Chapter 15
Rachel thought about moving stealthily like Sian, but she shook her head in the end. She had never practiced stealth before, and taking little Graham out without anyone noticing was impossible.
In the end, Rachel apologized with a gloomy face.
“Hmm… what should we do? It looks like it’s going to be difficult to go out today. I’m sorry, Graham.”
Graham’s eyes widened in surprise, as if he hadn’t expected an apology.
“No, Mom! It’s not because I wanted to go out… it’s just that… I’m fine…”
Seeing him unsure of what to say made her heart ache. She was grateful for his thoughtfulness, for not complaining even though it must have been hard.
She hugged Graham tightly.
“Thank you, and I’m sorry. I’m really glad you’re here, Graham.”
“Mom…”
“When everything is settled later, we’ll go out together. We’ll walk in the park and have ice cream, okay?”
“Yay! Absolutely! Let’s go get ice cream together!”
Giggling, Graham snuggled into her arms, and Rachel found him utterly adorable.
“What should we do today? Want to draw?”
“Yes! I’d like that!”
Graham drew them both on a piece of paper—Rachel looking very pretty and himself looking very cool. When asked why Daddy wasn’t in the picture, he shrugged and made a tiny dot in the corner.
After a while, as they played, a staff member entered the parlor holding a silver tray.
“Madam, Grand Duke Sian Dicarcigny has sent a letter.”
“The Duke?”
Rachel tore the letter open and read its contents.
[Dear Countess Ellosa,
This is Sian Aisa Dicarcigny.
Before the official call from the noble council, I would like to meet you personally.
There are many eyes on the Ellosa mansion, so please come to the Dicarcigny mansion using the carriage I am sending.
You can rest assured; it is a carriage I often use for stealth, so no one will follow you.
P.S. I heard you have dismissed most of the mansion staff. If you have nowhere to leave your son, bring him along. My daughter will help.]
Folding the letter, Rachel quietly cheered inside.
Of all things, Sian was arranging for Graham to meet Dolorasa first!
She had planned to consider Graham and Dolorasa’s relationship only after divorcing Theodore, so this felt like a wonderful stroke of luck.
And she could take Graham out without trouble! Since the carriage came from Sian, no one would follow them.
Rachel’s shoulders bounced with excitement.
Graham, who was quietly watching his mother, puckered his lips.
“Mom… do you like paper more than me?”
“Huh?”
Had she made it too obvious how happy she was?
Clearing her throat, she composed herself.
“Are you upset with me? I’m sorry if I gave that impression. I was just happy because something good happened for you, Graham.”
“Something good happened for me?”
“Yes. Something very, very good.”
“What is it?”
Blinking in confusion, Graham didn’t understand.
Rachel smiled brightly and patted his head.
“The Grand Duke invited us. You wanted to go out, right? We’re going to sneak over to the Duke’s mansion in a secret carriage.”
“Who’s the Grand Duke?”
“Um…”
She suppressed the urge to say, “He’ll be your future father-in-law.”
“He’s very handsome, has an excellent character, and a high title. You’ll probably like him very much.”
Hearing the praise, Graham’s face darkened, but Rachel didn’t notice, too excited.
The Ellosa mansion was large and beautiful for a count’s residence, but still, it was just a count’s mansion. The Dicarcigny mansion was closer to a castle than a house.
“Wow, Graham, look at that. It’s so much bigger than our house.”
“Yes.”
On the carriage ride, Rachel was thrilled about Graham meeting Dolorasa, but Graham seemed strangely subdued.
“Graham, are you feeling unwell? You don’t look happy.”
“I’m fine. It’s just… I have a lot to think about.”
“Oh… I see.”
It was hard to imagine what a four-year-old could be thinking.
When they arrived, Sian greeted them.
“Welcome, Countess Ellosa. Thank you for coming.”
“It’s an honor to meet Grand Duke Sian Aisa Dicarcigny. Thank you for the invitation.”
Rachel also bowed to the girl standing beside Sian.
“Nice to meet you, Princess. I’m Rachel Ellosa.”
