Chapter 71 Chapter Seventy-one
Chapter 71 Chapter Seventy-one
CHAPTER 71
Aria tried her best not to let the ambient tension affect her. She spent most of her mornings reading in the sunroom, where the natural light offered a brief respite from the gloom, or taking slow, deliberate walks through the manicured pathways of the estate’s expansive gardens. These peaceful routines were explicitly recommended by her obstetrician to keep her blood pressure stable. Damian, fiercely protective and increasingly anxious about the pregnancy, had insisted she avoid any form of stress whatsoever. The staff had quietly and seamlessly adjusted their daily routines to ensure her absolute comfort, anticipating her needs before she even had to ask.
But not everyone in the household agreed with Damian's fiercely protective approach.
Evelyn Cross stood on the grand upstairs landing, her sharp eyes narrowing as she watched Aria cross the stone courtyard below. A young maid followed a few paces behind her, carefully balancing a silver tray bearing a porcelain teapot and a single cup.
Evelyn’s brow furrowed, a cold wave of disapproval washing over her features. She turned her gaze to the head housekeeper, who was supervising the hallway cleaning.
"Why exactly is someone carrying her tea?" Evelyn asked, her voice cutting through the quiet corridor.
The nearby maid who was polishing the banister looked up, visibly startled by the icy tone. "Mr. Cross instructed us to handle all lifting and carrying for Mrs. Aria, ma'am. He was very specific about her not exerting herself."
"I didn't ask what Damian instructed," Evelyn replied coldly, her posture rigid.
The young woman lowered her head immediately, shrinking back from the matriarch's piercing glare. "I... I'm sorry, ma'am. We were only following orders."
Evelyn's eyes returned to the window, watching Aria’s slow progress across the grass. The sight of such fragile handling rubbed against everything Evelyn believed about endurance and status. "Call Mrs. Aria to the sitting room the moment she returns inside."
A few minutes later, Aria entered the formal sitting room. Despite the unexpected summons, she maintained a polite, gentle smile, smoothing down the front of her maternity dress.
"You wanted to see me, Mother?" Aria asked softly.
Evelyn gestured toward the velvet sofa opposite her armchair. "Sit down, Aria."
"You look healthier than you did last week," Evelyn noted, her voice level.
"Thank you. The doctor says the pregnancy is progressing beautifully, and the baby is perfectly healthy," Aria shared, hoping the good news would bring a bit of warmth to the room.
"I'm glad to hear that." The answer sounded polite enough, yet something about the tight, unyielding expression on Evelyn's face unsettled Aria, causing a faint stir of anxiety in her chest.
"I've been thinking quite a bit lately," Evelyn continued, leaning back slightly but losing none of her commanding presence.
"About what?"
"About the management of this house, and your place within it."
Aria listened quietly, keeping her hands folded neatly in her lap.
"When I married Damian's father and first came to live in this estate, the expectations placed upon me were immense," Evelyn said, a faint, rare smile touching her lips at the distant memory. "It did not matter how wealthy the Cross family was, nor how many servants walked these halls. I was expected to learn how every single part of the household operated, from the inventory in the pantries to the management of the accounts."
Aria nodded in understanding, feeling a brief spark of connection. "My mother taught me the very same principles. She always said a woman should know the workings of her own home."
"But you are not doing those things here," Evelyn said flatly.
The direct words caught Aria completely off guard, the sudden shift in tone making her blink in surprise. "I... I'm not sure I understand what you mean."
"The staff wait on you constantly, hand and foot," Evelyn clarified, her voice sharpening. "You do not lift a finger from morning until night."
"They've only been helping because Damian asked them to," Aria explained gently, trying to defend the worried staff. "And because—"
"Because you're pregnant?" Evelyn interrupted, cutting her off cleanly.
Aria hesitated for a second, feeling the sting of the interruption, before nodding. "Yes. The first trimester was quite difficult, and we are simply trying to be cautious."
Evelyn folded her hands neatly over her knee. "Pregnancy is a natural state of life, Aria. It is not an illness. It certainly does not mean you stop contributing to the family dynamic or the upkeep of your home."
Aria wasn't entirely sure how to respond without sounding defensive or disrespectful, so she remained silent, listening to the ticking of the grandfather clock in the corner.
"I've noticed you spend the vast majority of your day resting, reading, or wandering aimlessly," Evelyn pressed on, her tone remaining entirely composed but carrying immense weight.
"The doctor recommended moderate activity and plenty of rest to ensure everything goes smoothly."
"The doctor recommended moderation, yes," Evelyn countered smoothly. "Not becoming entirely helpless. There is a distinct difference between resting and stagnating."
Aria lowered her eyes, swallowing the rising frustration. “I understand your perspective."
"I don't think you do, not yet." Evelyn stood up, drawing herself to her full height. "This family has always survived because we believe in discipline, resilience, and capability. We do not foster fragility. So, beginning tomorrow morning, I would like you to start taking a much more active, tangible role in the daily running of this household."
The following morning, Aria came downstairs much earlier than her usual hour. The house was shrouded in the quiet gray light of dawn, and she had intended to quietly prepare a simple breakfast for herself in the kitchen before the rest of the family woke up, enjoying a moment of solitude.
Instead, she was surprised to find Evelyn already standing in the center of the spacious kitchen, reviewing a menu clipboard while the head chef stood at a respectful distance.
"I was wondering when you would finally come down," Evelyn remarked, turning her head as the door swung shut.
"Good morning, Mother," Aria replied, keeping her tone pleasant despite the early confrontation.
Evelyn nodded toward a large wooden basket resting on the central island, piled high with fresh, unwashed root vegetables. "The kitchen staff are preparing for a formal dinner service later this week. Could you wash those?"
Aria smiled politely, genuinely relieved that the request was so simple. "Of course. I can certainly do that."
"And these need to be peeled and chopped precisely," Evelyn directed, giving her a basket.
Aria accepted the basket without complaint. "I'll take care of it."
After the vegetables came a large bundle of fresh herbs that needed to be painstakingly separated and minced. Then came crates of delicate summer fruit that required careful inspecting and washing. Once the kitchen tasks were completed, Evelyn moved her to the formal areas of the house, instructing her on how to arrange the massive displays of fresh flowers for the dining room and primary living spaces.
None of the individual tasks were especially demanding or heavy, but as the hours ticked by, the physical toll of standing on the hard marble floors began to add up.