Chapter 79
“…It seems like you know what happened among the kids.”
“No, I don’t know the details either. But, as parents, you just know when your child is struggling.”
Hearing Julian’s words, Scarlett recalled Herwin, who had been tossing and turning on the bed.
“Yeah, you’re right.”
Scarlett furrowed her brows and brushed back the stray strands of hair falling over her face.
“Still, it’s a shame. I would have been confident in treating Lucia well if she had joined our household.”
Julian fidgeted with his hands, unable to respond.
He understood Scarlett’s feelings completely; he felt the same sense of regret.
“Honestly, I came to talk about what happened yesterday, but now that you say that, I have nothing to argue.”
“Yesterday?”
“Yesterday, you left Herwin outside all day.”
At first, Julian looked puzzled, but then his face gradually turned pale.
“W-what do you mean? Herwin came to our house?”
“You didn’t know? I heard Herwin had done something wrong to Lucia, so I assumed you punished him.”
“That could never happen! No matter how much I dislike a child, I would never kick him out!”
Judging by Julian’s trembling voice and pale face, Scarlett didn’t think he was lying.
Then, could it have been someone else who did it?
‘Could it be… Lucia…?’
“I’m really sorry. I didn’t even know that happened. I’ll apologize on your behalf.”
“No, my son wasn’t entirely innocent either.”
Scarlett accepted Julian’s apology calmly and stood up.
Julian, still heart pounding over Herwin, looked at Scarlett.
“Leaving now?”
“Yes. I feel a bit uneasy leaving a sick child behind. I’ll be in the capital for a while, so let’s meet often.”
“Wait, I’ll see you off.”
“No, it’s fine. I can manage on my own. See you later.”
Leaving Julian behind, Scarlett stepped outside and let out a soft sigh.
‘Maybe I should have gotten angry.’
Honestly, she had been angry when she first arrived, thinking about having kicked her precious son outside.
But after talking with Julian and hearing him talk about Lucia, surprisingly, her anger gradually subsided.
To be exact, she realized that Julian cared for his child just as much as she did, making it impossible to stay mad.
‘From his reaction, it seems Herwin really was at fault.’
Scarlett didn’t expect Julian, usually so easygoing, to become so serious.
“What exactly did that brat Herwin do?”
Not knowing the full situation, her frustration only grew.
As she exited the main gate, a sound of running footsteps reached her.
“D-Duchess!”
The clear, melodious voice made Scarlett turn around.
Lucia stood there, panting.
Scarlett’s stiff expression softened, and she smiled brightly.
“Oh, Lucia. How long has it been? You’ve grown into a proper young lady.”
“I didn’t expect you to come. How have you been?”
“Very well.”
Lucia’s small frame scampered over, looking extremely cute. Standing nearly 170 cm tall, Scarlett found her even more adorable.
“Madam?”
Seeing Scarlett stare silently, Lucia tilted her head, her cheeks flushing.
Scarlett shook her shoulders slightly and then hugged Lucia tightly.
“Goodness, you just get cuter the more I see you! Should I adopt you as my daughter even now?”
“H-Haha…”
Lucia let out an awkward laugh in Scarlett’s embrace.
Scarlett had said this every time she saw her, so Lucia had grown a little accustomed to it.
“If only you joined our household, I wouldn’t ask for anything more.”
Lucia froze at the words. Scarlett realized too late that she had spoken carelessly and covered her mouth.
“Just kidding. I mean… the part I just said was sincere, but…”
Scarlett fumbled, speaking without order, then cleared her throat when her gaze met Lucia’s clear eyes.
“Ahem, I heard you’re getting engaged?”
“Ah…”
Lucia hadn’t expected Scarlett to know and looked slightly uneasy.
“Yes… it just happened that way.”
She awkwardly rubbed the back of her neck, avoided Scarlett’s gaze, and fidgeted nervously.
Scarlett was inwardly surprised by Lucia’s reaction.
“Herwin must have told you.”
It seemed a faint disappointment passed over Lucia’s face.
A sudden, instinctual feeling swept over Scarlett. Narrowing her eyes, she decided to test her suspicion.
“No, it wasn’t Herwin. Henry told me. Herwin never mentioned it to me.”
“Ah… I-I see?”
Lucia’s tense cheeks relaxed, and she laughed at her own misunderstanding.
“But what brings you all the way to the capital? Do you have business here?”
“I rushed here as soon as I heard about your engagement.”
“Excuse me?”
“I had marked you as Herwin’s partner, so I was so surprised to hear you were engaged to someone else.”
Lucia’s face instantly flushed.
“I heard the engagement has progressed quite a bit, too.”
For a moment, the embarrassed Lucia realized the situation and parted her lips slightly.
Though she had anticipated this long ago, standing in front of Scarlett left her momentarily speechless.
