Chapter 399

Natasha’s pupils constricted sharply.

‘What exactly am I so afraid of?’ she thought. ‘But if I tell them the truth, will anyone even believe me? What if I tell them I’m not from this world, just a wandering soul from another realm? Will they burn me at the stake as a monster?’

When she first came here with complete consciousness, she was just a newborn baby.

At that time, she could distinctly hear the wailing cries and agonized screams echoing all around her.

Her mother, Pamela, suffered a massive hemorrhage while giving birth to her.

Blood gushed everywhere, soaking the bed and pooling on the floor. Natasha stared in horror at Pamela’s ghostly pale face, her ears ringing with Pamela’s hysterical, blood–curdling screams.

Blood seeped out from under the threshold, snaking across the grey bricks and staining them a sinister, dark red.

She would never forget Alfred’s desperate, agonized scream when the midwife asked with a trembling voice, “Do you want to save the mother or the child?”

She could never forget Pamela, barely clinging to life, yet stubbornly whispering that she wanted her child. Nor could she ever forget how she emerged screaming from a pool of blood, only for the mother she would never meet to close her eyes forever.

In this era, for women, childbirth was like walking through the gates of hell.

She had personally witnessed a neighbor’s wife die from postpartum hemorrhage and had heard countless tales of women dying in childbirth circulating throughout the neighborhood.

The mere thought of one day facing the same mortal perils of childbirth when she got married made fear constrict her heart like a venomous serpent.

Natasha was trembling uncontrollably. Athena quickly wrapped her in a comforting embrace and asked gently, “Natasha, what are you afraid of? Can you tell me?”

In Athena’s eyes, Natasha had always been utterly fearless, tough as nails.

But now, huddled in Athena’s arms, she seemed as helpless as a newborn.

Natasha looked at Athena, her eyes glistening with unshed tears, and asked softly, “Athena, are you afraid of giving birth?”

Athena’s expression froze for a moment. “Is that what you’re so afraid of?”

“My mother died of massive bleeding during difficult labor when she gave birth to me. Nancy from down the street also died the same way as she was delivering her third child. They both died. Doesn’t that scare you, Athena?” Natasha asked.

Tears shimmered in her clear eyes.

She was terrified. So terrified.

Athena felt Natasha’s hands and feet turn ice–cold, her body trembling faintly.

Athena was genuinely surprised, thinking, ‘So the real reason Natasha had been putting off her marriage all this time was because she was terrified of childbirth.’

Athena gently reassured her, “Natasha, you’ll be fine. I know medicine. I can ensure you deliver the baby safely. Besides, there are royal physicians and experienced midwives here. You’re in good hands.”

She didn’t dare to make a foolproof guarantee.

Chapter 399

After all, for women, childbirth was like walking through the valley of the shadow of death, and no one could predict what might happen.

Athena could only offer soft words of comfort, hoping to ease some of the profound fear gripping Natasha’s heart.

A few days later, Athena noticed that Xander hadn’t been feeling well lately.

But when Athena checked Xander’s pulse, his vital signs were robust, showing no signs of illness whatsoever.

Athena noticed he often clutched his stomach and sometimes dry–heaved.

Athena was utterly baffled by these symptoms. Even medication brought no improvement.

The heavy, greasy food no longer sat well with him.

Even with light, simple meals every day, he still barely ate anything.

Athena, frantic with worry, hurried to find Alexandra and tell her everything.

Alexandra gasped sharply in astonishment upon hearing this. Flustered, she clutched Athena’s hand, her gaze turning strangely knowing.

Athena was so absorbed in Xander that she failed to notice Alexandra’s odd reactions.

Counting on her fingers, Athena said anxiously, “Xander has been suffering from dry heaving, can’t stomach greasy food, and sometimes experiences dizziness…”

As Athena went on, Alexandra’s worried frown gradually faded, replaced by a look of relief.

“Athena, did you happen to step on Xander’s shoes during your wedding ceremony?” she asked.

Athena stared at Alexandra in astonishment. “Alexandra, does this have anything to do with Xander’s condition?”

‘Stepping on his shoes…’ Athena thought. ‘Now that Alexandra mentioned it, I do vaguely remember that happening. Back then, I got up in the middle of the night, still half–asleep, and ended up putting on the wrong shoes.’

