Chapter 07
Flap—
A bird sitting on a tree outside the window was startled and flew away.
At the same time, hurried footsteps approached, and the door burst open.
“Oh my goodness! Get the Duchess right away!”
“She’s in the drawing room with the guests!”
“Then call the head butler… hurry!”
Through the crowd of quickly gathering maids, I locked eyes with Lottie, whose face had gone pale.
I gave her a small, knowing smile.
***
The Rohia family’s drawing room had been busy with guests since yesterday.
“Who would’ve thought a [Materia] would be born in the Western Empire! Hahaha, Duchess, you’ve done a great thing.”
Count Linton Hester, the Prime Minister of the Western Empire, laughed loudly.
In front of him sat Yudis, holding the newborn [Materia], Yubel Rohia, with a calm face.
“The important thing is how we raise this child from now on. We must make sure he grows into someone who won’t break, even in the face of the ‘unrecordable crisis.'”
As Yudis soothed the fussing Yubel, her face showed not pride, but deep sorrow.
She looked like a mother grieving the fate of sending her child into danger.
Linton Hester’s smile faded as he nodded seriously.
“I deeply understand your concern. I have children of my own.”
Linton felt both grateful and sorry for Yudis.
From now on, Yubel Rohia wouldn’t be just the Duke’s child, but a [Materia]—a weapon to protect the continent from the coming crisis.
Though born with a heavy destiny, for now, Yubel was just a tiny, adorable baby.
One who cried without his mother’s arms and sweet milk.
Aside from Count Hester, four other important figures sat in the room—people who were highly respected throughout the empire.
They also showed mixed feelings of pity and relief.
“His Majesty the Emperor also sends his regrets and gratitude to you.”
At the mention of the Emperor, Yudis’s lips trembled slightly, but she quickly hid it before anyone noticed.
Ultia Shersburn, the commander of the 2nd Imperial Knights, ‘Redpia,’ spoke kindly.
“The Imperial Family will fully support Yubel Rohia’s education and growth. And the two young lords, Boris and Joseph, who will be his emotional support, will also be given the best treatment.”
She paused briefly, then continued in a softer voice.
“The Emperor has also offered to take care of your third daughter. Since you’ll be focused on raising Yubel, it might be hard to manage everything. He’s aware that her condition is getting worse.”
The ‘third daughter’ meant Izana Rohia, who was known as a fool.
Yudis flinched at the unexpected mention of Izana during such an important moment.
Knowing Izana was Yudis’s weakness, Shersburn quickly raised her hands to show she meant no harm.
“I meant no offense. It’s just… with so much focus on Yubel, there might not be enough attention left for the Lady. His Majesty only wants to help. The palace would be better for her recovery too, with royal doctors available. I’ve heard she can’t speak or walk properly.”
Yudis felt her fingers go cold.
It was a tempting offer. A child born out of wedlock, with a mental condition, could surely interfere with Yubel’s future.
But there was a problem.
“She might get exposed. I can’t let her leave the house.”
Izana Rohia, known as a fool and an illegitimate child, was neither. A bit of education, and her secret would be uncovered.
Yudis bit her lip.
“If she had been born as a [Materia], none of this would be happening.”
When Boris was born, Yudis knew right away he was the Emperor’s child.
Old feelings she thought were gone came rushing back—and she had to crush them all over again.
That’s why she couldn’t abandon Boris. He was her reward for enduring a marriage without love.
Then came Joseph. At least she’d given Vern Rohia a legitimate son, easing her guilt a little.
Yudis felt gratitude and guilt toward Joseph for being born a boy.
But she grew anxious.
Vern Rohia was supposed to have three children.
If the third child wasn’t a [Materia], one of them would clearly be seen as a child born out of wedlock. But Yudis could never give up on Boris.
Then Izana was born.
A daughter with eyes just like hers.
And not a [Materia].
“I’m sorry, dear. I made a mistake. This child… she’s not yours.”
She’d said it out of panic, but Yudis never once regretted that choice.
“Not being born as a [Materia]—that must be your fate.”
Just like Yudis, born under a cruel father, unable to be with the man she loved.
Izana. That child was born to suffer, just like destiny intended.
She didn’t resemble Vern at all. She looked only like Yudis.
If that wasn’t fate, then what was?
Yudis chose to abandon the only daughter she had with the man she didn’t love.
Years passed. Now she even hated the girl.
“If she had been born a [Materia], I wouldn’t have had to have another child with Vern.”
To produce a [Materia], she had to keep getting pregnant.
If she didn’t, Vern might stray. And if another woman gave birth to a [Materia], Yudis’s fate would be sealed.
So she endured the unpleasant nights with Vern. Yet after giving birth to Izana, her health failed, and it took ten years to conceive Yubel.
Those years left Yudis mentally and physically exhausted.
But finally, it all paid off. Yubel, her [Materia], was born.
“Now I just have to raise him well.”
Thinking of Joseph and Yubel gave her headaches. Thinking of Izana made her blood boil.
When Yudis went quiet, lost in thought, Commander Shersburn tried to persuade her again.
“We’ll take care of the details. We promise this won’t tarnish the Duke’s honor—”
“I appreciate the offer, but I can’t allow it.”
Yudis’s firm refusal caught Shersburn off guard.
Then, tears began to fall from Yudis’s cheeks.
“She’s my daughter. How can I give up my sick child for the sake of another? Izana won’t eat or drink without seeing me, even for a day. She has no one else in this big house. I simply can’t let her go.”
“Oh, heavens. What a poor mother…”
Lady Haiga, the Emperor’s aunt and a respected elder of the royal family, covered her mouth in awe, moved by Yudis’s motherly love.
As a heavy silence fell over the room—
“Madam! Something terrible has happened!”
The head butler burst into the drawing room.
“Adrian…?”
Yudis, who had been focused on her tears, was shocked to see the normally composed butler running and shouting.
It meant something serious had happened.
Yudis’s face turned pale.
“What is it, Adrian?”
He glanced at the other guests and leaned in to whisper in her ear.
Moments later, Yudis’s eyes went wide in shock.
“Boris, no!”
