IBMLA 29

Chapter – 29

Dolorasa returned to the D’Arcineac Duke Mansion but didn’t go inside immediately. She sat on the steps at the entrance, curling up as she thought about Rachel.

Soft, fluffy, tender, sweet scent, kind voice, gentle way of speaking… Did Dad feel like this too?

Even though she knew the answer, she couldn’t help comparing. She waited anxiously for Sian to come back.

I thought I didn’t need a mom, but I envy Graham. Why are mom and dad different? Why don’t I have a mom?

Her seven-year-old mind worked tirelessly.

Graham said he didn’t have a dad, but if he gets a mom, does that mean the dad disappears? No… but there are kids who have both mom and dad.

Dolorasa made a wish for something she had never wanted before.

I want a mom too. I think it would be so happy to snuggle in a soft, warm mom’s arms like Graham does every day. Should I tell Dad? He always gives me whatever I want. Yes, I’ll do that.

Just as Dolorasa solidified her decision, Sian returned to the mansion. Dressed in beautiful formal wear, he got out of the carriage and widened his eyes when he saw his daughter sitting on the steps.

“Dolly? What are you doing here?”

“Dad! I was waiting for you!”

Dolorasa jumped up and ran to hug Sian.

The daughter who ran out as soon as they got home was more adorable than flowers. Sian closed his eyes and smiled warmly. He lifted her high, then held her tightly in his arms.

Dolorasa giggled, clinging to her father’s neck.

It was wonderful. Dad was the best in the world. The way he smiled gently, the way he sometimes scolded then comforted her, the way he held her tightly—all of it was perfect.

But… it’s different. Lady Rachel’s neck and shoulders weren’t like this. Dad smells like wood, but Lady Rachel smelled like sweet sugar cookies.

Feeling a bit down, Dolorasa hugged her father even tighter than usual.

Sian, quick to notice, patted her back.

“Dolly, what’s wrong? Did something bad happen today?”

“…Dad.”

“Yes?”

“I like cherries.”

“….”

It was a secret code between Sian and Dolorasa—a cute promise for a private conversation.

Sian quietly sent the carriage and servants away and went to the garden with Dolorasa. Sitting in the middle of the sunset-lit garden, he spoke gently to his daughter, who clung to his neck, refusing to let go.

“Sian likes wild strawberries.”

“You know, Dad…”

“Tell me.”

“Why don’t I have a mom?”

“….”

He had no words to answer.

How could he explain that her mother had been a servant to the emperor and had fled right after giving birth? Sian didn’t even know whether she was alive or dead. If it were Sigarra, she probably wouldn’t have left her alive. He hadn’t wanted to know.

Why did she suddenly want to know about her mother?

She had never cared before…

I love Dad the most! Dad is enough for me!

Sian was a good father. He did his best for Dolorasa, was gentle, and showered her with love.

Yet there were many things he couldn’t do alone. He was so busy it felt like he needed two bodies. He couldn’t always take her shopping, pick dresses, or enjoy tea time—small but important things.

Unsure how to answer, he parted his lips and asked hesitantly.

“Why are you asking about Mom all of a sudden?”

“I met Lady Rachel today.”

…Rachel?

Why did her name come up here?

Suppressing the sudden pounding of his heart, Sian listened closely to Dolorasa.

“I ended up in her arms, and she smelled sweet, felt so soft, and it felt really nice. Graham always brags that he likes his mom more than his dad… so I got curious.”

“I see.”

“Dad, I want a mom too. Please make me a mom.”

Faced with such a clear request, Sian smiled bitterly.

“I’m sorry, but making a mom isn’t easy.”

“Why not?”

“Well… to be your mom, she’d have to marry me, but I can’t get married.”

“You can’t get married? Anyone can marry if they love someone!”

Indeed, Sian’s path was thoroughly blocked by Sigarra. The emperor would never let him freely expand his influence through marriage. Perhaps he was even planning to pair Sian with some unknown noble or commoner.

Still, Sian didn’t reveal the full truth to his daughter.

