Free Web NovelChapter 440: Chapter 440
"Ah, yes. His Highness has told me quite a bit about you, most of which were the same things the physician had already told him," Circe said, her smile never wavering. She had learned long ago that people were far more willing to speak freely when they felt at ease, when they did not suspect that every word they uttered was being quietly examined and criticted.
"All good things, I hope," Morana said, her tone giving nothing away.
"Of course," Circe replied. "Though, I must admit, I had never heard of you before this. Neither has any member of my staff who has lived here in Amris longer than I have."
After Ragnar had voiced his distrust of the new midwife, Circe had chosen to look into it herself. She had instructed Nieah to discreetly question the household staff on her behalf, asking whether any of them had so much as heard the name Morana Silhara before. Every answer had been the same—none of them had.
"I used to reside further east, but the rebels destroyed my home, and I was forced to leave. I only recently arrived in Amris, you see," Morana explained without hesitation.
"I am sorry you had to endure such a thing," Circe said, and this time, there was genuine feeling behind her words. "It cannot be easy to be uprooted and forced to begin anew in a place so far removed from the one you once called home."
She understood that kind of loss all too well.
"Though, I must admit," she continued lightly, "even if you had been from here, I likely would not have known of you. I have never had need of a midwife before." Her hand drifted instinctively to rest over her stomach, her fingers splaying gently as if in acknowledgment of the life growing within her. "This is my first pregnancy, and given that I had been taking herbs to prevent it, you can imagine my surprise."
The shock had long since faded and in its place had come acceptance, and then anticipation. A cautious but growing excitement at the thought of motherhood, of this new unexpected Chapter she would share with Ragnar.
"There are many herbs used to prevent pregnancy," Morana said, her voice taking on a reassuring tone, "but none are entirely effective. There are always variables like dosage, preparation, the body’s own nature that can lessen their potency. But you need not worry, Your Highness. I have handled many cases like yours before. You are in safe hands."
"That is good to hear," Circe said, inclining her head slightly. Then, after a brief pause, she added, "Do you have children of your own?"
Morana did not seem at all perturbed by the question. "Yes, I do."
Circe studied her even more intently.
"His Highness mentioned that you are half demon," she said, her tone still mild even as she watched her for any reaction. "Well... are you?"
"Am I what, Your Highness?" Morana asked, her hands clasped behind her back.
"A half demon," Circe said, no longer bothering with subtlety.
This particular part had seemed to trouble Ragnar the most during their last discussion about her, and Circe wanted to ascertain whether the woman had been telling the truth. So far, however, she had been unable to detect any trace of deceit in all that she had been told.
"Yes. It is just as I told His Highness the other day," Morana replied.
Circe heard it immediately. The lie. It rang clear like a loud chime. The warmth drained from her expression in an instant, her smile vanishing as though it had never been there at all.
"Do you make it a habit of lying to your employers?" she asked. The question was laced with authority.
Morana blinked, caught off guard. "Your Highness, I—"
"You are no half demon," Circe interrupted firmly, leaving no room for denial. "What you are, however, is a liar. I will offer you one chance to tell me the truth. If you refuse, you will be escorted out of this estate immediately. Which will it be?"
A brief silence followed, heavy and taut.
At last, Morana exhaled. ƒгeewёbnovel.com
"I have learned, from past experience, that demons are not treated kindly here," she began. "It is far easier for me to hide what I truly am. But His Highness... he saw through my glamour with ease. If he did not trust me when he believed me to be half demon like himself, then how would he have reacted if he knew the truth? That I was born and raised in the Innermost? He would have dismissed me without a second thought."
"And yet," Circe said, her eyes narrowing slightly, "you still chose to take the position. Why?" She tilted her head, observing her with renewed interest. "Surely I am not the only pregnant woman in Amris. You could have sought employment elsewhere."
By all rights, the lie alone should have been enough to dismiss her outright. It would have been the simpler course.
But Circe didn’t want to settle for simplicity now.
There was something about this woman, something that did not quite align. And until she understood it fully, she would not act.
She had never encountered another demon aside from Ragnar. And, though she would never admit it aloud, she found herself curious.
"I have always had a soft spot in my heart for children, and more than that, I love helping mothers in need. I was once a mother in need myself, and I promised that I would always help so that others would never have to go through what I did. I did many things in my past that I am not proud of, and when I became a midwife, I did so as a way to soothe my conscience and assuage my guilt. And when I lost my child, I resigned myself to aiding other women, so they could experience the joys of motherhood, a privilege that was taken away from me far too soon," she said. "When I was informed of your situation, I knew that I had to take the job. Since then, my greatest goal has been to do everything within my power to ensure the safety of both you and your baby. But I completely understand if you no longer desire my services."
She was telling the truth, every word of it. Circe could hear it clearly, not just in Morana’s voice, but in the conviction behind her words. It left her feeling deeply conflicted, especially because she could sense the genuine sincerity when Morana spoke of her dedication to helping pregnant women. freewёbnoνel.com
Deep down, she knew that someone like her was not capable of doing something as malicious as Mirelle had done. But none of that changed the fact that Ragnar still did not trust her and that might be what ultimately determined whether she kept her position or not.
