Who Stole The Empress (R15) (Completed)

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Table of Contents

  • 1. Chapter 1. Kill The Empress
  • 2. Chapter 2. Tanatos’s Cripple Empress
  • 3. Chapter 3. She's Really Here
  • 4. Chapter 4. The Empress Is Going To Die
  • 5. Chapter 5. How Did This Happen?
  • 6. Chapter 6. Swallowing Eyes
  • 7. Chapter 7. Natasha Roanti
  • 8. Chapter 8. The Crying Sound
  • 9. Chapter 9. Are You Throwing Yourself Away?
  • 10. Chapter 10. Why Did This Woman...?
  • 11. Chapter 11. Then Bite If Off And Kill Me
  • 12. Chapter 12. Ability To Save
  • 13. Chapter 13. The Shadow She Left Behind
  • 14. Chapter 14. Into His Realm
  • 15. Chapter 15. Tamon's Purpose
  • 16. Chapter 16. This Damn Woman!
  • 17. Chapter 17. I've Never Hated You
  • 18. Chapter 18. How About Love?
  • 19. Chapter 19. A Night Walk
  • 20. Chapter 20. How Do You Want To Die
  • 21. Chapter 21. Ronasso's Anxiety
  • 22. Chapter 22. How To Let Go Of Sadness
  • 23. Chapter 23. Lersha Resha
  • 24. Chapter 24. It’s Not Ugly
  • 25. Chapter 25. Where Is The Empress's Treasure?
  • 26. Chapter 26. The Reason For Death
  • 27. Chapter 27. The Consolation Of The Unashamed
  • 28. Chapter 28. A New Name
  • 29. Chapter 29. A Small Change
  • 30. Chapter 30. Out Of Control
  • 31. Chapter 31. There's Always Trouble
  • 32. Chapter 32. Dazzling Silver Hair And Purple Crystal Eyes
  • 33. Chapter 33. My Silver Fox
  • 34. Chapter 34. Is It Okay To Eat This Poisonous Plant?
  • 35. Chapter 35. Don't Be Weak
  • 36. Chapter 36. Don’t Leave Me
  • 37. Chapter 37. An Unfamiliar Peace
  • 38. Chapter 38. Warmth Of The Palm
  • 39. Chapter 39. Give Me Your Right Foot
  • 40. Chapter 40. That’s Right
  • 41. Chapter 41. The Bride's Scream
  • 42. Chapter 42. You Are Like A Gift
  • 43. Chapter 43. Ensemble Drink
  • 44. Chapter 44. I Think It’s Her
  • 45. Chapter 45. Exactly One Month
  • 46. Chapter 46. I’m Disappointed
  • 47. Chapter 47. She Doesn’t Know
  • 48. Chapter 48. To The Lady Of The Pink Rose Forest
  • 49. Chapter 49. Red Stigma On The Chest
  • 50. Chapter 50. That Person Will Come
  • 51. Chapter 51. Smile Next Time
  • 52. Chapter 52. I’m The Owner Of That Leg
  • 53. Chapter 53. The Twins’ Dream
  • 54. Chapter 54. Karen Turasia
  • 55. Chapter 55. Red Passion In The Desert
  • 56. Chapter 56. Cassion Krasis
  • 57. Chapter 57. Brothers
  • 58. Chapter 58. He Did Not Know How To Be Patient
  • 59. Chapter 59. An Unpleasant Visitor
  • 60. Chapter 60. My Brother's Mistress
  • 61. Chapter 61. Tomorrow, Lunch, Together
  • 62. Chapter 62. Roselyn's Anger
  • 63. Chapter 63. Red-eyed Savior
  • 64. Chapter 64. He’s Back
  • 65. Chapter 65. Bloody Master
  • 66. Chapter 66. Welcome Back
  • 67. Chapter 67. I Missed You
  • 68. Chapter 68. Thank You For Staying Alive
  • 69. Chapter 69. It's All Coming Together
  • 70. Chapter 70. Hope That Shine At The End Of Despair
  • 71. Chapter 71. A Mean Woman
  • 72. Chapter 72. Ronasso's Adversity
  • 73. Chapter 73. Preparation To Go Out
  • 74. Chapter 74. Each Person's Heart Flows Differently
  • 75. Chapter 75. Smile, Rosie
  • 76. Chapter 76. Do You Want Me To Show You My Specialty?
  • 77. Chapter 77. Aim And Shoot
  • 78. Chapter 78. The Gap
  • 79. Chapter 79. Arrows That Burn Flesh
  • 80. Chapter 80. I’ll Bring You The Proof
  • 81. Chapter 81. Even If I Die Like This
  • 82. Chapter 82. The Reason She Was Confident In Winning
  • 83. Chapter 83. An Unexpected Guest
  • 84. Chapter 84. Love That Couldn't Overcome Hatred
  • 85. Chapter 85. Aranrosia
  • 86. Chapter 86. The Rightful Owner
  • 87. Chapter 87. Can I Trust You?
  • 88. Chapter 88. A Blind Man
  • 89. Chapter 89. The Wind Lantern Ceremony
  • 90. Chapter 90. If You're There, Come Out
  • 91. Chapter 91. Similar
  • 92. Chapter 92. Ignorance Is Bravery
  • 93. Chapter 93. I Can Tell You
  • 94. Chapter 94. Hartz’s Conditions
  • 95. Chapter 95. If You Kiss Me
  • 96. Chapter 96. Change
  • 97. Chapter 97. Anna
  • 98. Chapter 98. I’ll Have To Remove It
  • 99. Chapter 99. The Prophet's Gamble
  • 100. Chapter 100. Because He's So Good At It
  • 101. Chapter 101. A Mysterious Trend
  • 102. Chapter 102. The Conditions Of The Gift
  • 103. Chapter 103. The Tips Of His Ears
  • 104. Chapter 104. The Meaning Of Yellow Lily
  • 105. Chapter 105. God, Please Take Care Of Them
  • 106. Chapter 106. I'd Like To Meet Him
  • 107. Chapter 107. It’s Beautiful
  • 108. Chapter 108. What Do You Want Me To Do?
  • 109. Chapter 109. There's Only Two Of Us
  • 110. Chapter 110. Even If It Hurts A Little, It Will Last A Long Time
  • 111. Chapter 111. Does This Make Sense?
  • 112. Chapter 112. With Both Feet
  • 113. Chapter 113. Instinct
  • 114. Chapter 114. Did It Happen?
  • 115. Chapter 115. One Step, Two Steps
  • 116. Chapter 116. A Familiar Voice
  • 117. Chapter 117. I See The Glory Of Winter
  • 118. Chapter 118. That's Why It's Not Me
  • 119. Chapter 119. . It Was A Flash
  • 120. Chapter 120. When The Revenge Is Over
  • 121. Chapter 121. What Will He Get?
  • 122. Chapter 122. What Is Your Name?
  • 123. Chapter 123. Sweet
  • 124. Chapter 124. Black Canyon (1)
  • 125. Chapter 125. Black Canyon (2)
  • 126. Chapter 126. A Twisted Doubt
  • 127. Chapter 127. You Have To Save It
  • 128. Chapter 128. The Secret Of The Silver Horned Deer
  • 129. Chapter 129. His Sincerity
  • 130. Chapter 130. Into The Black Fog
  • 131. Chapter 131. Breaking In
  • 132. Chapter 132. Tell Me, Asha
  • 133. Chapter 133. Warmth
  • 134. Chapter 134. Evidence Of Longing
  • 135. Chapter 135. Under The Wheels
  • 136. Chapter 136. Natasha's Crime
  • 137. Chapter 137. Who Left The Flowers?
  • 138. Chapter 138. He Who Sees The Will Of God
  • 139. Chapter 139. Winter Can't Beat The Pines
  • 140. Chapter 140. Let’s Go There Together
  • 141. Chapter 141. Betrayal
  • 142. Chapter 142. A Vanished Home
  • 143. Chapter 143. Finally, At The Imperial Palace
  • 144. Chapter 144. Remove It
  • 145. Chapter 145. Your Worst Nightmare
  • 146. Chapter 146. July 16th
  • 147. Chapter 147. Pretend You Don’t See It. Pretend You Don’t Know It
  • 148. Chapter 148. Take The Child To His Mother
  • 149. Chapter 149. A Crack
  • 150. Chapter 150. Song Of The Fall
  • 151. Chapter 151. Anna’s Situation
  • 152. Chapter 152. Perso’s Anguish
  • 153. Chapter 153. A Suspicious Maid
  • 154. Chapter 154. Whose Baby Is It?
  • 155. Chapter 155. This Is My Answer
  • 156. Chapter 156. The Wild Dog Outside The Fence
  • 157. Chapter 157. The Main Characters
  • 158. Chapter 158. That Day
  • 159. Chapter 159. Let Me Tell You A Secret
  • 160. Chapter 160. Run Away
  • 161. Chapter 161. The Hunt Begins
  • 162. Chapter 162. To The Hell I Got Out Of
  • 163. Chapter 163. Let's Watch
  • 164. Chapter 164. The Crazy Emperor
  • 165. Chapter 165. Rampage
  • 166. Chapter 166. Clash Of Life And Death
  • 167. Chapter 167. Collect
  • 168. Chapter 168. The Banquet Is Over
  • 169. Chapter 169. A World Without The Power Of God
  • 170. Chapter 170. Thorny Hedge
  • 171. Chapter 171. It Was The Night When Winter Ended
  • 172. Chapter 172. Side Story 1 - The World Has Been Turned Upside Down
  • 173. Chapter 173. Side Story 2 - Death In The Dark
  • 174. Chapter 174. Side Story 3 - Monstein
  • 175. Chapter 175. Side Story 4. Tamon's Happiness
  • 176. Chapter 176. Side Story 5. Very Sweet And Tender
  • 177. Chapter 177. Side Story 6. Methods Of Persuasion
  • 178. Chapter 178. Side Story 7. A Night Full Of Peach Scent
  • 179. Chapter 179. Side Story 8. Desired Asha
  • 180. Chapter 180. Side Story 9. Unexpected Fit
  • 181. Chapter 181. Side Story 10. Return
  • 182. Chapter 182. Side Story 11. All Is Well
  • 183. Chapter 183. Side Story 12. Amazing News
  • 184. Chapter 184. Side Story 13. A Very Cute Dream
  • 185. Chapter 185. Side Story 14. What Kind Of Bullsh*t Is This?
  • 186. Chapter 186. Side Story 15. What Will Turn The World Upside Down
  • 187. Chapter 187. Side Story 16. Suspicious Meeting
  • 188. Chapter 188. Side Story 17. Find Me
  • 189. Chapter 189. Side Story 18. You Just Have To Enjoy It
  • 190. Chapter 190. Side Story 19. Time To Become A Family
  • 191. Chapter 191. Side Story 20. Omen
  • 192. Chapter 192. Side Story 21. Became A Family (End)

Chapter 1. Kill the Empress

 

****
Sponsored by Kuroneko 💖 (3/4)

****


Boom, boom, boom!

 

“Open the door! Hello!”

 

Anna pounded her fist on the tightly closed castle gate and called for someone.

 

Her frozen hands were as hard as stone, and her trembling body had long since lost its senses to the cold.

 

“There’s a horse-drawn carriage overturned!”

 

The carriage had completely broken down after rolling across the snowfield, and to make matters worse, the horses were released from the carriage and ran away from their own.

 

“My Lady!”

 

“Shh – It’s okay, nanny, there’s going to be someone soon. Nanny stays still.”

 

“My Lady, I’m sorry, I’m sorry.”

 

“It’s not the nanny’s fault, what are you sorry for? It’s cold, so stay still, nanny.”

 

Anna calmed the shivering Rwanda down and said softly.

 

The carriage flipped over, breaking Rwanda’s wrist.

 

Fortunately, the place where the carriage overturned was not far from the castle she needed to find.

 

Taking only the most necessary things, Anna supported Rwanda and arrived at the castle after half a day of walking.

 

But it was getting dark, and very late in the day.

 

‘If I had known it would be like this, I wouldn’t have refused and waited for my father to go together.’

 

The belated regret came over Anna.

 

While Count Marktup was away from his mansion, Anna’s father had been in charge of the place for some time.

 

There was a big fire on the border of the estate, and since it was the work of the intruder, the Count had to go.

 

Meanwhile, her father was guarding the mansion in place of his best friend, saying that there was a possibility of another attack on the castle. Anna couldn’t wait for the Count to come back without knowing when. She was very impatient.

 

“Father, do you know where Uncle Henrik is now? Please tell me. I have something very important to tell him.”

 

After much pestering of her troubled father, Anna finally found the place where Henrik Alpatio was likely to be.

 

He was in the famously cold region of Hashantia, two days’ drive from Count Marktup’s estate.

 

Anna did not hesitate to leave immediately.

 

Rwanda followed her forced march with anxiety.

 

It was Rwanda who dressed, fed and always took care of Anna.

 

Rwanda who had a hard time meeting the wrong owner, but even now she was just shivering, afraid Anna would be in trouble.

 

Anna clenched her fists once more.

 

She didn’t have the strength to protect the people she loved until now.

 

She had to lose them right in front of her eyes.

 

‘I can’t let that happen again. Because Rosie is still alive. Rosie, she’s still alive!’

 

Boom! Boom!

 

“Hey! Isn’t there anyone here? Uncle Henrik! I know you’re here, Uncle Henrik!”

 

It was then that a voice rumbled through the silent darkness.

 

Creakkkkkk!

 

The thick gate of the castle, which had been so tightly closed, slowly opened a crack.

 

A huge man stepped out of the gap as the startled Anna jerked back.

 

“Who are you? What is your name?”

 

Dark green eyes, like a swamp, looked down at her darkly through dark red hair.

 

“….!”

 

Anna’s body froze in surprise.

 

In his hand was a large sword of frightening size.

 

****

 

“Ugh!Ahhhhhh!”

 

The moans of the woman writhing in pain were heard insidiously in the dimly lit hallway. 

 

She couldn’t scream if it hurt too much, and she couldn’t raise her voice, so she gasped for air.

 

“What is that?”

 

Anna, who had been walking behind the man who had gone on ahead of her, looked around the area with anxious eyes.

 

There was not a single passing servant in the old castle, which was neither that big nor that small.

 

The only figures that she occasionally saw were armed knights guarding here and there.

 

When the man turned around, he only stared at Anna with eyes full of suspicion, but made no reply.

 

Anna held Rwanda in her arms and stared straight into the eyes of the mindless man. 

 

In the dimly lit corridor, the huge shadow of the man held her down.

