Chapter 60
“If that happens, it won’t be good for the Principality of Sieff either.”
Aidan, who stood before her, shrugged his shoulders.
“Even if we organize an army, we just need to win.”
Floria was once again taken aback by his nonchalant voice.
“Just win, you say.”
She had heard from him about the horrors and hardships of war.
Although Aidan hadn’t spoken of it directly, she had learned.
But why was he suddenly saying such things?
“Why the sudden change? Earlier, you expelled them.
You said you wouldn’t give them anything.”
Aidan’s palm gently brushed Floria’s cheek.
“If you’re crying like this, it means I’m willing to make that sacrifice.”
Tears that had welled up in her eyes overflowed and streamed down.
Only then did Floria realize that her eyes had filled with tears, that she had been crying.
She had tried to act composed, but she couldn’t control the tears that flowed uncontrollably.
It wasn’t me.
Even though he’s speaking so kindly now, what he truly wanted wasn’t me.
Floria wasn’t foolish enough to doubt that Aidan was currently showing affection towards her.
However, it saddened her that what he originally desired was her older sister, Helia.
And she feared that he might regret it.
Seeing her beautiful sister, might he, even if just in his heart, desire her instead of me?
It was sad, scary, and unsettling.
“Don’t cry, Floria.”
Aidan moved closer to her side.
“Are you angry because I expelled your mother? Are you sad? I didn’t intend to make you cry.”
Floria shook her head.
Her mother and sister had spoken rudely enough to deserve being expelled.
Her tears were… her tears were…
“No…”
“Then is it because of the dowry? Even if they treated you recklessly, it must hurt to be treated like that. I’ll do as you wish. If you want to invite your family back, you can.
I’ll prepare the dowry.
Even if it’s not immediate, we can arrange it for when they desire.”
At those words, Floria leaned her cheek against his hand.
Tears that had fallen made both his hand and her cheek a mess.
“Your Grace the Grand Duke is truly a kind person.”
The voices of Grace and Jill, who had said that, came to mind.
He was truly kind. Tears welled up from that kindness.
Once she realized she was crying, she couldn’t stop the tears.
Words, stained with tears, spilled from Floria’s lips, which had been tightly closed until just a moment ago.
“I don’t want to.”
She never wanted to see her mother, who had spoken cruelly to her, or Helia, who had left only malicious words, again.
She didn’t want Helia to have even a single coin that Aidan had given.
She especially didn’t want them to visit this castle again.
The thought of Aidan meeting Helia again was terrifying and nauseating.
So, even though her words were trembling with tears, she firmly refused.
“Don’t give it to them.”
At Floria’s plea, Aidan lowered his head. His breath, escaping from his lips, was so close that it almost tickled hers.
Seeing her tears springing up like water from a spring, he sighed.
“I won’t give it to them.”
That wasn’t enough.
“Don’t call them again.”
“I won’t. So, Floria—”
“…”
“Don’t cry.”
His tone was uncertain, whether a command or a plea.
“I don’t know how to comfort a woman when she cries. So don’t cry, Floria.
I’ll do anything you want, so stop these tears. What do you want?”
What I want.
That is…
Floria bit her lip to stop the tears. Her red lips turned pale as if all the blood had drained out.
She had never wanted anything in her life.
She had never dreamed of anything.
She had only vaguely wished to escape from her current position and go far away.
That was the extent of her vague desire.
But now, at this moment, Floria clearly knew what she wanted.
“Hold me.”
“…”
“Hold me, Aidan.”
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