Chapter 510: The Budding of a New Life
"Oh, my love!"
Alex rushed to Meredith and embraced her gently. She was reclining on the bed, looking pale and worn.
"You’re finally back!" she cried.
The moment she heard his voice outside the door, her heart had leapt, but her body, too weak to rise, had kept her in place. So, she simply waited, letting him come to her.
Alex pulled back slightly, cupping her face in his hands.
"What happened to you? Why did you let yourself get like this?"
Meredith offered a faint smile.
"I did nothing much, just the usual. I’m not sure why I became so exhausted. It just started a few days ago."
"Lies," Alex said, his voice tight with worry. "Lady Mills told me everything. If you needed help, you should’ve said something. I would’ve come back for you!"
She let out a soft chuckle and reached up to touch his face.
"Well... you’re here now, aren’t you?"
The knight let out a frustrated sigh.
"If I’d known, I wouldn’t have waited for the trial to end and come home much sooner."
At the mention of the trial, Meredith’s expression shifted instantly.
"Anna! I mean... Lady Raychard and His Highness, Prince Kiev! How are they? How was the trial?"
Alex frowned slightly.
"Didn’t Lady Mills tell you anything?"
Meredith shook her head, confusion and concern still clouding her face.
"That’s odd. She said she came by to check on you earlier," Alex muttered, puzzled.
"She did come. But she said nothing except telling me to stay in bed and rest. I had breakfast up here, then lay down again because I still felt so drained. I only woke up when I heard your knock."
"I suppose she didn’t want to disturb your rest or risk making you anxious," Alex said gently.
He gently placed a hand on his wife’s forehead, worry rising as he felt the warmth beneath his palm.
"Are you running a fever?"
Meredith sighed and swatted his hand away.
"I’m fine! Stop fussing and please tell me what happened. I’m dying to know!"
Seeing how adamant she was, Alex relaxed slightly. Her determination was a good sign—she wasn’t as weak as he had feared.
"All right," he said, sitting beside her. "They’re back at the mansion, safe and sound."
"Really?" Meredith’s eyes lit up. "But what about the accusation? You said there was a trial!"
Alex smiled reassuringly.
"I’ll keep it short since you need rest. Lady Raychard proved her innocence. The child she’s carrying is His Highness the Grand Duke’s. Mr Norman arrived just in time with her examination report to confirm it. Turns out, our lady is already four months along."
"Four months?" Meredith gasped. "But... she only arrived in Gantz much later!"
"You’re right. She conceived during the journey from the border to here. According to His Highness, it happened while they were aboard the cog ship."
"Oh, my!" Meredith’s hand flew to her mouth in shock.
She sat there stunned momentarily, then turned back to her husband, her brows furrowed.
"But... I thought His Highness had a fertility issue?"
"There’s no issue," Alex said, his tone calm. "Turns out, it was a big misunderstanding."
He went on to explain the truth about Anna’s origins, her soulmate bond with Kyren, and the revelation Jessy had shared — how the previous queen misunderstood the effects of the binding spell. Ayden had fully conveyed this part of the story to the knights before their return.
Meredith listened in stunned silence, her eyes growing wider with each detail. When Alex finally stopped, she sat there for a long moment, trying to process everything.
"Our lady... is the Khasif?" she whispered at last.
Alex nodded proudly.
"I know you probably have more questions about how this became so tangled," he said. "Trust me, it was also difficult for us to believe it at first."
Meredith stared at him and said, "Anna... no, I should say Her Imperial Highness! Wait... you said she wore the emperor’s ring! That would make her the heir of the empire. But she’s a woman, so she’s likely to be the empress!" Her eyes grew wider. "Oh, my goodness!"
She covered her face with her hands, overwhelmed by the realisation.
Alex chuckled softly.
"You’re right. It’s supposed to be Her Imperial Majesty the Empress. But our lady doesn’t want to be called that. She insisted we address her as usual. She’s sensitive about it right now. So, His Highness agreed and ordered us all to respect her wishes."
Meredith nodded slowly, still absorbing the shock, but a fond smile grew on her lips.
"That sounds like her," she said warmly. "Despite all this, she’s still the same humble Anna we’ve always known. I imagine she must be just as stunned by the truth as the rest of us."
"Yes, she is," replied Alex.
"I want to go see her," Meredith said suddenly, her eyes excitedly lit.
Though exhaustion still clung to her, the urge to speak with her dear friend now burned bright.
The knight, however, raised a hand to halt her.
"I don’t think now’s the right time."
Meredith frowned. "Why not?"
He drew a slow breath.
"There was an incident when they arrived back at the mansion. Everyone gathered in the foyer to welcome them... and somehow, a misunderstanding happened."
"What kind of misunderstanding?" she asked, puzzled.
"Lady Athillia came down to greet them. Something she said during her conversation with His Highness the Grand Duke led Lady Raychard to believe something was happening between them."
Meredith’s mouth dropped open.
"What? That’s absurd!"
Alex lifted a brow.
You don’t think so? Honestly, we were all a bit puzzled about her presence, too. We share the same thought as our lady when His Highness told us he brought Lady Athillia here to give her a home and a family.
