Chapter 168 Chapter 168: How many babies have you lost?

Chapter 168 Chapter 168: How many babies have you lost?

~ Raven’s POV ~

Hastings Manor stood in front of us almost like every castle. My stomach churned as the carriage rolled through the iron gates.

This was Belgravia, the kingdom that destroyed my mother and the kingdom that sold me.

Annie squeezed my hand. "We can still leave. Just say the word."

"No." My voice remained calm even though I was scared. "I came here for answers. I'm not leaving without them."

The carriage stopped. Some of the servants rushed to open the doors and take our bags. I pulled my loose robes tighter around my belly, my six month pregnancy that's getting bigger every day.

A man stood at the manor entrance. Tall and scary-looking, with blood-red eyes that showed he was Duke Vincx Hastings.

"Physician Raven." He bowed a little. "Thank you for coming.”

“ My mother doesn't have much time left."

"Take me to her right now," I said, "I need to check her before we talk about treatment."

"Of course. But first, meet my wife." Vincx pointed to a woman coming out of the manor.

My breath stopped.

Princess Celeste. Princess Ellie's younger sister.

The woman was pale, almost see-through, with dark circles under her eyes. But she moved in a dignified manner.

"This is my wife, Duchess Celeste," Vincx said, his voice getting softer when he looked at his wife. "My love, this is Physician Raven from Voss, and her helper Annie."

Celeste smiled, but it looked tired. "Welcome to Hastings Manor. We're so grateful you came."

My heart beat fast. Did she recognize me? But no,the princess looked at me politely like a stranger. Why would she remember a servant who scrubbed the floors in her sister's rooms years ago?

"Thank you, Your Grace," I said.

As Celeste stepped closer to say hello, my brain kicked in despite my shock.

She wasn't just tired. The way she walked, as if her body hurt. The deep sadness in her eyes was more than worry about a sick mother-in-law.

I'd seen this before. Many times since I went to Voss. It was the face of a mother who lost her child

"Sorry to ask," I said suddenly. "But Your Grace, are you okay? You don't look well."

Celeste's smile dropped. "I'm fine. Just tired from worrying Margaret."

"When did you last eat a real meal?"

"I... yesterday, I think."

Vincx frowned. "Celeste, you promised you'd eat today."

"I did eat. A little." Celeste's hand moved to her stomach without thinking, something I do all the time.

"Your Grace," I said gently. "Can I talk to you alone? As a doctor?"

Celeste looked surprised but nodded. "Of course. Vincx, please show Physician Raven's assistant to her room. We'll talk in the sitting room."

The sitting room was fancy. Celeste sat on a soft chair, and I took the one across from her.

"I don't want to be rude," I started. "But I'm a doctor. I see things. And I see a woman who's hurting."

Celeste's face broke a little. "Is it that easy to tell?"

"To a doctor, yes." I leaned forward. "How many babies have you lost?"

Tears filled her eyes. "Three. Three babies in seven months. The doctors say nothing's wrong with me, that I just need to keep trying, but..." Her voice broke. "I can't keep losing them. It's killing me."

"Can I check you? Just a quick look?"

She nodded, wiping her tears.

I moved to sit beside her, putting my hands gently on her wrist to check her heartbeat. It was too fast and at the same time too weak.

"Are you dizzy a lot? Sick to your stomach all the time? Always tired?"

"Yes. All of it. But the doctors say that's normal after losing a baby."

"It's not normal. Not like this." My mind raced. "Your Grace, I think someone's poisoning you."

Celeste turned white. "What?"

"Someone is giving you something…,that's making your body lose babies. It's hard to see. Most doctors would miss it because it looks like normal pregnancy problems."

"But who would…" She stopped, looking scared. "No. It can't be."

"Who can touch your food? Your drinks?"

"Everyone. The servants, Vincx, Margaret..." Celeste stood up fast, walking back and forth. "This is crazy. Why would anyone poison me?"

"That's what we need to find out." I stood too. "But first, we need to keep you safe. Starting now, you don't eat or drink anything unless I check it first."

"You'd do that? For me?"

"You're sick. I'm a doctor. That's my job."

Celeste stared at me like I was amazing. "I don't even know you, but you're... thank you."

Before I could say anything, a servant came in with a tray.

"Your afternoon tea, Your Grace."

"Perfect," I said. "Put it down, please."

The servant put the tray on a small table, a pretty teapot, two cups, and little cakes.

I walked over and leaned close to the tea, smelling it deeply.

My stomach turned.

Pennyroyal. Just a little bit, hidden by the strong black tea. Enough that you wouldn't notice. Enough to cause pain, bleeding, and lose a baby.

"Don't drink that," I said loudly.

Celeste froze, her hand reaching for the cup. "What?"

"It's poisoned. There's pennyroyal in the tea." I turned to the servant. "Who made this?"

The servant looked scared. "The... the kitchen people, my lady. Same as always."

"Who exactly?"

"I don't know! I just bring what they make!"

I believed her,the girl was too scared to be lying.

"Take this away," I said. "And tell the kitchen that from now on, all the Duchess's food goes through me first. If anyone has a problem with that, they can talk to Duke Vincx."

The servant ran away with the tray.

Celeste fell back onto the chair, shaking. "Someone's been poisoning me. For how long?"

"Probably since your first baby." I sat beside her again. "It's made to look normal. Like your body just can't have babies. But it's not your fault."

"Who would do this?" Her voice was quiet.

"Someone who doesn't want you to have a baby."

Celeste looked up, tears falling. "Will you help me? Not just with Mother Margaret, but with this? I want to find out who's doing this. And I want to finally have a baby that lives."

I saw the desperate need in her eyes.

And curse my now wretched heart, I also saw a chance.

"I'll help you," I said. "But I want something."

"Anything."

"I need information. About the palace. About what happened twenty-five years ago." I took a breath. "About a servant named Denessa who worked for Princess Ellie."

Celeste's eyes got big. "Lady Denessa? I remember that name. Ellie used to talk about her sometimes, usually when she was mad about something Father did."

My heart beat fast. "What did she say?"