Three months had already passed since Julia's arrival in the territory of Voltaire's dukedom; where just as Edmund had promised, the heavy burdens of slavery had been exchanged for designer dresses and freedom.
The employees of the mansion received the young woman as their new mistress as soon as she crossed the threshold of the house's door, recognizing her as the new duchess even without having signed the marriage papers.
Feeling as if she had surfaced after being underwater for a long time, Julia's vitality became manifest to the point of drawing favorable attention from the servants. Those who felt comfortable with the new duchess, who was always understanding and supportive towards them, even though they were simple commoners.
"My lady, the grand duke said that he would come to eat with you after three in the afternoon. He will come accompanied by the Baron and Baroness of Salinas" – At the request of Edmundo himself, Carlota had left the mercenary corps to serve as personal assistant to the new lady of the house. With her blond hair tied back and dressed in a maid's uniform, the former mercenary's appearance contrasted with that of the rest of the maids.
"Thank you Carlota, I'll take care of the preparations for…" – When she was taking a sip of her tea, Julia felt a sudden disgust that made her run to the dresser in her room. For a few days in the mornings, the duchess had experienced slight discomforts that I consider natural, due to the long periods of fasting to which she was subjected as a slave.
At first it only happened with fatty foods or fermented products, but suddenly any food became intermittently nauseating. Every time a similar incident occurred in Carlota's presence, Julia asked her not to tell the duke so as not to worry him.
But Charlotte's zeal for her lord outweighed her loyalty to the lady, making every little detail having to do with the duchess known to Edmund.
-" Carlota, prepare the light blue dress. I must hurry to coordinate the employees…"
– " I am very sorry my lady but I must disobey your orders at this time. His countenance does not look healthy and it would be better if he rested until the time comes. I'll take care of the details and I'll keep you up to date" – Grabbing her tightly by the waist to carry her in her arms, Carlota lifted her mistress as if she were a light bird's feather.
Placing her gently on the bed, the maid wrapped Julia up to the point that she felt the sheets pressing her against the bed. While it was true that Carlota was a diligent woman, so was the fact that she did not know how to measure her strength when dealing with other people.
Bowing farewell to her mistress, the maid left the room to proceed as she had informed her mistress.
When the agreed time for the meeting arrived, Julia descended the stairs to the first floor to duly receive her husband and companions. Eliseo and Ruth de Salinas, were older people with a kind and cordial treatment, who warmly greeted their hosts while smiling warmly.
– " Oh dear! Have you gotten used to the role of duchess yet?"
-" Yes, Baroness Ruth, thanks to your good advice it has been easy for me to learn to handle the administrative obligations of the mansion"
-" Well, Edmund, it seems that your beautiful wife has been quite diligent in helping you!"
-" You're right Eliseo, my wife has been a huge blessing for me" – Unable to get used to Edmundo's dazzling smile, Julia couldn't help but blush when she saw him, trying to cover her embarrassment with her fan.
The old couple, seeing them, smiled at each other like two young people who found it pleasant that their friends' relationship was on the right track.
Recovering her composure, Julia led the guests into the dining room where the employees had already laid out the plates and cutlery awaiting diners.
The meal went smoothly without incident, while Edmundo and Eliseo talked about the importance of strengthening the defense of the border with the principality of Arabella to reduce incidents of theft of merchandise, Julia and Ruth discussed new clothing trends in the capital.
Being a woman who had trained for the service of arms, at times the conversation of the knights caught her attention making her lose concentration in her talk with the baroness.
-" Julia, darling, are you paying attention to me?"
-" I'm sorry, Baroness, but lately I haven't been feeling well in the mornings" – At that moment when the maid brought the dessert to the table, the aroma of the candy made Julia get up suddenly to run to the dressing table again.
"Edmund Voltaire! What are you still doing sitting there? Go see how your wife is doing" – The tone of the baroness's voice, far from being annoyed by Julia's sudden behavior, seemed more like that of a mother worried about her son-in-law's indifference.
Taking the napkin to place it on the table, the duke got up from his place and went directly to the door of the service, listening to the sounds of arching that shook Julia's frail body.
"My lord, do you want me to call the doctor?" - Carlota's tone, unlike Baroness Ruth, sounded with a hint of mistrust around her lady. Which he had been suspicious about for days due to the constant morning disgust.
Knowing that the duke and duchess slept in separate rooms, Carlota thought for a moment that the lady had been unfaithful to her master. Filling her with rage as she felt that her old comrade in arms had passed the bitter cup of betrayal.
"If you value our friendship Carlota, you better watch the tone with which you are conducting yourself" - Throwing a fierce look at the maid, Edmundo ordered her to go call the doctor and hasten to dismiss the guests.
