Chapter 48 - Parental Affection

48 — Parental Affection

Irene nodded at Noel’s words. That meant, even if she gave up her countess title, she would not worry about her livelihood for the rest of her life.

“I understand what you mean. I’ll try to make a decision soon.” Irene replied.

“The sooner, the better because the procedure will be complicated. There’s a possibility we’ll go to trial because of that.”

“Ok, I understand. I’ll decide as soon as I can. Then, I hope you get home safely.”

Irene bowed her head at him and then alighted the carriage. Noel stared anxiously at her, but Irene smiled as if nothing was wrong and headed into the mansion.

However, in reality, Irene felt shaken. She was aware that her family had obviously abused her, treated her like property, and biasedly favoured her sister, Riel. However, there were clearly happy and pleasant memories besides that. It was a completely different decision from simply getting married and leaving home.

But if I don’t do that, my parents obviously will never let me get married to Noel.

Honestly, Irene didn’t understand what her parents thought. The Kristen family was the best family in the Empire. Being a part of such a family like that meant that Count Chase’s status would also be elevated. Especially when the nobility valued connections and ties. Irene could not understand why her parents were not happy about that and always tried to separate her from Noel.

But then, the image of her father standing above her torn paintings shot into Irene’s mind. Suddenly remembering that, Irene’s heart trembled, and she stopped walking midway. Her expression was wrought with pain.

I can’t stand this any longer.

Irene clenched her fist.

She really loved her parents. She also felt pity for her weak younger sister, and she felt a responsibility to take care of her as the older one. But just because they were her family, they had no right to trample on her happiness.

Irene continued; she finally decided to leave the mansion tomorrow.

However, Irene could no longer think of anything when she entered the door to the mansion. Contrary to her expectations, that there would be no one waiting for her, the lights in the living room were brightly lit and her parents stood waiting for her.

Irene was frozen in her place and could not move. Not only did she violate her father’s order to not meet Noel, but she felt like they had heard what she was thinking.

Above all, Irene’s body instinctively became stiff. The memory of pain that passed through her mind rendered her unable to move.

However, contrary to Irene’s predictions, they were neither angry nor did they yell at her. Rather, her mother calmly approached Irene and hugged her. Irene’s eyes opened wide at the affectionate gesture. Her father looked at Irene with a slightly displeased look.

“It’s fine, Irene.”

Irene almost doubted her ears. She could not identify what was going on. Irene turned her eyes to look at her mother. Countess Chase had her eyes closed whilst hugging Irene. It was the first time she had been hugged by her mother since Irene was young. It was a warm and comfortable hug, but at the same time the unfamiliar feeling was also discomforting and awkward. Irene wanted to get out of her mother’s embrace.

“We haven’t been able to understand your feelings for the time being, have we? You must have been very upset.”

“…Mother.”

“We didn’t know that, and we just got mad at you, I couldn’t imagine how lonely you were by yourself.”

The Countess whispered that to Irene and the Count approached her with a slightly red face. Irene, who was staring blankly, caught Riel standing in the middle of the stairs in her view.

Riel was laughing.

Then, the Countess let Irene go. Riel’s face was hidden by her mother’s face. But Irene was sure that it was not her illusion. Riel was clearly laughing before.

Irene’s olive eyes wavered, her heart was pounding so hard because she felt anxious.

“Riel has told us everything. You were lonely because we cared about Riel, so you craved for affection. That’s why you’re meeting someone like Noel Kristen.”

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Irene instantly looked hurt at that statement. She knew this would happen. In the end, it was only a repeat of the same line. She didn’t expect that much from them, but she didn’t expect it to be like this again.

Should I be glad that I didn’t get hit today?

When Irene raised her head and tried to pass her mother, the Count immediately blocked her way. Irene looked up to her father seething in anger.

“What an impudent child. Where are you going while your mother is talking?”

“…Please step aside.” Irene stated coldly.