Chapter 125
‧₊˚ ☁️⋅♡𓂃 ࣪ ִֶָ☾.
So, she must be from a foreign country, having come all this way to repay a debt.
She even handed Mikhail a small envelope.
There were too many strange things. Emilia also occasionally saw them engaging in casual physical contact.
A feeling of frustration and confusion surged within her.
Was it betrayal? But the very idea of feeling betrayed was absurd.
Yet, the sight of them being so affectionate stirred uncomfortable emotions.
What could they possibly need to discuss in private away from others?
What is this boiling feeling?
She was bewildered and distressed.
But before her eavesdropping was discovered, she had to leave.
Emilia quickly turned and walked briskly back to the ballroom.
‘I think they were discussing something related to Dahlia.’
Again, those unnecessary emotions churned inside her. She felt she needed to return to the mansion and report what she had overheard.
* * *
Mikhail returned immediately to the ballroom.
Dahlia’s red eyes were even more striking. In front of her stood Emilia, blood dripping from her.
She wasn’t even holding her injured arm; she just had a look of confusion on her face.
“Miss, calm down. Who could have harmed you here? Please tell me who did this.”
Emilia tried to calm Dahlia with a composed voice, ignoring her own injured arm.
Mikhail’s gaze shifted from her arm to the floor.
It was covered with shards from a broken wine glass. People stood in shocked silence.
Despite his daughter’s injury, Duke Loren remained unmoved. In fear, he couldn’t take away his gaze from Dahlia and eventually turned away.
Duchess Loren quickly left the ballroom with the Duke.
Mikhail sneered at their retreating figures, likely reminded of their own despicable actions.
He turned his attention back to Dahlia, who was afflicted by madness.
Her red eyes were still unnaturally wide. Her pale face and gaze were solely focused on Emilia. Blood flowed from her hand holding the broken wine glass, but she didn’t seem to care.
“Dahlia.”
“How dare, how dare… a mere nothing like you.”
Dahlia muttered softly.
The red eyes, brimming with rage, remained fixed on Emilia.
“I hate people who don’t realize their own mistakes.”
Dahlia murmured softly.
With her head held high, Dahlia glared with what seemed like clenched teeth.
“You should have died… you should experience the same…”
She muttered, glaring at Emilia as if she wanted to kill her.
“So what mistakes are you talking about…?”
Emilia’s voice trembled. The suddenness of the situation left her no time to process what was happening.
Adrian watched the scene unfold without removing the smile from his face.
Mikhail seized Dahlia’s hand and turned her around. The wine glass she was holding fell to the floor.
Clang!
The noise echoed through the otherwise quiet ballroom.
Dahlia’s vacant eyes were filled with madness.
“I told you there would be consequences if you caused a disturbance.”
“…No. That’s not right. I need to be here.”
Dahlia’s gaze slowly regained focus. Boestin, who had been observing quietly, immediately addressed her.
“Dahlia, it’s me. It’s okay. Let’s go back to the mansion together.”
“…Sister? Is that you, Sister Boestin?”
“Yes, it’s me.”
She gently covered Dahlia’s eyes with her hand.
“Calm your breathing. Ignore the looks of others. They can’t harm you.”
Boestin’s soothing words helped Dahlia’s rapidly rising and falling chest regain its rhythm.
“She seems to be hyperventilating, so we’ll leave here first.”
Mikhail nodded at Boestin’s words. People throughout the vast ballroom stood frozen in shock.
They held their breath, their eyes darting around anxiously.
“Your Majesty, I don’t know what you discussed with my sister, but I think it’s best for us to leave now.”
Mikhail exhaled slowly, maintaining a stiff posture. Despite his impolite attitude, no one dared to criticize Duke Heinrich.
“…Duke Heinrich, I’m not sure what’s happening here. I was merely having a casual conversation with your cousin.”
“It’s just that she’s sensitive, so please overlook today’s rudeness.”
“While I can accept that, it seems the Duchess was quite startled.”
Emilia finally used her handkerchief to stem the bleeding from her arm.
“I’m fine. I was aware of the situation in advance, so there’s no need to worry about me.”
“The royal doctor has been summoned, so the Duchess will receive treatment soon.”
“In that case, please take care of her. Sir Byne, assist the Duchess as needed.”
“Understood.”
Mikhail turned and left the ballroom. Watching him leave, Adrian adjusted his chin and commented.
“Oh dear. It’s problematic if the main figures are absent. It seems we’ll have to end the reception here today.”
Emilia stood there, staring at Mikhail’s retreating figure.
Adrian approached Emilia.
“You seem quite shaken. Did you truly know everything?”
“I’d like to ask what you were talking about.”
“I just brought up matters that the red eyes reminded me of. It seems I mentioned things I shouldn’t have.”
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