My Perfect Omega - Chapter 24
“Really, it’s miraculous. Why would the Duke bother with someone like you?”
Timo, who had pretended to be a loving brother in front of her room, also jeered.
“Be quiet!”
Leila wished she could return to her room immediately, but her father had forbidden even that after Lucas left. Benjamin muttered with undisguised displeasure.
“Just like your mother, you act shamelessly around any alpha.”
Leila wished so hard that not only her eyes but also her ears could shut off to block out the familiar yet unpleasant words she had heard so often.
“Omegas are all vulgar. Just look at what you did the moment you were allowed out!”
Benjamin’s angry words were echoed by Amelie and Timo nearby.
“That’s right, Father. Keeping Sister in her room really helps our family.”
“Dad, what if driving away the Duke like that was wrong?”
Amelie whined to Benjamin with a coquettish tone. She was still soaked in the thrill of having seen the Duke up close for the first time.
“It felt like seeing an angel descend from the heavens. From head to toe, he was overflowing with nobility. How wonderful would it be to marry such a person?”
“Would he even marry? Women line up for him without him even trying. If I were him, I’d just play around then find a proper woman for a political marriage. It makes sense why he hasn’t married yet.”
Amelie and Timo’s comments caused Benjamin to unusually snap at his children.
“Such foolish things! How many times must I tell you? Alphas are no different from beasts in heat. Nobility? That’s just on the surface.”
“Oh, Dad. Even if you dislike the Duke, that’s just not true.”
“No, Sister. Even their rut periods are impressive. Ah, I wish I had been born an alpha…”
“Timo von Este!”
Benjamin shouted at Timo.
He truly detested alphas. No, he despised them.
“Alphas are experts at being pretentious. Amelie, you should look for a man who is as dependable as your father.”
“Tch.”
Leila wanted to cover her ears at the vulgar words she didn’t want to hear. She desperately hoped that they would just say what they needed and let her go.
But then, she heard the door open.
“Oh, are you all gathered here? But why didn’t you come to meet me?”
Leila clenched the hem of her dress at the arrival of the melodious voice.
“Mom! Do you know who visited today?”
“The Duke of Bavenberg has been here, Mother. If you had returned a little earlier, you might have met him!”
“Welcome back, dear.”
“Yes, I’m back.”
Leila might have been excluded from a seemingly harmonious family. She felt isolated again, looking down.
As a child, she had wanted to be recognized as part of this harmonious family, to be called upon and not forgotten, as she too was their family.
She would have done anything to be acknowledged. She would have given away her late mother’s keepsakes if it meant being accepted as a family member.
“The Marchioness asked me to stay for dinner, but I declined and said that I’m already missing my dear husband.”
“Hoho, well done. Dinner should indeed be a family affair.”
“Mom, did you hear the Duke of Bavenberg visited?”
“Yes, a great person has been here.”
“Mother, that’s not the end of the story. It’s important that he came looking for this blind fool.”
At Timo’s insult, Sarah, the lady of the Este family, frowned and scolded him.
“Such expressions are not appropriate to call your sister, Timo.”
“Yes, yes.”
Timo’s indifferent reply prompted Sarah to gently take Leila’s hand, who felt isolated.
“Don’t be hurt by your younger brother’s foolish actions, Leila.”
As a child, Leila had been hopeful whenever Sarah treated her kindly, believing she could be loved just like her own children.
But now, knowing Sarah better, Leila pulled her hand away in disgust.
Sarah was only kind when it benefited her.
“Ah, right. My lord, I have brought some very good news with me today.”
Sarah continued with a broad smile, bringing joyful news.
“I’ve finally found a suitable match for Leila.”
