Chapter 95
Raised by a proper mother
She had made a mistake.
Freesia realized it the moment she dropped the glass.
“I… u-ugh…”
Her head was spinning, and her throat heaved violently with nausea. The ground beneath her feet felt unsteady, making her dizzy, and cold sweat poured down like rain. She looked up at the attendant holding her, but she was too dizzy to make out the person’s face or their destination clearly.
‘What did they give me? Where are they taking me…?’
Seeing the attendant pour wine for everyone had made her let her guard down. The smell of spices could mask any strange odors, no matter how careful one was. But she couldn’t vomit in the banquet hall, so she had no choice but to let the servant lead her out.
Everyone was always ready to laugh at her. But Izar was here. She couldn’t bear to make such a disgraceful mistake in front of him.
“Cough, cough! Uurk!”
Thankfully, she hadn’t eaten anything due to the preparations. As she was being dragged out, she retched violently, but only bitter stomach acid mixed with wine came up.
“Damn it, filthy!”
The attendant dragging her along cursed as if he had seen something disgusting. Just then, they left the dark area, and a refreshing breeze blew in, but it was so painful that Freesia shivered.
As they approached a building, a groan escaped her lips.
“Ugh…”
This was… the ‘storeroom’.
“…Ah.”
The world was spinning too much, making her dizzy with fear. This place was known publicly as where Madam Antares and Lady Atria kept their valuables.
But it was also where discarded items were kept and where Madam Antares would beat her servants.
“Let go of… ha…”
This was different from last time. She hadn’t even called that woman ‘Mother’. It was Atria who first taunted her, blatantly calling her a shepherdess!
But the door opened, and the servant roughly threw her onto the floor.
“Ack!”
“Tch. Stay put until the Madam arrives.”
If you didn’t treat those brought here harshly, Madam Antares would punish you more later. Knowing this, the servant threatened her sharply, even if she was the ‘Duchess of Arcturus.’ No matter how finely dressed she was, she was still a bastard.
Freesia pressed her forehead against the cold floor and caught her breath.
“Ha, ugh.”
It’s okay, you won’t die. They won’t poison you; they’re just here to torment you briefly. Just endure it for a little while.
Pain was a familiar existence, like the air she breathed. It wasn’t something new.
This too shall pass. Someday.
Just then, a cool breeze blew again.
Someone entered the storeroom. Not just one person, but three or four more…
“Oh dear, the pretty dress is all ruined.”
“Ugh…”
“With such a stain, it’s hard to fix. What a waste.”
Madam Antares stood like a judge, looking down at her. The corners of her mouth lifted in a shadowed face.
‘Why?’
What did she do?
Why were they bringing her to the storeroom in an even harsher manner than in her past life…?
“Even in pain, your eyes are still alive.”
Madam Antares knelt down and lifted Freesia’s chin.
Freesia shuddered at the cold touch. Her skin burned with pain, then suddenly felt numb, making her head spin.
“Child, are you curious why you were brought here?”
“Ugh, uh, ugh…”
“Goodness. Seems like you can’t even ask because you’re so drunk.”
Held by the maids on both arms, Freesia collapsed to the floor. She wanted to struggle, but the d**g mixed in the wine left her powerless to resist. Even in her dazed state, she could clearly hear that awful woman’s voice.
“Let’s finish this inspection quickly.”
Inspection?
Freesia desperately tried to move her head at this completely unexpected word. The old woman with a hunched back standing next to Madam Antares was…
‘That woman… the mute midwife.’
She recognized her from the wedding preparations. The one who checked her menstrual cycle and overall health with her hands and eyes.
But seeing the tools in the midwife’s hands made her whole body freeze.
“I heard something interesting, Freesia.”
“Ugh…”
“Rumor has it the Duke has been keeping you close. So, I wanted to verify something.”
“Stop… don’t…”
“Whether the Duke of Arcturus actually spent the night with a bastard.”
Maids in the shadows reached out and pinned her legs down.
The dress that Thea had fussed over, hoping it would earn her the Duke’s praise, rustled loudly in her ears.
Cold instruments touched between her legs, and hoarse screams threatened to burst from her throat.
But even those screams were suppressed by Madam Antares’ gentle warning.
“You’d better stay quiet. Didn’t you notice how many men are here tonight?”
“Ugh… uh…”
“If they see you like this… what do you think they’ll assume?”
“……!”
“That you’re a wh-re, of course. They’ll think you spread your legs like the lowborn sl-t that you truly are.”
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