The Hollow

Chapter 2. The Duchess Elera Winha

After the events of the previous night, the newborn heir was swiftly moved from the main Winha estate to the annex villa, Elera's domain. This sudden relocation sparked a new wave of rumors and speculation among the household staff. The estate staff noticed a distinct change in the annex villa. Two maids who accompanied the transfer were struck by the stark contrast between the annex villa's exterior and interior. While the outside had an ominous, haunted appearance, the inside was immaculately maintained - not a speck of dust to be found, shining with cleanliness and order. Even Alec, the Duke's seasoned butler, was taken aback by the transformation, barely recognizing the long-abandoned annex. Rumors about her unusual domestic arrangement quickly died down, as no one dared to question the duchess or suggest she hire additional staff - they were too fearful of the possibility of incurring her wrath and losing their positions. Even Oliver's previous wet nurse and nanny had been dismissed from their duties, further fueling the staff's curiosity.

Once the baby was settled into the master bedroom, Elera dismissed the butler and maids. She politely declined any further assistance, stating that she could handle the child's needs on her own. This display of self-reliance and control over the situation left a lasting impression on the departing staff. Alone with the infant, Elera closely examined his condition. Drawing upon her prior knowledge of childcare from her life on Earth, she quickly identified the root causes of the baby's poor health. Fortunately, she had been entrusted with the child's care before the issues escalated, positioning her to take immediate action towards his recovery.

Alec returned to the annex villa after fetching the items the Duchess Elera had requested. While he wondered what these supplies were for, he was reassured that the young master had been entrusted to Elera's care. Despite her intimidating demeanor, Alec observed that Elera clearly displayed a loving nature when it came to children - possibly, a hidden side she reserved for those she trusted or could be considered important to her. Given Elera's meticulous and nurturing qualities, Alec believed the young heir could thrive under her influence, growing into a capable future Duke, free from the potential negative sway of the Mohan household on his maternal side.

Elera set about preparing a specialized formula to nourish the sickly baby. Drawing on her knowledge from Earth, she crafted a nutrient-rich substitute for breast milk that would aid in the infant's swift recovery. With great care, she portioned the formula into clean, dry containers and secured them in a safe within the master bedroom.

Selecting one of the prepared bottles, Elera began to feed the baby. At first, the hungry infant suckled greedily, but Elera gently encouraged him to slow down, speaking to him in a loving tone. The baby responded, staring intently at his stepmother's face until he drifted off to sleep in her arms.

As Elera gazed upon the sleeping child, she recalled the details of the novel she had read, in which the character of Oliver was portrayed as a villain. However, she mused that such a handsome, innocent face could not be destined for villainy. "Such a handsome face to end up being a villain, that won't do with me, my dear," she whispered, kissing the baby's forehead before placing him in the crib beside her bed.

As she lays down to rest, her laughter, though muted to avoid disturbing Oliver, reflects the irony of her life's trajectory. Back on Earth, she had the freedom to explore romantic relationships and embrace singlehood. However, her life has now taken an unexpected turn. Now, she has assumed the role of a wife and a mother. This sudden transition from the familiar to the unfamiliar, from the independence of singlehood to the responsibilities of marriage and parenthood, must have been a profound and transformative experience to her. Her laughter, though tinged with a sense of irony, may also reflect her resilience and adaptability. She has embraced this new chapter of her life, where she has an "instant husband" and a child to care for.