I Don’t Need the Grand Duke’s Regret - Chapter 117

And just as she was about to step outside to check beyond the mansion, she saw it.

“Charles!”

The scene she dreaded the most unfolded right before her eyes.

“No!”

Mirabel hurried down the stairs, snatching Charles from Ricardo’s arms. The child smiled brightly upon seeing her, but Mirabel couldn’t return the smile.

“Don’t touch him.”

“Mirabel…”

“Stay away!”

She shouted desperately. Her hand, cradling Charles’ round head, trembled uncontrollably.

“This child is off-limits. You can’t have him.”

Mirabel’s eyes welled up with tears as she spoke, her voice quivering. She hugged Charles tightly and stepped back.

“You agreed to this. You have no rights over this child.”

Ricardo listened to her warnings with a heavy heart. His fingers twitched slightly, feeling the fading warmth of the child who had been in his arms moments ago.

“I know.”

“Charles can’t stay away from his mother. That’s why they sent him here from Segolinde.”

Seeing Mirabel speak rapidly, Ricardo felt his heart shatter.

He loved Mirabel and wanted to reach out to Charles, but to her, he was nothing more than a villain trying to take her son.

“I’m sorry.”

“Don’t apologize!”

Mirabel snapped at Ricardo, who had lowered his gaze. She continued, her trembling voice was full of fear.

“Don’t apologize anymore. Don’t give me more reasons. Just… don’t.”

“Mommy…”

Sensing his mother’s fear, Charles whimpered from her arms. The child’s voice filled the space between them, making Mirabel press her lips into a thin line.

Ricardo gazed at her with pained eyes. He made no further attempts to close the distance and simply watched her.

His sorrowful gaze conveyed everything he wanted to say.

Apologies, love, pleas for forgiveness.

But Mirabel turned away, refusing to meet his eyes or acknowledge his silent confessions. As she looked away, Charles wrapped his tiny arms tightly around her shoulder.

“Mommy, don’t cry.”

“…Mommy’s not crying, Charles.”

Mirabel responded in a trembling voice and turned away. She held Charles tightly and climbed the stairs.

Ricardo stood motionless, listening until the sound of their footsteps faded away, wishing desperately to hear that sweet sound again.

* * *

Sophie burst into tears when she saw Mirabel return with Charles in her arms. She collapsed into a chair and even panted heavily.

Officially, Segolinde and Arcangelo maintained friendly relations, but in reality, it was different. Especially in Renato, where feelings were still sour due to the broken engagement with the princess.

For Sophie, the disappearance of the princess’s child in such a place was a heart-stopping ordeal.

“I really thought I was going to die from the stress.”

“It’s okay, Sophie. We found him, so it’s fine now.”

“Huh, yes, yes….”

Mirabel, soothing Sophie, sat down on the sofa with Charles. She placed him on the sofa and watched as he pouted, seeing Sophie cry.

“Why is Sophie crying?”

“Huh, Prince, Prince Charles…”

“Sophie’s crying because she was very worried when Charles went outside alone. So from now on, Chales must always go outside with Sophie or Mommy. Understand?”

“Yes.”

Charles nodded obediently. He climbed off the sofa and used his sleeve to wipe Sophie’s tears.

“Don’t cry, Sophie. Charles didn’t cry. Charles brave.”

“Yes, I won’t cry anymore.”

“Mommy, Charles didn’t cry. I was scared, but I brave.”

Charles, who was hugging Sophie tightly, said, smiling proudly at Mirabel. Mirabel’s heart warmed as she watched him.

Despite the tear stains on his cheeks when she found him, she chose to ignore them.

“Really? Prince Charles, my brave little man.”

“Yes!”

Charles’s chest puffed out with pride as he was praised by his mother. He giggled happily and stretched his arms toward Mirabel.

She lifted him onto her lap, and he settled comfortably.

“But, that uncle from before was going to cry.”

“Who?”

“The uncle who held Charles.”

Mirabel’s face hardened for a moment, but Charles, not noticing his mother’s change, continued to chatter.

“He’s taller than Uncle Asil and looks scarier. He has hair just like Charles’. He was about to cry when he saw Charles. He seemed sad getting scolded by Mommy.”

“What? What is he talking about?”

Sophie, still recovering from her tears, tilted her head in confusion. Mirabel, holding Charles, fell into deep thought. After a moment, she patted Charles and spoke nonchalantly.

“Charles met the Grand Duke. That’s what he’s talking about.”

“But didn’t he just say the Grand Duke was crying? And that the Princess scolded him?”

Mirabel sighed quietly. Reflecting on Charles’ words, it did seem that way. Perhaps Ricardo did look like he was about to cry. And maybe he did seem pitiful…

“It’s nothing.”

Mirabel said, shaking her head.

It was nothing. Whether Ricardo cried or seemed pitiful didn’t matter. Compared to the thought of almost losing her child, those feelings were a luxury she couldn’t afford.

Mirabel gently pinched Charles’ round nose without hurting him and said.

“He’s a scary person, so don’t meet him. Understand?”

“Why?”

“He might try to take you away. Like a scary wolf that snatches children.”

“No!”

Charles exclaimed, burying himself in Mirabel’s arms, terrified by her warning. Mirabel, who had half-jokingly and half-seriously warned him, held Charles quietly.

A scary wolf who might steal him away. Not a father, but someone to avoid.

Mirabel’s heart ached a little as she firmly instilled this image of Ricardo in Charles.

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