Chapter 86
Finn was demonstrating swordsmanship to the children, holding a branch. The children were gathered around him, watching in awe.
‘I’m glad I brought him along.’
I smiled quietly with pride when Finn’s eyes met mine.
I had intended to just watch for a moment, but as I scratched my cheek, I moved closer to the children.
“How’s it going? Are you having a good time?”
“Yes! I’m teaching the kids how to defend themselves in case anything dangerous happens outside!”
“It looks like you’ll be coming here often. Finn, make sure you teach them well.”
Although things had become much safer than before, kidnappings hadn’t been completely wiped out yet.
It wouldn’t be bad to start training those who are interested in case something happens.
Just then, the sound of hooves and a carriage wheel rolling approached.
I looked toward the entrance, seeing an extravagant carriage slowly stopping.
‘Who is it? They seem like a noble.’
Soon, the carriage door opened, and I was quite surprised when I saw who stepped out.
‘Why is Count Garcia here?’
He looked around and then walked toward me.
“It’s been a while, Duchess.”
The strong smell of cigars hit me as he approached, likely from smoking inside the carriage. One of the children nearby pinched their nose.
“I was worried you might have suffered due to the unfortunate incident, but I’m relieved to see you’re well.”
“Did you… worry about me, Count?”
“Of course. You are my daughter, after all.”
It had been a long time since he had discarded me, so why was he suddenly acting so friendly? His sudden shift in demeanor made me frown.
Count Garcia, unfazed by my reaction, extended his hand and made a proposal.
“Would you care for a conversation, just the two of us?”
Had this been any other time, I would have refused immediately. But this time, the timing was unusual, and it caught my attention.
Until now, the count had shown no interest in me. To him, I had probably been nothing more than a worthless item married to someone who could die at any moment. And since Ella was to be the next Duchess’s fiancée, he had focused solely on her.
Even now, although Ella was no longer engaged to Kaiden, I was still that “useless person” married to someone who was going to die.
‘Could it be that he noticed Harold has recovered?’
Maybe I was overthinking, but there could always be a rat in the house, and it wouldn’t hurt to check.
“Alright.”
“I’d prefer if it’s just the two of us.”
I gave a glance to my guard, and the count stopped him from stepping forward.
The guard, with a stiff expression, placed his hand on the hilt of his sword. It was understandable, given the recent events.
I gestured to the guard to step back. He hesitated, his face showing concern, before stepping back.
“Duchess…”
Finn called me. I gave him a reassuring smile and then told the count my condition.
“We’ll talk here, in front of everyone.”
“That’s fine.”
I led the way, positioning us where we couldn’t be overheard but could still be seen.
“Count Garcia, what is it you want to discuss?”
I was prepared to handle any topic related to Harold, but to my surprise, the count’s words were about something entirely different.
“I had no idea Ella could be that kind of person, and as her father, I deeply regret my actions.”
“….”
“I’ve reflected a lot on what she did recently. I regret kicking you out of the family, Duchess.”
“….”
“I truly apologize, and I ask if you could give me a chance to make up for my past wrongs.”
“….”
I was momentarily speechless. I never expected him to apologize.
My past interactions with the count had been only when he cast me out of the mansion and in formal settings after that. In those situations, he only offered formal greetings.
But in the memory of ‘Diana,’ he was always a domineering figure, never someone who would apologize in such a gentle way.
“Count Garcia, what exactly is your intention?”
“Everything I just said is my intention. I want to rebuild our relationship as father and daughter, just like before.”
“….”
Just like before…? Had ‘Diana’ ever had a good relationship with her father?
No. Never. The count had raised her only because he needed a daughter to eventually sell off in the marriage market.
How could he say “just like before”?
I couldn’t understand his boldness.
One thing was clear, though—the count had no intention of revealing his true purpose. If that was the case, then standing here was a waste of time.
“I’ll pretend I never heard your apology. I’m going back inside, so please take your leave.”
Just then, the count grabbed my arm with force, turning me around.
“Ugh…”
His rough grip made my arm throb painfully.
His gaze felt oppressive, as though he were trying to crush my body with his stare. The size difference made it feel even more intimidating.
“Haha, why are you acting this way, Duchess?”
His previously cold gaze softened, but he still didn’t let go of me.
I looked toward the orphanage to call my guard.
However, I couldn’t make a sound. Suddenly, Lady Mayer appeared and pushed the count away.
“Count, are you threatening the Duchess?”
Lady Mayer stepped between us, her eyes sharp as she shouted.
It was the first time I’d seen her this angry, and I was taken aback. Not only me, but even the guard who had been about to approach froze for a moment. The count raised an eyebrow before frowning.
“Lady Mayer, I was simply having a family conversation. I don’t believe you have any right to intervene in family matters.”
“You’re calling it a family conversation after you cast her out?”
“Yes, of course.”
The count said with a sneer, straightening his shoulders with confidence.
“Blood is thicker than water, after all.”
I couldn’t believe his absurd attitude. Lady Mayer’s breath was shaking as she tried to process the situation.
By now, people had gathered around us. The count narrowed his eyes as he noticed them and, realizing he couldn’t continue, released my arm and bowed his head.
“I’ll leave for today. I look forward to having a proper conversation another time.”
“My answer will always be the same. I hope we never meet in private again.”
I firmly conveyed my thoughts to the retreating count.
The count took one last look at me, then climbed into his carriage. His gaze remained unchanged from when he first arrived.
The carriage slowly pulled away, and soon the pain in my arm began to subside.
Lady Mayer turned to me and asked,
“Is your arm alright?”
“Yes, it’s nothing.”
I rolled up my sleeve to show her my unmarked skin.
“See?”
“…It looked like he grabbed you pretty hard. I’m glad there’s no mark.”
Seeing that my skin was fine, Lady Mayer finally relaxed her expression.
Some time later, when I returned home, the butler greeted me.
“Welcome back, madam.”
“Has Harold returned yet?”
“Not yet, madam.”
“Alright. When he does return, please tell him to come to me.”
“I’ll let him know.”
“Thank you, butler. Take care.”
I finished my brief conversation with the butler, then returned to my room and changed into my indoor clothes.
I sent Anna away and sat at my desk, leaning back in my chair.
Thinking of the count’s talk about family made me feel uneasy. Although I hadn’t experienced it firsthand, I knew more than anyone what ‘Diana’ had gone through, and that made me even more frustrated.
“…We were never a proper family.”
I took out the luxurious velvet box from the first drawer, hidden in the corner. Inside was a necklace that belonged to ‘Diana’s’ real mother.
It was a precious heirloom, and I had always been careful about handling it. That’s why it had been kept in the velvet box, only checked occasionally. This was the first time I had taken it out.
I opened the box and stared at the half-heart shaped necklace.
I had been lost in thought when I felt a shadow fall behind me.
“Diana.”
I turned to look, and there stood Harold, still in his outdoor clothes, having come straight to me after returning.
“You were looking for me?”
His eyes slowly scanned my face, and his brows furrowed in concern.
“Is something wrong?”
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• ❁ • ❁ • ❁ •By Freya• ❁ • ❁ • ❁ •
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Advance chapters of this novel are available of my kofi channel
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