Chapter 34: Reason?
Inside a massive hall which by furniture and decoration seemed to be a reception area, sat a couple consisting of a dashing man and a beautiful woman.
Marvelous chandelier along with imported foreign furnishings complimented the room's luxury. And along with the fact that there were around a dozen guards stationed in the hall, it became obvious that the place belonged to a high noble.
The couple sitting as a guest on the comfortable sofa had an evident anxious expression spreaded on their faces.
The female who had curly pink hair braided elegantly sat while holding her husband's hand while trying to suppress her nervousness.
The man with ashy gray hair had more of a dignified front as he awaited the person they came to meet. However, from the inside, the man was equally uneasy as well.
Soon a maid who guided them to this extravagant reception hall approached the couple.
"Lord Alfred. The Duchess is arriving shortly."
Hearing the maid's words, both of them glanced at each other before they stood up, erasing all their previous emotions and putting up a smile as they saw the Duchess descending the stairs.
The rumors that Duchess Valarie Albeck being the most beautiful woman born in this century seemed to be correct anytime someone witnessed her.
Long blond hair falling lazily draped over her shoulder, gave a sensual charm to her overall figure. Her sharp blue eyes were equally dangerous as she nonchalantly stared at the guest.
The perfect hourglass figure was wrapped inside a one-piece gold and red dress which had a slit on the left side, exposing her meaty and well-sculpted thigh.
Alfred was having a hard time keeping his eyes steady at Duchess' face since he knew misbehaving would lead to an inevitable scenario.
"Long live the Duchess."
"Please sit down."
The lady didn't bother with the greetings and sat opposite the guests as she lapped her left leg over the other, highlighting a dangerous sight.
The duo glanced once again at each other before they wordlessly consented and sat back in their seats.
Before Alfred could have initiated the talk, concerning the matter which had troubled them for some days, the blond woman spoke in her previous cold tone.
"I am aware of the reason why Viscount Rommen Alfred especially came to meet me. So without beating around the bush tell me one thing."
The nervousness further rose with Valarie's straightforward words but not like they came here for any casual chatting. In the first place, a Viscount could not afford to waste a Duchess' time uselessly.
Gulping in a fret, Alfred nodded before Valarie spoke, her tone turning even sharper than before.
"Has your daughter slept with someone after joining the Academy?"
The expression on Alfred and his wife Riona's faces was vividly contoured as they heard such vulgar things being suspected from their daughter.
There was nothing to think about which brought Alfred's response rather instinctively.
"No, Your Grace. I am sure that my daughter would never do such a thing which she knew could hurt her parents and hamper her relationship with lord Seth. "
There was no doubt that their daughter who has always been a sensible child and a girl who has always cared for their parent's pride would partake in such a sinful act.
And by any chance Laila really did commit a crime then her parents would have been informed firsthand.
Valerie narrowed her gaze as she didn't believe the words spoken at all. Leaning on her seat she spoke in a suspicious tone.
"Then I don't understand why my son would ever think of breaking the marriage without any reason. We both know that it was because of Seth's liking toward your daughter, that this engagement even happened in the first place. Then what came up so suddenly?"
It was a fact that a woman who held the highest political and military prowess after the Emperor would find an equal match for her first son. If not for Seth's request, Laila would never have gotten engaged to the Duchy.
However, the question lies yet again in the reason for this sudden annulment. And strangely it was notified by Seth who himself was eager to marry Laila until recent months.
Valarie found it strange but didn't put much thought into it. Her son is a fine young man who carries the charm to attract countless females without going out of his way.
She doesn't doubt his decision that's why she decided to wrap up the situation and ask Seth about this when he comes back.
"Umm… Yes."
Suddenly, a small wooden box appeared in the Duchess' hand before she passed it to the maid standing behind her.
The maid took the box and after walking to the other side, she handed it to Alfred.
Perplexed, the couple looked at the Duchess for an answer but the latter had no intention to talk about the content inside the box.
Rather, the blond woman preferred to tell something regarding the person to whom Alfred had to delegate that box.
"Hand it to Laila only after assuring that she still has her mark or not. If she indeed has been cheating on my son, you better burn that box to save her from any further trouble."
The duo felt a shiver running down their spines upon hearing the warning which signified that there was no room for any further questions.
With a nod, both of them got up and bid their farewell before hastily walking out of the mansion.
Being left alone, Valarie rested her head on the edge of the sofa as she stared at the chandelier hanging over her head.
The previous frown from her face slowly faded as she thought of the person she adores dearly.
Anything in her life can be cured with just a single memory of her son. And now he was returning to his home in a few days
He was returning to his mother after so long~
'Fufufu… I can't wait for my sweety…."
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A/N: - Don't worry.
She is just hella son-con but not anything else.
Drop a comment if you are liking the story so far~