I Became The Mother Of A Worn-Out Protagonist

Chapter 3

“…As expected, it seems it was still too much.”

 

“Madam…”

 

“It’s okay. I didn’t expect something like this.”

 

I reassured Daisy, who seemed to be contemplative beside me, rather than confirming.

 

If my heart hadn’t deflated, it would have been a lie. But each time I thought about it, it was the first reply to my short letter.

 

“Still, I’m glad Cardisel replied to my letter. That’s something.”

 

I glanced at the letter Cardisel had given me and smiled subtly. It felt strange for the gap between us, where we had treated each other as if we were strangers, to suddenly become closer.

 

“Even though I know, I can’t help but feel a bit down.”

 

Seeing my bitter smile, Daisy comforted me.

 

“Madam, it’s probably because Young Master is still unfamiliar. It’s the first time you’ve shown interest. It’s understandable if you’re not sure what to do.”

 

“Is that so? If I approach him more, he won’t dislike it, right?”

 

“Of course not.”

 

“Yeah… I should approach Cardisel within reasonable boundaries.”

 

I shook off the negative feeling and looked at the letter. I couldn’t help but smile at the elegant handwriting that wasn’t crooked.

 

“But our Cardisel has really beautiful handwriting.”

 

Daisy’s head tilted at my unexpected remark.

 

“Huh?”

“Look at this. He wrote so neatly. He’s still young, but isn’t he really talented?”

 

Although I couldn’t know when other noble youths would start writing, Cardisel was undoubtedly intelligent.

 

Thinking about his face, which must have been filled with concern as he puffed up his cheeks, I wanted to hug him tightly.

 

“No matter how I think about it, Cardisel is just too cute. Ah, should I call him ‘Kassel’ as a nickname when we become closer?”

 

As I spoke with a smile blooming on my face like a spring flower, Daisy’s shoulders bounced as if she couldn’t hold back her laughter.

 

She seemed to be unusually excited compared to how she usually was with Sheryl. Always tense and stiff in front of Sheryl, she never spoke unless spoken to, quietly did her duties, and left. In fact, it seemed like the other servants were the same way.

 

Even my husband, who was surely an earl, would mock him, saying he was worthless.

 

Strange. I wondered if Sheryl, who was described as neglecting the male lead in the original work, actually didn’t care about the entire earl’s family.

 

It seemed as though memories were cut off as if they wanted to erase the entire life of the earl.

 

Before coming here, I only remembered occasionally looking out the window.

 

I suddenly became curious and wanted to quietly ask Daisy about Sheryl.

 

If she said that my memory seemed incomplete due to an accident, I would believe her.

 

“Daisy. You know, why am I…”

 

Before I could finish my sentence, Daisy’s gaze went to the clock on the wall, then she exclaimed in surprise.

 

“Madam! It’s late!”

 

“Huh?”

 

“Isn’t it time for Lord Cardisel to go to the garden?”

 

I stood up in surprise. My thoughts about Sheryl were replaced by thoughts of Cardisel.

 

What was important now was that I didn’t know anything about Sheryl.

 

I couldn’t miss the time to observe my son up close.

 

I couldn’t miss my only day’s comfort.

 

***

 

I breathed heavily as I cautiously approached the garden.

 

And there, as usual, sat a little angel happily enjoying dessert.

 

Seeing his unusually wavy silver hair, I couldn’t help but smile.

 

“That hair must resemble Sheryl’s.”

 

My gaze naturally turned to my own curly hair. It was somewhat difficult to manage, but I liked Sheryl’s wavy hair.

 

But it wasn’t Cardisel. Even as he enjoyed a sweet muffin, he seemed to be pressing his head firmly.

 

The maid’s words came to mind, saying it took a long time to tidy up her hair because her previous curly hair was so severe.

 

“Today, it seems like she’s more restless, probably didn’t pay much attention. How adorable.”

 

Inadvertently, the child’s appearance of caring was adorable. I quietly hid among the bushes and watched Cardisel.

 

The child shuffled his feet and clasped his hands.

 

“…Hmm, today’s weather is chilly.”

 

Perhaps because it was early spring, the wind was still cold. Cardisel’s cheeks, which had been raised, could be vaguely seen. I reminded myself in my head not to forget and organized what I needed to do.

 

This time, order warm clothes suitable for the chilly spring day, rather than Cardisel’s cute and lively clothes.

 

From the costume designer who said reservations couldn’t be made by just anyone.

 

Underline, one hundred stars.

 

As I mentally marked with stars, I looked at Cardisel.

