Stepmothers Are Not Always Evil

Chapter 121 Aside from worrying about Helios, I set out to do what I could to help him.“Madam, I have sent the food you ordered.”“Pay for it and tell him to come back in a few days.”“Understood.”After making his report, the butler left the office. I checked the receipt he left behind and put it in a drawer.“They seem to be charging me more and more.”I suppose it’s unavoidable that food prices are skyrocketing in these times.If Helios knew, he’d say I’d spend the duke’s fortune.“… After all, there is so much money.”I opened the book again with a windy smile.The fortunes of the Duke Anthemion were truly enormous.In addition to the Duchy and townhouses, there were countless large and small fiefs, and there were many places where they did not pay their remuneration for a long time because she had not been visiting for a long time.“Hmm. How am I supposed to take this?”After thinking for a while, I wrote a threatening letter disguised as a letter of greeting, telling them that if they didn’t pay, I would disqualify them from being the caretaker of the land, and if they wanted to continue managing it, they should pay as soon as possible.I added that the payment could be made in something other than money.“I can leave the rest to the butler.”With the drafted letter pushed to one side, the letter box placed on the floor was placed on the desk.The mailbox was full of greetings letters from all over the world.Most of them were sarcastic, though they were meant to console her with the news that Helios had made it to the western border.“Let’s see….”I sifted through the useless letters and tore open the first one, from Viscount Espenser.The study plan for the week enclosed in the envelope was getting longer by the day.And, as usual, at the end of the letter, there were words of resentment against me for not calling him.‘It would be better if I called Viscount Espenser.’If the conflict with the Emperor intensified, the sparks could come to Viscount Espenser as well, so it was not possible to make a hasty decision.As usual, I wrote a short reply to say thank you and put it in an envelope.And the second time I checked Madame Florence’s letter. The name on the envelope was Madame Florence, but it was actually a letter from the Countess Turner.“Madame Florence’s extra income would be good.”Mumbling a nonsensical joke, I began to read the letter.In the letter, the atmosphere and public opinion of the Crown Prince’s ceremony held recently were written in detail.‘… I’ve never seen such a shabby Crown Prince ceremony before. I wonder if there were a hundred people in attendance. Even the Grand Duchess didn’t show up, so it might as well not have been held at all.’Looks like it’s ruinedEverybody expected it, except the Emperor.It must have been for the purpose of solidifying the position of Prince Frederick, so the Emperor held the ceremony even after accepting criticism from the people.If the result is like this, it is only to inform the neighboring kingdoms that Prince Frederick’s position is unstable.‘The Emperor shouldn’t be arguing about this.’I burned the letter with a rumbling gulp.The stress was killing me. I put down the pen, hoping a walk would help, when the maid opened the door to my office.“Madam, you have a guest.”“Guest? who?”“You said Eric Tilburn.”“Eric Tilburn?”I jumped up from my seat.“Please, take him to the drawing room. Oh, and bring him some tea.”After touching the crumpled hem, I hurriedly ran to the drawing room to find Count Tilburn indeed sitting there.The Count, who was savoring tea, raised his head at the sound of footsteps.“Count!”“Long time no see, madam.”“What are you doing? How can you….”“I stopped by on the way.”I sat down on the sofa in a hurry to ask a question, and Count Tilburn gave a natural answer.“I thought you were in the territory. Is the Countess okay?”“The estate is the size of a palm, and I’m sure my subordinates are taking good care of it.”Of course, Count Tilburn territory is much safer than anywhere else, as the Count’s companions were guarding it when he sailed the seas.“I’m glad you’re okay.”“What would I do if I were the only one unharmed?”The Count said meaningfully.“Have you heard any news from the Duke?”“Yes. I’ve heard that he’s safe.”“I was worried because there were rumors that the war situation on the western border was not good, but I’m glad the duke is safe.”“He promised me that he would come back safely.”As I spoke with a casual smile, the Count nodded and added.“The old man can do nothing else to help you, and I thought I’d bring you a little gift to make it up to you.”“A gift? what…”“I brought dragon blood.”