SWS CH 34

Chapter 34

When I looked at the titles, the box was filled with boring books like The History of Bloodymary, Noble Etiquette, and World Maps and the History of War.

She must have gone through a lot of trouble to bring them all the way here, but I saw no reason to read them.

‘I already know far more impressive things than what’s in those books.’

But if I outright refused, it would just turn into another argument.

“I can’t read.”

That was a lie.

I actually could read perfectly fine.
Since this was K-fantasy, the language here was Korean anyway.

“What? You can’t even read?”

“Yeah. Like you said, I’m just a worthless commoner. Who would’ve taught me letters?”

“Seriously? You can’t even read, yet you still managed to seduce Young Master Docep with that mouth of yours?”

“Think whatever you want. You went through all the trouble of carrying those here, so that’s unfortunate. I’m going to rest now.”

I really wanted her to leave.

My stomach was starting to hurt, and my body felt strangely chilly.

I just wanted to turn on the heater and lie down.

But then—

“Where do you think you’re going?! If you can’t read, then you need to start by learning letters!”

Getti roughly grabbed my arm.

She must have been worn out from housework, because there was a lot of strength in her grip.

Dragging me like that wouldn’t make me study anyway.

“Ow! That hurts!”

“Stop exaggerating.”

“No, it really hurts. Let go and talk.”

“How am I supposed to talk when you’re impossible?! You’re seriously so low-class—!”

Her voice cracked.

Then, all of a sudden, she let go of my arm and shoved my shoulder hard with her palm.

“Then just get out!”

“Ugh!”

[You crazy woman! Sword Wind!]

Junel shouted in fury.

In an instant, a violent gust swept through the room, slamming the wide-open window shut.

The wind knocked both Getti and me off balance.
I couldn’t even brace myself properly because of my stomach pain, and we both rolled across the floor.

“Aaah!”

“Ugh!”

[Ah! Halara, I’m sorry. I couldn’t stand her behavior.]

Getti, who had fallen against the wardrobe, clenched her teeth and struggled back to her feet.

Her eyes were filled with a mix of rage and confusion.

“Ugh, my shoulder! What’s with this wind blowing nonstop since earlier— huh?”

But her confusion deepened when she looked at me.

More precisely, when she saw my exposed undergarment.

I’d thought my stomach was hurting because I ate too much, but it wasn’t that.

So it wasn’t pregnancy after all.

“Ugh…”

I even brought menstrual cramps with me.
My back hurt, my stomach hurt.

I held my aching abdomen.

I figured I should calmly send Getti away and rest.

“Getti, that’s enough—”

“Blood?”

Getti’s eyes widened, and then her whole body began to tremble like a leaf.

‘Is this your first time seeing someone on their period? You’ll have one too.’

I just wanted her to at least tell me where spare clothes were, but relying on Getti seemed hopeless.

“…No. I—I didn’t do that.”

Huh?

“I didn’t do it!!! You fell on your own, idiot!”

Why was she screaming like that?

“You did shove my shoulder.”

I snapped back irritably, and she shook her head wildly.

“No! I said I didn’t!”

“Stop yelling. My stomach hurts… I feel sick.”

“Eek!”

When I curled up in pain, Getti didn’t help at all.
Instead, she panicked and ran out.

She’d hit the wardrobe too, but judging by how fast she fled, she seemed fine.

“Ugh…”

[I’m sorry, Halara. Are you okay?]

Junel’s eyes were brimming with tears.

“It’s not from falling. I just don’t feel well. I’m going to rest.”

[Let’s lie down quickly.]

Junel tugged at the fabric near my shoulder, helping me stand without using my waist.

I quickly changed clothes and lay down on the bed.

I didn’t know what was going on with Getti, but at least she was gone.

I could finally rest in peace.

***

The moment Getti left the room, she ran to her quarters and hastily gathered her valuables.

“Huff… huff…”

She forced her aching leg to move faster.

What had just happened kept flashing before her eyes.

The heavy bloodstain on Halara’s undergarment.

The way she’d clutched her stomach and groaned.

Halara was pregnant.

And bleeding meant—

A miscarriage.