-" My lord is sorry to have to interrupt the meeting, but apparently the lady is not in good health"
-" You should not worry, we understand that there are things that must be taken care of in private. In a few days we will send a letter to arrange another meeting" – Being understanding of the situation, the couple said goodbye, giving their good wishes to the Duchess, praying for her speedy recovery.
After an hour the doctor arrived at the mansion and went up to the duchess's room, who was bedridden with a weak countenance.
"Please duke, wait outside the room. I'll tell you what happens once I finish checking on the duchess" – Squeezing Julia's hand a little, Edmundo stood up from his chair and left the room, staying close to the door in case something happened.
The doctor took Julia's wrist and checked her pulse while checking her pupils, and then felt her belly in search of a reflex.
-" Duchess, when was your last period?"
-" I don't really remember it doctor, my periods have been irregular since I was younger"
-" Well, Duchess, I will prescribe you some herbal teas rich in minerals and some soft diet to help you with the morning sickness. Congratulations, you will soon become a mother" – As if a bucket of cold water had fallen from her head to her feet, the doctor's words disturbed Julia to the point that the shock caused the duke to suddenly enter the room.
-" Julia! What happens? Doctor! What does my wife have?
-" Calm down duke, what your wife has is…"
"Doctor be quiet!" – Julia's scream shocked the doctor, who did not know how to respond to Edmundo. Sensing that something was going on that he should not interfere with, the doctor left the room to wait in the living room.
"Julia, what is the matter with you?" – Visibly worried, Edmundo approached where Julia was, who was unable to utter a word due to nerves.
" It's fine. I will retire for now" – With a downcast countenance, Edmundo withdrew his hand from caressing his wife's head, leaving the room to meet with the doctor. Not without first ordering Carlota to keep an eye on the duchess.
"Duke, please take a seat. What the duchess has is not about any disease or condition that could put her life at risk. It's quite the opposite, the duchess is pregnant" – Smiling nervously, the doctor clenched his fingers, containing fear before Edmund's gloomy countenance.
"I hope this matter remains private, doctor. Only you, the Duchess and I are to know of this incident. Otherwise, I won't be able to guarantee your safety" – With a cold and threatening tone, Edmundo stood in front of the doctor who was trembling as if his soul was leaving his mouth.
"It will be done as you order, your excellence" - Grabbing his briefcase rushing out of the mansion, the doctor took his cart and hit the reins of his horse to leave the mansion grounds as soon as possible.
"Charlotte!" – Giving a shout that echoed in the walls of the building, the duke called his faithful servant who hurried to reach his side.
-" What are your orders sir? Do you want me to get rid of the doctor?"
-" No! I have given my word to that man to respect his life as long as he remains silent."
- " So what is the order my lord?" – Taking a deep breath to try to contain his anger so as not to lose his temper, Edmundo put his hands to his head sitting back on the sofa.
For Carlota, who had known Edmundo for several years, seeing him in that state made her relive the moment when she found him dejected on the country road when he was letting himself die. Grinding her teeth helplessly, the maiden tried to put her hands on the duke's shoulders to comfort him, being surprised by her lord's words.
- " On the day of the auction a maiden of the palace was also offered for sale. Go to the bastard who bought it and if he's still alive, offer him a hundred thousand gold coins for it. I need to know who the father of that child is."
-" But sir, that is a lot of money"
-" Just do as I told you" – Edmundo's timbre of voice sounded icy, like that of a bloodthirsty murderer. Carlota knew that that tone in his voice was a signal to keep absolute silence and obey him to the letter.
"It will be done as you order, my lord" – Taking one of the fastest horses from the stables, the former mercenary rode for two days without resting until she reached the territory of the Marquis Aleppo. A man who was known for his despotic and violent attitude, his unbridled vices for alcohol and gambling.
There was no guarantee that the slave that was sold to her was still alive, but Carlota did not dare return to the mansion without fulfilling the mandate imposed by her master.
Arriving at the mansion, she was received by the main butler who led her to the marquis's recreation room. Where that man was intoxicated surrounded by slaves whom he had subjected around him, with visible wounds and bruises on their naked bodies.
The scene was repulsive to Carlota, who resisted the impulse to take the dagger under her skirt and plunge it into the belly of that pig. Taking a few seconds to calm down, he offered the sum his master had authorized him to buy from the maid.
With the money spilling out on the table, Aleppo's eyes shone at the dazzling metal that every man coveted. Sending for his butler, so that he would bring to his presence the slave that was about to be bought.
There was not a single area of his skin that did not have any mark, the scars crowded one on top of another leaving his body seriously injured. Her face was covered by a white mask, in order to hide the traces of mistreatment that had disfigured her.
Carlota could barely contain her tears of impotence and anger at seeing that woman in such a sorry state. Thinking for a moment that he would have preferred to see his mistress, whom he considered guilty of betraying his master, in that place.
