Chapter 3

After retrieving the vitality pills, I stayed for a short while before heading back.

Business transactions between our families continued as usual. The wedding gift from my parents guaranteed a steady stream of silver flowing into the Clay family, plugging their financial deficit.

Stanley and Katie were overjoyed to hear that my parents' anger had been appeased.

Before they could finish praising me, a maidservant rushed in to report that Sean's eldest son, Eric Clay, had fallen ill with a high fever.

For the sake of the child, Sean spent almost the entire month staying at Paige's quarters.

I fought for nothing and demanded nothing, choosing instead to stay by Katie's side.

One day I went with her to pray for Eric, and the next I kneeled in the family's memorial hall, praying that Paige would bear another son.

I even took the initiative to suggest granting Paige an official status as a concubine and adding her to the family tree.

Not only that, but I also arranged a banquet to formally acknowledge both children as legitimate members of the family.

I took the blame for the scandal of Sean having children with a concubine, spreading the word that I was in poor health and feared I couldn't conceive, which was why I had arranged everything in advance.

Through this, I earned a reputation for being remarkably generous.

Stanley and Katie showered me with praise.

Sean was happiest of all since his children had finally been recognized as legitimate members of the family.

He drank heavily that night and spent an affectionate evening with me.

"Eric's fifth birthday is next month. Since Paige is pregnant and can't manage it, could you take care of the birthday banquet?"

In those strange memories, after Eric turned five, his temper became increasingly bizarre.

He refused to speak or communicate and ruined everything in sight whenever he threw a fit.

On the day of the birthday banquet, he did just that. He grabbed a teacup and hurled it directly at me.

It struck my temple, drawing blood and leaving me dizzy with pain.

Eric glared at me and spat viciously, "You wench! You stole my father, and you won't even let me eat candy! Who do you think you are?"

His outburst sent whispers rippling through the crowd.

"Why is this child so poorly behaved?"

"A concubine's child is naturally no match for a legitimate one."

"Lady Tia is far too kind-hearted. Why would she ever let someone like that into her house?"

Amidst the commotion, Paige rushed forward to cover Eric's mouth. When she dropped to her knees, she trembled all over. "My lady, Eric… He's just a child speaking without thinking. He doesn't mean a word of it."

Sean and Katie rushed to support me.

Before they could voice their reprimands, a maidservant stepped forward to make an announcement. "Your Grace, Mr. Ambrose is here to see you."

Katie, being the most pious of all, immediately ordered the maidservant to invite him in.

Clad in a simple gray tunic, Gideon stepped composedly into the hall.

He folded his hands before him, his gaze sweeping past everyone before settling on me. He gave me a slight nod.

My heart skipped a beat, and I curtsied in return.

"Mr. Ambrose, you've traveled a long way to come here. My apologies for not receiving you sooner." Katie hurried over to greet him.

Stanley offered him tea. "To what do we owe the honor of your visit, Mr. Ambrose?"

Gideon turned his rosary beads. "As I passed by your manor, I felt an extraordinary majesty surrounding this place. May I ask if someone in this household is currently pregnant?"

Hearing this, Sean immediately helped Paige forward. "Mr. Ambrose, could you be referring to the baby in Paige's womb?"

Gideon frowned as he looked at her stomach, remaining silent for a long moment.

For some reason, he turned his gaze back toward me. "When this child is born, a sacred sign will envelop the skies. Should he one day enter the court as an official, he shall get rid of the threat posed by the barbarians along our border once and for all."

That final sentence caused an uproar across the room.

The barbarians along the border launched frequent invasions, leaving the frontier populace in misery amid endless war.

Anyone who could resolve that threat would be hailed as a savior of the country.

Stanley and Katie were ecstatic.

Sean treated Paige with even greater tenderness and caution.

As she rested her hand on her lower abdomen, the shock on her face was gradually replaced by sheer triumph.

She raised her head, her eyes passing over the crowd to meet mine from afar.

The arrogance in her eyes could no longer be hidden.

Before Gideon could say anything more, the crowd rushed forward to escort Paige back so she could rest.

By that afternoon, news of the prophecy reached Their Majesties.

Both royal figures personally visited Clay Manor to inspect Paige.

After all, only a select few had ever received a prophecy from Gideon himself.

In comparison, my quarters grew desolate and cold.

Even the maidservants scrambled to serve at Paige's quarters, claiming they wanted to catch a share of the blessed child's good fortune.

Nobody mentioned my injury again.

Eric, the culprit behind it all, was lavished with fine food and treated with even greater pomp than a true legitimate heir.

Sitting in the courtyard, I looked up at the full moon and gently stroked my lower abdomen.

In those memories, the child Paige carried turned out to be a girl.

Meanwhile, my period was over two weeks late.

Before Gideon left, he gifted me a single rosary bead, calling it a gift for the child.