Chapter 59
Chapter 59
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Translator: Vine
Chapter: 60
Chapter Title: Family Matters
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To think she wanted to return to the clan that had abandoned her.
And what about Estella, who had taken her in and cared for her? Durias didn't hide his contempt.
Although nothing had been proven, the circumstances strongly suggested that Ella was the one who had abandoned Aileen's egg and fled.
Estella's death was likely also closely tied to the woman before him.
Knowing how much Estella had trusted Ella, Durias felt a surge of bile. His stomach churned.
Ella trembled in the cellar, the air thick with killing intent. Her golden eyes darted about restlessly.
It was obvious she was racking her brain for something to say.
The sight of her, even now, trying to figure out how to stay alive a little longer.
Durias barely managed to stop himself from wringing her neck.
Ella flinched and scrambled back, gasping for breath.
"I understand you were abandoned in the east. How did you think you could go back?"
Durias, having finally regained his composure, asked with his signature smile. Ella slowly retreated into a corner.
"Th-they said they'd give me a chance."
"A chance?"
"......I-if I just listened to them....... they said they'd let me return home."
"So, you're saying you betrayed the mistress."
"That's not it!"
Ella jumped to her feet, vehemently shaking her head in denial.
Had being locked in the dungeon for so long addled her brain?
It was laughable how she denied it, even after admitting to her own betrayal.
Did he really have to keep looking at that face?
Disgusted, Durias scowled.
Cowering and watching his every move, Ella muttered.
"Th-that is. I never expected the mistress to die."
"Ha."
"L-Lady Estella...... I never wanted that to happen to her! Even I didn't want it to go that far...!"
Speaking with growing agitation, Ella suddenly clamped her mouth shut.
Her terrified eyes quickly gauged Durias's mood.
"You're utterly sickening."
The smile on Durias's face had vanished, replaced by an icy mask.
The sight of her, pressed into the corner of the cell as if it were her lifeline, whimpering and watching him, was utterly ridiculous.
Durias rose, stepped inside, and bent down to meet Ella's eyes.
Ella flinched, trying to pull back, but a firm grip on her chin yanked her forward.
"So. You betray Lady Estella, who ensured you survived to adulthood, but this man Meryl, whom you only met a few times as a child, is so precious that you're only now willing to talk?"
"......P-p-please, save me."
"Save whom? Meryl? Or you?"
Ella couldn't answer right away. She was thinking it over. Which one to choose.
Just moments ago, she had begged him not to touch Meryl, but now that she herself was an option, she hesitated.
So that was the extent of her feelings.
And for the sake of wanting to meet her childhood first love, she had betrayed Estella.
Durias looked at Ella as if she were an insect.
Ella's hot tears streamed down the back of Durias's hand.
How utterly loathsome.
Should he just kill her now? Durias considered it for a few seconds before releasing her chin.
That wasn't what Kaide wanted. Not yet.
"I'll never understand. I suppose this is why they say the human heart is the hardest thing to know."
Estella had trusted and loved this woman from another clan, even giving her a nickname.
And in return, the woman had contacted the very clan that had abandoned her, betraying the mistress she served in preparation to go back.
That alone was enough to make his mind go blank, but there was more he needed to hear.
First, he had to find out what instructions she had received from the clan she'd contacted.
The scattered splotches of paint were about to form a complete picture.
"Let's have a more in-depth conversation, shall we?"
"......!"
"I wouldn't advise trying to hide anything. That is, if you don't wish to see your beloved Meryl here."
* * *
A quiet country village in the south.
Two figures, a man and a woman, enjoyed a quiet moment together in a quaint garden bathed in warm sunlight.
The dark red-haired woman, who had been leisurely enjoying her tea at the table, set down her cup.
"You still can't handle sweets, Ian."
"And your craving for them grows by the day."
"Hating sweet things is a sin, you know."
The woman picked up a silver fork inlaid with a sapphire.
She elegantly speared a piece of cake slathered in chocolate mousse and held it to the man's lips.
"Ah."
"......."
"Dear?"
"......Haaah."
The man, resigned, opened his mouth. He had familiar black hair and red eyes.
