Episode 127. How could such a lovely creature
“Because Mark and I didn’t even make a marriage vow. Why do you think that is? It was to wait for you.”
“Your heart is in hell because you don’t trust that woman.”
The two people’s voices kept lingering in his ears.
“Zimmer.”
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
“What kind of woman was the Adele you remember? Did she seem sincere to me?”
After her name appeared on his left chest, memories of their time together began to come back to him little by little. In those memories, he seemed to always have a happy face.
However, he could not remember Adele’s expression.
“It seemed to me that you were everything to each other. And Your Majesty, I have something important to tell you...”
When Zimmer began to speak with difficulty, Christine seemed to have a hunch at that moment.
“Don’t make a joke about Aaron being my child.”
Zimmer took a moment to catch his breath and answered.
“I’m not joking.”
“No, it can’t be my child. That woman lied.”
Christine remembered one thing clearly. He had tried not to make her pregnant while holding her. Because he didn’t plan on having a child from the wolf clan.
He didn’t want his child to live a lifetime of persecution and the sorrow of a foreigner. He didn’t want his child to resent him for inheriting that kind of blood. He remembered fighting with Adele over that.
So, how could Aaron be his child?
How could such a lovely creature...?
Zimmer added cautiously to Christine.
“According to our investigation, Adele and Castler didn’t even have a marriage contract. They just raised their children together and pretended to be a couple, but they weren’t really a couple. They even lived in separate buildings.”
“Enough.”
Christine might have known instinctively that she was still his woman.
But he might have been angry at the fact that he couldn’t approach her.
Adele, who had returned from the palace, got out of the carriage with Mia’s help. Then the children and Tanya came running. Even though it was past midnight, they were all worried and couldn’t sleep.
“What about father?”
“Is Father okay?”
Adele forced a smile as she looked into the children’s worried eyes.
“Don’t worry! He’ll be back soon.”
Aaron said, rubbing his sleepy eyes.
“I’ll meet His Majesty. I’ll ask him to save my father. My brothers said that. His Majesty took my father.”
Adele stared at the child for a long time in a miserable mood.
How could this happen..."
“It’s okay, Aaron. Mommy will definitely bring your father back. So don’t worry and go to sleep.”
Adele hugged each of the anxious children and kissed their cheeks. But Aaron still didn’t back down.
“His Majesty, is he a bad person? What if he hurt my father?”
“Aaron...”
“Then Aaron will get angry and fight. I don’t want my father to get sick!”
“Does Aaron like your father that much?”
“Yes! He's good, but I like my father even more!”
Adele couldn’t control her emotions as she looked at the child’s innocent expression. She hugged the child’s small shoulders tightly and suppressed her surging emotions.
“Yes, Mommy will talk to His Majesty.”
After all the children went to their bedrooms, Adele collapsed on the living room sofa. Then Mia came over with tea.
“Have some tea and rest.”
“Thank you, Mia. It’s late, so you should go home too. It was so helpful to have you here today.”
But Mia just stood there in front of Adele for a while.
“Do you have anything to say?”
“Is His Majesty doing that on purpose?”
Adele shook her head in surprise.
“No...”
“No? The way he looked at you was always like an animal. Full of anger at having something taken away.”
“Mia...”
“Why, do you feel bad because I cursed at him?”
“Nothing is certain yet. So don’t jump to conclusions.”
The old Chris would never have done something like that. If he had the same feelings as before.
But now, Adele didn’t know. Still, she wanted to have at least a shred of faith. She hoped he hadn’t changed too much.
Of course, Mia didn’t believe him.
“Adele, take Aaron to His Majesty. And ask him to release Mark. He protected his woman and child, so even a beast would do that.”
“Mia, you’re too sensitive right now. Let’s talk later.”
“Later, when? After Mark dies? Do you really think that my brother will lose his life because of you? Wasn’t it enough that he had a hard time with a woman who had feelings for another man?”
“Mia...”
