Dolorosa glanced at Graham, who was slightly shorter than her.
“Do you really like your mom that much?”
“Yes, she’s the best in the world.”
“But I like my dad best.”
“I don’t like my dad. My dad is…”
Graham didn’t know exactly why he hated his dad or how he hated him, because infidelity was a difficult concept for the young Graham to grasp.
However, he knew that his father, Theodore, had abandoned him and Rachel, and that it’d made them both sad and hurt. He didn’t like that.
Dolorosa, being considerate, did not probe any further.
“I don’t have a mom, so I don’t know why moms are good.”
“…You don’t have a mom?”
No mom! How could that be? He couldn’t imagine it.
What if his mom disappeared? He shuddered at the possibility. It was a horrible thought, and Graham knew he would hate a world without his mom, and he would grieve for a very long time.
Graham felt sorry for this little girl, Dolorosa.
“Mommy is so nice, she smells good, she’s fluffy, she’s soft, she’s warm, she’s nice to hold, it’s nice when she strokes my hair, she’s nice when she laughs, she’s just the best.”
“That’s not like my dad. Dad isn’t fluffy and soft.”
“That’s right. Dad is hard. Sometimes it hurts to hug him.”
“That’s right! If he hugs me hard, it hurts.”
“But my mom doesn’t hurt. She’s soft and fluffy.”
“Hmmm, that’s nice. I want to be hugged by a mom too.”
Dolorosa’s words made Graham tense up. He didn’t want his mom to hug anyone but him.
“She’s my mom, I won’t lend her to you.”
“Who would want to borrow her?”
Although she spoke calmly, Dolorosa had a somewhat regretful look on her face.
The two little ones imagined being held in Rachel’s soft and fluffy arms for a long time.
* * *
Rachel followed Cian to the place he’d prepared for them to talk.
Cian was a person who knew how to lead a conversation gracefully. Walking with him was never boring.
“Did you say his name was Graham? He seems to love his mother very much.”
“That’s right. He’s kind and gentle and listens well.”
“Kind and gentle…”
Cian thought back to Graham, who’d locked eyes with him at the entrance to the mansion. He’d looked like he’d come running to bite him if he did anything to harm his mother. Kind and gentle didn’t seem like the right words for such a fierce beast.
If he hadn’t acknowledged that Graham was the one protecting his mother, he might have attacked him and bitten his leg.
“Has the child learned to wield a sword?”
“No. He likes to talk about knights, but he’s a quiet kid who’d rather draw and read. He never said he wanted to learn.”
Even though he had eyes like that, he’d never learned how to use a sword…
If he did learn, he would be an accomplished swordsman or knight. Besides, Graham wanted to protect his mother. He might even be better with a sword than Cian someday.
His heart was racing again. It was the same feeling he’d had when he realized that Rachel was outstanding.
‘I want to teach him.’
Cian enjoyed gathering talented people around him. He liked to work with them, but he didn’t usually nurture talent. He wasn’t very good at teaching.
‘But I want to teach Graham. Is it because he resembles Dolorosa? I want to watch this child’s talent blossom and grow.’
How wonderful would that be? While thinking about it, he chuckled.
‘It’s rare for something to captivate me so entirely. The Elrosa family is quite interesting.’
After a moment of admiration, he spoke up.
“Ma’am, if you don’t mind, I was wondering if I could teach Graham to use a sword.”
“What?”
Rachel’s eyes widened at the sudden offer.
It was unexpected.
She knew better than anyone that Graham had a talent for the sword. The boy had become a killer without ever learning from a proper teacher. With a little guidance, he could become the great knight he wanted to be.
Cian was one of the best swordsmen in the empire. Skilled and strong, yet calm and humble, he would make a good teacher.
Moreover, if he met Cian under the pretext of training in swordsmanship, there was a high possibility that he would naturally become closer to Dolorosa.
From Rachel’s point of view, it was a perfect offer.
Except for one problem.
“Like I said, Graham’s a quiet child, and I’m not sure he’d want to learn to wield a sword. Why are you suggesting this out of the blue?”
“Graham has both of the things needed to learn the sword. I got greedy. I wondered what it would be like if I could make this child’s potential blossom with my own hands.”
“Graham has what it takes to learn swordsmanship?”
“Yes. Talent, and the desire to protect someone.”
