Chapter 63

There are families in the world where it’s better to live as a stranger.

Freesia’s parents were just one of them. It was just that kind of thing.

“It’s for the best.”

Because it was something that the real Freesia could never have done.

“I have no excuse. You promised that you would never head to the capital…”

The head butler of the estate, who had been tasked with watching over her parents, belatedly rushed to Freesia and bowed his head.

“You should’ve trusted the right people. If Rose had known, she wouldn’t have let it slide.”

“I deeply apologize. I will make sure that nothing like this ever happens again.”

Since they had already caused a major financial accident once, her parents were constantly under surveillance.

Afraid they might fall into someone’s trap again, they were legally declared incompetent. The butler was appointed as their guardian, preventing them from exercising any rights, including property rights, or acting on behalf of the family.

But in situations like this, even that couldn’t be a practical solution.

“Still, it seems like things went smoothly. They don’t seem to know anything about what happened in Crowford.”

“There were a few crises, but they didn’t believe it, so I somehow managed to get through it.”

“Of course. Unless it was the smart Rose or pretty Lily, they would never believe that anyone from Crowford would propose to me, even if they had heard about it.”

“That’s impossible. Absolutely not.”

Though he tried to deny it, from the butler’s awkward expression, Freesia could already guess her parents’ behavior.

Naturally, the current Freesia wouldn’t be hurt by such words. But she still wondered, do her parents love her, or don’t they, after seeing them leave even after meeting the reckless Fieldram?

Pushing away such thoughts, Freesia handed a pouch of gold coins to the butler.

“There are surely people in the capital with bad intentions. Make sure to block any contact from the Viscountess of Naphier from now on.”

“I will be sure to do so, milady. Or should I call you Madam now?”

“Please keep all of this a secret from Rose.”

She didn’t want to burden her already busy sister.

As she hugged the gloomy Lily, Freesia sighed deeply.

“Mom’s face has gotten more wrinkled.”

“Stay strong. If anyone contacts you secretly, you must let me know first.”

If her father caused financial problems, her mother had issues with the people she associated with.

Unlike Rose, who had gained her independence early by joining the knights, and Freesia, who had grown up fast, Lily still hadn’t fully processed her feelings toward their mother.

“I thought it would get better with time.”

“People don’t change that easily.”

After comforting Lily, Freesia faced Fieldram, who was sitting on the sofa.

She wasn’t sure why he had come all the way here, but she couldn’t deny that she owed him.

“Thank you for helping.”

“Do you know why I’m here?”

“I thought it was because that person ordered you to protect me.”

“Well, as long as you know.”

Even if he continued to be sarcastic, having Fieldram around meant she wouldn’t have to worry about her life.

“If Fieldram is here, I should head back to the estate.”

“Thank you for today.”

“Think nothing of it.”

Watching the whole situation unfold silently, Rashita returned to the estate without asking a single question.

In the quiet, somewhat suffocating air of the estate, the nanny began preparing dinner busily.

“It’s been so long since the whole family gathered. Is that the Duke I’ve heard so much about?”

The nanny asked slyly.

“No, my husband is much better-looking.”

“You wrote a letter saying you’d run away, and now you say this?”

“How do you know about that?”

Given Wilfred’s personality, he wouldn’t have shown such a letter to anyone.

Of course, Fieldram then pulled out a crumpled letter, clearly displeased.

“You ran away just to get treated like this? Didn’t you think about the people waiting for you?”

“…And him?”

“He didn’t say much when he saw the letter addressed to the kid.”

“He saw it?”

“The little one, who can barely read, rushed to our Duke and handed it over, asking him to read it.”

“How could this happen…”

Remembering the contents of the letter she had written, Freesia couldn’t help but feel embarrassed.

Fieldram looked down at Freesia, who was pulling at her hair, with an amused expression and cruelly pressed on her sore spots.

“Give it up. Our master isn’t the type to come all this way to retrieve a runaway wife.”

“Oh, really? And you think saying that will make me obediently walk back on my own?”

“Ha!”

Though she had stormed out in a fit of rage, she hadn’t expected such indifference in return.

With her lips pursed, Freesia returned to her room and firmly locked the door behind her.

“How mean. Really.”

Though she knew he wasn’t the type to care so deeply, she had still hoped, just a little, that he would come get her after seeing her angry letter. That was her own foolish hope.

Perhaps it was a mistake to have written too much to Luca, worried that he might get concerned.

