Chapter 258: Bruises And Longing

Ivan’s sword was only inches away from Lydia.

For a moment, neither of them moved.

Lydia’s eyes widened as she stared at the sharp blade.

Ivan’s expression changed immediately. His eyes widened in horror.

"Lydia!"

He quickly pulled the sword away. He threw it onto the ground without even thinking about it and rushed toward her.

"Did I hurt you?"

His hands reached for her shoulders, but he stopped himself before touching her.

"Are you hurt?"

Lydia stared at him. She could see the panic returning to his eyes.

"No." She quickly shook her head. "I’m fine."

Ivan looked at her carefully.

"Are you sure?"

"Yes."

He looked at her from head to toe as if he was searching for even the smallest injury.

"I’m sorry." His voice was low. "I didn’t know it was you."

Lydia cleared her throat.

"It’s fine." She looked away. "I should have announced myself."

Ivan remained silent.

Lydia could feel the awkwardness between them.

Neither of them knew what to say.

The training ground became strangely quiet.

Ivan glanced at her.

Lydia looked at the ground.

Then she looked at him.

Their eyes met.

She quickly looked away again.

She did not know why her heart was beating so fast.

She had come here because she wanted to tell him she was fine. She had told herself that was all.

Yet now that she was standing in front of him, she suddenly felt nervous.

Her eyes moved over him.

Only then did she notice the small injuries on his arms.

There were scratches on his skin. A thin cut crossed the side of his hand. His clothes were soaked with sweat. There was also a small bruise near his shoulder.

Lydia looked away.

She suddenly felt uncomfortable.

Why was she even noticing these things?

She had come here to tell him something.

That was all.

"I actually came here because I have something important to discuss with you."

Ivan looked at her.

"What is it?"

Lydia opened her mouth.

Then she hesitated.

She had no idea why, but the words suddenly became difficult to say.

She looked at the sky.

"It is almost dinner time."

Ivan waited.

"We can discuss it during dinner."

His expression softened slightly.

"During dinner?"

"Yes." She nodded. "I will see you then."

She turned around.

"Lydia."

She stopped.

She looked back.

Ivan seemed as though he wanted to say something.

But after a moment, he simply said,

"All right."

Lydia nodded.

"Then I will take my leave."

She walked away.

Ivan remained where he was.

He watched her until she disappeared from his sight.

The moment Lydia turned the corner and was certain he could no longer see her, she stopped.

She placed one hand against her chest.

Her heart was beating too quickly.

"What is wrong with me?"

She closed her eyes.

"I must have lost my mind."

She had gone all the way to the training ground just to tell him she was fine.

And now she had invited him to dinner.

She slowly covered her face with her hands.

"Why did I do that?"

She took a deep breath.

"No."

She shook her head.

"It means nothing."

She lowered her hands.

"I only went because he was worried."

That was all.

At least, that was what she kept telling herself.

She turned around and continued walking.

She had barely gone far when she saw Xena coming toward her.

Xena immediately bowed.

"Your Highness."

Lydia nodded.

"Xena."

Xena looked at her face.

"Are you all right, Your Highness?"

"I’m fine."

Xena looked at her for another moment before nodding.

"Your bath has been prepared."

"Thank you."

Lydia continued toward her room.

She needed to calm down.

She needed to stop thinking about Ivan.

But somehow, the more she tried not to think about him, the more he filled her thoughts.

---

About an hour later, Lydia had just finished her bath.

She stood in front of the large mirror while Xena helped her get dressed.

The room was quiet.

Lydia stared at her reflection.

Her long blonde hair fell down her back.

She slowly placed a hand over her stomach.

She looked down.

Then she looked at herself again.

"It’s already starting to show."

Her voice was barely a whisper.

She was only about three months pregnant. Her stomach was still small. Most people would probably not notice anything yet.

But Lydia noticed.

She could feel the small changes in her body.

She knew her own body.

She knew that in a few more weeks, hiding it would become much harder.

Xena was behind her, carefully tying the back of her corset. She looked at Lydia through the mirror.

"Is everything all right, Your Highness?"

Lydia did not answer immediately.

Xena continued tying the corset.

"You are having dinner with His Highness tonight."

Lydia looked at her reflection.

"Yes."

"Why?"

Lydia remained quiet.

Xena hesitated before asking,

"Do you plan to tell him?"

Lydia’s eyes lowered.

"I don’t know."

The words came out quietly.

It sounded as though she was speaking more to herself than to Xena.

She looked down at her stomach again.

"I don’t know."

Xena finished tying the corset.

Lydia gently placed her hands over her stomach.

"You don’t have to worry." She looked at Xena through the mirror. "It’s not that visible yet."

"I can still hide it."

Xena’s expression became sad.

"Until when, Your Highness?"

Lydia said nothing.

"You may be able to hide it now," Xena continued in a low voice. "But in just a matter of weeks..."

She paused.

"It will be impossible."

Lydia remained silent.

Her eyes stayed fixed on her reflection.

She knew Xena was right.

She knew she could not hide her pregnancy forever.

Sooner or later, Ivan would know.

The thought made her chest tighten.

She looked down again.

Her fingers gently rested over her stomach.

What would happen when he found out?

She had no answer.

So she simply stood there.

Silent.

Lost in her thoughts.

---

In another room of the palace, Tatiana sat in front of her mirror.

She slowly brushed her long hair.

Her face looked calm.

But her mind was not.

The door opened.

Yelena walked inside.

"My Lady."

Tatiana looked at her through the mirror.

"Did you find anything?"

Yelena bowed.

"Yes, My Lady."

Tatiana stopped brushing her hair.

"What did you find?"

Yelena walked closer.

"I think Her Highness is hiding something."

Tatiana’s expression did not change.

"I know that."

She placed the brush down.

"That is why I asked you to find out what it is."

Yelena quickly bowed her head.

"Of course, My Lady."

She took a breath.

"Ever since Her Highness returned to the palace, something has changed."

Tatiana listened.

"Her servants have been reduced."

Tatiana frowned.

"Reduced?"

"Yes." Yelena nodded. "Normally, a Grand Duchess would have several servants and stewards attending to her."

"But now..."

She lowered her voice.

"I hear that only one maid attends to her regularly, along with Lady Anna and Lady Katherine."

Tatiana stared at her.

"That is strange."

"Very strange, My Lady."

Yelena looked around before continuing.

"And I think there is only one reason for it."

Tatiana’s fingers slowly tightened around the hairbrush.

"What reason?"

Yelena looked directly at her.

"Her Highness is pregnant."

The brush stopped moving.

Tatiana’s fingers tightened around it.

Harder.

And harder.

Her knuckles turned pale.

For a few seconds, she said nothing.

Her eyes slowly filled with tears.

Pregnant.

The word echoed inside her head.

She stared at her reflection.

Her lips trembled.

"No..."

A tear gathered in the corner of her eye.

She quickly blinked, but another followed.

Her grip on the brush became tighter.

Yelena watched her carefully.

"My Lady..."

Tatiana did not answer.

Her heart was breaking.

If Lydia was pregnant...

Then everything had changed.

Tatiana closed her eyes.

A tear slipped down her cheek.

She whispered,

"No..."

Her voice trembled.

"That can’t be true."

But deep inside, she already knew.

Something had changed.

And she was terrified of what it meant.