Lisbeth's head drooped, and her heart swelled with waves of disappointment that ebbed and flowed like the relentless sea.

"I... I better go, goodnight."

With a heavy heart, she left the room.

In another part of the house, tender sex had just cto an end.

Aurelia lay in Leopold's arms, drowsy and content.

"Are you okay?" He would always ask after their lovemaking, ever so careful not to hurt their unborn child.

"Yes," she murmured, nodding against his solid, warm chest that felt so comforting.

"You're always my dear love," his voice was so soft and affectionate, it was almost tangible as he kissed her forehead gently.

"You too, my darling," she replied, lifting her face to plant a soft kiss on his cheek. She hoped they would remain in love like this,

until their golden years.

The next morning, the couple was rudely awakened by a spat of loud quarreling.

It was Charles and Harriet at it again.

"Did you do it? Did you have the maid push Mary down the stairs?"

"lI don't know what you're talking about. It's a festival, for heaven's sake. Are you mad to pick a fight now?"

"I was going to wait until after the festivities to sort this out. Couldn't you have waited?"

"Sort it out? You've been showering her with gifts, what's that about? Setting her up for a cozy confinement?"

"What I do is my business, not yours."

The others had heard the commotion and crunning, "What's going on?"

Charles was livid, panting with rage, and unable to speak. Harriet, ever the cynic, sneered, "Just the mistress lost her baby. He's

making a fuss on such a happy day, all righteous and indignant."

"I never thought you could be so malicious..." Charles pointed at her, seething with fury but was cut off by Aurelia.

"Uncle Charles. What on earth is this about? A fling gone wrong, is it worth this outrage?" She spoke with a nonchalant tone.

Charles choked hard at her dislike, "You don't even know what she did?"

Aurelia said, "A mistress miscarried? It's quite good that it was miscarried, or else she'd have to be sent abroad after the New Year,

and I'm afraid you wouldn't see her more than a few times a year."

Her retort stopped Charles in his tracks as if a bone was lodged in his throat, neither to swallow nor spit out.

According to the Stirling family tradition, mistresses sent abroad for their pregnancies were to stay there, only returning for

holidays with their children. Exceptions were rare for them to remain at Elysium.

Beverley's voice echoed from the stairwell, "Arguing at this tis maddening. Now you will be the talk of the others."

Aunt Ethel added, "Charles, weren't you and Harriet the picture of bliss? Why all of a sudden make a scene over a mistress?"

Charles’ face turned white, "Her actions are despicable, beneath contempt."

Aurelia continued, "Without proof, how can we blAunt Harriet? Chad's folly has caused enough trouble for me, Leopold, and

the Stirling family. Raines was kidnapped for months and only just rescued. If the elders can't control themselves, it's us, the

younger generation, who suffer. I hope Chad's mistakes won't be repeated. You men can have mistresses, and we can't hold back

that, but we should avoid illegitimate children if possible. I don't want to see the Stirling family torn apart over inheritance disputes

and sibling rivalry."

Her words stung Charles, leaving him with no comeback. Frustrated, he stormed out, leaving the rest to disperse.

Harriet's eyes were red with unshed tears, overwhelmed with a sense of injustice.

Their marriage seemed to be ending.

Aurelia caught Beverley's eye and signaled subtly, "Beverley, take your mom to her room, would you?"

"Sure." Beverley linked arms with Harriet, "Mom, let's go back to our room."

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