Chapter 69
The Woman He Loves
Celestian frowned openly at the words “the woman he loves,” showing clear discomfort.
“Why? Does that bother you?”
“You’re sharp.”
“If you truly knew me, you wouldn’t feel that way. Too bad.”
The man wrinkled his nose and clicked his tongue, then smiled again as if entertained. Celestian was overcome with the urge to throw him off the carriage.
But he couldn’t.
“Daphne is gentle, pretty, and grew up well. There’s no other bride-to-be like her in all of Secradion.”
The man’s face, full of changing expressions, resembled Daphne’s far too much.
“There’s no man on the continent who wouldn’t love a girl like her. That includes me, of course. Don’t you think so? But you, with that Daphne…”
Celestian felt the man’s gaze sweep across his thigh. The man cleared his throat and spoke again.
“…You got her pregnant.”
Celestian’s head whipped toward the man, his brows raising in disbelief before furrowing deeply. He must have heard wrong.
“I think I misheard.”
“Then I wouldn’t be wrong to beat you to death here, would I?”
“What?”
Celestian dumbly asked again. The man’s blue eyes, which had been staring at the handle of his cane, gleamed mischievously.
“No, even with ten mouths, I shouldn’t say it. Do you even realize what you’ve done to an unmarried lady?”
Before Celestian could respond, the sharp end of the cane suddenly pierced the leather backrest beside his face. If he had moved a second later, it would have pierced his face.
The impact was so strong that the cane remained lodged in the seat with a loud crack.
At that critical moment, Celestian kicked the man’s stomach, making him gasp for breath. If the carriage had been smaller, it would have turned into an ugly scene.
Celestian decided not to provoke the man who was trying to catch his breath. The man’s green eyes darted around, as if thinking hard.
“Damn it, I heard you were starving, but why are you so strong? It hurts like hell.”
“I never said that.”
“What?”
“I never… did anything with Daphne.”
Celestian’s voice came out dazed without him realizing it. The man’s rambling had all been about Daphne.
Even putting aside talk about “the woman he loves,” the word “pregnant” was absurd and impossible.
Nothing fit together, like puzzle pieces that didn’t match.
“Then you’re saying it’s not your child?”
“…….”
“Why aren’t you answering? Did you suddenly become a fool?”
“Maybe it’s because I’m a foreigner, but I have no idea what you’re talking about. Can you explain properly?”
The man coughed again, cleared his throat, and opened his mouth.
The steady carriage suddenly jolted. Celestian felt something drop in his heart.
“…Me? When?”
*****
The gramophone blasted a powerful symphony throughout the glass garden.
Narid burst through the garden doors with a flushed face and shouted,
“Lady, we’ve received a telegram from the secretary of Marquis Beaucater! His Excellency has returned to the country!”
“Father? When?”
“He arrived by ship last night.”
Daphne was chewing on green grapes, her foot resting on Kisha’s back, who lay face down with his hands behind his back. Because she kept vomiting everything she ate, Daphne’s face was pale and worn.
“What’s wrong with him?”
“He’s driving me crazy playing prenatal music when I’m already stressed out.”
“Ladwis, ib yo, maw yi.”
Kisha’s pronunciation was completely garbled.
“Swallow the grape first.”
Kisha, with his head pressed against the ground and neck nearly folded, was in no position to swallow anything. He ground his teeth internally, thinking this was outright abuse.
“Lady, if you marry the duke, you’ll regret it.”
“Yeah~ I’ll regret it later, okay? If I regret it, I’ll buy you three luxury cars. Deal?”
“F-first, got to… earn it.”
Daphne slammed her book shut with a loud snap.
“My father’s back? When will he arrive at the mansion?”
“Since he came through Port 1, it should take about an hour.”
“…….”
Daphne’s golden eyes briefly gazed at the ceiling before a sly smile spread across her face. Narid sighed softly at that expression.
“My loyal knight, Kisha Serenade. Stand up.”
Daphne spoke elegantly as she removed her foot. Kisha sprang up at lightning speed, chewing the grape fiercely and brushing dust from his head.
“Put on that prenatal music from earlier.”
“Why?”
“Why do you think? I’m going to bleed my father dry. Might as well claim I’m pregnant and get a prophecy dispelled. Everyone needs to play along. Got it? I’m pregnant now.”
“Wow, Lady, you really don’t miss an opportunity.”
Marius Beaucater.
The second son and heir of the Beaucater family, a household known as a symbol of “honesty,” “diligence,” and “wealth.” He was a father who got engaged at sixteen and had Daphne at seventeen.
Even after marriage and Daphne’s birth, he remained a busy man. He barely visited the country or their home once or twice a year. Sometimes Daphne almost forgot what he looked like.
