The Three Eleanor Ladies

The story that Marianne heard was truly shocking.

It was to the point where she wondered what the hell this man was talking about. If it were any other time, she would have glared at him with cold eyes and snapped, “Don’t you dare speak of my husband so carelessly.”

But she couldn’t bring herself to do it.

It wasn’t because the man sitting before her had such a serious look in his eyes, nor because his words felt so truthful.

It was simply because the sense of unease she had felt from her husband until now, and the things she had brushed off without a second thought, flashed through her mind like a slideshow, and all the puzzle pieces began to fit together.

She had thought something was a little strange for a while now.

Her husband’s actions of appearing with a cure she didn’t know where he got it from, feeding it to her, and smiling as he said she would get better soon.

His actions of bringing in a doctor she didn’t know where he got him from, entrusting her examination to him, and turning away with a request.

The somewhat bitter smile he showed her whenever she thanked him, saying she was grateful and that he was the only one she had, was for that reason.

“He really made such a choice….”

“Do you believe what I’m saying?”

“…A little.”

Of course, she doesn’t fully believe it yet.

The fact was that his claims were so perfect that everything fit together, but most of it was close to speculation.

In reality, it is not impossible that he was just running around and looking for ways to help his wife.

No, Marianne was secretly hoping for that.

She wanted to believe that everything was just her misunderstanding, and that the reality was just a meaningless story waiting for her.

Unfortunately, she couldn’t afford to be optimistic just because she wanted to believe in her husband, because there was another person involved in this.

“So, my husband committed such an act in exchange for my daughter?”

“…That’s right, assuming my speculation is correct.”

“Ah….”

Although he is speaking with a somewhat cautious attitude, it is a fairly firm answer.

Hearing this, Marianne barely endured the collapse of her figure by grabbing the table and sighed.

Where did it all go so wrong?

“I can’t believe it. Even though he was particularly cold to Sylvia, that child…. I never thought he would give up his qualifications as a father….”

“The reason I bothered to tell you, Madam, is because of that point.”

Kyle nodded in response to her words, as if he agreed.

In fact, when he came to this conclusion, he thought that Creed Eleanor might have been just a pitiful human being struggling for his wife.

If that were the case, he would have buried this incident and tried to resolve it in another way.

However, no matter what the reason, it is impossible to defend the act of trying to achieve what he wanted by sacrificing his precious daughter.

Even from Kyle’s point of view, it was like touching his reverse scale, so he wanted to reveal his true colors and fix everything.

However, in order to do that, he thought that at least the woman in front of him should know all the truth.

No, to be exact, he revealed the truth because her help was essential to correct all these causes and effects.

“…What do you want me to do?”

“You’re quick on the uptake.”

“Of course, I can’t help but know. After all, the fact that you told me about the contents that are only speculation means that you are using me to find evidence, right?”

Watching her try to accept reality in a calm manner, Kyle couldn’t help but admire her.

It would be no surprise if she collapsed right away, as it would be such a shocking fact, but in the midst of all this, she even sees through the inner thoughts of the person sitting in front of her.

“Then the story will be quick. Good. What I want to ask you is….”

Kyle threw out the words he had prepared, as if he had been waiting for it.

Marianne, who had been silently listening to this, nodded with an expression as if she had given up everything.

“Okay, that’s fine.”

“Are you really okay with this? If this is revealed, your husband…. Furthermore, the entire family may be in danger of extinction.”

“That’s right. Of course, I don’t want that. But….”

She smiled bitterly at Kyle, who asked her intentions for the last time.

From the moment she swore to marry her husband, she swore to live as a member of the Eleanor family.

She vowed to stay by her husband’s side until the moment she closed her eyes and to run this family.

Therefore, this situation, where everything could collapse if she made a mistake, was by no means welcome.

This is not a light matter that only concerns the honor of a man named Creed Eleanor.

Nevertheless, the reason why she decided to act as Kyle asked is simple.

“…I don’t think I’ll be able to face my daughter if I just pretend I don’t know about this and move on. That’s all.”

That unfortunate child who was rejected by her father from the moment she was born and was even denied being called by her name.

Because she couldn’t even take care of her own body as a mother, she couldn’t even properly convey her love as a mother.

Even though she loved him for the rest of her life, she could never allow such a pitiful child to be used and thrown away like a tool to save her.

