CH 67.2

“Tell me if it’s still too hard. I know you always keep things to yourself.”

She thought of Marie for a moment, but she discarded the thought. She still hasn’t looked for Marie since that day. She was still disgusted with Marie for daring to spy on and defy her master.

Anne’s eyes sank deeply as she stared at Emily silently. She felt sorry for the way Emily continued to support her, when Emily was already nearing her thirties. She lost a child once, but since she was young enough, she could still meet a nice man and have children again.

“Emily, I’ll give you money soon, so get out of the castle.”

“What?”

Emily’s head lifted as she was tidying up the teapot.

“It would be nice to open a decent shop in your name in the village. I know your skills are better than anyone else’s in making desserts.”

“What are you talking about all of a sudden… I don’t understand. I know it’s rude, but I’ll pretend I didn’t hear it. I will take care of the baby who will be born next to you.”

“I too want you to stay by my side… but you know that my reality is not so good either.”

She knew that Emily had been ignoring the scars on Anne’s body every time she took a bath. Emily pretended not to see it on purpose— how could she not know that? It was not once or twice that she had seen Emily looking like she was going to cry.

Even so, Emily never once carelessly asked her. She just silently stayed by her side.

It was the most comfort Anne had ever received from anyone.

Emily shook her head slowly.

“I don’t dare to tell you, as a lowly person, but I have to tell you this. The moment I met Miss  again, I made a promise. I will continue to be by your side as time permits.”

“…”

“So please don’t throw me out.”

Anne stared at Emily, who was about to start crying, with complicated eyes. She had no idea that Emily was thinking about her so far. So she couldn’t speak more strongly.

“Looks like I was hasty. I didn’t mean to kick you out, I just meant you want to live your life.”

As Anne grew up with a little bit of emotion, Emily slowly revealed her concern after wiping her eyes once.

“Madam, is there anything going on? You don’t even tell His Grace about the child.”

Until now, she assumed that there must be other circumstances, but it would be difficult to hide as her stomach would grow day by day. Anne didn’t want to tell the truth, because people would be more suspicious if they caught her, so Emily wanted Anne to tell the truth. Emily also had experience of hiding until her stomach was fully swollen because she was yelled at by Robert.

“That… I’m thinking about it.”

With the difficult question, Anne’s hand fell helplessly to the floor. She was only dragging her feet because she hadn’t made up her mind yet.

Emily, feeling that her question had made the air heavy, hurriedly placed some of Anne’s favorite dried fruits on the plate. Anne, who had just moistened her lips, crossed her legs and squinted her eyes when she saw the Grand Duke approaching.

Anne looked at him who leaned loosely on the post of the gazebo and raised her eyes

“Were you reading a book?”

“Why ask a question you already know the answer to? What else are you here to talk about?”

Even though she didn’t answer well, the Grand Duke took a seat next to her. He looked down at Anne, who didn’t offer him tea and didn’t welcome him, and he struggled to start a conversation.

“You know everything, so I’ll tell you right away. I know that your heart is still struggling because of the Libelois family.”

“…”

He mentioned Libelois. It was unbelievable that he is still talking about that… She knew he was wrong for a long time, but Anne turned the pages of the book indifferently without reply.

Nevertheless, the Grand Duke slowly continued his words.

“And the fact that I forced my marriage with you… I want to have you by my side.”

“I know. That you brought me to strangle me.”

When the Grand Duke saw her, knowing his second plan, he was speechless for a moment. But he did not back down and spoke again.

“That… I admit it was my fault. But that wasn’t all.”

Despite the sharp sarcasm, he didn’t get hurt, let alone get angry. One way or another, he tried to get rid of his anger.

However, despite his efforts, Anne’s expression grew colder.

“Are you sorry for me now?”

“I apologize for what I did earlier. So please tell me…”

Anne threw the book she was holding to the side, venting her anger. What he said now after playing with people was amazing. Not only was the content of his apology wrong, but the apology he really wanted to make was limited.

“Tell me exactly what you’re sorry about. Threatening Libelois for a forced marriage? Or putting me down as the Grand Duchess to insult me?”

Anne’s breathing became more rough.

“No, there is something else. Treating me like your personal prostitute according to your wildest whims. You still don’t know anything.”