“He’s sacrificed a lot for you so far. Now you should repay him. No, it’s a good thing you're going back to the man you like. Only damn Mark is pitiful.”
Mia’s words stabbed Adele like an awl. She had been thinking like that all along. However, as Mark’s blood relative, it was only natural for her to feel resentful, so Adele just felt sorry.
“Yes, Mia. You’re right. I’ll make it right. But please know that going back to him isn’t as easy a decision as you think.”
A man who erased her and came back as a different person.
Maybe he would have just taken Aaron.
But for now, it was right to save Mark first.
The next morning.
Isabelle, who was walking in the garden with her maids, stopped walking.
A tall man was standing in the middle of the entrance to the maze garden of the Empress’s Palace. The sight of her silver hair fluttering in the morning sunlight was so beautiful that it felt unreal.
However, when she met the two eyes staring at her, a chill ran down her spine.
Isabelle bowed and paid her respects.
“I just heard that something big happened yesterday. I’m so glad that nothing happened, Your Majesty.”
“That’s right. If something had happened, you wouldn’t have been able to greet this peaceful morning.”
Isabelle smiled, barely hiding her pensive expression.
“Do you doubt me? I don’t fight fights where the outcome is obvious. I know full well that I can’t win a fight...”
“I’m glad you know that.”
Christine nodded to Zimmer, who was behind him. Zimmer stepped forward and handed Isabelle a box that looked like an urn.
Isabelle’s maid quickly came out and took it for her.
“Open it.”
“Everyone’s life is precious, so what can I do?”
“Yes, I’ll take care of those customers, so go inside and rest. You didn’t get a wink of sleep.”
But Adele made a displeased expression.
“Customer, don’t worry, I won’t kick them out!”
That’s when it happened.
Crunch!
The glass door of the shop shattered into pieces. Beyond the broken glass door, five or six men were loitering. They were all holding clubs or pitchforks in their hands. At a glance, they were street thugs.
They broke the remaining glass doors with the tools they were holding and came in. They had been drinking all night, so they all smelled strongly of alcohol and stank.
“What are you guys doing?”
Adele shouted, straining her lower abdomen.
She had to stop them. If she didn’t, the children in the mansion would be in danger. Now, she was the only one who could protect them.
“Us? We’re guests.”
Then the men sat down on chairs and put their legs on the table. Some of them even poked at the bread with their fingers.
“First, bring us some alcohol. And some delicious snacks.”
“What are you doing? Bring me some alcohol!”
Kwajangchang!
One of the men kicked the display case of bread. The bread spilled onto the floor. When Adele glared at them, a man approached her, stroking her waist.
“Hey, ma’am. When you glare at me like that, my legs are shaking. Especially the third leg.”
The men who were watching laughed like fools.
“The money is in the safe, so take it quickly and get out.”
When Adele shouted fiercely,
“You traitor’s bitch!”
The man’s thick hand flew right at her.
Clang!
But Adele was faster because she aimed her pistol at the bastard’s head.
“I’ll give you three. If you don’t want a hole in your head, get out now. One!”
“Yes. I’ll go, I’m going!”
Even the men were scared in front of the pistol. They raised both hands and slowly backed away.
“Two!”
At that moment, a man quickly went behind Adele and swung a club.
“Don’t mess with me, woman!”
“Mom!”
Aaron, who was just entering the store, ran up to the man and bit his leg. The man swung the club at Aaron.
“Aaron!”
Swish!
At the same time, he fell forward, blood spurting out.
Bam!
Christine was standing behind the fallen man. The rapier in his hand was bleeding as if it were alive, and he was holding onto Aaron with the other hand.
“Whose head do you want to cut first, Adele?”
“Because Mark and I didn’t even make a marriage vow. Why do you think that is? It was to wait for you.”
“Your heart is in hell because you don’t trust that woman.”
The two people’s voices kept lingering in his ears.
“Zimmer.”
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
“What kind of woman was the Adele you remember? Did she seem sincere to me?”
