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

Chapter 92

 

―I brought it because I thought of you while I was walking down the street.

 

My heart skipped a beat when I saw your handsome face. Even though Joseph wasn’t with her now, it was as if her mind had traveled back in time.

‘There’s no way that child knew about it…’

I felt like crying. It was indeed a Lysianthus flower that I had not seen in a long time. After Joseph died, Alexandra ordered the Lysianthus flowers to be removed from the mansion.

If today were like usual, I would have complained and asked how she brought these flowers.

But why does it make me feel so nostalgic?

Alexandra buried her face in the flowers and smelled them. The same scent she’d smelled decades ago. It had a nostalgic scent.

“Not bad.”

Alexandra handed the flowers to the maid and instructed her to place them in a vase. It was a good day for an unexpected gift.

And soon she realized that Evelia was bolder than she thought.

“This…”

“I heard you liked it, so I gave special instructions to the kitchen. Does it taste good?”

On the lunch table was the dessert from Alexandra and Joseph’s wedding.

“I heard that you enjoy reading books. I also have a book you like. Would you like to read it?”

He handed her the book Joseph had given her.

“They say the Northern forest is so beautiful. Would you like to go on an outing together?”

She gently suggested a place where they had dated before they were married.

Only then did Alexandra realize. That Evelia is bringing back memories of her and Joseph.

“You’re really bold.”

“Yes?”

Evelia smiled brightly as if she knew nothing. Alexandra was left speechless because her face was similar to the innocent Joseph’s smile.

She stroked the cover of the book Evelia gave her for a moment and then continued.

“Do you think my mind will change just because you do this?”

“Did I get caught?”

“It’s even weirder that you don’t know anything when you’re doing something so conspicuous.”

Evelia laughed again. Come to think of it, not only Joseph, but also Alexandra’s favorite granddaughter, Julia Adelhard, smiled like that.

Seven years ago, Julia passed away due to a sudden illness at a young age.

There is clearly no resemblance, but why does Evelia remind me of that child?

“But, great-aunt. Didn’t you still enjoy it?”

“…….”

“Rather than forgetting because it’s painful, sometimes it’s better to look back on memories like this. I am like that.”

Alexandra was greatly shocked by those words. This is because I remembered what Joseph said before he died.

 

―I hope you smile every time you think of me, even when I’m not around.

The words that told her not to be sad because he would be living in Alexandra’s memories.

But Alexandra failed to put those words into her life. Although I always wore black because I missed him, I got rid of everything that reminded me of Joseph.

I deliberately avoided the foods he liked, avoided flowers, avoided colors…

As a result, her life became devastated. Because what Joseph liked was what she liked.

The reason Evelia knew about Joseph was probably because she heard the story from the butler.

However, what she said a moment ago was probably Evelia’s own opinion.

It occurred to me that perhaps this child might be stronger and stronger than I thought.

“I see.”

Alexandra snorted and laughed.

“As expected, I like how bold you are.”

 

*****

 

At first, Evelia simply tried to follow what Joseph had done for Alexandra.

However…

 

–I am cautious, Madam.

–Why?

–Madam Alexandra, after Joseph passed away, she completely excluded anything related to him.

–Ah…

Evelia found a common thing between Cassis and Alexandra. Both of them could not overcome the sadness of losing their loved ones and chose to ignore it.

Looking away is also a good method. However, wouldn’t it be nice to look into good memories?

It would be nice for Cassis to look back on his good memories with Julia…

We prepared the event with that in mind. To be honest, I was nervous at first. However, Alexandra did not show any anger when she saw Lysianthus.

So Evelia went ahead with her plan as she had originally planned.

“As expected, I like how bold you are.”

Did that feeling work?

Alexandra laughed.

“I will no longer find fault with your origins. From the looks of it, it doesn’t seem like you learned it from Count Venion, and your mother seems to have taught you well.”

I felt a little sad at those words. Because Evelia, no, Han So-yoon did not remember her biological mother. Because I don’t even have any memories to remember.

Still, I laughed. Because in my memories, Evelia’s mother was a good person.

“That’s right. My mother was a very warm person.”

