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Translator: Vine
Chapter: 43
Chapter Title: I Will Prove My Worth. (4)
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Langsty, who had been quiet until now, finally spoke.
“There will be a custody issue.”
Russell, who was standing beside Ariana’s bed, turned his head and looked at his younger brother. Langsty continued.
“Usually, when parents divorce, unless there’s a major problem, the mother gets custody of a girl, and the father gets custody of a boy. That’s why we couldn’t take Ariana back when that woman took her.”
“But Brother, that woman did this to the child! Does she deserve to be a mother?”
“Pelos, let me finish. Just because Ariana couldn't bear the abuse and fled to the Eastern Territory doesn't mean we can keep her indefinitely. If Rachel finds out Ariana is here and demands to take her, we’ll have no choice but to let her go.”
Russell sighed deeply, knowing Langsty was right.
Russell stopped Pelos, who was about to yell again, and said,
“First, we must hide the fact that Ariana is in the Eastern Territory. After that, we need to gather evidence and testimonies of the abuse.”
“Yes, Brother. I know you want to immediately declare Ariana the Princess of the Eastern Territory, but we can't. Obtaining Ariana's custody is the priority.”
Langsty looked down at Ariana with dark eyes.
“I apologize to Ariana, but as soon as she recovers somewhat, we need to ask her about her life in the Western Territory. We need that information to find witnesses and evidence to win the custody battle.”
+++
What greeted Ariana’s eyes when she woke up after three days was a pair of blue eyes. Eyes as clear blue as the sky on a bright day.
She thought those blue eyes were beautiful, with such a gentle light in them. It was only after a moment that she realized the owner of those eyes was Russell.
As soon as Ariana realized Russell was beside her, she tried to sit up.
“Just lie still.”
A low, deep voice tried to stop Ariana, but she stubbornly pushed herself up.
“My greetings to Your Grace, the Eastern Duke. Please forgive me for not being able to rise due to my poor health.”
“What are you talking about?!”
She was startled by the sudden shout. She hadn't realized there was anyone else in the room besides Russell.
Looking past Russell, she saw a man standing there, as large and similar in appearance to Russell. He strode over to the bed and said,
“It’s Dad. Your Dad! Eastern Duke? Who calls their dad that?”
Why was this man shouting so much? And Dad? Ariana had never imagined there would be a day she would call Russell ‘Dad’.
“Pelos. Lower your voice.”
Only after hearing Russell’s words did she realize he was the youngest son of House White. Count Pelos White. As Ariana knew, he also served as the commander of the White Knights.
“My greetings to Count White…”
“It’s Uncle.”
“Pardon?”
“I’m your youngest uncle. Eastern Duke, Count… if you’re going to call me like that, don’t call me at all!”
Pelos’s harsh command left Ariana unsure of what to do.
Her mind wasn’t working well after being sick for so long. There should be an appropriate response for such a situation, but she couldn’t grasp how to appear mature and capable.
“Try it.”
“Pardon?”
“Try calling me Uncle.”
Ariana glanced at Russell. When Russell nodded slightly, Ariana carefully said,
“Uncle…”
“Heh! That’s it!”
Pelos exclaimed, covering his eyes with one hand.
Ariana had no idea what was happening.
Uncle.
Of course, there were people in the Western Territory she could call ‘uncle’. But none of them had ever asked Ariana to call them uncle, and they treated Ariana like a slave child clinging to the Bronte family.
“See, Langsty? I was the first to be called Uncle.”
Pelos turned around and said. Only then did Ariana realize there was another person present.
He was smaller in stature than Russell or Pelos, but he was tall and slender, with calm, cold eyes.
‘Is that the second son of House White?’
Duke Langsty White.
Unlike Pelos, he gave her a scrutinizing look, which made Ariana tense.
“Ariana. I am Langsty White. Your father’s younger brother. Pelos’s older brother.”
“Are you Duke White?”
“Did you hear that from Rachel… your mother?”
“Yes. Duke White, it is an honor to meet you. I apologize for not being able to rise and greet you…”
“Ariana. You are still very ill.”
Despite his cold and sharp eyes, he spoke in a gentle voice.
“There’s much I want to ask and much I want to say, but for now, it’s best you eat well and rest.”
“Thank you for your consideration, Duke. But I’m fine now. If you have questions, I will answer them.”
Ariana tried to speak brightly, but Langsty’s expression hardened, which flustered her.
‘Why does he look angry? Should I have just done as he said?’
Ariana thought it was important to ease the suspicions of House White. They, too, would not be at ease without knowing the purpose of Ariana’s visit.
“Brother, what’s wrong with you? Why are you pressuring the child?”
Pelos grumbled, pulling Langsty back.
“What did I pressure…”
“If you say there’s much to ask and much to say, the child will feel pressured. It’s not enough to just tell her to rest, and now you’re asking what she wants to ask and say! Isn’t that right, Ariana?”
Ariana didn’t know how to respond and just blinked her eyes.
Russell, who had been quietly observing Ariana, spoke.
“Pelos is right.”
