– Chapter 34 –

“I’m relieved that Erin is here. Thank you.”

The one word that parted from the Duchess’s lips conveyed many emotions that could not be described in just a few words.

Erin stared at the Duchess.

There was a firm determination on her gentle face.

Erin noticed that the Duchess had meant it from the start.

Although she wasn’t actively changing or doing anything, she could tell that she had quietly lifted her direction little by little.

So Erin followed along.

“Mother. Why did you trust me?”

In the end, everything Erin did was successful because the Duchess trusted her.

It would have been impossible if she hadn’t been on Erin’s side.

“That’s because you’re our Aiden’s wife.”

The Duchess answered neatly and simply.

She opened her mouth after staring at Erin.

“As for Erin…..”

The Duchess looked at Erin in silence.

“You should continue to live like this from now on.”

The Duchess cheered for Erin.

“I’m envious of Erin. I’m tempted to give it a try too.”

“Maybe it’s because our daughter-in-law doesn’t look like she’s only ten years old.”

Flinch. Erin rolled her eyes and smiled awkwardly at the Duchess’s words.

“As soon as I saw you that day, I already had trust in you. I was thinking of giving it a try by leaving it to our young daughter-in-law.”

The Duchess put her hand on Erin’s head.

“I knew it…… Won’t you come with me after all? Why don’t you think about it again?”

Although they have been together for not so long, the Duchess already liked her daughter-in-law.

She kept wanting to spend a little more time with her and Aiden.

So, even though she has already heard the answer once, she asked it again just in case.

Erin looked up at the Duchess and smiled broadly.

“Mother, we’ll stay here.”

Erin had no intention of going to the estate.

The development of the original story takes place and is centred in the capital. If they leave, everything will be twisted.

Erin will be with Aiden in the capital until she grows up to be an adult.

“It’s the same answer as expected. I knew it, but I still had unresolved feelings, that’s why I asked. It’s a pity…… but it’s the will of the two of you, so I’ll respect it.”

The Duchess smiled at Erin and nodded her head. Which means they can do whatever they want to do.

“Contact me often.”

“I will!”

Erin answered vigorously so as not to sink the atmosphere.

The day the Duke and his wife left came quickly.

The two did not intend to stay here long once they made up their mind.

They tried to solve the matters that had to be dealt with immediately and leave as soon as they were ready.

The carriage to take the two of them to the estate was waiting in front of them.

Aiden and Erin came out to see the ducal couple off.

Erin greeted and smiled brightly at the two of them.

“Have a safe trip. I’ll send you letters and contact you frequently. I’ll go play sometimes, too!”

“……Make sure to send it.”

The Duke replied briefly, but Erin laughed, knowing he was shy.

He was still awkward about expressing his feelings, but he wanted to receive the letter.

“Yes! I’ll send you letters often!”

“I will miss you a lot.”

“Ah! I’ll send you a portrait too!”

Erin said as if she had a very good idea.

“Alright. Please be sure to send it.”

“Then, Mother and Father, please send us one as well!”

“We’re not going to change much in a year or two, though?”

“No! I’m sure it’ll change a lot. If you don’t believe it, I’ll collect it together and show you later!”

Erin was serious.

Erin and Aiden will grow noticeably as the years go by.

Their height, physique, appearance, and many other things will change enough to be noticed at a glance.

Naturally, such a change would not have occurred to the Duke and Duchess.

But physical change is not everything.

The ducal couple probably didn’t notice, but their impression has changed a lot in the past few days.

Their expressionless face, which had always hardened, loosened, and their smile appeared more often.

The two who have confirmed each other’s feelings will become happier in the future.

Naturally, the words “happiness” written on their faces will gradually become more prominent.

Erin wanted to show them the change later.

“Even though I’m curious about that, you have to send us letters at all costs.”

With a playful smile, the Duchess hung her pinky finger with Erin. The two made a promise

After greeting Erin, the Duchess looked at Aiden.

“Have a safe trip.” Aiden greeted politely.

“Yeah.”

The Duchess looked at Aiden and wavered, as her feet couldn’t move.

Aiden looked into the Duchess’s eyes and slowly opened his mouth.

“Mother.”

Aiden walked towards her.

The Duchess was nervous, but Aiden reached out his arms.

“…….Can I hug you once?” asked the Duchess in a trembling voice.

“Can I do that?” The Duchess looked nervously into Aiden’s face.

She wouldn’t do it if she’d see any signs of discomfort on Aiden’s face.

Aiden didn’t smile as wide as Erin.

However, there was no sign of discomfort or compulsion.

“Of course, since you are my mother.”