Meredith nearly laughed. She scoffed and shook her head.
"I don’t know what His Highness’s intentions are, but I had a conversation with Lady Athillia the other day," Meredith said. "Even though she didn’t say it outright, I could tell she has no interest whatsoever in our Grand Duke."
Alex blinked, surprised. His wife leaned forward, her tone turning to a whisper.
"In fact, someone else has completely stolen her attention. You could see it from her body language. It was as clear as day! But that person is so clueless, I bet he hasn’t realised a thing."
"Who??" Alex asked, wide-eyed. "She just got here a few days ago! How could she fall for someone that quickly?"
Meredith smirked knowingly.
"Love is blind, my dear. Sometimes the heart makes the decision long before the mind even catches up."
Alex narrowed his eyes at her, amused.
"And how can you be so sure?"
"You’re speaking to the President of the ’His Highness Fan Club’," Meredith said proudly, straightening her shoulders. "The club started as a reading circle, mostly indulging in romance novels. But eventually, it evolved into a noble cause, namely, adoring His Highness. Apparently, our shared enthusiasm bonded us quite well."
Alex burst into laughter.
"Hah! I forgot all about that. But you’re married now. Doesn’t that disqualify you from being president?"
"Oh, I know," Meredith replied with a dramatic sigh. "I’m planning to pass the title to someone else next season. It’s winter, after all, our official rest period."
"Right..." Alex nodded playfully. "So, I guess your talent for reading people came from reading all those novels and mingling with your members."
"Exactly," she said proudly. "Though I have to admit, I still can’t beat Anna. Her reading tastes were far more diverse than mine. I stuck mostly to love stories and plays."
"Makes sense," the knight said. "So, who is this person Lady Athillia likes?"
Meredith gave him a sly smile.
"That’s a secret! The person should be the first to realise it, not you. If I told you now, it might ruin what’s only just beginning, and we wouldn’t want to interfere, would we?"
"Fine! I won’t ask any further," Alex relented.
"As for our lady... even if now isn’t the best time, I’m sure His Highness is trying to calm her down," Meredith said. "Maybe I could help clear the misunderstanding. I’m just dying to see her."
Alex shook his head again.
"Leave it to His Highness. What he said earlier has unintentionally raised suspicions about his relationship with Lady Athillia. It’s best if the explanation comes from him. I don’t want you involved, not when you’re still recovering. Rest assured, I’ll explain the rest to you sometime later. But right now, there are a few people who are anxious to see you."
"Who?"
Alex smiled warmly.
"You’ll see. Just wait."
He stood up, walked over to the door, and opened it. A moment later, he ushered in a small group who had been patiently waiting outside.
Rafe was the first to approach the bed, looking visibly concerned.
"How are you, Lady Jarr? It took your husband so long to let us in. I was starting to worry something had happened."
Meredith smiled at the sight of the familiar faces. Behind Rafe stood Jessy, Callis, and Kiev, all wearing the same expressions of concern. Her heart swelled with warmth at their presence.
"I’m all right. Just a little tired," she replied gently. "But thank you all for coming."
"If you don’t mind, may I check your pulse?" asked Rafe.
Meredith glanced at Alex, who gave a subtle nod. Though she didn’t feel it necessary, she understood the others would rest easier if she allowed it.
"All right," she agreed.
Rafe moved to the side of the bed and gently took her wrist. As he examined her pulse, his expression grew more serious.
"Have you done anything physically demanding recently?" he asked, eyes narrowing slightly.
"No. I was only talking to Alex. Before he came, I was asleep. Why?" Meredith asked, puzzled.
Rafe raised an eyebrow.
"Strange. Your pulse is racing like you’ve just run a mile or done heavy labour."
Their eyes met, and before Rafe could imply anything more, Alex quickly raised both palms defensively.
"Nothing happened! We were just talking!" he said, his voice a pitch too high.
Callis blinked, initially confused. But when she noticed her brother struggling to suppress a laugh, understanding dawned on her face.
"Ooohh..." she muttered, a teasing grin forming.
"I believe you," Rafe said with a smirk, waving a hand dismissively. "After all, a man with your build wouldn’t finish that fast."
Alex and Meredith flushed instantly, their cheeks turning red. Prince Kiev discreetly looked away, biting his lip to keep from laughing. The Mederian Princess watched the flustered couple with silent amusement while Jessy remained concerned.
Alex cleared his throat, flustered.
"So, what could be causing her pulse to spike, then? Could it be due to an illness? Meredith said she’s been feeling unusually fatigued, and despite sleeping, she still looks pale and feels warm."
"Let me check further," Rafe said seriously, shifting back into healer mode.
He carefully examined Meredith’s pupils, felt her temperature again, and monitored her breathing. Everything appeared within normal limits, except her pulse.
He frowned, shaking his head slightly.
"There’s nothing definitive from the physical checks. Yes, her body is slightly warm, but still within a healthy range. The rapid pulse could come from various causes, though nothing seems immediately dangerous."
He glanced at Meredith with a calm but firm expression.
