I Never Wanted His Child - Chapter 140
‧₊˚ ☁️⋅♡𓂃 ࣪ ִֶָ☾.
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“Well, it’s true that the way she speaks is reminiscent of you, but what can you do? If the one who raised her is like this, it’s only natural that she would grow up in the same manner.”
“Boestin.”
His gaze turned sharp. Emilia bit her lip, listening to their exchange.
‘This is so childish.’
As she listened, she realized just how childish it was.
Even though their expressions were serious, their bickering made them look like close friends.
Though neither of them would admit it, that’s how it appeared to her.
“It’s lunchtime.”
Emilia jumped up from her seat as if she had been waiting for this moment. It felt like their back-and-forth would go on forever, so she needed to change the subject.
“It seems like you two have a lot to discuss, so why not do it over lunch?”
“Oh! Are you inviting me?”
“Since you’re a guest, you should at least have a meal. I can’t let you leave without offering lunch.”
“There’s no need to be polite. Just send her off.”
“That’s your perspective, Your Grace, but my stance is a bit different.”
“If they came as my guests, then I can kick them out if I want to.”
“If that happens, it’ll be me who gets the blame.”
Emilia sighed. Suddenly, everyone seemed to be acting childish.
“Why are you being so grumpy?”
Although no one ever greeted her warmly, today felt particularly petty.
“Not really.”
Emilia ignored Mikhail. She figured that would bring an end to the bickering.
“Miss Boestin, would you mind waiting a bit?”
“Oh, of course! Thank you for inviting me to lunch. I’ll be happy to wait.”
Boestin treated Emilia with an attitude that contrasted sharply with Mikhail’s.
“If the seating is uncomfortable, I wouldn’t mind having tea in the garden.”
“Shall we? I’ll tell the maid to prepare it.”
Talking with Boestin would likely make time pass more quickly. Emilia had no reason to decline.
As Emilia smiled, Boestin returned it with a bright grin.
“You’re out and about despite not feeling well.”
“…”
Emilia glanced back at Mikhail, who spoke in a mocking tone. He was still furrowing his brow.
‘…What is he acting like this for?’
She couldn’t understand why he was behaving so petulantly.
At that moment, as Emilia stared at Mikhail in confusion, Boestin smiled brightly, marveling at something.
“Ah-ha.”
She intertwined her fingers, resting her chin on them, and flashed a bright smile at Mikhail.
“I’m looking forward to our tea time alone, Madam.”
It seemed she was deliberately provoking him.
* * *
Mikhail struggled to focus on his work.
“Since the king’s shadow is following us, be cautious about movements inside the estate.”
“I’ll relay that to everyone. Is there anything else we need to do?”
“Let it be. They’ll think I’m unaware that a shadow has attached itself to us.”
The king was foolish in that regard. Mikhail had led an army to rebellion himself. He had defeated the king’s forces, standing at the forefront and bringing everyone to their knees.
He was an exceptional knight, capable of reading the slightest signs from others.
No matter how much the other party was the king’s shadow, Mikhail had already fought against them and emerged victorious.
“Kartho, from now on, don’t let anyone into the estate without my permission.”
“Understood. I’ll be careful.”
“Send this quickly to Eponsen, and this one to the Spiegel newspaper.”
“Your Grace, I’m not trying to defy you, but I’m not sure if this is wise.”
“There’s no harm in it. If you find out what that woman said to me today, you’ll understand.”
Mikhail turned his chair to look out the window. The garden was visible, but the greenhouse was too far in to be seen.
“Is it bothering you?”
“She’s babbling about unnecessary things.”
“Madam isn’t one to worry about such things.”
“…Why not?”
At his retort, Kartho rolled his eyes.
“Because she doesn’t harbor any affection for you to the extent of being interested.”
“So it’s only me who’s changed, then.”
“It appears so. Even now, you’re concerned about Madam being with Miss Boestin, aren’t you?”
“Tell her not to worry; things will return to how they were. I’m just curious; she’s quite an odd woman.”
Mikhail recalled Emilia’s face as she laughed while talking with Boestin.
Just thinking of that smile made him feel strange. An indescribable flutter settled in his chest.
“…I’ve never seen a smile like that before.”
He muttered, recalling the unforgettable smile that lingered in his mind.
* * *
Duke Loren’s head had turned completely white.
“How can you be so heartless? She’s your daughter!”
The Duchess looked frustrated. She knew he was ambitious, but she hadn’t expected him to go this far.
“Lower your voice. You do realize that the servants here can hear everything we’re saying, right?”
“Is that really the issue right now?”
“The truth is, that girl is no longer our family. She belongs to Duke Heinrich now. Perhaps it’s time for you to get a grip on reality. If you barely survived a life-threatening crisis, you should have learned something from it.”
