Chapter 10
Elisa’s hair fluttered as she swiftly raised her head at the mention of Noah.
It’s not that he can’t make noises, based on how loudly he cries. Have you figured out why he is unable to speak?
“Yes, I’m doing my best to find out.”
“Well, I don’t think that’s true. If you were trying, you wouldn’t leave the child like that.”
“I have never neglected him.”
Elisa spoke each word strongly.
The weak and obedient appearance she usually showed was gone, and her eyes looked firmly at her aunt.
“I’m doing my best for the child, so please don’t say that.”
“I don’t want to say it either, but I can’t help it because the problem is clear.”
“That’s…”
“Well, that child is officially your brother, but what can you do?”
The sharp words hit Elisa so hard her hands trembled, and she clenched her fists tightly.
As her aunt said, Noah was officially Elisa’s half-brother, but actually, he was not.
The person who gave birth to Noah was Elisa Leslie herself.
Four years ago, when the Leslie Countess found out her unmarried young daughter was pregnant, she fainted after being grabbed by the neck.
The count shouted to get rid of the baby immediately, but Elisa defied her parents and gave birth.
The baby was named Noah Leslie and became the count’s son.
While Elisa was recovering, her father put the child’s name on the family register without her permission.
At first, Elisa was shocked and angry, but she understood her parents’ intentions and could not be mad.
She knew that it was better to be recognised as the Count’s illegitimate son than the unmarried daughter’s child, and it was right for Noah’s future.
So she had lived for three years as his mother but also as his older sister.
The fact that the child was mute made her sadness even worse.
It was like a hot iron burning her chest every time someone pointed it out.
“I decided to investigate it myself because I felt you weren’t doing enough.”
While Elisa was thinking, Tania Leslie put down her teacup.
“A well-known physician in the Tahal Kingdom is rumoured to be able to heal even children who are mute.”
“The Kingdom of Tahal… You mean the desert nation in the south of the continent?”
“Yes. I think it would be good to take Noah to that doctor. What do you think?”
“I agree with the check-up, but it would be hard to take little Noah all the way there.”
Travelling from the Kingdom of Petra to the Kingdom of Tahal would take at least a month, and that was assuming good weather.
The desert’s weather was very unpredictable, so it could take even longer.
Even adults found the journey hard; a three-year-old child couldn’t handle it.
“How about bringing the doctor to the Petra Kingdom?”
“I tried that, but the doctor is old and refused because the long journey would be hard. He’s almost 60 years old now, so that’s understandable.”
Ah, that would be difficult.
“Maybe that doctor could help Noah start talking. It’s a shame to give up, so I was discussing with Derek about how to take the child to the Tahal Kingdom.”
“Why talk to Sir Grenville about that instead of me?”
“Because Derek will be Noah’s father.”
Derek Grenville was one of the few people who knew about Elisa and Noah’s relationship.
Aside from family, he was the only one who knew.
Even more, Derek readily agreed with Elisa’s idea that after they married and she became the Countess Leslie, he would adopt Noah as his son and correct the mistaken family registry.
Because he wanted to marry her, Elisa initially believed he was merely acting.
However, she realised he was sincere after witnessing his intense efforts to get close to Noah.
He’s a good person.
Someone is too good for me.
Her parents were happy, saying she had finally found her match, and only happiness remained.
But Elisa didn’t feel that way.
Instead, she felt like she was walking barefoot on a path full of thorns, being punished.
“So… what did Sir Grenville say?”
“He said we should discuss it with you first, and if you agree to send Noah to the Tahal Kingdom, then we can talk again.”
“Send Noah to the Tahal Kingdom? Not take him myself?”
Elisa was very surprised to ask this.
Aunt Tania calmly answered:
“Of course not. It’s not a short distance, so how could a woman handle such a long journey? Besides, women shouldn’t be away from home for long.”
Elisa was speechless at her aunt’s old-fashioned logic.
She knew no one would listen to her, but she couldn’t let this go.
It wasn’t just any matter—it was about her child.
The child she gave birth to herself.
She would never back down.
“If Noah goes to the Tahal Kingdom, I will go with him.”
Elisa sat up straight and spoke each word.
Aunt Tania’s eyes narrowed at her stubbornness.
“I thought you’d be more mature after having a child, but you’re still immature.”
“I didn’t know caring for your child meant being immature.”
“You still have that cheeky habit of talking back to adults!”
Tania snapped at her, but Elisa didn’t flinch.
“If you have nothing more to say, I’ll be going now. I’m taking Noah with me, too.”
“Do as you please! After all the trouble I went through to find out, this is how you act, tsk tsk.”
Elisa clicked her tongue and left the room, ignoring her aunt, who took out a cigarette.
The butler looked worried as he heard the lady’s loud voice through the door crack and watched Elisa.
“Where is Noah?”
Instead of saying “he’s fine” or “don’t worry,” Elisa asked directly.
The butler immediately led her to where Noah and Derek were.
They were playing on a bench with a good view of the rose garden.
The light of late afternoon bathed them in soft sunlight.
From far away, they might have looked like father and son, but up close, they didn’t.
Their hair colour, eye colour, and facial features were all different.
But Noah looked just like that person.
Suddenly remembering Noah’s father, Elisa stopped.
At the same moment, Noah turned to her.
The child smiled brightly and showed his teeth.
But no sound came out.
His mouth looked like he was saying “mom,” but Elisa heard nothing.
A mute child. Elisa’s expression hardened as she recalled people whispering about Noah.
“Having fun?”
For a moment, the child ran over with open arms, and Elisa smiled warmly, picking him up as if nothing had happened.
“Did you talk well with Auntie?”
Derek followed Noah and asked with some worry.
Thanks to Noah, Elisa’s face relaxed, and she answered calmly.
“Yes. She was very worried about Noah.”
“He’s a lovely child, so that’s natural.”
Derek’s gaze toward Noah in Elisa’s arms was as gentle as the sunlight.
“We’re about to head back now, Noah and I. What about you, Sir Grenville?”
“I’ll be heading back as well. I have a small favour to ask. Could you give me a ride to the Grenville Trading Company? For some reason, I had to send my carriage back earlier.”
“Of course.”
Since the trading company was on the way back, and even if it wasn’t, it was only right to do so, Elisa gladly nodded.
The road was clear on the way back, so they arrived at the trading company earlier than expected.
Elisa carefully made sure Noah, who had fallen asleep, was resting comfortably on the cushions and got out of the carriage to see Derick off.
“Thank you for taking care of Noah.”
“No problem. I was just doing what I should.”
His clear smile felt somehow suspicious.
Not knowing what to say, Elisa just smiled back.
“I heard the Countess is returning tomorrow. Am I remembering that right?”
“You are. She sent word she’d be back tomorrow.”
The day after tomorrow evening would then be a good time to go. There are urgent things to talk about regarding Noah.
Elisa started to ask what was wrong, but she stopped herself and simply nodded when he said more.
At that point, the sound of hoofs ceased next to them.
Elisa’s eyes widened in surprise as she turned her head without thinking and saw Ethan riding a horse.
There’s a child !! Wow I somehow hate Ethan even more than before.