"A blood test would help narrow it down. It’ll give us a more accurate picture. Would you allow it?"
The request made the noblewoman’s heart flutter with unease. She didn’t want to jump to any grim conclusions—not yet. Especially not when Alex was already so concerned.
She gave a slight nod.
"Of course," she agreed.
"Fortunately, I always carry a few kits for such cases," said Rafe, pulling a small pouch from his inner pocket. Wrapped in a clean white cloth, the parcel was neatly placed on the side table as he prepared to begin the test.
"Do we need to step outside?" Kiev asked.
"There’s no need," Rafe replied. "It’s just a simple blood draw. I’ll wash my hands first."
The healer then headed toward the adjoining bathroom. In the meantime, Jessy stepped forward gently.
"Let me help you, Lady Jarr. I used to hold Princess Anna’s hand during blood draws. It helps calm the nerves."
The noblewoman smiled at the offer.
"That’s kind of you, Madam Collins, but my husband is here. I’ll be all right."
A flicker of guilt crossed Jessy’s face.
"If only I hadn’t left, none of this would’ve happened," she murmured in heavy regret.
"Don’t say that," Meredith said quickly. "We all fall ill sometimes. It’s not something anyone can control."
Sensing Jessy’s deep remorse, Callis said with a soft smile.
"Jessy’s always been like that, soft-hearted like a mother. If you keep turning her down, she’ll feel worse."
"Oh dear! I didn’t mean to refuse you!" Meredith said, now the one feeling guilty.
"I’d recommend she help," Kiev added gently. "It’s the least we can do, since you’ve cared for my Elis in our absence. We’re truly grateful."
At the mention of the princess consort, the noblewoman’s face grew sombre. Her gaze shifted.
"About that... I think I owe you an apology," she said quietly.
"What for?" Kiev asked, puzzled.
"Actually..."
Meredith revealed that she had confined the Mederian Prince’s wife in her chamber. To prevent the princess from escaping, she had posted his guards outside for security purposes.
Kiev smiled.
"I already know that. Lady Mills told me about it."
"There’s more..." There was guilt in her voice, mixed with reluctance, but she went on to reveal everything.
Not only had she done that, but the noblewoman also admitted that she had deceived Elis by claiming the King of Cassian had ordered her confinement.
She told the princess that if she stepped out of the chamber, her husband would be punished. Meredith even confessed to putting sleeping pills in the princess’s tea when they returned to the mansion due to Elis’s relentless crying.
"I’m so sorry! I had to do it! I just didn’t want anything to happen to her. She could’ve been arrested if she had run back to the palace for you. I had no choice!" she said.
Kiev remained calm, despite her confession.
"What you did was to protect my wife. If I were in your shoes, I might’ve done the same. So, there’s no need to apologise," he said.
"Thank you for your understanding, Your Highness," said Meredith, visibly relieved. "By the way, I also asked for help from your two guards the other day..." she added.
The noblewoman then told them about the suspicious perfume and Lady Bridgette Lynn’s odd behaviour.
"How dare she!" Callis exclaimed, then turned to her brother. "She was definitely scheming something. This has to be Lady James’s doing!"
Kiev’s expression darkened.
"Where are they now?" he asked.
"I have them locked up in His Highness the Grand Duke’s private detention. I had no choice since Lady Lynn was about to flee."
The Mederian Prince nodded.
"You did the right thing, Lady Jarr."
Then, as his eyes met Alex’s, the knight said, "I’ll have the matter investigated thoroughly. We’ll do what is needed to get them to talk."
"Sylvia knew about this. Since you’re all back, I’m sure she’s already informed Sir Navin. She mentioned she would report to him firsthand once he returned," said Meredith.
"Then I’ll go and see him later to discuss it," Alex replied.
Kiev nodded in agreement.
No sooner had their discussion ended than Rafe returned from the bathroom. His presence immediately shifted the atmosphere, drawing everyone’s attention back to Meredith’s condition.
"Shall we begin?" he asked.
The noblewoman noticed Jessy’s expression. The nanny still looked troubled, likely blaming herself for what had happened during her absence.
Not wanting her to continue bearing the guilt, Meredith turned to Alex.
"You wouldn’t mind if I let Madam Collins hold me during the blood taking, would you?"
The knight smiled, understanding his wife’s intent.
"Definitely not."
He stepped aside and gestured toward Jessy.
"Carry on, Madam Collins."
The nanny looked relieved. It wasn’t much, but her life magic could help soothe the blood flow and make the process more comfortable. That, at least, was something she could do.
Jessy gently rolled up Meredith’s sleeve and took her arm. As Rafe inserted the needle, Jessy cast her magic. The blood began to flow steadily into the sample vial through the device.
Moments passed quietly until Jessy’s expression suddenly shifted.
"Wait... I feel something," she said, looking confused.
"Feel what?" asked Rafe, his brow lifting.
Alex turned, concerned and asked the same.
Instead of answering, Jessy paused momentarily, as if sensing something more deeply. Then, her eyes widened.
"Oh my! Lady Jarr, you’re pregnant!"