After her name appeared on his left chest, memories of their time together began to come back to him little by little. In those memories, he seemed to always have a happy face.
However, he could not remember Adele’s expression.
“It seemed to me that you were everything to each other. And Your Majesty, I have something important to tell you...”
When Zimmer began to speak with difficulty, Christine seemed to have a hunch at that moment.
“Don’t make a joke about Aaron being my child.”
Zimmer took a moment to catch his breath and answered.
“I’m not joking.”
Christine, who was climbing the stairs, stopped. So many emotions surged through him like waves that he couldn’t say anything.
“Ugh!”
His heart pounded again, and he grabbed his chest.
“Are you okay, Your Majesty?”
Christine raised his hand to indicate that he was okay.
“Why do you think so?”
“Miss Adele sent you a letter informing you of her pregnancy. But it must have disappeared in the middle. At that time, the capital city of Greenhill had a strong hatred for the wolf clan, so she must have had to hide the fact that she was Your Majesty’s child.”
His heart pounded again, and he grabbed his chest.
“Are you okay, Your Majesty?”
Christine raised his hand to indicate that he was okay.
“Why do you think so?”
“Miss Adele sent you a letter informing you of her pregnancy. But it must have disappeared in the middle. At that time, the capital city of Greenhill had a strong hatred for the wolf clan, so she must have had to hide the fact that she was Your Majesty’s child.”
“So you became Castler’s wife?”
“It must have been an inevitable choice.”
The six years passed quickly through Christine’s mind. He could imagine how Adele had endured during that time. But he didn’t want to imagine it.
His regret, remorse, repentance, and sadness were all mixed together, and he was filled with anger. The target of that anger was probably himself. Maybe that’s why he wanted to ignore it.
“It must have been an inevitable choice.”
The six years passed quickly through Christine’s mind. He could imagine how Adele had endured during that time. But he didn’t want to imagine it.
His regret, remorse, repentance, and sadness were all mixed together, and he was filled with anger. The target of that anger was probably himself. Maybe that’s why he wanted to ignore it.
“No, it can’t be my child. That woman lied.”
Christine remembered one thing clearly. He had tried not to make her pregnant while holding her. Because he didn’t plan on having a child from the wolf clan.
He didn’t want his child to live a lifetime of persecution and the sorrow of a foreigner. He didn’t want his child to resent him for inheriting that kind of blood. He remembered fighting with Adele over that.
So, how could Aaron be his child?
How could such a lovely creature...?
Zimmer added cautiously to Christine.
“According to our investigation, Adele and Castler didn’t even have a marriage contract. They just raised their children together and pretended to be a couple, but they weren’t really a couple. They even lived in separate buildings.”
“Enough.”
Christine might have known instinctively that she was still his woman.
But he might have been angry at the fact that he couldn’t approach her.
***
Adele, who had returned from the palace, got out of the carriage with Mia’s help. Then the children and Tanya came running. Even though it was past midnight, they were all worried and couldn’t sleep.
“What about father?”
“Is Father okay?”
Adele forced a smile as she looked into the children’s worried eyes.
“Don’t worry! He’ll be back soon.”
Aaron said, rubbing his sleepy eyes.
“I’ll meet His Majesty. I’ll ask him to save my father. My brothers said that. His Majesty took my father.”
Adele stared at the child for a long time in a miserable mood.
How could this happen..."
“It’s okay, Aaron. Mommy will definitely bring your father back. So don’t worry and go to sleep.”
Adele hugged each of the anxious children and kissed their cheeks. But Aaron still didn’t back down.
“His Majesty, is he a bad person? What if he hurt my father?”
“Aaron...”
“Then Aaron will get angry and fight. I don’t want my father to get sick!”
“Does Aaron like your father that much?”
“Yes! He's good, but I like my father even more!”
Adele couldn’t control her emotions as she looked at the child’s innocent expression. She hugged the child’s small shoulders tightly and suppressed her surging emotions.