That much bleeding early in pregnancy meant—

‘No! I didn’t do that!’

She had shoved her shoulder.

But not hard enough to knock her down.

Then that sudden gust of wind knocked them both over.

It was the wind.

Everything was because of the wind.

“…It’s unfair…”

But who would believe that Halara miscarried because of the wind?

Halara hadn’t checked her skirt yet, but she would notice soon enough.

And once she did, things would unfold exactly as she wanted.

With no child, Halara would be driven out of the family.

And soon after, Getti would be arrested for causing the miscarriage.

Halara would only be expelled.

But Getti?

She’d be as good as dead.

She would have killed a future heir of the Bloodymary family.

‘I have to run. Far away.’

Before anyone found out.

She had to leave the estate.

It was unfair.

Unbearably unfair that she had to flee because of someone like Halara.

She would probably never be able to come back.

“No. No…”

She was rushing out of the annex when—

“Isn’t that Getti?”

“D-Doctor?”

She spotted the family’s physician, neatly dressed, standing in front of the annex.

He was someone she’d often seen going in and out of the estate ever since she first became a maid.

“It’s been a while.”

“Yes… yes, it has.”

Getti replied nervously, glancing around.

“But didn’t you say you were assigned to the main house recently? What brings you to the annex?”

Apparently, he remembered her bragging about it during his visit about a month ago.

Getti visibly flinched.

The doctor looked puzzled, then noticed what she was holding.

“And what’s that bundle?”

“Oh, th-that… I had some things left behind, so I was bringing them out.”

“Ah, I see. I thought you were rushing off somewhere.”

“There’s a lot of work piling up in the main house… By the way, where are you headed, Doctor?”

Getti changed the subject.

There was no reason for the physician to visit the annex.

She’d only seen him before because she often went to the main house, which she admired.

“I was asked to do something discreet by the madam. I don’t have much time. Let’s talk later.”

He checked his watch and greeted her.

She relaxed slightly when he walked away without suspicion—

But then his words hit her.

‘A discreet request?’

“Doctor, are you going to see someone in the annex?”

Getti stepped in front of him.

“That’s not something I can tell you.”

“…Are you looking for a pregnant woman in the annex?”

The physician had been caring for the duke, duchess, and young masters long before Getti became a maid.

If he was heading to the annex, there was only one reason.

Sure enough—

“Yes. How did you know?”

Her heart sank.

If he went in now, he would immediately notice Halara’s condition.

‘I’m dead.’

She couldn’t let this happen.

“Doctor! I’m in charge of her!”

Getti shouted, her voice trembling.

“Really? Is that why you were leaving the annex?”

“Yes! The madam ordered me secretly, so I couldn’t say anything.”

The physician smiled calmly.

“I see. Haha. Then guide me, please. The madam asked me to examine her. She said she was pregnant and wanted me to check if the baby is healthy and prepare medicine for morning sickness.”

“Ah…”

Cold sweat trickled down her spine.

“I’m curious who this is, given how much attention she’s receiving, but I suppose I’ll find out eventually. Where is she now?”

“Pardon?”

“I’m short on time. I should see her quickly.”

“Th-this way.”

Getti pointed toward the forest instead of the annex.

“Hm? That’s the direction of the spire.”

“Yes… she’s actually over there.”

“At the spire?”

“Yes. She’d been staying in the annex, but you can see the spire from the annex windows, right? She said she wanted to go see it, so she went there.”

“That place isn’t one you can visit freely.”

“I know, but… she said she felt too confined and insisted. Then she twisted her ankle.”

“What?! She’s pregnant and got injured?!”

“It’s not serious… I was just on my way back to the annex to get bandages.”

She pointed to the bundle in her hands.

There were no bandages inside, of course.

“Let’s hurry. I need to check her condition myself.”

“Yes. I’ll guide you.”

The physician ran into the forest.

Getti followed closely behind.

‘Doctor, why did you have to show up now? If only you’d come a few days later… This is all because you came today. It’s not my fault. Please don’t blame me.’

Making sure the physician couldn’t see, she pulled out a hard object from her bundle.