 

The eyes, which showed no emotion, felt oddly hot.

 

The only red was the color of the man’s hair, but there was a harsh intensity in his eyes, as if he was holding some kind of flame.

 

“That’s what it is…”

 

Anna took a short deep breath, trying not to deflate.

 

‘Don’t be discouraged.’

 

Her face was pale with cold and exhaustion, but her eyes glowed sharply as she stared at the man.

 

No matter how honest and innocent she was, she had endured several years in the imperial palace, where all kinds of dirty things were rampant, and that too behind the Empress’ back.

 

The fact that humans would not faint because of the eyes that stare at them has already been experienced countless times back then.

 

“…..”

 

The man, who had been looking at Anna for a while, frowned strangely, and immediately turned his face away. 

 

Then he walked on as if nothing had happened, and eventually reached the front of the room where the screaming had been eerily heard.

 

The man looked back at Anna again. A horrified look came into his eyes as he stared at her.

 

“What’s your name?”

 

“Anna, daughter of Viscount Rotrega, you would know.”

 

As if to confirm, she said it clearly.

 

Fortunately, the man didn’t behave quite so rudely to her, with only an overbearing look in his eyes.

 

“Please wait……………”

 

The man gave a look to the soldiers guarding the door as if to ask them to protect her, and went inside.

 

And shortly after, she came into the room and Henrik Alpatio greeted her with a blank look on his face.

 

“Anna. Yes, I remember. Haha, it’s been a while.”

 

“Uncle Henrik, hello……”

 

“Ugh! Ugh!”

 

Before Anna could finish her greeting, a moan came from across the room where Henrik had his back turned.

 

It sounded like the sound of someone enduring torture, or the sound of a choked cry.

 

It was a half-dead scream, and Anna stared at the closed door.

 

Henrik explained heavily, frowning in pain.

 

“I’m sorry. The timing is not good. My second daughter’s amniotic fluid burst earlier than her due date…”

 

“!”

 

At that word, both Anna and Rwanda, who was being supported by Anna, could only open their mouths in surprise.

 

So then, this sound that they had been hearing from earlier must be the scream of a woman giving birth.

 

“Uuuuu! Ugh! Aah!”

 

“Damn it, I’m sorry, Anna. I’m sorry. I’m also in a panic right now. The midwife who was supposed to come couldn’t….”

 

 “There’s no midwife right now?”

 

Henrik just bowed his head as Anna asked in surprise.

 

“So, who’s in there?”

 

“My wife…… But she doesn’t know what to do, she’s just holding her hand.”

 

Henrik swept his hair roughly as if he was going crazy and looked at Anna with a pale smile.

 

“You’ve come a long way to visit but the timing is not good. I’ll give you a room so you can rest and some medicine for your wound.”

 

Sighing impatiently, Henrik made an effort to reassure Anna. 

 

The middle-aged man’s pale face was twisted into a scowl of worry and anxiety. 

 

In Tanatos, it was common for mothers and babies to die during childbirth.

 

There were many midwives and doctors in the capital city, but the further into the countryside, the harder it was to find an experienced midwife.

 

And even if there was a skilled midwife, if the mother was weak, if she went into labor on a cold day…..

 

The survival rate of the mother and the baby will be extremely low.

 

Fortunately, today was not an extremely cold day. But it was unbelievable that there was no midwife…..

 

“Is there only your wife inside? What about the servants?”

 

“The maid was in there but she’s very young and naive. She couldn’t help.”

 

Henrik scratched nervously between his fingers.

 

His hands were scratched all over the place, as if it was a habitual behavior when he was nervous. For a moment, the surroundings seemed to darken, and then the huge man who had brought Anna in grabbed Henrik’s wrist.

 

“Oh, I’m doing it again. Hahahaha.”

 

Henrik put his hand down with an embarrassed laugh. Meanwhile, another shrill scream came from the back room.

 

Startled, Henrik moved to the door of the room and quickly turned his head away.

 

There was a heavy buzzing around him.

 

There was a young man in the room besides Henrik, and the one who had not moved in front of the door banged his head against the wall.

 

“Come on.This isn’t going to end quickly.”

 

“My son in law. At times like this, you have to hold out more firmly. You’re her husband.”

 

 

The man bit his lip and clenched his fist at Henrik’s words.

 

He seemed to be the husband of the woman who was giving birth, Henrik’s son-in-law.

 

‘The time is not good.’

 

Anna clenched her fists, feeling the suffocating air.

 

Just then, Rwanda, who was standing close to Anna, asked, 

 

“Did you bring plenty of hot water and clean towels?”

 

“… What?”

 

“I hope you’ve also included a few things that the mother might hold onto and give her strength.”

 

Rwanda, who couldn’t stand it, interrupted cautiously.

 

A startled Anna stared at her.

 

The gazes of the men, who had no choice but to stand there, all turned to the middle-aged woman who was physically injured and tired.

 

With a tired and pained look on her face, Rwanda whispered quietly in Anna’s ear.

 

“You came here because you need their help, didn’t you, young lady?”

 

When Anna stared at her in surprise, Rwanda gently smiled and nodded.

 

Then, unlike Rwanda’s haggard face, a calm voice came out.

 

“I’m the one who received the lady. Of course, I’m not a midwife………… Still, I have a few experiences of going into the birthing room.”

 

“Rwanda….”

 

Anna wanted to say that she didn’t have to push herself too hard for her (Anna) own good.

 

But the pained groaning coming from the room stopped her from speaking.

 

Rwanda took another step toward Henrik.

 

“If you don’t mind, can I help your daughter give birth?” 

 

“………Of course!”

 

Only at that moment did Henrik’s face light up. As he tried to hold Rwanda’s hand, he was surprised to see her swollen arm and asked.

 

“How can you do that with your arm…….”

 

“My Lady.”

 

Rwanda looked back at Anna.

 

At this moment, Rwanda’s face couldn’t help but freeze in tension.

 

“Will you be my hand, young lady?”

 

Anna gasped in surprise.

Chapter 2. Tanatos’s cripple Empress

 

****
Sponsored by Kuroneko 💖 (3/4)

****


Boom, boom, boom!

 

“Open the door! Hello!”

 

Anna pounded her fist on the tightly closed castle gate and called for someone.

 

Her frozen hands were as hard as stone, and her trembling body had long since lost its senses to the cold.

 

“There’s a horse-drawn carriage overturned!”

 

The carriage had completely broken down after rolling across the snowfield, and to make matters worse, the horses were released from the carriage and ran away from their own.

 

“My Lady!”

 

“Shh – It’s okay, nanny, there’s going to be someone soon. Nanny stays still.”

 

“My Lady, I’m sorry, I’m sorry.”

 

“It’s not the nanny’s fault, what are you sorry for? It’s cold, so stay still, nanny.”

 

Anna calmed the shivering Rwanda down and said softly.

 

The carriage flipped over, breaking Rwanda’s wrist.

 

Fortunately, the place where the carriage overturned was not far from the castle she needed to find.

 

Taking only the most necessary things, Anna supported Rwanda and arrived at the castle after half a day of walking.

 

But it was getting dark, and very late in the day.

 

‘If I had known it would be like this, I wouldn’t have refused and waited for my father to go together.’

 

The belated regret came over Anna.

 

While Count Marktup was away from his mansion, Anna’s father had been in charge of the place for some time.

 

There was a big fire on the border of the estate, and since it was the work of the intruder, the Count had to go.

 

Meanwhile, her father was guarding the mansion in place of his best friend, saying that there was a possibility of another attack on the castle. Anna couldn’t wait for the Count to come back without knowing when. She was very impatient.

 

“Father, do you know where Uncle Henrik is now? Please tell me. I have something very important to tell him.”

 

After much pestering of her troubled father, Anna finally found the place where Henrik Alpatio was likely to be.

 

He was in the famously cold region of Hashantia, two days’ drive from Count Marktup’s estate.

 

Anna did not hesitate to leave immediately.

 

Rwanda followed her forced march with anxiety.

 

It was Rwanda who dressed, fed and always took care of Anna.

 

Rwanda who had a hard time meeting the wrong owner, but even now she was just shivering, afraid Anna would be in trouble.

 

Anna clenched her fists once more.

 

She didn’t have the strength to protect the people she loved until now.

 

She had to lose them right in front of her eyes.

 

‘I can’t let that happen again. Because Rosie is still alive. Rosie, she’s still alive!’

 

Boom! Boom!

 

“Hey! Isn’t there anyone here? Uncle Henrik! I know you’re here, Uncle Henrik!”

 

It was then that a voice rumbled through the silent darkness.

 

Creakkkkkk!

 

The thick gate of the castle, which had been so tightly closed, slowly opened a crack.

 

A huge man stepped out of the gap as the startled Anna jerked back.

 

“Who are you? What is your name?”

 

Dark green eyes, like a swamp, looked down at her darkly through dark red hair.

 

“….!”

 

Anna’s body froze in surprise.

 

In his hand was a large sword of frightening size.

 

****

 

“Ugh!Ahhhhhh!”

 

The moans of the woman writhing in pain were heard insidiously in the dimly lit hallway. 

 

She couldn’t scream if it hurt too much, and she couldn’t raise her voice, so she gasped for air.

 

“What is that?”

 

Anna, who had been walking behind the man who had gone on ahead of her, looked around the area with anxious eyes.

 

There was not a single passing servant in the old castle, which was neither that big nor that small.

 

The only figures that she occasionally saw were armed knights guarding here and there.

 

When the man turned around, he only stared at Anna with eyes full of suspicion, but made no reply.

 

Anna held Rwanda in her arms and stared straight into the eyes of the mindless man. 

 

In the dimly lit corridor, the huge shadow of the man held her down.

 

The eyes, which showed no emotion, felt oddly hot.

 

The only red was the color of the man’s hair, but there was a harsh intensity in his eyes, as if he was holding some kind of flame.

 

“That’s what it is…”

 

Anna took a short deep breath, trying not to deflate.

 

‘Don’t be discouraged.’

 

Her face was pale with cold and exhaustion, but her eyes glowed sharply as she stared at the man.

 

No matter how honest and innocent she was, she had endured several years in the imperial palace, where all kinds of dirty things were rampant, and that too behind the Empress’ back.

 

The fact that humans would not faint because of the eyes that stare at them has already been experienced countless times back then.

 

“…..”

 

The man, who had been looking at Anna for a while, frowned strangely, and immediately turned his face away. 

 

Then he walked on as if nothing had happened, and eventually reached the front of the room where the screaming had been eerily heard.

 

The man looked back at Anna again. A horrified look came into his eyes as he stared at her.

 

“What’s your name?”

 

“Anna, daughter of Viscount Rotrega, you would know.”

 

As if to confirm, she said it clearly.

 

Fortunately, the man didn’t behave quite so rudely to her, with only an overbearing look in his eyes.

 

“Please wait……………”

 

The man gave a look to the soldiers guarding the door as if to ask them to protect her, and went inside.

 

And shortly after, she came into the room and Henrik Alpatio greeted her with a blank look on his face.

 

“Anna. Yes, I remember. Haha, it’s been a while.”

 

“Uncle Henrik, hello……”

 

“Ugh! Ugh!”

 

Before Anna could finish her greeting, a moan came from across the room where Henrik had his back turned.

 

It sounded like the sound of someone enduring torture, or the sound of a choked cry.

 

It was a half-dead scream, and Anna stared at the closed door.

 

Henrik explained heavily, frowning in pain.

 

“I’m sorry. The timing is not good. My second daughter’s amniotic fluid burst earlier than her due date…”

 

“!”

 

At that word, both Anna and Rwanda, who was being supported by Anna, could only open their mouths in surprise.

 

So then, this sound that they had been hearing from earlier must be the scream of a woman giving birth.

 

“Uuuuu! Ugh! Aah!”

 

“Damn it, I’m sorry, Anna. I’m sorry. I’m also in a panic right now. The midwife who was supposed to come couldn’t….”

 

 “There’s no midwife right now?”

 

Henrik just bowed his head as Anna asked in surprise.

 

“So, who’s in there?”

 

“My wife…… But she doesn’t know what to do, she’s just holding her hand.”

 

Henrik swept his hair roughly as if he was going crazy and looked at Anna with a pale smile.

 

“You’ve come a long way to visit but the timing is not good. I’ll give you a room so you can rest and some medicine for your wound.”

 

Sighing impatiently, Henrik made an effort to reassure Anna. 

 

The middle-aged man’s pale face was twisted into a scowl of worry and anxiety. 

 

In Tanatos, it was common for mothers and babies to die during childbirth.

 

There were many midwives and doctors in the capital city, but the further into the countryside, the harder it was to find an experienced midwife.

 

And even if there was a skilled midwife, if the mother was weak, if she went into labor on a cold day…..

 

The survival rate of the mother and the baby will be extremely low.

 

Fortunately, today was not an extremely cold day. But it was unbelievable that there was no midwife…..

 

“Is there only your wife inside? What about the servants?”

 

“The maid was in there but she’s very young and naive. She couldn’t help.”

 

Henrik scratched nervously between his fingers.

 

His hands were scratched all over the place, as if it was a habitual behavior when he was nervous. For a moment, the surroundings seemed to darken, and then the huge man who had brought Anna in grabbed Henrik’s wrist.

 

“Oh, I’m doing it again. Hahahaha.”

 

Henrik put his hand down with an embarrassed laugh. Meanwhile, another shrill scream came from the back room.

 

Startled, Henrik moved to the door of the room and quickly turned his head away.

 

There was a heavy buzzing around him.

 

There was a young man in the room besides Henrik, and the one who had not moved in front of the door banged his head against the wall.

 

“Come on.This isn’t going to end quickly.”

 

“My son in law. At times like this, you have to hold out more firmly. You’re her husband.”

 

 

The man bit his lip and clenched his fist at Henrik’s words.

 

He seemed to be the husband of the woman who was giving birth, Henrik’s son-in-law.

 

‘The time is not good.’

 

Anna clenched her fists, feeling the suffocating air.

 

Just then, Rwanda, who was standing close to Anna, asked, 

 

“Did you bring plenty of hot water and clean towels?”

 

“… What?”

 

“I hope you’ve also included a few things that the mother might hold onto and give her strength.”

 

Rwanda, who couldn’t stand it, interrupted cautiously.

 

A startled Anna stared at her.

 

The gazes of the men, who had no choice but to stand there, all turned to the middle-aged woman who was physically injured and tired.

 

With a tired and pained look on her face, Rwanda whispered quietly in Anna’s ear.

 

“You came here because you need their help, didn’t you, young lady?”

 

When Anna stared at her in surprise, Rwanda gently smiled and nodded.

