Chapter 96

96

"That's quite a coincidence. Not long ago, a gentleman came to see Margaret."

The orphanage director led us to the reception room and said this. I feigned curiosity and asked back.

"A gentleman?"

"Yes, he said he was a retainer of a noble family... but he didn't give any more details. Anyway, it seemed he also wanted to take Margaret with him."

"I see. We aren't nobles, but we have a lot of money. We can support Margaret without any lack, making her grow up as well as any young lady from a good family."

"Hahaha, that's fortunate. I hope our orphanage children can go to good families. But most importantly, the child's wishes should be respected..."

The director stopped and opened an old wooden door. Theodore and I exchanged glances and entered.

Inside the reception room, a girl stood modestly, waiting for us. She had platinum blonde hair neatly braided, and she wore a deep navy dress. The dress looked old but was clean. She was a bit thin, but her face had a healthy complexion and her expression was bright, indicating she was doing well here.

"Hello?"

"Ah, hello!"

When I greeted her, the girl answered a beat late and bowed her head. Her eyes were a light purple. ...Indeed, I could understand why the Everett family's retainer had taken an interest in this child.

She seemed a bit lacking in confidence but had good posture, and most importantly, she had the potential to become a remarkable beauty. Her voice was clear and pleasant to listen to; the Duke of Everett would be very satisfied.

...Really, she was a child who could easily become a second Lily Everett. Or perhaps, she might even be better than me.

"...Margaret, right?"

"Yes, Margaret Eloise."

When I asked casually, the girl answered formally, placing her hands on her stomach.

'Eloise' was the name of the orphanage director, and it seemed that children who were abandoned here and didn't know their parents' names were given this surname.

"How old are you?"

"I turned fifteen this year."

"Fifteen... I see."

It was clear to me what would happen if the Duke of Everett took this child. He would certainly educate her for about three years and then put her on the marriage market. Eighteen is a young age to marry, but it's not uncommon.

"Ah, I have some work to do. Please talk with Margaret."

The director left the reception room after a brief greeting. I told the hesitant Margaret to sit down and then sat on the sofa.

Theodore sat next to me, and only then did Margaret cautiously take a seat opposite us. She seemed uncomfortable being left with strangers.

"I brought some cookies because I thought you might like them. Here."

I took a box of cookies from my bag and handed it to Margaret. She looked at us, then politely took the box. ...Her demeanor reminded me of my younger self.

"I heard that a noble family wanted to adopt you."

"Yes... Are you two... merchants?"

Instead of answering directly, I exchanged a glance with Theodore. He nodded slightly.

I spoke in a voice low enough not to be overheard.

"Actually, we aren't merchants. We're just pretending to be for certain reasons."

"Really...?"

Margaret blinked in surprise. I pointed to Theodore and continued.

"This gentleman is His Grace, the Duke of Valentin. And I... am his wife."

...Although we are planning to divorce soon. But there's no need to mention that.

Margaret's eyes widened like full moons. She opened and closed her mouth, unable to speak, and then hesitantly asked, looking back and forth between Theodore and me.

"Really...?"

"Yes, really."

Margaret looked very confused. Understandably so. Suddenly, a duke and duchess had come to see her, an orphan...

"Why... do you want to take me with you? I... honestly don't have any outstanding qualities besides my face..."

Margaret looked down and spoke hesitantly. I felt a strange sense of déjà vu, as if I were facing my younger self again.

When I was young, I thought the same thing. Why would the duke want to adopt me, someone who was only a little pretty? Moreover, I believed the advice from those around me to be meek and obedient because I had received the duke's favor.

I soon learned the true intentions of the Duke of Everett.

"Margaret, I'm about to tell you something very important. Something that could change your life."

I lowered my voice. Margaret, sensing the seriousness of the situation, swallowed nervously. Her lavender eyes were trembling.

"The person who came to see you earlier was a retainer of the House of Everett. And I am the adopted daughter of the Duke of Everett."

I told Margaret everything. I mixed truth and lies to create a story that would convince her.

"Then... I..."

After a while, Margaret, who had listened to the whole story, spoke hesitantly, looking shocked.

I firmly but gently instructed her.

"You have two choices. You can be adopted by the Duke of Everett and follow in my footsteps, or you can leave with us today and hide from the Duke of Everett."

"..."

"I won't force you to make any choice. Even though you're young, your life... is something you must decide for yourself."

I wanted to persuade her not to go to the hellish House of Everett, but if I tried to control someone's decision...

I would be no different from the Duke of Everett or Owen.

So, the choice had to be left to her.

"I'll wait for you to make up your mind. Take your time to think about it."

