Chapter 127 (1/2)
Yes, pregnancy! Rubica had forgotten about it, but since pregnant women could get tired easily, they were given some privileges, and one of them was eating in the bedroom.
Moreover, Rubica previously ate a full breakfast when it had been in the bedroom.
"Elise, come here."
Elise had been working on something else downstairs and came when Rubica's breakfast was ready on the table. Her hair was in a pretty knot again, but she was wearing a flea-colored dress that was even worse than her mouse-colored dress.
Why was she insisting on such dresses when she could be much prettier? Were balls the only excuse to make her wear splendid dresses?
'Oh, but the balls season is months away.'
Rubica had to hold back a sigh. Wasn't there a good excuse to make the girl wear a pretty dress? Should she suggest a picnic? But Elise would surely come to the picnic in one of her simple dresses with a shy smile even if all the other women were wearing their best dresses.
'Should I ask her to behave like a princess? I can say I want to pretend to be a maid.'
When Rubica's thoughts were going in a strange direction, everyone left the room except for Ann and Elise. Two people were too few to serve a duchess when having breakfast, but Rubica didn't mind and sat down. She rather had some expectations.
'Will Elise eat with me again?'
Maybe she had told Ann that Rubica had eaten well when she ate with her. Although Ann and Elise already knew Rubica's pregnancy was fake, there was a need to put up the act for the others for a month or two.
However, her hope wasn't answered. Instead, Ann whispered to her as she poured her a glass of water.
"Did you have a good time with your husband last night?"
Thankfully, Rubica had nothing in her mouth yet, or she would have spewed out everything.
"What are you talking about?"
"Oh, you know what I'm talking about."
Ann narrowed her eyes and laughed. Rubica only then recalled the door being opened and closed again while Edgar had been passionately kissing her.
Oh, that must have been why the maids had been blushing, smiling, and giggling.
Rubica wished she could hide, but Ann was quite in the opposite mood. She hummed as she poured juice into another glass.
"Maybe there wouldn't be any need to put up the act with the doctor."
She was clearly saying Rubica could actually get pregnant without acting. However, that made Rubica only afraid. She had fallen asleep in Edgar's arms and had woken up on the bed. They hadn't slept together, right?
Edgar had been acting like the most well-mannered gentleman in the world. However, it wasn't easy to get rid of the memory of him kissing her without permission and sleeping with her in his arms on that bed.
"Oh, umm…"
Was it okay to ask the question when there was Elise with them? Rubica wondered that for a moment.
'But she's 17. She's old enough to know about these things.'
Really, nothing had happened between her and Edgar. Moreover, if there had been anything, it had been light kisses which Elise could know about. But then again, she found it sad that she had to worry about that.
Who would believe her if she confessed the truth? She and Edgar were married and, unfortunately, to many people they appeared like a couple in love.
Oh, she had gotten rid of one of her worries after Edgar promised her to find Arman for her, but how was she supposed to get divorced now? Was spending all the money of the family and being accused as the evil duchess who destroyed the family the only way?
"He just moved me to the bed. That was all, right?"
"Oh, you shouldn't say that in front of a little girl."
Ann slapped Rubica's back who almost dropped the spoon she was holding. Ann was surprised by what she had done and rubbed her back. However, she kept smiling, and Rubica could clearly see what she was imagining.
Rubica started to feel truly worried. What if Edgar had really done something to her? She couldn't understand how she had been so relieved in his arms yesterday, and Edgar had moved her to the bedroom while the others were watching? She blushed hard in embarrassment.
"He just put me on the bed and left, right?"
"Hohohohoh."
Unlike the anxious Rubica, Ann laughed out loud. The two were so close. They were now practically pleading to each other, and she found the situation extremely satisfying.
"He left after watching you sleep for a long time."