 

Then, unlike Rwanda’s haggard face, a calm voice came out.

 

“I’m the one who received the lady. Of course, I’m not a midwife………… Still, I have a few experiences of going into the birthing room.”

 

“Rwanda….”

 

Anna wanted to say that she didn’t have to push herself too hard for her (Anna) own good.

 

But the pained groaning coming from the room stopped her from speaking.

 

Rwanda took another step toward Henrik.

 

“If you don’t mind, can I help your daughter give birth?” 

 

“………Of course!”

 

Only at that moment did Henrik’s face light up. As he tried to hold Rwanda’s hand, he was surprised to see her swollen arm and asked.

 

“How can you do that with your arm…….”

 

“My Lady.”

 

Rwanda looked back at Anna.

 

At this moment, Rwanda’s face couldn’t help but freeze in tension.

 

“Will you be my hand, young lady?”

 

Anna gasped in surprise.

Chapter 3. She's really here

 

****
Sponsored by Kuroneko 💖 (3/4)

****


Boom, boom, boom!

 

“Open the door! Hello!”

 

Anna pounded her fist on the tightly closed castle gate and called for someone.

 

Her frozen hands were as hard as stone, and her trembling body had long since lost its senses to the cold.

 

“There’s a horse-drawn carriage overturned!”

 

The carriage had completely broken down after rolling across the snowfield, and to make matters worse, the horses were released from the carriage and ran away from their own.

 

“My Lady!”

 

“Shh – It’s okay, nanny, there’s going to be someone soon. Nanny stays still.”

 

“My Lady, I’m sorry, I’m sorry.”

 

“It’s not the nanny’s fault, what are you sorry for? It’s cold, so stay still, nanny.”

 

Anna calmed the shivering Rwanda down and said softly.

 

The carriage flipped over, breaking Rwanda’s wrist.

 

Fortunately, the place where the carriage overturned was not far from the castle she needed to find.

 

Taking only the most necessary things, Anna supported Rwanda and arrived at the castle after half a day of walking.

 

But it was getting dark, and very late in the day.

 

‘If I had known it would be like this, I wouldn’t have refused and waited for my father to go together.’

 

The belated regret came over Anna.

 

While Count Marktup was away from his mansion, Anna’s father had been in charge of the place for some time.

 

There was a big fire on the border of the estate, and since it was the work of the intruder, the Count had to go.

 

Meanwhile, her father was guarding the mansion in place of his best friend, saying that there was a possibility of another attack on the castle. Anna couldn’t wait for the Count to come back without knowing when. She was very impatient.

 

“Father, do you know where Uncle Henrik is now? Please tell me. I have something very important to tell him.”

 

After much pestering of her troubled father, Anna finally found the place where Henrik Alpatio was likely to be.

 

He was in the famously cold region of Hashantia, two days’ drive from Count Marktup’s estate.

 

Anna did not hesitate to leave immediately.

 

Rwanda followed her forced march with anxiety.

 

It was Rwanda who dressed, fed and always took care of Anna.

 

Rwanda who had a hard time meeting the wrong owner, but even now she was just shivering, afraid Anna would be in trouble.

 

Anna clenched her fists once more.

 

She didn’t have the strength to protect the people she loved until now.

 

She had to lose them right in front of her eyes.

 

‘I can’t let that happen again. Because Rosie is still alive. Rosie, she’s still alive!’

 

Boom! Boom!

 

“Hey! Isn’t there anyone here? Uncle Henrik! I know you’re here, Uncle Henrik!”

 

It was then that a voice rumbled through the silent darkness.

 

Creakkkkkk!

 

The thick gate of the castle, which had been so tightly closed, slowly opened a crack.

 

A huge man stepped out of the gap as the startled Anna jerked back.

 

“Who are you? What is your name?”

 

Dark green eyes, like a swamp, looked down at her darkly through dark red hair.

 

“….!”

 

Anna’s body froze in surprise.

 

In his hand was a large sword of frightening size.

 

****

 

“Ugh!Ahhhhhh!”

 

The moans of the woman writhing in pain were heard insidiously in the dimly lit hallway. 

 

She couldn’t scream if it hurt too much, and she couldn’t raise her voice, so she gasped for air.

 

“What is that?”

 

Anna, who had been walking behind the man who had gone on ahead of her, looked around the area with anxious eyes.

 

There was not a single passing servant in the old castle, which was neither that big nor that small.

 

The only figures that she occasionally saw were armed knights guarding here and there.

 

When the man turned around, he only stared at Anna with eyes full of suspicion, but made no reply.

 

Anna held Rwanda in her arms and stared straight into the eyes of the mindless man. 

 

In the dimly lit corridor, the huge shadow of the man held her down.

 

The eyes, which showed no emotion, felt oddly hot.

 

The only red was the color of the man’s hair, but there was a harsh intensity in his eyes, as if he was holding some kind of flame.

 

“That’s what it is…”

 

Anna took a short deep breath, trying not to deflate.

 

‘Don’t be discouraged.’

 

Her face was pale with cold and exhaustion, but her eyes glowed sharply as she stared at the man.

 

No matter how honest and innocent she was, she had endured several years in the imperial palace, where all kinds of dirty things were rampant, and that too behind the Empress’ back.

 

The fact that humans would not faint because of the eyes that stare at them has already been experienced countless times back then.

 

“…..”

 

The man, who had been looking at Anna for a while, frowned strangely, and immediately turned his face away. 

 

Then he walked on as if nothing had happened, and eventually reached the front of the room where the screaming had been eerily heard.

 

The man looked back at Anna again. A horrified look came into his eyes as he stared at her.

 

“What’s your name?”

 

“Anna, daughter of Viscount Rotrega, you would know.”

 

As if to confirm, she said it clearly.

 

Fortunately, the man didn’t behave quite so rudely to her, with only an overbearing look in his eyes.

 

“Please wait……………”

 

The man gave a look to the soldiers guarding the door as if to ask them to protect her, and went inside.

 

And shortly after, she came into the room and Henrik Alpatio greeted her with a blank look on his face.

 

“Anna. Yes, I remember. Haha, it’s been a while.”

 

“Uncle Henrik, hello……”

 

“Ugh! Ugh!”

 

Before Anna could finish her greeting, a moan came from across the room where Henrik had his back turned.

 

It sounded like the sound of someone enduring torture, or the sound of a choked cry.

 

It was a half-dead scream, and Anna stared at the closed door.

 

Henrik explained heavily, frowning in pain.

 

“I’m sorry. The timing is not good. My second daughter’s amniotic fluid burst earlier than her due date…”

 

“!”

 

At that word, both Anna and Rwanda, who was being supported by Anna, could only open their mouths in surprise.

 

So then, this sound that they had been hearing from earlier must be the scream of a woman giving birth.

 

“Uuuuu! Ugh! Aah!”

 

“Damn it, I’m sorry, Anna. I’m sorry. I’m also in a panic right now. The midwife who was supposed to come couldn’t….”

 

 “There’s no midwife right now?”

 

Henrik just bowed his head as Anna asked in surprise.

 

“So, who’s in there?”

 

“My wife…… But she doesn’t know what to do, she’s just holding her hand.”

 

Henrik swept his hair roughly as if he was going crazy and looked at Anna with a pale smile.

 

“You’ve come a long way to visit but the timing is not good. I’ll give you a room so you can rest and some medicine for your wound.”

 

Sighing impatiently, Henrik made an effort to reassure Anna. 

 

The middle-aged man’s pale face was twisted into a scowl of worry and anxiety. 

 

In Tanatos, it was common for mothers and babies to die during childbirth.

 

There were many midwives and doctors in the capital city, but the further into the countryside, the harder it was to find an experienced midwife.

 

And even if there was a skilled midwife, if the mother was weak, if she went into labor on a cold day…..

 

The survival rate of the mother and the baby will be extremely low.

 

Fortunately, today was not an extremely cold day. But it was unbelievable that there was no midwife…..

 

“Is there only your wife inside? What about the servants?”

 

“The maid was in there but she’s very young and naive. She couldn’t help.”

 

Henrik scratched nervously between his fingers.

 

His hands were scratched all over the place, as if it was a habitual behavior when he was nervous. For a moment, the surroundings seemed to darken, and then the huge man who had brought Anna in grabbed Henrik’s wrist.

 

“Oh, I’m doing it again. Hahahaha.”

 

Henrik put his hand down with an embarrassed laugh. Meanwhile, another shrill scream came from the back room.

 

Startled, Henrik moved to the door of the room and quickly turned his head away.

 

There was a heavy buzzing around him.

 

There was a young man in the room besides Henrik, and the one who had not moved in front of the door banged his head against the wall.

 

“Come on.This isn’t going to end quickly.”

 

“My son in law. At times like this, you have to hold out more firmly. You’re her husband.”

 

 

The man bit his lip and clenched his fist at Henrik’s words.

 

He seemed to be the husband of the woman who was giving birth, Henrik’s son-in-law.

 

‘The time is not good.’

 

Anna clenched her fists, feeling the suffocating air.

 

Just then, Rwanda, who was standing close to Anna, asked, 

 

“Did you bring plenty of hot water and clean towels?”

 

“… What?”

 

“I hope you’ve also included a few things that the mother might hold onto and give her strength.”

 

Rwanda, who couldn’t stand it, interrupted cautiously.

 

A startled Anna stared at her.

 

The gazes of the men, who had no choice but to stand there, all turned to the middle-aged woman who was physically injured and tired.

 

With a tired and pained look on her face, Rwanda whispered quietly in Anna’s ear.

 

“You came here because you need their help, didn’t you, young lady?”

 

When Anna stared at her in surprise, Rwanda gently smiled and nodded.

 

Then, unlike Rwanda’s haggard face, a calm voice came out.

 

“I’m the one who received the lady. Of course, I’m not a midwife………… Still, I have a few experiences of going into the birthing room.”

 

“Rwanda….”

 

Anna wanted to say that she didn’t have to push herself too hard for her (Anna) own good.

 

But the pained groaning coming from the room stopped her from speaking.

 

Rwanda took another step toward Henrik.

 

“If you don’t mind, can I help your daughter give birth?” 

 

“………Of course!”

 

Only at that moment did Henrik’s face light up. As he tried to hold Rwanda’s hand, he was surprised to see her swollen arm and asked.

 

“How can you do that with your arm…….”

 

“My Lady.”

 

Rwanda looked back at Anna.

 

At this moment, Rwanda’s face couldn’t help but freeze in tension.

 

“Will you be my hand, young lady?”

 

Anna gasped in surprise.

Chapter 4. The Empress is going to die

 

****
Sponsored by Kuroneko 💖 (3/4)

****


Boom, boom, boom!

 

“Open the door! Hello!”

 

Anna pounded her fist on the tightly closed castle gate and called for someone.

 

Her frozen hands were as hard as stone, and her trembling body had long since lost its senses to the cold.

 

“There’s a horse-drawn carriage overturned!”

 

The carriage had completely broken down after rolling across the snowfield, and to make matters worse, the horses were released from the carriage and ran away from their own.

 

“My Lady!”

 

“Shh – It’s okay, nanny, there’s going to be someone soon. Nanny stays still.”

 

“My Lady, I’m sorry, I’m sorry.”

 

“It’s not the nanny’s fault, what are you sorry for? It’s cold, so stay still, nanny.”

 

Anna calmed the shivering Rwanda down and said softly.

 

The carriage flipped over, breaking Rwanda’s wrist.

 

Fortunately, the place where the carriage overturned was not far from the castle she needed to find.

 

Taking only the most necessary things, Anna supported Rwanda and arrived at the castle after half a day of walking.

 

But it was getting dark, and very late in the day.

 

‘If I had known it would be like this, I wouldn’t have refused and waited for my father to go together.’

 

The belated regret came over Anna.

 

While Count Marktup was away from his mansion, Anna’s father had been in charge of the place for some time.

 

There was a big fire on the border of the estate, and since it was the work of the intruder, the Count had to go.

 

Meanwhile, her father was guarding the mansion in place of his best friend, saying that there was a possibility of another attack on the castle. Anna couldn’t wait for the Count to come back without knowing when. She was very impatient.

 

“Father, do you know where Uncle Henrik is now? Please tell me. I have something very important to tell him.”

 

After much pestering of her troubled father, Anna finally found the place where Henrik Alpatio was likely to be.

 

He was in the famously cold region of Hashantia, two days’ drive from Count Marktup’s estate.

 

Anna did not hesitate to leave immediately.

 

Rwanda followed her forced march with anxiety.

 

It was Rwanda who dressed, fed and always took care of Anna.

 

Rwanda who had a hard time meeting the wrong owner, but even now she was just shivering, afraid Anna would be in trouble.

 

Anna clenched her fists once more.

 

She didn’t have the strength to protect the people she loved until now.

 

She had to lose them right in front of her eyes.

 

‘I can’t let that happen again. Because Rosie is still alive. Rosie, she’s still alive!’

 

Boom! Boom!

 

“Hey! Isn’t there anyone here? Uncle Henrik! I know you’re here, Uncle Henrik!”

 

It was then that a voice rumbled through the silent darkness.

 

Creakkkkkk!

 

The thick gate of the castle, which had been so tightly closed, slowly opened a crack.

 

A huge man stepped out of the gap as the startled Anna jerked back.

 

“Who are you? What is your name?”

 

Dark green eyes, like a swamp, looked down at her darkly through dark red hair.

 

“….!”

 

Anna’s body froze in surprise.

 

In his hand was a large sword of frightening size.

 

****

 

“Ugh!Ahhhhhh!”

 

The moans of the woman writhing in pain were heard insidiously in the dimly lit hallway. 

 

She couldn’t scream if it hurt too much, and she couldn’t raise her voice, so she gasped for air.

 

“What is that?”

 

Anna, who had been walking behind the man who had gone on ahead of her, looked around the area with anxious eyes.

 

There was not a single passing servant in the old castle, which was neither that big nor that small.

 

The only figures that she occasionally saw were armed knights guarding here and there.

 

When the man turned around, he only stared at Anna with eyes full of suspicion, but made no reply.

 

Anna held Rwanda in her arms and stared straight into the eyes of the mindless man. 

 

In the dimly lit corridor, the huge shadow of the man held her down.

 

The eyes, which showed no emotion, felt oddly hot.

 

The only red was the color of the man’s hair, but there was a harsh intensity in his eyes, as if he was holding some kind of flame.

 

“That’s what it is…”

 

Anna took a short deep breath, trying not to deflate.

 

‘Don’t be discouraged.’

