Chapter 16

Three days after my engagement to Prince Keith was dissolved, I was called to my father's study for the first time in my life.

"I intended to have Cynthia marry, but since you are to marry Prince Keith, I will look for an adopted heir. I will not let you inherit the dukedom."

"I understand."

"I am also looking for a suitable match for you, but since Prince Keith has broken the engagement, you should be prepared that there won't be any decent prospects."

Father looked at me with his usual cold eyes.

"I am prepared."

"Cynthia will become the queen, not Margaret."

Father sneered at me with a face that looked just like Cynthia's.

"Of course. Your mother was a woman beyond redemption, like a prostitute."

"Father, I don't believe that."

"What!?"

"I won't believe your words, which I'm hearing for the first time, over the love and care I received from Mother every day for ten years."

Bang!

Father slammed his hand on the desk.

"Who do you think raised you!"

"Are you talking about education or love?"

I looked straight at Father and asked.

"…That's enough. The conversation is over. You may leave."

"Father, I am grateful for being raised as a daughter of the dukedom."

"…You are quite stubborn."

"There are many people in this house who are examples of bad character."

After being taken aback by my words, Father burst out laughing.

"Haha."

Of course, it was the first time I had seen Father laugh, or even smile in front of me, and now it was my turn to be taken aback.

"…I should have talked to your mother more often.

Your mother, Scarlett, was always apologizing to me."

Father looked a little lonely, and I didn't think it was just my imagination.

"There's nothing to be grateful for.

I never had any affection for you, and your education was paid for by your grandparents."

I bowed my head and tried to leave the study.

"…Margaret. There is a marriage proposal that has just come in, and I was going to decline it due to some issues… but I will consider it."

"…What kind of proposal?"

"Originally, I thought about forcing you to marry into a family with a man around 70 years old, divorced five times, and with suspicious rumors, but I decided it was too immature."

"…I felt more than ever that you and Cynthia are truly father and daughter.

You are so alike, even in the level of harassment."

Father looked at me, not with his usual cold eyes, and then slowly bowed his head.

"I am sorry for everything."

I was speechless at the sight of Father bowing his head for the first time.

I couldn't answer.

"…Excuse me."

That was all I could say before leaving the room.

As a daughter of the dukedom, it was unthinkable to cry in front of anyone, even family.