He wasn’t someone who truly understood fatherhood. When young Daphne cried for love, all he could do was flail awkwardly and say, “If you want, I’ll buy you a kingdom.”
Initially, Daphne had been resentful. But after visiting Serenade, she decided to enjoy it instead.
“Affection is best expressed through material things. Love has no shape, but material possessions last forever.”
Marius had once summoned renowned international architects to build a personal “room” for Daphne within the estate grounds when she returned from Serenade.
“This is perfect. It’s a chance to cash in and leave Secradion.”
Despite still feeling unwell and occasionally dizzy from her fever, Daphne wasn’t about to miss this opportunity.
“Lady, the Crown Princess also sent a telegram requesting a meeting today.”
“Ah.”
Daphne took the fragrant letter Narid handed her, having no idea what might be written inside.
In her mind, she imagined a distorted image of a laughing blond couple sharing an umbrella on a rainy day.
“Maybe it’s because I’m ‘pregnant,’ but I don’t feel like seeing her. Just tell her I’m sick.”
“Then should I inform Her Highness that you’re pregnant?”
“…No! Just say I’m sick. Absolutely don’t mention anything about that.”
Narid wrinkled her nose and nodded.
****
“What should I do?”
Under the gazebo in the garden, Psyche anxiously paced. She had prepared all of Daphne’s favorite desserts, only to be hit with a shocking reply.
Psyche couldn’t stop fidgeting, her shoes rustling noisily on the ground.
“Your Highness, please don’t worry so much.”
“But Daphne said she won’t meet me!”
“That wasn’t the message. It just said she’s sick.”
“Daphne always says that when she wants to refuse!”
The elaborate wave patterns on the gazebo heightened Psyche’s anxiety. Eventually, tears began to fall.
What consumed her thoughts now was guilt for “causing unnecessary trouble.”
She had heard that Daphne once shattered a vase in the reception room out of jealousy. Psyche hadn’t taken it seriously since it was somewhat the outcome she had hoped for.
But what if all of that had exhausted Daphne?
“No… this can’t happen.”
The capital was abuzz with rumors about Daphne. Normally, she would have issued a rebuttal within a day, but she remained silent.
She hadn’t gone to Saturnmerial for three days and dismissed reporters with the simple excuse of being “sick.”
If Daphne really was pregnant, it would create a complicated situation. Psyche regretted underestimating Daphne’s feelings for “that man.”
“Allen, there’s something I need help preparing. Can you assist me?”
The best solution now was to prepare a gift Daphne would absolutely love.
****
“Achoo.”
“Lady, I think you caught a cold. This won’t do. Please go back inside, and I’ll greet the Marquis myself…”
Misha clasped his hands politely, gesturing for Daphne to head in. However, she waved her hand, shaking her head firmly.
“No, how do I look right now?”
“You really look sick.”
“A sick daughter dragging her weak body out to greet her father? If I were him, I’d immediately lift the family curse.”
“Lady, even if the curse is lifted, what’s the point if you’re unhealthy? Money’s useless if you have to stay home all the time.”
“Why are you, a newly grown-up kid, so obsessed with health?”
“I’m healthy. I’m worried about your health.”
Daphne shot Misha a look that clearly said, And why is that? The obvious nature of the question made Misha’s face flush red.
“You’re my benefactor, Lady. You need to stay healthy so you can spend your money generously for the rest of your life.”
“You’re talking like you’ll work for me forever.”
“Yes, of course.”
Misha’s gray eyes sparkled with unwavering seriousness. Daphne coughed lightly into her fist.
“The benefactor’s savior is on his way. I’ll greet him properly and then rest.”
“I’ve always wanted to meet Marquis Beaucater myself too.”
Misha deeply admired Daphne’s father. Marius was a renowned wealthy philanthropist known for his extensive efforts to rescue slaves in Argentar.
With a resolute expression, Daphne glared at the carriage gradually approaching from the distance.
The carriage kicked up clouds of dust as it stopped in front of the mansion. Marquis Beaucater swiftly jumped down.
“Daphne, why are you out here? You should be resting inside. I would’ve come to see you myself.”
Without a shred of dignity, Marius fussed over his daughter, cupping her cheeks with both hands. He looked at her worriedly as if she were a goldfish puffing out its lips.
Thud.
A loud sound came from the carriage.
Marius completely ignored it, continuing to hover anxiously around Daphne, his hands brushing over her shoulders and arms.
“You’ve grown so much. Just the other day, you were so small…”
“Geez.”
Daphne laughed helplessly.
The carriage thudded again from the inside.