“Yes, Mommy will talk to His Majesty.”
After all the children went to their bedrooms, Adele collapsed on the living room sofa. Then Mia came over with tea.
“Have some tea and rest.”
“Thank you, Mia. It’s late, so you should go home too. It was so helpful to have you here today.”
But Mia just stood there in front of Adele for a while.
“Do you have anything to say?”
“Is His Majesty doing that on purpose?”
Adele shook her head in surprise.
“No...”
“No? The way he looked at you was always like an animal. Full of anger at having something taken away.”
“Mia...”
“Why, do you feel bad because I cursed at him?”
“Nothing is certain yet. So don’t jump to conclusions.”
The old Chris would never have done something like that. If he had the same feelings as before.
But now, Adele didn’t know. Still, she wanted to have at least a shred of faith. She hoped he hadn’t changed too much.
Of course, Mia didn’t believe him.
“Adele, take Aaron to His Majesty. And ask him to release Mark. He protected his woman and child, so even a beast would do that.”
“Mia, you’re too sensitive right now. Let’s talk later.”
“Later, when? After Mark dies? Do you really think that my brother will lose his life because of you? Wasn’t it enough that he had a hard time with a woman who had feelings for another man?”
“Mia...”
“He’s sacrificed a lot for you so far. Now you should repay him. No, it’s a good thing you're going back to the man you like. Only damn Mark is pitiful.”
Mia’s words stabbed Adele like an awl. She had been thinking like that all along. However, as Mark’s blood relative, it was only natural for her to feel resentful, so Adele just felt sorry.
“Yes, Mia. You’re right. I’ll make it right. But please know that going back to him isn’t as easy a decision as you think.”
A man who erased her and came back as a different person.
Maybe he would have just taken Aaron.
But for now, it was right to save Mark first.
***
The next morning.
Isabelle, who was walking in the garden with her maids, stopped walking.
A tall man was standing in the middle of the entrance to the maze garden of the Empress’s Palace. The sight of her silver hair fluttering in the morning sunlight was so beautiful that it felt unreal.
However, when she met the two eyes staring at her, a chill ran down her spine.
Isabelle bowed and paid her respects.
“I just heard that something big happened yesterday. I’m so glad that nothing happened, Your Majesty.”
“That’s right. If something had happened, you wouldn’t have been able to greet this peaceful morning.”
Isabelle smiled, barely hiding her pensive expression.
“Do you doubt me? I don’t fight fights where the outcome is obvious. I know full well that I can’t win a fight...”
“I’m glad you know that.”
Christine nodded to Zimmer, who was behind him. Zimmer stepped forward and handed Isabelle a box that looked like an urn.
Isabelle’s maid quickly came out and took it for her.
“Open it.”
The maid carefully opened the lid at her command, then let out a shriek and dropped the box. A dead, bloody bird popped out of the box on the floor. And a crumpled note, probably hanging from the bird’s leg. On it was written in Isabelle’s handwriting:
[Note Adele Grills] “Be careful, your son’s head might be in it next time.”
Isabelle glared at Christine, her face turning pale.
“Thank you for the advice, Your Majesty.”
***
Every Friday was the day to exchange unused goods for bread. But today Adele’s bakery was deserted. Rumors had already spread throughout Greenhill. Count Castler had plotted to assassinate the Emperor with rebel priests. He would soon be executed, and Adele and the children would be taken away. So they were afraid that if they came to Adele’s bakery, they would be mistaken for one of the gang. Most of the bakers and servants had quit this morning.
“Take a break today. I haven’t seen any customers, not even a single ant.”
Tanya tried to stop her, but Adele busily displayed the bread and desserts. It was clear that she had been working all night without sleeping. When she had a lot on her mind, she had to keep moving without stopping to feel better.
“But Friday is the day I made plans with customers. I can’t have customers who come in for nothing.”
