Chapter 67
“Th-That can’t be—”
“I truly am sorry for not telling you the truth sooner. But the duke’s magic power is strong enough to destroy an entire nation. You saw it yourself with the Chancellor incident, didn’t you, Natalie?”
“T-That’s… yes, but even so!”
“It’s dangerous for you to get close to that kind of power— I understand how you feel, but… I cannot allow you to put yourself in danger, Natalie.”
The words she heard were her father’s true feelings laid bare. He spoke with urgency, choosing each word carefully— and she could clearly feel how deeply he cared for her.
However… Natalie was not someone who could obediently back down because of that.
(He used so much magic to save me from the underground crypt… and during the Sword Dance Festival, he sacrificed himself for me. How could I— how could I alone pretend not to see any of it?)
What flashed through her mind was always Julius— the Julius who had saved her countless times. Yes, there was a time when his gaze toward her had been cold… but the Julius of now had been helping her, helping her family. She knew well how warm his heart truly was.
“Then I don’t need Father’s permission! I will go on my own—”
“Natalie… Someone! Come here, quickly!”
“Y-Yes, my lord! What’s wrong?”
“Father…?”
Before Natalie could finish speaking, her father raised his voice. He summoned the butlers and servants—
“Take Natalie to her room.”
“Huh?”
“From now on, no one— absolutely no one— is to let her leave that room. This is an order from the head of the Pettigrew household.”
“F-Father!?”
The servants flinched for a moment, startled by his sudden authority. But once they heard the command, they immediately moved to restrain Natalie.
She tried to resist, but it was futile; she was quickly caught. Right before she was taken out of her father’s study—
“…Natalie. Please, listen to what your father says. Calm your head.”
“Father! Father!”
Natalie called out to him desperately, but her voice— never reached him.
Only Mina, the maid, kept pacing helplessly between the two, flustered and uncertain.
◆◇◆
Though the servants were gentle, she was still restrained and locked in her room. Once Natalie was pushed inside, she heard the sound of the lock turning from the outside— and even when she tried to turn the doorknob—
“It… it won’t open…”
The door didn’t budge at all, no matter how hard she pushed. Her strength meant nothing against it, and she collapsed weakly onto the floor.
(So… I really won’t be able to see His Excellency anymore…?)
Why hadn’t he told her about the magic rampage? Or about the Fangray family’s circumstances? Of course, she and Julius were not husband and wife now… they were strangers. In their previous life, he had even said terrible things to her— they’d hated each other.
Julius had no obligation to explain anything to her. And she had no right or duty to hear it.
Yet… her mind was overflowing with thoughts screaming in protest. Her eyes grew hot, and tears began to fall— one after another.
Why was she crying so hard? Was it because Julius didn’t tell her? That was part of it— but more than that…
It was because she had felt his kindness.
She wanted to know him more.
She wanted to talk to the Julius who had changed so much.
She remembered how he actually hated sweet things… how he smiled at children… how she couldn’t take her eyes off him.
She had never once considered the possibility that she wouldn’t be able to speak with him anymore. Had she ever returned his kindness?
(Return… No, not out of obligation—)
Natalie widened her tear-filled eyes.
(I… I don’t want to be apart from His Excellency… I can’t bear the thought of never seeing that gentle version of him again… But that means—)
Just as she began to truly confront her own heart—
— Knock.
A light tapping came from the door.
“My adorable Natalie, I’m coming in… Oh my, you’re being cautious, aren’t you? Once I come in, you may lock the door again if that makes you feel better.”
That gentle, familiar voice— it was unmistakably her mother. Likely with servants behind her, since Natalie could hear her speaking to someone else outside.
Before Natalie could stand, the door opened with a click. Her mother stepped in— their eyes met— and her mother’s widened dramatically.
“Oh my! Oh my, my! Natalie, are you alright!?”
“M-Mother…”
“Seeing tears on such a lovely face… It breaks my heart too.”
Her mother rushed to her and knelt down to meet her gaze.
“…But the fact that something made my Natalie cry like this— that is also the truth, isn’t it? Sitting on the floor like this isn’t good for your body. Come now, let’s sit on the sofa.”
Still crying uncontrollably, Natalie allowed her mother to guide her to the sofa. Her mother sat beside her and gently stroked her head.
“Natalie, what happened…? Will you tell me?”
“…ngh…”
“Oh dear, was that too sudden?”
“N-No…”
“Hehe, speaking your mind is important… And this is just my little monologue, but— secrets kept between us and not told to your father… can be quite delightful, you know?”
Her mother pressed a handkerchief to Natalie’s eyes, wiping her streaming tears— and gave her a charming wink. That smile brought comfort to Natalie, who had been drowning in anxiety.
“Uu… Mother…”
“Yes, yes… I’m your mother, who loves you very much.”
Natalie burst into even harder sobs and threw herself into her mother’s arms— and her mother held her tightly, rubbing her back slowly and soothingly.
