Chapter 132
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133.
My vision blurred for a moment, and Alicia squinted her eyes.
A man's silhouette was barely discernible through the haze that seemed to cloud her sight.
Only after rubbing her eyes several times and blinking did Alicia recognize the identity of the man gazing down at her.
"Are you feeling well?"
Octavio asked gently, which was unlike him.
Normally, Alicia would have been startled by such an attitude from him, but today she found it oddly welcome.
Alicia offered a faint smile and leaned her weary body against the wall.
"No. I'm not fine. Do you know what? You're the first person to ask how I'm doing today."
"Is that so? That must have been quite lonely for you."
Octavio walked slowly toward the cradle with a gentle smile playing on his lips.
He gazed quietly at the baby's face, sleeping peacefully amid the biting wind sweeping through Devonshire.
"What a beautiful child. It's like seeing Zeppelin in his childhood."
"Thank goodness he resembles him. My baby is indeed lovely to look at. I wish he had been a daughter, though...."
"No. A son is better."
"What do you mean? Zeppelin wanted a daughter."
"Have you forgotten? The reason you could become the Countess of Devonshire instead of merely a mistress, despite your common birth."
Octavio gently caressed the child's soft cheek before turning his gaze toward Alicia.
"It was because you carried an heir. This child is now the sole heir of the Devonshire Family."
Joy bloomed across Alicia's face at Octavio's words, only to fade again moments later.
"But I'm not yet the official Countess. Legally, this child is still nothing more than a bastard."
"A document recognizing you as the Countess of Devonshire was approved several days ago."
"Is that... truly so?"
"Did I not promise to make you the Countess? I am a man who always keeps his promises."
"Octavio!"
Alicia gazed at him, overwhelmed with emotion.
His voice, which she had always found unsettling, sounded today like a sweet celestial melody.
"Do not celebrate too soon. Now that the Count's memory has returned, he may cast you out at any moment."
"Then what should I do?"
"Keep yourself as inconspicuous as possible and avoid displeasing the Count. As long as you are not cast out, I shall handle the rest."
"Don't worry about that. I'll cling to him desperately. But why are you suddenly speaking so formally to me?"
Alicia's question drew a sly smile from Octavio as he answered.
"Because you are my master's mother."
"Then your plan is...."
Octavio pretended not to notice Alicia's sharp intake of breath and reached toward the fireplace.
"The fire is weak for such cold weather. I shall summon a maid at once and have her add more firewood."
He spoke while looking at the child in the cradle.
"By the way... have you decided on a name for the child?"
"No. Zeppelin hasn't even come to see the child yet, so how could I choose a name?"
"Regardless, the child must have a name. He will one day become the Earl of Devonshire."
"Then...."
Alicia fell into thought for a moment. Soon, she lifted her gaunt, hollow face.
A faint smile lingered at the corners of her lips.
"Arthur would be nice."
"Arthur.... That's a lovely name."
"Do you think Zeppelin will like it...?"
A flash of irritation crossed Octavio's face.
She was like a frightened lamb.
The woman who once threw everything aside for her goals now trembled with shoulders shaking. Where had that resolve gone?
"I couldn't say. But it pleases me. Isn't that enough?"
When Octavio smiled coldly, sparks ignited in Alicia's eyes.
'Turn crisis into opportunity.'
Alicia's gaze alternated between her son and Octavio.
Yes. This was an opportunity. And she was not one to hesitate when opportunity presented itself.
Alicia seized the moment.
"You're right. Everything you say is correct."
* * *
"What beautiful weather we're having today!"
Rebecca threw open the window and gazed up at the high sky dotted with billowing clouds.
Below, the forest of the Duke's Castle painted in autumn colors burned brilliantly like flames.
Kanna, who had been checking the ornaments for Rebecca's hair, glanced casually out the window and spoke.
"How fortunate. Miss Lily must be absolutely delighted."
"Indeed."
Today was the day the Obelia Family and the Johannes Family would go on a picnic together.
Everyone in the Duke's Castle knew how eagerly Lily had been anticipating this day.
Imagining Lily running joyfully across the sandy shore, I couldn't help but smile.
"How shall I style you today?"
Kanna gently asked, placing her hands on Rebecca's shoulders as she sat before the vanity.
Rebecca fell into contemplation.
Now that I thought about it, the maids at the Count's Mansion loved dressing me up like a doll.
They all quarreled over who got to style me as they pleased.
But Kanna was different.
She merely followed my instructions. Her work was flawless, yet she had never once styled me according to her own preferences.
"Then today, do it however you'd like."
"Pardon?"
"You've always done as I asked, so this time I want to hear what you think. Is that alright?"
Kanna hesitated at the unexpected proposal, her uncertainty written plainly across her face.
Reading her heart, I took Kanna's hand and spoke.
"You can do whatever you want. I trust you."
"If you insist so strongly...."
Kanna reluctantly began to carefully touch Rebecca's face.
Her hands trembled, yet her cheeks flushed with color.