“I’ll try to find someone I love quickly so I can make her your mom.”

“Really? Thank you! Dad, you’re the best!”

He hugged Dolorasa, who was genuinely happy, tightly.

After dinner, Sian put Dolorasa to bed and went to his study. He toyed with his cufflinks adorned with pink diamonds, lost in thought.

I want a mom too…

Though Sian had raised Dolorasa freely, this was the first time she had left the mansion on her own. She must have found courage because the other mansion was so close.

Dolorasa had gone alone to meet Rachel, someone she had never met often. And after meeting her, she even talked about wanting a mom—a topic she had never broached before.

‘She’s finally being a proper child,’ Sian thought, happy yet bitter. Happy that Dolorasa was being childlike, but bitter that it was Rachel, not him, who had made her so.

Rachel.

The more he met her, the stranger she became.

Before meeting her, he had thought she was beautiful but not very thoughtful.

After talking with her, he realized she was sharp and a strategist among the talented people he had met.

He wanted to acquire her, make her his. He had approached her deliberately.

The more he met her, he realized that beneath her intelligence lay a surprisingly delicate side.

The way she was shocked at her husband’s infidelity and prioritized her goals over her own happiness. The way she tried to raise her child well without her husband’s help. Seeing this, he felt concerned.

He wanted her by his side and wanted to help.

Even though he knew this wasn’t typical of him, he threw himself into everything related to Rachel.

It wasn’t just kindness to make her his subordinate—he was too deeply involved.

Sighing at a letter from Bishop Rylas nearby, he thought:

Rylas had heard news about Rachel and asked Sian for help to do something for her.

Though it wasn’t necessary, Sian had jumped in without hesitation.

Why do I keep doing this?

He didn’t understand the desire in his head, the feeling he couldn’t rationally explain.

Should I keep my distance from Rachel?

His mind questioned it, but his heart answered:

Distance… can I?

He already knew the answer was impossible. He couldn’t leave such a smart person alone.

Even swept up in emotion, he didn’t want to let Rachel go.

Why?

He didn’t know yet.

Theodor hid under the shadow of a massive wall, peeking at the mansion. The security was indeed as tight as the guild informant had said.

Is it almost noon?

His legs were swollen from being hit by Berengela, and crouching here was tough—but he could endure it as long as he could see Rachel again.

At noon, the guards switched shifts, and the person watching the wall hole disappeared. It was a spot Sian and Rachel had deliberately made.

Unaware of anything, Theodor scrambled on the ground and slipped through the wall, his clothes covered in dirt.

Inside the mansion, he saw Rachel. She was enjoying tea in the beautiful garden.

Theodor, entranced, approached her.

“Ra-Rachel… I missed you.”

Rachel didn’t look at him, quietly sipping her tea.

I thought she’d be crying and happy to see me…

Being treated like a ghost by her felt unfamiliar, and Theodor didn’t know what to do.

“Rachel, are you mad because I’m late? I couldn’t help it—moving to this place made it hard to find me.”

“….”

“Oh! Are you pretending not to know me because of the rumors that I rebelled? That’s all false! It’s a misunderstanding! I’ll prove it!”

“Prove?”

Rachel finally spoke, looking at Theodor with cold eyes.

“How will you prove you didn’t commit adultery?”

Theodor smiled widely, oblivious to her incredulity.

“There’s a letter from Jane at the Ellosa Mansion! It will prove that my going out at night and spending money wasn’t rebellion—it was adultery!”

“This?”

Rachel lifted the basket next to her chair. Inside were hundreds of letters—the love letters between Theodor and Jane, which she had kept after leaving the mansion.

[Dear Theo-ora,
It’s been over 100 days since we became lovers. There are so many walls between us—status, age difference—but I swear I will always love you. You will soon marry another woman, but…]

Theodor checked the letters and leapt in joy.

“Yes! This is it! The ones from before marriage are safe too! Now I can prove my adultery for sure!”

“So you’re happy that adultery is confirmed?”

Rachel, raising one side of her mouth in disbelief, poured her tea over Theodor.

Splash!