Chapter 71 – Fire, Pointy Thorns, and Lush Trees

Madel stopped him and said, “A man like you can’t help her.
I’ll take care of her.”

Giggs didn’t say anything in response, since it was true that he couldn’t lift Elena into his arms like Gareth would.
Fortunately, Elena stood up again at that moment and smiled in their direction as if to show that she was fine.
Giggs showed a big grin while Madel curled her lips awkwardly.

Elena smiled faintly when she saw Madel’s expression.
She was well aware of the hostility she was receiving from the villagers whenever she would go out to the towns and ask around for anything that they needed or if there was anything she could help with.
She could feel the people’s gazes when she had her backs towards them, and the feeling only seemed to grow worse over time.
The people treated Elena like an outsider, and when she asked around why, no one said anything.

The people of this estate were like stagnant pond water.
Having been stuck together for too long, they reeked of vile stench.
It was said that this estate hadn’t interacted with other estates for a long time.
Gareth would have visited only once a year, which meant that these people would have lived together like family; the perfect formula for tight bonds and single-mindedness to form.

“It’s probably because of my lack of effort.
I must try harder,” Elena told herself.
Frankly, there was nothing else she could do, except put more effort into becoming part of this community.
Determined, Elena approached Madel with a gentle look on her face once her dizziness completely subsided.

“Go back to the castle and rest, Lady Elena,” Madel said.

“I’m fine.
I think everyone’s almost finished eating, so I’ll clean up and go back with you.”

At that moment, Giggs stepped up and collected all the empty bowls, then moved the empty pot back to the cart.

“Thanks for the help, Giggs,” Elena said.

“Anytime.”

Once everything had been cleaned up, Elena and Madel started walking back to the castle.
The fierce wind penetrated Elena’s thin coat, making her hunch her shoulders.

‘She must be cold..’ Madel thought as she repeatedly glanced at Elena, then said, “It gets cold out here, Lady Elena.” Thinking back to the conversation with Giggs and deciding to make just one coat for Elena, Madel added, “If you could give me some materials for—”

“There’s some in the warehouse.
Take them and make clothes for Princess Lydia, and her soon to be born baby.”

Madel smiled delightfully without realizing it.
“Can I? Oh, I’m so worried because Princess Lydia’s is still too small.
I wonder if the baby is growing well…” she trailed off.

It had been a month since Lydia had arrived at this estate, saying that she was six months pregnant with Gareth’s child.
This meant she was now seven months pregnant.
Elena, however, found it hard to believe Lydia’s claims based on her size.
She thought Lydia was four or five months pregnant at most, no matter how small the fetus was.

“Madel,” Elena called.

“Yes?”

“You’ve been a midwife here, is that right?”

“Yes, I have been.”

“Don’t you think the princess’ stomach is too small?” Elena finally asked the question that had been plaguing her mind.
She couldn’t understand why no one else found it strange.

“Some people tend to have small babies, Lady Elena.
Now, please stop the useless accusations,” Madel retorted harshly.

Elena was rendered speechless by Madel’s firm disagreement.
She let out a sigh, thinking that she had just given the others another reason to dislike her.
“I’m just…” she started.

“Just wait and see.
Princess Lydia will give birth to a child who looks just like Lady Adelia.”

‘Adelia… Just who in the world is Adelia…’ Elena thought in confusion, then asked, “Is that so?”

“Lady Elena, why do you keep acting like you don’t know anything when you do?! You know what our lord has been through, so why do you keep picking his wound and causing conflicts?”

Taken aback by Madel’s sudden burst of anger, Elena stared at Madel, unable to say anything.
The sound of the cart floundering filled the silence.

“Please don’t be so hard on Princess Lydia… for the sake of our lord,” Madel pleaded.

“Me?”

“I’m begging you, Lady Elena.
Please take good care of Princess Lydia for our poor lord.
She has his baby.”

‘A baby resembling Adelia…’ Elena’s eyes darkened and she asked, “Madel, who is this Adelia?”