In the wintery dawn, the mansion was quiet. Enveloping the huge mansion were the rose garden and large acres of fields. While the knights in charge of the early morning shift were carefully guarding the main gate, Olivia walked out of the room and strode across the hallway of the serene mansion.

She seemed fed up. She mumbled as she stomped down the hallway. I knew it! It wasnt the sweet voice she had been using since entering the mansion. Her anger was evident. D*mn b*tch. I thought youd finally found your destiny.

She used the candle to check Larittes sleeping body. It had healed, but there were several wounds and scars. Olivia certainly didnt know if it were the maids who beat her or if it were Ian Reinhardt himself. She came to such a conclusion because she was unaware of the flow of magic. I was a fool to believe there would be a decent noble family! She gritted her teeth.

At first glance, the Duke seemed like a normal person, but upon drinking alcohol, he might have procured a different desire toward Laritte. She had to help Laritte escape this hell of a house.

Olivia wandered around the mansion, avoiding the employees at occasional intervals. She walked toward the kitchen. Then she began slipping expensive tableware into her sleeves, these will be enough for two women to gather food for a while.

After that, hiding in the shadows, she went into an empty room. Hands full of calluses and wrinkles began to tear the ceiling before she shoved the stolen things inside it.

You b*tch. Because of me, you have suffered so much since you were born, havent you? Why is your future still dark? Many years had kept her from crying. Her surprise was indescribable when she first heard in the bar that Laritte was the Duchess.

It wasnt the house of a rich man, but a Dukes. An illegitimate child would never be treated with care in a noble house. However, many of the residents praised the Duchess, which Olivia cherished slightly.

Perhaps Laritte was living a good life? Laritte used to live under Olivias subjugation, so she might have been rewarded by God. Olivia had come to the mansion to check it out, risking her life. She begged to see her daughter, made sure Larittes food was safe and even observed Ians behavior towards his wife. She was relieved, but she wasnt. Olivia got off the desk, hiding all the tableware from the ceiling.

When she was a young dancer, she lived alone. She couldnt afford to raise Laritte alone after being forced to spend a night with the Count. Depressed, she couldnt make a living from day to day, so she never smiled at Laritte. It was the last remorse Olivia had towards her daughter.

Ever since she sent the eight years old Laritte away to the County, Olivia had tried to recall the moment when she was born. Her chest was tightened against her fists in agony. Receiving me as a mother and a life full of misfortunes, Laritte deserved a comfortable life, she sobbed.

After a while, she subsided her emotions. She saw her reflection in the long mirror on the wall. She looked like someone who had come to beg her lucky daughter for mercy.

***

Meanwhile, in Larittes room, Ian looked very worried.

What happened?

Laritte was also awake. Pushing the blanket away, she said, yes, Im fine.

What did she do? D*mn it!

Her eyes met Ians. Lets relax. I dont know what she did, but it wasnt anything dangerous. Both Ian and Laritte were curious about Olivias behavior. Why on earth was she hovering the candle over Laritte?

Perhaps Olivia performed a cursed rite, Ian crossed his thick arms. He was dead serious.

Its not like that. I told you last time. The reason they brought in Olivia was because Laritte felt strange around her. Laritte recalled what she whispered to Ian.

I dont sense any hostility from Olivia.

Laritte was someone who never recognized goodwill but sensed hostility because she used to receive it throughout her life. Why on earth did Olivia come here at the risk of confiscation? Therefore, they agreed to keep Olivia in the mansion for three days. In fact, Ian could have changed his mind if anything happened today.

Anyway, she was Larittes biological mother. He wanted Laritte to have a family that loved her. It was a very rude opinion without consulting Laritte, but he couldnt help it. He was going to leave again if he failed to find a solution to the curse of mana.

Outside the door, he heard Olivia coming back. He hid in the closet, his eyes watching Laritte with a worried look.

Morning came. Thanks to Alice and Irene, Laritte could escape from the talkative Olivia and entered the bathroom. As she washed up, she saw a newspaper in front of the dressing table.

Oh, I forgot to put it away after reading. Forgive me, I shouldve cleaned it up earlier! Alice hurried to clean, to which Laritte shook her head. Then she picked it up.

Distributed by a company within the Dukes Decree, it contained the news of the Duchy.

The market in the nearby village is being opened.

While her hair was being dried, Ian came to see her. I managed to get away from Olivia, Ian said contentedly. It took me 10 minutes to get rid of her.

As the couple walked to have breakfast, a gust of cold wind struck the window and it broke down. Instinctively, Ian hugged Laritte using his whole body as a shield. Fortunately, nothing big happened.

Ian checked her bracelet, is this already ineffective?

Didnt you say it was going to last a week?

Thats what I said. But we have insufficient data.

Inside a room, Ian threw Larittes bracelet into the fire. This bracelet was made from the heart muscle of a dragon so it did not burn even in hot lava. This was because a dragon used the magic of its heart to breathe fire. Ian kicked his tongue, Were going to have to find a new one. Its only been a few days..

Unlike the existing information, artifacts made a long time ago did not seem to be able to protect Laritte for a long time. Ah. The dragons remains as well as other gems were embedded in the bracelet, so it was very expensive. Laritte snooped around the firewood to put out the fire in the fireplace.

Its dangerous, dont go near it.

Arent you spending a lot because of me? Its a waste.

You are worth a hundred times more.

Holding Laritte, she dragged her back. It was time to tell the maids to bring in a new artifact for Laritte. Hearing their little chat, Olivia entered the room.

Oh! The Duke was here. You disappeared so suddenly, Ive been looking for a while. Shall we go for breakfast, Laritte? Your mother is very excited! Ians face contorted in disgust. Meanwhile, Laritte found a way to reduce his stress. Grabbing his white ruffled sleeves, she pulled him in.

Would you like to visit the market later? Alone? She thought it would make him feel better to have some fun. Ian leaned down in the process, and when Larittes breath fanned over his ear, he became a stone statue.

After a while, Ian turned his head, market? His hardened mouth moved with difficulty. Laritte acted as if nothing happened.

Yes, there will be a market open in the evening.

Both would have to wear commoners clothes to avoid people who recognized the Duke. His heart was suddenly fluttering like the wings of a bat. It had been a while since she saw Laritte in the clothes of a commoner.

It would be nice to see her wearing a reddish-brown fur coat in the shape of a cape with a flared front. She would be very cute in a leather hat that would cover her ears or thick leather boots. He asked curiously,

What are you going to wear?

Laritte tilted her head. Is that important?

The two couldnt continue when Olivia approached them. She put her arms around Laritte and ushered her to the dining room.

Ian probably had some clothes fetish, Laritte thought. Should she take note of her first night on the 100th day of their dating?

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep