WLTIS | CHAPTER 37

Posted by Kalen, Released on October 8, 2025

Chapter 37

Oberok came early in the morning.

The man carried his medical bag along with several other items.

“…Do we really need to do the examination now?”

“You have your personal maid, so having your check-up now shouldn’t go against any rule.”

“My husband is supposed to come. If it’s not urgent, I’d like to postpone it.”

After thinking for a moment, Oberok glanced at the clock on the desk and finally spoke.

“I can wait until lunchtime.”

For a mere servant, his attitude was rather arrogant.

After saying that, Oberok sat down as if he intended to wait right there until the time came.

Anna looked at him with visible irritation before stepping forward politely.

“I’d appreciate it if you returned when it’s time for the examination.”

Though Anna spoke, Oberok turned to Lincia and asked instead,

“Should I leave?”

Lincia instinctively avoided his gaze.

“…It’s fine.”

Lincia gripped the blanket tightly and bit her lip.

It was humiliating to show such a side of herself in front of Anna.

Years of scorn had made her shrink inward.

And because she remembered being struck by Oberok once before, it was even harder to hold herself upright in front of him.

On the first day he came to the Grand Duke’s Castle for her regular check-up, Oberok had asked to stay behind under the pretense of delivering a message from Julius.

Then, he hurled insults at her.

“I’m not a saint who treats useless women abandoned by His Majesty. So please tell the Emperor you don’t need my services.”

“Do you know how much of my time is wasted on the road every time I have to come to the North?”

Oberok, who had many duties, seemed resentful that he had to visit the Grand Duke’s Castle every month just for Lincia.

That resentment had festered into anger.

It was the first time in her life someone had hit her.

Even though Julius had poisoned her before, he had never laid hands on her.

That made the experience even more shocking.

Holding her stomach, Lincia looked up at Oberok.

Her vision flickered; she could barely make out his figure.

Oberok might have been favored by the imperial family, but he was still a commoner.

Lincia, no matter how she was treated now, was still royalty.

So I’ve fallen so low that even a commoner dares to strike me.

A royal without protection is truly nothing.

After that incident, Oberok never hit her again, but Lincia couldn’t help shrinking whenever she saw him.

“His Majesty said that if the northern cold is too much to bear, you may return to the palace at any time.”

“His Majesty also decreed that if you fail to conceive by the end of this year, you are to return to the palace.

The blame for the divorce will be placed on the Grand Duke.”

Sometimes Oberok relayed such “messages” from Julius, telling her that the Emperor wished for her return—but to Lincia, they felt like threats.

She never knew when Oberok might suddenly change his tone or temper, and that alone terrified her.

Anna was there with her, but it wasn’t the same comfort she felt when Harvich was by her side.

It felt as though she’d been thrown back into that first dreadful day.

“…Your Highness?”

Anna carefully approached and took Lincia’s trembling hand.

“Shall I call for the Grand Duke?”

“I-I’m fine.”

Lincia tried to hide her distress, but her frail voice trembled uncontrollably.

Anna would surely notice something was wrong.

It wasn’t even the first time she’d seen Oberok since that day, and two years had already passed—she thought she’d be fine by now.

But she wasn’t.

When she had no one on her side, she’d managed to suppress her fear. But now that someone might listen to her, it all began to spill out.

How pathetic, to become this weak just because someone stood by her side.

Without realizing it, Lincia clutched Anna’s hand tightly.

While her heart burned with anxiety, time continued to pass.

“It’s lunchtime now. We can begin the examination, and then you may have your meal.”

“…”

Lincia nodded reluctantly.

“Can’t we wait for His Grace to arrive?”

Anna asked.

Oberok shook his head.

“I have other appointments scheduled.”

“All the imperial envoys have already left. What appointments could you possibly have?”

It was ridiculous—Oberok only treated members of the imperial family and Lincia. What could he be so busy with?

Anna glared at him, but just as Oberok opened his mouth to reply, Lincia quickly stopped him.

She knew he wouldn’t leave even if they delayed, so she’d rather get it over with and send him away.

“Very well. If that’s your wish, let’s begin.”

Oberok brought his medical tools and herbs to her bedside and began the examination.

He started with her wrist, then moved to her forearm, neck, chest, and joints.

“There are no abnormalities.”

Then he used a stethoscope, his lips parting slowly as he spoke.

“You’re entering a stable period soon. Until then, please be careful.”

“I understand.”

Perhaps because she was carrying a royal child, the examination went smoother than she had feared.

As he packed his tools, Oberok gave Anna a list of instructions about the new medication before rising from his seat.

Lincia only waited for him to leave.

Harvich hadn’t arrived by the time the examination ended, but that was fine.

The fact that he knew it was her check-up day and cared enough to notice—that was enough.

And besides, nothing bad had happened.

“By the way, Sir Tereo has arrived in the North. Did you know?”

“…What? Who?”

Lincia asked in surprise. Oberok answered calmly.

“Sir Tereo is here. He asked me to deliver a message to Your Grace.”

She didn’t want to hear it.

Especially if it involved Tereo.

“His Majesty has appointed Sir Tereo as your bodyguard. For the child soon to be born.”

At the mention of His Majesty, Lincia’s eyes trembled.

“…Julius?”

Her breathing grew unsteady.

“Yes. And since His Majesty sent Sir Tereo personally, it seems he’s quite eager to see his nephew. Sir Tereo seems to think so as well.”

Lincia clutched the edge of the blanket.

It was supposedly for her sake, but her own opinion was never part of it.

“Before the heavy snows make travel impossible, His Majesty plans to visit once more and distribute grain throughout the North. In return, however—”

“Enough!”

Lincia suddenly shouted.

“Enough! Stop talking! I don’t want to hear it!”

She clutched her ears and screamed, her voice sharp and desperate.

Anna stepped forward toward Oberok.

“If the examination is over, please leave.”

Standing between them, Anna held Lincia’s trembling hands tightly.

Shame and fear swirled together until Lincia felt faint.

Did Anna notice that things are bad between me and Julius?

What if she chooses him over me?

Her lips quivered as she bit back tears.

Her breathing became uneven, and Oberok, startled, reached to check her pulse.