"Anna." Sylvester called out to the middle aged lady, who occupied herself with her knitting. "Oh, you are done already?" She asked as she places her half done handiwork into her bag. "Yes, I shall see you off now." Sylvester replied, as the brunette rose to her feet.
As they both proceeded towards the gate, Sylvester looked around cautiously to ensure that no one was around them. "Anna, there is something I have to disclose to you, and I really need you to support me right now." Sylvester said, as he ran his fingers over his hair, a habit he performed whenever he felt frustrated. "Nothing too serious, I hope?" Anna asked worriedly. "No, it's just that... I want you to keep the news of this pregnancy a secret." Sylvester said. Anna was taken aback, this was the first time she probably heard of someone trying to conceal such joyous news from the rest of their family members. "Are you sure? I heard rumors that the old master had been looking forward to an heir now- won't he be thrilled to find out that what he yearned for all along has finally come true?" She asked, rubbing her hands together. "I don't know how happy he will be- all I know is that besides the three of us, it is risky to let anyone else know." Sylvester said. "Are you not curious as to why Beatrice seemed gloomy when you told her the news?" He asked quizzically. "I did find her behavior to be quite strange." Anna said. "Well, you see my brother isn't quite ready to be...a father yet." Sylvester said. "She is worried that he might tell her to terminate it, so please. " Sylvester added. "I really don't want to get caught up in this" Anna began. "Since it is a family affair, but I really don't want an innocent child to suffer either." She said. "The problem is, since she has conceived now, how am I going to check up on her routinely without Lord Dennis getting suspicious?" She asked. "I will handle that." Sylvester said. "I will make arrangements, either she will go to you, or you will go to her." Sylvester replied."And on the day of delivery?" Anna posed yet another question, making Sylvester's head throb. "I said I will handle it." He said. He already had a lot of things in his mind, and Anna was most definitely not making him feel better at all. "Quickly take your leave now." Sylvester said, ushering her out of the gate. "You will receive your compensation in due time." He assured her.
After watching her gradually shrink into the distance, Sylv heaved a sigh before proceeding indoors. He was just going to Beatrice's room to check up on her, but he ended up bumping into his older brother on the hallway. "I heard that the physician just left." Dennis began. "Did she fall seriously ill?" He asked. "Beatrice Is your wife, so why don't you ask her yourself? She will tell you as plain as daylight, how she feels." Sylvester replied. Dennis gritted his teeth, but he didn't say anything. Sylvester also equally ignored him. Both of them went down the corridor in silence, both knowing the destination the other was headed, yet not speaking a single word to each other. They approached the room, and Dennis proceeded to open the door. Beatrice was still sitting on the bed, but the earlier sign of grief was no longer visible, rather she lightly bowed her head to Dennis as a manner of greeting. "The physician really did leave." Dennis muttered under his breath. "How do you feel now, Beatrice?" He asked, as he seated himself near her. "Much better now, thank you for heeding to my request." Beatrice replied monotously, not even bothering to spare a glance at Dennis. "So, what was wrong with you?" Dennis asked. Beatrice looked up at him. "Why do you want to know? It is none of your concern." She said coldly. Sylvester was embarrassed for her sake. He knew how emotional she got, and he didn't want her spilling the beans. But so far, his presence made no impact whatsoever. "Why shouldn't I know?" Dennis asked. "I should know so I can decide the best 'treatment' to administer ."There is nothing you have to worry about. Just a fever that is all. Isn't that right, Beatrice?" Sylvester hurriedly cut In. "Yes. It is just a fever that is all. It's Nothing to worry about." Beatrice affirmed. Dennis glanced at Beatrice, then at Sylvester. "Fine then. Since that is settled, I have more important things to do." Dennis said as he got up, and left the room as quickly as he came in. As soon as he left, Beatrice released a puff of air. "That was close." She began. "I thought he was staring right into my soul." She added. "You shouldn't let your guard down yet." Sylvester said, as he seated himself down. "Dennis can be quite astute and cunning at times." He said. Beatrice however, was touching her lower abdomen. "Hey. Are you listening to me? Stop fantasing about how your child will look like nine months from now." Sylvester said. Beatrice looked up at him once more. "Thank you so much Sylv!" Beatrice said as she embraced him from where she sat. "My goodness. Here comes the water works again." Sylvester said, as he felt his clothes turn wet. "It's alright, that's enough! Honestly, what are you weeping upon my neck for?" Sylvester asked her, when she released him. "All I need from you for now is your full co-operation." Sylvester added. "If ever Dennis is close to uncovering this truth, we will have to make sure the old man finds out before he does, he is so obsessed about having an heir." Sylv added. "He is going to serve as our chief trump card." He added. "Just take your time, eat rest, and sleep properly. I will assign maids that are absolutely trustworthy to watch over you." Sylv said with a smile. Beatrice nodded in comprehension, but tears began to pool out of her eyes once more. "What now?" Sylvester asked a little alarmed. "I just remembered that you were still Pratically a child, and yet.." "I am not going to remain young forever, you know." Sylvester Interrupted. "I am much older now than I was the day before. Besides, in this kind of world, I can't afford to act stupidly, for a single moment. Every corner lurks a wolf. You know that." Sylvester said looking at Beatrice. "No need to worry so much. I can take care of myself." He said as he stood, placing his hand on her shoulder. "I will be paying visits to you from time to time, you just follow my instructions, alright?" Sylv said as he opened the door. While he closed it, he could still see Beatrice beaming delightably at him.