Chapter 223
‧₊˚ ☁️⋅♡𓂃 ࣪ ִֶָ☾.
“There will likely be more movement from the royal family soon. If my presence is revealed to the group, everything could go wrong.”
“…I agree. There’s no need to give away any weaknesses. Above all, what they want is for the Duke’s power to diminish.”
The Marquis paused to think, then nodded.
“I understand. However, when the hotel is established, there will likely be a significant uproar.”
“That day will mark a turning point, and everything will change.”
“Just promise me that you won’t stand against us, and align yourself with the royal family.”
“The documents I showed you are proof, take them with you.”
Mikhail’s signature was on the documents.
“Thank you. The council will meet the day after tomorrow. Please prepare.”
“Your informants are quick.”
“Then, I’ll see you at the upcoming council.”
The Marquis, having obtained what he wanted, immediately began to get up from his seat.
“By the way, Marquis, while Emilia was staying there, were there any issues?”
“Whatever you might imagine, there were none at all.”
“I see. You’re free to go.”
Mikhail smiled contentedly. However, the question seemed to weigh on Emilia’s mind, and as soon as the Marquis left the drawing room, she asked.
“Why did you ask about that? You’ve always acted like you wouldn’t believe anything I said.”
“I trust you, but I have no trust in others. I’ve been betrayed by so many people as I grew up that it’s just become a habit.”
“Did you think there was something going on between the Marquis and me?”
“Honestly, I’m not pleased. A man who rushed over after receiving a letter just to make sure my wife is safe… I can’t exactly be happy to see him.”
Emilia was taken aback and let out a laugh.
“I really don’t have a response for that. I’ll take my leave now.”
“The Marquis knew you were pregnant, but I was the only one who didn’t know. Isn’t that funny?”
“I didn’t want to tell you.”
“Even the maid knew, and I was the only one kept in the dark…”
“Dell only found out after being protected by the Marquis. While I was at the Duke’s estate, she thought I was ill, so don’t make her out to be the villain.”
“You really defend her more than anyone else.”
“Dell is the kind of person who would do anything for me.”
“I’m the same.”
There were times when Mikhail acted strangely.
Like now, when he casually dropped an unexpected remark.
“Are you saying you would do anything for me?”
Emilia barely held back a sneer. Was he talking about simply sticking a sword in his waist?
“Do you know what I’ve done for you?”
Mikhail looked up at Emilia as she stood. He continued with a serious, emotionless face.
“I took Madam Loren out of the Duke’s estate to save her. She was one of the people I wanted to kill more than anyone else.”
“…But you prevented me from seeing my mother.”
“I knew exactly what kind of face you would make. That’s why. I didn’t want to see that face.”
He grimaced, looking pained.
“I tried to go first and assess the situation, but unfortunately, the Loren family was attacked, and by the time I got there, it was already too late.”
“Did you really not think I would have seen it differently? I also thought you would want to finish your revenge yourself.”
“I’m sorry to say, but I can’t deny that. However, I didn’t want to end it that way.”
He hadn’t seen it, but she knew. She had read the newspaper and knew everything.
The end of her father’s life, how brutal and futile it had been, was detailed in the newspaper articles.
If he truly cared for her, he shouldn’t have let her find out this way.
He should have been honest with her, at least with her.
He shouldn’t have stopped her from seeing her mother, at least he could have given her some peace.
Emilia took a deep breath, trying not to get agitated. Every time she was stressed, her stomach would ache, and her face would scrunch up.
‘I promised to protect the child.’
So, as a mother, she needed to calm her emotions for the sake of the child.
After a moment, she spoke calmly.
“If you had told me even a little, it might have been different. The one who made me think on my own was no one but you.”
“I know. And I regret it. I should have let you see her, even if it meant watching you fall apart. If I had done that, you wouldn’t have run away from me.”
“That was something I had longed for, even before.”
“You tried to stay by my side. For a moment, you felt guilty, and you tried to understand me, didn’t you?”
“Don’t forget, the reason my heart changed is because of you. Ugh…!”
She grabbed her stomach tightly, overwhelmed by the sharp pain. She collapsed onto the chair and barely managed to control her breathing.
“Emilia!”
“Don’t come near me! I just… want to rest…”
She stood up slowly. With deliberate steps, she left the room, deliberately ignoring the gaze following her from behind.
❖ ❖ ❖
Adrian scratched his chin as he read the newspaper. He had woken up late after spending the night with a woman, a mistake he regretted now.
“Mother, please… Have you forgotten how to knock?”
“You’re still making such remarks after seeing the newspaper!”
It wasn’t as if she wanted to see her naked son, yet how was it that nothing ever seemed to change?
Adrian quickly gestured to the Madam, who had covered herself with the blanket.
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