Chapter 87
“I was actually looking for that because of this.”
I told Harold about the count visiting me today. When I expressed concern that maybe some information had leaked, Harold shook his head.
“The only ones who know about my condition are you, my doctor, and Evan.”
“Then it’s likely the count’s behavior has another reason.”
“I think so. But just to be sure, we’ll check.”
I nodded. Neither of those two would discuss Harold’s health with anyone.
So why had the count suddenly changed his attitude? As he said, did he miss his family? I couldn’t believe that was the case.
“Diana, what’s this necklace?”
“Ah-.”
Harold placed his hand on the desk, looking at the necklace in a velvet box. It was the first time he had seen it since I had never taken it out in front of him.
“It’s my mother’s necklace.”
“This decoration, made of pure gold?”
“Yes, the heart-shaped ornament and the surrounding diamonds are all high-quality ones.”
Diana had once had a jeweler appraise it. She didn’t intend to sell it, but the necklace didn’t seem like something a commoner would own.
“My mother told me it belonged to my grandmother. But she never explained why my grandmother had it.”
When my mother was alive, Diana was too young to understand jewelry, so she never asked about it.
The only thing I knew was that my grandmother had treasured it.
I stared at the necklace.
The brightest memory from Diana’s childhood was when her mother was still alive. Even though people like Count Garcia’s wife persecuted them, Diana had been happy because she was with her mother. Over time, she tried desperately to hold onto those memories that faded like grains of sand.
As a result, she could still recall things about her grandparents, like how her grandfather was great with swords and hunting, and how her grandmother was quick-witted and very busy, being the most popular person in the village.
On the other hand, Diana’s most painful memory was her mother’s death.
Having lost a family member myself, I understood how that felt, and it made me choke up even more.
“Diana, your expression has gotten gloomy again.”
“Ah… Did it show?”
Well, it was Harold, so he probably would have noticed, even if my expression didn’t give it away.
I smiled faintly and spoke.
“I was just thinking about my mother.”
Harold tapped the desk slowly with his finger and called to me.
“Diana, would you like to visit your mother’s grave next time?”
“Ah…”
I looked away, feeling a bit awkward. Harold must have suggested it with good intentions, but I couldn’t agree to it.
“Harold, my mother doesn’t have a grave. When she was killed, Count Garcia’s wife sent mercenaries to take her body away…”
Count Garcia’s wife had reportedly thrown my mother’s body to the wild animals, and everything else she owned was burned. The only thing I had left of her was this necklace.
But Diana couldn’t bring herself to use this necklace for a grave. It was the only remaining trace of her mother.
“…I’m sorry. I made you recall painful memories.”
Harold looked genuinely apologetic.
I smiled instead of saying that I was fine.
“Harold, aren’t you hungry? I am.”
“…It’s probably about time for dinner.”
“Wow, it’s already that time? No wonder I’m so hungry.”
I closed the velvet box and put it back in the drawer.
“Let’s go eat.”
I gently tugged on his hand, signaling to go, and Harold laughed softly.
Then, he stepped closer and kissed me on the cheek.
“I’m supposed to comfort you, but it seems like you’re the one looking out for me.”
“…Your look says you want to devour me, not comfort me.”
“No.”
“Really?”
“Not yet.”
“…Not yet means you will later, right?”
When I stepped back, Harold stretched out his long legs and got closer, taking my hand and holding it as he pulled me gently.
“Let’s go eat. You need to eat well to avoid getting tired. Don’t you think?”
“Well, that’s true…”
At that moment, my mind started to wander, and I felt my face heat up. As I focused on calming down, Harold suddenly tugged at my hand, pulling me down the hallway.
“Hmm. Yeah. Eating well is important.”
I thought about the main dish for today, and the anxiety that had been building inside me slowly faded.
Just then, Harold lightly tapped the back of my hand and asked.
“Diana, do you remember which mercenaries were involved?”
“No? I don’t remember.”
I swallowed, still thinking about food, and answered.
“Why do you ask?”
I looked at him, but Harold just shook his head.
“It’s nothing.”
Despite his negative reply, his gaze seemed distant, lost in thought.
Kaiden had finished preparing to leave for his territory. His belongings were already there, so he didn’t need to pack anything.
Amanda, wearing a shawl, came out to see him off.
“You’re really going to travel by horse instead of taking the carriage?”
“Yes. The carriage feels too cramped.”
“Even if it’s cramped, it’s still better than traveling on horseback in this cold weather.”
Amanda looked over her son, her expression worried.
“Kaiden, you look like you’ve lost weight. You look like a shadow of yourself.”
His clothes seemed loose on him, and he looked thinner than before.
Amanda, feeling concerned, grabbed Kaiden’s arm before he could mount his horse.
“Kaiden, you have to take the carriage. You might get sick like this.”
“I’ll stop by the village to find a place to stay before the sun sets.”
“…Sigh, I really wish you didn’t have to go.”
Amanda stepped back, knowing she couldn’t stop him.
She then complained about Harold, saying that he had sent Kaiden on an unnecessary trip.
“Then I’ll be off, Mother.”
“Take care, and don’t forget you’re the future Duke of Baison. Stay healthy.”
Kaiden gave his mother a final hug, then took the reins of his horse and slowly rode away.
Kaiden was thinking about the latest news he’d heard about Diana.
After being rescued, Diana had returned to her normal life. She was eating well, handling administrative duties smoothly, and continuing her social activities. She was also volunteering at an orphanage and preparing for a grand party with her butler.
And then…
Kaiden felt his blood boil when he remembered the last report he’d heard.
“They say the relationship between the Duke and the Duchess has become closer.”
He stopped his horse immediately, his grip tightening on the reins.
His mind flashed back to the days when he had searched for Diana after her kidnapping.
He heard where Harold had gone and immediately rode off.
He hoped Diana was safe, but he also hoped no one else had found her.
But as Kaiden reached the edge of the forest, he saw Harold riding with Diana on horseback.
Harold had succeeded in rescuing Diana again, while Kaiden had failed.
“….”
His hands were shaking, and he choked back his emotions.
‘If only I had been faster than Harold when rescuing Diana…’
Perhaps then Diana would have been herself again, staring at him with that dazzling gaze, as she had been when she believed he had saved her and lost herself in her emotions.
“…If only I hadn’t been too late…”
Kaiden clenched his eyes shut and then opened them again.
He realized why he had always compared Diana to Ella.
Kaiden gave a bitter laugh and spurred his horse forward. He no longer wanted to think about anything, but regret weighed heavily on him.
Just then, a carriage with the Baison seal passed him.
Through the window, he caught a glimpse of pink hair.
“…Diana!”
Kaiden, recognizing her immediately, pulled the reins and began chasing the carriage.
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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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Wow k is so annoying! Thanks for your translation!