Chapter 17
Such a sudden whim of the Duke made him confused.
“Then why did you decide to go home? If you tell me, I’ll try to change things as per your liking.”
“Her feet look so sore. I just can’t think of letting her stand on these feet.”
The Count stared at Molitia, and it was natural that she was tired with that look of Count’s, which was not the eyes of a father looking at her injured daughter.
The Count’s gaze once again turned to Molitia’s toes. The neat bandages of her feet were only that. It was clear that his daughter was fussing at the small wound.
“But you have already treated it. That should be enough. If it seems uncomfortable, let me offer a chair for my daughter.”
“No. I will go home.”
Despite the concessions so far, the Duke, who made his claim hard, did not understand.
‘What is this position?’
It was also an excellent opportunity to put down rumors about their Clemence family. The same goes for the Duke’s family; there was no one who didn’t know that the Duke’s family was involved in the public rumors.
It was the heart of Count Clemence that he wanted to spread his influence to the Duke of Linerio as a family that joined through marriage.
But if the Duke was so uncooperative, the Count could not achieve what he wanted. The Count frowned slightly.
“Then what will the guests do? Since we’re all here to celebrate for you, stay here for some more time.”
“I’ve already shown myself.”
“But you have yet to meet many important people.”
“Do you mean they didn’t see my face?”
The Duke suddenly changed his smile. Although it was to go back to being expressionless, its sense of deterrence was inexpressible. Molitia, who was ignored, might have shrunk her shoulders.
It was natural that the Count’s face, which received the gaze directly, was suddenly white.
“… no, it’s not like that.”
“You can personally visit the Duke’s mansion in the future if it dissatisfies you that I am leaving. I’ll give you a grand reception.”
Who knew the word ‘Grand’ can be such a flesh-shivering word?
The Count struggled to put up with the chill in his body. It is said that the Duke had risen to a considerable level of strength, and it could be seen that it was not a lie.
But the Count didn’t back down here. Just as the Duke was trying to leave, he added a word.
“Who will shine when the main couple leaves?” (The Count)
“Isn’t there the Count?”
The blank Count’s gaze touched the Duke.
“I appreciate your ability, and I’m leaving this place believing in the Count, so please live up to the expectations.”
As he said, the Duke hugged Molitia. Secretly, he put a hand under her butt and massaged her thighs.
Molitia, who felt his touch, blushed, but the Duke was shamelessly smiling again.
“I don’t want to see my wife hurt anymore, so I’ll take my leave.”
The Duke hurried out of his seat over the Count, who had not yet escaped from the shock. Molitia’s heart, which was peeping at the Count, was pounding hard.
“Why are you staying still? Does your foot hurt a lot?”
He made the wagon stand by through the servant, and he looked down at Molitia, who was strangely too calm. His gaze startled her.
“No, not like that.”
“Then what?”
“Because it’s my first time to disobey my father…”
Her heart was still beating so hard that it felt like it would bounce off. Molitia had never gone against Count’s words in her life. There have been a few rebellions, but the ending had always been the Count’s wish.
The Count’s words were absolute to her. She would be mercilessly punished for going against him. It was common to be starved or be deprived of warmth.
As she went back and forth between pain and hunger, it bound her to become dull and obey his wishes. The Count’s Desire was ahead of hers, and thus she followed the Count.
It was significant for her to refuse the Count’s words. A tearful heart rose from within her, which Molitia herself did not know. She just endured the redness of her eyes.