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Chapter 79
“…It seems you know what happened among the children.”
“No, I don’t know the details either. But you know, as parents, you just know when your child is struggling.”
Hearing Julian’s words, Scarlet thought of Herwin, groaning on the bed.
“You’re right,” Scarlet said, frowning and brushing the stray hair from her face back.
“Still, it’s a shame. I was confident I could take good care of Lucia if she joined our family.”
Julian fiddled with his hands, unable to reply. He understood Scarlet’s feelings completely—he, too, felt the same regret.
“Actually, I came to scold you for what happened yesterday, but now that you say that, I have nothing to say.”
“Yesterday?”
“You left Herwin outside all day yesterday.”
At first, Julian looked bewildered, but then his face gradually turned pale.
“W-what are you talking about? Herwin came to our house?”
“You didn’t know? I thought you might have punished the boy because Herwin did something wrong to Lucia.”
“That’s impossible! No matter how much I dislike a child, I’d never kick them out!”
Judging by his trembling voice and pale face, Julian didn’t seem to be lying.
So someone else must have done it.
‘Could it be Lucia…’
“I’m really sorry. I didn’t even know that happened. I’ll apologize on your behalf.”
“No, my son isn’t blameless either.”
Scarlet accepted Julian’s apology calmly and stood up.
Julian’s heart was still pounding over Herwin’s situation as he watched Scarlet.
“Are you leaving now?”
“Yes. I’m a bit worried leaving a sick child behind. I’ll be in the capital for a while, so let’s meet often.”
“Wait, I’ll see you off.”
“No, it’s fine. I can manage on my own. See you later.”
Leaving Julian behind, Scarlet stepped outside and let out a soft sigh.
‘Maybe I should’ve been angry.’
When she had first come by carriage, she had been furious at the thought of sending her precious son outside.
But after talking with Julian and hearing her mention Lucia, surprisingly, her anger gradually faded.
In fact, she realized that Julian cherished his child just as much as she did, which made it impossible to stay angry.
‘Judging by his reaction, it seems Herwin did something wrong.’
Julian, who usually laughed things off, had never shown such seriousness before.
“What on earth did that boy Herwin do?”
Not knowing the full situation, her frustration only grew.
As she was leaving through the front gate, she suddenly heard running footsteps.
“D-Duchess!”
A clear, melodious voice called out. Scarlet turned around.
Lucia was standing there, panting.
Scarlet’s tense expression softened into a broad smile.
“My goodness, Lucia. How long has it been? You’ve grown into such a young lady.”
“I didn’t expect you to come, ma’am. How have you been?”
“Very well.”
Lucia, scurrying over in her small frame, looked extremely cute. To Scarlet, nearly 170cm tall, she appeared even smaller and more adorable.
“Ma’am?”
When Scarlet silently stared at her, Lucia tilted her head, her cheeks flushing slightly.
Scarlet’s shoulders shook, and she suddenly pulled Lucia into a tight hug.
“My, my, the more I see you, the cuter you get! Shall I just make you my daughter now?”
“H-Haha…”
Lucia forced an awkward laugh in Scarlet’s embrace. This was something Scarlet said every time she saw her, so she was now somewhat used to it.
“You’d be perfect for joining our family. Couldn’t ask for more.”
Lucia froze at the words. Scarlet realized too late that she had spoken without thinking and covered her mouth.
“I’m joking! Just joking. Well, the part I said before was true, but…”
Scarlet rambling nervously made eye contact with Lucia’s clear eyes, and she cleared her throat.
“Ahem, I heard you’re engaged?”
“Ah…”
Lucia had not expected Scarlet to know, so she looked slightly uneasy.
“Yes… somehow it turned out that way.”
Her hand awkwardly rubbed the back of her neck, her eyes avoided meeting Scarlet’s, and her body stiffened.
Scarlet was inwardly surprised by Lucia’s reaction.
“So Herwin must have told you.”
Lucia’s face seemed to flash with slight disappointment.
A sudden, instinctive feeling ran through Scarlet’s body. She narrowed her eyes, trying to confirm her suspicion.
“No, it wasn’t Herwin. Henry told me. Herwin never said anything like that to me.”
“Ah… I-I see?”
Lucia’s stiff cheeks relaxed, and she smiled, embarrassed at the misunderstanding.
“But what brings you all the way to the capital? Some business?”
“I rushed over as soon as I heard about your engagement.”
“Excuse me?”
“I had clearly intended you to be Herwin’s match, so I was shocked to hear you’re engaged to someone else.”
Lucia’s face instantly heated.
“I hear the engagement has progressed quite a bit.”
For a moment, embarrassed, Lucia realized her situation and parted her lips. Though she had long anticipated this, standing before Scarlet made her tongue-tied.