“A customer who comes in with a rag-like skirt cut into pieces and brings in six scarves? A customer who comes in with a shoe they found on the street? What good is it if you treat those people well? When they’re like this, they don’t show any sign of giving up because they’re trying to save themselves.”
Tanya was furious as she circled the store and watched the people passing by.
“Everyone’s life is precious, so what can I do?”
“Yes, I’ll take care of those customers, so go inside and rest. You didn’t get a wink of sleep.”
But Adele made a displeased expression.
“Customer, don’t worry, I won’t kick them out!”
“Don’t worry, just watch the store when I go out later.”
“Where are you going?”
“Just to get some air. And I feel comfortable here, so don’t worry about it.”
“Anyway, you’re stubborn!”
Tanya eventually got angry and went inside the mansion.
Stubborn...
Adele, who was left alone in the large store, smiled bitterly as she looked at the bread piled up in piles. It was something she often heard from Christine.
Adele didn’t mind hearing that from him. It was because she felt sorry for him..
But now, she had no idea what he was thinking. Christine, who had put her shoes on last night, and the Emperor, who had declared that he would execute Mark, seemed like completely different people.
In any case, she had to prevent Mark from getting hurt.
She was planning to finish displaying the newly baked bread and go to see the Emperor. She had to go and bring Mark back by any means possible.
“Where are you going?”
“Just to get some air. And I feel comfortable here, so don’t worry about it.”
“Anyway, you’re stubborn!”
Tanya eventually got angry and went inside the mansion.
Stubborn...
Adele, who was left alone in the large store, smiled bitterly as she looked at the bread piled up in piles. It was something she often heard from Christine.
Adele didn’t mind hearing that from him. It was because she felt sorry for him..
But now, she had no idea what he was thinking. Christine, who had put her shoes on last night, and the Emperor, who had declared that he would execute Mark, seemed like completely different people.
In any case, she had to prevent Mark from getting hurt.
She was planning to finish displaying the newly baked bread and go to see the Emperor. She had to go and bring Mark back by any means possible.
Even if it meant losing Aaron...
That’s when it happened.
Crunch!
The glass door of the shop shattered into pieces. Beyond the broken glass door, five or six men were loitering. They were all holding clubs or pitchforks in their hands. At a glance, they were street thugs.
They broke the remaining glass doors with the tools they were holding and came in. They had been drinking all night, so they all smelled strongly of alcohol and stank.
“What are you guys doing?”
Adele shouted, straining her lower abdomen.
She had to stop them. If she didn’t, the children in the mansion would be in danger. Now, she was the only one who could protect them.
“Us? We’re guests.”
Then the men sat down on chairs and put their legs on the table. Some of them even poked at the bread with their fingers.
“First, bring us some alcohol. And some delicious snacks.”
“What are you doing? Bring me some alcohol!”
Kwajangchang!
One of the men kicked the display case of bread. The bread spilled onto the floor. When Adele glared at them, a man approached her, stroking her waist.
“Hey, ma’am. When you glare at me like that, my legs are shaking. Especially the third leg.”
The men who were watching laughed like fools.
“The money is in the safe, so take it quickly and get out.”
When Adele shouted fiercely,
“You traitor’s bitch!”
The man’s thick hand flew right at her.
Clang!
But Adele was faster because she aimed her pistol at the bastard’s head.
“I’ll give you three. If you don’t want a hole in your head, get out now. One!”
“Yes. I’ll go, I’m going!”
Even the men were scared in front of the pistol. They raised both hands and slowly backed away.
“Two!”
At that moment, a man quickly went behind Adele and swung a club.
“Don’t mess with me, woman!”
“Mom!”
Aaron, who was just entering the store, ran up to the man and bit his leg. The man swung the club at Aaron.
“Aaron!”
Swish!
At the same time, he fell forward, blood spurting out.
Bam!
Christine was standing behind the fallen man. The rapier in his hand was bleeding as if it were alive, and he was holding onto Aaron with the other hand.
“Whose head do you want to cut first, Adele?”
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