Chapter 39

Even after the shocking revelation, Lily did not flinch. Her expression was calm, and there was no tremor in her body. Instead, she sat quietly with a slight smile, as if finding the whole situation amusing.

Seeing this, Mrs. Seymour's lips stiffened. ...This was why. This was why she disliked Lily Everett.

"...What a terrifying woman."

At first, she did not dislike Lily so much. As the daughter of the Earl of Everett, and even a bastard daughter of a maid, she was a completely unsuitable match for Theodore. However, she thought it would not be a big problem, as Lily would eventually be divorced and leave the Valentina estate.

Until she realized that Theodore had feelings for Lily.

'Theo, even though you are now bowing to Everett, once you restore the strength of Valentina, you will divorce Lily, right? Lily Everett can never be a part of our family. I believe you will remember that.'

'...I will handle matters with my wife, Aunt. You don't need to worry about it.'

This was a conversation they had before Theodore lost his memory, when Lily had just arrived at the Valentina estate.

Theodore was always respectful and polite to his elders. He had never spoken with such defiance.

Anabella felt a sense of crisis, as if something solid was beginning to waver. It was all because of Lily Everett, this impurity. Impurities, if not removed quickly, would corrupt everything around them. She needed to take action before it was too late.

'I can never recognize that woman. A low-born maid's daughter, daring to defile Valentina and bewitch Theodore again.'

And more than anything, her terrifying personality.

She had the face of a gentle lamb, with a fragile and transparent aura, but inside, she was surely rotten and black, emitting a foul odor.

Theodore doesn't know what kind of monster she is. Having grown up with the devils of Everett, she must be the same kind of demon.

Isn't that the case now? Even after being exposed as infertile, she shows no shame and has such a brazen attitude! Even her expression and eyes seem to mock the situation and the one who exposed her! Anabella could not bear it.

How could such a terrifying person exist?

Valentina, this family, this estate, and this castle, were her precious and cherished foundation, which she had cultivated for a long time. After enduring so much, she had finally reached this position, almost the mistress of the Valentina family, where even the earl bowed and showed respect.

I must protect my Valentina. I cannot let it be defiled by her.

The eyes of the woman, now consumed by long-standing prejudice and with nothing left in her life, glowed with a sinister light.

* * *

Mrs. Seymour called me around 8 in the morning. When I went to see what she wanted, I was met with a suffocatingly cold atmosphere.

She only told me to sit down and then fell silent. In the silence where no conversation took place, her contemptuous gaze occasionally fell on me, but I did not care.

I was only curious about why she had called me and kept me waiting.

And finally, the reason was revealed.

'...Was I really infertile? They only said the sleeping pills I was taking had such side effects, but I'm not sure if I'm really infertile.'

However, the truth of the matter was not important. What mattered was that Mrs. Seymour was using infertility as a pretext to suppress me.

...And to quickly push for my divorce from Theodore.

'She must be desperate to get rid of me quickly.'

I picked up the teacup I had put down and took a sip of the cold tea.

The poor Mrs. Seymour seemed to think that being infertile was a tremendous disgrace for a woman.

But since I did not feel any shame, she must be glaring at me with wide eyes.

'Sorry, but... whether I'm infertile or not, it doesn't matter to me.'

I have no intention of having children, so why should my fertility matter? Honestly, having a child would only pass on unhappiness to that child.

So, perhaps it's for the best. If I am really infertile... in a life destined to be miserable, not being born might be better.

'...My mother gave birth to me, but she didn't take responsibility for my unhappy life.'

I will not be like that mother.

If I cannot be there for a child, it's better not to have one.

"...My wife's infertility is not yet certain, Aunt."

Theodore's voice cut through the silence. Mrs. Seymour snorted in derision and shot back.

"Even if she is really infertile, you would still protect her, wouldn't you? Am I wrong?"

Theodore fell silent, as if he had nothing to say. After a moment, he spoke again.

"...Lily is my wife. It's not strange for me to protect her."

Mrs. Seymour laughed loudly, as if finding it absurd. She pointed at me and shouted.