Scarlet’s face reminded her of Herwin’s, from the confession he had made just yesterday.
“We’re… going to have the engagement ceremony soon.”
Scarlet’s eyes sharpened instantly.
“Really? Julian didn’t mention anything about that yet.”
“That was our conversation yesterday. I’ll send you an invitation when the engagement ceremony is held.”
Lucia’s eyes turned red. She tried to hide her emotions, trembling slightly. It seemed she still had lingering feelings for Herwin.
‘Or am I mistaken?’
Perhaps she was overthinking. But if her guess was right…
After a brief moment of thought, Scarlet finally spoke.
“So you’ve given up on Herwin?”
“…Excuse me?”
“You seemed to like Herwin a lot. If I’m wrong, I apologize.”
“….”
Lucia froze, unable to respond. Scarlet briefly regretted her bluntness.
‘Still, I can’t let this go.’
If not now, she would lose the chance to understand Lucia’s true feelings.
“What I said earlier was sincere. Herwin may be lacking in some ways, but we both wanted you in our family. Not just me, but him too.”
Lucia’s heart fluttered. Despite being rejected by Herwin, she was overjoyed that his family was willing to accept her.
“Th-Thank you… But marriage isn’t just about one person’s will. And… I already have someone else right now.”
Her own words stabbed her heart. Trying to suppress the pain, Lucia forced a smile.
“Herwin will surely find someone wonderful too.”
Though Lucia tried to hide her feelings, Scarlet could see her true emotions clearly.
It seemed their love, though misaligned, still lingered for each other.
That alone was a great gain. Pushing too hard wouldn’t restore their relationship, so Scarlet decided to step back for now.
“…I see, then there’s nothing I can do. Lucia, congratulations on your engagement, even if belatedly.”
“No, thank you. I’m the one who should be grateful.”
“I should be going now. I’ll visit once more before heading north. We’ll talk again then, alright?”
“Yes, I will.”
Lucia followed Scarlet to see her off.
Watching Scarlet board the carriage, Lucia felt anxious. She had something she wanted to ask since seeing her.
“Um, um…!”
Lucia, unable to contain her nervousness, grabbed Scarlet.
“Is… Herwin feeling unwell anywhere?”
Scarlet’s eyebrows twitched. She turned to look at Lucia.
Lucia stammered, avoiding eye contact.
“Y-Yes, I saw him briefly yesterday, and he seemed unwell. He might have had a slight fever… Did something happen…?”
“Herwin is in bed right now.”
Lucia’s head snapped up at Scarlet’s words.
Her mask slipped off, revealing a desperate expression. Her love for Herwin still lingered.
“In bed! What’s wrong with him? He’s never been sick even once…!”
“C-Calm down now.”
Lucia, who had instinctively grabbed Scarlet’s arm, caught herself.
Scarlet smiled faintly, patting her.
“He came home late yesterday with a high fever. The doctor says it’s just a cold. The fever’s gone down a lot since yesterday, but he still needs rest. Nothing serious, so don’t worry.”
“Fever…”
Lucia realized he had been hotter than usual. Guilt gnawed at her for leaving him outside all day while he was unwell.
“Serves him right. His condition wasn’t good even before.”
“You mean he’s been unwell for a while?”
“Yes. Jerome said he skipped meals all week and drank only alcohol. It’s amazing he didn’t get alcohol poisoning.”
A week ago coincided roughly with the Christine party.
What could have happened to make someone who normally avoids alcohol drink so much?
Lucia worried for Herwin, wanting to see his condition with her own eyes.
Biting her lip and clenching her fists, Scarlet spoke gently.
“If you’re really worried, do you want to see Herwin?”
“…Me?”
“Yes. Seeing you might cheer him up a little.”
Lucia’s eyes wavered. She conflicted between wanting to go and feeling she shouldn’t.
After a brief silence, she lifted her head.
“Yes, I’ll go. I’ll get ready quickly.”
“All right, I’ll wait.”
Scarlet watched Lucia rush into the mansion with a small smile.
‘That’s a relief.’
It was still too early for Herwin to give up everything. It was clear they liked each other, and she couldn’t just watch.
Even if Lucia had an engagement…
“It’s not even a marriage yet, just an engagement.”
Breaking an engagement was common in noble society, so there was no need to worry about appearances.
If anyone whispered about Lucia and Herwin, Scarlet wouldn’t stand idly by.
“Herwin will be surprised when he sees her.”
Scarlet imagined Herwin’s reaction when he saw Lucia.
She then noticed Lucia had changed into a dress, looking even more beautiful.
“You waited long!”
Seeing the transformed Lucia, Scarlet hummed to herself.
“No, not too long. Shall we go now?”
