“I can use him as a servant or a knight. But since he’ll become a very handsome man, it’s best to take him as my husband now. How about it, Fernando? I’ll let you live as you wish.”
Fernando covered his mouth with his hands, his cheeks flushed. Unable to meet Etienne’s eyes, he was clearly embarrassed.
“I’ll feed and raise him well for my use.”
Etienne turned away decisively. She hadn’t expected any plea from the duke to take good care of Fernando.
She wasn’t sure how she returned to the day she saved Fernando, but perhaps it was for the best. She didn’t lose credit for saving him to Hana, and she understood Fernando’s worries.
She knew now why he just foolishly smiled and could tell him not to. It didn’t matter if this strained her relationship with the Schupraher family. They were responsible for her family’s downfall.
‘Father will understand, right?’
Feeling slightly guilty for acting without discussion, Etienne avoided her father’s gaze.
“Fernando, let’s go.”
She firmly interlaced her fingers with Fernando’s and moved. She half-expected him to resist, but her steps were light, indicating he was following well.
Just before passing the open door, Etienne paused and turned back to the duke.
“There might be many smarter than Fernando. But I doubt there’s another heir who would jump into a lake to protect their family.”
Hoping Duke Schupraher would realize his mistake, Etienne felt relieved after saying what she wanted. Now, she just needed to leave with Fernando…
Suddenly, the duke’s loud laughter echoed through the hall, stopping Etienne and Fernando in their tracks. They glanced at each other before turning to look at the duke.
The duke laughed heartily, as if genuinely amused, slapping the armrest. Etienne, surprised, examined him closely. Had she ever seen the duke laugh like this?
“True, not many are willing to risk their lives to protect their family.”
The duke looked at the paper, then gazed at Fernando with a softer expression. Fernando, who had always received only harsh and oppressive looks from his father, flinched.
Etienne squeezed Fernando’s hand she was holding. It didn’t matter now how great and powerful the Duke of Schupraher was. He was just a father who needed to cherish Fernando. She hoped Fernando would feel the same.
Etienne pressed his hand to give him strength, and Fernando looked at her.
‘It’s okay.’
She comforted him with her eyes.
“I’ll formally apologize to Fernando for today’s incident. From now on, I’ll treat my heir with the respect he deserves.”
Etienne quietly sighed in relief. Although she would have taken Fernando if the duke had insisted otherwise, she never really planned to take him.
Thankfully, the duke conceded, meaning Fernando could now grow up in a slightly better environment. There was nothing more she could do to help.
Etienne loosened her grip, ready to let go of Fernando. It was the first time they held hands, and she felt a bit nervous. But now it was time to let him go.
Just as their fingers were about to part…
“Wait.”
Fernando’s hand moved to firmly grasp hers again. Surprised, Etienne looked up, meeting his eyes.
“I won’t let go.”
For the first time today, Fernando was being stubborn, and about not letting go of her hand, no less.
Etienne gave him a puzzled look, and he stubbornly said,
“I’ll cling to your skirt hem.”
What was this about…
[Hide your true feelings as much as possible. Laugh when you shouldn’t, and if needed, cling to someone’s skirt hem.]That advice she had given Fernando earlier flashed through her mind.
Turns Out He’s Been Secretly in Love with Me
One-line summary: He acts like he doesn’t like her but is actually playing hard to get.
Synopsis:
Xu Muzhou like her. He has liked her for a very long time, and through repeated schemes, he finally closed the distance with her.
But this is still far from enough.
He wants to be the one who stands out among her many suitors, to fight for her attention, and to make her take the initiative to pursue him.
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