With a smug expression, Pelos finally pulled Langsty’s arm and led him out of the bedroom. Pelos returned, stood by the bed, and stroked Ariana’s head.
Pelos’s hand was large like a bear’s, yet warm and gentle. The careful, tender touch was so bewildering that Ariana froze.
“Ariana, Langsty has a tendency to speak harshly, so don’t take it to heart. You don’t even have to call him ‘Uncle’. Just think of me as your only uncle and relax. Understood?”
“Yes…”
“The doctor said you need to eat well and rest well. He said you’re malnourished, malnourished! That crazy woman!”
Pelos suddenly burst out again, making Ariana flinch. Pelos quickly softened his expression.
“I wasn't talking to you, so don’t be scared.”
“Yes.”
“Want to call me Uncle one more time?”
“Yes, Uncle.”
“Heh. Right, that’s it.”
“…”
“Ariana, when you were this big.”
Pelos showed her about the length of his index finger.
“That was the first time I saw you. I was curious how you’d grown, and you’ve grown so beautifully. Truly, very beautiful. How can you be so adorable? You’ve grown up so well, Ariana.”
Something welled up in her chest, and Ariana couldn’t answer. She knew she should say, ‘Thank you for the compliment,’ but her throat choked up, and no sound came out.
Don’t trust, don’t hope, such thoughts didn't even cross her mind.
It was the first time she had received such warm praise, the first time she had felt such a gentle touch, and she couldn’t collect herself.
All she could do was hold back the tears that kept threatening to fall.
She mustn't look like a crying child. She mustn't be considered a nuisance.
Ariana clenched her fists under the blanket, barely holding back her tears.
“I have a daughter. She’s a year older than you, and she’s a bit… well, she’s a bit like that, but she’s a good kid. She’s also very curious about you. I’ll introduce you when you’re much better.”
“Yes.”
“Pelos.”
At Russell’s quiet call, Pelos gasped and withdrew his hand, which had been continuously stroking her head.
“You must be hungry. I’ll have someone bring you a meal, so wait.”
After Pelos left, Ariana was left alone with Russell.
Russell had been observing Ariana with a sharp gaze the entire time. So, Ariana straightened her posture and received his gaze with an impeccable demeanor.
Soon, the maids brought the meal.
A small table was placed over the bed. The maids placed dishes one by one on it. All were soft foods, easy to chew and swallow.
Even after the maids left, Russell remained by the bed.
‘Is he going to watch me eat?’
Ariana said, “Thank you for the meal,” and picked up a spoon. Perhaps because she had been sick for so long, her hand lacked strength, and she dropped the spoon.
Clatter—
The silver spoon hit the table with a loud noise.
‘Oh, no.’
Dropping cutlery was the worst of the worst. She had made a big mistake.
She quickly reached for the spoon to rectify it, but Russell’s hand was faster. Russell, who had already picked up the spoon, spoke in a heavy voice.
“Do you not have strength in your hand?”
“No. I made a mistake. I apologize.”
“There’s no need to apologize.”
Russell did not return the spoon. Instead, he quietly stared at the soup bowl.
‘Why is he doing that?’
Ariana couldn't read Russell’s thoughts. It was hard to discern what thoughts he hid behind his cold, indifferent face.
After what felt like a long time, Russell moved his hand. Ariana, thinking he was returning the spoon, politely extended both hands, but Russell used the spoon to scoop up soup.
‘Did he want to eat the soup?’
The spoon, full of soup, approached Ariana’s bewildered mouth.
“Open your mouth.”
“Pardon?”
“Open your mouth.”
What was this now? A new form of torture?
Ariana opened her mouth in a daze. She saw the tip of the spoon trembling slightly as it approached her mouth, and at the same time, she tasted the deep, rich flavor of the soup.
Ariana still didn't understand.
‘What is this?’
Russell was scooping another spoonful of soup. As he brought the spoon to her lips again, just like before, Russell seemed to read the question in Ariana’s eyes and said,
“I will feed you.”
“Pardon?!”
“Open your mouth.”
“I… I can eat by myself, Your Grace.”
“Please allow me this much.”
Russell’s voice, which for some reason sounded hurt, made Ariana unable to stop him further.
Russell slowly and carefully scooped the soup and put it into Ariana’s mouth, and Ariana ate the soup like a baby bird. It was awkward and overwhelming, but she showed no sign of it.
As she was about to finish the bowl of soup, Russell spoke.
“I cannot seat you as the Princess of the Eastern Territory right now.”
‘Of course not.’
Ariana had expected as much.
“Once the proper preparations are complete and we gain custody, then I will formally declare you the Princess of the Eastern Territory.”
This, she had not expected, and Ariana’s eyes widened.
“You won’t ask me anything?”
“What?”
“Like my purpose for coming to the Eastern Territory or my intentions.”
“Langsty seems to want to know, but I do not.”
Russell scooped a soft pudding with a spoon and brought it to Ariana’s lips, saying,
“Whatever your purpose, whatever your intentions, you are my daughter.”
