ITVDWBE 04

~Chapter 4~

“Ann.”

“I don’t want to put pressure on the family. I don’t want anyone to suffer because of me. If, by any chance, people like my family get hurt even a little because of this.”

Tears overflowed as if just imagining it was terrible.

“I-I won’t be able to bear it. Well, no one is because of me… Ugh…”

The Count and Countess were devastated to see Anne Shea, who was almost hugged by Nathan, crying and revealing her true feelings.

Anne Shea must have gone through a more painful time than anyone else just because of the loss of her parents. In a way, it was natural for her to be sensitive to the safety of those she considered family. Moreover, if Anthea had a weak body and a kind heart, she could have fainted or become seriously ill if something happened to them. Even now, Anthea stumbled as if she was struggling.

“It looks like Ann is very surprised, so I’ll take her away and let her rest.”

Nathan, who held Anthea naturally as if he was used to it, hurriedly left. The Count and Countess who remained behind her were silent for a long time, remembering Anthea’s tears and what she had said. Although she said it made no sense to send such a delicate child to a foreign land, as time passed and her mind cooled, reality began to appear. She realized that this situation would not change even if she actually met the Emperor. The count and his wife’s troubled night deepened.

Meanwhile, Anthea, who had returned to the room in Nathan’s arms, was unable to get her words out as they looked at each other. Anthea wiped away her tears and smiled innocently as her gentle hands carefully laid her down on her bed.

“Brother, I think I’ll skip dinner tonight.”

“You need to eat at least a little bit to feel energized. Send me a Supra too.”

“I’m fine. If you’re hungry, go ahead and try it. You must have dinner with your parents.”

“Anthea.”

Anthea’s efforts to appear her usual self were clearly visible through her smiling face. Nathan couldn’t help but feel a mixed look on his face as he saw the child, who was like her small and delicate younger brother, struggling.

“Ann. Let’s get engaged now. “Why don’t we get married right away?”

Nathan was always sincere toward Anthea. If his affection as the countess’s parent gave Anthea a sense of security, Nathan’s affection gave her the courage to do as she pleases. The great affection she received from her countess will serve as great courage and nourishment for Anthea to stand alone in the future.

“Brother. I’ve always been happy ever since I came to the Count’s house. Everyone was kind and generous.”

“Every time I saw your kind and kind smile, I wanted to protect you.”

“You’ve always been good to me. I like that kind of brother.”

“Ann.”

“Your mother and father both, I like them.”

“I like Mary, who wakes me up every day, and Uncle Paul, who makes the garden look pretty. I like them all.”

Nathan looked worried, as if he was trying to guess what Anthea’s words meant.

“I love everyone, but strangely, this place felt out of place.”

It’s not a place to put down roots. Anthea’s words shocked Nathan greatly. But more than the shock he had received, he felt her heart tighten at the sad thought of Anthea.

‘She is such a lovely and precious child.’

The entity that has occupied the biggest place in Nathan’s world over the past few years. Nathan gave his answer, thinking only of Anthea rather than himself.

“Ann, if you want, you can be my sister. If that makes you anxious.”

If he could be with her, even in the form of brother and sister rather than her lover, it would be better than sending Anthea away. She shook her head with a smiling face at Nathan’s sincerity. If she became the adopted daughter of a count, it would be good for her because she would be of equal status to the Emperor. It would be welcomed. But it was meaningless now, and she would rather join the duchy and have room to suffer from the scandals.

“Maybe the dukedom will be the place for me to put down roots.”

“No way. Do you know how cold and scary that place is? Spring has just arrived here, but it is dark and icy cold. The grapes you like aren’t growing either.”

“Then, brother, please bring it to me.”

Anthea smiled brightly.

“Please come see me. You should bring lots of presents.”

The tears hanging dangerously at the corners of her eyes as she smiled brightly made Nathan feel sick to his stomach. It seemed like Anthea had already decided to accept the marriage proposal. She was determined not to cause even the slightest damage to the count family. Knowing how Anthea was trying not to show that she was having a hard time, she couldn’t continue to persuade her. Just as Nathan had hoped, Anthea silently nodded his head.

“Thank you, brother.”

“Thank you. Rather blame me.”

“I can’t hold on to you because I’m not good enough. No. Rather, I was loved overflowing.”

Anthea, who was trying to show her nonchalant smile, buried her face in Nathan’s arms.

“Still, maybe… If I come back, please let me stay for a while.”

“You are very welcome. I will welcome you with open arms, so whatever happens at the Duke’s house, come back without looking back.”

