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TISND Chapter 12

TISND Chapter 12

Chapter 12

Helena didn’t think she had done anything to make Joshua suspicious.

She hadn’t intentionally tried to get close to him, nor had she done anything beyond simply feeding him. In her mind, she had handled things wisely.

But instead of easing his doubts, Joshua’s suspicions had only grown.

“Madam, let me carry your luggage for you.”

Why? Why was he like this?
What had she done wrong to deserve this? She hadn’t done anything at all.

She’d just farmed and fed them a few meals—was that really so suspicious?

“Madam?”

“Oh, right. Thank you.”

On the day they were to attend the northern conference, Joshua stuck to Helena like glue.

Jeremy was easy to handle, but Joshua was different.
He was so mature for his age that being around him was nerve-wracking.

“You travel light,” Joshua remarked as he loaded her luggage into the carriage. He did it effortlessly, handling tasks usually meant for servants.

“I don’t like carrying too much stuff,” she replied.

“Even so, may I ask what you’ve packed?”

“Cookies. I brought cookies.”

“…I see.”

His reaction was underwhelming, as if he had expected something more significant.

There was no better treat than snacks during a long journey. Clearly, he must have suspected her of packing something suspicious.

“Yeah, most of them are for Jeremy anyway,” she added.

“They’re for Jeremy? Pardon me, but may I ask what’s in the cookies?”

“Do you want me to recite the chocolate cookie recipe in detail?”

Unlike Jeremy, who could be irritable but still had a childish side, Joshua was entirely different.

His maturity bordered on obsession.
Helena had heard that Joshua was the one most deeply affected by the loss of his mother.

It was said that he had suffered so greatly he had lost all meaning in life. Calligo had to return from the frontlines immediately just to comfort him.

Even now, it seemed the scars from that time hadn’t fully healed.

“Joshua, so you’re here with Helena,” said Calligo as he and Jeremy approached the two standing by the carriage.

“It seems we’ll need to split into different carriages. Would you ride with Jeremy?”

“No! I want to ride with Mother!”

What?

“I’ve spoken with her, and I think she’s a wonderful person. I’d like to spend some time alone with her to get to know her better,” Joshua insisted.

If she had any ulterior motives, she might not have felt so unfairly accused.

But as someone whose sole focus in life was farming, his suspicions were becoming increasingly burdensome.

“…Helena,” Calligo murmured.

She was staring down at Joshua in disbelief when Calligo called out to her.

“Please take care of Joshua until we arrive at the meeting hall.”

“I’d like to ride with Jeremy,” she pleaded with Calligo, her tone practically begging for salvation.

Being alone with Calligo was sure to make her heart burst, so she figured mischievous but refreshing Jeremy would be the better option.

“Wait, since when did you like me so much?” Jeremy’s face turned red as he completely misunderstood her words.

“But I can’t accept your feelings. I’ll spend time alone with Father instead,” he added dramatically.

Even though she hadn’t confessed anything, she still felt oddly rejected.

In the end, Helena found herself sharing a carriage with Joshua.

Joshua, who had boarded first, elegantly tossed aside his cravat and leaned back on the sofa.

“Aren’t you getting in, Madam?”

He had no problem calling her “Mother” in front of Calligo, but when they were alone, he reverted to “Madam.”

“Can you pick one title and stick with it? Either Madam or Mother?”

“Is there a particular reason why I should?”

Teasing the innocent Jeremy was simple, but dealing with the clever and sharp Joshua was an entirely different matter. She always found herself on the losing side of their conversations.

“Not really,” she admitted, finally raising the white flag and climbing into the carriage.

A moment later, the carriage began to move.

“If you’re done talking, could you show me those cookies you said you made?”

“Huh? Are you hungry?”

“No, I just want to check if they’re poisoned.”

“……”

“Haha, just kidding!”

The more she interacted with him, the more he seemed like a sly old fox.

By the time they arrived at Borknin, where the northern meeting was being held, Helena’s complexion had turned pale.

She vowed never to be alone with Joshua again.

“Jeremy, it’s okay. Just relax,” she heard Joshua say as he comforted his brother.

Leaning against the carriage and trying to catch her breath, Helena realized why Jeremy seemed so tense.

The sight of so many northerners must have overwhelmed him.

“Your Grace, the Duke of Frantor.”

Even though Calligo wanted to comfort his son, people swarmed him from every direction.

“It’s alright, Father. You should go and tend to them,” Jeremy said with a maturity that belied his age, though Calligo still looked uneasy.

“Jeremy,” Helena said, unable to just watch.

She crouched down in front of Jeremy, meeting his eyes. Then, just like that day in the salon when they had shared skewers and cocoa, she held one of his hands.

“Remember what I told you back then,” she said softly.

“…….”

“When people say something to you, just mention Eskel’s name.”

Jeremy, who had been dejected, looked up at her quietly.

“Don’t be too scared. You’ve got a crazy woman sticking by your side. If it comes to it, I’ll protect you like I did last time.”

