Chapter 2

Tasha held me tightly, shouting anxiously, "Empress!"

Phillip hurried over and supported me, asking, "What's wrong, Jenna?"

I stood up straight, glancing at the woman as I responded, "Nothing, I must have been standing too long and felt a bit unsteady."

"You are pregnant. You don't need to come out personally to meet me. It's not like I can't find you myself. Are you worried I might run away?" Phillip scolded with concern.

I ignored his worried scolding and instead asked, "Your Majesty, who is this lady?"

Phillip smiled and called the woman over to introduce her, saying, "This is Gail Wood. She's an extraordinary woman, knowledgeable in astronomy and geography. Thanks to her, I was able to quickly subdue the rebels."

I sized her up, thinking Gail was an unusual name.

Gail smiled charmingly, with no hint of nervousness, and said, "You must be the Empress. His Majesty often mentions you."

Phillip added with a smile, "She has a lively personality and great talent. I want to keep her here to help the Kingdom. What do you think, Jenna?"

I didn't understand why he was asking my opinion about keeping Gail. He could decide that on his own.

Then he continued, "There have never been female officials, and I cannot set a precedent. I want to keep her in the court as a maid to offer advice."

So that was it. No wonder he sought my opinion.

Phillip had never kept a harem and was only attended by eunuchs, not maids.

Wanting to keep Gail by his side, he asked for my opinion.

Before I could say anything, Gail smiled and said, "Your Highness, don't worry. I seek only one true love for life and will not compete with you for His Majesty's affection."

I involuntarily tightened my grip on Phillip's hand.

Gail was a time traveler.

I smiled and said, "Miss Wood, you were brought here by the His Majesty for your talent. I wouldn't think otherwise."

Despite my smile, my heart couldn't help but feel a pang of bitterness.

Appreciate her talent?

Then why let her sit in the carriage so easily?

I didn't believe Phillip valued her just for her talent.

I asked the system, "Why are there time travelers in this era?"

The system replied that it didn't know and that maybe there was a spatial disruption.

Spatial disruption. It disrupted my heart too.

Since Phillip placed Gail in the court as a maid, he spent less and less time with me.

Tasha told me that Gail had proposed many good ideas for the kingdom, which greatly impressed Phillip.

Unable to hold back, I instructed Tasha to have the kitchen make a soup and, despite my large belly, took it to Phillip.

Before I reached the door, I heard Gail's charming laughter inside. "Your Majesty, you're skilled. I can't win against you."

Phillip's deep voice rang out. "The more you play this game of Go, the more you understand its intricacies. Who knew Go could be played this way? Gail, you are indeed talented and thoughtful."

I stood in a daze, the food box in my hand slipping to the ground.

He addressed her so intimately.

Tasha, supporting me, exclaimed, "Your Highness!"

The two inside heard the commotion and immediately came out.

Phillip saw me and the fallen food box, paused, then quickly walked over, asking anxiously, "You're far along. You shouldn't bring food to me yourself. Are you hurt?"

He pulled me into his arms, carefully checking me over.

I gazed blankly at Gail and said, "Your Majesty, I'm fine. I just wanted to bring you some food since you've been working hard lately."

"If I'm hungry, I can have the kitchen send food. You're pregnant and should be careful. Don't tire yourself and our baby." Phillip gently touched my belly, "Don't wear yourself out."

I nodded stiffly.

Phillip seemed to sense something was wrong and asked softly, "Jenna, are you upset because I've been too busy to see you?"

I shook my head slightly. "I know you're busy with state affairs. I won't disturb you and Miss Wood. I'll take my leave."

I pulled away from Phillip's embrace and took Tasha's hand.

Phillip looked stunned, then worriedly asked, "Jenna, are you upset because you heard me playing Go with Gail?"

Seeing me remain silent, he quickly explained, "We had just finished discussing state matters and played a couple of games to relax."

I pulled away from his hand, lowering my eyes. "Your Majesty, I'm fine. Miss Wood is helping the kingdom, and I won't think otherwise. I'm just a bit tired and want to rest."

"You do need more rest in your condition. If you need anything, just send word. Don't come personally," Phillip gently reassured me.

I nodded slightly and turned to leave, holding Tasha's hand.

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Chapter 3

Phillip didn't keep me. He and Gail went back into the hall.

I took a few steps and stopped. From inside, I heard Gail's confused voice, "What's wrong with Her Highness? Why did she drop the food box? Is it because she heard us playing Go?"

"Of course not." Phillip laughed softly to comfort her, "She's just tired from being pregnant. It's not your fault."

The tender tone he used was the same one he used with me before.

Now through the intricate windows, he spoke so gently to another woman.

Tasha couldn't help but mumble, "His Majesty and that girl are too close."

I said nothing and kept walking. From afar, I heard Gail ask, "Is being pregnant really that tiring?"

Phillip replied, "You'll know when you're pregnant."

Pregnant? With whose child?

My heart broke and was bleeding.

In just a month, the man who once promised me a lifetime together now gently comforted another woman, afraid of hurting her feelings.

What about my feelings?

Could Phillip still see my heart?

Phillip told me to send for him if I needed anything.

When I felt pain and worry, I sent for him once.

But he didn't come. The doctor did.

The doctor took my pulse and asked, "Has Your Highness been overly worried and sleepless lately?"

I nodded slightly.

He continued, "You're near your due date. You mustn't overexert yourself or be too emotional. I'll prescribe some medicine that won't harm the baby. Please take care."

"Thank you, doctor."

I had Tasha escort him out and then asked her, "What was His Majesty doing when you delivered the message?"

Tasha said nothing, just lowering her head.

A wild thought crossed my mind, mixed with panic and anger.

I smashed my cup and demanded, "What did you see? Speak!"

Tasha stammered, "I... I saw His Majesty painting eyebrows for Miss Wood."

My hand slipped from the table. I found it hard to believe.

Painting eyebrows...

Phillip used to paint my eyebrows, stroking my hair and saying, "Jenna, look, we're a perfect match."

I smiled at the mirror and saw his tender expression.

"I'd paint your eyebrows for a lifetime," he said.

But now, as I carried his child, he was painting another woman's eyebrows.

I was heartbroken.

I could hardly breathe and yelled at Tasha, "Quick, send for the doctor."

My pregnancy complications were severe, and Phillip rushed over when he heard.

Seeing me pale and weak, he furiously scolded the maids, "Is this how you care for the Empress? If anything happens to her, you'll all pay with your lives!"

The maids were terrified and silent.

Phillip turned to Tasha, trembling. "What happened to her? Tell me!"

"Her Highness..." Tasha stammered, too scared to speak.

"What happened?" Phillip's anger was palpable, and the air was tense.

Tasha, in tears, sobbed, "Her Highness asked what you were doing, and I told her that you were painting Miss Wood's eyebrows."

Phillip's anger faltered. He rushed to my side, touching my face. "Jenna, did this upset you?"

I said nothing, gripping the quilt. Tears streamed down my face.

"Jenna, don't cry," he murmured, kissing my tears away. "You misunderstood. She was trying out a new eyebrow pencil and asked me to test it."

"Don't cry, it pains me," he said, rubbing his face against mine. "Nothing is going on between us. Don't overthink it."

I still didn't respond, just kept crying.

Phillip, helpless, turned to Tasha and shouted, "How dare you spread rumors?"

His anger peaked. "Guards! Take her out and execute her."