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"Mother, what are you crying about this time? I told you I don't plan to remarry."
She sniffled pitifully: "But it's unheard of for a woman not to marry!"
"What you did with Davis has already damaged our family's reputation. If you don't remarry, how will we ever show our faces in society again? I'm only thinking of what’s best for you."
I let out a short, cold laugh and set down my teacup, tearing away her pretenses.
"When you say you're 'thinking of what’s best for me,' you really mean you want to sell me off again, don’t you?"
Her face stiffened, as if struck where it hurt. She immediately raised her voice: "Sell you? How dare you speak so harshly when the family is only considering your welfare?"
"No wonder you couldn't win your husband's favor and were overshadowed by a mere concubine."
Hearing the blame in her words, I knew she resented me for making the scandal so public.
My expression darkened: "I don't need that kind of 'consideration.' If I'm such an embarrassment, then don't bother coming here unless absolutely necessary."
"Whether you’re truly concerned for me or just trying to climb the social ladder again—you know the truth.."
She was rendered speechless and left hastily.
Albert handed me a plate of candied fruit, his voice gentle: "Don't be angry. Try these new ones I made. Didn't we already know what they intended?"
I popped a piece into my mouth, mumbling: "Hearing about it and seeing it firsthand are different."
He chuckled softly: "Alright, alright. Eat up, or Damien will make a scene when he arrives."
Since Albert had moved in under the pretext of helping me through the pregnancy, Damien arrived each time scowling at him. The two bickered whenever they met.
It was then I learned they had known each other long before.
Their arguments were restrained, however. Otherwise, I would have kicked them both out long ago.
Even daily gourmet food and juicy gossip weren't worth constant strife.
I wondered what tidbit Damien brought today?
"What? Callie and Prince Alistair hooked up?!"
I immediately tugged Damien's sleeve for confirmation: "Is this gossip reliable?"
He gave me a sidelong glance: "My guards saw them rolling into bed together with their own eyes. What do you think?"
Ah... how should I respond?
Should I say that originally, Callie accidentally helped Prince Alistair once, then introduced Davis to him? That after Damien's supposed 'demise', Davis led troops to help Alistair seize the throne?
I thought the Male and Female Lead were locked together.
Who knew Callie found another so quickly after Davis became useless.
I had to give her that—at least she didn't cling to one sinking ship.
"And Davis knows?"
Damien's expression turned complicated. Albert chimed in: "He knows. In fact, he likely helped orchestrate it from the shadows."
What kind of twisted hobby was this?
First time seeing someone actively arrange their own cuckolding.
"Then what?"
At that moment, I was like a groundhog in a melon patch, hopping up and down eagerly for more gossip.
Damien continued: "Then Davis started living off Callie, using her influence to get himself a position under Prince Alistair."
The words slipped out before I could stop them: "They're not plotting rebellion, are they?"
Then it hit me.
Though different from the book this time, the core group was still converging.
Better safe than sorry.
After all, this throne was already reserved for my little one.
Thinking of that, I couldn't sit still. I nudged Damien: "What else did you find out?"
Both men looked at me with surprise, as if they hadn't expected me to think that far.
Instantly indignant: "What's with those looks? Who do you underestimate?!"
"Forgotten who used to be sore all over after climbing out of bed?!"
Seeing their faces darken, I was satisfied.
Albert rapped his knuckles lightly on my head: "What nonsense fills that little head of yours?"
"Stop overthinking. Your primary task now is to rest well. We'll handle everything else."
But before I could hear the follow-up to this juicy tidbit, news of my pregnancy spread throughout the capital.
Everyone was speculating about the father's identity.
Albert, barely containing his fury, tried to soothe me: "Don't worry. I'll investigate immediately."
I rubbed my temples and sighed: "No need. I know who it was."
"If I'm not mistaken, it was the Devereuxs."
Seeing his surprise, I chuckled: "Didn't expect that?"
He admitted, "Not really."
