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Episode 7
Lacon continued speaking.
“There is one thing that might be helpful. I’m sorry, but could I have some paper and a pen?”
The added request was directed at Lionel.
“Uh.”
Lionel, who had been looking around, soon took out a pen and a single sheet of paper from his bosom. It was the paper I had signed for him.
Lionel placed it on the table and whispered, “I’ll ask for a new one later.”
Lacon drew something on the paper and handed it over.
“It’s a scar that was on the back of that guy’s hand. Since he himself knew it was unusual, he was probably wearing gloves. I’m sure of it.”
It was a drawing of a star with an X and a cross overlapping. It was indeed an uncommon shape.
“He was wearing a mask, so aside from this… I only remember that he was a man around my age.”
Lacon hesitated and then added a stiff voice, “I’m sorry.”
I examined the drawing, then turned my gaze to Lacon.
“Honestly, I can’t completely forgive you. I understand your situation, but for me, you are one of the reasons I lost my family.”
“……”
“But if you sincerely cooperate with the investigation from now on.”
I took a short breath and calmly concluded.
“At the very least, I can guarantee the safety of your family.”
“…Yes.”
Lacon moved his head heavily.
After giving a new autograph to the devoted fan, I left the Investigation Bureau.
It was early evening when I arrived at the伯爵’s mansion.
“Oh, my lady.”
There was an unfamiliar man by the main gate.
“Nice to meet you. I’m Alan Cordon from the Unbelievable Times.”
It was a familiar name.
After thinking for a moment, I remembered he was the reporter who reported on the伯爵 family’s entrance this morning.
That aside, what brings him here all of a sudden?
I unconsciously furrowed my brow.
“What brings you here?”
“Well, first of all, I would like to express my deep condolences regarding your sister’s incident.”
“……”
At the unexpected topic, I felt a surge of emotion.
How could I have forgotten about that?
“That aside, as a reporter, I have something I’d like to ask…”
When I didn’t answer, Alan, perhaps it was just a matter of courtesy, didn’t press for a reply and instead steered the conversation to the main point.
“Don’t you have anything to say about the child’s father?”
“……”
Ah, so you’ve come to get a scoop.
It wasn’t entirely unexpected.
“You can just give a simple answer. I already have the Colonel in mind, you see.”
“That person and I broke up a long time ago.”
“…Are you really going to be like this?”
“It was just a one-night stand, so I have nothing to say.”
“Hmm…”
Alan stared at me with narrowed eyes, as if trying to uncover some huge truth.
“Let me be honest with you.”
Then he let out a deflating sigh and fidgeted with the hem of his shirt, which was blameless in all this.
“To be frank, I find this whole incident suspicious in many ways. How can there be absolutely no rumors? It would have been difficult not to show any signs right up until she gave birth. So…”
His logical words trailed off, and he continued in a lower voice.
“What I’m curious about, first of all, is whether that child is really your ladyship’s child.”
“……”
To face such suspicion in just one day.
‘Well, it’s obvious why he’s spouting such nonsense.’
It must be a tactic to get some kind of reaction out of me and write a sensational article.
The protagonist of a scandal heating up the capital would be like sweet candy to a reporter.
‘The problem is, from my perspective, it’s not entirely nonsense at all.’
“That is…”
As soon as I grasped the situation, I let out a voice full of hurt.
“That is truly a heartbreaking thing to say. How can you doubt the relationship between me and my child?”
“I’m saying this because I have good reason…”
“I would appreciate a sincere apology for your words just now.”
Martha joined in on my acting, putting her all into it.
“Don’t mind him too much, Miss. How dare he say such a thing to you when you’re already having such a hard time? That’s truly terrible. Wow, such rudeness. Wow, I’m so upset just hearing it.”
It was delivered in a monotone that didn’t sound sincere in the slightest.
“…I apologize.”
Alan, suddenly cast as a ‘journalist who lost his humanity blinded by a scoop,’ quickly backed down.
He probably hadn’t expected this kind of reaction.
‘Alan Cordon, was it?’
I wouldn’t let him off easily for digging into my baby’s background, but for now, I’d hold off.
I needed to first check who his backer was that allowed him to come here so boldly.
