CH 50.2

“If I give birth to a child and leave this castle as soon as possible, I will never see him again.”

This calm chant calmed her down. She didn’t admit to any feelings. Leaving only the strong heart she had recalled when she first came, those weak feelings were deeply buried.

Anne closed her heart.

* * *

As he mounted the prepared horse at the front door of the main building, the Grand Duke, holding the reins, looked back at the window of Anne’s room.

He was glad she was safe. What would he have done if her eyes stayed cloased forever? Instead of showing his feelings about that hellish time, he chose the harshest way.

But even after that, his heart wasn’t clear at all. Because it didn’t change the fact that Anne almost died.

“You stay! Don’t disappoint me again.”

The Grand Duke’s voice to Ashton was gloomy, like a warning.

“I will take responsibility and monitor Her Grace.”

“Watch that woman and stop her if she tries to do nonsense again. If she doesn’t listen, lock her up altogether.”

“Are you telling me to lock her up?”

“Otherwise?”

“. . .”

It was an odd order, but Ashton quietly bowed his head, as he was not allowed to speak out against his master’s opinion.

The black horse roared loudly as it spurs and ran away. A long sigh escaped from Ashton’s lips as he watched his master walk away.

“It’s tiring to be a faithful dog. You look so pitiful today.”

When Ashton turned around hearing those words, Luciel had appeared at the front door. Despite the smile on his face, Ashton froze.

“Lord Luciel, have you been watching? When did you come?”

“Me? It’s been a while. While Daymond is gone, I spent a good time with Anne.”

“If His Grace finds out, a fiery command will be issued.”

“Aren’t you afraid of my fiery commands?”

Luciel quickly pulled out Ashton’s glasses and lifted them up. Ashton stretched out his hand to take them back with nary a change in expression, but Luciel stood at a distance before he knew it.

“I mean. I like Anne quite a bit, but . . . I don’t like what Daymond is doing. You know, right? Your master’s inner thoughts? Am I wrong?”

Ashton kept his mouth shut and he said nothing. Even though he knew what Luciel was asking, it was not his duty to carelessly speak.

Luciel smiled as he peeked playfully through the clear glasses over his eyes.

“Daymond is a hypocrite. He brought her here saying he would cause her pain, but when Anne was in danger, he turned the place upside down like a madman. That’s not the behavior of someone trying to bully her. It’s what he does to the woman he loves.”

Seeing how Ashton still hadn’t answered him, Luciel tilted his head and soon looked annoyed. Even Ashton’s blunt disposition resembled that of his master.

“Is Anne inside this room?”

“Why are you interested in Her Grace?”

“Why? I liked Anne from the beginning. He is a very different person.”

Luciel, who giggled once more, disappeared with light steps. After Ashton looked in the direction the Grand Duke had left, he followed Luciel without a word.

* * *

While the Grand Duke was away from the castle, Anne quickly recovered her health. Her body, which had been frozen by the cold, was filled with warm blood and vitality. The dizziness that had come upon her after a short walk also disappeared.

But there was still a shadow cast over her face. A look of trepidation settled on Anne’s face as she read the letter from Libelois, which had been quiet.

The content was simple. Robert’s succession ceremony was coming soon, and they hoped she would attend.

Why did it happen so fast?

There was a sense of urgency. The early succession of the title to a successor who had not even married . . . Besides, Count Libelois? Being a man obsessed with vain ambitions, there was no way he would pass down the title easily.

It would take place exactly one month from now. Spring was the season for succession ceremonies for many families, and in the empire, succession ceremonies were considered of great importance. Since it was a high-profile event, it was taken for granted that not only other nobles, but also the elders and relatives of the family would gather together. So if she was unable to attend, it was almost inevitable that there would be rumors.

“Madam, is it bad news?”

Seeing Anne’s complexion darkening as she read the letter, Emily asked with a worried face.

Anne silently looked at the next page of the letter in her hand without answering. One thing that struck her was that she thought they would insist on the Grand Duke’s presence, but they made no mention of it.

[“I don’t want to worry His Grace over the unfortunate incident. I hope, at least, that you, a member of the family, will come.”]