Chapter 9 (2/2)

“How is it, is it delicious?”

“Hmm?”

Elisabeth was surprised to see herself eating the pudding. A small hand held the spoon intently with its palm. It was absurd.

‘You’re getting used to this luxurious lifestyle.’

If it had been luxurious, the Duke would have been formidable, but she couldn’t feel it. Because the luxury didn’t exist for her. Rather, it felt like shackles to her.

Elisabeth asked naturally while she ate pudding.

“I heard His Grace and Dylan didn’t live together in the first place?”

“Did you hear from His Grace today?”

Marian’s expression grew strange.

‘Did you even talk about that?’

Elisabeth continued, pretending not to see the change in Marian’s expression.

“Yes. That’s why Dylan feels awkward with His Grace.”

“Young Master Dylan was not feeling well, so he was a little far away for recuperation.”

Elisabeth instinctively felt that Marian was telling a made-up story.

Elisabeth hid her innermost thoughts and asked again.

“Until when did he recuperate?”

“Until he’s about Miss’ age.”

“About the same age as me?”

“Yes, until 12. Master Dylan was small back then, but he’s already 16. He made his social debut this year. It was very successful.”

Marian twirled the story around.

‘Marian has a heavy mouth. It won’t be easy to figure out something.’

Marian couldn’t hide her all-knowing expression, but she defended herself with her mouth.

‘How did Victoire survive and give birth to Damon and Dylan?’

At the time of the disappearance of the Duke of Leschine, Victoire was young, too. Luckily, he was put on the list of dead people whose bodies were not found and fled, hiding his identity.

‘That’s how he lived the life of a fugitive, and then you gave birth to Damon and Dylan. It wasn’t possible for a fugitive to take Dylan with him, so he would have lived apart for a while.’

How could Victoire, who had to live apart from his children after losing everything, now reappear as Count Daughtry?

‘Did he sign a contract with the devil?’

The more I know about these men, the more I wonder. Their story was as deep and dark as a well with an unknown end. On the other hand, I felt sorry for him.

‘It must have been a tough life.’

My chest felt pricked.

‘If these people are really framed…’

Just imagining it made my head dizzy.

Is this what we call guilt?

Elisabeth did nothing. However, I felt guilty just because I was the blood of Cabezo.

‘How was it in my previous life?’

Elisabeth tried to recollect her memory. In her memory, Count Daughtry were a family of upstarts who appeared like a comet in the social world. People looked down on Count Daughtry, who went into central society by spending money. Even though they picked up the money and ate it.

And while cursing like that, once they meet Count Daughtry and the Young Daughtry, everyone would be overwhelmed by the atmosphere of the Daughtrys and fascinated by their looks.

‘Especially Polia.’

Polia adored the youngest Daughtry. To the point of almost losing one’s reason.

‘Daughtry, no, did the Leschines get their revenge after I died?’

Perhaps it would have been possible if Dylan had used Polia.

‘I don’t like that.’

Elisabeth felt bad when she imagined Dylan stuck with Polia.

‘Let’s stop thinking about that.’

Elisabeth buried herself in the bed. She did not want to think of neither Polia nor her father anymore.

Now she is Elisabeth Daughtry.

The Daughtry’s youngest daughter, Elisabeth Daughtry.

Elisabeth raised her head up and looked at Marian.

“It’s not too late, is it?”

“Don’t worry, Miss.”

Marian said with a big smile on her face. The smile was intended to reassure Elisabeth. However, the face of Elisabeth whom she just met was so cute that Marian herself unwittingly felt sincere without knowing.

‘I try not to laugh with all my heart, but I still smile when I see that round cheek.’

Elisabeth had a strange charm. So, even though that child was the blood of a cruel Cabezo, I wanted to take care of one more.

It would be fair to say that children usually don’t eat snacks. But Elisabeth would force herself to eat another bite.

‘Is it because she’s smaller and thinner than her peers?’

Early in the morning, Marian’s chest tickled as the cute girl looked nervously and desperately at her with her swollen baby face.

In addition, Elisabeth, with a large ribbon on her head, looked like a small doll.

Elisabeth looked into the mirror filled with anxiety.

‘It looks like a clown with a ribbon on it, but it can’t be helped. I can get along well here if I can look good to the Daughtrys.’

Elisabeth took Marian’s hand and walked out of the room. Her gentle steps were heading towards Victoire’s office.

For God’s sake, hoping that this is a good idea, Elisabeth’s hand carefully pushed the office door.

“Your Grace?”

A soft voice was heard. Victoire, who was organizing the documents, raised his head. Through the crack in the door, a cute little girl appeared.

“Elisa…”

Victoire couldn’t make out a word. The first thing that came into his eyes was a large moving ribbon.

Soon, he saw Elisabeth with a red ribbon. A small and lovely child walked towards him with her short legs like a doll.

“You’re still here! I was nervous because I thought you would leave early just like yesterday.”

These days, Elisabeth hasn’t missed a morning greeting to Victoire. However, Elisabeth overslept and missed this morning’s greeting. It’s been on her mind the whole time.

“Who did that to your head?”

“It looks weird?”

Elisabeth asked sullenly.

“Something like that.”

Victoire said seriously.