I Became The Wife Of The Cursed Grand Duke Chapter 125

“It’s unfortunate, but… there are no signs of pregnancy.”

The Grand Duke’s personal physician bowed his head with a look of apology.

 

“Please, examine her once more carefully.”

At Charlotte’s insistence, the physician once again focused on Evelyn’s wrist, taking her pulse. 

 

But the result was the same.

 

“…She’s not pregnant?”

 

Mrs. Riktor and Charlotte’s faces were filled with visible disappointment, as though they couldn’t quite accept the news.

 

“According to the guards who accompanied her, she hasn’t been able to eat anything, let alone drink water, for the past week. And it’s been well over a month since her last menstrual cycle…”

 

A heavy sigh escaped Evelyn’s lips as she watched this unfold.

 

How had things come to this? The misunderstanding had begun several hours earlier.

Evelyn, who had been deeply asleep in the carriage, hadn’t woken up even after arriving at the Grand Duke’s estate.

After waiting for some time, Mrs. Riktor, growing concerned, boarded the carriage herself.

 

But seeing Evelyn curled up in such a pitiful state, she couldn’t bring herself to wake her.

 

‘And then, as soon as she stepped out of the carriage, she started retching… It’s no wonder they misunderstood.’

 

Her elevated body temperature, the constant chills, and the nausea—to anyone, her symptoms matched those of a pregnant woman.

 

But the result was exactly as she had expected.

 

‘What was I even hoping for? I knew this would happen…’

 

Feeling pathetic, Evelyn let out a deep sigh inwardly.

 

The physician, noticing her distress, gently comforted her, saying that delayed cycles were not uncommon.

“Overly anticipating a child can become a burden. Please, try to keep your mind at ease.”

 

“Well… they’ve only just had their wedding. I suppose I was being too impatient.”

Charlotte sighed softly and draped a blanket over Evelyn.

 

“I should have been more composed, but my desire to see a grandchild as soon as possible made me act foolishly.”

At her self-reproach, Evelyn lowered her head.

 

For the prosperity of the North, producing an heir to continue the Grand Duke’s lineage was her duty.

So it was only natural for Charlotte to desire a child, yet Evelyn couldn’t help but feel a wave of guilt.

 

“Everyone knows how well the two of you get along, so it’s only a matter of time before a beautiful child graces the estate.”

 

“Of course, that’s how it should be. How joyful it would be to hear the sound of a child’s laughter in this dreary castle.”

Charlotte smiled as she always did.

 

“…Thank you for your efforts. You may leave now.”

 

With that, the physician exited the room.

 

In the brief silence that followed, Evelyn bit her lip.

Facing the two elderly women who looked at her with such pity, she had no idea what to say or how to say it.

 

‘I can’t just boldly declare that I’m incapable of producing an heir to the Grand Duke’s family…’

When this all began, she had resolved to bear all the blame.

If they couldn’t have an heir after marriage, there would surely be rumors of impropriety, and she had vowed to shoulder all the responsibility.

 

To use herself as a shield so that Kalian could achieve what he desired.

 

But…

‘Now that the moment is here… I can’t help but feel terrified.’

In the past, when she had no one to rely on, being disliked by others didn’t bother her.

But now, it is different.

The mere thought of those she cared for looking at her coldly filled her with fear.

 

Evelyn thumped her chest in frustration.

 

“Are you still feeling unwell?”

Charlotte asked, gently stroking her back.

 

Evelyn nodded silently, and Mrs. Riktor, understanding Charlotte’s intention, slightly opened the window.

The stagnant air in the room mixed with the fresh breeze from outside, and Evelyn’s nausea eased somewhat.

 

Charlotte brushed Evelyn’s hair and smiled sympathetically.

“Feeling better with the cool breeze?”

 

“…Yes.”

 

“But don’t leave it open for too long.”

Mrs. Riktor replied calmly.

 

“Yes, I understand, my lady.”

 

Noticing this, Charlotte gently stroked Evelyn’s hand and continued.

“I’m sorry, dear. I feel terrible for putting such pressure on you.”

 

“No, Mother. I’m the one who should apologize.”

 

“I didn’t mean to push you. As the physician said, don’t worry too much and get some rest.”

 

“Yes, I will, Mother.”

 

Charlotte stayed by Evelyn’s side for a while before leaving with a kind smile.

Taking Charlotte’s place was Lucy.

