MCAV Chapter 24

Chapter 24

Heirin’s insides boiled. No matter how much he tried to calm his anger, it didn’t work.

It was the first time someone had treated him as if he were dead. Did she really want to erase their past that badly?

Stopping in the hallway, Heirin slammed his fist against the wall. Normally, he avoided showing his emotions so crudely, but today he couldn’t hold back.

If she doesn’t remember, then I’ll make her remember.

He would make Adele recall what she had been like in the past.

Back in his quarters, Heirin immediately called for Albert.

“Albert!”

“Yes, Lord Heirin.”

Albert, who had been waiting nearby, quickly came running.

“You remember the village where you got that information last time?”

“Yes, I do.”

“Can you bring someone from there? Someone who knows Adele’s face—and quickly.”

Albert bowed his head and replied,

“There’s no need for that. Just in case, I already brought a villager as a witness. I’ve had him staying in the village nearby, and if you order it, I can bring him here immediately.”

Albert was indeed a capable subordinate.

“Good. Bring him right away.”

Albert left to carry out the order. Even though Heirin knew exactly how long the trip would take, the wait felt unbearably long.

Knock knock.

When he opened the door, it wasn’t Albert—it was Rosaline.

“Father, I mastered the technique you taught me last time.”

Rosaline spoke shyly, reporting her progress, but Heirin brushed it aside. Now was not the time to deal with his silly daughter’s studies.

After sending Rosaline away, he sat in his chair and drummed his fingers impatiently on the armrest.

Knock knock.

This time, he didn’t open the door himself.

“Come in.”

“Heirin.”

“Lucas.”

His mood was already bad, and now the last person he wanted to see had appeared.

“What do you want?”

“You know exactly why I’m here.”

“I have no idea.”

His sharp reply earned him a cold glare from Lucas.

“You’ve been causing trouble in my mansion. I can’t let you stay here any longer. I’ll give you time—leave by tomorrow.”

“Leave?”

Heirin repeated the word, then smirked.

“Did that woman tell you to throw me out?”

“I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

“Adele. I’m talking about Adele.”

“She didn’t say anything.”

“She didn’t say anything?”

Heirin mocked Lucas’s words.

“She couldn’t say it, that’s why!”

“Heirin!”

Lucas wanted Adele herself to speak, so he tried to stop Heirin from saying more, but it was useless.

“Stop it!”

“What exactly should I stop?”

Lucas rubbed his forehead and replied,

“I’m talking about Adele’s past. Whatever happened, it’s her story to tell—not yours.”

“How amusing. Are you defending her now?”

Heirin laughed scornfully.

“Do you even know what kind of life she lived before? Or who the father of her child is? Don’t you think there’s far too much she’s hiding?”

In the mansion, everyone assumed Adele was from a good family—her manners were refined, and she was knowledgeable.

Lucas had noticed it too. Adele learned things quickly, like someone who had been properly taught before.

He was curious about her past, yes—but digging into it would be overstepping.

They were only employer and employee. If anything, he was also Ronschka’s teacher and Adele was his mother, but that was all.

The father of the child…

From the way Heirin was talking, it sounded like he knew who Ronschka’s father was.

Who could it be? What kind of man would abandon a woman like her and a child?

Lucas clenched his jaw without realizing it.

“Lucas, so you are human. You’re curious too, aren’t you?”

“Drop it, Heirin.”

“Want me to tell you?”

“I said drop it.”

Heirin stopped drumming his fingers on the armrest.

That was when a third knock came.

Knock knock.

Both of them turned to look at the door.

“I’ve returned, Lord Heirin.”

“Good.”

Albert entered with a middle-aged man dressed in worn clothes and a hat pulled low. The man kept fidgeting with his clothing, looking very nervous.

“Greetings.”

The man bowed so deeply his head nearly touched the floor.

“M-my name is Ali. I came because I was summoned.”

Heirin ignored his greeting and looked to Albert for confirmation.

“This is the right one?”

“Yes, it is.”

“Good.”

“Heirin, who is this man?” Lucas asked.

“You’ll find out soon enough,” Heirin said with a sly smile. “More importantly, where is Adele?”

“Why do you want her?”

“Because I have business with her.”

“I still can’t tell you where she is.”

“Then just pass along the message: tell her I have something to say and want her to come out.”

Heirin’s tone was bold, almost arrogant.

“You can at least do that, right?”

“I don’t see why I should.”

“If you don’t, Adele will be in more trouble.”

Lucas couldn’t ignore that.

“Fine. I’ll tell her. But if she refuses, you’re not to approach her again.”

“I’ll try.”

With that, their conversation ended.

Back in her room, Adele collapsed onto the bed. Just a short conversation had left her with no strength to even lift a finger.

“Foolish Adele…”

She blamed her past self, but it was too late now. The past had already happened—she needed to think about the future.

What will he do now?

If it was Heirin, he might try to reveal everything. And he would likely try to take Ronschka from her.

“That can’t happen.”

She couldn’t send Ronschka alone to that cold, lifeless place. The best option was not to send him at all—but if that was impossible, then she would have to go with him.

But I like it here.

The people were kind, and the work wasn’t bad. If she kept saving money, maybe they could leave before Ronschka grew up and buy a small house somewhere.

Lucas was a good man, and Leon was an adorable boy—but they were central figures in this story. If Ronschka stayed tangled with them, he might suffer in the future. So eventually, they would have to leave.

I can’t just leave quietly, though.

Whether he believed her or not, she would at least leave a small warning before going. Lucas was too good a person to just walk away from without a word.

That had been her plan.

So why, of all times, did she have to run into Heirin now?

Her hands trembled as she covered her face.

God…

If God existed, He wouldn’t let this happen. She had finally thought she could make Ronschka happy.

She held back tears, when a small red bird appeared above her.

Ronschka!

Adele quickly wiped her eyes, in case they were wet, and straightened her clothes.

“Mom!”

The little bird opened its beak and called to her. These days, her son had started speaking more formally.

“Yes, Ronschka.”

“What are you doing right now?”

“I was just resting.”

“Isn’t it work time?”

The small bird tilted its head.

“They let me finish early today so I could rest.”

“Are you sick?”

“No, I’m not sick.”

With that, the bird slowly vanished. Still, the fact that it had lasted longer than before meant he must have been practicing hard.

Now that the flame-bird was gone, Ronschka would soon be running here in person. He loved his mother, and if he saw her resting, he would probably want to play together.

What should we play today?

By now, her hands had stopped trembling. Adele stood up from the bed and looked out the window. From here, she could clearly see Ronschka running across the garden.

Sure enough, he was coming—and Leon was right beside him.

It seemed they were coming together.

Adele opened the window and leaned out slightly, intending to wave—but before she could, someone knocked on her door.

Who could that be?

At this hour, the only ones who would visit her room were the children, so she was puzzled. With a disappointed glance toward the boys, she went to the door.

“Adele.”

Standing outside was Lucas.

“What is it, my lord?”

“I came to pass on a message.”

“A message?”

Her fingers clenched tightly with unease.