I Never Wanted His Child - Chapter 35

‧₊˚ ☁️⋅♡𓂃 ࣪ ִֶָ☾.

Emilia, having arrived at the front of Kerren Marquis’s estate, adjusted her scarf properly before heading towards the ballroom.

There were rows of carriages lined up, likely due to the grand reception being held at the Marquis’s estate. As Emilia stood in front of the grand ballroom, the herald who spotted her rushed forward and announced,

“Emilia von Heinrich.”

As the gatekeeper opened the door, a crowd filled the grand ballroom.

Contrary to her expectation that there would be a hush as she entered the ballroom, people didn’t even spare her a glance.

“Welcome, Lady Heinrich,” said Madam Kerren, the host of the reception, as she approached with a smile.

‘Seeing her up close, I understand why they call her the Rose of Loren.’

Despite her reluctance to admit it, Emilia’s red hair had a captivating power that drew people’s gazes. Her softly sloping forehead, prominent nose, and deep double eyelids gave her calm brown eyes a serene quality. Her seemingly indifferent yet sharp emerald eyes brought to mind a lush blue garden in the summertime.

Even in a place with no breeze, with each step Emilia took, it seemed as if the wind lingered by her side, gently swaying her beautiful red hair.

‘No wonder the king must have his eyes on her.’

Although they knew she was the wife of Duke Heinrich, many gentlemen hid their sly intentions and glanced at her discreetly.

Madam Kerren, while forcing a smile, secretly cursed the men with ulterior motives.

“Madam Kerren, thank you for the invitation. I was worried I replied too late.”

“No, not at all. But are you feeling well? I heard you caught a severe cold. Quite unusual to have a cold in this hot summer…”

Her expression seemed to suggest she suspected there might be other reasons for Emilia’s condition.

At the moment when Emilia was trying to gauge her intentions, Madam Kerren added,

“A few days ago, Madam Eren got into a big fight with her husband and was kicked out of their mansion, drenched in the rain. Of course, such a thing would never happen to Madam Heinrich.”

She chuckled and lightly tapped her own chin with a fan.

“The Duke isn’t accompanying you. I wonder if something has come up?”

She subtly inquired about the Duke’s well-being. If Emilia were to reveal why he wasn’t here, it would make everyone see her as a woman who wasn’t even in the Duke’s interest.

‘Not that it matters.’

If rumors of their deteriorating relationship were to spread, it could disrupt the royal family’s plans. The issue was that if that happened, many people attached to her might lose their lives.

Furthermore, there was a high chance that the king, who had been eyeing her like a beast, would divorce her and the Duke and make her his mistress, subjecting her to a life worse than a courtesan.

What wouldn’t the King do to her, who the Duke was trying to keep from fleeing to carry his child?

There were plenty of people among them who could be the king’s eyes and ears. Perhaps everyone would run to the king immediately after the party ended, wagging their tails and informing him of what had happened.

Those who attended this gathering didn’t seem any different from Adrian’s ‘faithful dogs’.

“The Duke has other matters to attend to and couldn’t join us. I hope you’ll kindly understand, Madam.”

Emilia smiled lightly, folding her eyes and letting out a soft chuckle.

“You accepted the invitation, I was hoping to see the Duke. He’s such a rare sight, after all. It’s quite uncommon for someone to come to the party alone without an escort.”

Madam Kerren’s brown eyes twinkled. Did she really expect him to come?

Emilia sneered inside.

They must have known that Emilia would come to the party alone. No matter how much she pretended, they could predict their relationship to some extent based on his attitude from before.

“I’ll convey your words. If His Excellency hears that I was standing alone at the party because he didn’t come, wouldn’t he feel at least a bit guilty? Being a gentleman and all.”

Madam Kerren awkwardly laughed at Emilia’s words.

“Hoho. Madam, I’ll be with you, so you don’t have to worry about that.”

Leaving her alone after inviting her was, in other words, tantamount to disrespecting the Heinrich family. Even if she wasn’t a proper Duchess, others wouldn’t perceive her that way.

“You’re so kind, Madam. I’m sure today’s party will be enjoyable.”

Emilia said, casting a shadow over Madam Kerren’s brown eyes. She quickly composed her expression and forced a fake smile.