Chapter 12
I was completely stunned by the unexpected words from the Count.
It was so unexpected that all the thoughts I had prepared disappeared into thin air.
As I stood there blankly, watching the Count’s back, he slowly turned around and looked at me.
He didn’t look angry or disappointed—his expression was filled with deep sadness.
“I thought it was just a rumor, but to think that the young duke was really such a man…”
Saying this, the Count bit his lip.
“I was a foolish father.”
Looking closely, his eyes were wet, as if he was on the verge of tears.
Wait… The Count? Crying?
I was more shocked by his reaction than anything else.
“A…Father?”
The Count slowly approached me and carefully held my hand.
His wrinkled hands were trembling.
“I’m sorry, Claire.”
He apologized again and, in the end, lowered his face onto the back of my hand.
“I worked like crazy, trying to make you happy, just like your mother’s last wish… but I overlooked what was truly important.”
Watching his shoulders tremble, a strange feeling washed over me.
I wasn’t sure if it was Claire’s emotions or my own—it was confusing.
As he sobbed, the Count continued in a small voice,
“I should have paid more attention to you instead of just focusing on work… If I had, I would have realized how much you were suffering and enduring in silence…”
Only then did I begin to understand Claire’s actions and feelings.
She had hidden the truth about the young duke from her father, not wanting to burden him.
She knew he was working hard for her sake, so she must have thought that marrying into the Duke’s family would ease his burdens, even just a little.
If only they had talked a little more, things could have been different.
Their misguided kindness toward each other had created a long-lasting distance between them.
The gap between father and daughter had only widened over time.
“I even remarried, hoping that your stepmother would take good care of you in my place… I was too careless. I should have paid more attention to you…”
Father, if that was your reason for remarrying, then you really made the wrong choice…
I sighed internally.
Just then, the Count wiped his tears and spoke again.
“I will take responsibility and find you a better husband. So don’t worry…”
“No, Father.”
I quickly answered, and the Count, looking surprised, stared at me.
I met his gaze firmly.
“To be honest… I don’t want to get married yet.”
“…Are you serious?”
The Count searched my face as if trying to determine whether I was telling the truth.
I looked straight into his eyes and answered with confidence.
“Yes, I mean it. I never told you before because I didn’t want to be a burden… but actually, I…”
I took a deep breath, then spoke with determination.
“I want to stay by your side and help with the family business.”
Seeing my serious expression, the Count seemed deeply moved—his eyes glistened with tears again.
I had always thought he was a cold and emotionless man, but he was actually just like my own father.
“I never even imagined you felt that way,” he said, wiping away his tears.
Then, he firmly held my hand.
“Alright. If that’s what you want, then so be it. You can stay as long as you wish. In fact, if you truly desire it, I will even pass on the family title to you.”
Hearing the Count’s resolute words, I also gripped his hand tightly, my eyes welling up.
“Thank you for understanding, Father…”
At the same time, I smirked inwardly, thinking about my stepmother and Sophia.
‘Stepmother, the Count’s estate is mine now.’
Today, I wore the mint-colored dress that Lilianne had gifted me.
As I took off my matching mint hat with a sigh, Sabrina, who was already seated, smirked at me.
“You look absolutely lovely today, Claire.”
“Can you not tease me?”
I pouted, looking at Sabrina, who was dressed in her usual navy-blue outfit.
Lilianne, sitting elegantly in a beige dress, smiled softly.
“She’s not teasing. You look great, right, Sabrina?”
“Of course! You look so good that it’s almost unbelievable.”
Women around us kept sneaking glances our way.
Most of them either recognized us from the Marquis’s ball or were just curious about our striking outfits.
“That lady… isn’t she Lady Lilianne from the Sinclair Marquis family?”
“And the one next to her—she’s the famous Devonshire Count’s daughter.”
“But who is that dark-haired lady? She looks just as impressive.”
“By the way, where did they get those dresses? They look amazing.”
“I was wondering the same thing.”
Ignoring the whispers around us, I brought up the topic Lilianne and Sabrina had been waiting for.
“I had a private talk with the Count after the ball incident.”
“What did he say? Did he disown you? Kick you out? If so, do you want to work as a maid in our hidden organization?”
“Sabrina…”
Lilianne gently stopped her, and Sabrina awkwardly scratched her head.
I grinned mischievously at them.
“Nope. I became the Count’s heir.”
“What?”
“What?”
Both of them stared at me in shock.
I smiled and continued.
“It turned out the Count and I had a big misunderstanding. Instead of being angry, he felt guilty for not realizing what I was going through. He said I could do whatever I wanted.”
Their faces instantly lit up with joy.
“That’s amazing, Claire!”
“This is exactly what you wanted!”
Seeing how happy they were for me, I scratched my cheek, feeling a little embarrassed.
“I didn’t think it would happen so easily, but it’s all thanks to you two.”
The two of them answered at the same time.
“Oh, come on, we did this together.”
“Exactly! But since we helped, you should treat us to something nice!”
Unlike the modest Lilianne, Sabrina confidently made her demand—though she quickly looked around nervously and added,
“Uh… I was just kidding… You know that, right?”
Lilianne and I chuckled at her reaction.
Then suddenly, a curious thought crossed my mind.
Leaning forward slightly, I whispered so that only the two of them could hear.
“There’s something I’ve been really curious about…”
Sabrina took a sip of her drink, then gestured with her chin for me to speak.
“What is it?”
I leaned in slightly and whispered, “Did you sleep with the villain?”
Sabrina, who had just taken a sip, immediately spit out her drink.
Pfft—!!!
Juice sprayed all over my face, and I froze. Lilianne quickly pulled out a handkerchief and wiped my face.
Looking flustered, Sabrina hurriedly denied it. “Of course not!”
I had only asked because, in the original story, Sabrina had died while serving the villain in bed… but her reaction made me suspicious.
I narrowed my eyes at her, and she awkwardly looked away, mumbling, “Well… there were a few moments where it almost happened, but…”
“What was that?”
“Anyway, it didn’t happen! And I don’t plan on it! Do you think I’d risk my life by getting into bed with the villain? Who knows when he might kill me?”
Sabrina looked absolutely horrified at the idea, making me and Lilianne even more skeptical. She cleared her throat, clearly embarrassed, and quickly changed the subject.
“Anyway, the real issue here is Lilianne. How’s it going with getting rid of the male lead?”
At that, Lilianne flinched and shrank into herself.
“I… I’m supposed to meet Mikael today…” she mumbled hesitantly.
Sabrina and I exchanged doubtful glances at Lilianne’s nervous reaction. Seeing our expressions, she lowered her gaze even further and muttered,
“If it’s okay, could you two come with me? I feel like I’ll be braver if you’re there.”
Sabrina tilted her head, thinking for a moment. “Won’t it look weird if three women show up together?”
“You don’t have to be seen. Just knowing you’re there would help me.”
Lilianne looked up at us with hopeful eyes. Sabrina and I glanced at each other before smiling.
“Don’t worry! We’ll be right behind you, giving you all the advice you need!”
Hearing that, Lilianne’s face brightened.
“Really? Thank you so much!”
I smirked as I looked at Sabrina, who was grinning confidently. She hadn’t seen Lilianne at the ball, had she? If she had, she’d know that Lilianne probably didn’t need any coaching at all… but I let it slide and just sighed internally.