As the horrendous sweetness spread through his mouth, his brow furrowed deeply.
"It tastes better because I'm giving it to you, right?"
"Helena."
"Yes?"
"It's nothing."
But the man, knowing he was in the wrong, kept his mouth shut.
"Then why did you hide the letter from our son?"
"Because you would have insisted we go to the capital."
"Oh my, you know me so well."
Helena's eyes widened.
Her pretty violet eyes curved into gentle crescents.
Ian, who always weakened at that smile, knew he had lost again.
A black envelope, held between her index and middle fingers, stood out with its crisp form.
In the center, a snake crest was clearly engraved.
The seal of the Astrofel family.
"Our only son went to the trouble of contacting us, asking us to come see our grandchild."
*Thwip.*
The fork, having lifted another piece of cake, rose into the air. Ian's red eyes wavered nervously.
Thankfully, the second piece of cake went into Helena's mouth.
Relieved, Ian let out a soft breath.
"When should we go?"
Helena asked with a joyful smile. Ian chuckled.
"Whenever you wish."
The intimate conversation between the former Gaju and matriarch of the Astrofel family continued.
"Don't tell me... you're sulking because Kaide took so long to write?"
"What are you talking about?"
Ian's denial was quiet as he shook his head, but Helena's suspicious gaze remained.
She cupped her husband's cheeks.
"No one in this family is ever honest, are they?"
"I've always been honest with you."
"Hmm. Well, that's all that matters, then."
Helena released his face.
It had been over three years since the two had stepped down from their positions.
Other than for Estella's funeral and the birth of their two grandchildren, they had not visited the estate.
It was a consideration from the former Gaju for Kaide's sake.
They were waiting for their son to establish himself as Gaju and take complete control of the clan.
After all, the sudden appearance of the former Gaju wouldn't be a welcome event for Kaide.
"It's quite strange, isn't it?"
"Indeed."
Helena's face was clouded with worry.
Just when I thought he was solidifying his position by getting married and producing an heir...
"Suddenly, a daughter born of another clan. Something must be happening in the family."
"I suppose so."
"You say that like it's someone else's problem."
"He'll handle it."
*Twitch.*
Helena's brow furrowed.
Even if they had stepped down, wasn't this a little too indifferent?
"Is that all you have to say?"
"Yes."
Everything concerning the Astrofel family was now in Kaide's hands.
Until he came seeking advice, it was right for the predecessors to remain silent.
But it was true that Ian, too, was unsettled.
Since Kaide hadn't told him what was going on, Ian was just as frustrated.
"Still, having a granddaughter... it's not such a bad feeling. I wanted a daughter, too."
"......."
"But someone was against it."
"Absolutely not. When he was born, he absorbed far too much of your pheromones."
Ian covered his eyes as the memory he'd rather not recall surfaced.
Just thinking about it made his head spin. He had thought he was going to lose Helena.
And she wanted a daughter after going through that to have a son?
Knowing Ian's heart, Helena smiled faintly.
"What can we do? I'll have to be content with a granddaughter."
"It's a miracle he hasn't thrown her out, given his temperament."
"I bet he tried to. Want to make a wager?"
Whether he did or not?
At the prospect of some long-overdue fun, Helena's violet eyes sparkled.
Seeing her confident attitude, Ian decided to back down.
"Why so quiet?"
"Because I think you'd win."
"You're no fun."
Having finished her tea, Helena rose from her seat.
Ian's teacup still held nearly half of the sweet black tea.
She didn't know why he always insisted on drinking a tea that didn't suit his palate, but him drinking the same tea as her wasn't an unpleasant feeling.
"I should send word that we'll be visiting the estate. I want to see my granddaughter as soon as possible."
"I haven't acknowledged that child as my granddaughter yet, Helena."
Ian objected with dissatisfaction. Helena tilted her head.
"Kaide has already given her his name, hasn't he? Don't you think calling her Rin would be just adorable?"
"......."
"It might be nice to have her stay with us for a few days. You're too quiet."
Even when it's just the two of us, it feels like I'm alone sometimes, you know?
Helena said with a laugh, her tone full of teasing. And once again, Ian fell for it beautifully.