A Mother’s Heart

Dalgeurak.

Only the sound of a teacup being lifted and placed down echoed quietly in the room.

Kyle thought this was the most uncomfortable atmosphere he had ever experienced in his life.

He remembered that even before his regression, when he couldn’t even handle a sword properly and was beaten by his father day in and day out, it wasn’t this uncomfortable.

He watched Marian, who resembled Sylvia but had slightly faded hair that was almost white, gracefully tilting her teacup, and secretly sighed.

It wasn’t just that this situation was uncomfortable; he also had a sin he had committed.

He could roughly guess what she was about to say, which made him even more uneasy.

“Young Master Lyaird.”

“Yes, y-yes…!”

As if she finally decided to speak, Kyle unconsciously snapped to attention and replied to her call.

Marian’s lips curved into a brief, fleeting smile at his disciplined appearance.

It was true that she had deliberately tried to intimidate him a little, but she didn’t want to see him this scared.

“Thank you again for what happened last time. You saved the Eleanor family, but I sent you away without even properly expressing my gratitude.”

“It’s nothing. Rather, I felt sorry for bringing up a truth that didn’t need to be revealed.”

“There’s no need to be sorry. If it weren’t for you, my daughter would have been stuck in that place. And this family would have eventually fallen into their clutches.”

As if saying that too much modesty is arrogance, Marian firmly shook her head and expressed her gratitude for Kyle’s contribution.

If he hadn’t stepped in, even if she had learned the truth later, she wouldn’t have dared to take action on her own.

It was only because everything wasn’t completely twisted yet, and because she thought she could still save her daughter, that she was able to muster the courage.

But gratitude is gratitude, and she had to settle the score.

“But I heard that right after that, you abruptly said goodbye to my daughter and returned to the Lyaird family.”

“Keulkeul!”

At the sudden, aggressive remark, Kyle tried to take a sip of tea to moisten his parched lips, but he choked.

It seemed that Marian Eleanor was a woman who was more outspoken than he had thought.

“Of course, there must have been circumstances. I don’t think Young Master Lyaird is the kind of bad man who would abandon someone without a good reason.”

“T-thank you for your understanding.”

“However.”

Kyle was about to bow his head, feeling relieved by her understanding, but Marian’s words didn’t end there.

Just as plays include scenes that allow the audience to catch their breath, her way of speaking was somewhat similar.

“No matter the circumstances, I was a little resentful that you made my daughter cry. Even though I am indebted to you, I can’t help but feel a mother’s instinct. You understand how I feel, right?”

“Of course.”

If he put himself in her shoes, Kyle would have felt the same way.

Even if the other person was a benefactor who saved his family, if he thought that they had made his precious daughter cry and left without saying goodbye, he would definitely feel bad.

It was only because Marian was calm and gentle that it ended there; if it were Kyle, he might have stormed into the other family’s mansion and demanded to know the whole story.

“Actually, I didn’t know Sylvia’s feelings back then. I thought she wouldn’t be too sad even if I left her side.”

“…You didn’t know back then. So, can I interpret that as you know her feelings now?”

“Yes. It’s a little embarrassing, but that’s how it is.”

Watching Kyle scratch his cheek and nod, Marian smiled with a soft exclamation, her icy expression from earlier completely gone.

No wonder they were holding hands naturally when they got out of the carriage earlier, and then hurriedly let go as soon as she found them; so that’s what happened.

Marian nodded contentedly, sensing that her daughter had taken the initiative.

That’s my daughter.

“So, does that mean you two are dating?”

“Ah, no. I’m still postponing my answer.”

“…Excuse me?”

Marian’s eyes widened at the unexpected answer, as she had naturally expected a positive response.

For a moment, she blinked in disbelief, staring blankly at Kyle with a look that said, ‘What is he talking about?’

Didn’t he just indirectly express that he had confessed to her?

Besides, they were holding hands affectionately when they got out of the carriage, but they’re not dating?

Marian’s mind became confused by a relationship that was difficult to understand from her perspective.

“It’s because I’m lacking that I haven’t given her an answer yet. To be exact, it would be more accurate to say that Sylvia guessed my circumstances and postponed the deadline.”

“Circumstances…. Well, I’ve heard the story. It seems like a lot has happened.”

However, upon hearing Kyle’s calm answer, she showed a somewhat understanding reaction.

Although she didn’t usually pay much attention to news from the outside world, she was leading the family as the acting head, so she naturally heard some news.

Among them, the most representative was the incident that occurred in the Imperial Palace and the inside story about it.

She remembered hearing the unbelievable news that Kyle’s older brother was a minion of the Dawn’s Eye.

Even more recently, even more surprising news had followed, so she could understand that he had a complicated inner life.

He probably couldn’t bring himself to comfortably answer someone’s feelings because he wasn’t in the right environment.

It’s a truly bitter story.

“Then I guess I have no right to interfere. However, please remember this one thing, Young Master Lyaird.”

“Yes, please speak.”

Kyle calmly replied, noticing a small vortex in Marian’s narrowly opened eyes.

“I don’t think you would do this, but if you’re dragging things out toying with my daughter’s feelings, get out now. Otherwise, even I won’t be able to contain my resentment.”

“I will keep that in mind. I have no intention of doing that, so please rest assured.”

“That’s a good answer.”

Marian also knew that Kyle wasn’t the kind of person who would play with someone’s feelings.

Although he had a similar record in the past, it was probably because he really didn’t know Sylvia’s feelings at the time.

Also, there must have been circumstances that justified it, so she could take that into consideration.

But if the same situation happened again this time, she would only think of him as a bad man who intentionally backstabs women for fun.

Marian stared intently at Kyle, hoping that such a thing wouldn’t happen.

‘He’s a really strange man, no matter how many times I see him.’

He seems like a villain at first glance, and a good person at another glance.

He seems like he doesn’t know anything about women’s hearts, but he seems like he would be very warm to his own woman.

He’s handsome, but if she asked herself if Sylvia’s taste was for this kind of man, she would have question marks.

He looks a little decadent and somewhat thin, but he doesn’t feel unreliable.

He seems cold and self-centered, but when you look at his way of speaking or how he treats his elders, he is endlessly polite and courteous.

How should I describe this man?

If I had to, would it be mysterious?

But even that expression had many awkward parts.

‘Did my daughter fall for this side of him?’

Marian didn’t know the details about the two of them, so she suddenly became curious, but she decided not to delve into it.

It’s true that this kind of man has more charm to fall for than someone who is just what they seem on the outside.

There is no more attractive figure than someone who has new aspects popping out like an onion, no matter how much you peel.

Of course, unless it’s in a bad way, but he doesn’t seem like that kind of man.

“Please take good care of Sylvia. She is one of the only two treasures I have left, so please cherish her.”

“Please don’t worry, Madam Marian. I will cherish her more than my own life.”

Marian smiled at the truly trustworthy answer and felt the stiff atmosphere slowly easing.

At this point, maybe she could throw in a little joke as a prospective mother-in-law.

As soon as that thought came to mind, a mischievous smile like Sylvia’s appeared on her lips, as if mother and daughter were alike.

“If possible, I would like to see at least two grandchildren.”

“…Excuse me?”

“Just keep it in mind, just in case.”

“Yes, y-yes…”

After saying those words, which were a mix of request and warning, Marian gestured to Kyle that he could leave.