 

Her face was pale with cold and exhaustion, but her eyes glowed sharply as she stared at the man.

 

No matter how honest and innocent she was, she had endured several years in the imperial palace, where all kinds of dirty things were rampant, and that too behind the Empress’ back.

 

The fact that humans would not faint because of the eyes that stare at them has already been experienced countless times back then.

 

“…..”

 

The man, who had been looking at Anna for a while, frowned strangely, and immediately turned his face away. 

 

Then he walked on as if nothing had happened, and eventually reached the front of the room where the screaming had been eerily heard.

 

The man looked back at Anna again. A horrified look came into his eyes as he stared at her.

 

“What’s your name?”

 

“Anna, daughter of Viscount Rotrega, you would know.”

 

As if to confirm, she said it clearly.

 

Fortunately, the man didn’t behave quite so rudely to her, with only an overbearing look in his eyes.

 

“Please wait……………”

 

The man gave a look to the soldiers guarding the door as if to ask them to protect her, and went inside.

 

And shortly after, she came into the room and Henrik Alpatio greeted her with a blank look on his face.

 

“Anna. Yes, I remember. Haha, it’s been a while.”

 

“Uncle Henrik, hello……”

 

“Ugh! Ugh!”

 

Before Anna could finish her greeting, a moan came from across the room where Henrik had his back turned.

 

It sounded like the sound of someone enduring torture, or the sound of a choked cry.

 

It was a half-dead scream, and Anna stared at the closed door.

 

Henrik explained heavily, frowning in pain.

 

“I’m sorry. The timing is not good. My second daughter’s amniotic fluid burst earlier than her due date…”

 

“!”

 

At that word, both Anna and Rwanda, who was being supported by Anna, could only open their mouths in surprise.

 

So then, this sound that they had been hearing from earlier must be the scream of a woman giving birth.

 

“Uuuuu! Ugh! Aah!”

 

“Damn it, I’m sorry, Anna. I’m sorry. I’m also in a panic right now. The midwife who was supposed to come couldn’t….”

 

 “There’s no midwife right now?”

 

Henrik just bowed his head as Anna asked in surprise.

 

“So, who’s in there?”

 

“My wife…… But she doesn’t know what to do, she’s just holding her hand.”

 

Henrik swept his hair roughly as if he was going crazy and looked at Anna with a pale smile.

 

“You’ve come a long way to visit but the timing is not good. I’ll give you a room so you can rest and some medicine for your wound.”

 

Sighing impatiently, Henrik made an effort to reassure Anna. 

 

The middle-aged man’s pale face was twisted into a scowl of worry and anxiety. 

 

In Tanatos, it was common for mothers and babies to die during childbirth.

 

There were many midwives and doctors in the capital city, but the further into the countryside, the harder it was to find an experienced midwife.

 

And even if there was a skilled midwife, if the mother was weak, if she went into labor on a cold day…..

 

The survival rate of the mother and the baby will be extremely low.

 

Fortunately, today was not an extremely cold day. But it was unbelievable that there was no midwife…..

 

“Is there only your wife inside? What about the servants?”

 

“The maid was in there but she’s very young and naive. She couldn’t help.”

 

Henrik scratched nervously between his fingers.

 

His hands were scratched all over the place, as if it was a habitual behavior when he was nervous. For a moment, the surroundings seemed to darken, and then the huge man who had brought Anna in grabbed Henrik’s wrist.

 

“Oh, I’m doing it again. Hahahaha.”

 

Henrik put his hand down with an embarrassed laugh. Meanwhile, another shrill scream came from the back room.

 

Startled, Henrik moved to the door of the room and quickly turned his head away.

 

There was a heavy buzzing around him.

 

There was a young man in the room besides Henrik, and the one who had not moved in front of the door banged his head against the wall.

 

“Come on.This isn’t going to end quickly.”

 

“My son in law. At times like this, you have to hold out more firmly. You’re her husband.”

 

 

The man bit his lip and clenched his fist at Henrik’s words.

 

He seemed to be the husband of the woman who was giving birth, Henrik’s son-in-law.

 

‘The time is not good.’

 

Anna clenched her fists, feeling the suffocating air.

 

Just then, Rwanda, who was standing close to Anna, asked, 

 

“Did you bring plenty of hot water and clean towels?”

 

“… What?”

 

“I hope you’ve also included a few things that the mother might hold onto and give her strength.”

 

Rwanda, who couldn’t stand it, interrupted cautiously.

 

A startled Anna stared at her.

 

The gazes of the men, who had no choice but to stand there, all turned to the middle-aged woman who was physically injured and tired.

 

With a tired and pained look on her face, Rwanda whispered quietly in Anna’s ear.

 

“You came here because you need their help, didn’t you, young lady?”

 

When Anna stared at her in surprise, Rwanda gently smiled and nodded.

 

Then, unlike Rwanda’s haggard face, a calm voice came out.

 

“I’m the one who received the lady. Of course, I’m not a midwife………… Still, I have a few experiences of going into the birthing room.”

 

“Rwanda….”

 

Anna wanted to say that she didn’t have to push herself too hard for her (Anna) own good.

 

But the pained groaning coming from the room stopped her from speaking.

 

Rwanda took another step toward Henrik.

 

“If you don’t mind, can I help your daughter give birth?” 

 

“………Of course!”

 

Only at that moment did Henrik’s face light up. As he tried to hold Rwanda’s hand, he was surprised to see her swollen arm and asked.

 

“How can you do that with your arm…….”

 

“My Lady.”

 

Rwanda looked back at Anna.

 

At this moment, Rwanda’s face couldn’t help but freeze in tension.

 

“Will you be my hand, young lady?”

 

Anna gasped in surprise.

Chapter 5. How did this happen?

 

****
Sponsored by Kuroneko 💖 (3/4)

****


Boom, boom, boom!

 

“Open the door! Hello!”

 

Anna pounded her fist on the tightly closed castle gate and called for someone.

 

Her frozen hands were as hard as stone, and her trembling body had long since lost its senses to the cold.

 

“There’s a horse-drawn carriage overturned!”

 

The carriage had completely broken down after rolling across the snowfield, and to make matters worse, the horses were released from the carriage and ran away from their own.

 

“My Lady!”

 

“Shh – It’s okay, nanny, there’s going to be someone soon. Nanny stays still.”

 

“My Lady, I’m sorry, I’m sorry.”

 

“It’s not the nanny’s fault, what are you sorry for? It’s cold, so stay still, nanny.”

 

Anna calmed the shivering Rwanda down and said softly.

 

The carriage flipped over, breaking Rwanda’s wrist.

 

Fortunately, the place where the carriage overturned was not far from the castle she needed to find.

 

Taking only the most necessary things, Anna supported Rwanda and arrived at the castle after half a day of walking.

 

But it was getting dark, and very late in the day.

 

‘If I had known it would be like this, I wouldn’t have refused and waited for my father to go together.’

 

The belated regret came over Anna.

 

While Count Marktup was away from his mansion, Anna’s father had been in charge of the place for some time.

 

There was a big fire on the border of the estate, and since it was the work of the intruder, the Count had to go.

 

Meanwhile, her father was guarding the mansion in place of his best friend, saying that there was a possibility of another attack on the castle. Anna couldn’t wait for the Count to come back without knowing when. She was very impatient.

 

“Father, do you know where Uncle Henrik is now? Please tell me. I have something very important to tell him.”

 

After much pestering of her troubled father, Anna finally found the place where Henrik Alpatio was likely to be.

 

He was in the famously cold region of Hashantia, two days’ drive from Count Marktup’s estate.

 

Anna did not hesitate to leave immediately.

 

Rwanda followed her forced march with anxiety.

 

It was Rwanda who dressed, fed and always took care of Anna.

 

Rwanda who had a hard time meeting the wrong owner, but even now she was just shivering, afraid Anna would be in trouble.

 

Anna clenched her fists once more.

 

She didn’t have the strength to protect the people she loved until now.

 

She had to lose them right in front of her eyes.

 

‘I can’t let that happen again. Because Rosie is still alive. Rosie, she’s still alive!’

 

Boom! Boom!

 

“Hey! Isn’t there anyone here? Uncle Henrik! I know you’re here, Uncle Henrik!”

 

It was then that a voice rumbled through the silent darkness.

 

Creakkkkkk!

 

The thick gate of the castle, which had been so tightly closed, slowly opened a crack.

 

A huge man stepped out of the gap as the startled Anna jerked back.

 

“Who are you? What is your name?”

 

Dark green eyes, like a swamp, looked down at her darkly through dark red hair.

 

“….!”

 

Anna’s body froze in surprise.

 

In his hand was a large sword of frightening size.

 

****

 

“Ugh!Ahhhhhh!”

 

The moans of the woman writhing in pain were heard insidiously in the dimly lit hallway. 

 

She couldn’t scream if it hurt too much, and she couldn’t raise her voice, so she gasped for air.

 

“What is that?”

 

Anna, who had been walking behind the man who had gone on ahead of her, looked around the area with anxious eyes.

 

There was not a single passing servant in the old castle, which was neither that big nor that small.

 

The only figures that she occasionally saw were armed knights guarding here and there.

 

When the man turned around, he only stared at Anna with eyes full of suspicion, but made no reply.

 

Anna held Rwanda in her arms and stared straight into the eyes of the mindless man. 

 

In the dimly lit corridor, the huge shadow of the man held her down.

 

The eyes, which showed no emotion, felt oddly hot.

 

The only red was the color of the man’s hair, but there was a harsh intensity in his eyes, as if he was holding some kind of flame.

 

“That’s what it is…”

 

Anna took a short deep breath, trying not to deflate.

 

‘Don’t be discouraged.’

 

Her face was pale with cold and exhaustion, but her eyes glowed sharply as she stared at the man.

 

No matter how honest and innocent she was, she had endured several years in the imperial palace, where all kinds of dirty things were rampant, and that too behind the Empress’ back.

 

The fact that humans would not faint because of the eyes that stare at them has already been experienced countless times back then.

 

“…..”

 

The man, who had been looking at Anna for a while, frowned strangely, and immediately turned his face away. 

 

Then he walked on as if nothing had happened, and eventually reached the front of the room where the screaming had been eerily heard.

 

The man looked back at Anna again. A horrified look came into his eyes as he stared at her.

 

“What’s your name?”

 

“Anna, daughter of Viscount Rotrega, you would know.”

 

As if to confirm, she said it clearly.

 

Fortunately, the man didn’t behave quite so rudely to her, with only an overbearing look in his eyes.

 

“Please wait……………”

 

The man gave a look to the soldiers guarding the door as if to ask them to protect her, and went inside.

 

And shortly after, she came into the room and Henrik Alpatio greeted her with a blank look on his face.

 

“Anna. Yes, I remember. Haha, it’s been a while.”

 

“Uncle Henrik, hello……”

 

“Ugh! Ugh!”

 

Before Anna could finish her greeting, a moan came from across the room where Henrik had his back turned.

 

It sounded like the sound of someone enduring torture, or the sound of a choked cry.

 

It was a half-dead scream, and Anna stared at the closed door.

 

Henrik explained heavily, frowning in pain.

 

“I’m sorry. The timing is not good. My second daughter’s amniotic fluid burst earlier than her due date…”

 

“!”

 

At that word, both Anna and Rwanda, who was being supported by Anna, could only open their mouths in surprise.

 

So then, this sound that they had been hearing from earlier must be the scream of a woman giving birth.

 

“Uuuuu! Ugh! Aah!”

 

“Damn it, I’m sorry, Anna. I’m sorry. I’m also in a panic right now. The midwife who was supposed to come couldn’t….”

 

 “There’s no midwife right now?”

 

Henrik just bowed his head as Anna asked in surprise.

 

“So, who’s in there?”

 

“My wife…… But she doesn’t know what to do, she’s just holding her hand.”

 

Henrik swept his hair roughly as if he was going crazy and looked at Anna with a pale smile.

 

“You’ve come a long way to visit but the timing is not good. I’ll give you a room so you can rest and some medicine for your wound.”

 

Sighing impatiently, Henrik made an effort to reassure Anna. 

 

The middle-aged man’s pale face was twisted into a scowl of worry and anxiety. 

 

In Tanatos, it was common for mothers and babies to die during childbirth.

 

There were many midwives and doctors in the capital city, but the further into the countryside, the harder it was to find an experienced midwife.

 

And even if there was a skilled midwife, if the mother was weak, if she went into labor on a cold day…..

 

The survival rate of the mother and the baby will be extremely low.

 

Fortunately, today was not an extremely cold day. But it was unbelievable that there was no midwife…..

 

“Is there only your wife inside? What about the servants?”

 

“The maid was in there but she’s very young and naive. She couldn’t help.”

 

Henrik scratched nervously between his fingers.

 

His hands were scratched all over the place, as if it was a habitual behavior when he was nervous. For a moment, the surroundings seemed to darken, and then the huge man who had brought Anna in grabbed Henrik’s wrist.

 

“Oh, I’m doing it again. Hahahaha.”

 

Henrik put his hand down with an embarrassed laugh. Meanwhile, another shrill scream came from the back room.

 

Startled, Henrik moved to the door of the room and quickly turned his head away.

 

There was a heavy buzzing around him.

 

There was a young man in the room besides Henrik, and the one who had not moved in front of the door banged his head against the wall.

 

“Come on.This isn’t going to end quickly.”

 

“My son in law. At times like this, you have to hold out more firmly. You’re her husband.”

 

 

The man bit his lip and clenched his fist at Henrik’s words.

 

He seemed to be the husband of the woman who was giving birth, Henrik’s son-in-law.

 

‘The time is not good.’

 

Anna clenched her fists, feeling the suffocating air.

 

Just then, Rwanda, who was standing close to Anna, asked, 

 

“Did you bring plenty of hot water and clean towels?”

 

“… What?”

 

“I hope you’ve also included a few things that the mother might hold onto and give her strength.”

 

Rwanda, who couldn’t stand it, interrupted cautiously.

 

A startled Anna stared at her.

 

The gazes of the men, who had no choice but to stand there, all turned to the middle-aged woman who was physically injured and tired.

 

With a tired and pained look on her face, Rwanda whispered quietly in Anna’s ear.

 

“You came here because you need their help, didn’t you, young lady?”

 

When Anna stared at her in surprise, Rwanda gently smiled and nodded.

 

Then, unlike Rwanda’s haggard face, a calm voice came out.

 

“I’m the one who received the lady. Of course, I’m not a midwife………… Still, I have a few experiences of going into the birthing room.”

 

“Rwanda….”

 

Anna wanted to say that she didn’t have to push herself too hard for her (Anna) own good.

