As If I've Never Loved (Completed Main Story) - Chapter 13
“What’s the matter, hmm?”
Mrs. Bailey furrowed her brow.
Eloise had insisted on having something important to discuss, prompting her mother to follow her from the dining table—where she’d been sipping tea—into the bedroom.
The lady had already sensed that Eloise had been acting differently lately.
If it had been her eldest daughter, Sarah, sitting here in such solemn silence, she wouldn’t have been surprised—but Eloise, her younger daughter…?
“Oh, darling, stop keeping me in suspense and just tell me already. You’re making me anxious.”
Her usually apple-bright, lovely face looked unusually pale today—clearly another sleepless night.
Her mother’s eyes never missed a thing.
She only hoped it wasn’t anything serious, given how crucial this period was.
“Mom.”
At last, Eloise finally spoke.
“First, I need to make it clear this isn’t something I’m saying lightly.”
“Yes, I understand.”
“I actually wanted to tell you both together, but Father’s gone off somewhere again, hasn’t he…?”
“Oh, all right then—just say it already. I won’t get angry.”
“I….”
What if I told you I love Sir Ansel?
That foolish thought flickered through her mind for just a moment before Eloise hastily brushed it aside.
“Mom, I’ve decided to leave this house.”
“Leave the house? Suddenly, what in the world…?”
Mrs. Bailey’s delicate eyebrows shot up in a sharp arch before quickly settling back down.
With a soft sigh, she continued.
“I actually expected something like this. We’ve already asked Sir Ansel if we could stay at Fairmont House too.”
“What?”
“Honestly, who can stop your father? I worry we might’ve come across as rather mercenary—especially before the wedding feast has even begun.”
“….”
Her daughter sat frozen, lips slightly parted in shock, prompting Mrs. Bailey to add a few more words.
“Your father said he’d speak to the Earl, so we should get a reply soon. Ansel said there’s no reason for him to object—but even if he does, your father insisted he’d persuade him somehow. There probably isn’t a more thoughtful young man in the world, is there?”
Only then did Eloise realize what Ansel had meant by his words a while back.
‘Isn’t that expression a bit much? It’s entirely your family’s decision, after all.’
Ah, so that was why he’d said it.
Yet, when he’d spoken those words, Ansel hadn’t looked thoughtful at all—he’d seemed rather displeased.
That day, Ansel Blaine had seemed almost angry. His sharp gaze, as though he were gritting his teeth through something, remained vividly etched in her memory.
‘I suppose we really did come across as mercenary…’
It was in that moment her suspicion solidified—his kindness toward the Baileys stemmed solely from his feelings for Sarah.
How deep must his love for her sister be, for a nobleman to devote himself so thoroughly to people lacking in status, wealth, and even propriety?
Anyway, that wasn’t at all what Eloise had intended to say.
“Yes, he truly is kind—but I wasn’t talking about this house….”
“Then what are you talking about?”
“I want to leave Maybury.”
“Darling, what on earth do you mean?”
Mrs. Bailey asked in bewilderment, a stark contrast to Eloise’s calm expression.
It was only natural—after all, she’d imagined this scene countless times in her mind.
“I want to go to the capital. Please allow me.”
“No….”
“Father will agree. So if you just say yes, then right away—”
“Eloise.”
At that moment, Mrs. Bailey’s sharp tone cut off her daughter’s words.
“I was going to wait until after the family’s major event—didn’t want to say anything yet… Lately, I’ve noticed something’s been off with you. Your father, of all people, even asked if you’re going through a second adolescence at twenty-two!”
“….”
“I know how close you sisters are, darling. But as you well know, Longfield is close enough to reach by carriage in no time. Soon we’ll all be living together again—everything will be fine.”
“…No. It’s not about that.”
Eloise lowered her gaze briefly, as if hesitating, then lifted her head with clear determination.
“It’s just… everything suddenly feels so dull. I’ve lived here my whole life, haven’t I? I’ve never once left Maybury in all twenty-two years. Before it’s too late, I want to see the wider world.”
