The Abandoned Princess, Yet She Is Loved - Chapter 116

After returning to the estate, Frederick and Grace were caught up in a whirlwind of activity for a while.

 

It happened to be harvest season, so the estate was buzzing with energy.

 

Frederick focused on reorganizing the knights and taking care of estate matters that had been neglected. After the harvest, he also took part in the festival held with the villagers.

 

Grace received reports from Anthony on the current state of the estate’s management and the progress of the grain harvest, then prepared the budget for the coming year. She also checked the contract volumes, sales, and expenses related to her neglected art business and began devising strategies to sell more paintings.

 

Once all of that was behind them, and with winter approaching, the couple was finally granted some time to themselves.

 

They spent a lot of time together—horseback riding, strolling around the estate, browsing the market, and dining out. Frederick even accompanied Grace when she went around sketching various parts of the estate and forest.

 

It was during this peaceful time that it happened.

 

“Ah…!”

 

While painting alone in her studio, Grace suddenly felt dizzy.

 

“Hoo….”

 

She took a deep breath, trying to steady herself. Though she hadn’t eaten anything unusual, her stomach felt unsettled, and the room was spinning.

 

‘What’s going on all of a sudden?’

 

Clutching the easel, Grace braced herself until the nausea passed. The only sound in the empty room was her ragged breathing.

 

She had to go back.

 

She hadn’t overexerted herself, so she couldn’t understand why she felt this way. It seemed best to return to her room and rest. Grace dragged her weakened body back to her room.

 

Even once she returned, she still felt unsteady. She staggered to the bed and sat down.

 

“Ugh… what’s wrong with me?”

 

The strange symptoms persisted. Her stomach churned like she had indigestion, and it felt like there was chaos brewing inside her.

 

Grace bent over, overwhelmed by the nausea that wouldn’t go away.

 

“My lady, are you all right?”

 

Annie and Lena rushed to her side in alarm.

 

“It’s nothing serious. I just feel a little dizzy…”

 

Grace forced a smile for them.

 

“You don’t look well at all, my lady! Could this be a sign of illness?”

 

“No… I’ve been resting well and feeling healthy. It doesn’t make sense for me to be sick…”

 

Grace shook her head.

 

“I think I’ll be fine if I just get some rest. Could you bring me some warm water? I think that might help settle my stomach.”

 

“Yes, of course, my lady. But if your symptoms continue, please let us know right away!”

 

“Mm….”

 

Grace nodded. Maybe she had pushed herself too hard working on her painting.

 

She hadn’t painted in a long time, so her excitement must have gotten the better of her. Rest would help, she told herself.

 

But even after a few days of rest, her condition didn’t improve.

 

Despite staying indoors, her body felt weak and feverish. She even started to feel chills.

 

At first, she thought it might just be a cold. Frederick thought the same and had Dorota brew her some herbal medicine.

 

The other maids also tended to her with great care. They were just as worried—after all, their usually healthy mistress was suddenly ill.

 

Even at night, the maids came in periodically to check on her.

 

But her condition didn’t get any better.

 

“…Ugh.”

 

Grace turned her head away, gagging at the sight of the rice porridge Rena had brought.

 

It hadn’t been this bad before, but now even the smell of food made her stomach turn, and anything she managed to eat felt like it was coming right back up.

 

“My lady, are you all right?”

 

Sally quickly handed her a glass of cold water. Grace drank it gratefully, the coolness finally settling her stomach. At this point, water seemed to be the only thing she could tolerate.

 

“If it’s too hard, don’t force yourself to eat. Wait until you feel better.”

 

“Okay…”

 

“But you still need to take your medicine, so you can’t skip meals entirely…”

 

“Don’t worry. I’ll try to eat.”

 

“…Um, my lady.”

 

Sally hesitated before speaking again.

 

“Could it be… that you’re pregnant?”

 

“Pregnant?”

 

“It’s just… I noticed you haven’t had your period. It seems like you’re quite late…”

 

“Ah?”

 

Grace let out a soft gasp.

 

‘Now that I think about it… it’s been almost two months since my last period.’

 

As she mentally reviewed her recent physical state, she realized Sally might be right.

 

‘I need to see the physician.’

 

She couldn’t be sure with just a guess—she needed a proper diagnosis.

 

“Should we call the physician?”

 

“Yes. That’s a good idea.”

 

 

“Frederick.”

 

That night, Grace spoke up as soon as Frederick returned home.

 

“I think I need to get a thorough check-up from the physician.”

 

“Are you feeling that bad?”

 

Frederick looked at her with concern.

 

“I was actually going to call for him. The medicine doesn’t seem to be helping…”

 

“Yeah, it really doesn’t.”

 

Grace held back from saying too much.

 

It wasn’t a confirmed diagnosis, so she didn’t mention the possibility of pregnancy. Annie had also told her that fatigue or random factors could delay menstruation.

 

“If there’s something wrong, we’ll get it taken care of—so promise me you’ll tell me everything. Okay?”

 

Frederick gently held her hand, his voice filled with concern. It seemed he had no idea what the real issue might be. Truthfully, neither had Grace until the maids brought it up.

 

‘Could I really be pregnant?’

 

She decided not to make any assumptions until the examination.

 

“Yes. I’ll get checked properly.”

 

A few days later, the physician visited the Winstaine estate.

 

After listening to her symptoms, he cautiously felt her pulse with his index and middle fingers pressed to her wrist for a long while. Then, he opened his eyes.

 

“May I, with your permission, draw a small amount of blood for further examination?”

 

He explained that he needed a blood sample for an accurate diagnosis.

 

“Go ahead.”

 

Though he was clearly trying to be polite, Grace had no reason to refuse a standard medical procedure.

 

“It might sting a little, but it’ll be over quickly. It won’t hurt much.”

 

He took a small pouch from his bag. Grace glanced at its contents—there was a small bowl with a concave center, a mysterious blue liquid, and a needle.

 

‘There’s quite a bit involved in this test.’

 

“Please give me your hand.”

 

The physician requested her right hand, and she laid her left wrist on his palm. He poured the liquid into the small bowl and placed it on the nightstand beside the bed. Then, he pricked her index finger with the needle.

 

“…Ah.”

 

A drop of red blood welled up. He placed the bowl beneath her hand, and the blood ran down her finger into the blue liquid.

 

“……”

 

Then something curious happened. Instead of turning purple, as expected when the red and blue mixed, the liquid turned a yellowish hue.

 

“My lady.”

 

Staring down at the bowl, the physician looked up and spoke.

 

“Congratulations. You’re pregnant.”

 

“Ah…”

 

Grace let out a soft, dazed sound. Pregnant.

 

The maids had suggested it might be so, but hearing it confirmed felt strange.

 

There’s… a baby inside me?

 

Grace gently placed a hand on her still-flat stomach. It didn’t feel real—how could a baby be in there?

 

“Shall I deliver the news to His Grace right away?”

 

“No, I’ll tell him myself.”

 

She wanted to be the one to share the news of their child with Frederick.

 

“Ah, as you wish. That’s certainly a meaningful choice.”

 

The physician respectfully nodded. Grace began to wonder about Frederick’s reaction.

 

What will he say? “Well done”? “Good work”?

 

Producing an heir for the ducal house was certainly one of her expected duties, but Frederick had never directly brought it up—so she had no way of knowing how he’d respond.

 

“My lady, I’ll take my leave now. Please rest.”

 

“Thank you. And thank you for your help.”

 

After the physician bowed and left, Grace sat quietly, hands over her stomach, lost in thought.