Speaking of wanting to protect someone…
She thought of Graham wanting to protect her. Maybe practicing swordsmanship would put his mind at ease.
After a moment’s consideration, Rachel nodded.
“First, thank you for the suggestion. I’ll ask Graham what he thinks.”
“Thank you.”
When they arrived at the indoor garden, the employees placed tea and refreshments on the table and left. There was only Rachel and Cian in the spacious garden. A bird chirped in the distance.
After raising their teacups and sipping their tea in silence, Cian spoke first.
“I’ll ask you straight out, why did you blame the father of your husband’s mistress for the tax evasion and concealment of assets committed by Theodore Elrosa?”
It was a straightforward question.
Rachel’s eyes narrowed for a moment, but she quickly composed herself.
“…I see you noticed. Am I going to be punished?”
“Depending on your answer. Theodore was suspected of rebellion not long ago, and your behavior could be seen as preparing to rebel against the Noble Council.”
Cian was silent for a moment, then spoke in a more authoritative voice.
“I don’t understand, why would you make light of the sins of a husband you hate so much, did you have an ulterior motive, please be honest with me. I have asked you here today to find out.”
Cian’s golden eyes flashed menacingly. It was the same look he had in his eyes when he gazed at Theodore in the banquet hall. Eyes that allowed no lies.
Cian was the second most powerful man in the empire, second only to the Emperor, and the most powerful nobleman in the Council. With just one word from him, the crime against Carl could be cleared, and Rachel, who protected Theodore, could also be punished.
Rachel was nervous. Her shoulders and back were stiff and her voice trembled.
“I wanted Theodore to argue with Jane. If only Carl is punished and Theodore is not, Jane will misunderstand that Theodore framed her father.”
Rachel was silent for a moment and then continued.
“…At first, I wasn’t going to care about what they’d done. But when I saw them in the act, right in front of me… Sorry. Seeing them do such ugly things made me want to separate them somehow.”
“You want your husband to suffer, is that what you mean?”
“Yes. It was the best revenge I could think of.”
“Hmm.”
Cian leaned back in his chair. He crossed his legs and placed his clasped hands on his knees.
‘She said she did it because she wanted revenge on her husband.’
It was a reasonable answer. Usually, when someone gets hurt, they want to get back at them by doing the same, or worse.
But the person sitting in front of him was Rachel Elrosa. She was too plain and noble to think that way.
The most refreshing way to get revenge on someone who hurt you was simple.
‘Live happily as if those who hurt you were of no value.’
The thought of leaving someone and being better off than you were with them eats away at a person and makes them suffer. It was a very good way to make someone sick without hurting yourself.
Moreover, Theodore was an immature and romantic bastard without any honor. If he was in pain or suffering, he could suddenly become obsessed with Rachel like a mad man.
He thought she knew.
‘Or maybe she’s looking at the bigger picture. She may be thinking about how to make Theodore suffer while at the same time living happily.’
Rachel was wiser and more intelligent than Cian gave her credit for.
He sighed deeply.
“All right. I will let Carl take the blame for the tax issues as you wish. I’ll also cover the eyes and ears of the elders.”
Rachel’s face brightened in relief.
“Thank you very much, Your Highness. I will not forget this favor.”
“No. Have you prepared the divorce papers by any chance?”
“Yes. I’ve already drawn them up, and I’ll give them to Theodore when I next see him.”
“Don’t give the Count the divorce papers.”
“…Huh? What do you mean by that?”
If she didn’t deliver the divorce papers, Theodore wouldn’t be able to stamp them. If she can’t get his stamp, she can’t get a divorce, right?
When she blinked in confusion, not understanding, Cian explained.
“Count Theodore Elrosa will not want a divorce. Even if he receives the documents, he’ll probably tear them up or refuse to stamp them.”
“That can’t be true. Theodore…”
“Didn’t I tell you, a man’s heart is unpredictable?”
Come to think of it.
In the original story, Theodore turned a blind eye and refused to divorce his wife even after his affair was discovered. Shame, his mother’s nagging, and Jane’s status all played a part in his decision.
Cian smiled faintly, looking at Rachel whose lips were pursed.
“Instead, I have a great way to force him to divorce you, whether he wants to or not.”
Rachel’s eyes sparkled.
