Chapter 232

232 Lucrethia Took Matter Into Her Own Hands

It was almost as if he were gazing into Ronan’s eyes, or better said Lady Adele Fangblade’s eyes. Lucien was so stunned that he could not help but stare at the familiar pair of eyes for a long time.

“Child? Is there something on my face?” the elderly woman asked Lucien after a while of awkward silence.

“No, not at all,” Lucien quickly snapped from his daydreams. “Madam, you resemble an acquaintance of mine very much. To be exact, your eyes remind me of her.”

Lucrethia Woodland smiled sweetly at Lucien.

“I hope she is a good person.”

“She was. She was an amazing person.”

“Oh,” the elderly woman pressed a hand against her lips in realization. “I am so sorry for your loss.”

Lucien shook his head.

“It’s fine.”

.....

Lucrethia Woodland buried her fingers into Lucien’s arms like a predator clutching its prey. The gesture stood in contrast with the beseeching look that she threw Lucien right after.

“Child, I believe I fainted from low blood sugar. Do you mind taking me to the canteen for some brunch?”

Lucien hesitated for a while. He glanced back at the surgery room door that separated him and Annalynne.

It would take a while for the doctors to work on Annalynne’s scars. Surely there was enough time to accompany the elderly woman and go back to the waiting room. Annalynne wouldn’t even know that he was gone.

Besides, the elderly woman looked so pitiful and lonely.

“Sure, Madam,” Lucien responded at last.

“Thank you, my child.”

Lucien thus took the elderly woman to the hospital canteen. She picked the farthest seat from the counter, claiming that she wanted to bask in the morning sunlight.

As a result, Lucien had to go back and forth between the canteen counter and the table to bring Lucrethia her food and drink. Surprisingly, the elderly woman had a massive appetite. She ordered two big cheese and ham sandwiches, a plate of deviled eggs, a bowl of clear chicken soup, and also a plate of candied plums as dessert.

“Please have some,” she pushed the plate of deviled eggs in Lucien’s direction once Lucien was done acting as food courier.

“No, thank you. Madam, you should eat more,” Lucien rejected her politely, pushing the plate of candied plums back in Lucrethia’s direction.

The elderly woman pursed her lips in a slight pout

“How can I finish all of these alone? You have to help me!”

“...”

Lucien smiled graciously.

“Then maybe just a candied plum,” he said.

Lucrethia’s lips curled up into a smile. “The candied plums here are the best. I like them a lot. Eat more, eat more.”

While they shared the plate of candied plums, Lucrethia eyed Lucien full of curiosity.

“Young man, were you waiting for your girlfriend back there?”

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Lucien smiled and shook his head.

“No, I was waiting for my sister.”

“Ah. What a doting brother.”

“Thank you, it is my responsibility as a big brother.”

“You seem to be a very caring man. You must dote even more on your wife,” Lucrethia praised her younger companion.

Lucien cleared his throat.

He did not wish to comment on that, so he said nothing.

Lucrethia switched the topic from spouse to offspring.

“Have you had any pups, my dear?”

“Oh, no.”

“No? At your age? My son sired a pup when he was only twenty-two years old.”

“I am not thinking of having children,” Lucien said hurriedly.

“Oh?”

Lucrethia narrowed her eyes at Lucien. The latter had his eyelashes lowered; otherwise, he would see the peculiar hunger in Lucrethia’s eyes.

“What does your girlfriend say about it?”

“My partner is a man.”

“Oh. What a pity.”

Lucien’s lips parted slightly in surprise when he glanced up at Lucrethia.

“Why is it a pity?”

“Because, every man wants to be a father.”

“I don’t think so,” Lucien denied.

“Maybe you don’t, but your partner dreams of having little feet running through the house.”

Lucien furrowed his brows.

For some reason, he felt uncomfortable.

He could not pinpoint where exactly the uneasy feeling came from, but it existed. And it was gradually growing stronger.

“He does not,” Lucien mumbled while rubbing the spot between his brows.

“What makes you so sure?”

“He said, he didn’t.”

“He said that because that is what you want to hear,” Lucrethia said. “If anyone else asked him, he would say that he wanted some children. He just did not want to offend you.”

Lucien held a hand before his mouth and shut his eyes tightly.

It was dizziness...

No, nausea...

Lucien did not know what was happening. He could not put a finger on what he was feeling. He just felt extremely uncomfortable.

Lucrethia extended her hand and squeezed Lucien’s shoulder. It was very gentle, but Lucien unwittingly shuddered.

“If you think that he will make a good father, you should allow him to be one. Otherwise, it is rather selfish, don’t you think?”

Lucien wanted to pull away from Lucrethia’s grip, but for some reason, he was unable to.

“Right?” Lucrethia pressed on.

Lucien’s headache intensified. It hurt so much. He wanted it to stop. He needed it to stop.

“Right,” he helplessly said.

Lucrethia retracted her hand and asked with a voice full of concern, “Young man, are you alright? You look so pale.”

“I...”

Before Lucien finished what he wanted to say, his phone started to ring.

It was Annalynne.

“Lulu!” She snapped. “Where did you run off to???”

“Sorry, Anna, I...”

His head still throbbing painfully, Lucien glanced up at the elderly woman.

“Sorry, Madam, I need to go.”

“Oh, thank you for keeping me company. My son will come to pick me up in a bit. Go to your sister.”

Lucien nodded. He rose to his feet and left without saying goodbye.

Lucrethia stayed behind. She watched the back of Lucien’s head until he disappeared around the corner.

“What a delicious young man,” she thought to herself. “A heavenly, sweet orange scent.”

Her wrinkly hand reached toward the plate and took another candied plum.

Biting into it, she thought further, “So delicious that one just has to take a bite.”

.....