Anthea slowly blinked her eyes as if relieved to have heard the answer she wanted. She was a little emotionally distressed and just shed a few tears, so she quickly became tired. Nathan, noticing Anthea’s tiredness, laid her down on her back and stroked her head until she fell asleep. Even after Anthea fell asleep, he did not leave his seat for a long time. Even after it got dark, the occasional shaking of her shoulders took over Nathan’s feelings.

* * *

The count and his wife took turns meeting the Emperor and nobles, but the results did not change. The two barely managed to offend the Emperor, but managed to stay in line despite Anthea’s dissuasion and her worried tears. The Emperor’s order was issued as an ultimatum to the count, who held out until the end as if trying to somehow buy time. It was written as a gentle invitation, saying, ‘Winter is coming soon in the North, so why don’t you arrive before then so your new bride can get used to it?’ But to put it simply, it meant that the marriage was a fait accompli, so don’t waste time and send it off right away. The preparation period was only one month. It was a very short preparation period for a wedding with a Duke. Even if they set off right away to get there before it snows in the north, it would have been a close call due to Anthea’s weak stamina. The Count and Countess burst into barely suppressed anger when they were told to send the bride away first, even though the wedding would be held later.

“I can’t believe she can’t pack anything other than a dress! It’s not like she is marrying a thief.”

“I’m okay, Mom.”

“I can’t just let my daughter’s marriage slip away like this. It takes more than a month just to match the jewels…”

“First of all, we have to temporarily fill it with ready-made items and send it, but we can’t send it like this.”

Anthea, looking at Countess Hilda’s red eyes as she vented her anger, hugged her with her smiling face.

“You can let it go slowly. Even if it’s a ready-made item, I also like the pretty dress that mother hand-picked for her and the cosmetics with cute jewels on them. Anything mother chooses will be pretty.”

Looking at Anthea, who only said pretty things until the moment she left, Hilda absolutely did not want to let this child go. She applied for an audience with the Emperor, met with the Empress, made a plea, and sought help from those around her, but no one came to help for Anthea, who did not bear the count’s surname. While she was running around all over the place, a pitch-black carriage sent by the Duke’s family came to rest at the count’s residence. Hilda couldn’t believe that the breakup was only a few days away, so she kept finding fault with her and looking for opportunities to not let her go. She tried to hold on using coma as an excuse, but it was no use. When the promised date arrived, the duke’s knights who had been staying in the annex went straight to the main house and announced that they had to leave within the day. Only then did Hilda say that she had to fill dozens of wagons and send them. She hurriedly called the owner of the house and her maid. Ann Shea gently hugged Hilda and rubbed her face.

“Don’t be in a hurry. Please grant my desire for mother to pick each one for me.”

Hilda eventually agreed to Anthea, who smiled her lovely smile.

“Yes, baby. I will send you so many things that the dukedom will be shocked, so even if you are upset, just wait a little longer.”

Anthea smiled, as she was fond of her easy-going way of speaking, which was not like a countess.

“I’m sorry. I am so thankful for the dress and accessories you provided.”

“I prepared that for a long time because I thought it would suit you… Wha!”

In the end, Hilda burst out crying, which she had been holding back, and lamented that she could not let her go without hugging Anthea.

“How can I let you go, Ann? What would this mother do without you? You should have been adopted as a foster daughter. I’m too greedy, so I’m letting you go in vain like this.”

Anthea was the one who tried to avoid becoming her adoptive daughter in the first place, but since she did not know that fact, Hilda deeply regretted it and her heart broke. Even though she had the opportunity, it was Ann Shea who took a step back due to the difference between her memories of reality and the values here. She didn’t want Hilda to suffer like this. That’s why Anthea comforted her with her sincerity.

“No, mother. It’s not like that, so don’t cry.”

“Ann, baby.”

The Countess, who had been sobbing for a while while holding Anthea, only broke away from her after the Count patted her on the shoulder and consoled her. Eventually, Nathan, who was next to her, took a step closer.

“Anthea.”

“Brother.”

“My Ann.”

Other than calling her name, he couldn’t say anything. The two just looked at each other with sad eyes, as if they were about to collapse at any moment. Some of the employees who took a few steps away to give the two of them some alone time had already burst into tears.

“It would have been nice to have a sister. I believed we would always be together.”

“I will see you again. Right, brother?”

“Yes. Even if you don’t like it… No, please do not reject me who seeks you.”

“You know that’s not possible.”

A sad and wistful gaze. Two hands that couldn’t let go. The countess, who always seemed strong, was so devastated that she stumbled. She was sure that if Anthea was in this mood, she would be able to stay for a few weeks even if she was kicked out to her parents’ house after the divorce.