“What nonsense—you sound just like your father!”
Mrs. Bailey replied with an exasperated look, but Eloise remained perfectly composed.
“I do take after Father, after all. Sarah takes more after you.”
“….”
“You’d worry just as much if I stayed here moping, wouldn’t you? I’m sure I’ll feel completely refreshed once I’m in the capital. Besides, Brighton has plenty of men! Who knows—maybe I’ll find someone as wonderful as Sir Ansel? You always say there aren’t any decent unmarried men left in Maybury.”
Eloise cheerfully rattled off words she didn’t truly mean, her face confident that her mother would sympathize.
“Elsie… do you really…?”
But Mrs. Bailey, to her surprise, looked deeply troubled.
Her daughter was saying things she’d never dreamed of uttering—it was only natural to be worried.
“…Fine, let’s say you go to the capital. How will you support yourself? And you don’t even have a place to stay! Don’t tell me you’re thinking that somehow everything will just work out—”
“The maids at Fairmont House say the capital has many big factories with plenty of jobs. They say even women can earn enough to live on their own. As for lodging… didn’t you mention we have relatives living in the capital?”
Eloise recited the thoughts she’d carefully arranged all night. Mrs. Bailey stared at her wide-eyed, astonished.
“You mean Uncle Simon? We haven’t heard from him in ages—we don’t even know how he’s doing! And he’s only seen you as a baby!”
“You said he was the only one who understood when you decided to marry Father. That he adored you very much. Someone like that wouldn’t possibly turn me away.”
“Should I call you naive, or…?”
It was a strange feeling. She’d always thought this child had inherited only her husband’s cheerful traits—but now she saw traces of her own recklessness too.
Though her daughter spoke gently, like a proper lady, her desperate resolve shone clearly through her bright blue eyes—and in that moment, Mrs. Bailey saw not “Mrs. Bailey,” but Catherine.
That was exactly around the age when she herself had shocked her own mother.
At least her daughter wasn’t dragging home a man her family opposed and digging in her heels—that was something to be grateful for.
Though their circumstances differed, just looking into Eloise’s eyes made her feel as if their hearts were directly connected.
It was a desperate, yearning feeling—something she never imagined she’d experience again after carrying her child in her womb.
“I don’t even remember saying that.”
You’ve got a good memory. Mrs. Bailey let out a helpless chuckle.
Gazing into Eloise’s earnest eyes, she easily sensed there was no changing her mind.
More than anything, she feared that if she denied this request now, her relationship with her daughter might drift beyond repair—
just as it had once been between Catherine Fairbain and her own mother.
“I should have his address written down somewhere.”
Mrs. Bailey broke the brief silence, her voice sounding almost like a sigh.
“But tell me—do you truly mean it? If it’s just a short visit, that’s one thing… but your sister’s wedding is coming up so soon. It’s less than a month away—why not wait until after? If you’re curious about the capital, you could always ask Ansel to show you around.”
As Eloise barely suppressed the reply “That absolutely cannot happen,” her mother added in a slightly softer tone,
“You need to stay by your sister’s side, Elsie. This sudden, confusing marriage isn’t easy on you alone—imagine how Sarah, the bride herself, must feel.”
At those words, Eloise suddenly felt her throat burn hot—
as if she’d just gulped down a scalding bowl of onion soup.
She wrapped her trembling hands around her neck, forcing away a sorrowful expression before replying.
“That’s true—but if I stay with her in this state, she’ll treat me like a baby. I can’t burden the bride with that. I want her to enjoy these last days before the wedding with nothing but happy excitement.”
“….”
“I’ll come back before it’s too late, Mom. Of course, I’ll be at the wedding too.”
With that, Eloise gave a bright smile.
Her reddened eyes made her look just like a little rabbit.
After a moment of silence, Mrs. Bailey sighed lightly.
“…I’ll send a letter to your uncle.”