“But Ruth was…”

Alexandra dismissed.

“I don’t recognize that child.”

“Just as you looked at me for who I am, not from my origin, can’t you also look at Ruth for who he is?”

Evelia continued speaking with confidence.

“He’s such a good kid. He’s following Cassis well and working very hard to become a worthy successor.”

“I’m asking this. Why are you doing this to that child? Wouldn’t it be good for you if your child became the successor?”

“I am….”

This marriage is fake. There is no way a child can be born between Cassis and Evelia.

But, if this marriage becomes real, even if a beautiful child is born between the two…

“I like Ruth.”

“…….”

“So I want to make sure that child enjoys the rights he deserves. No matter what anyone says, Cassis’ eldest son is Ruth.”

“But why do you want to confirm that with me? According to Imperial law, there would be no need for recognition as I am already a member of the Kessington family.”

“… Because Cassis is sad.”

Evelia carefully said what Cassis could not bear to say.

“Cassis really likes his great-aunt. So, he wants Ruth to be recognized by his great-aunt, and Ruth also wants to be recognized by you.”

“……”

“Can’t you accept our sincerity?”

“……”

“I don’t want great-aunt to have any regrets.”

“Regret, what is that…”

At that time, Alexandra opened her eyes wide as if she realized something.

“Ruth, perhaps that child…”

Evelia knew that she had realized all the facts.

Actually, it wasn’t that difficult.

Ruth, seven years old, and Julia, who died seven years ago. A child born to Cassis, who lived his entire life away from women.

Rumors were already spreading in the world that Ruth was Julia’s child.

However, Evelia could not come forward and tell the truth. There was only one thing she could say.

“Ask Cassis directly.”

It was then. The door opened a little urgently and Cassis came inside. He seemed a bit angry.

“Grandmother!”

Cassis approached and blocked Evelia’s path.

“Are you troubling my wife again? If you’re just making fun of her origin…”

Alexandra looked up at Cassis with moist eyes.

“Ruth, that kid…”

Cassis felt something unusual and stiffened. Evelia held his hand.

“Is he really Julia’s child?”

Cassis’ tightly closed chin trembled. He answered in a low voice.

“No. That child is my biological child.”

“Cassis.”

“No matter what the public says, he’s my child and my heir.”

Alexandra had no answer. But she must have known. Whose son Ruth was.

She muttered to herself.

“I was foolish. It was really stupid.”

A hollow laugh echoed quietly throughout the room.

“I didn’t even know it was like that, I… That kid….”

Alexandra laughed like that for a while and then spoke as if she had decided on something.

“I’m leaving today.”

“Great aunt.”

“I’ll never come again.”

It was a word of repentance. In return for ignoring Ruth all this time, she promised not to see the child in the future.

Evelia stepped forward and took Alexandra’s hand.

“No. Please come often.”

“…….”

“Please come often and take care of Ruth. Ruth would want that.”

Alexandra held her hand together with both of hers.

“How could I…”

“Please love him as much as you have ignored him for so long.”

Alexandra was speechless for a while before answering.

“Yes, I will.”

 

*****

 

Despite the dissuasion, Alexandra said she would return to the estate that evening.

Before getting into the carriage, she knelt down on one knee in front of Ruth, who was seeing her off. Ruth was startled and took a step back.

However, when Evelia pushed his back, he approached Alexandra again.

“Yes, if you look closely, you have the same smiling mouth.”

“Yes?”

“Goodbye, baby.”

That was the end of their goodbyes. Alexandra stroked Ruth’s head and then got into the carriage.

After the carriage left, Ruth smoothed his hair with a confused look on his face.

“Madam Alexandra stroked my head.”

“I guess we like Ruth.”

“Re-really?”

“Yes.”

Evelia held Ruth’s hand and looked at the carriage that was already that far away.

Alexandra didn’t say it, but I knew it instinctively: she would not see Ruth in the future, as she had said.

But…

“Ruth, shall we go to Kessington Estate next time?”

“Yes, I like it.”

If you don’t come, we can go there.

Evelia entered the mansion with a shyly smiling Ruth.