章節 197: [Chapter 197] Diagnosis of Pregnancy Possibility
Seeing Natasha's distorted face, Princess Kamil let out a solemn sigh.
"Was there a problem on the way here?"
It just happened, how does she know? Natasha glanced strangely at Kamil for a moment, but the suspicion didn't linger. This quiet future sister-in-law, always confined to the First Princess Palace, was known for spreading rumors oddly fast.
"Yes, Your Highness."
"Why are you like this too? I'll try to expedite the engagement, so stay quiet for a while. Even though Abel isn't very serious, you've had a few years of affection with him. Of course, he will be engaged to you."
Quietly? Natasha found that expression amusing. What can you gain by being quiet?
If Natasha's mother had been quiet, her father would have handed over the Gruenwald Marquisate to his illegitimate children. If Natasha had been quiet, Abelus would have already been reduced to a mere illegitimate child.
A woman who had to marry a man without a sense of responsibility could never live 'quietly.'
Kamil wasn't particularly quiet either. Natasha's ears ached as she heard Abelus complaining about his sister's meddling nature.
So, anyone who thought Princess Kamil was quiet was a fool. Why hadn't she married yet?
If she didn't marry, she would be a noble princess of the royal family for life. But if she married, her status would inevitably be lower than it is now, no matter who the partner was.
Marchioness, Duchess, Countess... Where is there a higher title than Princess? While a foreign queen may legally receive treatment equal to or greater than a princess, it would be difficult to have more influence than the precious daughter of the esteemed Emperor of Vista.
"'Yes, it will be difficult to shake the younger sibling who will become the Emperor in the future...'
Natasha was never pleased with the fact that Kamil often scolded Abelus. It was a touchy subject.
It was a subtle maneuver to establish a similar age hierarchy for the future Emperor and a challenge to Natasha, who would become the future Empress.
Seeing Natasha's displeased expression, Kamil spoke bluntly.
"Della Yuseberry, Rayner Court, Kyirat Spanner... The women Abel has met so far were of no concern."
Natasha's face froze in surprise.
They were almost forgotten names. Once you used them once, there was no need to pay attention to them anymore.
Those who dared to cling to this man, Natasha Gruenwald. Those who tried to mock the real owner while looking at a tree that could never climb from the beginning.
So Natasha didn't pay them any mind. They started it first.
"So I've just let it go until now. You turning those women into stone nymphs can be seen as a justified vent. It was comfortable even in the palace. But seeing what happened to Marquis Elendria, if you forget about trivial things, they'll eventually become a big deal."
Like some other old prestigious families, the Gruenwald lineage had its own special poison.
It was an item that prevented the person who consumed it from ever having children. Dela, Rayner, and Kyirat, whom Natasha secretly fed it to, would end up that way.
Kamil's words stemmed from genuine concern, but Natasha felt upset. Her fiery temper was ignited.
"Will there be a problem? I won't ask how you know about our family's item. But I'm curious why you deliberately collected the names of those lowly women. Did you think I would meekly nod if you brought them up?"
It was a rude tone. It was a voice of disdain.
Kamil glared at Natasha in anger.
"Natasha Gruenwald, have you not learned manners in your family?"
"The person who will become the wife of my brother fought with other women because of my brother, and instead of comforting her, you threaten her to stay quiet. If showing respect to someone who resorts to threats is the best manners, then this is it. You say the Prince will 'of course' marry me? Of course. Otherwise, the Gruenwald family won't stay quiet either."
She couldn't stand being silent in this frustrating place any longer. Natasha stood up abruptly and glared fiercely.
"Your Highness, as you say, once I marry your brother, I will become the Prince's 'Highness.' I do not have a reason to listen to the disposal of those who only aspire to government positions or have no shame. I do not intend to disrespect your authority, but I have no reason to listen to those who only seek lowly government positions."
Kamil's cheeks turned red with anger, then pale with exhaustion.
"Natasha!"
Natasha looked down at Kamil coldly. Her expression was as arrogant as that of a Princess Consort.
That was her pride.
"Yes, Your Highness, you can always call me as you wish. Just as you call your brother by name. But where I go, who I meet, is my business. So for now, I will go meet someone else, not Your Highness."
Thud. As Natasha walked away, a valuable decorative item fell to the floor. But as if it was not worth her attention, Natasha left the Princess Palace.
In the now quiet room, Kamil ground her teeth. Suddenly, she picked up the teacup in her sight and threw it towards the door.
Crash. The expensive porcelain teacup shattered into pieces as it hit the ground from a distance. A subordinate approached silently beside Kamil.
"Are you alright, my lady?"
"Are you feeling better now?"
Kamil sharply hissed. She always knew Natasha was arrogant, but she didn't expect her to be so brazen.
Well, she becomes 'Highness' after marriage? Isn't shouting that she will soon be your superior the same as shouting that I will be your superior!
She needed to teach her a lesson. But she couldn't expose and torment her.
