The Abandoned Duchess Seems to Want a Peaceful Life - Chapter 101

Chapter 101: Gaze and Anger

When Serleine’s light footsteps faded into the distance, a heavy silence fell over the area. Marie and Cedric wore awkward expressions, while Alexis was rubbing his temples with his fingers.

“Are you allowing him to call you ‘sister’?”

It seemed more like words born from strong bewilderment rather than reprimand.

To Melfina, he was positioned as a frail younger brother, but Serleine was the first prince and crown prince of the neighboring country. Although Melfina wasn’t Serleine’s vassal, she was close to being someone who took responsibility for his safety and provided a comfortable environment.

Alexis paid her under that premise and also had her bear the responsibility of training soldiers in the Enkar region.

It was only natural that the noble guest she was hosting under the pretext of recuperation appeared too close to her. Melfina herself was aware that she was stepping beyond customary boundaries.

“It’s only while we’re in the Enkar region. He’s lonely. He’s still at an age where he misses his family.”

“Prince Serleine is already thirteen.”

“Your Grace, thirteen is still a child.”

“But it’s an age where children can also have children.”

At those words, it was clear that the blood drained from Melfina’s face.

Looking at Alexis, his bewilderment subsided, replaced by disgust… no, it looked more like contempt towards the person who had overstepped their position.

Alexis probably didn’t truly believe that Serleine and Melfina were involved romantically.

If that had crossed the line, Cedric would have been the first to voice his concerns, and if that was ignored, Alexis would have been informed. Alexis should know that.

—But you don’t know anything.

From the day Serleine arrived at the lord’s residence, he had been a slender, small, and fragile boy who seemed as if he could snap at any moment.
If one were to believe the scenario, even knowing that his life was not in danger until next summer, he was such a frail child that it was worrisome whether he would grow up safely.

Despite being such a child, Serleine had begun to trust Melfina, eating meals, going outside, and even running around in the fields with Felice.

Although Melfina’s knowledge had led to improvements in lifestyle habits, it was Serleine who had worked harder.

He dined with the servants, awkwardly helped with the cooking, and listened to Melfina’s stories with rapt attention.

The winter memories with him, who had called her “sister” and looked up to her, felt like they had been smeared with sticky mud.

—Ah, so when people get too angry, it’s not that the blood rushes to their heads but rather it sinks.

“…I’m feeling a bit unwell, so if you’ll excuse me, Your Grace.”

“Madam.”

“…Cedric, please show them to the guest rooms. Marie, I don’t need dinner.”

“Lady Melfina!”

Marie looked like she wanted to say something, but Melfina didn’t want to stay there any longer.

She didn’t want to remain in this atmosphere that was blaming her.

“I’m sorry, Marie. Just for a little while, leave me alone.”

As she stepped out into the hallway from the dining room, a shiver of breath escaped her, and she felt heat welling up behind her eyes.

She clenched her teeth, trying to hold back whatever was trying to melt away.

She would definitely not cry.

Before she knew it, she was running.

“Ah, dammit! Cedric! I’m entrusting you with the protection of His Excellency!”

“What!? Hey!?”
“Having both you and His Excellency here will only make things more complicated! Understand? I’m leaving it to you!”

She heard August’s shout from behind. Even though August, being a knight, would never be reckless with his lady, Melfina, she didn’t want to be caught and dashed up the stairs.

As a noblewoman, she had hardly ever run before, but she couldn’t bear it. Running up the stairs, she lost her balance due to her unfamiliarity with the activity. Fortunately, she didn’t fall and managed to regain her footing.

She opened the bedroom door and closed it behind her. Only the maidservants and female attendants were allowed in a lady’s bedroom. Within this mansion, only Marie and Alexis had that right, but Marie would never force her way in, and Alexis had no reason to do so.

So here, she was alone.

Thinking that, she felt a sudden release of tension.

“Ugh…ugh…”

Even though she clenched her teeth and tightly gripped her fists, it was difficult to hold back the rising emotions.

—This isn’t something that just started now.

Melfina’s life had always been exposed to gazes filled with curiosity, and a hint of disgust or contempt.

Despite being the daughter of a major southern lord, she had never set foot in her own territory and had been labeled as a possible daughter born of infidelity, enduring those kinds of looks.

She had been subjected to countless evaluating gazes.

She had also been looked at with pity many times.

Above all, she could never forget the look of disgust from her father, Marquis Crawford.

She believed that as long as she behaved correctly as the daughter of the Crawford family, without any fault of her own, people would eventually understand. She had earnestly worked towards that goal.

The days in the Enkar region were so warm and everyone was so kind that she had forgotten.

She had never imagined that the environment surrounding her since birth was so harsh on her heart.

Leaning against the door, hugging her knees, a heavy thud echoed from the other side, as if someone had bumped into it.

“Lady Melfina!”

It seemed that Marie had caught up. Melfina, still crouched and clutching her shoulders, held her breath.

The loneliness of having no place to belong and the emptiness of feeling worthless were overwhelming and impossible to suppress now.

She didn’t want to show this side of herself to Marie, who had always been by her side.

“Please, Marie, leave me alone for now.”

“Lady Melfina, I’ll explain. Please, listen to me.”

“Step aside, Lord August!”

“Although His Excellency is at fault, it’s harsh to have Lady Marie explain. I’ll handle it.”

“Stop with the unnecessary things!”

Trying to block out the arguing voices from beyond the door, she covered her ears with her hands.

“Lady Melfina! I am on your side! If you want to leave the North because you’re fed up, I will accompany you wherever that may be!”

“Wait, Lady Marie!”

“But, just this once… just this once, please listen to what I have to say… Please, Lady Melfina.”

Marie’s voice was hoarse and intermittent, and with gritted teeth, Melfina stood up.

She knew that since coming to the Enkar region, Marie had always valued her feelings.

If she had said this much, she needed to respond.

When she opened the door, Marie’s pale face, mixed with relief and sadness, was streaked with tears.

“Why are you crying, Marie?”

“Lady Melfina, I’m sorry. I’m so sorry.”

Melfina didn’t understand why Marie was apologizing. However, she couldn’t ignore the sight of Marie’s thin shoulders trembling in pain.

“I want to support you unconditionally, Lady Melfina. I’m even angry with His Excellency. But… I also understand his feelings.”

“Marie…”

“Just once, please listen to what I have to say. If, after that, you still can’t forgive His Excellency and never want to see him again, I will absolutely stand by you.”

“…You’re foolish. He’s your brother. You don’t need to do such things for me.”

“You are more important to me than anything, Lady Melfina!”

Her words, spoken over her own, made Melfina shiver.

“You’re foolish, Marie.”

She repeated it, covering her face with her hands.

—It’s not that I can’t control this because I’m sad.

She had always been by her side since they met. Melfina could clearly tell that Marie meant her words sincerely.

“Thank you, Marie. I love you.”

To have someone who puts her first and cares for her absolutely.

She realized how much she felt saved just by that.