 

It was hard to believe that this child would one day become the protagonist of a tattered novel. He was so small that anything given to him would not be regrettable, he was adorable.

 

So, despite the refusal that letters and gifts were fine, I kept wanting to give something. My gaze, thinking about what to give Cardisel with a smile on my lips, turned to the child’s knees.

 

The wound seemed to have worsened in the same condition as before.

“Cardisel….”

 

Even if he didn’t reply or refused the gift, I wanted him to receive treatment for the wound.

 

Knowing about his fall and injury last time, I informed the duke’s physician. However, Cardisel refused treatment, saying I sent him.

 

A small sigh slipped out.

 

No matter how materially wealthy one may be, there are always things that can be missed without attention.

 

Children at this age often get sick easily and tend to stick closely to their parents for comfort.

 

However, Sheryell neglected Cardisel. Even the duke, whom I had glimpsed, seemed unlikely to take care of Cardisel for various reasons.

So, my belated kindness might have been burdensome or even unwelcome to the child. I had subtly told the maid to provide warm tea without making a fuss.

 

Somehow, Cardisel knew and didn’t even take a sip of the tea.

 

“…What should I do if Cardisel keeps rejecting me like this?” Suddenly, such worries crossed my mind. The more I tried to approach slowly and be kind from behind, the more the child seemed to raise suspicions and stand guard, stiffening.

 

Summoning courage, I slowly approached Cardisel. No matter how much I tried to take care of him from behind, it seemed the child wouldn’t open up to me.

 

I heard the rustling of leaves and the clear sound of flowing water. I stood still for a moment, chose my words carefully, and kindly greeted, “Hello, Cardisel.” However, a cold response came from the cute child’s mouth. “What are you doing here?”

 

Feeling both sorry and endeared by the child’s stubbornness, I quietly replied, “I saw you in the garden… If you were enjoying tea time, would you like me to join, too?” The child casually turned their head at my words. I smiled as much as possible, waiting for a response.

 

However, Cardisel remained silent, putting down the fork they were using to eat cake, and got up from the chair without even a glance, as if showing no interest. I knew Cardisel was about to leave without saying a word.

 

“Just a moment, Cardisel.”

 

Wanting to talk a little more, I grabbed the child’s small sleeve. The warmth that brushed against me was comforting. The child’s gaze returned to me. I couldn’t help but smile at how adorable they were.

 

As I lowered myself to the child’s eye level, Cardisel’s face came into view. At first, the child’s pupils shook, but it seemed to last only for a moment before they coldly settled down.

 

Cardisel pushed away my hand that had touched their sleeve and, raising their eyebrows, shouted at me, “Don’t be nice to me! I don’t need someone like a mom!”

 

“Cardisel…”

 

Before I could reach out again, the child had already run off into the distance. A sense of instability, as if deeply wounded, lingered in their shaking eyes, weighing heavily on my heart.

 

I sighed as I looked at my palm, still feeling the warmth. “What should I do? It seems like my son hates me more than I thought.”

 

Moreover, since I approached here, there might be a while before I could come to the garden again. It was okay to feel a bit hurt by the rejection or dislike, but it weighed heavily on my heart to think that I had taken away the only space where the child could find solace.

“Madam, what are you thinking about?”

 

“Oh, I was just thinking about Cardisel for a moment,” I casually replied as I continued to attend to my duties as the lady of the manor.

 

Since recovering from my illness, I had to manage the affairs of the estate as the Duchess. While handling the duties that naturally came with the title and the knowledge I possessed, it wasn’t difficult, but…

 

Yesterday’s events kept bothering me. Even if I were to go to the garden again, it was obvious I wouldn’t see Cardisel.

 

“I shouldn’t have approached the place where the child was resting without any consideration,” I thought to myself as I calculated the expenses to be spent on leaving the estate, running my hand through my hair in frustration.

 

Despite wanting to do something out of apology, I couldn’t erase the words the child had shouted from my mind.

 

Seeing my troubled expression, Daisy cautiously asked, “Madam, it’s time for you to go to the garden now.”

 

“…Even if I go to the garden, Cardisel won’t be there,” I murmured, feeling dejected and remaining seated.

 

Daisy gently took my hand and urged, “What are you saying? The maids passing by mentioned that the young master was in the garden earlier than usual. Please, prepare to go out.”

 

“Huh?”

I wondered aloud, then prepared myself and headed to the garden. There was no way Cardisel would be there, given their rejection of needing someone like a mother.

However, as I arrived at the garden, the familiar silver hair was swaying gently.

Once again, my adorable son was sitting there, unchanged.