Chapter 03
When her husband suddenly summoned her, and she went to him—
What greeted her was… a cold voice.
“Not content with being just a freeloader… now you’ve even dipped into the family’s funds, haven’t you?”
“…What?”
“Don’t play dumb. You went on a spree, buying jewels and accessories. I’ve already heard it from the butler and the servants.”
“I—I never…”
“Enough excuses! …Mother, I’m sorry, but from now on I must ask you to manage the family treasury.”
It was as if she had been thrust onto a bed of needles.
Natalie had never once touched Julius’s fortune, but there was nothing—no one—that could prove her innocence.
Her haggard figure was contrasted by Julius’s mother, who deliberately feigned sorrow and declared boldly, “Honestly… the mistress of the house should be more responsible. Since you cannot, I will take charge from now on.”
Anyone with eyes could see Natalie wore no jewels, no makeup—there was no reason to suspect her. And yet…
From that incident onward, whenever money mysteriously went missing, suspicion always fell on Natalie.
◆◇◆
Thus time passed, and a year went by—until Natalie’s monthly cycle stopped coming.
“…Congratulations. You are with child.”
“…I see.”
It must have been the fruit of her enduring so much pain. The duke’s physician had given her the diagnosis.
“But… Madam, why are you living in such a shabby room…?”
“…Why indeed…”
The physician’s eyes filled with pity for her. But neither he nor Natalie had the power to change her circumstances.
And as for Julius—whether he even heard of the news—he never once came to her side, not until the day she gave birth.
◆◇◆
Childbirth was torment, pure agony.
The unbearable pain and endless sweat drove her to cry out again and again, “Please, just kill me!”
And yet, under the watch of the doctor and a lone servant, Natalie gave birth to a healthy baby boy.
“A son! Congratulations, Madam—you’ve done well.”
“Thank you… This child…”
Though wrinkled, he cried with a strong, healthy voice. Tears streamed down her cheeks at the sight of her child. Exhaustion soon overcame her, and she drifted into sleep.
She never imagined that would be the last time she would hold him.
The next day, after regaining some strength, she asked the servants about her baby.
“He is in another room,” they told her.
(He’s the heir of the dukedom, after all. Surely they’ll treat him well. Ah, what should I name him…?)
Her heart was light as she thought happily about names—when suddenly, the door burst open.
“Hmph, may I have a word?”
“Ah—Mother—”
“You have no right to call me that.”
It was Julius’s mother who entered. And in her arms—Natalie’s child. Natalie’s eyes widened.
“In your arms… that’s…”
“Yes. At last you have fulfilled your duty. From now on, I will raise this boy properly. You are not to go near him.”
“…No, that’s…!”
Her body was still weak from childbirth; she had no strength to resist. And so, mother and child were torn apart.
From then on, Natalie’s spirit began to crumble further and further.
◆◇◆
“My lady… perhaps you should speak with your husband…”
Cough, cough “…Doctor, it’s all right. Nothing can be done anymore…”
“…This old man can only prescribe medicine…”
“Still… thank you, always.”
“Surely this confinement in your room only worsens your condition. Why not take a walk, just once in a while?”
Natalie’s recovery after childbirth had been poor. Her health never returned, and soon she developed a cough that not even medicine could cure.
While she lay ill, four years slipped away.
“Yes… perhaps I should walk again. It’s been a long time.”
“Yes, yes, that would be good. I’ll come again on my next visit.”
“Thank you kindly.”
At the urging of the physician—who had become almost like an old friend—Natalie decided to step outside her room. A little walk, she thought, might ease her spirits.
She had no idea it would lead to tragedy.
◆◇◆
“Ah—there’s the villain!”
The moment she stepped out, she ran into him.
Hair the same color as Julius’s… and eyes, lighter but still crimson, glared at her.
The gaze of an enemy.
And standing behind him—Julius’s mother.
“Uh…”
“Hohoho, what a mischievous boy you are. Did I not teach you? That woman is, however distasteful, your mother.”
“But—I don’t want that as a mother…”
The small Julius—her own son—had clearly been raised to see her as evil. His grandmother’s triumphant gaze said everything.
Natalie knew full well that children bore no blame.
And yet—when her own son looked upon her with malice, the patience she had clung to all these years shattered within her.
“…I see.”
No argument came. No resistance. By then, she had already begun to give up on everything—on clinging to her husband, on fighting to reclaim her child. She thought it was impossible.
From that day on, Natalie never again stepped out of her room—until the day she went to request a divorce.
More than anything, she lost even the will to smile. She was breaking, beyond repair.
The only force that finally stirred her into action… were her own parents.
That was after several more years had passed—on a deep autumn day.
