Chapter 628
Leona's maids, Hazel and Kate, wept at Dorothy's words. Hazel, seeing Carissa preparing to leave, exclaimed, "Your Grace, Mr. Samuel tried to persuade Lady Leona to intercede with the king to restore his position and title. Lady Leona refused, saying he didn't deserve it. He then pushed her in a fit of rage—it's not Lady Leona's fault! Madam Dorothy's words are deeply hurtful."
Carissa, furious, flung aside the curtain and stepped out, her cold gaze fixed on Dorothy. The older woman, momentarily startled by Carissa's intensity, quickly recovered, reminding herself of her superior position. Even as a princess consort, Carissa had no right to interfere in the Earl of Gracehold's family affairs.
"What do you intend to do, Your Grace?" Dorothy asked defensively.
Carissa fixed her with an icy stare. "One more word insulting the Duchess, and I will have you arrested for disrespecting the royal family."
"How dare you—"
With a swift kick, Carissa sent a chair flying. It crashed against the door, splintering on the floor. The sound echoed ominously, underscoring her cold voice. "Just watch me. If anything happens to Leona, your precious grandson will follow her into the grave."
Her words silenced the room. A chill ran down Dorothy's spine, silencing her protest.
Abigail sighed. "Right now, we need to focus on Leona, Your Grace. Please calm down."
Kate, having finished brewing the labor-inducing medicine, brought it over. Carissa took it, turned, and re-entered the delivery room.
Violet followed, glancing at the others before addressing Abigail. "Your daughter-in-law is giving birth. Aren't you going to support her as her mother-in-law?"
Abigail, initially hoping to keep Dorothy calm, changed her strategy after Violet's words. She instructed her sisters-in-law to watch Dorothy before following Violet into the room. Despite indulging her son, Abigail genuinely cared for Leona. Seeing Leona's agony brought tears to her eyes.
"I'll help feed her," Abigail said, taking the medicine from Kate.
She sat beside Leona, spooning the medicine into her mouth, tears falling onto her wrist. "Leona, listen to me. Don't think about anything else. Just focus on bringing this child into the world."
Leona gritted her teeth and drank the bitter concoction. The pain intensified. She cast a pleading glance at Carissa, tears soaking her pillow. "Cari, help me."
Chapter 929
Carissa felt a sharp pang of grief as she grasped Leona's hand.
"How is she doing?" she asked Ivy urgently.
Ivy peeked beneath the quilt, quickly removing the needles. Sighing, she said, "Give her an Energy Pill and let her chew on some thousand-year-old Evergreen Root."
After administering them, Carissa looked at the worried Ivy. "I hope Alana brings my mentor soon."
However, Leona's pain escalated. It felt as though a massive hand were twisting her insides, relentlessly compressing them. She arched her back, trying to curl up, but her swollen belly prevented any relief. Ivy restrained her, warning that movement would worsen the baby's suffocation.
The discomfort was unbearable. Consumed by pain, she only wanted it to end. She could find no relief, only clinging tightly to Carissa's hand, leaving angry red marks on her wrists in her desperation.
Unable to bear it any longer, she let out a piercing cry, writhing on the bed. Carissa and Violet were frozen in fear, helpless to alleviate her suffering.
"Can't you do something to ease her pain, Ivy? She's going to die at this rate!" Carissa's voice was filled with urgency and dread.
Wiping sweat from her brow, Ivy's face was pale. "There's nothing I can do. We've tried acupuncture and medication, but the pain hasn't subsided. I'm afraid the placenta has detached. It's very dangerous."