The Male Lead’s Father Refuses to Break Off Our Engagement

Chapter 88

 

Evelia laughed indifferently.

“It’s okay. I’m used to being ignored.”

In the past and even now, I had no hesitation in receiving negative attention from people.

Moreover, even if Great Aunt Alexandra ignored me, would it be worse than what the people of Venion do?

But Cassis’ expression became mysterious. He furrowed his eyebrows and squeezed her cheeks.

“Don’t say that.”

“Yes?”

“Didn’t you say that just because you’re used to it doesn’t mean it’s okay?”

He raised his thumb and carefully brushed Evelia’s lips. This was the spot where Evelia was injured after being hit by Countess Venion a few months ago.

‘Do you still remember what happened then?’

At that time, Evelia did not know why Cassis reacted so sensitively to her wounds. But now I know.

Because he was also a victim of domestic violence. He couldn’t leave her in the same situation.

At the same time, I was glad that I didn’t hide it. It was a conversation I could never have imagined before.

Evelia smiled faintly as she placed her hand on the back of Cassis’ hand.

“That’s right. Just because you’re used to it doesn’t mean it’s okay. Therefore…”

Every time she spoke, her lips touched Cassis’s palm. Cassis straightened his fingers stiffly.

“I’ll try to become friends with your great-aunt so she doesn’t ignore me. So don’t worry too much.”

To be honest, Evelia didn’t really care if Great Aunt Alexandra didn’t like her.

‘But it feels like Cassis follows her great-aunt a lot, right?’

Maybe she was one of the few people who showed kindness to the abused Cassis.

‘So they are still interacting.’

So, for Cassis’ sake, I wanted to be close to Great Aunt Alexandra. Furthermore…

‘She has to stop ignoring Ruth.’

No matter what anyone says, Ruth was the successor to the Adelhard family. However, it was important to have the fact recognized by the elders of the family.

And I wanted to give Ruth a grandmother she could rely on.

‘I have to do well.’

Evelia smiled as she looked at Cassis, who still didn’t know what to do with his hand being held by her.

There was something I wanted to ask.

“More than that, can I ask you now?”

“What… Do you mean?”

Evelia hesitated for a moment and then opened her mouth.

“Julia Adelhard, about your sister.”

“……”

Cassis stopped breathing.

‘I guess it’s still a bit early.’

I didn’t think it was presumptuous. Now the two of them had become quite close and could even exchange private conversations like this.

However, perhaps Cassis was not mentally prepared.

Evelia affectionately kissed his callused palm.

“”It’s okay, I’ll wait. Just let me know when you’re ready.”

“I’m sorry….”

“You don’t have to be sorry.”

Evelia let go of his hand and lay down on the bed. Patting her side, Cassis lay down far away.

The Duchy’s bed was bigger than in the capital’s, and the distance between the two was that much wider. Evelia didn’t like that.

“Come a little closer. You’ll fall.”

“It’s okay. It won’t fall.”

“Is that so?”

Evelia pushed his calf with the tips of her toes. True to his word, he did not fall. Instead, a lot of strength went into his leg muscles.

Evelia laughed like a child.

“It’s real.”

“…….”

“All right. I won’t ask you to come closer, so relax or you’ll get cramps.”

Evelia lay down with her posture straight. How long had I been there with my eyes closed?

Cassis cautiously opened his mouth.

“That….”

“Yes.”

“Can we sleep holding hands?”

Evelia burst out laughing.

“You can’t come closer, but you want to hold my hand?”

“…….”

The corners of his ears are red in the candlelight. Is it because of the candlelight, or is it just red?

Evelia looked at his back and held out her right hand.

“Here, take it.”

Cassis turned to her. Then he carefully took her hand. His hands were hot.

“Then sleep well, Cassis.”

“You too, wife…”

Evelia closed her eyes with a smile on her lips.

The air in the Duchy of Adelhard was already as cold as winter. Even though the fireplace was burning, the bed sheets were cold.

But maybe it’s because Cassis’ hands are warm. I felt my whole body getting warm.

It was a cozy night.

 

*****

 

The next day, the Adelhard mansion was busy from dawn. It was to greet Alexandra Kessington.

Evelia woke up earlier than usual, inspected everything in the mansion, and gave instructions.

