(EP-175.1) Exposed #4
175 – Exposed Under The Sun #4
What I had just heard sounded so surreal that it seemed like I was still dreaming.
At least, that was how I felt.
Elga’s shocking revelation was akin to witnessing the ground disappear before my eyes, as I floated away.
It was just… I couldn’t believe it…
Elga having a baby…
“… Is that really true?”
So I wanted to confirm whether I heard her right.
Considering Elga’s cat-like nature of playing with her prey, I suspected that perhaps she was lying to see my reaction.
But Elga, right now, looked quite solemn. In fact, she folded her arms and her expression turned sour as if my question had upsetted her.
“Is what really true? You think I’d lie about something like this?”
“No, it’s not that. It’s just that it doesn’t feel real.”
“It doesn’t feel real, huh? This funny little bastard. After irresponsibly dumping a lot inside… And now….”
It looked like she had more to say, but she ended it with a sigh.
“Whatever. I’ll have to get a checkup to get the details. But my period passed, and ‘that’ day did not come. I’m regular, so there shouldn’t be any delay.”
So she didn’t have her menstruation. Since Elga was a very active and healthy woman, her menstrual cycle was always on time and wouldn’t get delayed.
I asked, suppressing my shock.
“How long has it been?”
“I don’t know. I haven’t had a period in a few weeks.”
“Why didn’t you tell me earlier?”
“Well, I couldn’t find the time and chance to talk. And I wasn’t sure myself. It would have been ridiculous to speculate without certainty.”
As I thought about it, I remembered a time when Elga seemed eager to tell me something but stopped. She hesitated like it was some confession.
Maybe that was it? The timing also matched with a few weeks ago.
But just as Elga had said, she wasn’t sure herself. And it was only now that she was slowly accepting the fact.
“No wonder… So that’s why Elga-nim kept rummaging through my fridge like some stray cat. You were having pregnancy cravings.”
“… What? A stray cat!?”
Elga clenched both fists in anger, but quickly released her grip. I thought I was about to get smacked for sure, so this was quite surprising.
Seukseuk.
Elga awkwardly scratched her cheek.
“Well, as I said earlier, we’ll have to see after the check-up. But, as you know, my identity isn’t exactly covert.”
“That’s true.”
There was no one in Ark who didn’t know Elga.
After all, she was the descendant of the Lion King, a ruler of the continent. With blessed golden hair and blue eyes, and her outgoing personality, she shone like the bright Venus, attracting attention wherever she went.
“If I go to the doctor or a healer for some check-up, wouldn’t rumors start?”
“That’s only natural.”
“Then now you know why I’m only talking about this now?”
“I understand.”
“Although it would be best to bring in specialists from my family, I can’t do that. So, are there any underground specialists you know?”
“Are you talking about underground doctors working behind the scenes?”
“Yes.”
Someone with fiery-red hair immediately came to mind. It was Lady Kalira, who was working as a physician here.
In reality, she was someone I had discreetly placed in Ark as a spy of sort.
“Then I’ll get an examination for you.”
* * *
Elga and I visited the clinic in the main building.
Kalira was working there when I arrived. And as I closed the door, we looked at each other and she nodded in understanding.
“This, do you need a Ringworm Flower?”
“Ringworm Flower?”
What was that?
As I was combing through my botanic knowledge, Kalira opened a drawer and started to rummage through the medicinal materials in it.
“It’s an herb used for abortion. Luckily, there might be a few left. Let’s see….”
An herb used for abortion…
Elga was utterly shocked by the mention of such a prescription.
“I don’t need that-!”
Kalira closed the drawer at Elga’s hasty objection. She then took off her non-prescription glasses and tucked them into her gown pocket.
“I see… I thought you were in need of one. Young couples coming in with serious faces usually have requests like that.”
Kalira, who had worked as an illegal herbalist and pharmacist in the back alleys, seemed to carry various experiences. However, we were not here for such reasons; we were just here for an examination.
I then said.
“We’re just here for an examination. Also, it needs to be done discreetly, secretive, and confidential. Do you understand?”
“Of course. I always protect my clients’ secrets. Well then, Miss, let’s start with a simple check. This is a brush made from Nymph hair.”
Swooshswoosh.
Kalira gently brushed the crimson brush on Elga’s palm. But it just made Elga confused.
“… What is this?”
“Seeing that there is not much response, let’s change methods. Less than 2 months…. Okay, just a moment.”
After rummaging through the drawer, Kalira took out a sprayer. After shaking the solution inside, she sprayed it in front of Elga’s face.
“Agh, achoo-!”
Elga sneezed as if her nose was tickled. In response, Kalira simply nodded and said, “As expected.”
Curious, I asked.
“What’s the result?”
“It’s my vision potion. It has a special magical effect on new mothers who haven’t had a child for long. It triggers an allergic reaction.”
“So, the sneeze just now…?”
“Hm~ That’s right.”
Edited by: faker
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