Before applying makeup, Kanna often gave Rebecca facial massages.
It worked like magic—the puffiness would fade, and her skin would remain luminous throughout the day.
Rebecca closed her eyes gently as Kanna's familiar hands worked their craft.
The soft sound of Kanna's breathing and the gentle chirping of birds outside the window created a peaceful harmony.
Sleep-deprived from the early morning, Rebecca began to doze in the tranquil atmosphere, soon drifting into slumber.
How long had she been asleep?
Kanna's somewhat excited voice roused her.
"All done."
Rebecca slowly opened her eyes and gazed into the mirror.
Though it seemed to have taken considerable time, her face felt completely unburdened. It was as comfortable as if she wore no makeup at all.
Yet her complexion appeared remarkably radiant.
It wasn't the elaborate makeup she usually wore, but the natural look pleased her immensely.
Rebecca turned to Kanna and asked.
"What did you do? It looks so natural."
"Actually... I didn't do anything."
"What...?"
Rebecca's eyes widened as she examined the mirror again. For someone wearing no makeup, her face looked remarkably luminous.
Kanna hesitated before speaking.
"I wanted to see you as you truly are. Haven't you always been weighed down by heavy makeup? Today is time with family, so I thought elaborate adornment wasn't necessary. I hope you don't... mind?"
Kanna asked worriedly.
Rebecca stared at her silently for a moment, then unfastened her earrings and necklace, placing them on the vanity.
Kanna looked at Rebecca with a puzzled expression.
"Now that you mention it, these feel cumbersome. Thank you—because of you, I think I'll truly be able to enjoy today."
"No, I'm even happier that you're pleased, Rebecca."
"No, I'm the happier one."
Rebecca smiled brightly.
At the sight of her radiant smile, Kanna's heart pounded wildly.
Yes, that smile. I came all this way for that face of Rebecca's.
Kanna silently praised herself for having survived so fiercely.
Knock, knock—
A cheerful knock sounded at the door.
"Rebecca, are you ready? Lily keeps insisting we hurry."
"Almost done. You can come in."
At Rebecca's permission, Julian pushed the door open and entered.
Rebecca rose awkwardly from her seat.
She had shown him her bare face a few times before, but never in such bright daylight.
Strangely nervous, Rebecca swallowed hard.
Kanna's palms grew damp as well.
Yet their worries proved unfounded. The moment Julian caught sight of Rebecca's face, his eyes crinkled into crescents.
"Beautiful."
A sigh of relief escaped between Rebecca's lips.
"Shall we go then?"
Julian extended his forearm. Rebecca placed her hand upon his solid arm and beamed with radiance.
Kanna paused, watching the affectionate silhouettes of Julian and Rebecca for a moment.
Rebecca turned back as she stepped toward the door.
"Kanna? You must come too."
'Yes, this will do.'
Kanna gathered Rebecca's shawl and headed outside.
Rebecca's laughter, punctuating Julian's chatter, was truly pleasant to hear.
* * *
At Lily's insistence, Rebecca's party arrived at Balaria Coast far earlier than the appointed time.
Though autumn, the day was surprisingly warm, yet the sea breeze carried a distinct chill.
"Wow! Water everywhere!"
Lily cried out in delight the moment she descended from the carriage and beheld the sea.
Sunlight shattered across the undulating waves, scattering like jewels.
Shielding her eyes with her hand, Lily gazed out at the vast horizon.
The occasional cry of seagulls set her heart aflutter.
Though picnic season meant Balaria Coast teemed with crowds, Julian had cleared the entire shore for intimate family time.
"Lily! You must wear your cardigan properly!"
Rebecca hastily seized the cardigan and chased after Lily, who dashed toward the sandy beach without hesitation.
"Caught you!"
Lily burst into delighted laughter in Rebecca's embrace.
"The weather has turned cold. What if you catch a chill?"
"But running makes me hot."
"Once your sweat cools, you'll feel the cold quickly enough."
"Then you won't be able to do your beloved training freely."
Julian approached with a scarf in hand, supporting Rebecca's point.
"A scarf too...?"
Lily's face fell immediately.
"When did you bring that?"
"I brought even more. I packed a thick coat and hat just in case."
"That's unnecessary. A cardigan is sufficient—let her run and play freely."
"But it's cold here, Rebecca. If Lily catches a chill as you say..."
"She could overheat. Besides, excessive sweating makes one susceptible to illness."
Lily nodded vigorously in agreement with Rebecca's words.
Julian made a disgruntled sound but ultimately yielded to both of them.
At Julian's defeat, Lily broke into a radiant smile.
The runaway countess had returned.
E-book publication.
January 12, 2022
Author.
Long Night Sky
Publisher.
Desert Fox
Published by.
Woongjin ThinkBig Co., Ltd.
Submissions.
naver.me/54VzzLSn
Blog.
blog.naver.com/wj_fennecfox
Twitter.
@wjt_fennecfox
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Brought to you by Valir Scans! To support our team and enjoy the latest releases, please read directly on our official site: valirscans.org
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