"Are you in your right mind? She is an Everett. A daughter of the wicked Everett family!"

"That's..."

"Moreover, a bastard daughter of a maid! Do you intend to taint the noble blood of the Valentina family with her lowly lineage!"

Theodore's expression hardened. He spoke in a cold, icy tone.

"Aunt, your words are harsh."

But Mrs. Seymour did not back down. She declared with unwavering certainty.

"I am not saying anything false, Theodore."

"..."

"I am truly disappointed in you. As the head of the Valentina family, you show no sense of responsibility! Protecting a bastard daughter of the Everett family, who might even be infertile!"

Mrs. Seymour was trying to control Theodore, as if he had committed a great wrong.

But there was no wavering in Theodore's eyes. Instead, he looked at her with a calm, sharp gaze, as if seeing through her intentions.

"Even if the deaths of my sister and brother-in-law were accidents... there were many suspicious points in Camille's death. That's why you have been investigating Camille's death, haven't you? You also suspected the Everett family, didn't you!"

The moment Mrs. Seymour mentioned Camille Valentina, Theodore's eyes changed.

Before, they were just cold, but now they were filled with clear, fierce anger.

Finally, Theodore unleashed his raw, unfiltered anger at Mrs. Seymour.

"Are you... trying to justify your intentions by using my brother's death?"

His anger was like a hot, flowing lava, calm on the surface but burning everything it touched.

Mrs. Seymour flinched as if she had been burned by the heat, but the anger that had already erupted could not be stopped.

"You just dislike Lily. The fact that she is from the Everett family is just an excuse. Am I wrong?"

Provoked by Theodore's tone, the last bit of rationality in Mrs. Seymour's eyes disappeared. She spoke without restraint, not even considering Theodore's reaction.

"Yes, I dislike that girl. You wouldn't understand, but she is a truly terrifying demon! She might look innocent and gentle, but she is nothing like that. She is a venomous snake, hiding her fangs!"

At that moment, Mrs. Seymour no longer looked noble. It seemed as if the 'blemish' she had hidden was revealed. ...No, she had already been provoked when the topic of infertility came up.

But this situation was all her doing.

'...Once Theodore's memory returns, we would naturally divorce.'

Mrs. Seymour could not wait for that moment and decided to drop the bomb.

'What made her so anxious...?'

...There were many reasons to consider.

First, Mrs. Seymour could not bear Theodore defending me and criticizing her.

Second, she was anxious that Theodore might not divorce me.

So, she found an excuse to create this commotion today.

"...I can no longer listen to this."

"What? How can you—"

"I am the head of the Valentina family, Aunt."

Theodore looked straight at Mrs. Seymour, his voice still boiling with anger.

"I will decide what to do with my family and my relatives. And..."

He closed his eyes for a moment, taking a deep breath to calm himself. But when he opened them, his face showed unmistakable contempt.

"The reason you have stayed at Valentina is not just because of Mother's will, is it?"

With a cold expression, Theodore slowly stood up. Mrs. Seymour was frozen in shock, like a statue.

"...Lily, you need more rest. I will escort you to your room."

Theodore's voice, which had been hot with anger and cold with contempt, was now composed. I looked at the hand he extended to me. If I took it, it would further provoke Mrs. Seymour, but...

'...It doesn't matter.'

I don't need to care about Mrs. Seymour's reaction. I have no desire to please her.

I carefully extended my arm and took Theodore's hand. Without looking back, I left the living room.

* * *

"Would you still protect me even if I am infertile?"

I asked casually, without much thought. I didn't really care what Theodore would say. It wasn't a deeply considered question.

Theodore stopped walking and answered with a serious look.

"In any case, I will always prioritize your protection. ...And as for a child, we can adopt from among our relatives."

He seemed to think that this would solve the succession issue and there was no need to worry. I shook my head and laughed softly. I didn't realize Theodore Valentina was such an idealist.

Until now, I had thought he was a very realistic person.

It was I who had reached out to him, dreaming of ideals.