MPAWD 46

Chapter 46

“I-I’m sorry. I fell asleep without realizing it!”

“No, it’s nothing. I only meant to make you more comfortable with a cushion, and somehow it ended up like this. It’s not your fault, Lucy!”

Lucas, looking at Lucy’s flustered, flushed face, spoke unusually smoothly, almost lying effortlessly.

Despite that, he couldn’t help but smile faintly at how cute her embarrassed expression looked.

But regardless of Lucas’s feelings, Lucy’s expression darkened again.

It was only then that Lucas looked at her seriously, noticing her complexion.

“I apologize. I merely acted out of a desire to make you rest more comfortably, Lucy.”

He apologized quickly.

In truth, Lucy’s heart had fluttered for a moment, but she had no time to enjoy the feeling.

‘I had made up my mind that once I got off this carriage, I would never see Lucas again…’

Yet his gentle voice kept shaking her resolve.

Before she realized it, the carriage had stopped in front of a familiar mansion.

“I just want to go in and rest.”

Lucy turned her gaze away from Lucas, whose face was full of reluctant disappointment, and spoke.

As soon as she got off the carriage, she greeted him briefly and turned her back.

She walked confidently toward the mansion, refusing to look back, fearing her resolve would weaken.

Heyris went to the caravan company for the first time in a while after being summoned by his father, the owner.

Upon opening the door to the reception room of the main hall, he saw Count Raeford, who had just signed a contract, rise from his seat.

“Heyri, welcome! Your Grace, this is my son, Heyris.”

At the mention of “Your Grace,” Heyris quickly bowed respectfully.

“I am Heyris Raeford.”

“Pleasure to meet you. I’m Lucas Cretain. From today, we’ll be forming a good partnership with the Pablo Caravan, so I hope for your cooperation.”

Lucas smiled brightly and offered his hand to Heyris.

“Heyri, His Grace Duke Cretain has kindly decided to make a large investment in our caravan!”

Heyris was taken aback by the sudden announcement.

The Duke looked unusually young, and his casual approach in extending his hand seemed surprisingly unpretentious.

“On such a joyous day, I had planned a fine meal for you, but you said you’d like to have dinner with your family at our mansion instead.”

“We’ll be seeing each other frequently. I’ve heard the Raeford family is known for being a harmonious household. I’ve long envied that, having lost my parents early.”

Lucas smiled warmly at them.

“But I wonder if my request is too much…”

“Not at all! We are simply honored.”

Though Heyris was startled by Lucas’s sudden wish to dine at their mansion, his father seemed overjoyed.

“Heyri, I plan to show His Grace the caravan, so you should return home and prepare the dinner. Also…”

Count Raeford hesitated for a moment, then continued:

“Make sure Valencia attends tonight’s dinner as well.”

Heyris couldn’t grasp why his father singled out Lucy.

Lucas watched quietly as Heyris left, thinking of ways to see Lucy again.

That’s when he thought of the Raeford family.

By getting closer to them, he would naturally have more chances to meet Lucy.

Fortunately, Count Raeford was perceptive. He remembered the day Lucy had stayed out overnight and immediately recognized that Lucas knew her.

The Count saw inviting Lucas to the mansion as an opportunity.

“My dear, how about visiting the dress shop for a while today?”

During tea after the meal, Lady Meriel asked.

Since arriving at the mansion, Lucy had felt somewhat down, so she agreed willingly.

It was only when they arrived at the shop that Lucy realized it was to have her dress made.

Lucy felt troubled as Lady Meriel focused only on choosing clothes for herself.

“My dear, this coat will suit you well. Winter is coming, so you must dress warmly.”

Despite Lucy’s protests, Lady Meriel ordered several outfits before seeming satisfied and leaving the shop.

Winter had already begun.

‘It’s already so cold… I can’t imagine how harsh the cold season will be.’

Lucy shivered slightly in the chilly wind, looking up at the darkening sky.

As they waited for the carriage in front of the shop, someone suddenly grabbed the hem of Lady Meriel’s dress.

“Ma’am, my parents are sick at home. Please have mercy!”

It was a begging boy.

The shabby-looking child pleaded pitifully for even a few coins.

Lady Meriel, moved by the boy, gave him some silver coins.

“Thank you! Truly, thank you, cough…!”

The boy, smiling brightly as he thanked her, suddenly began coughing violently.

He gripped Lady Meriel’s dress and bent over, coughing even harder.

Then, the boy vomited black blood.

“Oh my! Child, are you alright?”

Lady Meriel quickly took out a handkerchief to wipe the boy’s mouth, while a maid rushed to support him.

Lucy could only stand frozen.

The amount of blood was enormous, and its dark, reddish-black color was particularly alarming.

“Take him to a doctor! Immediately!”

Lucy tried to stop Lady Meriel from taking the boy herself, leaving the maid to handle him. She hurried to the carriage.

‘I have a bad feeling…’

Seeing the black blood on Lady Meriel’s dress, Lucy felt a strange, creeping unease.

When they returned to the mansion, the servants seemed unusually busy.

Lucy helped Lady Meriel bathe and change into clean clothes.

“Mother, should we throw away this dress?”

Lucy suggested discarding the dress stained with the boy’s blood.

“That might be best. It doesn’t look like the stain will come out easily.”

With her permission, Lucy carried the dress to the incinerator.

The image of the boy vomiting so much blood kept flashing in her mind.

She watched the dress burn completely until it turned to ashes before leaving.

“A guest is coming for dinner?”

Heyris nodded at her question. Lady Meriel happily held Lucy’s hand.

“It’s been a while since a guest visited. We should look our best, don’t you think?”

Excited by the news, Lady Meriel brushed Lucy’s hair and helped her get ready.

Honestly, Lucy, not being a real member of this family, wanted to skip the dinner.

In the end, she followed Lady Meriel to the dining room, feeling like she was being dragged to the slaughter.

It felt just as awkward as the first meal she had with them.

“Welcome. Mother, and Valencia.”

Count Raeford stood to greet them.

Lucy’s eyes widened as she saw the man rising alongside him.

“I’ve heard so much about you. I’m Lucas Cretain.”

Unable to hide her surprise, Lucy looked at Lucas with trembling eyes.

Lucas introduced himself naturally, as if seeing her for the first time, then approached Lady Meriel and kissed the back of her hand.

“Oh my, such a distinguished guest visiting our mansion! I hope you enjoy a satisfying dinner.”

Even after hearing Lucas’s name, Lady Meriel didn’t seem to realize he was Duke Cretain, the lord of this estate.

In the warm, cheerful atmosphere, the dishes began to arrive. Others conversed, but Lucy couldn’t catch a word.

Fortunately, Lucas didn’t acknowledge her directly, but his frequent glances toward her were uncomfortable.

“As I’ve heard, you truly are a harmonious family. The food is delicious, but just seeing your closeness makes me feel full!”

“We’re honored by your kind words. We must have more gatherings like this, haha!”

Lucas’s banter was met with cheerful laughter from Count Raeford.

For Lucy, the meal felt exceptionally long.