Natasha, who was not even engaged yet, knew that being so bold to Kamil, who would be her sister-in-law, was because Kamil couldn't speak to the imperial couple about matters related to Abelus. The imperial couple, wary of Kamil's ambitions, would not tolerate her trying to influence the Prince's marriage.
Kamil mentally listed her risky ways one by one and lowered her distorted eyes.
***
Joan stood up abruptly as soon as she saw Neris.
"Welcome, Your Highness."
"Hello, Joan."
As Neris entered the private room, a strong scent filled the air. It wasn't a bright or sweet floral scent, but a slightly sharp and refreshing herbal smell.
It wasn't the typical fragrance handled at the upper levels. Neris took the seat offered by Dora, and Aaron, who had escorted Neris here, sat next to Joan.
"What's this, Joan?"
The reason for the unusual scent was clear. It was because there was a pile of herbs on the marble table placed between the chairs in the private room.
Joan proudly explained.
"Since Shirley was bringing in the herbs she was looking for last time, I also brought some herbs to present to Your Highness. It's a tonic that many married women seek."
"Do we really need to eat that? It hasn't been long since we got married."
Due to the term 'married women,' Neris suspected that the herbs prepared by Joan were beneficial for pregnant women. If that was the case, Neris didn't need to take them.
However, Joan shook her head.
"That's why you need to prepare in advance. My mother used to say that your body weakens after marriage because you have to pay attention to many things more than before. Now! Eat it! You need to stay healthy."
There was nothing to say to that. And it was true that the body weakened. She couldn't admit it out of embarrassment, but...
Seeing Neris's reaction, Dora automatically picked up the bundle of herbs. Joan smiled satisfactorily.
"The center of Mori's Upper Division is medicine. But if the Lady Consort is not healthy, it's unacceptable."
"I don't really have any specific health issues right now."
"You've become too thin. You seemed healthy for a moment, but now you're losing it again."
"Is that so?"
Joan spoke to Neris this time as if soothing her younger sister.
"Health always comes first, Your Highness. Lately, the Pharmaceutical Department has been flooded with inquiries. We've already received three requests about not being able to have children at a young age. They're asking if there's any way to improve the situation."
"...That's unfortunate."
"Isn't it? I've heard that they're unmarried young ladies, and it seems they're struggling to find a solution as they secretly inquire about how to improve their situation."
"Wait, are there so many unmarried young ladies getting diagnosed for pregnancy possibilities?"
Doctors couldn't see inside the body, and to know 'in the future' if they could have a child, they had to undergo a very expensive diagnosis using magical tools.
Was it a household thoroughly preparing for marriage? When Neris made a strange expression, Joan lowered her voice.
"It seems they are not young ladies preparing for marriage, but rather women aiming to become the consorts of high-ranking men. According to Aaron's investigation, they are known for having conversations with the Prince in official settings..."
Aaron added,
"Surely, if it's the Prince's first child, even if it's a bastard, it holds great significance. There's also a possibility of receiving a substantial amount of money for the royal dignity. Yet, despite deliberately choosing, they all say they can't have children at a young age, so there are discussions about what's going on."
Neris's face froze.
The Prince.
Her heart raced madly before any logical thoughts came to mind. Joan stood up in surprise.
"Why is that, Your Highness? You don't look well."
"It's nothing."
Perhaps too quickly, a reflexive response popped out.
Neris tried to calm herself. However, she couldn't shake off the thought of the commonality between herself and those women that suddenly came to mind.
Women who met Abelus.
Throughout her marriage, Neris had never heard news of Abelus having a child born.
Neris was well aware of the Prince's sense of responsibility. It wasn't something for Abelus. He wasn't the type to fear the birth of a bastard child.
"However, even the beloved Lady Megara, there was not a single news of pregnancy, so naturally, the imperial couple had Abelus undergo an examination. The judgment came out that Abelus's reproductive ability was normal.
The short 'perhaps' among the nobles turned into 'indeed.' Indeed, the problem lay with the inadequate Princess Consort. Didn't even the doctors verify that! Miss Megara? Well, she hasn't even been married yet, so she must be refraining from having a bastard child...
So, one had to simply think that Abelus was living surprisingly modestly. Or perhaps Megara was effectively keeping Abelus from straying to other women.
But if that wasn't the case.
If there was someone who didn't want to see any woman giving birth to Abelus's child.
Neris, feeling dizzy, touched her forehead and said, "The discussion we were going to have today... Send it to the Duke Consort in writing, Joan. I feel like I need to go somewhere urgently."
"Where do you need to go, Your Highness? You've turned as pale as a sheet. I'll call the doctor, please lie down for now!"
"No."
Neris waved off Joan, who looked puzzled due to not understanding English, and staggered to her feet.
In her eyes, there was a mix of anxiety and a faint glimmer of hope.
"I have to go now. Send the doctor along with the document to the Duke Consort."
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