Theodore looked at me with a worried expression, as if he was concerned about my health.

Indeed, the reception room was cold, despite the fireplace being lit, as if a draft was coming from somewhere.

"...Lily, this..."

Theodore took off his coat and carefully draped it over my shoulders. I turned away and mouthed "thank you." Since learning of my mother's death, I found it difficult to look into his eyes.

Your eyes, why are they... blue?

"...I've made my decision. I... will go with you two."

* * *

And so, Margaret became our legal ward.

After our divorce, it would be up to her to decide which of us she would follow.

"The wind is cold. We should go inside..."

After returning to the Castle of Valentin and entrusting Margaret to Charlotte, I was taking a walk in the garden.

When I stopped in front of the old yew tree, Theodore, who had been fidgeting, spoke.

His attitude, as if I were a newborn, never ceased to surprise me.

"...Before, you were crying in front of this tree."

"..."

"Why were you crying?"

It wasn't a sudden curiosity. I had seen his vulnerable side for the first time then, and it had stayed with me. I wondered what story this tree held.

A strong cold wind blew, and Theodore moved closer to shield me. After a long silence, he frowned slightly and spoke.

"This tree was planted by my brother. ...When I was young, we didn't get along very well, but every summer, when this tree bloomed with white flowers, we would laugh without a care in the world."

...Now that I think about it, yew trees do have white flowers. I realized I had never seen this tree in bloom. Had it stopped blooming because it was old, or had I just missed it?

"...That's why. When I see this tree, I think of my brother."

Theodore blinked and looked away. Sadness lingered in his blue eyes, hidden under his long, dark lashes.

A sorrow that only he could fully understand, a sorrow that I, as an outsider, could never fully grasp.

"...This is the first time I've heard such a personal story from you."

"Come to think of it... Yes, it is."

Theodore didn't often talk about his childhood, not just to me but to anyone. I inferred that it was part of his personality.

"...This is also the first time I've heard about your childhood."

"...? Ah..."

I realized what he meant and let out a small exclamation.

I had never told him much about my childhood, about Lily Everett.

"...Thinking about it, you were tricked into this marriage. I'm not even the Duke of Everett's illegitimate child; I'm an adopted daughter."

A child of a maid, whose father I didn't know. I was a rootless child, someone who didn't belong with the noble descendants of Valentin.

'You're right, we don't fit... at all.'

The House of Valentin was an ancient family, dating back to the mythological era, much older than the royal family of Lancia or the House of Everett.

In the mythological era, the world was filled with a denser elemental power, and those who made contracts with spirits were almost like gods. They were revered as deities, and the most renowned among them was the ancestor of the House of Valentin.

He was a great man who could have founded a nation with his power, but he chose to protect people instead. To do so, he established the House of Valentin.

Theodore Valentin was a descendant of such a prestigious family.

Well, Mrs. Seymour had every reason to look down on me.

"I don't think of it as being tricked."

"You don't have to say that just to make me feel better. ...It's the truth. I'm not a suitable match for you."

"Whether you fit or not is for me to decide."

Theodore looked at me seriously. His eyes were honest, devoid of any falsehood, terrifyingly sincere.

"The thought that came to my mind when I heard your story wasn't that."

"Then, what did you think? Did you feel sorry for me?"

"..."

Theodore didn't answer but held my hand gently. Despite the cold weather, his hand was warm. ...The warmth made me feel like crying again.

"...I felt regret."

"..."

"Why didn't I try to understand you sooner...?"

"..."

"My heart ached when I realized how much you had suffered..."

His eyes, which had been tightly shut, glistened with moisture. He seemed to have been holding back tears. Theodore, who was gripping my hand tightly, bowed his head, as if unable to bear the weight of his regret.

"No matter how hard I try, I can't atone for what I've done to you..."

"..."

"So, I will do my best to atone."

"..."

"I will do everything in my power to help you. For your revenge, and for your future happiness."

Even if his atonement felt like trying to fill a bottomless pit, he was determined to do it, his eyes filled with resolve.

At that moment, the sadness in his blue eyes was not unfamiliar.

* * *

"How did you manage Lily? I didn't expect the girl to become so useless so quickly."

Kazef Everett clicked his tongue and sat down. Owen, who had been standing like a statue, smiled calmly. His expression showed no emotional disturbance, making him seem like a lifeless statue.

"Well, with this, we can't use her for marriage anymore. It seems the Duke of Valentin is definitely planning to divorce her. When Lily returns to the Castle of Everett, you will be responsible for her disposal. You can do as you please, whether you keep her alive or kill her."

Owen's smile deepened. His eyes flashed for a moment, but the Duke of Everett didn't notice.