I Never Wanted His Child - Chapter 18
‧₊˚ ☁️⋅♡𓂃 ࣪ ִֶָ☾.
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Despite her legs still trembling, she managed to stand tall. She returned to her room wearing a gown, and everything was cleaned up as though nothing messy had happened.
Emilia walked over to the window and tried to open it, but it wouldn’t budge. Her forehead furrowed.
“Are they planning to keep me captive here?”
Were they afraid of her throwing herself out to die? She had been reckless, but after experiencing humiliation and shame, she didn’t want to die unjustly.
‘Think, Emilia. Think of a way to escape this place.’
Was there no other way except bearing a child?
She saw the look in Mikhail’s eyes when he called for Adrian. He didn’t regard Adrian as his lord.
He had led the rebellion more passionately than anyone else, but there was no loyalty as he looked at Adrian. There must be a different reason for welcoming her as his wife according to Adrian’s commands.
“I have to meet my father. There might be something I don’t know.”
But how?
Being confined to the Duke’s estate, it wasn’t easy for her to meet her father, who was imprisoned in the royal dungeon.
Emilia let out a sigh and sat down on the sofa, resting her head against it.
‘What’s the relationship between Adrian and the Duke, anyway?’
It seemed like he didn’t act under divine orders. The King’s word was absolute. Yet he was trying to deceive the King by not fulfilling his promise.
She raised her heavy eyelids, but she couldn’t find an answer.
* * *
“According to lady’s words, it seems the promise has been fulfilled.”
Lady Luther nodded and gestured for her to leave, but she still had an uneasy feeling.
“Mother, don’t press him too hard. He is just bound by a contractual relationship, it’s risky.”
“Well, you’re right. That’s why I can’t take my eyes off it. Is your position still unstable? Duke Loren hasn’t changed his intentions.”
“He needs to change his mind first for the others to follow suit.”
“True. That’s why we need to keep him close.”
Lady Luther’s eyes sparkled. She remembered how she acquired this power. She had no intention of giving up this hard-earned position.
“Duke Heinrich sided with us this time, but we don’t know how he will act once he achieves his goal. Do you trust him, Adrian?”
“I’m not sure. He seems like an honorable person, so I don’t think he would betray us.”
He seemed tired of thinking. He lay down on the bed after taking a sip of wine.
“Mother, maybe you should leave now. I could use some rest.”
“Adrian, I’m just saying this in case. Be careful, especially now. Don’t create unnecessary troubles.”
“I know. And I’m sure the nobles who don’t acknowledge me are gossiping behind my back. You probably know better than I do, Mother.”
“…..Don’t let it get to your head. They all just wish you well.”
“Yes, I know they wish me well. But, Mother, in your opinion, how do you find Emilia von Loren?”
“Adrian, you misspoke. It’s not Emilia von Loren; it’s Emilia von Heinrich. She is the wife of Duke Heinrich.”
Lady Luther’s expression turned fierce, and Adrian smirked, closing his eyes.
“You seem intrigued by that woman with red hair.”
“Adrian!”
“Don’t worry. I’m just as disgusted with having a mistress as you are. You know that better than anyone.”
“I guess I was overly sensitive. Rest now.”
Lady Luther suppressed her voice and left the room. Adrian finally opened his eyes and sat up.
“Emilia, Emilia, really? I shouldn’t have let an ignorant person take her.”
He sipped his wine again and it tasted unusually sweet today. A servant, who came at his call, waited for him to speak.
“Find out Emilia’s, no, Mrs. Heinrich’s schedule for tomorrow.”
If the two of them get too intimate as his mother suggested, it might be inconvenient.
***
Emilia faced her father through the bars. She had been groomed all morning and had ridden in a carriage with Byne on her way to the prison.
“Father…”
“Emilia, how did you… More importantly, you look all right?”
Though he was imprisoned in the royal dungeon, he was treated well, as if they were offering special treatment to a nobleman. Perhaps that’s why he looked so dignified despite being sentenced to prison by his own daughter.
“I will excuse myself for a moment. Please call the jailer when you are done with your conversation.”
“You, why… Never mind. We can talk about it later.”
Emilia nodded to Byne.
Was this a direct order from the Duke? But why did he…
A flood of thoughts overwhelmed her. When she sold herself to the Duke, what had her father been thinking? He must have had his reasons for doing it, but what were they?
Just as her mind raced with thoughts, Duke Loren finally spoke.
“Emilia, there was no other choice. Isn’t it better for you to be the Duke’s legitimate wife than Adrian’s mistress?”
