Nina's eyes were wide with disbelief as if she was about to devour the very air between them. Mira stood before her, shamelessly brazen, the embodiment of thick-skinned audacity. Nina even suspected that Mira had sneakily studied the art of being shameless.
But Mira wasn't the reading type. Crack open a book, and she'd be snoring in minutes, not to mention she'd hardly understand a word if she did manage to stay awake. No, Mira was all about play.
Aurelia watched the two girls' playful tussle with great amusement, giggling with delight. Little girls were just so adorable. She herself had started trying for a baby, hoping for a daughter, but the roll of the genetic dice was anyone's guess.
Another son would be a bit of a disappointment. She was set on having just one child, and too many pregnancies could take a toll on a woman's health. Maybe she should seek out an old wives' tale or some sort of charm guaranteed to deliver a daughter.
Just then, Lisbeth suddenly clutched her mouth, retching slightly.
Sheryl turned to her with concern, "Sweetie, are you pregnant?"
Lisbeth's shoulders shook a tiny bit as she replied, "No, it's not that. Just a bit of indigestion, probably from those pickled plums I had last night. I've just finished my period."
With that explanation, Sheryl didn't press further, offering a smile instead, "I thought we had some good news on the way."
She looked back at Aurelia, "You and Leopold are planning to try for another, right?"
"Yeah," Aurelia nodded, "Hoping for a girl this time."
Sheryl smirked, "You've got a boy, so now you're hoping for a girl. If you didn't have a son, I bet you'd be praying for one every night."
Aurelia smiled lightly, "Rather than praying, why not take action? As the lady of the house, I have the right to propose changes to the family charter. Why not use it? The old days of favoring sons over daughters are long gone. Men might look down on us women, but we certainly shouldn't belittle each other. I've drafted a proposal to change the charter, starting with Kane's generation. Legitimate daughters will have inheritance rights before secondary sons."
Sheryl's eyes sparkled with intrigue, and she was seeing a different side to Aurelia, one of decisive action.
"Do you think it will pass?" Sheryl asked.
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