I Don't Need the Grand Duke's Regret - Chapter 132
As Nasir began to speak, Ezio crossed his arms and leaned against the wall, tilting his head in curiosity.
“By the way, have you ever seen the princess’s eyes?”
“The princess’s eyes?”
Nasir frowned at Ezio’s unexpected question.
Ezio had recently been reinstated as the commander of the knights and was currently supporting the repair work on the Ragnar Bridge. If he was tired from guarding the construction site at night to prevent any interference, that would be one thing.
But this—what was this about?
“If it’s just curiosity, keep it to yourself.”
Nasir tried to brush off Ezio’s question. However, Ezio shook his head and said in a low voice,
“It’s not curiosity. I’ve seen them.”
“Seen what?”
“They looked exactly the same.”
Ezio cut off the question. Rather than explaining how he had seen the princess’s face, he emphasized that it was significant, continuing immediately.
“Princess Mirabel, that woman… she looks just like the former Grand Duchess.”
Nasir took a sharp breath. His heart raced as he realized that he hadn’t been mistaken.
“Does the Master know about this?”
“He should. No, he does.”
Ezio furrowed his brow and nodded vigorously. Nasir, who had been deep in thought while observing Ezio, finally looked up and focused on him.
“Who else knows about this?”
“Who would I tell? Anyone who knew would just be uncomfortable.”
Ezio scratched his head at Nasir’s answer. Nasir nodded in agreement, making a low humming sound.
Ezio waited patiently for Nasir to speak. He knew his own impatience and fickleness all too well.
So, when there was something that requires careful consideration, he would seek Nasir’s advice. It had become a habit since he had become the commander of the knights.
And every time, Nasir had gladly provided an answer.
But this time was different. Nasir, who usually answered questions promptly, took a long time to think.
“It would be best not to tell anyone.”
Ezio shrugged at the final conclusion. He had expected Nasir to say something like that.
“So, you’re suggesting we just pretend not to know?”
“Exactly.”
Nasir looked directly at Ezio and spoke earnestly.
“Never let on. The matter between the princess and the Master is not something we should interfere with.”
Ezio listened to Nasir’s words and nodded. With the conclusion reached, Nasir’s expression lightened, and he smiled.
* * *
“Kyahaha! Uuuncle Wooolfff!”
The cheerful laughter of a child echoed through the corridor and into the greenhouse. Mirabel, who was waiting for Charles and Ricardo while sipping tea in the greenhouse, lifted her head.
After hearing the child’s voice, a gentle smile spread across Mirabel’s face. The tension she had felt about meeting Ricardo seemed to melt away.
“Charles fast! Charles faster than Uncle Wolf!”
Pitter-patter, pitter-patter!
With Charles’s voice, the sound of the child’s shoes grew louder.
When Charles appeared, Mirabel stood up from her chair.
“Charles, you’re here?”
“Yes, Mommy!”
As always, Charles ran to his mother with open arms.
Charles, who had thrown himself into Mirabel’s arm, gave her a quick kiss on the cheek and shyly said,
“Missed you.”
“I missed you a lot too, Charles. Did you have fun playing with the Grand Duke?”
“Charles!”
As Mirabel smiled down at Charles, Ricardo came running up from behind.
Wearing black boots, tight black pants from calf to thigh, and a flowing white shirt, Ricardo’s appearance made Mirabel’s eyes widen in surprise.
Ricardo looked full of vitality. His lively smile made Mirabel’s heart tighten.
She had never seen Ricardo so bright before. To her, he had always seemed frightening and cold.
Perhaps that was why her heart felt so heavy.
Unaware of Mirabel’s feelings, Ricardo slipped his hand under Charles’s arms and lifted him up effortlessly.
“Why are you so fast, huh? Who could be this fast? I can’t keep up with Charles at all.”
“Kyaahaha! Mommy, Charles won!”
Charles clung to Ricardo’s neck, laughing heartily. The sight of the dark-haired man and the dark-haired child on his broad shoulders looked like a perfectly happy father and son.
Mirabel watched them with cold eyes.
If Ricardo had loved Armilla.
If he had accepted her child.
Perhaps, he might have created a peaceful family like this one day.
But Ricardo did not.
Mirabel twisted her lips as she looked at Ricardo.
It disgusted her that he pretended to love Charles while rejecting Armilla and her child. The fact that he appeared so happy only made her feel more repulsed.
She couldn’t let this stand.
Since he had taken her happiness away, she would not grant him any in return.
“Come here, Charles.”
“Yes, Mommy!”
When Mirabel extended her hand, Charles left Ricardo without hesitation. Mirabel gathered Charles into her arms and observed Ricardo closely.
Ricardo, who had been happily holding Charles, now stared blankly at his own hands. The joyful smile had vanished completely.
Mirabel smiled cynically.
No matter how close they seemed or how much they played together, it would never match the bond between parent and child.
Ricardo was nothing to Charles. Just an adult from the past who would be forgotten once Charles grew up.
As she comforted the child clutching at her neck, Mirabel signaled the maids. When they had all withdrawn, she spoke in a calm tone.
“Thank you for playing with Charles.”
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