 

But the pained groaning coming from the room stopped her from speaking.

 

Rwanda took another step toward Henrik.

 

“If you don’t mind, can I help your daughter give birth?” 

 

“………Of course!”

 

Only at that moment did Henrik’s face light up. As he tried to hold Rwanda’s hand, he was surprised to see her swollen arm and asked.

 

“How can you do that with your arm…….”

 

“My Lady.”

 

Rwanda looked back at Anna.

 

At this moment, Rwanda’s face couldn’t help but freeze in tension.

 

“Will you be my hand, young lady?”

 

Anna gasped in surprise.

Chapter 6. Swallowing eyes

 

****
Sponsored by Kuroneko 💖 (3/4)

****


Boom, boom, boom!

 

“Open the door! Hello!”

 

Anna pounded her fist on the tightly closed castle gate and called for someone.

 

Her frozen hands were as hard as stone, and her trembling body had long since lost its senses to the cold.

 

“There’s a horse-drawn carriage overturned!”

 

The carriage had completely broken down after rolling across the snowfield, and to make matters worse, the horses were released from the carriage and ran away from their own.

 

“My Lady!”

 

“Shh – It’s okay, nanny, there’s going to be someone soon. Nanny stays still.”

 

“My Lady, I’m sorry, I’m sorry.”

 

“It’s not the nanny’s fault, what are you sorry for? It’s cold, so stay still, nanny.”

 

Anna calmed the shivering Rwanda down and said softly.

 

The carriage flipped over, breaking Rwanda’s wrist.

 

Fortunately, the place where the carriage overturned was not far from the castle she needed to find.

 

Taking only the most necessary things, Anna supported Rwanda and arrived at the castle after half a day of walking.

 

But it was getting dark, and very late in the day.

 

‘If I had known it would be like this, I wouldn’t have refused and waited for my father to go together.’

 

The belated regret came over Anna.

 

While Count Marktup was away from his mansion, Anna’s father had been in charge of the place for some time.

 

There was a big fire on the border of the estate, and since it was the work of the intruder, the Count had to go.

 

Meanwhile, her father was guarding the mansion in place of his best friend, saying that there was a possibility of another attack on the castle. Anna couldn’t wait for the Count to come back without knowing when. She was very impatient.

 

“Father, do you know where Uncle Henrik is now? Please tell me. I have something very important to tell him.”

 

After much pestering of her troubled father, Anna finally found the place where Henrik Alpatio was likely to be.

 

He was in the famously cold region of Hashantia, two days’ drive from Count Marktup’s estate.

 

Anna did not hesitate to leave immediately.

 

Rwanda followed her forced march with anxiety.

 

It was Rwanda who dressed, fed and always took care of Anna.

 

Rwanda who had a hard time meeting the wrong owner, but even now she was just shivering, afraid Anna would be in trouble.

 

Anna clenched her fists once more.

 

She didn’t have the strength to protect the people she loved until now.

 

She had to lose them right in front of her eyes.

 

‘I can’t let that happen again. Because Rosie is still alive. Rosie, she’s still alive!’

 

Boom! Boom!

 

“Hey! Isn’t there anyone here? Uncle Henrik! I know you’re here, Uncle Henrik!”

 

It was then that a voice rumbled through the silent darkness.

 

Creakkkkkk!

 

The thick gate of the castle, which had been so tightly closed, slowly opened a crack.

 

A huge man stepped out of the gap as the startled Anna jerked back.

 

“Who are you? What is your name?”

 

Dark green eyes, like a swamp, looked down at her darkly through dark red hair.

 

“….!”

 

Anna’s body froze in surprise.

 

In his hand was a large sword of frightening size.

 

****

 

“Ugh!Ahhhhhh!”

 

The moans of the woman writhing in pain were heard insidiously in the dimly lit hallway. 

 

She couldn’t scream if it hurt too much, and she couldn’t raise her voice, so she gasped for air.

 

“What is that?”

 

Anna, who had been walking behind the man who had gone on ahead of her, looked around the area with anxious eyes.

 

There was not a single passing servant in the old castle, which was neither that big nor that small.

 

The only figures that she occasionally saw were armed knights guarding here and there.

 

When the man turned around, he only stared at Anna with eyes full of suspicion, but made no reply.

 

Anna held Rwanda in her arms and stared straight into the eyes of the mindless man. 

 

In the dimly lit corridor, the huge shadow of the man held her down.

 

The eyes, which showed no emotion, felt oddly hot.

 

The only red was the color of the man’s hair, but there was a harsh intensity in his eyes, as if he was holding some kind of flame.

 

“That’s what it is…”

 

Anna took a short deep breath, trying not to deflate.

 

‘Don’t be discouraged.’

 

Her face was pale with cold and exhaustion, but her eyes glowed sharply as she stared at the man.

 

No matter how honest and innocent she was, she had endured several years in the imperial palace, where all kinds of dirty things were rampant, and that too behind the Empress’ back.

 

The fact that humans would not faint because of the eyes that stare at them has already been experienced countless times back then.

 

“…..”

 

The man, who had been looking at Anna for a while, frowned strangely, and immediately turned his face away. 

 

Then he walked on as if nothing had happened, and eventually reached the front of the room where the screaming had been eerily heard.

 

The man looked back at Anna again. A horrified look came into his eyes as he stared at her.

 

“What’s your name?”

 

“Anna, daughter of Viscount Rotrega, you would know.”

 

As if to confirm, she said it clearly.

 

Fortunately, the man didn’t behave quite so rudely to her, with only an overbearing look in his eyes.

 

“Please wait……………”

 

The man gave a look to the soldiers guarding the door as if to ask them to protect her, and went inside.

 

And shortly after, she came into the room and Henrik Alpatio greeted her with a blank look on his face.

 

“Anna. Yes, I remember. Haha, it’s been a while.”

 

“Uncle Henrik, hello……”

 

“Ugh! Ugh!”

 

Before Anna could finish her greeting, a moan came from across the room where Henrik had his back turned.

 

It sounded like the sound of someone enduring torture, or the sound of a choked cry.

 

It was a half-dead scream, and Anna stared at the closed door.

 

Henrik explained heavily, frowning in pain.

 

“I’m sorry. The timing is not good. My second daughter’s amniotic fluid burst earlier than her due date…”

 

“!”

 

At that word, both Anna and Rwanda, who was being supported by Anna, could only open their mouths in surprise.

 

So then, this sound that they had been hearing from earlier must be the scream of a woman giving birth.

 

“Uuuuu! Ugh! Aah!”

 

“Damn it, I’m sorry, Anna. I’m sorry. I’m also in a panic right now. The midwife who was supposed to come couldn’t….”

 

 “There’s no midwife right now?”

 

Henrik just bowed his head as Anna asked in surprise.

 

“So, who’s in there?”

 

“My wife…… But she doesn’t know what to do, she’s just holding her hand.”

 

Henrik swept his hair roughly as if he was going crazy and looked at Anna with a pale smile.

 

“You’ve come a long way to visit but the timing is not good. I’ll give you a room so you can rest and some medicine for your wound.”

 

Sighing impatiently, Henrik made an effort to reassure Anna. 

 

The middle-aged man’s pale face was twisted into a scowl of worry and anxiety. 

 

In Tanatos, it was common for mothers and babies to die during childbirth.

 

There were many midwives and doctors in the capital city, but the further into the countryside, the harder it was to find an experienced midwife.

 

And even if there was a skilled midwife, if the mother was weak, if she went into labor on a cold day…..

 

The survival rate of the mother and the baby will be extremely low.

 

Fortunately, today was not an extremely cold day. But it was unbelievable that there was no midwife…..

 

“Is there only your wife inside? What about the servants?”

 

“The maid was in there but she’s very young and naive. She couldn’t help.”

 

Henrik scratched nervously between his fingers.

 

His hands were scratched all over the place, as if it was a habitual behavior when he was nervous. For a moment, the surroundings seemed to darken, and then the huge man who had brought Anna in grabbed Henrik’s wrist.

 

“Oh, I’m doing it again. Hahahaha.”

 

Henrik put his hand down with an embarrassed laugh. Meanwhile, another shrill scream came from the back room.

 

Startled, Henrik moved to the door of the room and quickly turned his head away.

 

There was a heavy buzzing around him.

 

There was a young man in the room besides Henrik, and the one who had not moved in front of the door banged his head against the wall.

 

“Come on.This isn’t going to end quickly.”

 

“My son in law. At times like this, you have to hold out more firmly. You’re her husband.”

 

 

The man bit his lip and clenched his fist at Henrik’s words.

 

He seemed to be the husband of the woman who was giving birth, Henrik’s son-in-law.

 

‘The time is not good.’

 

Anna clenched her fists, feeling the suffocating air.

 

Just then, Rwanda, who was standing close to Anna, asked, 

 

“Did you bring plenty of hot water and clean towels?”

 

“… What?”

 

“I hope you’ve also included a few things that the mother might hold onto and give her strength.”

 

Rwanda, who couldn’t stand it, interrupted cautiously.

 

A startled Anna stared at her.

 

The gazes of the men, who had no choice but to stand there, all turned to the middle-aged woman who was physically injured and tired.

 

With a tired and pained look on her face, Rwanda whispered quietly in Anna’s ear.

 

“You came here because you need their help, didn’t you, young lady?”

 

When Anna stared at her in surprise, Rwanda gently smiled and nodded.

 

Then, unlike Rwanda’s haggard face, a calm voice came out.

 

“I’m the one who received the lady. Of course, I’m not a midwife………… Still, I have a few experiences of going into the birthing room.”

 

“Rwanda….”

 

Anna wanted to say that she didn’t have to push herself too hard for her (Anna) own good.

 

But the pained groaning coming from the room stopped her from speaking.

 

Rwanda took another step toward Henrik.

 

“If you don’t mind, can I help your daughter give birth?” 

 

“………Of course!”

 

Only at that moment did Henrik’s face light up. As he tried to hold Rwanda’s hand, he was surprised to see her swollen arm and asked.

 

“How can you do that with your arm…….”

 

“My Lady.”

 

Rwanda looked back at Anna.

 

At this moment, Rwanda’s face couldn’t help but freeze in tension.

 

“Will you be my hand, young lady?”

 

Anna gasped in surprise.

Chapter 7. Natasha Roanti

 

****
Sponsored by Kuroneko 💖 (3/4)

****


Boom, boom, boom!

 

“Open the door! Hello!”

 

Anna pounded her fist on the tightly closed castle gate and called for someone.

 

Her frozen hands were as hard as stone, and her trembling body had long since lost its senses to the cold.

 

“There’s a horse-drawn carriage overturned!”

 

The carriage had completely broken down after rolling across the snowfield, and to make matters worse, the horses were released from the carriage and ran away from their own.

 

“My Lady!”

 

“Shh – It’s okay, nanny, there’s going to be someone soon. Nanny stays still.”

 

“My Lady, I’m sorry, I’m sorry.”

 

“It’s not the nanny’s fault, what are you sorry for? It’s cold, so stay still, nanny.”

 

Anna calmed the shivering Rwanda down and said softly.

 

The carriage flipped over, breaking Rwanda’s wrist.

 

Fortunately, the place where the carriage overturned was not far from the castle she needed to find.

 

Taking only the most necessary things, Anna supported Rwanda and arrived at the castle after half a day of walking.

 

But it was getting dark, and very late in the day.

 

‘If I had known it would be like this, I wouldn’t have refused and waited for my father to go together.’

 

The belated regret came over Anna.

 

While Count Marktup was away from his mansion, Anna’s father had been in charge of the place for some time.

 

There was a big fire on the border of the estate, and since it was the work of the intruder, the Count had to go.

 

Meanwhile, her father was guarding the mansion in place of his best friend, saying that there was a possibility of another attack on the castle. Anna couldn’t wait for the Count to come back without knowing when. She was very impatient.

 

“Father, do you know where Uncle Henrik is now? Please tell me. I have something very important to tell him.”

 

After much pestering of her troubled father, Anna finally found the place where Henrik Alpatio was likely to be.

 

He was in the famously cold region of Hashantia, two days’ drive from Count Marktup’s estate.

 

Anna did not hesitate to leave immediately.

 

Rwanda followed her forced march with anxiety.

 

It was Rwanda who dressed, fed and always took care of Anna.

 

Rwanda who had a hard time meeting the wrong owner, but even now she was just shivering, afraid Anna would be in trouble.

 

Anna clenched her fists once more.

 

She didn’t have the strength to protect the people she loved until now.

 

She had to lose them right in front of her eyes.

 

‘I can’t let that happen again. Because Rosie is still alive. Rosie, she’s still alive!’

 

Boom! Boom!

 

“Hey! Isn’t there anyone here? Uncle Henrik! I know you’re here, Uncle Henrik!”

 

It was then that a voice rumbled through the silent darkness.

 

Creakkkkkk!

 

The thick gate of the castle, which had been so tightly closed, slowly opened a crack.

 

A huge man stepped out of the gap as the startled Anna jerked back.

 

“Who are you? What is your name?”

 

Dark green eyes, like a swamp, looked down at her darkly through dark red hair.

 

“….!”

 

Anna’s body froze in surprise.

 

In his hand was a large sword of frightening size.

 

****

 

“Ugh!Ahhhhhh!”

 

The moans of the woman writhing in pain were heard insidiously in the dimly lit hallway. 

 

She couldn’t scream if it hurt too much, and she couldn’t raise her voice, so she gasped for air.

 

“What is that?”

 

Anna, who had been walking behind the man who had gone on ahead of her, looked around the area with anxious eyes.

 

There was not a single passing servant in the old castle, which was neither that big nor that small.

 

The only figures that she occasionally saw were armed knights guarding here and there.

 

When the man turned around, he only stared at Anna with eyes full of suspicion, but made no reply.

 

Anna held Rwanda in her arms and stared straight into the eyes of the mindless man. 

 

In the dimly lit corridor, the huge shadow of the man held her down.

 

The eyes, which showed no emotion, felt oddly hot.

 

The only red was the color of the man’s hair, but there was a harsh intensity in his eyes, as if he was holding some kind of flame.

 

“That’s what it is…”

 

Anna took a short deep breath, trying not to deflate.

 

‘Don’t be discouraged.’

 

Her face was pale with cold and exhaustion, but her eyes glowed sharply as she stared at the man.

 

No matter how honest and innocent she was, she had endured several years in the imperial palace, where all kinds of dirty things were rampant, and that too behind the Empress’ back.

 

The fact that humans would not faint because of the eyes that stare at them has already been experienced countless times back then.

 

“…..”

 

The man, who had been looking at Anna for a while, frowned strangely, and immediately turned his face away. 

 

Then he walked on as if nothing had happened, and eventually reached the front of the room where the screaming had been eerily heard.

 

The man looked back at Anna again. A horrified look came into his eyes as he stared at her.

 

“What’s your name?”

 

“Anna, daughter of Viscount Rotrega, you would know.”

 

As if to confirm, she said it clearly.

 

Fortunately, the man didn’t behave quite so rudely to her, with only an overbearing look in his eyes.

 

“Please wait……………”

 

The man gave a look to the soldiers guarding the door as if to ask them to protect her, and went inside.

 

And shortly after, she came into the room and Henrik Alpatio greeted her with a blank look on his face.

 

“Anna. Yes, I remember. Haha, it’s been a while.”

 

“Uncle Henrik, hello……”

 

“Ugh! Ugh!”

 

Before Anna could finish her greeting, a moan came from across the room where Henrik had his back turned.

 

It sounded like the sound of someone enduring torture, or the sound of a choked cry.

 

It was a half-dead scream, and Anna stared at the closed door.

 

Henrik explained heavily, frowning in pain.

 

“I’m sorry. The timing is not good. My second daughter’s amniotic fluid burst earlier than her due date…”

 

“!”

 

At that word, both Anna and Rwanda, who was being supported by Anna, could only open their mouths in surprise.

 

So then, this sound that they had been hearing from earlier must be the scream of a woman giving birth.

 

“Uuuuu! Ugh! Aah!”

 

“Damn it, I’m sorry, Anna. I’m sorry. I’m also in a panic right now. The midwife who was supposed to come couldn’t….”

 

 “There’s no midwife right now?”

 

Henrik just bowed his head as Anna asked in surprise.

 

“So, who’s in there?”

 

“My wife…… But she doesn’t know what to do, she’s just holding her hand.”

 

Henrik swept his hair roughly as if he was going crazy and looked at Anna with a pale smile.

 

“You’ve come a long way to visit but the timing is not good. I’ll give you a room so you can rest and some medicine for your wound.”

 

Sighing impatiently, Henrik made an effort to reassure Anna. 

 

The middle-aged man’s pale face was twisted into a scowl of worry and anxiety. 

 

In Tanatos, it was common for mothers and babies to die during childbirth.

 

There were many midwives and doctors in the capital city, but the further into the countryside, the harder it was to find an experienced midwife.

 

And even if there was a skilled midwife, if the mother was weak, if she went into labor on a cold day…..

 

The survival rate of the mother and the baby will be extremely low.

 

Fortunately, today was not an extremely cold day. But it was unbelievable that there was no midwife…..

 

“Is there only your wife inside? What about the servants?”

 

“The maid was in there but she’s very young and naive. She couldn’t help.”

 

Henrik scratched nervously between his fingers.

 

His hands were scratched all over the place, as if it was a habitual behavior when he was nervous. For a moment, the surroundings seemed to darken, and then the huge man who had brought Anna in grabbed Henrik’s wrist.

 

“Oh, I’m doing it again. Hahahaha.”

 

Henrik put his hand down with an embarrassed laugh. Meanwhile, another shrill scream came from the back room.

 

Startled, Henrik moved to the door of the room and quickly turned his head away.

 

There was a heavy buzzing around him.

 

There was a young man in the room besides Henrik, and the one who had not moved in front of the door banged his head against the wall.

 

“Come on.This isn’t going to end quickly.”

 

“My son in law. At times like this, you have to hold out more firmly. You’re her husband.”

 

 

The man bit his lip and clenched his fist at Henrik’s words.

 

He seemed to be the husband of the woman who was giving birth, Henrik’s son-in-law.

 

‘The time is not good.’

 

Anna clenched her fists, feeling the suffocating air.

 

Just then, Rwanda, who was standing close to Anna, asked, 

 

“Did you bring plenty of hot water and clean towels?”

 

“… What?”

 

“I hope you’ve also included a few things that the mother might hold onto and give her strength.”

 

Rwanda, who couldn’t stand it, interrupted cautiously.

 

A startled Anna stared at her.

 

The gazes of the men, who had no choice but to stand there, all turned to the middle-aged woman who was physically injured and tired.

 

With a tired and pained look on her face, Rwanda whispered quietly in Anna’s ear.

 

“You came here because you need their help, didn’t you, young lady?”

 

When Anna stared at her in surprise, Rwanda gently smiled and nodded.

 

Then, unlike Rwanda’s haggard face, a calm voice came out.

 

“I’m the one who received the lady. Of course, I’m not a midwife………… Still, I have a few experiences of going into the birthing room.”

 

“Rwanda….”

 

Anna wanted to say that she didn’t have to push herself too hard for her (Anna) own good.

 

But the pained groaning coming from the room stopped her from speaking.

 

Rwanda took another step toward Henrik.

 

“If you don’t mind, can I help your daughter give birth?” 

 

“………Of course!”

 

Only at that moment did Henrik’s face light up. As he tried to hold Rwanda’s hand, he was surprised to see her swollen arm and asked.

 

“How can you do that with your arm…….”

 

“My Lady.”

 

Rwanda looked back at Anna.

 

At this moment, Rwanda’s face couldn’t help but freeze in tension.

 

“Will you be my hand, young lady?”

 

Anna gasped in surprise.

Chapter 8. The crying sound

 

****
Sponsored by Kuroneko 💖 (3/4)

****


Boom, boom, boom!

 

“Open the door! Hello!”

 

Anna pounded her fist on the tightly closed castle gate and called for someone.

 

Her frozen hands were as hard as stone, and her trembling body had long since lost its senses to the cold.

 

“There’s a horse-drawn carriage overturned!”

 

The carriage had completely broken down after rolling across the snowfield, and to make matters worse, the horses were released from the carriage and ran away from their own.

 

“My Lady!”

 

“Shh – It’s okay, nanny, there’s going to be someone soon. Nanny stays still.”

 

“My Lady, I’m sorry, I’m sorry.”

 

“It’s not the nanny’s fault, what are you sorry for? It’s cold, so stay still, nanny.”

 

Anna calmed the shivering Rwanda down and said softly.

 

The carriage flipped over, breaking Rwanda’s wrist.

 

Fortunately, the place where the carriage overturned was not far from the castle she needed to find.

 

Taking only the most necessary things, Anna supported Rwanda and arrived at the castle after half a day of walking.

 

But it was getting dark, and very late in the day.

 

‘If I had known it would be like this, I wouldn’t have refused and waited for my father to go together.’

 

The belated regret came over Anna.

 

While Count Marktup was away from his mansion, Anna’s father had been in charge of the place for some time.

 

There was a big fire on the border of the estate, and since it was the work of the intruder, the Count had to go.

 

Meanwhile, her father was guarding the mansion in place of his best friend, saying that there was a possibility of another attack on the castle. Anna couldn’t wait for the Count to come back without knowing when. She was very impatient.

 

“Father, do you know where Uncle Henrik is now? Please tell me. I have something very important to tell him.”

 

After much pestering of her troubled father, Anna finally found the place where Henrik Alpatio was likely to be.

 

He was in the famously cold region of Hashantia, two days’ drive from Count Marktup’s estate.

 

Anna did not hesitate to leave immediately.

 

Rwanda followed her forced march with anxiety.

 

It was Rwanda who dressed, fed and always took care of Anna.

 

Rwanda who had a hard time meeting the wrong owner, but even now she was just shivering, afraid Anna would be in trouble.

 

Anna clenched her fists once more.

 

She didn’t have the strength to protect the people she loved until now.

 

She had to lose them right in front of her eyes.

 

‘I can’t let that happen again. Because Rosie is still alive. Rosie, she’s still alive!’

 

Boom! Boom!

 

“Hey! Isn’t there anyone here? Uncle Henrik! I know you’re here, Uncle Henrik!”

 

It was then that a voice rumbled through the silent darkness.

 

Creakkkkkk!

 

The thick gate of the castle, which had been so tightly closed, slowly opened a crack.

 

A huge man stepped out of the gap as the startled Anna jerked back.

 

“Who are you? What is your name?”

 

Dark green eyes, like a swamp, looked down at her darkly through dark red hair.

 

“….!”

 

Anna’s body froze in surprise.

 

In his hand was a large sword of frightening size.

 

****

 

“Ugh!Ahhhhhh!”

 

The moans of the woman writhing in pain were heard insidiously in the dimly lit hallway. 

 

She couldn’t scream if it hurt too much, and she couldn’t raise her voice, so she gasped for air.

 

“What is that?”

 

Anna, who had been walking behind the man who had gone on ahead of her, looked around the area with anxious eyes.

 

There was not a single passing servant in the old castle, which was neither that big nor that small.

 

The only figures that she occasionally saw were armed knights guarding here and there.

 

When the man turned around, he only stared at Anna with eyes full of suspicion, but made no reply.

 

Anna held Rwanda in her arms and stared straight into the eyes of the mindless man. 

 

In the dimly lit corridor, the huge shadow of the man held her down.

 

The eyes, which showed no emotion, felt oddly hot.

 

The only red was the color of the man’s hair, but there was a harsh intensity in his eyes, as if he was holding some kind of flame.

 

“That’s what it is…”

 

Anna took a short deep breath, trying not to deflate.

 

‘Don’t be discouraged.’

 

Her face was pale with cold and exhaustion, but her eyes glowed sharply as she stared at the man.

 

No matter how honest and innocent she was, she had endured several years in the imperial palace, where all kinds of dirty things were rampant, and that too behind the Empress’ back.

 

The fact that humans would not faint because of the eyes that stare at them has already been experienced countless times back then.

 

“…..”

 

The man, who had been looking at Anna for a while, frowned strangely, and immediately turned his face away. 

 

Then he walked on as if nothing had happened, and eventually reached the front of the room where the screaming had been eerily heard.

 

The man looked back at Anna again. A horrified look came into his eyes as he stared at her.

 

“What’s your name?”

 

“Anna, daughter of Viscount Rotrega, you would know.”

 

As if to confirm, she said it clearly.

 

Fortunately, the man didn’t behave quite so rudely to her, with only an overbearing look in his eyes.

 

“Please wait……………”

 

The man gave a look to the soldiers guarding the door as if to ask them to protect her, and went inside.

 

And shortly after, she came into the room and Henrik Alpatio greeted her with a blank look on his face.

 

“Anna. Yes, I remember. Haha, it’s been a while.”

 

“Uncle Henrik, hello……”

 

“Ugh! Ugh!”

 

Before Anna could finish her greeting, a moan came from across the room where Henrik had his back turned.

 

It sounded like the sound of someone enduring torture, or the sound of a choked cry.

 

It was a half-dead scream, and Anna stared at the closed door.

 

Henrik explained heavily, frowning in pain.

 

“I’m sorry. The timing is not good. My second daughter’s amniotic fluid burst earlier than her due date…”

 

“!”

 

At that word, both Anna and Rwanda, who was being supported by Anna, could only open their mouths in surprise.

 

So then, this sound that they had been hearing from earlier must be the scream of a woman giving birth.

 

“Uuuuu! Ugh! Aah!”

 

“Damn it, I’m sorry, Anna. I’m sorry. I’m also in a panic right now. The midwife who was supposed to come couldn’t….”

 

 “There’s no midwife right now?”

 

Henrik just bowed his head as Anna asked in surprise.

 

“So, who’s in there?”

 

“My wife…… But she doesn’t know what to do, she’s just holding her hand.”

 

Henrik swept his hair roughly as if he was going crazy and looked at Anna with a pale smile.

 

“You’ve come a long way to visit but the timing is not good. I’ll give you a room so you can rest and some medicine for your wound.”

 

Sighing impatiently, Henrik made an effort to reassure Anna. 

 

The middle-aged man’s pale face was twisted into a scowl of worry and anxiety. 

 

In Tanatos, it was common for mothers and babies to die during childbirth.

 

There were many midwives and doctors in the capital city, but the further into the countryside, the harder it was to find an experienced midwife.

 

And even if there was a skilled midwife, if the mother was weak, if she went into labor on a cold day…..

 

The survival rate of the mother and the baby will be extremely low.

 

Fortunately, today was not an extremely cold day. But it was unbelievable that there was no midwife…..

 

“Is there only your wife inside? What about the servants?”

 

“The maid was in there but she’s very young and naive. She couldn’t help.”

 

Henrik scratched nervously between his fingers.

 

His hands were scratched all over the place, as if it was a habitual behavior when he was nervous. For a moment, the surroundings seemed to darken, and then the huge man who had brought Anna in grabbed Henrik’s wrist.

 

“Oh, I’m doing it again. Hahahaha.”

 

Henrik put his hand down with an embarrassed laugh. Meanwhile, another shrill scream came from the back room.

 

Startled, Henrik moved to the door of the room and quickly turned his head away.

 

There was a heavy buzzing around him.

 

There was a young man in the room besides Henrik, and the one who had not moved in front of the door banged his head against the wall.

 

“Come on.This isn’t going to end quickly.”

 

“My son in law. At times like this, you have to hold out more firmly. You’re her husband.”

 

 

The man bit his lip and clenched his fist at Henrik’s words.

 

He seemed to be the husband of the woman who was giving birth, Henrik’s son-in-law.

 

‘The time is not good.’

 

Anna clenched her fists, feeling the suffocating air.

 

Just then, Rwanda, who was standing close to Anna, asked, 

 

“Did you bring plenty of hot water and clean towels?”

 

“… What?”

 

“I hope you’ve also included a few things that the mother might hold onto and give her strength.”

 

Rwanda, who couldn’t stand it, interrupted cautiously.

 

A startled Anna stared at her.

 

The gazes of the men, who had no choice but to stand there, all turned to the middle-aged woman who was physically injured and tired.

 

With a tired and pained look on her face, Rwanda whispered quietly in Anna’s ear.

 

“You came here because you need their help, didn’t you, young lady?”

 

When Anna stared at her in surprise, Rwanda gently smiled and nodded.

 

Then, unlike Rwanda’s haggard face, a calm voice came out.

 

“I’m the one who received the lady. Of course, I’m not a midwife………… Still, I have a few experiences of going into the birthing room.”

 

“Rwanda….”

 

Anna wanted to say that she didn’t have to push herself too hard for her (Anna) own good.

 

But the pained groaning coming from the room stopped her from speaking.

 

Rwanda took another step toward Henrik.

 

“If you don’t mind, can I help your daughter give birth?” 

 

“………Of course!”

 

Only at that moment did Henrik’s face light up. As he tried to hold Rwanda’s hand, he was surprised to see her swollen arm and asked.

 

“How can you do that with your arm…….”

 

“My Lady.”

 

Rwanda looked back at Anna.

 

At this moment, Rwanda’s face couldn’t help but freeze in tension.

 

“Will you be my hand, young lady?”

 

Anna gasped in surprise.

Chapter 9. Are you throwing yourself away?

 

****
Sponsored by Kuroneko 💖 (3/4)

****


Boom, boom, boom!

 

“Open the door! Hello!”

 

Anna pounded her fist on the tightly closed castle gate and called for someone.

 

Her frozen hands were as hard as stone, and her trembling body had long since lost its senses to the cold.

 

“There’s a horse-drawn carriage overturned!”

 

The carriage had completely broken down after rolling across the snowfield, and to make matters worse, the horses were released from the carriage and ran away from their own.

 

“My Lady!”

 

“Shh – It’s okay, nanny, there’s going to be someone soon. Nanny stays still.”

 

“My Lady, I’m sorry, I’m sorry.”

 

“It’s not the nanny’s fault, what are you sorry for? It’s cold, so stay still, nanny.”

 

Anna calmed the shivering Rwanda down and said softly.

 

The carriage flipped over, breaking Rwanda’s wrist.

 

Fortunately, the place where the carriage overturned was not far from the castle she needed to find.

 

Taking only the most necessary things, Anna supported Rwanda and arrived at the castle after half a day of walking.

 

But it was getting dark, and very late in the day.

 

‘If I had known it would be like this, I wouldn’t have refused and waited for my father to go together.’

 

The belated regret came over Anna.

 

While Count Marktup was away from his mansion, Anna’s father had been in charge of the place for some time.

 

There was a big fire on the border of the estate, and since it was the work of the intruder, the Count had to go.

 

Meanwhile, her father was guarding the mansion in place of his best friend, saying that there was a possibility of another attack on the castle. Anna couldn’t wait for the Count to come back without knowing when. She was very impatient.

 

“Father, do you know where Uncle Henrik is now? Please tell me. I have something very important to tell him.”

 

After much pestering of her troubled father, Anna finally found the place where Henrik Alpatio was likely to be.

 

He was in the famously cold region of Hashantia, two days’ drive from Count Marktup’s estate.

 

Anna did not hesitate to leave immediately.

 

Rwanda followed her forced march with anxiety.

 

It was Rwanda who dressed, fed and always took care of Anna.

 

Rwanda who had a hard time meeting the wrong owner, but even now she was just shivering, afraid Anna would be in trouble.

 

Anna clenched her fists once more.

 

She didn’t have the strength to protect the people she loved until now.

 

She had to lose them right in front of her eyes.

 

‘I can’t let that happen again. Because Rosie is still alive. Rosie, she’s still alive!’

 

Boom! Boom!

 

“Hey! Isn’t there anyone here? Uncle Henrik! I know you’re here, Uncle Henrik!”

 

It was then that a voice rumbled through the silent darkness.

 

Creakkkkkk!

 

The thick gate of the castle, which had been so tightly closed, slowly opened a crack.

 

A huge man stepped out of the gap as the startled Anna jerked back.

 

“Who are you? What is your name?”

 

Dark green eyes, like a swamp, looked down at her darkly through dark red hair.

 

“….!”

 

Anna’s body froze in surprise.

 

In his hand was a large sword of frightening size.

 

****

 

“Ugh!Ahhhhhh!”

 

The moans of the woman writhing in pain were heard insidiously in the dimly lit hallway. 

 

She couldn’t scream if it hurt too much, and she couldn’t raise her voice, so she gasped for air.

 

“What is that?”

 

Anna, who had been walking behind the man who had gone on ahead of her, looked around the area with anxious eyes.

 

There was not a single passing servant in the old castle, which was neither that big nor that small.

 

The only figures that she occasionally saw were armed knights guarding here and there.

 

When the man turned around, he only stared at Anna with eyes full of suspicion, but made no reply.

 

Anna held Rwanda in her arms and stared straight into the eyes of the mindless man. 

 

In the dimly lit corridor, the huge shadow of the man held her down.

 

The eyes, which showed no emotion, felt oddly hot.

 

The only red was the color of the man’s hair, but there was a harsh intensity in his eyes, as if he was holding some kind of flame.

 

“That’s what it is…”

 

Anna took a short deep breath, trying not to deflate.

 

‘Don’t be discouraged.’

 

Her face was pale with cold and exhaustion, but her eyes glowed sharply as she stared at the man.

 

No matter how honest and innocent she was, she had endured several years in the imperial palace, where all kinds of dirty things were rampant, and that too behind the Empress’ back.

 

The fact that humans would not faint because of the eyes that stare at them has already been experienced countless times back then.

 

“…..”

 

The man, who had been looking at Anna for a while, frowned strangely, and immediately turned his face away. 

 

Then he walked on as if nothing had happened, and eventually reached the front of the room where the screaming had been eerily heard.

 

The man looked back at Anna again. A horrified look came into his eyes as he stared at her.

 

“What’s your name?”

 

“Anna, daughter of Viscount Rotrega, you would know.”

 

As if to confirm, she said it clearly.

 

Fortunately, the man didn’t behave quite so rudely to her, with only an overbearing look in his eyes.

 

“Please wait……………”

 

The man gave a look to the soldiers guarding the door as if to ask them to protect her, and went inside.

 

And shortly after, she came into the room and Henrik Alpatio greeted her with a blank look on his face.

 

“Anna. Yes, I remember. Haha, it’s been a while.”

 

“Uncle Henrik, hello……”

 

“Ugh! Ugh!”

 

Before Anna could finish her greeting, a moan came from across the room where Henrik had his back turned.

 

It sounded like the sound of someone enduring torture, or the sound of a choked cry.

 

It was a half-dead scream, and Anna stared at the closed door.

 

Henrik explained heavily, frowning in pain.

 

“I’m sorry. The timing is not good. My second daughter’s amniotic fluid burst earlier than her due date…”

 

“!”

 

At that word, both Anna and Rwanda, who was being supported by Anna, could only open their mouths in surprise.

 

So then, this sound that they had been hearing from earlier must be the scream of a woman giving birth.

 

“Uuuuu! Ugh! Aah!”

 

“Damn it, I’m sorry, Anna. I’m sorry. I’m also in a panic right now. The midwife who was supposed to come couldn’t….”

 

 “There’s no midwife right now?”

 

Henrik just bowed his head as Anna asked in surprise.

 

“So, who’s in there?”

 

“My wife…… But she doesn’t know what to do, she’s just holding her hand.”

 

Henrik swept his hair roughly as if he was going crazy and looked at Anna with a pale smile.

 

“You’ve come a long way to visit but the timing is not good. I’ll give you a room so you can rest and some medicine for your wound.”

 

Sighing impatiently, Henrik made an effort to reassure Anna. 

 

The middle-aged man’s pale face was twisted into a scowl of worry and anxiety. 

 

In Tanatos, it was common for mothers and babies to die during childbirth.

 

There were many midwives and doctors in the capital city, but the further into the countryside, the harder it was to find an experienced midwife.

 

And even if there was a skilled midwife, if the mother was weak, if she went into labor on a cold day…..

 

The survival rate of the mother and the baby will be extremely low.

 

Fortunately, today was not an extremely cold day. But it was unbelievable that there was no midwife…..

 

“Is there only your wife inside? What about the servants?”

 

“The maid was in there but she’s very young and naive. She couldn’t help.”

 

Henrik scratched nervously between his fingers.

 

His hands were scratched all over the place, as if it was a habitual behavior when he was nervous. For a moment, the surroundings seemed to darken, and then the huge man who had brought Anna in grabbed Henrik’s wrist.

 

“Oh, I’m doing it again. Hahahaha.”

 

Henrik put his hand down with an embarrassed laugh. Meanwhile, another shrill scream came from the back room.

 

Startled, Henrik moved to the door of the room and quickly turned his head away.

 

There was a heavy buzzing around him.

 

There was a young man in the room besides Henrik, and the one who had not moved in front of the door banged his head against the wall.

 

“Come on.This isn’t going to end quickly.”

 

“My son in law. At times like this, you have to hold out more firmly. You’re her husband.”

 

 

The man bit his lip and clenched his fist at Henrik’s words.

 

He seemed to be the husband of the woman who was giving birth, Henrik’s son-in-law.

 

‘The time is not good.’

 

Anna clenched her fists, feeling the suffocating air.

 

Just then, Rwanda, who was standing close to Anna, asked, 

 

“Did you bring plenty of hot water and clean towels?”

 

“… What?”

 

“I hope you’ve also included a few things that the mother might hold onto and give her strength.”

 

Rwanda, who couldn’t stand it, interrupted cautiously.

 

A startled Anna stared at her.

 

The gazes of the men, who had no choice but to stand there, all turned to the middle-aged woman who was physically injured and tired.

 

With a tired and pained look on her face, Rwanda whispered quietly in Anna’s ear.

 

“You came here because you need their help, didn’t you, young lady?”

 

When Anna stared at her in surprise, Rwanda gently smiled and nodded.

 

Then, unlike Rwanda’s haggard face, a calm voice came out.

 

“I’m the one who received the lady. Of course, I’m not a midwife………… Still, I have a few experiences of going into the birthing room.”

 

“Rwanda….”

 

Anna wanted to say that she didn’t have to push herself too hard for her (Anna) own good.

 

But the pained groaning coming from the room stopped her from speaking.

 

Rwanda took another step toward Henrik.

 

“If you don’t mind, can I help your daughter give birth?” 

 

“………Of course!”

 

Only at that moment did Henrik’s face light up. As he tried to hold Rwanda’s hand, he was surprised to see her swollen arm and asked.

 

“How can you do that with your arm…….”

 

“My Lady.”

 

Rwanda looked back at Anna.

 

At this moment, Rwanda’s face couldn’t help but freeze in tension.

 

“Will you be my hand, young lady?”

 

Anna gasped in surprise.

Chapter 10. Why did this woman...?

 

****
Sponsored by Kuroneko 💖 (3/4)

****


Boom, boom, boom!

 

“Open the door! Hello!”

 

Anna pounded her fist on the tightly closed castle gate and called for someone.

 

Her frozen hands were as hard as stone, and her trembling body had long since lost its senses to the cold.

 

“There’s a horse-drawn carriage overturned!”

 

The carriage had completely broken down after rolling across the snowfield, and to make matters worse, the horses were released from the carriage and ran away from their own.

 

“My Lady!”

 

“Shh – It’s okay, nanny, there’s going to be someone soon. Nanny stays still.”

 

“My Lady, I’m sorry, I’m sorry.”

 

“It’s not the nanny’s fault, what are you sorry for? It’s cold, so stay still, nanny.”

 

Anna calmed the shivering Rwanda down and said softly.

 

The carriage flipped over, breaking Rwanda’s wrist.

 

Fortunately, the place where the carriage overturned was not far from the castle she needed to find.

 

Taking only the most necessary things, Anna supported Rwanda and arrived at the castle after half a day of walking.

 

But it was getting dark, and very late in the day.

 

‘If I had known it would be like this, I wouldn’t have refused and waited for my father to go together.’

 

The belated regret came over Anna.

 

While Count Marktup was away from his mansion, Anna’s father had been in charge of the place for some time.

 

There was a big fire on the border of the estate, and since it was the work of the intruder, the Count had to go.

 

Meanwhile, her father was guarding the mansion in place of his best friend, saying that there was a possibility of another attack on the castle. Anna couldn’t wait for the Count to come back without knowing when. She was very impatient.

 

“Father, do you know where Uncle Henrik is now? Please tell me. I have something very important to tell him.”

 

After much pestering of her troubled father, Anna finally found the place where Henrik Alpatio was likely to be.

 

He was in the famously cold region of Hashantia, two days’ drive from Count Marktup’s estate.

 

Anna did not hesitate to leave immediately.

 

Rwanda followed her forced march with anxiety.

 

It was Rwanda who dressed, fed and always took care of Anna.

 

Rwanda who had a hard time meeting the wrong owner, but even now she was just shivering, afraid Anna would be in trouble.

 

Anna clenched her fists once more.

 

She didn’t have the strength to protect the people she loved until now.

 

She had to lose them right in front of her eyes.

 

‘I can’t let that happen again. Because Rosie is still alive. Rosie, she’s still alive!’

 

Boom! Boom!

 

“Hey! Isn’t there anyone here? Uncle Henrik! I know you’re here, Uncle Henrik!”

 

It was then that a voice rumbled through the silent darkness.

 

Creakkkkkk!

 

The thick gate of the castle, which had been so tightly closed, slowly opened a crack.

 

A huge man stepped out of the gap as the startled Anna jerked back.

 

“Who are you? What is your name?”

 

Dark green eyes, like a swamp, looked down at her darkly through dark red hair.

 

“….!”

 

Anna’s body froze in surprise.

 

In his hand was a large sword of frightening size.

 

****

 

“Ugh!Ahhhhhh!”

 

The moans of the woman writhing in pain were heard insidiously in the dimly lit hallway. 

 

She couldn’t scream if it hurt too much, and she couldn’t raise her voice, so she gasped for air.

 

“What is that?”

 

Anna, who had been walking behind the man who had gone on ahead of her, looked around the area with anxious eyes.

 

There was not a single passing servant in the old castle, which was neither that big nor that small.

 

The only figures that she occasionally saw were armed knights guarding here and there.

 

When the man turned around, he only stared at Anna with eyes full of suspicion, but made no reply.

 

Anna held Rwanda in her arms and stared straight into the eyes of the mindless man. 

 

In the dimly lit corridor, the huge shadow of the man held her down.

 

The eyes, which showed no emotion, felt oddly hot.

 

The only red was the color of the man’s hair, but there was a harsh intensity in his eyes, as if he was holding some kind of flame.

 

“That’s what it is…”

 

Anna took a short deep breath, trying not to deflate.

 

‘Don’t be discouraged.’

 

Her face was pale with cold and exhaustion, but her eyes glowed sharply as she stared at the man.

 

No matter how honest and innocent she was, she had endured several years in the imperial palace, where all kinds of dirty things were rampant, and that too behind the Empress’ back.

 

The fact that humans would not faint because of the eyes that stare at them has already been experienced countless times back then.

 

“…..”

 

The man, who had been looking at Anna for a while, frowned strangely, and immediately turned his face away. 

 

Then he walked on as if nothing had happened, and eventually reached the front of the room where the screaming had been eerily heard.

 

The man looked back at Anna again. A horrified look came into his eyes as he stared at her.

 

“What’s your name?”

