Chapter 32

It was a reasonable observation. Elise didn’t simply dismiss Lady Petisson’s resolute demeanor as mere stubbornness.

Elise, by outward appearance, seemed fragile, and she had unknowingly become embroiled in the complexities of the Rotiara family, a world completely unfamiliar to her. It was only natural that she would prefer the security of having numerous individuals attending to her needs.

Of course, this was all predicated on the assumption that there truly was a child growing within her womb.

The memory of the maids’ gentle and professional smiles resurfaced in Elise’s mind. And in that moment, she had a sudden realization.

This was Rezette Kyrstan’s domain. Lady Petisson, Alfredo, and the other servants were all Rezette Kyrstan’s loyal followers. They were there to ensure their safety from external threats, as Rezette had assured. However, they couldn’t escape the watchful eyes and ears within the confines of Rotiara.

Furthermore, these individuals would be the closest attendants to her in the future. Thus, Elise couldn’t rely on any of them for genuine support.

Engaging in such lengthy discussions to assign a maid was a novel experience for Elise. She didn’t harbor any particular displeasure or anger. In fact, if she contemplated it further, it was even more peculiar for Rezette Kyrstan to treat her with such princely regard.

Nevertheless, life in Rotiara is not destined to be tranquil. She must remain vigilant.

There were no secrets that could remain hidden indefinitely. Already, three individuals were privy to the knowledge of Elise and Rezette’s contract, including themselves and the parliamentarians.

Regarding the parliamentarians, as they had been swayed by the Duke’s influence, they wouldn’t dare to betray his trust. However, in essence, a secret ceases to exist the moment it escapes one’s lips.

Above all, the greatest concern lay with Lady Petisson. How long could Elise evade the scrutinizing gaze of the astute matron responsible for the castle’s internal affairs? Lady Petisson’s insistence on personally verifying Elise’s physical condition suggested that she was prepared to promptly petition the emperor should any falsehoods be detected.

“If only I could gain her favor.” Elise mused, well aware of Lady Petisson’s evident disapproval. Yet, she couldn’t fathom a way to earn the matron’s favor. With that option seemingly out of reach, there remained only one person left for Elise to rely on.

“Ivetsa Leonilla.”

“Yes, Your Highness.”

“Whose servant do you consider yourself to be?”

“I am, of course, the servant of both Your Highness and His Grace,” Ivetsa replied, perplexed by the question. However, Elise pressed on, seeking further clarity.

“Where did you work prior to this? Were you a palace maid?”

“No, Your Highness. I served at the residence in the capital where His Grace resides. It was Your Highness who personally summoned me.”

“Did he instruct you to attend to me and relay all information pertaining to me?”

“Yes, Your Highness.”

“Then you are indeed his confidante.”

Elise scrutinized Ivetsa’s bewildered expression, realizing that she was the sole person she could rely on at present. Could she place her trust in Ivetsa?

“Ivetsa, do you remember when the carriage veered off the cliff? I saved your life then, didn’t I?” Elise reminded, her words laced with a hint of gravity.

“Yes, of course. I can never forget your kindness. If Your Highness hadn’t pushed me to safety, I wouldn’t be alive today,” Ivetsa replied, acknowledging the debt she owed.

“In that case, would you consider exchanging your loyalty for your life?” Elise proposed, her tone calm and composed.

Ivetsa’s mouth dropped open in astonishment, taken aback by the unexpected request. Elise continued, maintaining her composure.

“I don’t ask for much from you. It doesn’t mean you have to betray the Duke. I simply ask that you safeguard one secret of mine.”

Elise knew that even the maids who constantly accompanied her couldn’t be deceived. In a month or two, it would become evident that her belly wasn’t growing, and her secret would be exposed.

“I don’t need any other maid beside you. Perhaps the situation will change if I truly bear a child,” Elise remarked, a gust of wind blowing through the open window, causing her silver hair to sway gently.

“In truth, there never was a baby to begin with.”

For some reason, Ivetsa felt a hollow emptiness in the princess’s voice, akin to a desolate winter branch.

Just then, a soft knock echoed through the room, drawing Elise’s attention. She composed herself, adjusting her tousled hair, and turned towards the door.

“It appears that someone has arrived to provide evidence of that fact,” Elise remarked, her eyes fixed on the door.

Standing before her was Freya, the elderly physician who had previously treated her at the Van Yela Palace.

***

“You have made remarkable progress since I last saw you at the palace. It’s difficult to believe that you experienced a severe accident,” Freya stated, visibly relieved as she released a sigh.

