Her Graceful War Song

With Carissa and Violet present, and Abigail also pleading for Sebastian to stay in the delivery room to save Leona, the people in the outer room didn't dare to voice their opinions. Though Heather hesitated at first, after seeing her daughter's breathing becoming shallow,

she panicked and silently acquiesced.

Sebastian focused solely on the task at hand. At this point, saving the child was no longer an option. The priority was to save Leona, so he had to be bolder with his acupuncture. After feeding her a Snowdrop Pill and a Heartshield Pill, he ordered an increase in the dosage of the labor-inducing medication.

Gavin, the royal physician, felt his heart race at the thought of such boldness. But since he had heard of the pills' efficacy, he kept his opinions to himself. Besides, he was behind the partition screen and had no way of knowing which acupoints Sebastian had inserted needles into. If Gavin had seen, he would have been even more astonished.

Sebastian pulled out two traditional concoctions, Bloodmusk and Heartsage, to be used. When the smell of the Bloodmusk concoction filled the room, the onlookers paled at the scent. Bloodmusk had to be administered at a precise dosage, or it would affect not only a woman's current pregnancy, but also her future ones.

When Gavin heard what medicines Sebastian was using, he could only think that the famed physician was grasping at straws in a hopeless situation.

Finally, after much effort, Leona's cervix finally opened.

The previous doses of Snowdrop Pills and Heartshield Pills began to take effect. The initially exhausted Leona slowly began to regain her strength. The golden needle inserted into her acupoints caused her uterus to contract violently, and she felt a strong pulling sensation downward. The midwife urged Leona to push. The duchess clenched her teeth and exerted every ounce of strength she had left. After much struggle, the baby finally made its way out.

Sebastian had already turned and stepped outside, leaving Ivy and the midwife to handle the aftermath.

Leona had given birth to a boy. But sadly, the baby was lifeless, his body bruised.

As Abigail gazed at the baby's features, which bore a striking resemblance to Samuel. she couldn't hold back a soft sob.

Heather's tears flowed uncontrollably as she looked at the baby. "Oh, my poor grandson!"

Sebastian coldly said, "You might want to pity your poor daughter first."

Signs of heavy bleeding were already apparent, a consequence of the previous excessive use of blood-circulating medicine. Now, they needed to use medication to clot the blood and apply acupuncture to stop the blood flow. In other words, while the baby had been delivered, Leona's life still hung in the balance.

Carissa sat anxiously at the head of

the bed as she held her cousin's hand. Leona had already passed out, and Ivy was diligently administering the needed treatment. She was working through Leona's acupoints under Sebastian's instructions, following his every word.

Violet felt numb all over. Before coming here, she had expressed her fear of witnessing childbirth, but the urgent situation made her push her dread aside. All she could focus on was hoping that the duchess would be fine. However, Violet witnessed Leona repeatedly teeter on the brink of death. Even now, she was still not out of danger yet.

Violet felt her heart ache. Why did it have to be this way? If Leona was in this condition for someone worthy perhaps it would make the situation better. But why did she have to endure this agony for such an unworthy scumbag? Even now, it was uncertain if she would live through this.

It wasn't worth it-not at all..

Violet had already been contemplating a life without marriage, and now, she felt even more certain. This world didn't allow women to remain unmarried, yet it was even less forgiving of those who married but failed to bear children.

Violet's body belonged to her, her

future was hers to shape, and her life was her own. She would never

entrust everything to an

maul

man. No one deserved such a sacrifice from her, not even the one she loved. If the man truly cared for her, he wouldn't want her to suffer like this. If he disagreed with her decisions, it only proved he didn't love her enough. NôvelDrama.Org content.

Why should Violet settle for less?

But she understood that not everyone would make the same choices she had. She could afford to think this way because she had enough backing-the Inferno Guild would always be her home.

So many women didn't have that luxury.

She recalled Carissa mentioning the idea of starting an academy for women. At that time, Violet had argued that a martial arts class would be more beneficial, allowing women to learn self-defense and avoid being bullied in the future. But at its core, the real change had to come from altering mindsets. Carissa was right.

Violet resolved then and there to support Carissa in establishing the academy, both in terms of manpower and money.

But for now, their priority was for Leona to escape danger and survive this ordeal.