I Only Want Your Child - Chapter 35

Kallion only stared at her without answering.

“From now on, don’t try to do anything of your own accord. Just stay at the estate, elegantly drinking tea and reading books. At least if you want to be treated as the lady of Baldomer.”

“A pig being raised in a pen would have a better life than that.”

With that, Juliana turned her back on him as though she no longer wanted to argue.

Everyone else wanted nothing more than to live comfortably like a doll, so why couldn’t this woman stay still, like some stray cat?

His gaze fell on the bandage that had loosened when she lay down. Looking at that arm made his thoughts grow turbulent all over again.

“You could have died.”

Juliana’s back stiffened at the unexpected words.

As though confused by what he had said himself, Kallion remained silent for a long moment before adding.

“I won’t tolerate the lady of Baldomer dying like that.”

The tension instantly left Juliana’s shoulders.

How very like him.

A terribly selfish, cold-blooded man for whom Baldomer was everything.

* * *

When Juliana opened her eyes, it was the next morning. She had no idea when she’d fallen asleep while turning Kallion’s words over in her mind.

As soon as she came to her senses, Juliana checked the chair where Kallion had been sitting. Seeing it completely empty, she felt relieved inside.

Did he move to another room because it was uncomfortable?

Just then, a familiar voice reached her.

“You’re finally awake?”

Startled, she turned toward the voice. Kallion was leaning against the window, looking outside.

“You’re still here?”

If he was worried about what others might think, he could have moved to another room at dawn.

“Someone kept groaning in her sleep before dawn.”

‘Did I groan in my sleep?’

Thinking back, she vaguely remembered dreaming about Denion. He must have mistaken her groaning from the nightmare for her being in pain.

Her gaze suddenly fell on her bandaged arm.

Come to think of it, the bandage should have loosened by morning, but it looked as neat as though it had just been wrapped.

‘Don’t tell me he…?’

Just as she looked at Kallion in puzzlement, a familiar voice came from outside along with a knock.

“Madam, may I come in?”

It was Jared.

While Juliana was still dazed, Kallion answered in her place.

“Come in.”

Only after he stole the answer from her did she belatedly glare at him. Wasn’t he practically advertising that they had spent the entire night together?

Kallion ignored her and took a seat in a nearby chair as though he were the owner of the room. Meanwhile, Jared and the orphanage director entered.

“So you’re with our lord.”

“Greetings, my lord.”

The people here referred to the head of the great house governing their territory as their lord.

Strictly speaking, Kallion was still only the heir to that position, but he saw no reason to correct them.

To ordinary people who knew nothing of House Baldomer’s internal affairs, the head of Baldomer and his heir were equally exalted figures.

Just then, Kallion’s gaze shifted toward Jared.

A pleasant-looking man who appeared to be in his late twenties. Judging by the calluses on his hands and his well-developed muscles, he was someone who wielded a sword.

Layla had said there was a high chance this was the person Juliana had been searching for at the orphanage. What sort of relationship did he have with Juliana?

As Kallion stared openly at him, Jared could only give an awkward look, having no idea why.

“I heard you’re leaving today. It isn’t much, but this is a gift the children and the villagers prepared together.”

The basket Jared held out was piled high with freshly baked bread. Everyone had to be overwhelmed with everything going on, yet they had still taken the time to bake bread for her. Warmth spread through Juliana’s heart.

“Thank you.”

At that, the director beside him tearfully clasped Juliana’s hand.

“Thank you, truly, truly, Madam. I will never forget this kindness for as long as I live. Hiic.”

At the sight of the director suddenly bursting into tears, Juliana smiled awkwardly.

“Kindness? Everyone worked together to save the children. I only did what anyone should have done.”

The director’s eyes filled with even more tears, apparently moved by her words.

Kallion, who had been silently watching, spoke.

“It seems you have nowhere to stay now that the entire orphanage has burned down.”

Juliana tensed, wondering what he was about to say now. Kallion looked at her briefly before turning toward the director and Jared with an unconcerned expression.

“My wife seems particularly fond of this orphanage, so I’ll have it rebuilt as a sturdy building.”

The director and Jared looked stunned by Kallion’s words.