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Chapter 48
. Leaving the Truth Behind
“She firmly believes she’s the illegitimate daughter of Count Paul Heredian. I’m deeply worried about the shock she’ll suffer if she learns the truth of her birth.”
Tayshar’s heart ached at the thought of Lorentia being hurt.
“But we can’t keep hiding it forever, Tayshar. For the sake of what’s to come, Lady Lorentia must see Sir Cain’s portrait.”
Magus recalled Baelo’s words.
“Before my father passed the title of Duke of de Glosten to me, the last thing he did was to submit the marriage certificate written by those two to Her Majesty the Queen for approval. Of course, it was approved without issue.”
“The marriage between Lady Musilla and Sir Cain was already validated long ago. Therefore, Lady Lorentia will become the only duchess of the House of de Glosten.”
“Lady Lorentia… a duchess?”
“The Duke and Duchess of de Glosten, Duke Baelo and his wife, plan to adopt Lady Lorentia as their daughter.”
“He secured the marriage approval so that, no matter what happened to the two of them, the House of de Glosten could recognize it. Naturally, any child born between them also belongs to the de Glosten family. So my niece is no illegitimate child of the Heredian family.”
“I know what you’re worried about, Tayshar. But if she’s their daughter, I’m certain she’s as strong and steadfast as they were.”
Magus knew he needed to uncover how Musilla had died in the Heredian estate—and how the Count had taken her and made her his mistress.
“Even if it hurts her, the truth must be told.”
Tayshar sighed deeply. He couldn’t imagine how Lorentia could bear the heavy truth awaiting her—along with the sorrow and anger it would bring.
Lorentia woke to the sweet scent drifting through her room. She turned her head toward the side.
“Marquis?”
Tayshar was sitting loosely against the wall near the bedside table, gazing quietly at her. Lorentia’s eyes wandered toward the terrace; warm morning sunlight slipped through the curtains.
Surely he hadn’t been sitting there all night watching her sleep, had he?
“You’re awake, Lady Lorentia?”
Tayshar tilted his head slightly, smiling as he approached.
“The smell of cocoa woke me up.”
“I was drinking some. I’ll bring you a cup.”
“Yes.”
Lorentia nodded and sat up. Tayshar stepped outside briefly and soon returned with a steaming cup of cocoa, placing it gently on the bed table in front of her.
“Thank you.”
Lorentia parted her lips slightly and blew softly on the cocoa before taking a slow sip. The sweetness instantly lifted her mood.
“A cup of cocoa right after waking up tastes wonderful.”
“I’m glad you like it.”
“But Marquis Spencer—did you not sleep?”
“I couldn’t. I was speaking with my father through the night.”
Lorentia continued sipping her cocoa, puzzled by Tayshar’s uneasy expression.
She then recalled the dream she’d had the night before—the amethyst orb had appeared to her once again, showing her someone she dearly missed.
It was her mother, and herself as a child.
“Lorentia, I love you. My precious rainbow.”
Hearing Musilla’s gentle and loving voice made her heart ache painfully. Seeing her mother again, even in a dream, brought tears to her eyes.
“Even if hardships come your way, you’ll overcome them—you’re like me and Cain.”
Right after hearing those words, she’d smelled something sweet and awakened. The dream had been beautiful—but she couldn’t stop wondering. Who was this “Cain”?
“Lady Lorentia.”
“Yes, Marquis Spencer?”
Tayshar, now sitting beside her, moved his lips as though speaking pained him.
“Today might be a difficult day for you.”
“If it’s supposed to be hard for me, then why do you look the one suffering, Marquis?”
Lorentia smiled gently and cupped his cheek. Tayshar closed his eyes and pressed his face into her palm as though seeking comfort.
“If you had to choose—between learning a painful truth or living happily while leaving it behind—which would you choose?”
His face twisted with anguish as he asked, voice trembling. Lorentia was puzzled by the question, but smiled as she answered.
