After I died, my personal maid rebelled.

Dark clouds loomed over the city outside the window, and a fierce summer storm swept through the streets. People ran in the rain, and the pattering rain poured into the room, wetting the fluttering curtains.

The maids quickly locked the windows, and the wind subsided a little. Alene, who was half-lying on the bed, stared blankly at the trees rustling in the storm.

For a moment, the maids drew the curtains, quietly waiting for Lady Elene to look away.

Finally, the torrential rain blurred the windowsill, and the world suddenly became a world of rain. Accompanied by lightning splitting the clouds, and amidst the lingering thunder, Elin spoke.

"My child seems to be about to be born."

Her tone was calm, as if she were discussing the nice weather with young girls, but this simple sentence was enough to sound the alarm for the entire city.

The clatter of leather boots echoed within the Duke's mansion. Umbrellas drifted from the mansion into the courtyard, and by the time they emerged from the gate, the streets were filled with galloping imperial guards.

In the medical department building, Jenny seemed to sense something and put down the medicine in her hand. She had already noticed the neighing of the warhorses.

Horses are forbidden to run in Ice City, and even carriages must slow down. Such special circumstances indicate either an urgent war or a major event within Ice City.

Jenny, who had been keeping track of the day, quickly slung her medical bag over her shoulder. Just as she, Evelyn, and the other two nuns reached the entrance of the medical department, the Duke's carriage came to a smooth stop.

"You're a tormentor."

Rushing to the Duke's mansion, the first-floor hall was filled with officials of all ranks. Not daring to waste any time, Jenny ran up to the second floor without saying goodbye to anyone.

Pushing open the door, I saw Elena, heavily pregnant, standing on the carpet, slowly stretching her body.

"It's not me torturing you, my child is your child. Remember that, it's your daughter who's torturing you." With her eyes closed, Elena kept adjusting her breathing. When Jenny arrived, she also breathed a sigh of relief.

"Alright, alright, he's my child. Now go lie down on the bed."

After putting down her handbag, Jenny wiped her wet bangs, turned around and instructed the maids to prepare towels and hot water, and also to keep the arriving crowd quiet.

"Open the window, let me get some fresh air."

As the pain intensified, a fine layer of sweat appeared on Elena's forehead. Upon hearing the order, Evelyn quickly walked to the window and opened it, the sounds of wind and rain dispelling the stuffiness in the room.

Lifting up Elena's skirt, Jenny, who had to check her dilation every now and then, was on high alert. "Don't strain too much later. Just follow your body's instincts. Don't tense yourself up. Relax when you need to."

"I understand... Why are you more nervous than I am?"

Elena looked up at her, smiled, and her long, flowing crimson hair resembled a bewitching rose.

"Don't laugh at me, there's someone even more nervous at the door."

Pointing to the closed door, Jenny knew who it was without even being told, because she could already hear Luna's incoherent prayers.

Luna will try to use her connections to pray to her brother as a savior.

"Speaking of which, when the old duke was still alive, he always looked forward to the birth of a new generation of members. At that time, the ducal mansion was decorated with goddess-themed decorations everywhere. I really don't understand whether they believed in the religion or not."

Life is unpredictable, and the Duke could never have imagined that the top student from the Central Academy he recruited would one day become the mistress of the family and give birth to his granddaughter.

The labor process was long, and Jenny, who was checking on Elena's condition again, casually asked, "Is it because of the early death of the eldest son that the Duke and the others started to believe in the goddess?"

"Who knows? Ornaments can't prove a person's true feelings. The mysteries of our Northern Territory are no less than those outside..."

Her words trailed off, and Alene took a deep breath, a warm sensation flowing through her. "Let's not talk about this anymore. Our daughter seems to have a rather impatient nature!"

……

Luna had no idea how she got through those twenty-six minutes.

The book said that first-time mothers often need several hours to give birth. But the room was too quiet; if it weren't for Jenny's constant announcements about arranging the delivery, Luna would have thought Elena was asleep.

No, at least say something! Sister-in-law, do you know how scary it is when you don't say a word?

We're giving birth, not going to war. Even a single cry of pain from you is acceptable!

Every passing minute was agonizing for Luna, as she had no idea what was happening inside. The people downstairs outside the door dared not even breathe, and only the howling of the wind and rain could be heard inside the mansion.

Finally, a cry broke the silence of the ice city, followed by deafening cheers. Everyone excitedly embraced and shouted. No matter what kind of person this child will become in the future, at least at this moment, countless people offered their most sincere blessings for her birth.

"Octavia, His Highness the Duke said that a name accompanies a person throughout their life, so it shouldn't be too childish. Even children grow old one day."

Jenny wrapped the crumpled baby in a breathable towel, picked up the crying Octavia, and smiled, "Yes, she will definitely have a fulfilling life from now on."

The two smiled at each other, but after taking the child from Jenny, Elena only cared for him for a short while before gesturing for Jenny to take him away quickly.

"It's too noisy. Can you put her in your room and bring her back after she's finished crying?"

"..."

Jenny reluctantly picked up the child again. "I have to stay with you and see if there are any other problems. Besides, everyone outside is waiting to hold their babies, and their outstretched hands haven't been disinfected."

Fortunately, thoughtful old George had already prepared a crib. As Jenny put the baby in, she gave Elena various instructions.

"Feed her when she's hungry, but don't overfeed her. After feeding, hold her upright for a while to prevent spitting up. Don't rock her to sleep, and definitely don't rock her around. Let her sleep in her own bed, preferably on her side. It's normal for babies to sleep for a while and wake up for a while, and they don't distinguish between day and night, so you'll have to work a little harder to make sure she doesn't sleep for too long at a time and makes sure she gets enough nutrition."

Alini's head ached from listening. She slowly turned over and covered her ears with a pillow. "Why say so much? You'll stay here for the next two months to keep me company and take care of the kids. I'm not feeling well and need to rest."

"Okay, you lie down and rest. I'll take care of you."

It's normal for new mothers to experience all sorts of emotions, so Jenny remained incredibly patient. In a few days, once Alene and her baby have more and more physical contact, it'll be impossible for anyone to take the child away from her.

The nuns and maids were instructed to clean the room thoroughly, while Evelyn, the witch on the other side, had also set up jars of herbs to disinfect and deodorize. Jenny held Octavia's small hand, and warm life magic gently blew over her entire body.

As she rolled over, Elena's mood gradually calmed down. She heard Luna downstairs constantly arranging for people to prepare for a city-wide banquet. It seemed that everyone in the Duke's mansion was happier than her, his mother.

"Can I take good care of her, Jane?"

Hearing this, Jenny smiled faintly, stood up, and took Alene's hand. "The fact that you think this way shows that you've realized your responsibilities as a mother, but love can be distorted, Alene. Just as we can't become our ideal selves, we can't just put in the effort to be good parents."