Alexandra smiled knowingly and called out, “Summon the house physician at once.”

“Alexandra?” Athena asked, bewildered by Alexandra’s actions. Alexandra gently patted her hand. “You’ll find out soon enough,” she said.

Seeing that Alexandra wouldn’t elaborate, Athena suppressed her impatience and waited patiently for the house physician to come.

Soon, the house physician arrived.

Alexandra commanded, “Check Athena’s pulse at once.”

At that moment, it finally dawned on Athena. Her eyes widened in disbelief as she looked down at her abdomen, then up at Alexandra, who gave her a gentle, knowing nod.

She didn’t press any further, thinking, ‘Nine times out of ten, I’m pregnant.’

Traditionally, pregnancies weren’t announced until after the first trimester.

The news would only be announced once the pregnancy was stable.

Well aware of the custom, the house physician promptly stepped forward to check Athena’s pulse.

Then, the physician’s face lit up with joy as he performed a deep, respectful bow to Alexandra and Athena and exclaimed, “Congratulations, Your Highnesses! The pulse confirms pregnancy. She is with child!”

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Chapter 399

Athena was flustered, hardly able to believe it.

She thought in disbelief, ‘Xander and I haven’t even been married for three months yet, and I’m already carrying our baby? How could this happen so soon?’

Alexandra was grinning from ear to ear and declared grandly, “Reward him, lavishly!”

The matron discreetly pressed a 70-thousand dollar check into the house physician’s hand. “I’m sure you understand what needs to be kept quiet."

“I understand, perfectly understand,”

Alexandra couldn’t help but chuckle at her words.

Clan stammered, clutching the check with trembling hands, his eyes brimming with tears of joy.

Athena then asked hesitantly, “Alexandra, if I’m truly pregnant, why don’t I feel anything at all?”

She said, “Oh dear, you stepped on your husband’s shoes on your wedding night. No wonder he’s the one with morning sickness now.”

“What? That’s incredible! Morning sickness can transfer like that?” Athena asked.

She didn’t believe it at first, but the proof was right in front of her.

The image of Xander’s morning sickness made Athena chuckle despite herself.

As the two women chuckled, Xander walked in from outside.

He walked in with a frown, but the moment he stepped inside, he acted like nothing was wrong.

As he entered, Xander bowed respectfully to Alexandra and offered his greetings, though his gaze immediately sought out Athena.

Seeing her cover her mouth to stifle a laugh, he grew even more puzzled.

Xander couldn’t help but wonder, ‘What on earth have they so secretly amused?’

Alexandra waved her hand with an amused smile and said, “Come, take a seat.”

With that, she cast Xander a knowing, mischievous glance.

Xander took his seat, only then noticing the tart cherries and green apples arranged on the low table before him.

Xander swallowed hard, unable to control himself.

These were things Xander normally wouldn’t even touch, yet now they seemed unbelievably sweet and delicious.

“These tart cherries were just delivered. They’re very fresh. Why don’t you try some?” Alexandra suggested with a knowing smile.

“Thank you,” Xander said politely before picking up a tart cherry and popping it into his mouth.

Instantly, the tangy–sweet juice exploded in his mouth, washing an incredible wave of relief over his entire body.

Even the queasiness in his stomach melted away.

After finishing one cherry, Xander couldn’t get enough. He reached for a second, then a third.

This sight made Athena both want to laugh and ache with sympathy.

Seeing Xander looking so content, Alexandra finally spoke up with a knowing smile, “Do you have any idea why you’ve been feeling queasy lately?”

“Why’s that?” Xander asked, popping another tart cherry into his mouth.

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Chapter 399

Xander thought, ‘Wow, these tart cherries are surprisingly good! No wonder women are so fond of them.”

Alexandra chuckled softly, “Well, Athena… She’s expecting.”

“Expecting? Expecting what?” Xander still hadn’t caught on, feeling Alexandra was being deliberately vague.

Athena looked at him and whispered shyly, “Darling, I’m pregnant.”

At her words, Xander’s face went blank, and the tart cherry slipped from his fingers, rolling onto the floor.