As soon as Aiden granted his approval, the Duchess was thrilled and carefully held Aiden into her arms.

The Duchess was concerned the whole time.

The only person Aiden was comfortable with was Erin.

Even though she felt that it was fortunate, she also felt regret at the same time.

She wanted to hug him at least once before she left.

But, she did not want to force Aiden to have a hard time with it because of her greed.

However, hugging Aiden in her arms like this, she felt like she was about to cry because she felt like she had just been acknowledged as a mother.

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“……Please don’t cry.”

Aiden said in a low tone.

Isabella’s eyes were already wet.

She quickly wiped away her tears and smiled brightly.

“Yeah. I have to smile. I have to show my son a smiling face.”

She looked at Aiden and opened her mouth as if carefully speaking out the most precious words.

“Aiden. Mom always loves you.”

Her eyes looking at Aiden shone brighter than jewels.

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Aiden didn’t answer. He just bowed his head slightly.

But Erin cleverly noticed that the nape of his neck, which was visible through his hair, turned red.

Taking a peek, Isabella seemed to find that Aiden was also shy.

Their bodies might have parted from each other, but their hearts were getting closer than ever.

Now it was really time for the two of them to leave.

The Duchess got into the carriage first. But the Duke, who was about to get on the carriage, turned and bowed his upper body toward Erin.

The Duke came to Erin’s side and whispered so that only she could hear him.

“It seems like I met a very smart daughter-in-law.”

The Duke’s and Erin’s eyes met. The two raised their eyebrows meaningfully towards each other at the same time.

The Duke opened his mouth with his hand petting Erin’s head.

“Take care and goodbye.”

The Duke then got into the carriage.

That’s how they left.

They watched until the carriage carrying the two of them was no longer visible, and then Erin and Aiden turned around.

They might look as if they have everything, but the ducal couple were tied down.

That’s how they end up not knowing each other’s feelings for over 20 years.

The two met at a young age where they couldn’t even see their own hearts properly, and they have lived their lives misunderstanding each other because of the misplaced button that needed to be fixed at the time.

Moreover, the misunderstanding and conflict between the two had an effect on the young Aiden.

As a result, the three had to overcome one big hurdle.

If it wasn’t for Erin, the conflict between them would have only deepened without changing until Aiden became an adult.

“But, I’m glad. It’s not too late even now.”

Erin, who was muttering, turned to Aiden.

Erin opened her mouth with a determined expression on her face.

“Aiden. We can’t change the things we’ve experienced so far, but let’s create better times than those times.”

“It doesn’t matter. After all, the time we experienced so far will be the most worthless time in our life.”

Erin was upset at Aiden’s blunt words.

“What do you mean? Saying it’s worthless… Are you saying that this separation is nothing?”

“Of course…… When we become an adult, our memories will slowly fade, so it’s not a significant time…..”

“Who the hell is telling you that! This time is the most important in my life. Memories of childhood will shape my whole life.”

Erin, who was panting, halted.

‘Don’t tell me Whitney said such nonsense?’

Just how far did Whitney have influenced Aiden…… I don’t like it.

Erin sighed and spoke softly towards Aiden, who was watching from the side.

“There is no time in life that is worthless. Every moment is precious.”

Erin looked directly into Aiden’s eyes and continued.

“So, from now on, you will cherish all the time you spend with me. Okay?”

Erin smiled brightly, revealing her gums. With a genuine expression on her face.

“Okay!” Aiden exclaimed vigorously.

As Erin expected, those were the words Whitney had said to Aiden.

At one point, that was the reason why Aiden was able to suppress his suffering.

From a certain point, all of Aiden’s precious moments came after Erin appeared in his life.

The time before that was worthless because there was no Erin in it.

But he was happy to see Erin raising her voice and getting angry because of him.

It seemed as if he was being compensated after enduring all his hard times.

So he was even more excited about the future.

Aiden promised with a happy face that he would spend all her time with Erin from now on.

As Erin and Aiden remained in the capital, their roles as members of the Leinster family grew even greater.

The two were more motivated to do well than to feel the weight of their duty.

Fortunately, none of the tasks Erin and Aiden had to do yet was burdensome.

The Duke and his wife had solved all the affairs before they left, so there was no way there would be anything like that remaining.

That’s how Erin was able to spend time relaxing with Mona and other employees, eating dessert and building their friendship.

Desserts, which seem to bring the world’s sweetness, are expensive food, so the employees really loved Erin’s invitation.

Today too, as usual, was when she had such a time.

While they were having dessert together, one of the employees spoke up with a sparkling eye.

“Young Master Aiden is getting softer now.”

– To Be Continued –