I Faked a Pregnancy, but My Husband Returned - Chapter 174

There was no way she could say ‘I don’t like him’ here. Who was she to reject a young duke?

But at the same time, wasn’t it even more impossible to say something like ‘I like him’ or ‘It’s an honor’ here?

Fortunately, Karl stepped in.

“A daughter-in-law, Mother?!”

He then hurriedly shook his head.

“I’m only sixteen!”

“Did anyone say otherwise?”

“We’re absolutely not at an age where marriage should even be discussed! And Rose definitely doesn’t think that way either!”

“I see.”

Isabella sounded utterly indifferent.

“Then tell me once you reach an age where marriage can be discussed, or when Miss Aurora starts thinking that way. I simply assumed that was what was going on.”

Only Karl seemed worked up, while Isabella’s reaction remained completely calm. She let out a sigh and added as though he were pathetic, “Think about it. At a time when I’m about to see my second grandchild, do you really think I’m interested in your love life? I just didn’t want to waste time, so I spoke directly about the conclusion. Why are you getting so excited?”

Then Ekian shrugged and cut in, “I guess it’s a major concern for him if he’s reacting this strongly. That can happen, right?”

At this point, Rose genuinely felt a headache coming on. As though she understood exactly how Rose felt, Judith placed a hand on her shoulder and smiled brightly.

“It’s alright, Miss Rose. Even if Miss Rose isn’t particularly interested in Young Master Karl, all of us understand. So please don’t take this too seriously,” she said gently.

Karl shrugged. “Yeah. Don’t worry about it too much. Honestly, none of them are even that interested in us anyway.”

Well, all attention was currently focused on Coral.

Fortunately, Alex didn’t feel neglected at all. Maybe because of the past, when he thought Ekian was obsessively attached to him, he even said, “This is great.”

Rose couldn’t say anything and only laughed awkwardly, when Ekian raised a brow and spoke, “That’s right, Miss Aurora. I hope you won’t feel pressured into thinking you absolutely have to end up with Karl. We welcome Miss Aurora not merely as Karl’s friend, but also simply as our guest. Isn’t that right, Karl?”

“Yes, Brother?”

“You too, if Miss Rose says she likes another man better, you’ll let her go without making things difficult, right?”

Karl shrugged as he answered, “Of course.”

At that moment, Rose felt something stir inside her heart.

The words ‘Of course’ were very simple… but strangely enough, they made her heart race.

Maybe because he hadn’t said, ‘I wouldn’t care if she liked another man better.’

But Karl, who’d caused such a huge ripple in Rose’s heart, didn’t seem to realize exactly what he’d just said.

“Mother, but will bringing only the chef really be enough? Won’t the ingredients be an issue?”

The topic quickly shifted back to Coral’s appetite.

“What if it only tastes right when it’s made with ingredients from the capital….”

“That’s why I stopped by the grocery stores too. I visited all the grocers the ducal house has worked with for years and bought everything. Did you think several carriages came here for no reason?”

Isabella answered proudly, and Judith looked surprised for a moment before smiling with a sigh.

“Thank you….”

At her quiet words, everyone fell silent.

“Really… thank you so much.”

For some reason, Rose suddenly felt emotional and quietly wiped away tears.

Because this whole commotion, excessive as it might seem, truly felt like something precious to Judith, something that covered over the wounds of her past.

And it was obvious that everyone surrounding Judith was desperate to treat her well this time.

Stepping back and looking at them, they really were a warm family.

Not something that could be divided into nobles and commoners, but simply a harmonious family who cherished and loved one another.

Thinking that way, neither Karl nor his family felt difficult anymore.

Isabella linked arms with Judith as she said, “Now then, let’s head inside. Wouldn’t it be tiring to stand around for too long?”

“Mother, I haven’t even been standing that long.”

“No, Coral might be tired. Anyway, is there anything else you suddenly miss from the things you ate at the ducal estate?”

Meanwhile, Ekian quickly turned his attention to Alex. “Alex, want Father to carry you on his shoulders?”

“No. But there’s a part in  that I don’t understand, so can I ask you about it?”

Ben cried out desperately, “Couldn’t Grandfather explain it instead? Alex, please…. This grandfather knows history very well too. Hmm?”

After hesitating, Alex eventually took Ben’s hand. “I don’t get to see Grandfather very often.”

Alex really was a sweet and kind child.

Rose watched their backs as she slowly started walking. Before she realized it, Karl had come up beside her.

“Sorry for making things awkward for no reason.”

Karl rolled his eyes and laughed awkwardly.

“Actually, we weren’t supposed to stay this long… but even I didn’t expect the whole Coral situation.”

In fact, before coming here, Karl had told Rose, ‘Let’s only stay a few days.’

But after learning Isabella was coming, the schedule naturally became longer.

“Now that you’ve met Mother, should we slowly head back to the capital?”

Rose shook her head. “You don’t need to do that just because of me. I’ll go back alone. I’m really sorry, but if you could just lend me a carriage….”

“Why would you go back alone?”

“It feels a little strange for me to keep staying here while your family spends time together….”

“If you’re uncomfortable, then it can’t be helped, but we really don’t think that way. More than anything, Coral’s nickname exists thanks to you. So don’t think like that. I can’t send a guest away alone either,” Karl answered casually.

Then Ekian, who’d overheard them, cut in, “That’s right, Miss Aurora. All of us feel very comfortable around Miss Aurora. Besides, absolutely no one is letting you return alone.”

“So I think it’d be fine if you and I went back to the capital together. Anyway, you already greeted Mother too.”

Rose glanced at Karl before hesitantly answering, “But you probably want to stay here longer too….”

“I do, but you’re still my guest. Besides, if I want to come back again, I can come anytime. Anyway, just do whatever you want. If you want to stay here longer, then stay. Otherwise, let’s go back together,” Karl made the suggestion casually.

“Ah….”

Rose rolled her eyes around for a moment.

If she said, ‘Then let’s head back now!’ here, would she never be able to come back again after this?

“Then… there are still two caves I haven’t visited yet, so would it be alright if we saw those before returning?”

Rose chose the best answer she could so she wouldn’t regret it later.

‘Well… I think I’ve already grown pretty comfortable with this family and this mansion too….’

To be completely honest, she’d grown a little attached to these people. Even if she tried not to, she couldn’t help it. Everyone had been kind and considerate toward her. And Alex was unbelievably adorable too!

After much deliberation, Rose finally said, “Maybe in about three days?”

“Sounds good. Let’s do that.”

Just then, someone came running over and handed Ekian a letter.

The moment he opened and read it on the spot, Ekian’s eyes widened.

“Ah….” He lightly bit his lower lip and muttered, “My sister-in-law and niece are coming? I guess they departed secretly because they wanted to surprise us.”

Karl tilted his head. “What? When?”

“They said they’ll probably arrive this afternoon….”

Wait a second.

Rose felt like her mind was going blank.

Ekian’s sister-in-law and niece meant the Empress and the Imperial Princess?

Did that mean… she was now going to meet royalty too, and even stay in the same house with them?

‘No! Absolutely not!’

Rose thought in agony.

‘Thinking this family and mansion had become comfortable… I’ve seriously lost my mind!’