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Sponsored by Kuroneko (3/4)
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Boom, boom, boom!
Open the door! Hello!
Anna pounded her fist on the tightly closed castle gate and called for soone.
Her frozen hands were as hard as stone, and her trembling body had long since lost its senses to the cold.
Theres 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 Its okay, nanny, theres going to be soone soon. Nanny stays still.
My Lady, Im sorry, Im sorry.
Its not the nannys fault, what are you sorry for? Its cold, so stay still, nanny.
Anna cald the shivering Rwanda down and said softly.
The carriage flipped over, breaking Rwandas 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 wouldnt have refused and waited for my father to go together.
The belated regret ca over Anna.
While Count Marktup was away from his mansion, Annas father had been in charge of the place for so ti.
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.
anwhile, 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 couldnt wait for the Count to co back without knowing when. She was very impatient.
Father, do you know where Uncle Henrik is now? Please tell . I have sothing 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 Marktups estate.
Anna did not hesitate to leave imdiately.
Rwanda followed her forced march with anxiety.
It was Rwanda who dressed, fed and always took care of Anna.
Rwanda who had a hard ti eting the wrong owner, but even now she was just shivering, afraid Anna would be in trouble.
Anna clenched her fists once more.
She didnt have the strength to protect the people she loved until now.
She had to lose them right in front of her eyes.
I cant let that happen again. Because Rosie is still alive. Rosie, shes still alive!
Boom! Boom!
Hey! Isnt there anyone here? Uncle Henrik! I know youre 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 na?
Dark green eyes, like a swamp, looked down at her darkly through dark red hair.
.!
Annas body froze in surprise.
In his hand was a large sword of frightening size.
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Ugh!Ahhhhhh!
The moans of the woman writhing in pain were heard insidiously in the dimly lit hallway.
She couldnt scream if it hurt too much, and she couldnt 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 ard 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 mans hair, but there was a harsh intensity in his eyes, as if he was holding so kind of fla.
Thats what it is
Anna took a short deep breath, trying not to deflate.
Dont 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 tis back then.
..
The man, who had been looking at Anna for a while, frowned strangely, and imdiately 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 ca into his eyes as he stared at her.
Whats your na?
Anna, daughter of Viscount Rotrega, you would know.
As if to confirm, she said it clearly.
Fortunately, the man didnt 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 ca into the room and Henrik Alpatio greeted her with a blank look on his face.
Anna. Yes, I rember. Haha, its been a while.
Uncle Henrik, hello
Ugh! Ugh!
Before Anna could finish her greeting, a moan ca from across the room where Henrik had his back turned.
It sounded like the sound of soone 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.
Im sorry. The timing is not good. My second daughters 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, Im sorry, Anna. Im sorry. Im also in a panic right now. The midwife who was supposed to co couldnt.
Theres no midwife right now?
Henrik just bowed his head as Anna asked in surprise.
So, whos in there?
My wife But she doesnt know what to do, shes just holding her hand.
Henrik swept his hair roughly as if he was going crazy and looked at Anna with a pale smile.
Youve co a long way to visit but the timing is not good. Ill give you a room so you can rest and so dicine for your wound.
Sighing impatiently, Henrik made an effort to reassure Anna.
The middle-aged mans 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 extrely low.
Fortunately, today was not an extrely 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 shes very young and naive. She couldnt 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 mont, the surroundings seed to darken, and then the huge man who had brought Anna in grabbed Henriks wrist.
Oh, Im doing it again. Hahahaha.
Henrik put his hand down with an embarrassed laugh. anwhile, another shrill scream ca 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.
Co on.This isnt going to end quickly.
My son in law. At tis like this, you have to hold out more firmly. Youre her husband.
The man bit his lip and clenched his fist at Henriks words.
He seed to be the husband of the woman who was giving birth, Henriks son-in-law.
The ti 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 youve also included a few things that the mother might hold onto and give her strength.
Rwanda, who couldnt stand it, interrupted cautiously.
A startled Anna stared at her.
The gazes of the n, 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 Annas ear.
You ca here because you need their help, didnt you, young lady?
When Anna stared at her in surprise, Rwanda gently smiled and nodded.
Then, unlike Rwandas haggard face, a calm voice ca out.
Im the one who received the lady. Of course, Im not a midwife Still, I have a few experiences of going into the birthing room.
Rwanda.
Anna wanted to say that she didnt 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 dont mind, can I help your daughter give birth?
Of course!
Only at that mont did Henriks face light up. As he tried to hold Rwandas 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 mont, Rwandas face couldnt help but freeze in tension.
Will you be my hand, young lady?
Anna gasped in surprise.
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