“Nice to meet you. I’m Dolorasa Dicarcigny. Please take care of my father.”
She was polite and courteous—a true heroine of the original story.
Dolorasa had dark hair like Sian’s and sparkling golden eyes. Her plump cheeks were cute and charming, almost pinchable.
Watching Rachel smile brightly at Dolorasa, Graham puffed out his cheeks.
Why does this little kid make Mom smile so easily?
Not realizing he was still younger, Graham felt jealous of Dolorasa.
Neither the Grand Duke, who made Mom smile with just paper, nor Dolorasa pleased him.
He looked up at Sian. Unlike Daddy Theodore, Sian carried himself with elegance; every word and movement was graceful. Thoughtful and beautiful, he appeared impressive even to young Graham.
Graham also saw Dolorasa in front of him. Marsha had always said a child should behave a certain way, and this little girl fit the description perfectly—cute, charming, obedient, and calm.
‘What if Mom likes the Duke or this little girl more than me?’
He felt scared and anxious.
He had to be Mom’s number one. He had to be the one to make Mom smile. If she liked someone else, he would be left behind.
Just like with Daddy.
Sian noticed Graham’s sulky gaze. Instead of scolding, he extended a hand first.
“You’ve worked hard protecting your mother in place of your father.”
It was the highest praise Graham could receive.
Graham’s eyes brightened. His slumped shoulders straightened. He held Sian’s hand and nodded.
“…Yes. Thank you for noticing.”
Rachel almost laughed at his cute answer but restrained herself, seeing how serious Sian and Graham were.
They exchanged glances for a while. Graham, shy with strangers, had never maintained eye contact this long before; Rachel patiently waited.
Sian was the first to look away.
“Say hello too, Dolly.”
“Hi, Graham. I’m Dolorasa.”
Her cute, straightforward greeting made Rachel smile.
Graham’s relaxed expression stiffened again.
“…”
“Graham? You need to greet her too.”
“…I’m Graham Ellosa.”
Not exactly polite, but Rachel silently thanked Sian and Dolorasa for their casualness. In front of other nobles, such behavior could have caused trouble.
“Graham, I need to talk to the Grand Duke for a while. Can you wait with Princess Dolorasa? It won’t take long.”
“Huh?”
Graham’s eyes went wide, and he nearly started to cry.
“Weren’t we supposed to play together?”
“Did you want to play with Mom?”
He pressed his lips tightly and nodded.
Seeing him like that, Rachel’s heart ached from how cute and endearing he was.
Lowering herself to his level, she carefully asked,
“I thought Graham might need a friend, so I introduced Princess Dolorasa. Did I think wrong?”
“I said I don’t need friends.”
A firm and resolute refusal.
If Graham and Dolorasa were to become a couple, it had to be their choice alone. Rachel didn’t want to force them together, even if the original story said they loved each other.
Maybe it wasn’t the right time yet.
Rachel nodded, thinking for a moment.
“Alright. Sorry for acting on my own. Shall we go back home?”
Graham opened his mouth to agree but froze.
He remembered Rachel’s excitement all the way to the Duke’s mansion and her bright smile over the paper.
Mom was going to talk with the Grand Duke. He didn’t know what it would be about, but he felt Mom would be very happy afterward.
“….”
He clenched his small fist tightly.
If it made Mom happy, he had no choice. He loved Mom and knew that loving someone sometimes meant doing unpleasant things.
In the end, Graham shook his head.
“No. You said you have something to discuss with the Grand Duke… I’ll wait.”
“Are you sure?”
He only nodded.
Dolorasa, watching nearby, smiled and gently took Graham’s hand.
“I’ll take care of Graham, so you two can talk slowly.”
“Thank you, Dolly.”
“Thank you, Princess.”
Graham, reluctantly, kept looking back as Dolorasa led him into the mansion. Once out of Rachel’s sight, he swatted Dolorasa’s hand away.
Dolorasa’s eyes went wide at his gesture.
“You’re really feisty, aren’t you?”
“…I don’t know.”
“Then Mom will be unhappy. You need to be a good boy.”
She was right.
Graham pressed his lips together.