“You are slowly regaining your vitality. Though compared to the average person, you are still considerably weak, it no longer appears as precarious as before to face the days ahead,” she continued.

“Is that so?” Elise inquired, her expression reflecting a glimmer of hope.

“Yes, your energy is gradually returning, as evidenced by the strength of your pulse. However, it would be prudent to preserve your well-being and observe your progress for a few more weeks. We still need to determine whether your current condition is a temporary symptom or a part of the recovery process,” Freya explained, her words carrying a note of caution.

Nonetheless, it was undoubtedly good news. A faint blush returned to Elise’s cheeks.

“Are there any potential complications for conceiving a child?” Elise inquired, her voice tinged with concern.

“We will need to observe further to determine that. After all, the Duke is not an ordinary man,” the physician responded, causing Ivetsa to gaze at both Elise and the physician in astonishment. It appeared that she had finally grasped the meaning behind Elise’s earlier statement, “There was never a baby in the first place.”

Freya, observing Ivetsa’s reaction with a mix of concern and consideration, took a deep breath before speaking.

“Your Highness, there is something you should be aware of regarding the union between a dragon and a human. I have been hesitant to discuss it, fearing it may cause undue worry, but…”

“Please, go ahead. Spare no details,” Elise interjected, straightening herself to give her full attention.

She understood that she couldn’t simply rely on others without being well-informed herself. Elise needed to be aware of the potential implications that lay ahead.

During their journey to Rotiara, Elise had come to realize her own ignorance regarding intimate relationships between men and women. She had been taken aback by the intimidating nature of a man’s desires, a revelation that left her feeling ill-prepared for the challenges ahead.

With a serious tone, Freya began her explanation, delving into the conception and growth process of a hybrid between a vampire and a human. She started by reminding Elise of the origins of dragons, tracing back to the half-breed descendants of the Great Dragon Sameshita and humans. These hybrids only existed during Sameshita’s active phase, and the current dragons were the product of interbreeding between those hybrids and humans.

Elise nodded, already aware of this information. Over generations, the blood and abilities of Sameshita gradually diminished within dragons, yet the essence of the dragon was not entirely diluted by human blood. However, as time passed,dragons grew further detached from both dragons and humans.

“Although the Duke is an exception, most dragons lean more towards being monstrous than human. They possess low intelligence but high aggression,” Freya explained. “Even Sameshita, who is not an ordinary dragon but rather a half-mad Great Dragon, passes on that madness to dragons. The same applies to vampire fetuses.”

“In contrast, human wombs are too fragile to bear dragon seeds. It is challenging for them to take root in the uterus, but the true problem arises after conception. Dragon fetuses consume their host mothers as they grow.”

“They consume their host mothers?” Elise asked incredulously. 

“Yes. Particularly when they reach a stage where they roughly resemble a human form, they become restless, yearning to break free from the confines of the womb. As I mentioned earlier, dragons possess certain features resembling those of their draconic ancestors. If they are fortunate, it may be limited to their head, wings, or skin. However, if their nails, claws, or teeth bear resemblance to beastly forms, there is no way the mother’s womb can withstand it.”

“Even if the pregnancy manages to endure for ten months somehow, all the nutrients will be drained away,” Freya continued. “By the time childbirth approaches, the mother will have become too weak to give birth. Unable to be delivered by the mother’s body, the child tears the womb apart and enters the world independently.”

As the physician paused, an indescribable silence fell upon the room. This time, even Elise struggled to maintain her composure. The prospect of bearing a child was already a daunting task, but the reality painted by this story far exceeded her vague speculations.

Suddenly, Rezette’s words echoed in Elise’s ears. 

So that’s the reason. Could it be that Rezette himself was born in such a manner? Was that why she felt such profound guilt for deceiving the emperor?

“There is a method to slice open the abdomen and extract the child before the mother’s demise… but the chances of survival are slim. That’s why society refers to the offspring of dragons as ‘demons’ and rejects them. They are indeed creatures that consume their mothers and are born,” explained Freya.

“Why does the child thrash within the womb?” Elise inquired.

“Human wombs lack the magical energy necessary for the dragon fetus to nourish and grow.”

“Magical energy…”

“As a substitute, they drain all the nutrients from the mother’s body, leaving her with just enough to barely survive. The body of a woman who has given birth to a dragon is a horrifying sight beyond comprehension. Her face and limbs become almost petrified, and her belly is torn apart.”