I turned my back primly.
“B-but, I really wish you’d give me a clear answer. This is also related to my duty as a journalist.”
No, I intended to turn away.
“Who is the child’s father?”
“……”
I was trying to play the role of a tragic heroine for a while, but you’ve finally tested my patience.
After taking a deep breath filled with emotion, I smiled brightly.
It was the same chilling smile that Chris, who had caused trouble before, said was scarier than anger.
“I’m someone who sees persistence not as a virtue, but as inefficiency.”
“If it really is your ladyship’s child-“
“It’s inappropriate to prattle on about journalistic duty like this, so leave the way you came.”
I pointed to the main gate with my fingertip.
“As for the rest, we can talk after you’ve made a formal appointment.”
“…Damn.”
“Damn?”
“No… nothing, my lady.”
Sensing the atmosphere had turned strange, Alan quickly disappeared.
‘There will be more than one or two people testing the waters like that.’
Someday, I would have to present clear evidence that I am Pippi’s mother.
After Alan left, I simply changed my clothes and called Hibel and Martha.
“Ugh, uh.”
As I sat on the sofa, I saw the cradle beside me.
Inside it was Pippi, flailing her arms, engaged in her own private struggle.
After looking at my precious niece for a moment, I briefly explained what happened with Alan to Hibel.
“…So, I think I need to come up with a story about the child’s father.”
As soon as my explanation ended, Martha, who had been silently mouthing words, finally voiced her opinion as if she’d been waiting.
“Honestly, if we just want to avoid suspicion, the Colonel is the best choice.”
“What?”
“Well, these days there’s a trend of regretful husbands, they say nearly a hundred divorce papers are issued but never collected.”
“……”
“Plus, the Colonel is incredibly handsome, so if we add a plausible story, it would be easy to fool people.”
“No, that has to make sense.”
I hardened my expression.
Use my ex-boyfriend?
Of all people, the one I’m most uncomfortable with in the entire world?
‘I wouldn’t like that, and I’m sure Lancel wouldn’t either.’
Even if unintended rumors started, once Lancel heard them, he would immediately deny them. He wouldn’t want to be associated with me.
‘Everyone seems not to believe what I say, but…’
If Lancel, returned from the sea, said it wasn’t true, things would quiet down.
He is the heir of a prestigious family, and even reporters blinded by scoops would be afraid of Arbiente.
‘I do feel a bit sorry for causing him trouble since we’re no longer involved.’
Still, it was awkward for me to voluntarily add anything more.
I didn’t know when Lancel would return, but the best I could do was send a letter explaining the situation to the公爵 mansion.
“Never mind that. Let’s just say he was some noble from a branch family.”
At my flat tone, Martha nodded, apparently giving up on persuading me. Hibel’s had a similar reaction.
“Well, first, here’s how I met that man. I…”
Right at that moment.
I heard the sound of heavy footsteps from behind.
Thinking it must be my father, I casually turned my head.
“……”
Then, as soon as I confirmed the person’s face, I froze.
“I’d like to hear that too.”
It was familiar.
The gentle voice settling in my ears.
The blue eyes holding the fairy tale Sea.
Even the dazzlingly shining silver hair.
“Explain it to me, Mary.”
Lancel looked at me with an unfathomable smile.
“Why, as soon as I return to the capital, I hear that my ex-lover has been raising a child alone?”
Lancel walked over, catching his breath belatedly.
My feelings as I watched him were…
‘What am I seeing right now?’ was the thought.
“Well.”
Lancel, having caught his breath, let his gaze wander around the surroundings.
“Keep talking. It’s interesting.”
At his flat voice, I barely managed to come to my senses and said to Martha and Hibel.
“Please excuse us.”
The two prawns, who looked like their backs were about to burst, finally scurried away.
After admiring the face I hadn’t seen in a long time, which consequently looked even more handsome, I asked.
“What are you curious about?”
“I told you.”
Lancel let out a light laugh.
But his eyes weren’t smiling. My heart pounded at the gaze revealing his discomfort.
“Did you really think you could stay quiet even after having my child?”
“……?”
“Why didn’t you tell me? There were plenty of opportunities.”
I was speechless.
What did he just say?
