Chapter 55: Chapter 55

KAMORA

In the sixth month of her pregnancy, Kamora glowed like a woman who had found the secret to living. Marriage with Lord Maroke was heavenly.

He told her about his younger days every night, and made careful and sweet love to her, deepening her love for him. Thanks to the drugs, he was numb to the pain of the curse, but once in a while he was plagued with a fever serious enough to bring a giant down.

But even while suffering that, he had never once complained.

The manor was a stark difference from how she had met it over a year ago. It was livelier, and though she was now the lady of the house, she still treated its inhabitants with the respect they deserved.

Petal was her favorite person. She had found comfort in such a friend who had grown to be closer than a sister, and she was grateful that she had someone she could pour her heart out to.

After what she did in that noble lady’s garden, she had blurted out her secret to her friend out of excitement to tell someone what she had accomplished. Horrified when she realized, she was about to beg Petal not to tell anyone but was surprised when her friend just smiled.

She had known since and was simply waiting for Kamora to trust her enough to tell her. She also left Kamora with a shocking secret of her own; she was Kamora’s secret tutor and was also a witch herself.

Kamora was excited that she had someone like her she could count on and learn from. After that day, they both went on a quest to find out just how much more Kamora could do.

Kamora noticed that the more she practiced, the more her fatigue reduced, though she had to stop when she found out she was pregnant, for fear that her actions might hurt her child.

She was in the kitchen assisting Petal when Claudia walked in, her face bunched up in a frown. Ever since Lord Maroke’s announcement of his marriage to Kamora, Claudia’s face had been etched in that position.

Kamora thought that perhaps the woman didn’t consider her worthy enough to be Lord Maroke’s bride, and she understood her point of view. Claudia was the one who took care of Lord Maroke as a kid and watched him grow.

In a way, she was his second mother. It wasn’t unusual for a woman to be suspicious of the lady her child fancies, especially when her background is unknown.

And since there was nothing she could do about it, the only way she could show her discontent was by frowning all the time.

When she told Petal about this, she had said that she should give the head maid some time. When she gives birth, Claudia would come to love her.

“My lady, there is a woman outside who wants to see you. She claims to be your sister,” Claudia said.

The spoon Kamora held to stir the soup she was assisting Petal with clattered to the counter. Her eyes were wide with fear.

“Are you okay?” Petal asked, worried.

“I—I am,” Kamora answered, dragging her hands down her sides to rest on her belly.

“You never mentioned having a sister before,” Petal said, this time sounding curious.

“That is because we both are not on good terms. As far as I am concerned, I am dead to her. I wonder how she was able to find me.”

“Do you want me to send her away?” Claudia asked. Kamora was almost tempted to say yes, but she didn’t want the head maid suspecting her even further. If anyone in the manor should find out that she was a witch, then she was as good as dead.

“I’ll go with you,” Petal said, noticing her hesitation. Kamora almost collapsed from relief. She could have kissed her then and there.

“Thank you. Thank you so much!”

“Should I send for Lord Maroke?” Claudia asked. “He went for a meeting with a noble in a neighboring town, so it wouldn’t take too long for him to return.”

“No, there is no need to bother him with such. Petal and I will go see her and get this over with quickly.”

Claudia nodded and then walked out of the kitchen. Kamora and Petal followed after her.

As they walked, Kamora took in deep breaths and then schooled her features once they reached the manor’s entrance.

Claudia opened the doors, and there stood Gwen in all her glory. She had gotten even more beautiful, her green hair longer and slightly darker.

On her face was a smile that seemed so genuine, Kamora would have fallen for it if she hadn’t experienced the true nature of the woman.

“Sister—you’re alive!” Gwen gasped, her face lighting up with joy.

Kamora didn’t move. Her expression remained cold, unreadable.

“What are you doing here?” she asked, her voice low and guarded. “How did you find me?”

“You wouldn’t believe my surprise,” Gwen said, stepping forward with a bright, almost exaggerated smile. “To find out you were not only alive—but living in a manor, no less.”

Her eyes dropped to Kamora’s protruding belly, and the smile widened.

“You’re pregnant? Congratulations! Who’s the father?”

Kamora didn’t flinch. Her voice sharpened, losing all patience.

“Gwen. What are you doing here?”

The edge in her tone made Gwen falter. Her smile slipped, replaced by a flicker of hurt.

“Aren’t you happy to see me?” she asked softly.

“No. I’m not.”

Gwen blinked, wounded.

“How can you say that, Kamora?” she cried, placing a hand dramatically over her chest. “Everyone died in that fire. You and I—we’re all that’s left. We ought to stick together.”

Kamora let out a bitter laugh, though there was no humor in it.

“Stick together? With you? Do you take me for a fool?”

