"If the real Luna can't get pregnant again for any reason," Amelia answered. "But it's scarce that there are such cases..."

Harriet understood.

"Is there anything that can help me become more fertile and more suitable to bear the son of an Alpha?" she asked with a small hope in her eyes.

In her heart, she didn't want to torture a man who was forced to touch her, someone who wasn't his Mate. To touch someone other than the one he loved must be so hard. Even though Liam didn't look forced when they consummated their union that day, Harriet felt he was holding something back. Was the man holding back his discomfort?

If Harriet could get pregnant quickly, Liam wouldn't have to touch her again.

"Madam just needs to be healthy and happy. Whatever the circumstances, it will be easier for our bodies to receive our husbands' seeds if our bodies are healthy and our minds are happy," Amelia said while winking coquettishly.

Harriet blushed and chuckled.

"My husband is good; everyone here is so kind, too. Nothing can make me feel unhappy in this world," Harriet said with a grateful smile, then looked out of the window where the clear sky was.

Amelia silently looked at Harriet with a sad smile.

"Will Madam be visiting Young Lord Goldlane too today?" asked Amelia, who had memorized Harriet's daily schedule.

Harriet nodded. She needed to see her brother.

"I'll go visit after breakfast," she replied to Amelia.

"Then I will prepare it now, Madam."

She visits her brother, studies administration and Duchy, and works as a future Duchess with Daniel. Then, she climbs the tower to wipe her husband's body with the servants.

After that, Harriet would read a book or return to study in the tower, accompanying Young Lord Liam Almandine.

Amelia heard from Harriet that she always felt uncomfortable leaving Liam alone. Therefore, even if briefly, Harriet would accompany Liam for a while before descending from the tower for dinner.

Several times, Harriet also slept by Liam's side. Everyone hoped Liam would react again and wake up in the morning, but the same thing didn't happen again. Like Harriet had said, that day seemed just a coincidence.

The days they were passed like that until suddenly, good news came from the battlefields in the west.

"This is excellent news!" said Daniel cheerfully. The castle's occupants became so happy to hear the letter's contents, including Harriet, who smiled in relief.

"So we can assume that victory is in sight, huh?" Amelia asked at Harriet's side.

The Old Duke's letter said they had already captured most enemy Lycan army. They were the ones who turned her brother into a Lycan and killed the expedition group led by her brother.

The letter was on a positive note, and it was clear that everyone in the castle was relieved. But Harriet was worried about the wounded comrades and decided to discuss with Daniel about sending additional logistics to help with the war in the West.

Daniel agreed although the letter did not mention that they had requested additional logistics. He also agreed with Harriet to prepare remuneration and wages. All for the families of those who died in the war. He listened to Harriet's advice to save more money, which they spent on the daily necessities of the castle.

It wasn't that Harriet was afraid they were lacking, but they were currently at war. This was also a form of solidarity for their comrades who went to war.

Harriet climbed the tower that afternoon and was in a better mood than ever. She brought some towels and cloths to clean Liam's body as usual, and several maids followed behind her, carrying a basin of hot water and plain water.

She opened the door and held it so the maids could come in with water in the basins, and they didn't notice the man they were about to give a bath was sitting propped up on the bed.

"Oh, good afternoon, Madam?"

The man looked surprised to see Harriet carrying a pile of towels with the maids. Harriet and the maids were also shocked that they were rooted to where they were standing.

"…Milord," Harriet choked out. She watched the man with long blonde hair and golden eyes act and talk like someone who had just awakened from a nap.

Seeing Harriet like this made the man furrow his brows deeply. "Don't tell me you..."

Harriet then saw what Liam noticed: she brought towels, and the maids brought water to clean his body.

"This… i-it's not what you think!"

Harriet threw the towels in her hands onto the sofa and pushed the maids following her away. "Call Secretary Daniel and the physicians now! Thank you!"

The maids responsively backed away and left, while Harriet quickly closed the room door with a bang in panic.

She was still facing the door because she couldn't turn to her husband, who had looked at her suspiciously. But suddenly, the spot where she was standing grew dimmer. Someone taller than her had walked up to her.

BAM!

Harriet gasped in surprise to see two strong hands trapping her in front of the door. Liam approached her back, pressed Harriet's tiny body between his sturdy body and the door, and softly whispered in her ear. "So, every day, my madam bathes me?"