She had said she would visit her family for a bit, with Rashita accompanying her, so there was nothing to worry about.

Even though she truly despised Fieldram, this had become nothing more than an ordinary visit to her family, no more, no less.

Well, there was no choice. She would set aside her expectations and enjoy her freedom, if only for this moment.

Sitting on the bed, she opened a well-worn book by Alster after a long time.

As always, she just started reading as usual, but for some reason, today, the letters didn’t seem to register.

“That’s strange.”

Though she had read it dozens of times, and it had always been fun, today even turning the pages felt exhausting.

On days like this, she decided to just skip to the parts she wanted to read.

The male protagonist was pacing by the window late at night, avoiding the gaze of others, all to meet his beloved.

This reminded her of the time she had shown off in front of others, and she couldn’t help but laugh.

“There’s no way something like that could happen.”

Freesia’s room was on the second floor, after all.

There was no way the Duke would climb up the wall just to get to her.

She knew she shouldn’t expect anything, but still, Freesia opened the door to the terrace.

The cold night air made her shiver slightly.

“He’s such a fool for not even knowing how I feel.”

Muttering to herself, Freesia looked up at the frozen night sky.

The slight sense of loneliness she felt didn’t seem to be just in her head.

“So, that’s why you ran away?”

“Honestly, I was feeling… How are you here?!”

Moonlight fell over the shadowy figure hiding in the darkness, illuminating his golden hair. Without a second thought, he wrapped his arms around Freesia’s waist, as if it was the most natural thing in the world.

“It’s a fresh experience. To think my wife would leave behind such a detailed message for a little kid and not a single word for me.”

Though his words made her feel guilty, Freesia had her own defense.

“I left a message for you too, you know. It seems some naughty squirrel ran off with it before you could see it.”

“A squirrel?”

“Never mind. You wouldn’t have liked what was in it anyway.”

She had left him a message with a bold declaration, and though she would be lying if she said she wasn’t worried about the consequences, she tried to brush it off with a scoff. Oddly enough, she didn’t feel entirely bad.

“What brings you here?”

“You seemed to want me to come get you.”

“When did I ever!”

His words hit the mark, and she reflexively denied it. But deep down, she knew he was right.

Truthfully, she had wished it was him who came for her, not Fieldram.

“Like in Alster’s book, sneaking off like this to avoid your sister’s gaze isn’t such a bad idea.”

His whispered words sent a tingle down her spine.

Trying to calm her racing heart, Freesia pretended to resist and gently removed his hand from her waist.

“Seems like you had quite an enjoyable time out yesterday.”

“It was fun. Took the kid up in the sky with me.”

“Up in the sky?”

“You’d enjoy it too next time. It’s way more exciting than any riding club hosted by some princess.”

“Speaking of that princess…”

Since he brought it up himself, Freesia found the courage to ask. She had so many things she wanted to ask, but the conclusion was always the same.

“You’re not still seeing her, are you?”

“I could, if necessary.”

“What?!”

Unlike the shocked Freesia, Wilfred answered with a calm, indifferent tone, as if it were no big deal.

“It’s for business anyway. If necessary, we have to meet and talk. Is that a problem?”

“Oh, really?”

His insufferable attitude made her angry again, but he remained utterly unbothered, acting like the one wronged.

“You’re keeping that kid by your side too. I’m the one who should be upset.”

“Luca is a completely different matter.”

“It’s the same for me. So, don’t be too kind to him.”

“Are you jealous?”

His silence as he dodged her question with a kiss made it clear she’d hit a nerve.

“On that note, don’t you think it’s time to come home?”

He seemed keen to avoid questions that put him on the spot. So Freesia decided to change the subject.

“My parents came today.”

“Your parents, huh?”

“Don’t you have anything you’re curious about regarding them?”

“Should I?”

Freesia quickly shook her head.

He gently pulled his wife into his arms.

“Who your parents are or what they’ve done—it has nothing to do with me.”

“That’s… surprisingly reassuring.”

“Of course, Lady Devlanc’s second daughter. I’ve long been familiar with your lovely name.”

Her eyes widened at the sweet words, which sounded like a line from the book she had just been reading. It was the very scene where the male protagonist was sharing an intimate moment with his lover.

“How do you know that?”

“The fairy of the night must have clouded my vision. So please, don’t leave me alone tonight.”

As he kissed her neck, Freesia trembled and shook her head desperately. 

“Wait, Lily will be here soon!”