~Chapter 25~
If so, how about deepening the awkwardness with an even more embarrassed smile.
She tried smiling again with an awkward grin.
Siiigh.
But Marick’s expression remained as hard as a brick wall.
“Well, it’s just that…….”
“…….”
“There’s nothing wrong with sharing wealth, right? Baron begged so much… when a daughter suffers, the father suffers more. They’re family, after all.”
“You considered their suffering.”
“Yes.”
“Then what about me?”
“…What?”
“I was suffering too.”
“??”
Riden couldn’t grasp what Marick was saying.
She blinked slowly, confused.
Suddenly, Marick’s eyes turned sharp like an investigator’s.
His gaze scanned her face, not missing a twitch or flicker. Riden felt as if she’d committed a crime and averted her eyes.
“Is it true?”
“…….”
“Were you not uncomfortable… or rather, didn’t you hate it? It was all yours. You didn’t generously give it up; you just gave up and stepped back. I saw it. You actually hated it.”
‘What is he saying?’
Wasn’t he satisfied with her choice?
Riden avoided his gaze again, anxious about what expression she was making.
‘He saw through me… What do I do?’
Did he see her desire to be selfish and say no coldly?
Her flimsy excuses were exposed.
At that moment, Marick’s expression changed like a detective who had found a clue.
“Do you know something?”
“…….”
“Even when you say nothing, your face is very honest. Seeing you holding it in… hurt me too.”
“…….”
“Because we’re family.”
“…….”
“But it feels like you care more about other people’s families than your own. That makes me sad.”
Riden’s lips parted then closed again.
What could she say to someone claiming to be her family and declaring his sadness so shamelessly?
She bit her lip.
After a while, she asked in a strained voice,
“Weren’t you hoping I wouldn’t cause trouble?”
“Me, as your family?”
“If I refused, it would have caused chaos.”
“If Henji caused a scene, I would’ve dragged her away again.”
“…….”
“Ah, the feeling of getting that ‘I-can’t-believe-you’ look from family.”
Family. The word pierced deep into her chest.
‘He’s a thief. A thief!’
He rummaged through her old wounds without permission, like a thief under the guise of family.
It hurt. Maybe that’s why her words came out sharper.
“I don’t think becoming family is that easy.”
‘Nor do I plan to become your family. But you don’t know that, brother of my regretful fiancé!’
Riden tried to keep her expression calm.
“That’s… unexpected.”
She thought she had done well drawing a line.
His words, “Because we’re family,” shook her heart unexpectedly, but that was it.
She didn’t want to step into a world she already knew too well.
Riden looked up slightly. Marick straightened his back with a bland smile.
“I’m quick-witted. I never thought it would be easy.”
“…….”
“From the first time I met you, I thought, ‘This won’t be easy~.’”
He thought that? Riden raised her eyebrows in disbelief.
Marick chuckled teasingly.
“But Young Lady, I knoow, we’re not family yet.”
He deliberately spoke slowly.
His playful tone eased her tension slightly.
But then, his voice became serious again.
“But it still makes me sad.”
“…….”
“We’re not family yet, but we will be soon.”
She couldn’t refute that.
Because she hadn’t cancelled the engagement yet.
Riden forced a smile to hide her tears.
“So please act in a way that doesn’t make me sad next time.”
“I’ll keep it in mind.”
“Good. Shall we return?”
“Yes.”
As Marick walked towards the horse tied to the bench, he suddenly turned back.
“Oh, before that. Young Lady, do you know flower arranging? I need a bouquet.”
She never officially learned, but in her past life she frequented flower markets. Plus, she was an arts major. Confident!
“I can do it. Shall I make one? But who is it for—”
Her face froze at Marick’s next words.
“For Mother. She’s coming tomorrow, so I wanted to bring flowers for her room.”
“Ah… The Duchess, tomorrow… I see….”
Marick unintentionally got to observe her reaction.
‘She really can’t hide her expressions.’
At the mention of his mother, Riden clearly didn’t know what to do.
Marick decided to test something further.
If his mother’s favourability was starting at negative, then what about Ethan, her fiancé?
“And Ethan….”
“The Duke is coming too?”
Riden tilted her head side to side in confusion.
Not a good sign.
‘So it’s negative for him too.’
“I was mistaken. Ethan’s busy with the knights’ merits.”
“That’s a relief.”
“Is it?”
“…….”
“…….”
Marick clicked his tongue, feeling pity for his brother.
“Let’s just pick flowers for Mother then return.”
Soon, Riden held an armful of wildflowers.
Before mounting the horse, she looked out over the wide field once more.
It was so beautiful she didn’t want to leave.
She thought she’d like to come again someday.
Back at the villa after dinner, Riden headed straight to the atelier to speak with Serawang.
Carefully, she began.
“I allowed someone else to use your design… I’m sorry.”
She felt guilty that Henji was allowed to use a design Serawang made for her.
‘Hmph.’
Serawang didn’t want to seem too easily appeased, so she steadied her lips.
“If you thought I was so petty, you’re mistaken.”
“Sorry?”
Serawang handed her a stack of sketches.
“These are my true designs. What Henji saw earlier were just my second-rate ones.”
Riden picked up one and admired it.
“They’re beautiful. I want to wear them right away.”
“Of course. These are my true collection for you.”
Serawang’s proud, slightly cute expression made Riden smile.
At that moment, Henji barged in.
Seeing Riden, Henji’s eyes widened, but she soon bowed politely.
“You’re here.”
“Yes, I had something to discuss with Serawang.”
“I see.”
Henji approached with a sketch in hand – one of the second-rate designs.
“I want some changes. Lower the neckline, raise the waist— wait, what’s this?”
She spotted the true collection sketches.
“These weren’t here earlier!”
Serawang sighed.
“As I said, those are for the Count’s daughter only. Why would I show street cats food meant for my own pet?”
“Ha.”
A normal dressmaker might have slapped her, but Serawang was the Duchess’s personal tailor.
Helpless, Henji turned to Riden.
“Lady McCreary!”
“……?”
“Is it right to hoard beauty like this? Are you afraid I’ll wear it better than you?”
‘Sigh…’
Riden took a long breath.
“Even when you say nothing, your face is very honest. Seeing you hold it in… hurt me too.”
“Because we’re family.”
She recalled Marick’s words.
They were kind words from someone born gentle, but at this moment, they gave her strength to say what she wanted.
‘I’m not alone here. I don’t have to endure everything alone.’
Riden felt her mind calm as she prepared to speak.
Yeeees girlll stop letting these mob villain ruin your happiness!! Your precious in the past and hereee toooo!!! Those people are the one who should suffer😭 I hate it when You’re the one have those PTSD 😭😭