Chapter 31 (1/2)

Chapter 31

“That’s not it! But for now I want to see Your Grace off. I don’t want to think I’m the only one receiving special treatment.”

It was Elisabeth who was born and lived through harsh things, let alone special treatment.

Usually, a child would like special treatment and take it for granted when they get used to it, but Elisabeth never did that.

He was proud of her, but it hurt the corner of his heart.

‘This kind of Elisabeth will change when she grows up and learns the truth.’

I adopted you just to use you for revenge.

At first, I didn’t care even if I remember that the truth would be revealed later. But now, just imagining it has made my mind dim.

“Elisabeth, come closer.”

Elisabeth came just in front of Victoire. Victoire held Elisabeth in his arms and settled her on his lap. Elisabeth looked up at Victoire, and leaned her little body against his chest.

A small, soft, and warm living being.

I wanted the time to stop while hugging this child.

I wanted to slow down the day when this child looked at me with resentment.

“Your Grace!”

The aide could be heard knocking on the door of the office.

When Elisabeth tried to lift herself up, Victoire purposely hugged Elisabeth more tightly.

“Your Grace, he’s calling you outside.”

Elisabeth looked up at Victoire and said.

“Your Grace, it’s time to leave!”

Victoire whispered to Elisabeth, as if he could not hear the voice of his aide:

“Why don’t the two of us just stay together today instead of going out?”

“Pardon? You can’t. You’re going to do something important today.”

“I’ll put it off until tomorrow.”

“Then you’ll want to put it off until the day after tomorrow.”

“Haha. You’re stricter than my sister.”

“And a poor aide is waiting for you outside. Please open the door.”

“I see. I’ll do what you say, Elisabeth.”

Victoire got up from his seat, still hugging Elisabeth. Elisabeth, who thought she would drop to the floor, opened her eyes wide.

The aide, who saw Victoire holding Elisabeth through the open door, was also surprised.

“Your Grace, you must leave now. The time for luncheon in the Imperial palace…”

“I know. Let’s go now.”

Victoire walked down the stairs, hugging Elisabeth.

“You, Your Grace. The young miss…”

“You’re noisy.”

When they went down the stairs and came out to the lobby, all the employees stood in a line.

In front of him, Baroness Terran, Damon and Dylan were shocked to see Victoire coming down with Elisabeth.

‘It’s embarrassing.’

Elisabeth’s face in Victoire’s arms turned red like an apple.

“Your Grace, I can walk.”

“I know.”

Victoire walked between the people who came out to see him off.

“Count. What are you holding in your arms?”

Baroness Terran said as if seeing an extraordinary spectacle.

“My daughter.”

“So why are you holding your daughter?”

“Father, you don’t intend to take Elisabeth out, do you?”

“That would put Elisabeth in danger, haven’t you thought of that?”

Victoire made a serious face towards Damon. It seemed that he was considering it.

“Then put her down.”

Dylan said coldly. Victoire glared at his son and slowly put down Elisabeth to the floor.

“Your Grace, thank you for bringing me here.”

Elisabeth greeted the atmosphere with innocence. It was only after seeing Victoire smiling that Elisabeth felt relieved.

Baroness Terran clicked her tongue as she watched Victoire and Damon leave. Elisabeth looked at Baroness Terran in question.

“Today’s class will teach you something very important. Follow me up right now.”

Baroness Terran turned away without waiting for Elisabeth.

Elisabeth was panting and following the quick steps of Baroness Terran when she heard footsteps behind her. Dylan was also following behind.

“If I think about it, my aunt is weird.”

“Baroness Terran?”

“Let’s take today’s class with me.”

Elisabeth, who was climbing the stairs, suddenly stopped.

“I’m not a baby.”

“What are you talking about all of a sudden?”

“I can take classes alone because I’m not a baby. Please don’t follow me.”

Elisabeth knew that Baroness Terran’s attitude was particularly cold. It was an ominous signal.

But whatever attitude she took, it was between Elisabeth and Baroness Terran.

Elisabeth had to do it herself, whether to break up that relationship or stuck in it.

‘Dylan, I know how you feel, but this is my business. A matter I need to settle.’

Elisabeth ran far away alone, with all her might.

‘What do you mean a baby? I never thought of you as a baby.’

Dylan was dumbfounded and followed Elisabeth into the room of Baroness Terran.

But when Elisabeth walked through the door, the standing maid closed the door tightly and stood in front as if she had been controlled.

“Move.”

“I can’t. The Baroness told me not to let anyone in except for young miss Elisabeth. Please wait outside.”

“I told Aunt that I—–“