"The duke appreciates your understanding" - Bowing, the maid took the slave covering her with a blanket as she led her to the horse to help her mount.
"Don't be afraid, everything will be fine from now on" - As a reflex in response to Carlota's words, the maid pressed the woman's back while sobbing relieved to feel comforted.
Feeling her stomach turn with hunger, Charlotte hurried her horse, trying to reach an inn before the night overtook them.
The next day after leaving at dawn, Carlota arrived at the mansion accompanied by the slave. Being received by the duke, who was stationed at the entrance of the house with a taciturn expression.
-" Is she able to speak?"
-" Yes my lord, she can speak"
- " Very well, then..."
-" My lord, please be kind to her" – Edmundo looked at Carlota's face, who had an expression of anguish and suffering due to the state in which the slave was. The duke knew Charlotte well, knowing that it was difficult for her to be moved by someone unless that person was worthy of it.
"It's okay, Charlotte. Take her to the maids room, clean her up and dress her properly. Have her eat something hot and when you feel she 's ready , take her to my study. I'll be reviewing some documents" – Following her master's orders, the servant did with the slave what her master had ordered. After noon, the slave took Carlota's arm, indicating that she should take her to the master of the house.
Remaining present in the office while the interrogation took place, Carlota heard firsthand the horrors that Julia had to go through during her stay inside the Antioca palace .
From how he lost his eye to the abuse by the servants, each narrated event made Carlota's conscience ache, who only a day ago had wished something so terrible for her mistress.
Edmund could barely contain his fury, he was blinded by rage to the point of wanting to take his personal army and charge against the palace of Antioca , but restraining his impetus, he continued the interrogation until the incident he sought to clarify.
"The night that the cook and her daughter were murdered at the hands of Count Solera, the king went to his chambers to meet Julia. I was passing near the door of his room when I heard Miss Julia call him by the name of Edmundo.
When the king questioned her, the slave only repeated that name and shortly after, only the sounds of a couple could be heard behind the door" – The servant finished her story and remained silent, waiting for the reaction of the duke, who had his face crouched with a surprised expression looking at the ground. Unable to look up due to the weight of the words that had pierced her heart.
"Charlotte. Take the maid back to the maids room and stay with her please. I need to be alone" – Containing the impulse to disobey that order and stay with him, Carlota fought against her wishes and nodded as she escorted the slave back.
Everything had become clear to him after hearing the maid's story. Julia had been raped by Rafael, taking advantage of her emotional vulnerability due to the sudden death of her friends.
Remembering how his father had abused his mother using his status to intimidate her, Edmundo felt his head spin as he began to destroy the objects inside the office in a fit of anger.
"Damned! Damn you Raphael! How could you do something so mean to Julia! I swear I will not rest until I kill you and cut off your head" – Edmund cursed the monarch from the bottom of his heart, while his screams reached the room where Julia was. Who remained fearful in bed in anticipation of what might happen to her.
An hour after Edmund's screams ceased to be heard throughout the mansion, the door to the duchess's room opened and the duke entered. Who was holding a glass of water and some pills in his left hand. Sitting carefully on the bed, with her back to Julia.
"You don't have to speak. It is not necessary for you to explain anything to me, only you know well the suffering that you have had to carry inside during all this time.
Some time ago I told you how my mother had lived through the same thing you went through, you listened to my story and the resolution reached by that servant who was abandoned to her fate by that damn bastard.
I can't force you to love me, I don't dare to do something so mean. But soon your waist will show the signs of pregnancy and you can no longer hide it from social circles.
In Begonia to annul a marriage after one year, it is requested that the couple has not conceived any descendants, in order to avoid future problems with the succession. If I try to divorce you after you give birth to the baby, the law will consider you a disowned woman and you will revert to the status of a slave. Your son unfortunately will be too.
If you wish to have the baby despite that, I will help you flee to the principality of Arabella. I have acquaintances there who can help buy an identity and you can rebuild your life.
Even I could come to love as my own the child you carry in your womb and stay by your side.
The pills that I will leave on the table are abortion pills, in case you make a different decision than the ones I mentioned.
Whatever you do, no matter what decision you make, I will be here to support you. Because I didn't lie to you when I told you I loved you" – Edmundo got out of bed, leaving the glass of water and the pills on the bedside table , avoiding looking back in an attempt to contain his tears, remembering his mother and the difficult situation for the one she had to go through when deciding to give birth to her.
As the door closed, Julia looked up at Edmund, looking at the pills that had been left by the side of the bed. Feeling her heart beating in her chest almost as if it were tearing apart, Julia approached the tips of her fingers to the pills, to take them in her hand while raising the glass of water. Staring at those objects, while his mind was torn by the decision he was about to make.