Thankfully, her tone had softened considerably.
“Thank you, Mom.”
“But only if your father agrees. If he says no, then I’ll say no too. Understand?”
“Yes.”
Though her mother’s voice had been sternly feigned, Eloise beamed.
After all, persuading her father—the one person who always supported her—would be the easiest part.
Still uneasy, Mrs. Bailey fixed her with a scrutinizing gaze and asked,
“So, when do you plan to leave?”
“As soon as I pack and check the shared carriage schedule. Probably in two days or so?”
Her nonchalant answer made Mrs. Bailey press a hand to her forehead.
“What’s the rush? You’ll arrive before the letter if you leave so soon—that won’t do. Delay it a few days at least. Have you spoken to Sarah yet?”
“No. I told you first, Mom. I’ll talk to her tonight.”
Eloise murmured weakly.
She wore the face of a child forced to face a difficult, uncomfortable task she’d kept putting off.
“…Sarah will be heartbroken.”
“Yes. But she’ll never show it—that’s just who she is.”
Her sapphire-blue eyes shimmered with quiet sorrow. Mrs. Bailey couldn’t help but pull her daughter into a tight embrace.
“That’s your sister, after all.”
Tonight, it seemed, would be a rather sad night for both daughters.
Yet even as she thought this, Mrs. Bailey hoped this brief separation would only strengthen the bond between her precious girls.
No—she truly believed it would.
Male lead is a clingy little husband
One-line summary: The male lead is initially an arrogant, noble, love-deprived brat, later a cute, clingy, scheming little jealous one.
Introduction:
One day, Lu Yuner’s soul transmigrates into a female-dominant world. She enters the Imperial Academy and takes up the position of a doctoral instructor, teaching classes and grading schoolwork.
One day, she encounters the young prince Su Qingwan secretly skipping class from the male academy.
As a result, Su Qingwan is punished.
From then on, Su Qingwan sees Lu Yuner as a “thorn in his side”.
But before long, this “thorn” becomes the person he cherishes most, and he goes to great lengths to win Lu Yuner’s affection.
Mini scene 1:
One day, the sun is high in the sky but Su Qingwan still hasn’t gotten up for class.
Servant Xiaoyuan: “Young prince, it’s time for class. You’ll be late otherwise.”
Su Qingwan says arrogantly: “I’m not going. I am the esteemed prince, my status is so noble, why should I suffer this hardship? Besides, isn’t learning all this just to please women? Hmph, they’re not worthy!”
Mini scene 2:
After Su Qingwan falls for someone, he completely changes. He no longer skips class and diligently learns how to be a good husband and father. But he discovers that Sister Yuner is always surrounded by admirers.
Drunk and overcome with jealousy one day, he clings to Lu Yuner, crying beautifully like a pear blossom in the rain.
Su Qingwan: “Qingwan likes Sister Yuner.”
Lu Yuner: “Young prince, you’re drunk.”
Su Qingwan: “Qingwan isn’t drunk. Qingwan likes Sister Yuner, likes you so much, likes you to bits…” Before he can finish, Lu Yuner’s eyes flash with emotion and she leans in closer.
[Reading Guide]
1. The female lead is gentle, gracious, humble and polite but not weak. The male lead is initially an arrogant, noble, love-deprived brat, later a cute, clingy, scheming little jealous one.
2. 1v1, a bit torturous in the beginning but definitely sweet later on.
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Chapter Comments (1)
Inline Comments (53)
Archibald’s face, when she looked down at him, was faintly flushed for some reas
He likes her! I had my dubts, but not now.
Let’s see how the story develops.
“And I’d prefer it if we didn’t see each other after the wedding.”
What a fucking asshole Ansel is!! 😬🤣 How could Eloise have feelings for him?
Since childhood, Bianca had never hesitated to openly declare what she wanted.
That’s ok… But she’s soooo annoying and desperate 😒🤨
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Where is the 100 and 101 chapters 💔💔💔😭😭😭 why it is not here