Her voice was rising, so she paused, breathing in deeply, steadying herself.

“Let me be clear—I have a family now. A real one. I don’t need the scraps of what we once had, and I certainly don’t need you. If you’ll excuse me.” She turned and started to leave.

“Does your family know that you are a witch?”

Kamora paused, squeezing her hands at her sides. This was the Gwen she was familiar with.

She was grateful that it was only Petal who was with her. Claudia had gone earlier to give them some privacy.

She wondered what the woman would have done had she heard what Gwen said.

Slowly, Kamora turned back around, folding her arms tightly across her chest.

“Finally,” she said coldly, “you’ve shown your true self.”

“You always get like this when I try to be civil,” Gwen replied, her tone too smooth to be sincere.

“Because you’re anything but civil,” Kamora said, narrowing her eyes. “Tell me the truth. What do you really want?”

Gwen’s smile curled. Her voice dropped into a mocking lilt.

“I take it your new family doesn’t know about your little secret. That’s good. Then you’ll come with me quietly—if you don’t want them to find out.”

Kamora’s eyes blazed with fury.

“And why would I do that?” she snapped. “So that you’ll use my blood to increase your powers?” Her voice rose, anger now breaking through the cool exterior.

“I’m not the only one holding secrets, Gwen. And you’d do well not to push me.”

Gwen tilted her head, her expression darkening.

“You’ve gotten wise,” she said, her tone no longer playful.

“And you be sure to remember that,” Kamora replied, her voice final.

“Now, leave.”

A carriage suddenly stopped at the front of the manor, and Kamora’s heart lodged in her throat.

Gwen, fortunately, did not see her expression as she had already taken her leave.

Lord Maroke came down from the carriage, and his eyes lit up when he saw Kamora at the entrance.

“What are you doing here?” he asked.

“Just out to receive some fresh air,” she lied, hugging him.

Petal, who was silent behind her all this while, bowed in greeting. They all walked inside.

Had Kamora watched her sister longer, she would have seen the loathing etched on her face as she took in her interaction with Lord Maroke.

***

The labor day finally arrived.

It was a gloomy one, as the rain fell throughout.

Lord Maroke was not around.

He and Greyson had gone for an impromptu meeting the previous day, but the pouring rain probably stopped them from making a quick return.

Kamora’s birth pangs began as thunder struck.

She had fallen to the floor of the passage leading to her and Lord Maroke’s quarters, and if not for a random maid passing, she would have lain there in pain.

Claudia and Petal quickly came to her aid upon hearing of her circumstances.

The whole manor was in a frenzy, shouts and maids running around disrupting its usual peaceful nature.

After over an hour of pain, Kamora finally gave birth to her son, whom she quickly named Jarosh.

Before she had the chance to hold him, she fainted.

She woke up in the deep of the night to find Petal humming to Jarosh, gently rocking him in her arms.

“You are awake,” she said, smiling.

Kamora smiled in return, and Petal walked over to her.

“Here, see him,” Petal said, leaning slightly so Kamora could carry her child.

“He is very handsome,” Kamora whispered. Her eyes lit with motherly love.

“He is the perfect combination of you and Lord Maroke. Your husband will be so happy.”

“Has he returned yet?”

“No,” Petal answered, her voice worried. “Perhaps something is holding them back. I know the lord has been looking forward to the birth of his child.”

“Do you think I should call for help?” Kamora said, trying to sit up. Petal gently pushed her down.

“Do not stress yourself too much. Your husband won’t like it. We will wait a while. If he doesn’t return this night, then you can ask for help.”

“I don’t know what I’ll be able to do without you, Petal,” Kamora said, smiling genuinely.

“You just have to treat me right, and I’ll be with you for as long as you like.” Petal winked, and they both laughed.

Kamora fed her child, and once he was full, Petal rocked him to sleep, placing the child in the small bed Lord Maroke had gotten for him months earlier.

Kamora asked for Petal’s help to stand, and together the two of them slowly walked out of the room.

The manor was quiet, not a person in sight.

Lamps had been lit to brighten the manor, and the hearth to keep it warm.

As Kamora and Petal walked toward the entrance hall, a maid rushed toward them, her eyes wide with fear.

“My lady, you are up,” she exclaimed.

Frowning, Kamora asked, “Where is Head Maid Claudia?”

“I don’t know where she is, but everyone has gone to bed, my lady. She is probably waiting for his Lordship to return.”

“Why are you shaking?” Petal asked, looking at the maid curiously.

“I—I have just gotten news. I was about to go look for Head Maid Claudia, but I bumped into you.”

“What news?” Kamora asked, frowning.

“L-Lord Maroke. He was in an accident. There is no telling if he will be able to make it this night.”