I Don't Need the Grand Duke's Regret - Chapter 122
In that case, perhaps.
‘Could it be that she was here while she had lost her memory?’
A fleeting thought crossed Sophie’s mind, but she quickly dismissed it. It was too far-fetched.
Nasir, the Grand Duke’s advisor, had said that during Mirabel’s disappearance, the only outsider who came to Renato was the Grand Duchess. According to some maids, she had been ominous and gloomy, bearing no resemblance to Mirabel.
Sophie shook off the uneasy speculation and answered.
“Yes, I’ll do that.”
“Thank you.”
“No need to thank me. Oh, the washcloth has gone lukewarm. I’ll get a new one.”
Sophie took the washcloth from Charles’s forehead and headed to the bathroom. Mirabel watched her retreating figure and gave a faint smile.
In truth, Mirabel had considered telling Sophie about her past with Ricardo.
It was becoming increasingly difficult to steady her wavering heart.
However, she was concerned about how Sophie would react if she learned that she had been the Grand Duchess and that she had been married to Ricardo.
What would Sophie say if she found out that Mirabel had loved Ricardo enough to bear his child?
Of course, if Mirabel spoke of the humiliations she endured as Arimilla, Sophie would undoubtedly be furious.
But perhaps Sophie might suggest forgiving him, given that he was now remorseful. Sophie was soft-hearted and easily swayed.
Moreover, Sophie lamented Charles’s lack of a father. If she learned that Ricardo was Charles’s father, she might even try to bring Mirabel back to him.
According to Sophie, Ricardo was the ‘most eligible bachelor of the Empire.’ As a typical noble lady, Sophie was idealistic about marriage. With her romantic notions about love and relationships, she might not be of much help to Mirabel now.
‘If it were Sarah, that would be different. But Sophie won’t do.’
Mirabel thought as she adjusted the blanket over Charles’s shoulders.
Sarah, Sophie’s deceased younger sister, had been decisive and experienced in romance. She had given Mirabel much advice on arranged marriages.
That’s why Mirabel had decided to bring Sarah to Renato instead of Sophie.
But now, Sarah was gone. The blizzards and beasts of Renato had taken her away.
Mirabel tried to steady her troubled mind as she gazed out the window. Under the darkening sky, the moonlit garden glowed white. The snow had stopped, but spring still seemed far off.
It was then, while she was watching the scene covered in white, that a faint voice reached her ears.
“Mommy…”
“Charles?”
Mirabel quickly responded to Charles and moved closer. Pressing her ear to the child’s mouth, she could hear his delicate breathing and the thin voice escaping him.
“Mommy… Charles sick.”
“It’s okay now. Mommy will give you some medicine. You’ll feel better once you take it.”
As Mirabel got up, Sophie, who had just returned with a new washcloth, busily moved about.
“Here, Princess.”
“Thank you.”
Mirabel took the glass of water from Sophie. It was the cup with the medicine that Hugo had given her.
Mirabel gently supported the back of Charles’s head and helped him sit up.
“Here, good boy. Charles. Drink this. That’s right.”
Charles, with his tiny lips, swallowed the medicine Mirabel gave him without fuss, as it seemed to be palatable.
Mirabel wiped the corner of the child’s mouth and laid him back down. She then placed the cool washcloth on his forehead with a tender smile.
“Sleep well. Mommy will stay right here.”
“Uncle…?”
“Uncle? Oh, you mean Uncle Asil? Uncle Asil is at Segolinde now. If you want to see him, should I arrange a meeting through the crystal ball?”
“No, no.”
Charles weakly shook his head. Mirabel comforted him and asked in a gentle tone.
“Then what should I do for you?”
“Not Uncle Asil. The other Uncle…”
“Hmm?”
Mirabel furrowed her brows, struggling to understand what the child meant. She tilted her head and blinked.
“Hmm… Mommy is not sure who our Charles is talking about. Mommy doesn’t know.”
“Taller than Uncle Asil, scary Uncle…”
At Charles’s description, Mirabel’s expression froze. It was only then that she realized who Charles was asking for.
Charles was looking for Ricardo.
Mirabel silently looked down at her son. The child, with his flushed face not yet fully cooled, babbled on.
“Uncle Wolf? Scary Uncle held Charles and pat my head, it didn’t hurt.”
“…Is that so?”
“Charles, wants, Uncle Wolf, Mommy.”
“I’ll let you see him after you wake up. Right now, Uncle Wolf is probably asleep too.”
“Mm…”
With Mirabel’s gentle patting, Charles mumbled softly and closed his eyes again. She waited until her son’s breathing became regular before getting up from her seat.
Mirabel gave Sophie a slightly awkward smile and said.
“I’m going to step outside for a bit. Please keep an eye on Charles.”
“Of course. Would you like me to bring you a rabbit fur coat?”
“No, that’s not necessary. I’ll just be walking around inside the mansion.”
Taking one last look at Charles, Mirabel left the room. She closed the door behind her and leaned against it.
Looking up, she took a deep breath and closed her eyes tightly.
Charles remembers Ricardo. The child wants to see him.
Her chest felt tight. Her arms crossed defensively as she clenched her fists. Mirabel lifted her heavy eyelids and squared her jaw.
Though she was reluctant, if Charles wanted to see Ricardo, she had no choice. There was no way for Mirabel to stop the child’s wishes.
Want to read more? Advanced chapters are available on Patreon:
For update pings, novel discussions and/or to send mistake reports, join our discord server~!
YOU MAY ALSO LIKE