 

“Anna, daughter of Viscount Rotrega, you would know.”

 

As if to confirm, she said it clearly.

 

Fortunately, the man didn’t behave quite so rudely to her, with only an overbearing look in his eyes.

 

“Please wait……………”

 

The man gave a look to the soldiers guarding the door as if to ask them to protect her, and went inside.

 

And shortly after, she came into the room and Henrik Alpatio greeted her with a blank look on his face.

 

“Anna. Yes, I remember. Haha, it’s been a while.”

 

“Uncle Henrik, hello……”

 

“Ugh! Ugh!”

 

Before Anna could finish her greeting, a moan came from across the room where Henrik had his back turned.

 

It sounded like the sound of someone enduring torture, or the sound of a choked cry.

 

It was a half-dead scream, and Anna stared at the closed door.

 

Henrik explained heavily, frowning in pain.

 

“I’m sorry. The timing is not good. My second daughter’s amniotic fluid burst earlier than her due date…”

 

“!”

 

At that word, both Anna and Rwanda, who was being supported by Anna, could only open their mouths in surprise.

 

So then, this sound that they had been hearing from earlier must be the scream of a woman giving birth.

 

“Uuuuu! Ugh! Aah!”

 

“Damn it, I’m sorry, Anna. I’m sorry. I’m also in a panic right now. The midwife who was supposed to come couldn’t….”

 

 “There’s no midwife right now?”

 

Henrik just bowed his head as Anna asked in surprise.

 

“So, who’s in there?”

 

“My wife…… But she doesn’t know what to do, she’s just holding her hand.”

 

Henrik swept his hair roughly as if he was going crazy and looked at Anna with a pale smile.

 

“You’ve come a long way to visit but the timing is not good. I’ll give you a room so you can rest and some medicine for your wound.”

 

Sighing impatiently, Henrik made an effort to reassure Anna. 

 

The middle-aged man’s pale face was twisted into a scowl of worry and anxiety. 

 

In Tanatos, it was common for mothers and babies to die during childbirth.

 

There were many midwives and doctors in the capital city, but the further into the countryside, the harder it was to find an experienced midwife.

 

And even if there was a skilled midwife, if the mother was weak, if she went into labor on a cold day…..

 

The survival rate of the mother and the baby will be extremely low.

 

Fortunately, today was not an extremely cold day. But it was unbelievable that there was no midwife…..

 

“Is there only your wife inside? What about the servants?”

 

“The maid was in there but she’s very young and naive. She couldn’t help.”

 

Henrik scratched nervously between his fingers.

 

His hands were scratched all over the place, as if it was a habitual behavior when he was nervous. For a moment, the surroundings seemed to darken, and then the huge man who had brought Anna in grabbed Henrik’s wrist.

 

“Oh, I’m doing it again. Hahahaha.”

 

Henrik put his hand down with an embarrassed laugh. Meanwhile, another shrill scream came from the back room.

 

Startled, Henrik moved to the door of the room and quickly turned his head away.

 

There was a heavy buzzing around him.

 

There was a young man in the room besides Henrik, and the one who had not moved in front of the door banged his head against the wall.

 

“Come on.This isn’t going to end quickly.”

 

“My son in law. At times like this, you have to hold out more firmly. You’re her husband.”

 

 

The man bit his lip and clenched his fist at Henrik’s words.

 

He seemed to be the husband of the woman who was giving birth, Henrik’s son-in-law.

 

‘The time is not good.’

 

Anna clenched her fists, feeling the suffocating air.

 

Just then, Rwanda, who was standing close to Anna, asked, 

 

“Did you bring plenty of hot water and clean towels?”

 

“… What?”

 

“I hope you’ve also included a few things that the mother might hold onto and give her strength.”

 

Rwanda, who couldn’t stand it, interrupted cautiously.

 

A startled Anna stared at her.

 

The gazes of the men, who had no choice but to stand there, all turned to the middle-aged woman who was physically injured and tired.

 

With a tired and pained look on her face, Rwanda whispered quietly in Anna’s ear.

 

“You came here because you need their help, didn’t you, young lady?”

 

When Anna stared at her in surprise, Rwanda gently smiled and nodded.

 

Then, unlike Rwanda’s haggard face, a calm voice came out.

 

“I’m the one who received the lady. Of course, I’m not a midwife………… Still, I have a few experiences of going into the birthing room.”

 

“Rwanda….”

 

Anna wanted to say that she didn’t have to push herself too hard for her (Anna) own good.

 

But the pained groaning coming from the room stopped her from speaking.

 

Rwanda took another step toward Henrik.

 

“If you don’t mind, can I help your daughter give birth?” 

 

“………Of course!”

 

Only at that moment did Henrik’s face light up. As he tried to hold Rwanda’s hand, he was surprised to see her swollen arm and asked.

 

“How can you do that with your arm…….”

 

“My Lady.”

 

Rwanda looked back at Anna.

 

At this moment, Rwanda’s face couldn’t help but freeze in tension.

 

“Will you be my hand, young lady?”

 

Anna gasped in surprise.

Chapter 11. Then bite if off and kill me

 

****
Sponsored by Kuroneko 💖 (3/4)

****


Boom, boom, boom!

 

“Open the door! Hello!”

 

Anna pounded her fist on the tightly closed castle gate and called for someone.

 

Her frozen hands were as hard as stone, and her trembling body had long since lost its senses to the cold.

 

“There’s a horse-drawn carriage overturned!”

 

The carriage had completely broken down after rolling across the snowfield, and to make matters worse, the horses were released from the carriage and ran away from their own.

 

“My Lady!”

 

“Shh – It’s okay, nanny, there’s going to be someone soon. Nanny stays still.”

 

“My Lady, I’m sorry, I’m sorry.”

 

“It’s not the nanny’s fault, what are you sorry for? It’s cold, so stay still, nanny.”

 

Anna calmed the shivering Rwanda down and said softly.

 

The carriage flipped over, breaking Rwanda’s wrist.

 

Fortunately, the place where the carriage overturned was not far from the castle she needed to find.

 

Taking only the most necessary things, Anna supported Rwanda and arrived at the castle after half a day of walking.

 

But it was getting dark, and very late in the day.

 

‘If I had known it would be like this, I wouldn’t have refused and waited for my father to go together.’

 

The belated regret came over Anna.

 

While Count Marktup was away from his mansion, Anna’s father had been in charge of the place for some time.

 

There was a big fire on the border of the estate, and since it was the work of the intruder, the Count had to go.

 

Meanwhile, her father was guarding the mansion in place of his best friend, saying that there was a possibility of another attack on the castle. Anna couldn’t wait for the Count to come back without knowing when. She was very impatient.

 

“Father, do you know where Uncle Henrik is now? Please tell me. I have something very important to tell him.”

 

After much pestering of her troubled father, Anna finally found the place where Henrik Alpatio was likely to be.

 

He was in the famously cold region of Hashantia, two days’ drive from Count Marktup’s estate.

 

Anna did not hesitate to leave immediately.

 

Rwanda followed her forced march with anxiety.

 

It was Rwanda who dressed, fed and always took care of Anna.

 

Rwanda who had a hard time meeting the wrong owner, but even now she was just shivering, afraid Anna would be in trouble.

 

Anna clenched her fists once more.

 

She didn’t have the strength to protect the people she loved until now.

 

She had to lose them right in front of her eyes.

 

‘I can’t let that happen again. Because Rosie is still alive. Rosie, she’s still alive!’

 

Boom! Boom!

 

“Hey! Isn’t there anyone here? Uncle Henrik! I know you’re here, Uncle Henrik!”

 

It was then that a voice rumbled through the silent darkness.

 

Creakkkkkk!

 

The thick gate of the castle, which had been so tightly closed, slowly opened a crack.

 

A huge man stepped out of the gap as the startled Anna jerked back.

 

“Who are you? What is your name?”

 

Dark green eyes, like a swamp, looked down at her darkly through dark red hair.

 

“….!”

 

Anna’s body froze in surprise.

 

In his hand was a large sword of frightening size.

 

****

 

“Ugh!Ahhhhhh!”

 

The moans of the woman writhing in pain were heard insidiously in the dimly lit hallway. 

 

She couldn’t scream if it hurt too much, and she couldn’t raise her voice, so she gasped for air.

 

“What is that?”

 

Anna, who had been walking behind the man who had gone on ahead of her, looked around the area with anxious eyes.

 

There was not a single passing servant in the old castle, which was neither that big nor that small.

 

The only figures that she occasionally saw were armed knights guarding here and there.

 

When the man turned around, he only stared at Anna with eyes full of suspicion, but made no reply.

 

Anna held Rwanda in her arms and stared straight into the eyes of the mindless man. 

 

In the dimly lit corridor, the huge shadow of the man held her down.

 

The eyes, which showed no emotion, felt oddly hot.

 

The only red was the color of the man’s hair, but there was a harsh intensity in his eyes, as if he was holding some kind of flame.

 

“That’s what it is…”

 

Anna took a short deep breath, trying not to deflate.

 

‘Don’t be discouraged.’

 

Her face was pale with cold and exhaustion, but her eyes glowed sharply as she stared at the man.

 

No matter how honest and innocent she was, she had endured several years in the imperial palace, where all kinds of dirty things were rampant, and that too behind the Empress’ back.

 

The fact that humans would not faint because of the eyes that stare at them has already been experienced countless times back then.

 

“…..”

 

The man, who had been looking at Anna for a while, frowned strangely, and immediately turned his face away. 

 

Then he walked on as if nothing had happened, and eventually reached the front of the room where the screaming had been eerily heard.

 

The man looked back at Anna again. A horrified look came into his eyes as he stared at her.

 

“What’s your name?”

 

“Anna, daughter of Viscount Rotrega, you would know.”

 

As if to confirm, she said it clearly.

 

Fortunately, the man didn’t behave quite so rudely to her, with only an overbearing look in his eyes.

 

“Please wait……………”

 

The man gave a look to the soldiers guarding the door as if to ask them to protect her, and went inside.

 

And shortly after, she came into the room and Henrik Alpatio greeted her with a blank look on his face.

 

“Anna. Yes, I remember. Haha, it’s been a while.”

 

“Uncle Henrik, hello……”

 

“Ugh! Ugh!”

 

Before Anna could finish her greeting, a moan came from across the room where Henrik had his back turned.

 

It sounded like the sound of someone enduring torture, or the sound of a choked cry.

 

It was a half-dead scream, and Anna stared at the closed door.

 

Henrik explained heavily, frowning in pain.

 

“I’m sorry. The timing is not good. My second daughter’s amniotic fluid burst earlier than her due date…”

 

“!”

 

At that word, both Anna and Rwanda, who was being supported by Anna, could only open their mouths in surprise.

 

So then, this sound that they had been hearing from earlier must be the scream of a woman giving birth.

 

“Uuuuu! Ugh! Aah!”

 

“Damn it, I’m sorry, Anna. I’m sorry. I’m also in a panic right now. The midwife who was supposed to come couldn’t….”

 

 “There’s no midwife right now?”

 

Henrik just bowed his head as Anna asked in surprise.

 

“So, who’s in there?”

 

“My wife…… But she doesn’t know what to do, she’s just holding her hand.”

 

Henrik swept his hair roughly as if he was going crazy and looked at Anna with a pale smile.

 

“You’ve come a long way to visit but the timing is not good. I’ll give you a room so you can rest and some medicine for your wound.”

 

Sighing impatiently, Henrik made an effort to reassure Anna. 

 

The middle-aged man’s pale face was twisted into a scowl of worry and anxiety. 

 

In Tanatos, it was common for mothers and babies to die during childbirth.

 

There were many midwives and doctors in the capital city, but the further into the countryside, the harder it was to find an experienced midwife.

 

And even if there was a skilled midwife, if the mother was weak, if she went into labor on a cold day…..

 

The survival rate of the mother and the baby will be extremely low.

 

Fortunately, today was not an extremely cold day. But it was unbelievable that there was no midwife…..

 

“Is there only your wife inside? What about the servants?”

 

“The maid was in there but she’s very young and naive. She couldn’t help.”

 

Henrik scratched nervously between his fingers.

 

His hands were scratched all over the place, as if it was a habitual behavior when he was nervous. For a moment, the surroundings seemed to darken, and then the huge man who had brought Anna in grabbed Henrik’s wrist.

 

“Oh, I’m doing it again. Hahahaha.”

 

Henrik put his hand down with an embarrassed laugh. Meanwhile, another shrill scream came from the back room.

 

Startled, Henrik moved to the door of the room and quickly turned his head away.

 

There was a heavy buzzing around him.

 

There was a young man in the room besides Henrik, and the one who had not moved in front of the door banged his head against the wall.

 

“Come on.This isn’t going to end quickly.”

 

“My son in law. At times like this, you have to hold out more firmly. You’re her husband.”

 

 

The man bit his lip and clenched his fist at Henrik’s words.

 

He seemed to be the husband of the woman who was giving birth, Henrik’s son-in-law.

 

‘The time is not good.’

 

Anna clenched her fists, feeling the suffocating air.

 

Just then, Rwanda, who was standing close to Anna, asked, 

 

“Did you bring plenty of hot water and clean towels?”

 

“… What?”

 

“I hope you’ve also included a few things that the mother might hold onto and give her strength.”

 

Rwanda, who couldn’t stand it, interrupted cautiously.

 

A startled Anna stared at her.

 

The gazes of the men, who had no choice but to stand there, all turned to the middle-aged woman who was physically injured and tired.

 

With a tired and pained look on her face, Rwanda whispered quietly in Anna’s ear.

 

“You came here because you need their help, didn’t you, young lady?”

 

When Anna stared at her in surprise, Rwanda gently smiled and nodded.

 

Then, unlike Rwanda’s haggard face, a calm voice came out.

 

“I’m the one who received the lady. Of course, I’m not a midwife………… Still, I have a few experiences of going into the birthing room.”

 

“Rwanda….”

 

Anna wanted to say that she didn’t have to push herself too hard for her (Anna) own good.

 

But the pained groaning coming from the room stopped her from speaking.

 

Rwanda took another step toward Henrik.

 

“If you don’t mind, can I help your daughter give birth?” 

 

“………Of course!”

 

Only at that moment did Henrik’s face light up. As he tried to hold Rwanda’s hand, he was surprised to see her swollen arm and asked.

 

“How can you do that with your arm…….”

 

“My Lady.”

 

Rwanda looked back at Anna.

 

At this moment, Rwanda’s face couldn’t help but freeze in tension.

 

“Will you be my hand, young lady?”

 

Anna gasped in surprise.

Chapter 12. Ability to save