Chapter 630 +25 BONUS
They waited for nearly an hour, and Leona had lost the strength to cry out in pain. She felt as though she had been pulled from the depths of water, her body drenched in sweat. Carissa stood by, wiping Leona’s forehead with a cloth and murmuring comforting words. But in her agony, Leona couldn’t process them. She felt as if she were on the brink of death.
She managed to open her eyes with great effort, but they were vacant and hollow. She whispered, "It'd be better to just die."
"Don't say such foolish things. Sebastian is almost here," Carissa choked out, overwhelmed by a helplessness she feared most—her inability to do anything.
Tears streamed down Heather's face. "Leona, please listen. Don't talk like that. Just hold on. Listen to your cousin. Sebastian is coming."
Leona could only emit feeble groans, her eyes wide and unseeing. All her remaining strength was devoted to fighting the relentless pain. It felt as if her very insides were being twisted and turned, and she could hardly bear it.
Outside the room, Dorothy finally fell silent, fear creeping into her heart. She had initially thought the impact to Leona's belly might lead to labor, but she never expected the severity of the situation. She wasn't worried about Leona; she was worried that if something happened to Leona, it would implicate Samuel. If the king unleashed his fury, the Earl of Gracehold's family would likely cease to exist, and Samuel's life would be forfeit.
Realizing this, Dorothy trembled. She discreetly signaled nearby servants to find someone who could release Samuel and ensure his escape. The servants understood and went to gather guards. However, Leah, with a sharp crack of her whip, drove them back.
"Who dares to set him free? Without Lady Carissa's order, I'll bind anyone who tries!"
Leah knew the people at Gracehold Estate well. Others might hesitate, but Dorothy would never allow her grandson to come to harm. Leah stood guard, determined to prevent anyone from approaching him.
Just when everyone felt anxious, Alana rushed in, carrying Sebastian on her back. Sebastian's face was pale.
"I can walk myself!" he protested. Being carried by a woman was humiliating.
Alana, moving like a gust of wind, darted into the delivery room and set Sebastian down.
Once his feet hit the ground, Sebastian steadied himself and lightly kicked Alana. "You've embarrassed me."
Breathless, Alana retorted, "You can scold me later. Right now, we need to check on Lady Leona!"
From behind the partition screen, the royal physician called out, "The duchess is of royal blood. How can a man enter during her labor?"
Heather was taken aback and raised her hand to stop Sebastian. "You… you should stay behind the partition screen."
Sebastian glanced at Leona and sensed the gravity of the situation. His expression darkened. "This is a matter of life and death! Are we really going to worry about decorum now? Is it a choice between life and reputation?"
Outside, Dorothy protested, "This can't happen! It will ruin the duchess's honor! If a woman loses her honor, it's like losing her life!"
"Silence!" Carissa shouted. She pushed Heather aside and pushed Abigail away. "Sebastian, please check on her! She's in terrible pain!"
"No, Carissa, you can't harm your cousin like this—" Heather hadn't finished before Violet stepped in and dragged her out.
"You can stay outside. Don't go in!" Violet positioned herself at the curtain, her arms defiantly crossed, barring anyone from entering.
After checking Leona's pulse, Sebastian's expression shifted. He pressed against her belly to confirm what he felt. He spoke gravely, "The child is likely gone. Our priority now is to save the mother."
"Gone?" Abigail swayed, but quickly steadied herself. "Sebastian, please save Leona!"