I Never Wanted His Child - Chapter 62
‧₊˚ ☁️⋅♡𓂃 ࣪ ִֶָ☾.
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Mikhail climbed into the carriage. It was the first time they had met since yesterday’s incident.
Perhaps because of that incident, Emilia’s face still looked troubled.
He continued to stare at her bare fingers.
Emilia, with a vacant expression, seemed lost in thought.
‘Did Dahlia go to the main house?’
He wasn’t sure what they talked about, but it was clear that it wasn’t good for her.
Tsk. He clicked his tongue lightly.
“You’re not planning to enter the ballroom with that dumbfounded look, are you?”
“…The guests won’t even care that I’m there, so don’t worry.”
“There won’t be any issue as long as I’m with you.”
She snorted softly at his firm statement but didn’t argue.
“I hope we won’t need to rent the entire lounge this time.”
“…Don’t even expect it.”
Emilia cut him off sharply.
Today’s dress did not reveal her neckline. Her long hair, seemingly deliberately let down to hide it, flowed down her back. Her hair was loosely tied with a white satin ribbon.
Red hair with a white ribbon. The dress, made of a subtle sky-blue fabric, was delicately embroidered with flowers.
“Please behave like a gentleman.”
“What have I done?”
“You’re staring at my hair. Planning to grab it and mess it up like yesterday?”
Her animosity was evident. However, her normally sparkling green eyes seemed unusually tame today.
It was as if they had lost their usual fire.
Gone was the predatory look in her eyes, replaced by unease and tension.
“It seems too messy already to bother with.”
“That’s a relief.”
She responded promptly. Mikhail chuckled softly.
Seeing her retort, it seemed she was back to her usual self.
* * *
The ball was still chaotic. Emilia barely managed to lift the corners of her trembling mouth as she responded to greetings.
“Thank you for the invitation, Madam Ablio.”
“Not at all. We’re grateful that you and the Duke could attend. Today, in addition to the public lounge, private rooms are also available.”
Emilia’s face flushed. She cleared her throat and said.
“We won’t need a private room. Nothing Madam worried about will happen. The incident the other day was an accident.”
“Ho ho. I understand. Though you haven’t had your wedding ceremony, you’re newlyweds in the throes of passion.”
“Madam Ablio.”
Emilia sighed and called her.
“Everyone understands. Madam Kerren might not have, but I’m quite tolerant of love.”
Madam Ablio interpreted the sigh differently, winking with one squinted eye. At this, Emilia gave up explaining.
She was annoyed with Mikhail, who stood beside her without saying a word.
“At least the Duke doesn’t go to places like the Aria Public House. What a good husband.”
“Is that place still not closed?”
“If that place disappears, the gentlemen might feel as though the sky has collapsed.”
Madam Ablio said, shaking her head.
Aria Public House was a gambling den, also known for its secretive exchange of information.
Though most focused on the latter, it was common for roles to be reversed.
Those addicted to gambling squandered their fortunes, and their wives had to sell valuables to barely keep their estates.
“Is Count Ablio a member of the Elta Club?”
“Of course. The Count only frequents the Elta Club.”
Madam Ablio proudly puffed out her chest, clearly proud of the association with Elta Club which was mainly joined by high nobility.
“It makes no difference whether it’s a social club or a gambling house.”
“Isn’t Your Grace a member of the Elta Club?”
“I was. But, Madam, I heard rumors about seeing the Count in Delphora Street the other night.”
“…Ho ho. That can’t be. The Count hasn’t gone out at night recently, except for attending the Elta Club.”
“How odd. There were no Elta Club meetings this month.”
Madam Ablio’s face turned pale at Mikhail’s words.
“You must be mistaken, Your Grace. I just remembered an urgent matter… Please enjoy the ball.”
She hastily left and Mikhail burst into laughter watching her retreat.
“What a spectacle.”
“Your Grace, you’re terrible. Did you really hear that rumor?”
“Do you think I’d lie?”
“Yes, unfortunately, I saw the expression.”
Despite being on the same side, the Duke was strangely unsympathetic towards the loyalist faction. His attitude subtly displayed disdain towards Madam Ablio.
“About that.”
He began to speak softly but was interrupted by a group approaching.
“Duke. May I have a word? Do you have a moment?”
“I’m fine, please go ahead and talk.”
Emilia excused herself with a forced smile. As she distanced herself from the Duke, a few ladies who had shown interest in her started to approach.