 

With Lucy’s help, Evelyn soaked her tired body in warm water, but her mind remained troubled.

Charlotte’s words about wanting to see a grandchild as soon as possible echoed in her ears, making her stomach churn.

 

‘If only the oracle would come sooner…’

She felt like a child waiting for her turn to be punished. Letting out a hollow sigh, she submerged herself in the tub until her head was underwater.

 

 

* * *

 

 

The results of the drug analysis requested from Count Martin arrived around the same time as the news of Evelyn’s safe arrival at the Grand Duke’s estate.

 

“How is her condition?”

 

“The physician visited as soon as she arrived. He said it seems to be accumulated fatigue.”

Her complexion had been poor for a while now.

 

The last face Kalian had seen before they parted lingered in his mind, and he had spent several agonizing days since.

 

“I see. I should have some medicine sent to her.”

 

“The lady has already instructed the same.”

 

“That’s a relief.”

Regaining his composure, Kalian headed straight to the Count’s laboratory.

 

The results were as he had expected.

“The drug is mostly composed of blood, with a small amount of herbs to alleviate headaches.”

 

Count Martin stared at the blood sample before him, tilting his head in confusion.

“But no matter how I think about it, I can’t understand. What could be the reason for providing the blood of Lindberg women to the Saintess?”

 

Kalian, who had kept everything secret until now, felt it was time to bring this matter to light.

Especially since he needed to continue collaborating with Count Martin, it would be best to share as much information as possible and seek his help.

 

“How much do you know about reviving humans, Count?”

 

“Reviving humans… Are you referring to voodoo or necromancy rituals?”

 

“It doesn’t matter if it’s sorcery or alchemy. I’m talking about creating a human who resembles someone, by any means necessary.”

 

“Hmm, in terms of alchemy, there’s the homunculus, created by combining various substances, but it can’t truly be considered human…”

 

“Why do you think that?”

 

“Even if someone had the face of my family or a close friend, they wouldn’t be able to truly connect with me.”

 

At the Count’s answer, Kalian stroked his chin and muttered.

“Connection…”

 

Noticing his odd reaction, the Count slumped into his chair and elaborated.

“Creating a homunculus is classified as alchemy, but it’s closer to black magic. A being with human form but no emotions or memories—how can that be called human?”

 

“Have you ever tried to create one?”

Count Martin frowned deeply.

“Only a madman would.”

 

“What if the form already exists, as a human?”

The Count, who had been lost in thought with a troubled expression, asked for clarification.

 

“Hmm, are you asking if it’s possible to infuse a corpse with someone’s blood to make it resemble the blood’s owner?”

 

At the mention of a corpse, Kalian’s eyebrows twitched. He had never considered such a possibility before.

“The Saintess has no memories from before receiving the oracle. She’s even been drinking the blood of regeneration. It’s suspicious.”

 

“It seems your thinking has become more flexible. When I doubted the temple, you were so dismissive.”

Kalian shrugged. “I had no choice back then.”

 

He had believed that fulfilling the oracle was the only way to end the cycle of reincarnation.

But now, with all his memories restored, things were different.

Of course, his determination to end the wheel of life remained, but unlike before, he now had Evelyn to protect.

 

“When you’re too fixated on one idea, you tend to miss the finer details.”

 

Hearing his answer, Count Martin’s lips curled into a hearty smile.

“I’m curious. What could have caused such a change in you, who was once so narrow-minded?”

 

Kalian’s expression stiffened slightly.

“Now that I have someone I want to protect, I see no reason to play along with their vile games.”

 

“Vile games?”

Kalian picked up the dimensional stone on the table.

The artifact, which had no contractor and was merely a fragment, emitted a swirling dark red aura.

This was evidence that the High Priest’s black magic had reached dangerous levels.

 

“Julius, he extracted the souls of those who died tragically and sealed them into mana stones, creating Primal stones.”

 

He recalled the conversation he had with Evelyn, which he had revisited many times.

“My mother was destined to bear a child who would become a vessel, so she was constantly under both threat and protection.”

“A vessel?”

“Yes, a vessel to contain something that would be resurrected using 100 primal stones as sacrifices.”

 

Kalian’s eyes slowly opened, his golden pupils colder and more calculating than ever.

 

“To use this as a medium to extract someone’s soul and transfer it into another’s body, creating a complete human.”