Abandoned Maid of the Grand Duke - Chapter 19
“Stay still, fxxx!”
The hand groping my chest felt like it was twisting my heart.
Not like this! I don’t want to die like this! I don’t want to end it like this!
‘I, I…!’
At that moment, through the tear-blurred vision, a voice emerged softly. And at the end of it, the shy smile that was shown.
“I will protect you for the rest of your life.”
“…”
“You and our child too.”
Recalling that moment, I instinctively closed my eyes. Swallowing thickly amidst the trembling breaths and sobs. The difference between the excitement of that time and the horrifying reality before me was too cruel.
The violent hand tearing at something inside me, the rough actions fondling my bare skin. Amidst that misery, I tried to recall those memories to forget the present.
The feelings I had for him, even if it was a futile promise, within it lay happiness. A happiness I believed I could never have, knowing the future. And if my current situation was the destined outcome of that happiness.
‘Maybe, even this…’
I thought perhaps I should accept this as the price of that happiness.
Then, the gentle touch on my cheek from my memories soothed my bruised self. The fresh scent from our kiss overpowered the stench surrounding me.
With the memory of someone promising to protect me and my child, holding me warmly, I clenched my teeth. I cradled my stomach with both hands as if protecting my child from the man forcing himself between my legs.
If this ordeal was an unavoidable part of my story, I wished for my child to be safe. Enduring this hellish moment, hoping to hold my baby in my arms someday!
Just as I closed my eyes and resolved to endure everything…
BANG!
The movement above me halted abruptly at the sound of a gunshot.
A large figure collapsed onto me.
“…”
What happened? I had no idea what was going on. Warm, sticky liquid trickled down my neck.
In the dim early light, it looked like blood.
“It’s a gunshot!”
“The Imperial Army is here, where are they?!”
“There’s a sniper, retreat!”
In the midst of preparing for close combat, the rebels hurriedly retreated at the shout about a sniper. With clock towers and churches dotting the outskirts, they knew they couldn’t hold their ground.
After a few more gunshots, the presence of the militant group completely disappeared.
“Haa… haa…”
Only then did I push the man lying on top of me with all my might. My hands trembled so much from the shock that, despite my efforts, I couldn’t move him an inch due to his large build. I ended up covering my face and sobbing uncontrollably.
Suddenly, I heard the sound of military boots approaching from a distance.
Step by step, someone was walking towards me.
Thud.
The owner of those boots kicked the dead man’s body away effortlessly. The action stunned me, and my tears stopped momentarily. Holding my breath with trembling hands, I looked up.
“Why did you run away?”
A low voice echoed above me, and a fluttering red cloak covered my torn clothes. Startled, I looked up to see a man staring down at me with a dark expression. It was someone I had known for too long and had tried to avoid.
“Y-Your Highness…?”
The Grand Duke stood there, looking down at me with a twisted, angry smile. Or perhaps it was an expression that masked his rising anger with a smile as he asked again.
“I asked why you ran away, Julie.”
For a moment, I didn’t know how to respond and just parted my lips.
Because the Grand Duchess is pregnant? No, it’s too obvious for the Grand Duchess to be pregnant. Then because His Highness threatened me? No, the beginning we had might have been rough, but it wasn’t one-sided in the end.
Or maybe because I was afraid of being abandoned by His Highness, so I ran away preemptively?
“…”
None of these seemed like the right answer, so I remained silent. I just hugged my still-flat belly and lowered my head. As I blinked in silence, tears streamed down my cheeks.
I hate this pitiful state. I wanted to escape because the future I faced was too dreadful, but I never imagined the present would be more hellish.
So where should I run to? Where can I escape to…?
“Who were you trying to go to?”
His voice cut through my thoughts, lifting me from the cold ground. He wrapped his cloak around me and effortlessly picked me up. Cradling me in his arms, he walked steadily towards where the soldiers were.
“No, not that way…!”
The Grand Duchess will find out. If people see us like this, there’s no denying that the child inside me carries the Grand Duke’s blood.
Panicked, I desperately struggled to escape his embrace. He suddenly stopped, looking down at me with an expression that sent chills down my spine. He tilted his head slowly, smiling as if he’d made a firm decision.
Then, he brought his lips close to my ear and asked menacingly.
“Shall I kill him? Your husband.”
Wha… What? What are you talking about?
The shift in tone was too abrupt. From a melodrama to a horror flick in seconds. This isn’t just an affair anymore, it’s turning into a horror show. And why would our poor stableman, Paul, suddenly be killed?
