Chapter 66
Chapter 66
Her heart had softened after crying in front of his mother. The aroma-filled room and the massage had loosened her tense nerves. Wasn’t there a saying about being intoxicated by the atmosphere, even without alcohol? The whispers urging her to ignore his feelings were faint. Just as she had cried before Minerva, she felt a sudden urge to confess.
Torn with indecision, Ailee bit her lip.
‘If there is a God, please forgive me just this once.’
‘I know this is all my selfishness, but I want to be selfish just this once. And if I may be even more selfish, please don’t let him be hurt for long because of my foolishness.’
“I like you, a lot.”
The Duke gasped at Ailee’s sudden confession. Ailee, however, instantly regretted her words. Being apologized to by his mother, crying in front of her, having her first massage with someone… Being showered with unfamiliar affection must have addled her mind.
She shouldn’t have said those words. She should have ignored his feelings like she always did.
Ailee quickly apologized to the stunned Duke.
“…I’m sorry.”
Ailee fled.
Regret and self-loathing washed over her as she questioned her impulsive confession, but the damage was done. Not even remembering where the dining room was, she ran blindly. Suddenly, someone grabbed her from behind and held her tight.
“Do you even know where the dining room is?”
His voice sounded casual, but his face was anxious. Holding her close, the Duke spoke in a rough, almost growling voice.
“Say what you said again.”
“I, I didn’t say anything.”
“Yes, you did. I won’t let you go until you say it. Actually, forget dinner, let’s go to the bedroom—”
“W-Wait, your mother is waiting!”
Her desperate cry fell on deaf ears.
“I’m hungry. Okay?”
Finally, at the mention of his hunger, the Duke’s grip loosened slightly, but he didn’t release her.
“We’ll eat in the bedroom.”
“I want to eat in the dining room….”
A soft sigh brushed against the top of Ailee’s head. The Duke finally let her go, but he took her hand firmly in his, his voice strained.
“We’ll talk after dinner.”
‘…I shouldn’t have said anything.’
‘Why did I blurt out such nonsense after holding back for so long?’
Ailee squeezed her eyes shut. His hand in hers was hot.
***
“Did you two fight on the way here?”
Minerva smiled slyly, observing their flushed faces. It hardly looked like a fight, considering they’d entered hand-in-hand.
‘Should I have suggested dinner?’
Her son seemed to be thinking the same thing, glaring at her intensely. Ha, what a brat. Glaring at his own mother like that. Ailee should learn a thing or two from him. Imagining Ailee expressing her opinions as strongly as her son, Minerva said smoothly, “Be nice to each other, you two.”
At her words, her son’s face took on a strangely smug expression.
“We are very, very good.”
He emphasized his words, causing a faint blush to creep up his new bride’s ears. Strangely, despite her flushed ears, her expression wasn’t one of excitement. Rather, she looked deeply regretful.
‘Regretting what? Marrying my son?’
That wouldn’t do.
Tsk tsk, that boy couldn’t even properly utilize his good looks, inherited from her, of course. What good was being as handsome as his father if he couldn’t use it to his advantage?
Clicking her tongue inwardly, Minerva smiled brightly at Ailee. If her son couldn’t do it, she would. Thinking about the list of gifts she wanted to buy for Ailee, Minerva began her meal.
Although conversation flowed intermittently throughout the meal, the Duke seemed distracted, his mind elsewhere. Minerva clicked her tongue again. Tsk tsk.
Scolding her dazed son internally, Minerva considered places to visit with her new daughter-in-law.
‘Should we visit the flower fields before going to see Dale?’
There was a large canola flower field near the duchy, which would be lovely. The sea was nearby too, so they could stroll along the beach. The lake had seemed new to Ailee, so perhaps the beach and the ocean would be as well.
She recalled Ailee’s delighted expression as she gazed at the lake, oblivious to Minerva’s watchful eye. The thought brought a warm smile to her face. Such sights suited her fairy-like daughter-in-law.
A bright, new world suited her far more than the perpetually grey sky.
Hmm, perhaps she should be generous and let her son have the beach. Just as she was about to practice the virtue of yielding, Minerva changed her mind.
‘The Grand Duke should attend to his backlog of work. He shouldn’t be thinking about leisure.’
Remembering his earlier sullen look, she couldn’t bring herself to be so kind.
I’ll go to the beach with my daughter-in-law first, hoho. Having reached a satisfying conclusion, Minerva addressed Ailee.
“Dear, if you’re not busy tomorrow, shall we visit the canola flower fields…?”
“We’re having clothes fitted tomorrow, so I don’t think that will be possible.”
The Duke abruptly interrupted.
‘Clothes? My dear didn’t mention anything about that.’
Minerva looked back and forth between her son and daughter-in-law with a questioning gaze. Ailee, too, seemed surprised, as if hearing this for the first time. Minerva nodded knowingly.
“Is that so? What a shame. What clothes are you having fitted?”
“For the masked ball next week.”
“Then you won’t be busy the day after, will you?”
“We’ll be busy the day after as well, so it won’t be possible.”
“Well, I think you should ask my dear about that. Dear, are you busy the day after?”
“She’s busy. No need to ask.”
The benevolent gaze directed at Ailee vanished, replaced by a sharp glare aimed at the Duke.
Discussion
0 CommentsReactions
No comments yet.