Marianne thought that she would not be able to close her eyes in peace even after death if she did that.

Kyle realized for the second time in his life that humans can be dazzling in the determination of a mother that flows from a body that is so emaciated that it looks precarious.

“I understand. Then, let’s know that for now and go out first. You’ll need time to sort out your thoughts.”

“Thank you. But, before that…. Can I ask you just one thing?”

“Yes, please speak.”

Kyle turned back and lowered his head at the voice that stopped him from leaving.

The blue eyes staring at him blinked a couple of times, and then Marianne’s parched lips carefully parted.

“It doesn’t seem like you’re really dating my daughter, is that right?”

“How did you….”

“Parents naturally know. Besides, I’ve been in love before.”

Marianne smiled, feeling a strange pleasure at making his complexion change for the first time.

Of course, it doesn’t mean that the two’s relationship doesn’t seem close.

However, she was also vaguely aware as a woman who had once had a romantic and sweet relationship with her husband.

What should I say, there is a strange sense of distance between the two that should never be felt between lovers.

To be exact, she strongly felt that Sylvia was impatient to reveal her feelings, while Kyle seemed to be distancing himself.

It’s not like it feels like Sylvia’s one-sided crush.

“Yes, I’m sorry for lying. Actually, we’re not dating.”

When Kyle honestly answered and apologized, Marianne shook her head.

She doesn’t really care.

The fact that her daughter also agreed to that means that there must have been her own circumstances.

From the beginning, that was not what she was trying to point out. What she’s curious about is somewhere else.

“I see. But why are you doing so much for my daughter?”

That’s right.

What Marianne was curious about was why he was helping her daughter so much even though he was not actually dating Sylvia.

If it’s just someone else’s business, you can just pretend you don’t know and turn a blind eye.

“As I said, it’s not for your daughter, but to dig into the evil deeds of the Dawn’s Eye….”

“Please tell me honestly. I’ll keep it a secret from that child.”

“…….”

Kyle tried to make excuses, but he was soon speechless at Marianne’s assertion.

What kind of mother and daughter can see through other people’s inner thoughts so easily?

But Sylvia said she would keep it a secret, so he opened his mouth thinking that he could be honest for a while at least in this place.

“…Because she is my everything.”

The moment she heard those words, a faint smile formed on Marianne’s lips.

＊＊＊

Kyle, who had finished talking with Marianne, went straight to find Sylvia.

She’s probably playing with her younger sister, Rinee, so he doesn’t want to disturb her if possible, but Marianne told him, ‘Please go see my daughter soon,’ so he felt a little awkward wandering around the castle alone.

“Young Master Lyaird!”

“Princess, you were here.”

Fortunately, thanks to asking a passing servant, he was able to successfully find her quickly.

Kyle, who was approaching her with a happy face after seeing her waving her hand hard by the pond, felt a strange sense of incongruity.

A little while ago, he heard from the servant that she went to the pond with her younger sister, but for some reason, her younger sister was not visible.

“Did your younger sister return to her room? I heard you were together….”

“Ah, that’s… Hehe….”

Sylvia is smiling mischievously as she looks at Kyle asking about her younger sister’s whereabouts.

Then, she looked down at her back, and then moved her feet to the side and turned her body around.

“Come on, Rinee. You have to greet the guest, right?”

“Ah…!”

Then, a cute little girl with silver bobbed hair, who had been hiding behind her back, appeared.

When she met Kyle’s eyes, she finally realized that the obstacle that had been covering her had disappeared, and she stepped back slightly as if she was frightened.

It seems that Kyle has a very cold impression when he is expressionless, so she was afraid to greet him easily.

Kyle silently looked down at the frightened little princess.

Seu-euk.

“You are a very beautiful young lady who resembles your older sister. Nice to meet you. My name is Kyle Lyaird.”

“U, u-ut….”

He put his hand on Rinee’s head and greeted her with a bright smile that he had never shown before.

Even if she is a child, she is not without an aesthetic sense, so Rinee blushed and began to be embarrassed by the sudden smile attack of a handsome man.

‘Crazy, crazy!’

On the other hand, Sylvia, who witnessed Kyle smiling so brightly for the first time, was also greatly shocked.

Even ‘You resemble your older sister and are pretty!’

Why does this man launch a surprise attack when people are not ready?

Is he doing this on purpose? Otherwise, it can’t be explained.

Anyway, what a hateful man.