Chapter 627 (+25 Bonus)

In the outer room, a group of women rose at Carissa's arrival, but she ignored them. She lifted the curtain and strode inside, followed by Violet. Seeing Leona's condition, Carissa gasped. How had Leona injured her forehead?

"Ivy, how is she?" Carissa took Leona's hand, settling on the edge of the bed and wiping away the sweat and tears with her sleeve. Ivy was administering acupuncture; the quilt was pulled high, revealing a needle-covered belly.

With a heavy sigh, Ivy said, "It's more than just difficult labor. I fear the fetus has been harmed. We've given her labor-inducing medicine, but there's been no progress—three hours have passed."

Leona's face contorted with pain. "It hurts so much."

"Don't be afraid, I'm here," Carissa reassured her, turning to Ivy. "Is Sebastian in the city?"

"He's treating a patient outside the city. Alana has gone to fetch him. Hopefully, she'll return in time," Ivy replied, her voice trembling despite her attempt at composure.

Violet went outside, where Leah watched the Earl of Gracehold's family, particularly Dorothy. The older woman was always trouble, and her recent comments had been unacceptable. Leah needed to keep an eye on her to prevent interference.

"Leah, what happened?" Violet asked, her concern evident.

Leah, flushed with anger, pointed at Samuel, still bound to a tree. "He pushed her. We were too lax."

Leah recounted the events. Samuel, having overcome his grief over Ruby, realized he'd neglected Leona. He'd visited her courtyard daily, showering her with flattery and gifts of food and drink, confessing his past mistakes and promising to change.

Leona hadn't confronted him directly but hadn't shown much interest either. After Alana and Leah confirmed the food was safe, she allowed them to eat it. This had gone on for about a week, causing Alana and Leah to lower their guard.

Today, Leah was in the kitchen preparing a childbirth-nourishing medicinal dish prescribed by Sebastian. Distrusting the Earl of Gracehold's family, Leah insisted on preparing it herself.

Seeing Samuel, Leona felt uneasy. She asked Alana to take her for a walk, hoping it would help labor. (+25 Bonus)

The outside air was chilly, prompting Alana to fetch a shawl. During her absence, Samuel spoke to Leona in the corridor and struck her, pushing her to the ground.

Alana, hearing the commotion, found Leona bleeding from a head wound. Leah rushed from the kitchen, subduing Samuel with a flurry of blows before tying him to a tree. The commotion drew the attention of the Gracehold Estate residents. Leona, however, was too preoccupied with her pain to notice.

Violet, enraged, took Leah's whip and struck Samuel. His screams drew Dorothy, who fumed, "Are you trying to kill him? Who do you think you are?"

Abigail, though pitying her son, knew she couldn't intervene. She restrained Dorothy, saying, "Mother, don't interfere. The less he's beaten now, the less angry the king will be later."

"It's her own fault!" Dorothy retorted coldly, tears welling up as she looked at her grandson.

Inside, Carissa watched Leona's color fade. Leona looked lifeless; the bleeding wouldn't stop. With the cervix closed, the baby was at risk of suffocation, and Leona was in danger. Even then, Dorothy continued her callous remarks, prioritizing her grandson over the lives at stake.