“I’d rather know the truth, even if it hurts. I’d rather face it and move forward than live happily in ignorance. Even if that choice leads to despair, I won’t regret it.”
“You’re stronger than I imagined, Lady Lorentia.”
As she spoke lightly, the tension on Tayshar’s brow eased.
“Then what should I do, when I have to watch you suffer after learning the truth?”
Lorentia tilted her head as if the answer were obvious.
“Just act like you did yesterday.”
“Yesterday…?”
Remembering how he had held and comforted her until she fell asleep, Tayshar’s cheeks turned pink.
“That’s enough?”
“Yes. Just hold me like you did yesterday, pat my back, and comfort me.”
Tayshar tried to steady his pounding heart and took a deep breath.
“Then today, I’ll tell you the truth I’ve kept from you. But in return…”
Lorentia tilted her head.
“No matter how painful it becomes, please don’t isolate yourself. Let me stay by your side.”
“I promise, Marquis Spencer.”
Hearing her answer, Tayshar gazed down at her pale face.
“Lady Lorentia.”
“Yes?”
His face drew closer—she thought he might kiss her. But instead, he pressed his face against the curve of her neck and carefully wrapped his arms around her. Lorentia, speechless, gently patted his back. Her chest tightened strangely.
“Marquis Spencer, are you hurting that much?”
He nodded. Unable to find words for the ache in his heart, he simply held her tighter. Strangely, when she patted his back, the pain inside him eased.
“It’s all right.”
“I’m… not all right.”
Tayshar bit his lower lip and forced himself to stand, staring at her. Seeing how much pain he seemed to be in made Lorentia’s heart twist.
“Even if the truth you show me hurts, I’ll try not to let it break me.”
“Lady Lorentia…”
“So I hope you can be all right too, Marquis Spencer.”
Hearing his own words from the previous night echoed back at him, Tayshar’s eyes softened, and the corner of his lips curved faintly.
“Are you… comforting me?”
He pinched his own cheek hard, as if to check if he was dreaming.
“Yes, I’m comforting you.”
Lowering his hand, Tayshar nodded.
“Then, no matter how harsh the truth may be, I’ll endure it. Please—take me to your father.”
“How did you know I planned to bring you to him?”
Lorentia only smiled knowingly.
“My father’s in the sitting room connected to my chambers.”
Tayshar led her forward.
‘A painful truth,’ huh.
Lorentia’s lips were dry with tension. Tayshar had warned her it would hurt—and he’d looked even more troubled than she did.
And then—
“You’ll overcome it, because you’re like me and Cain.”
Her mother Musilla’s words echoed in her mind.
“We’re here.”
Tayshar knocked lightly on the door, then opened it. Lorentia took a short breath and stepped inside.
It was the face she’d seen in the amethyst orb—Magus. He approached her.
“It’s an honor to meet you, Lady Lorentia. I am Magus of House Spencer.”
They look alike.
Lorentia was struck by how much he resembled Tayshar—the same black hair, the same deep red eyes. The resemblance made it clear they were father and son. But where Tayshar shone with youthful warmth and gentleness, Magus exuded authority and gravity.
“I heard you like cocoa.”
“Yes, Marquis Spencer made some for me earlier.”
Magus nodded. Lorentia gave a polite bow before Tayshar guided her to the sofa. On the table sat a black jewel box and a frame turned face down—the same ones she’d seen in the vision through the amethyst orb. Something told her both objects were connected to her.
She unconsciously touched the amethyst pendant at her neck.
“What a beautiful necklace.”
“It’s the only keepsake my mother left me.”
“So she brought one just like it—and left it to you.”
Magus looked at the pendant fondly. Lorentia’s heart began to race at his familiarity with her mother and the necklace.
“Do you… know my mother?”
“Of course. I knew Lady Musilla very well.”
He answered without hesitation, as though he had been waiting for her to ask. Lorentia was startled to hear her mother’s name from his lips, but she composed herself and waited for his next words.
“And I also know your father very well, Lady Lorentia.”