“Dragon blood? Where did you get this precious thing?”My ears lit up. I contacted all the merchants and asked them to get me the dragon’s blood because it didn’t matter how much money it cost, but I only got about 20 bottles.It’s hard to find even in normal times, and it’s even harder to find in times like these when monsters are rampant, so it was a valuable gift.“I was cleaning the dock and found something I had bought a long time ago. It’s better to go to someone who needs something they can’t even get.”“Thank you so much.”It was shameless, but I accepted the Count’s gift without hesitation. Count Tilburn said with a bitter smile.“To be honest, with Duke Anthemion’s skill, I don’t see what a monster could be afraid of.”“…….”The Count was right, monsters were not scary. It’s the humans who use them to get their way that scare me.“As you know, the tyranny of the Marquis Melks is extreme. I’ve heard it was his idea to send the Duke to the western border this time.”“I had a hunch.”The Emperor is not bold enough to be so blatantly hostile to Helios.It’s no secret that the Emperor is impulsive, and the Marquis of Melks is the only one around him who is.“Did Your Majesty have anything else to say?”“Only that we should leave as soon as possible, as the hour is urgent.”“Something like material support…”“Not at all.”Count, his face stony and deep in thought, pulled something out of his bosom. It was an imperial tract, marked with unrecognizable numbers and places.“This…?”“These are the people who promised to cooperate when Duke Anthemion returned.”Only after carefully examining the map could I understand the meaning of the numbers and circles on the map.The numbers indicate the troops that can be mobilized, and the indicated places are where more than 100 troops can be gathered.“There are about 50 children graduating from Dillua Academy this time. They were quick-footed and quick to hear the news because they’ve been running around the back streets.”Having the kids act as messengers makes it much easier to relay orders without risking detection.Noticing that the story had already progressed considerably underway, I asked carefully.“Her Majesty the Grand Duchess…”“When the Imperial Palace opens, she will be the first to enter.”“Will Count be okay?”“What are you afraid of at this age? We can’t see the Empire ruined by one person’s trick.”Count replied with a deep, subdued look.“Tell this when Duke Anthemion returns.”“Yes.”Count Tilburn, who finished the story, got up without any regrets.“Are you going already? Have a meal….”“There will be another chance later.”He left the mansion without giving me a chance to catch him.Reluctantly, when I returned from seeing the Count off, I saw a box piled up on one side of the living room. A box of 30 or so was filled with dragon’s blood.I couldn’t even say thank you properly.I looked at the box with gratitude and called the butler.“Get the exact number of bottles in this box and send them to the western border.”“Yes.”“It is an important item, we can’t afford to lose it along the way. Send the soldiers to…”Huh?Suddenly, my vision went black as my eyes pinged.“… Ma-madam?”The butler’s voice calling out to me snapped me back to consciousness. I shook my head to clear it.“Prepare several wagons and distribute boxes….”“—Madam!”… Why am I like this?My memory was cut off by the sight of people running toward me.  ***** “… too much….”“It is… Relief….”“When will she….”My body was heavy like cotton soaked in water. My mind was awake, but my fingertips could not move.I fell asleep and woke up several times listening to a buzzing sound in my ear. It was midday when I just woke up.“Mom!”I glanced at Escal, blinking my unfocused eyes. His eyes were red from crying.“Escal.”“Oh, Mom, hic.”Reassured by my voice, Escal burst into tears.While patting the child with regret, people came to hear the news that I was awake.“Madam! Are you okay?”Mary, who ran first, sat down under the bed crying.“It’s all my fault. I’m such a fool while serving you by your side every day…”“It’s not your fault, I’ve just been feeling a little stuffy since a couple days ago, but I’m fine now.”I comforted Mary, who struggled to get up and sniff.The doctor came and asked.“Since when have you been feeling like this?”“It must have been about three weeks.”“Did you have any other symptoms?”“I was a little tired and had a bad headache.”Hm. The doctor raised his eyebrows and whispered quietly in my ear.“By any chance, when was the last time you had a menstrual period?”“I don’t know. maybe two months ago… uh?”The doctor grinned.“Congratulations, madam. You are pregnant.”