Chapter 13

Esther’s POV

My body had never been more exhausted. I already had so little time to sleep with all the chores I had to do every day, but now my body needed it more than ever. I was so tired, too tired, and no matter what I did, it never went away. My bones felt like they’d been replaced with lead, my muscles soft and trembling beneath my skin.

I rolled over with a groan, still tangled in the thin blanket I’d wrapped around myself on the servant’s cot.

I opened my eyes, slowly, wishing for a little more rest. Then I saw the light that peaked through the thin curtains. It was already morning.

I’d slept in, and now I was late.

Panic jolted through me. I threw myself out of bed and scrambled to get dress, not even bothering to wash my face or brush my teeth. My body dragged like it was underwater, and I knew I didn’t even have time for the smallest tasks.

My stomach turned as I moved, a wave of nausea rolling through me. I swallowed, hoping it would go away as I started the day.

By the time I stumbled into the hallway, the nausea was only growing worse.

I didn’t have time to think about it. I was supposed to report to the laundry half an hour ago.

The housekeeper Hailey spotted me instantly.

“Do you think that the rules don’t apply to you anymore?” she snapped, arms crossed tightly over her chest.

“No, ma’am,” I murmured, bowing my head low.

“Lazy, selfish girls don’t deserve special treatment,” she growled. “If you can’t keep time, you can clean toilets. Starting now.”

I flinched but didn’t protest. She was right, I had overslept. Even if my body was fighting me, even if every part of me screamed that I wasn’t well, it didn’t matter.

Rules were rules.

Without another word to her, I collected the mop, gloves, and bucket from the utility closet. Balancing everything carefully in my arms, I made my way toward the lower wing’s public restrooms.

I’d barely stepped inside before the smell hit me. I gagged instantly.

The floor was coated with filth. Urine pooled along the tiles, and someone had smeared feces across the bathroom stalls and on the mirror. Flies buzzed all around, their numbers too great to count since the small window had let them in.

My stomach lurched violently, and I barely made it to the corner before I threw up.

I clutched my knees, too afraid of the vile filth to touch anything else. I was covered in sweat, each breath heavy and ragged. Tears streamed down my face.

The nausea was worse than usual. It was like my entire body was rejecting the air itself.

Then came the laughter.

A group of maids stood behind me, snickering like schoolgirls. One of them leaned against the doorway, arms folded.

“Well, well. Looks like morning sickness finally caught up to the royal bedwarmer.”

Another chimed in, “She’s so sensitive. You’d think she was actually pregnant.”

They all laughed harder.

I recognized the maids from the engagement banquet. They were same ones who’d poured wine on me, tripped me, called me names when no one was watching. Kevin must have told Hailey about their behavior because they disappeared for a week right after.

Now, here they were, smiling like wolves with blood on their teeth.

“You made this mess,” I said softly, my voice hoarse. “Didn’t you?”

“Oh no,” one of them gasped dramatically. “Why would we ever do something so revolting? You must have done something to deserve it.”

Their cackling echoed off the tiled walls.

“Back to work, now!” a new voice barked.

The laughter stopped.

Amanda entered the room with two of her attendants at her side, a sharp scowl on her face. “What the hell is this filth? Why are you all standing around doing nothing?”

The maids scurried away, mumbling excuses as they vanished into the hallway. I didn’t look up, but I felt Amanda’s eyes on me.

“You,” she snapped.

I turned my head slightly, keeping my chin down.

“I don’t care what happened. Clean this up. Now.”

“I didn’t—”

“Did I ask for your explanation?” she hissed.

I bit my tongue and dipped the mop into the bucket, fighting the urge to gag again.

The tiles were slick with waste. If I wasn’t careful, I could slip and fall, and none of this would be good for the babies.

I had to move slowly, bracing myself against the wall to keep from slipping. My hand instinctively covered my stomach as I inched forward, step by step.

“She’s moving like she’s eight months pregnant,” one of Amanda’s attendants whispered with a cruel laugh.

Amanda froze. I saw her expression shift into something calculating. Then fury overtook it.

“Shut your mouth,” she snapped at the girl. “Do you want to get reassigned to the kennels?”

The attendant dropped her gaze to the floor. “I’m sorry, madame.”

Amanda turned and walked away without another word.

When I finally finished cleaning the bathroom, my vision swam. I trembled from head to toe, enough that it made it difficult to stand. My stomach still twisted in waves.

I needed to get checked. I have to make sure the babies were okay.

I slipped out and headed to the hospital, avoiding the main halls. When the doctor came into my room, she greeted me with a frown.

“You don’t look like you’re feeling well today,” she said. “Come on. Let’s check everything.”

The doctor pulled up a portable ultrasound and got to work immediately. I held my breath as she searched for the babies’ heartbeats.

It didn’t take long. I listened with relief, a tear slipping down my cheek, as their tiny and rapid heartbeats filled the room.

Finally, the doctor sighed.

“You’re babies are stable. But I’m worried about you. You’ve lost weight, your iron levels are low, and your blood pressure is low. If things continue like this, you won’t be strong enough for their delivery.”

I closed my eyes and nodded.

“I’ll eat more. I’ll rest when I can,” I said quietly.

“You need real rest,” the doctor said. “You’re growing two lives inside of you. If you can’t get into better habits for yourself, do it for them.”

I thanked her quietly, and as always, begged her to keep everything secret. She agreed, and said she would always protect me and the children I carried.

I wasn’t alone when I left the exam room. Amanda waited in the corridor. She raised one perfectly arched eyebrow as I stepped into view.

“Fancy seeing you here,” she said sweetly. “Upset stomach still?”

I tried to stay calm. “Yeah. I needed something mild for it. I’m heading back now, and I’ll get right to work.”

She stepped closer. “Then why did I see you leaving the obstetrics department?”

My body tensed.

“I—I got lost,” I stammered. “They moved me to a new exam room.”

Amanda narrowed her eyes. She didn’t believe me. I could see it written across her face.

“I’ll go,” I said quickly. “The housekeeper’s expecting me, and she’s on a tight schedule.”

I turned to leave, but her hand shot out and grabbed my arm.

“You’re lying,” she hissed. “You said your stomach hurt, but you came out of obstetrics. Say it. Say you’re pregnant.”

My mind went blank. I couldn’t lie fast enough. I couldn’t think fast enough.

My silence spoke volumes.

Amanda’s grip tightened, and her expression darkened with vindication.

“You are,” she whispered. “You are pregnant.”

She yanked me forward, dragging me down the hallway. “Let’s go ask the doctor. Let’s see what she has to say about it.”

“No—let go!” I struggled, heart pounding as fear wrapped around my lungs.

I couldn’t let this happen. If Nicholas found out like this—if Amanda exposed me—

I fought back harder.

I slammed my feet into the floor and wrenched backward. We collided near the corner of the hall. Then, without warning, Amanda cried out and dropped to the floor.

She wailed loudly as she clutched her arms together.

“What’s going on?”

The cold voice sent a spear of dread through me. Nicholas appeared out of nowhere, dropping beside Amanda with urgency, his hand going to her shoulder as she whimpered.

“She pushed me,” Amanda gasped. “She attacked me!”

Nicholas looked at me, his eyes colder than ice.

“What did you do to her?”