Since I had not yet become accustomed to the mansion of the Duchy of Adelhard, there were many things I was lacking, but the butler helped me a lot.

“Every time Alexandra comes, she uses the same room she used before leaving. I have prepared it.”

“Thank you.”

“Since she likes flowers, I will tell them to prepare some.”

“Oh, me and Ruth will do that.”

“Madam? I see.”

The butler seemed surprised, but did not object.

“Then take care of it.”

Evelia headed to the child’s room to wake up Ruth, who was sleeping. As expected, there was no response when I knocked to see if he was sleeping.

“Ruth, are you sleeping? Mom, I’m coming in.”

Evelia opened the door and entered. But, contrary to her expectations, Ruth was awake.

“Ruth? What are you doing?”

Ruth, who was curled up on the bed, winced.

“Are you sick?”

Evelia hurriedly approached the child. She hugged both knees and comforted Ruth, who had his head buried between them, and checked his forehead.

‘Luckily he doesn’t have a fever.’

But why is Ruth like this?

Evelia asked with concern in her voice.

“Ruth, what’s going on?”

The child shivered.

“Today… Madam Alexandra, they said she was coming.”

“Huh.”

“Mom.”

Ruth was lying in Evelia’s arms and acting like a child.

“Do I have to meet her too?”

I roughly understood the situation.

‘It was scary.’

Ruth was the heir of the Adelhard family. Although there were people who secretly ignored him, there were very few who would openly show it in front of him.

‘But Great-aunt Alexandra must have made it obvious.’

Ruth was more mature than his peers and knew how to hide his emotions. Even for Ruth, Great Aunt Alexandra was a difficult person.

‘You must have been hurt that much.’

The more I looked at Ruth, the more I felt the need to change Great Aunt Alexandra’s mind.

I wanted him to be recognized not because he was the child of the dead Julia, but as Lucius Adelhard, the son of Cassis.

‘Then I have to do well.’

Evelia patted the child’s back.

“Are you scared of her?”

“Well, that’s not it…”

Lie. Even at this moment, the child hid his true feelings.

Evelia chose her words while thinking about how to appease Ruth. Meanwhile, the child came out of her arms and muttered.

“I’m sorry.”

“Why are you apologizing?”

“I acted like a child.”

Evelia hugged the child tightly again.

“You are still a child. It’s natural to act like a child.”

“But….”

“You can act like that. That’s the child’s privilege.”

“Yes.”

“If you’re scared of Aunt Alexandra, just say hello and go. You’ll be okay, right?”

“Yes!”

The child smiled brightly.

“Ruth, Madam Alexandra likes flowers. So, I’m going to go pick flowers. Would you help Mom?”

The child, who had suddenly regained his energy, nodded vigorously.

“Yes!”

“Good. Let’s go wash your face.”

“Yes!”

Ruth washed his face and changed his clothes on his own without Evelia’s help. The two headed straight to the greenhouse.

But I couldn’t pick the flowers myself. This is because an elderly-looking gardener stopped us, saying it would ruin our precious hands.

So Evelia and Ruth chased after the gardener and gave him instructions. A bouquet of various flowers was completed.

“Now, you tell Madam Alexandra.”

It was the moment when Evelia placed a large bouquet of flowers in Ruth’s arms. Annie ran into the greenhouse.

“Lady! Madam Alexandra is almost here!”

“Really? Let’s go quickly, Ruth.”

“Yes.”

Evelia again held Ruth’s hand and went out to the front of the mansion.

Soon a large four-horse carriage stopped in front of the Adelhard mansion. It was the carriage carrying Alexandra.

Cassis walked over and opened the door. Then Alexandra got off with her escort.

Her hair was completely white, and her eyes were purple. The clothes were black from head to toe.

‘They said she’s only worn black clothes since the death of her husband, the former Marquis of Kessington.’

Evelia thought about that fact once again and went forward.

Cassis continued the conversation with Alexandra in a somewhat gentle manner.

“Did you have a hard time coming?”

“What’s difficult about using the Mana Portal?”

Her voice was clear for her age.

“I was worried, but I’m glad.”

“You have a lot to worry about. and by the way, it’s unusual for you to even greet me.”