Lantern Against the Wind

me some materials for—”

“There’s some in the warehouse.
Take them and make clothes for Princess Lydia, and her soon to be born baby.”

Madel smiled delightfully without realizing it.
“Can I? Oh, I’m so worried because Princess Lydia’s is still too small.
I wonder if the baby is growing well…” she trailed off.

It had been a month since Lydia had arrived at this estate, saying that she was six months pregnant with Gareth’s child.
This meant she was now seven months pregnant.
Elena, however, found it hard to believe Lydia’s claims based on her size.
She thought Lydia was four or five months pregnant at most, no matter how small the fetus was.

“Madel,” Elena called.

“Yes?”

“You’ve been a midwife here, is that right?”

“Yes, I have been.”

“Don’t you think the princess’ stomach is too small?” Elena finally asked the question that had been plaguing her mind.
She couldn’t understand why no one else found it strange.

“Some people tend to have small babies, Lady Elena.
Now, please stop the useless accusations,” Madel retorted harshly.

Elena was rendered speechless by Madel’s firm disagreement.
She let out a sigh, thinking that she had just given the others another reason to dislike her.
“I’m just…” she started.

“Just wait and see.
Princess Lydia will give birth to a child who looks just like Lady Adelia.”

‘Adelia… Just who in the world is Adelia…’ Elena thought in confusion, then asked, “Is that so?”

“Lady Elena, why do you keep acting like you don’t know anything when you do?! You know what our lord has been through, so why do you keep picking his wound and causing conflicts?”

Taken aback by Madel’s sudden burst of anger, Elena stared at Madel, unable to say anything.
The sound of the cart floundering filled the silence.

“Please don’t be so hard on Princess Lydia… for the sake of our lord,” Madel pleaded.

“Me?”

“I’m begging you, Lady Elena.
Please take good care of Princess Lydia for our poor lord.
She has his baby.”

‘A baby resembling Adelia…’ Elena’s eyes darkened and she asked, “Madel, who is this Adelia?”