Chapter 100
“Excuse me, my lady. I’m terribly sorry, but I’m having trouble understanding what you’re saying. If you could explain in more detail, I’ll try to find a way to help.”
Though Julia had been told to pretend not to notice, she couldn’t bring herself to do so. If Ruby were truly mentally unwell, it would be impossible to leave her like this.
Ruby let out a small chuckle at the concerned expression Julia wore as she looked at her.
“What if the mother doesn’t know?”
“…Pardon?”
“The child follows the mother so closely. Are you about to conceive?”
“What are you saying…?”
Julia couldn’t make sense of Ruby’s words. Then, her eyes widened slowly.
Her once innocent expression hardened instantly, becoming cold.
“Did you already know about me?”
Her voice, which had been so casual moments ago, was now completely different. Julia’s tone was sharp, almost venomous, as she glared at Ruby with evident anger.
“Even so, to speak so carelessly about someone else’s pain!”
At her outburst, the baby in Jack’s arms cried even louder. The wail was so piercing, it seemed like it might burst Ruby’s eardrums, and for a moment, her head rang with the noise.
“I’m not scolding your mother, little one. You’re making my head pound, sweetie.”
“…What in the world are you muttering to yourself?”
Julia could no longer hold back. Her face was a mixture of confusion and frustration as she alternated between looking at Ruby’s face and the direction of Ruby’s gaze.
“I’m sorry, I didn’t explain properly.”
Ruby’s words caused Julia to take a deep breath. Despite the incomprehensible things Ruby had been saying, a strange sense of expectation began to grow in Julia’s heart.
“My ability is to see spirits. I don’t mind if others know about my gift, but the Duke wants it to remain a secret, so I’d appreciate it if you could keep it to yourself. The Duke might find it worrying.”
“Then, that means…”
“Your child is waiting.”
“W-What?”
“To return to their mother’s embrace.”
“Huh…”
Julia, though she couldn’t quite believe the words, couldn’t stop the tears from falling. The baby she had so lovingly carried in her womb had never seen the light of the world, suddenly passing away before she could even meet it.
The moment she had been forced to remove the dead child from her body, she had wanted to die too. But seeing her husband, who was suffering even more than she was, she couldn’t bring herself to do it. She had to somehow gather her strength, both physically and emotionally.
Though it had been a year since that day, the memory was still vivid in her mind.
“Wh-what should I do? If there’s a way I can have a baby again…”
“Why so shy about it when you’re already married? Isn’t it obvious? You need to give the spirit a body.”
Ruby’s blunt tone didn’t faze Julia. In fact, it felt like salvation. Wiping her tears, she stared at Ruby with intense focus.
“You’re not going to tell me how to do that, are you?”
“No, no. The baby doesn’t have much time left. So, go home right now and make another body for him.”
“But…”
After a year of rest, today was her first day back at work. Given her personal circumstances, it felt awkward to return home now.
“I don’t mind wandering around on my own. I’ll talk to the head butler for you.”
“Th-thank you. I’m really grateful.”
“I won’t accept thanks. I can’t guarantee success. Especially since so much time has already passed.”
“Yes, yes.”
Despite the uncertainty, Julia had been given a lifeline. Whether or not she believed it was up to her. After receiving the baby from Jack, Ruby stepped closer to Julia.
“Would you like to try holding the baby properly?”
“How should I do it? Like this?”
“Why is a mother holding her baby so awkwardly?”
“…Is it really that awkward?”
“Yes, like this. Let the baby rest comfortably on one arm, and use the other hand to firmly support the bottom.”
“Like this?”
“That’s right.”
Only after fully correcting Julia’s posture did Ruby take a step back. The baby, who had been crying so hard that its eyes were swollen, now smiled softly and made little baby gestures.
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