“…You said you wouldn’t act like a mom.”

“This isn’t being a mom, is it? I’m just protecting you. Think of me as your knight.”

“Alright.”

Hearing her words, Jeremy regained his composure. Both Calligo and Joshua widened their eyes in surprise.

Helena, oblivious to their stares, stood up, still holding Jeremy’s hand.

“You should go on ahead. I’ll stay with Jeremy.”

Only then did she notice their shocked faces and finally understood why Joshua had been so suspicious of her.

The unintended bond she had formed with Jeremy must have looked highly suspicious in their eyes.

“…Don’t worry too much.”

They might think she had approached Jeremy with bad intentions. After all, she was Eskel’s daughter.

She gave a faint smile.

“Joshua, you too. Go on.”

Though her mouth felt bitter, she resolved to stand firm, if only for Jeremy’s sake.

“Alright, I’ll leave him to you,” Calligo said, still looking uncertain.

Watching the confused expressions on Calligo and Joshua’s faces as they left, Helena made a silent promise to herself.

She used to hate being associated with the name Eskel. She had vowed never to live like those vile and disgraceful people.

But if it was for the sake of the children, playing the part of an Eskel was a small price to pay.

She had borne enough of the burden of being undermined and demoralized by rumors on her own.

“Hey, it’s weird—there’s no one talking about us anymore,” Jeremy remarked.

Whenever Helena noticed someone whispering about her, she would intentionally meet their eyes and smile. Sometimes, she even walked over as if she intended to start a conversation.

Strangely, no one dared talk about her afterward.

“Is it because you’re really an Eskel that people don’t mess with us?”

“Yeah, haven’t you heard the rumors? I’m the daughter of that family that treats human lives like cockroaches.”

“Do you really go around stabbing people with spears for fun, like the rumors say?”

“…Are you out of your mind?”

What kind of rumors are even going around?

She was clutching her head, trying to fend off a headache, when it happened.

“Ugh!”

As Jeremy was speaking, someone bumped into him and knocked him over.

Focused on talking, Jeremy fell flat on the ground with a thud.

“Oh my, are you alright?” Helena rushed over to check on him, but then she heard a woman’s voice.

“You should watch where you’re going.”

Without even an apology, the woman hurried off.

It didn’t seem intentional; it looked like she genuinely bumped into him by mistake.

But blaming Jeremy for being hit after walking into him first was absurd.

The woman, apparently in a rush, was already busy drinking and chatting with others.

“Are you hurt anywhere? You’re not crying, I see.”

“Do you think I’m some little kid? Like I’d cry over something like this.”

“You are a little kid.”

“I’m all grown up now.”

“Oh, sure you are.”

As Helena chuckled and teased Jeremy, Joshua called out to him.

“Joshua’s calling you. Looks like His Grace is looking for you.”

“Are you going to stay here?”

“Yeah, I’ll wait for you. Go on.”

He liked hearing her tell him to come back.

“I’ll be quick!”

“Alright.”

Jeremy disappeared with Joshua, leaving Helena to enjoy some peaceful time alone. Meanwhile, gossip-hungry people were already seeking their next target. This time, their victim was Countess Enphirem.

Helena knew who she was—a wealthy merchant who personally managed her own trading company. But while the Countess was busy running the business, her husband, Count Enphirem, had brought in a new mistress.

“So that woman is the rumored mistress.”

It was the same woman who had bumped into Jeremy earlier and left without an apology.

The mistress, Eva, seemed to enjoy being in the spotlight. She openly criticized the Countess even in public settings, just like now.

“How could someone who’s always away from home possibly care for their family? I could never love someone like that.”

It was obvious to everyone that her words were aimed at the Countess. Yet, despite the blatant attack, the Countess remained silent.

Helena thought she understood why.

It was because she had something to protect—the trading company, her family, and her children.

It was different from Helena, who had nothing to lose and found it easier to fight back. The Countess chose silence because her pride was not as important as the things she needed to protect.

‘In a way, it’s pitiful,’ Helena thought, feeling sorry for the Countess. But she didn’t step in to defend her.

If the daughter of Eskel suddenly acted like a righteous savior, it would only embarrass the Countess further.

Helena truly intended to stay out of it.

Until the woman’s next words brought her into the conversation.

“The Duchess of Frantor will end up the same way. No man could ever love a woman like that.”

If Eva hadn’t mentioned her name, Helena might have let it slide.

“Why, of all places, would you bring me into this?”

Helena saw this as the perfect chance to subtly help the Countess.

This was her chance to act like an Eskel—doing what Eskels do best.

“So, you’re talking about me now?”

Her voice was cold as she fixed her gaze on Eva. The color drained from Eva’s face.

Comment

  1. AyraRedwood says:

    Thank you so much for the update 🥰 I love how surprised Joshua and Cassius are

    1. Sid says:

      You are welcome. I really love Helena and Jeremy’s bond.😊

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