Chapter 107: The Silk Cage
L
Sunlight filtered through the gaps of the thick silk curtains. The light fell directly onto the surface of a steaming porcelain cup. Agatha shifted her position on the mattress. Her back felt a bit stiff from lying down too much.
"Mmh," Agatha groaned softly.
Xavier, who was reading files in the chair by the window, looked up immediately. He set the papers aside and walked toward the bed. He reached out to touch Agatha's forehead.
"Do you feel dizzy again?" Xavier asked.
Agatha shook her head. "Just sore. I want to get out of this bed, Xavier."
"Wait a moment. Pierre said you must have total rest until the last blood test results come in," Xavier replied. He took the pillow behind Agatha's back and straightened it.
"I have been here for two days and have done nothing but eat and sleep. This is not my home. I feel like a guest who is gravely ill," Agatha said. Her eyes swept over the vast room.
The walls of the room were decorated with wallpaper featuring intricate floral patterns. The furniture was made of old teak wood polished to a shine. Everything appeared very expensive and elegant. Yet for Agatha, the room felt cold.
"This is the Volskey family home, Agatha. Your grandfather wants to ensure your safety," Xavier said.
"Safety or surveillance?" Agatha asked in return.
Knock. Knock. Knock.
The door opened before Xavier could answer. Melynda entered with a bright expression. Behind her, two servants carried a large tray filled with various fruits and a bowl of warm soup.
"Good morning, my beautiful daughter in law! How do you feel today?" Melynda asked. She sat on the edge of the bed immediately and held Agatha's hand.
"Morning, Mother. I feel better," Agatha answered.
Melynda signaled to the servants to place the tray on the small table. "Look, I brought cherries from your grandfather's private garden. They are very fresh. You must eat a lot so your baby is strong."
"Thank you, Mother. But I just finished breakfast an hour ago," Agatha said.
"Eating a little more won't hurt you. You are eating for two now. You need double the energy," Melynda countered. She took a piece of fruit and offered it to Agatha's mouth.
Agatha was forced to open her mouth. The sweetness of the cherry filled her tongue. She saw how enthusiastically Melynda served her. Since they arrived at the Volskey residence, everyone seemed to be competing to pamper her.
"Xavier, have you prepared the warm water for your wife to bathe?" Melynda asked without looking back.
"Yes, Mother. Pierre will also be coming shortly to check the baby's heartbeat," Xavier answered.
"Good. Do not let her get tired at all," Melynda said. She looked back at Agatha. "Dear, your grandfather wants you to come down to the dining room for lunch later. He wants to discuss something regarding the nursery preparations."
Agatha frowned. "A nursery here?"
"Of course. Your grandfather wants you to stay here until you give birth. He has even ordered an interior designer from Milan to remodel one of the rooms in the east wing," Melynda explained.
Agatha glanced at Xavier with a questioning look. Xavier remained silent and avoided eye contact. An uncomfortable feeling crept into Agatha's chest. She had not fully accepted Cardios as her grandfather. Their relationship so far had been based only on tension and interests.
"I want to speak with Grandfather Cardios privately later," Agatha said.
"Of course, he will be happy to hear that," Melynda said. She stood and stroked Agatha's hair. "I will go now to check the preparations downstairs. Finish your fruit, okay?"
After Melynda left, the room fell silent again. Agatha let out a long breath. She placed the remaining fruit back on the plate.
"Xavier, I do not want to give birth here," Agatha whispered.
Xavier sat in the chair beside the bed. He held Agatha's hand. "I know this is uncomfortable for you. But for now, this is the safest place in the whole city."
"A safe place that makes me feel suffocated. I don't know anyone here except you, Mother, and Pierre. The servants look at me as if I am a piece of very expensive porcelain," Agatha complained.
"They are only following orders. Grandfather is very strict about the safety of the Volskey heir," Xavier replied.
"The Volskey heir? So that is the main reason? Because I am carrying your child, not because he truly considers me his granddaughter?" Agatha asked, her voice rising slightly.
Xavier went quiet. He knew his wife was in an unstable emotional state. "Don't think like that. He just wants to make up for past mistakes."
At noon, Xavier helped Agatha down to the dining room. Their steps were slow. The sound of Agatha's shoes rubbing against the wooden floor was clear in the quiet hallway. Scuff. Scuff.
Cardios was already sitting at the head of the table. He was reading the newspaper while sipping black coffee. When he saw them arrive, he lowered the paper.
"Sit down," Cardios said briefly.
Xavier pulled out a chair for Agatha. On the table, various luxury dishes were already available. From salmon steaks to organic vegetables arranged neatly.
"How is your health today, Agatha?" Cardios asked.
"Good, Grandfather. Thank you for all the facilities provided," Agatha replied formally.
"Melynda said you wanted to talk to me," Cardios said. He set down his coffee cup.
"Yes. About the nursery plans here. I think it is too much. We have our own home in Vaois," Agatha said.
Cardios looked at Agatha with his sharp, old eyes. "The Vaois residence is being repaired. Besides, the medical facilities here are far more complete. I have moved a team of specialist doctors to the side pavilion."
"But I feel more comfortable in my own home, Grandfather," Agatha countered.
"Comfort is secondary to safety. You carry the future of this family in your womb. I will not allow a single gap for enemies to attack," Cardios stated firmly.
Thud.
Cardios placed his hand on the table. His voice was not loud, but it was enough to make the atmosphere very tense. The servants standing in the corner of the room immediately lowered their heads.
"Xavier, take your wife to see the room in the east wing after lunch. I have asked the workers to start working tomorrow," Cardios ordered.
Xavier gave a small nod. "Yes, Grandfather."
Agatha felt her appetite vanish instantly. She only stirred the soup in front of her. She felt her voice was not heard at all in this house. Everything had to go according to Cardios's wishes.
After lunch, they walked toward the east wing. The room Cardios mentioned was huge with high windows overlooking the garden. Several construction workers were measuring the walls with metal tape measures. Zip. Zip.
"This is too big for a baby," Agatha murmured.
"Grandfather always wants the grandest things," Xavier replied.
Agatha walked to the window. She looked down at the garden. There were many guards in black uniforms patrolling with tracking dogs. This place was indeed very safe, but it felt like a dungeon wrapped in gold and silk.
"Ugh," Agatha suddenly held her stomach.
Xavier immediately approached her. "What is it? Does it hurt?"
"Only a little. He doesn't seem to like the atmosphere here either," Agatha joked, trying to lighten the mood.
In the evening, Agatha was relaxing on the bedroom balcony. The night air was cold but refreshing. She saw the city lights from a distance. Xavier was bathing in the bathroom. The sound of running water was faintly audible from within.