The soft morning light filtered through the gaps in the heavy curtains into the ducal bedroom. The polished furniture and delicately embroidered bedding exuded a dignity befitting the estate of a prestigious noble. However, in the expression of Elysia, who woke up in that silent room, there was not a trace of joy at welcoming a peaceful morning.

She slowly opened her eyelids and tried to lift her upper body. But her abdomen, carrying full-term twins, was swollen like a taut sphere, making even rolling over a significant effort. The weight of her belly pressed up toward her chest, constricting her lungs. Regulating her shallow breathing, she pushed against the bed with one hand and placed the other on her large stomach. A dull ache resided in her lower back, and the regular tightness that had continued since last night left a seed of anxiety in the corner of her mind. With her due date approaching, her body was nearing its limit.

"...Sigh. Another day like this, I see..."

The voice that escaped her was as elegant and calm as ever. However, contrary to the slight smile on her lips, fatigue, irritation, and an anxiety she wanted no one to know about sank deep in her eyes. She, who once served others, was now the Duchess. Yet, no matter how grand a status she attained, there were those in the manor who did not look upon her kindly.

Reaching for the call bell placed by the bedside, Elysia rang it quietly. The clear sound echoed through the room and faded beyond the hallway. After waiting a while, not a single footstep could be heard from behind the door. She rang the bell again. Still, there was no answer. It was no coincidence. She had long known that her calls were being intentionally ignored.

"...Truly, such ill-mannered people."

She did not shout, nor did she pound on the door and make a scene. Such behavior would only diminish her own dignity. Elysia pressed her lips together slightly and directed a cold gaze toward the door. Someday, she would make them take responsibility. Keeping that resolve hidden in her heart, she attempted to prepare herself on her own.

Sitting on the edge of the bed, she lowered both feet to the floor. Supporting her large belly with one hand and gripping the bed rail tightly with the other, she slowly raised her body. The weight of her abdomen pulled her forward, and a sharp pain shot through her lower back. Her brows furrowed involuntarily, and a pained breath escaped from the back of her throat. Though she managed to stand, her body would not stabilize as she wished, and her breathing gradually grew shallower. Even so, the reason she hesitated to call for help until the very end was due to her long-ingrained pride and the fear of showing weakness.

However, pain shot through her back again, and her fingertips gripped the bed rail tightly. An impatience she would never normally show to others flickered across her expression for just a fleeting moment.

"...Is someone there? Please, support my back!"

A voice slightly more urgent than usual echoed in the quiet bedroom. While striving not to lose her air of pride, her voice was tinged with a distress she couldn't fully hide. Holding her large belly and pressing one hand to her back, Elysia stared toward the door. While hoping someone would come, the fear of being ignored again tightened her chest. The morning light continued to illuminate the room. And yet, the spot where she stood felt terribly cold.