Scarlett’s face reminded her of Herwin confessing to her yesterday.
“We’ve decided… to have the engagement ceremony soon.”
Scarlett’s eyes sharpened for a moment.
“Is that so? Julian didn’t mention anything like that.”
“It was yesterday’s conversation. I’ll send you an invitation when the ceremony is held.”
Lucia’s eyes reddened slightly. She tried to hide her emotions by tucking her trembling hands behind her back.
It looked like she still had lingering feelings for Herwin.
‘Am I imagining it?’
Maybe she was overanalyzing. But if she was right…
After a brief moment of thought, Scarlett finally spoke.
“Have you given up on Herwin now?”
“…Excuse me?”
“I thought you liked Herwin a lot. Sorry if I’m mistaken.”
“…”
Lucia froze, unable to respond. Scarlett regretted her bluntness for a moment.
‘Still, I can’t let this slide.’
If not now, she would miss the chance to learn Lucia’s true feelings.
“What I just said is sincere. Even if Herwin isn’t perfect, I wanted you to join our family. Not just me, but he feels the same.”
Lucia’s heart fluttered.
Though she had been rejected by Herwin, the fact that his family would accept her made her genuinely happy.
“Th-thank you… But marriage isn’t something one person decides. Also… I currently have someone else.”
The words pierced her own heart. She clenched her teeth to suppress the pain and forced a smile.
“Herwin will surely find someone good too.”
Despite trying to hide her feelings, Scarlett could see Lucia’s true emotions clearly.
She had thought it was a one-sided love, but their hearts were still drawn to each other.
That alone was a major gain. Scarlett knew that pushing harder wouldn’t restore their relationship, so she decided to step back.
“…I see. Then it can’t be helped. Congratulations on your engagement, Lucia.”
“No, thank you so much.”
“I should be going. I’ll stop by once more before heading north. We’ll talk again then, alright?”
“Yes, I understand.”
Lucia followed Scarlett to see her off.
Watching Scarlett get into the carriage, she felt anxious.
She had wanted to ask her something ever since seeing her.
“Um… excuse me!”
Unable to contain her anxiety, Lucia finally grabbed Scarlett.
“Is… Herwin hurt anywhere?”
Scarlett raised an eyebrow and turned to look at her.
Lucia stammered, unable to meet Scarlett’s eyes.
“I… I saw him briefly yesterday, and he seemed unwell. He had a bit of a fever… did something happen…?”
“Herwin is lying in bed now.”
At Scarlett’s words, Lucia’s head snapped up.
Her mask fell off, revealing a desperate face still harboring love for Herwin.
“Lying in bed! What’s wrong? He’s never been sick even once…!”
“C-Calm down.”
Lucia, who had instinctively grabbed Scarlett’s arm, finally regained her composure.
Scarlett smiled softly and patted her.
“He came home late yesterday with a high fever. The doctor said it’s just a cold. His fever has gone down a lot since yesterday, but he still needs plenty of rest. Don’t worry, it’s not anything serious.”
“A fever…”
No wonder he felt hotter than usual. Scarlett felt guilty for having left him outside all day while he was sick.
“Well, he brought it on himself. His condition had been bad even before this.”
“You mean he’s been unwell for a while?”
“Yes. Jerome said he skipped meals all week and only drank alcohol. It was a miracle he didn’t get seriously ill.”
A week ago, it coincided roughly with the day of Christine’s party.
Why would someone who normally doesn’t touch alcohol drink so much?
Scarlett was worried and wanted to check on him herself.
Seeing Lucia clench her fists and purse her lips, Scarlett suggested,
“If you’re really worried, do you want to go see Herwin?”
“…Me?”
“Yes. Seeing you might lift his spirits a bit.”
Lucia’s eyes wavered. She struggled between wanting to go and knowing she shouldn’t.
After a brief silence, she finally lifted her head.
“Yes, I’ll go. I’ll get ready quickly.”
“Good. I’ll be waiting.”
Scarlett smiled as she watched Lucia rush into the mansion.
‘At least that’s a relief.’
It was too early for Herwin to give up on everything. Their mutual affection was clear, and she couldn’t just stand by.
Even if Lucia had a fiancé now…
“It’s just an engagement, not marriage.”
In noble society, engagements could easily be broken off, so there was no need to worry about public opinion.
Of course, if anyone whispered about Lucia and Herwin, Scarlett wouldn’t stay silent.
“That Herwin brat is going to be so surprised.”
Scarlett couldn’t even imagine Herwin’s reaction when he saw Lucia.
She pondered how to tease her son and noticed Lucia, having changed dresses, ready to visit him.
“You’ve waited so long!”
Seeing Lucia even more beautiful, Scarlett hummed to herself.
“No, it hasn’t been that long. Shall we go then?”
