I Never Wanted His Child - Chapter 33
‧₊˚ ☁️⋅♡𓂃 ࣪ ִֶָ☾.
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Emilia woke up after several days of suffering. She had to prepare for the banquet before fully recovering.
“Are you really okay?”
“If I say I won’t go now, there will be even more talk.”
Her pale face looked even paler. Dell helped Emilia with her dressing, and she looked a lot more like her usual self when she added some color to her cheeks. She gazed at her changing face in the mirror.
“I heard that His Grace won’t be accompanying you today.”
“Well, that’s a relief.”
“…Milady, the place you’re going to today is the Kerren family’s estate.”
“If it were the Kerren Marquisate, it wouldn’t be as easy.”
With the Ablio County, it’s different. They are always ready to trample and eliminate anyone in their way. They would even fabricate crimes if necessary. The power that enables this is likely backed by the current monarch, Adrian.
It didn’t matter that she was the Duchess; no one would treat her as such.
These people, who were like thorns in her side, would trample and remove her from their sight no matter what. Even if they had to falsely accuse her of crimes. The power behind this was likely the current king, Adrian.
It didn’t matter that she was the wife of a duke. No one would treat her as such.
“But they can’t be too reckless. Your title is better than nothing, milady!”
“There’s only one reason they sent me an invitation. It’s to show the strength of their influence by getting the duke to come there. They sent me an invitation for some secondary reason.”
“Then how about asking the Duke for a favor? If you go alone… Oh, just the thought of it hurts my heart.”
“Dell, how long have you been working at the duke’s estate?”
“Not too long. This is my first time coming to the main house.”
She could tell. It must have been difficult for Dell to come to the main house.
“I received a recommendation from the Duke’s estate, but there was no one to lead me, and no one with any influence. Even I know it’s absurd to ask the Duke for a favor, milady.”
“But even so, to say such things is quite impressive.”
“Well, everyone was murmuring about it.”
Emilia tilted her head to the side.
Dell covered her mouth slightly with her hand and spoke softly.
“They say Duke Heinrich is ruthless and beautiful, but if he opens his mouth, even his face takes a hit.”
“Heh.”
Emilia chuckled for the first time since coming to the Duke’s estate.
“Isn’t it that someone with a beautiful heart is more valuable than someone with a beautiful appearance?”
“How nice it would be if others thought the same as you. Interpersonal relationships are more complicated than you think. So from their perspective, I must be nothing short of an unwelcome guest.”
“Did Lady Dahlia answer the two families to make things difficult for you?”
“Perhaps she did.”
No, she definitely intended to make things difficult. Dahlia seemed to genuinely dislike her. The lingering questions continued to haunt her.
With no proper wedding ceremony and no attendance from the Duke, her position at the banquet was all but nonexistent. It was all about restraining her to prevent another civil war and to sway those who sided with the first prince to her side.
If there were those who didn’t know that, she wanted to tell them to quickly get out of this wretched political center and find a place where they could live comfortably, cultivate their territory, and hold banquets, living a carefree life full of laughter and joy.
“But you never know, he might change his mind and come along…..”
“That’s unlikely, Dell.”
Emilia had no intention of asking him to come along. She was determined not to seek his help.
Once her preparations were complete, she headed with the carriage to the banquet hall alone.
Suddenly, she stood in front of the carriage and turned her head to look towards his office, as if staring at him through the rain. But this time, her gaze was different from before.
* * *
“Kartho.”
“Yes, Your Grace.”
“Can this office be seen from outside?”
“The office is located on the third floor, so it’s unlikely that it can be seen from the outside. You might catch a glimpse of the silhouette, but that’s about it.”
Mikhail took a deep sip of his tea, savoring the bittersweet aroma that spread in his mouth.
“Is there something bothering you?”
“I keep catching eyes with her. It’s strange.”
“What do you mean?”
Like last time, he seemed to know she was staring at him again this time.
“When do you plan to depart?”
“When something interesting comes up.”
He would have to leave soon after Emilia arrived at the Kerren Marquisate. “Something interesting” his master referred to the situation that would trouble the Madam.
“Well, then, prepare to leave immediately. If she goes alone without an escort, it’s likely that the events the Duke desires will unfold as soon as you arrive.”
“Hmm.”
He didn’t rush, even at Kartho’s urging. He just gazed at the single carriage leaving the Duke’s estate.
“She’s the woman who threatened to kill herself right after waking up and stood in the rain until she collapsed. So this should be nothing for her.”
“…”
“So, there’s no rush. The entertainment won’t be late.”
“Understood.”
“Keep a close eye on Dahlia so she doesn’t cause any trouble while I’m away.”
Amidst the smoke, his red eyes were visible. There was a hint of curiosity, a somewhat expectant gaze, which puzzled Kartho.
