Chapter 228: Chapter 228. Self-destruction, Part VIII
Translator: Khan
Editor Group: Liber Reverie
“I see. Thank you. But you’re not related to me by blood, so you don’t have to be here.”
“The same is true of Asher!”
“No, Asher is my lover.”
Asher firmly grabbed a mug as Aria referred to him that he was her lover casually. The tips of his ears were also a little red.
“… You can have a relationship with me as a lover, too.”
But soon Lohan started to talk nonsense, and Asher, who had a cold face, was annoyed and joined the conversation.
“I want to break my promise, and please shut up.”
“Aren’t you treating the promise of two countries recklessly? ”
“The great nation decides whether they would keep the promise.”
“…”
It was unfair but right, and Lohan shut up. Since a long time ago, the empire had the greatest power on the continent. When Lohan closed his mouth, the conversation which had stopped continued again,
“… I’m sure you would guess since I’ve mentioned blood relations. This is your biological father, Piast Chloe.”
“I see.”
Unlike Carin, who carefully introduced, Aria’s answer was calm, as if it was not worthy to her.
She had heard of the last name, Piast, somewhere, but it was nothing new because even if she had a biological father, her life would not change.
“… Aren’t you surprised?”
“You have given me a lot of hints, and I can’t be surprised.”
‘Besides, his face looks so similar to me, and what do you think it is?’ Carin had a pretty embarrassing look if she forgot that Aria had mentioned about the blood relation.
“It’s not strange to have a biological father because I couldn’t be born alone. By the way, why are you here?”
‘You didn’t come until I was seventeen years old. Why do you come now? Is money your purpose?’ Her exact wealth was not known, but the fact that Aria had accumulated considerable wealth had already spread throughout the continent. The businesses she invested in were originally successful ones, and they were far more successful than in the past, with the halo of Aria now.
Especially for the items used by women, the rumors of whether Aria used them circulated in public and they were very popular. They thought that if they used the same item, you could be as beautiful as hers. Thus, Aria could not greet the presence of her biological father who appeared after she had gained such wealth and honor.
Now that she had done everything anyway, there was nothing her biological father could do for her. Rather, she felt that he would have more to gain from her.
Of course, if Carin liked him, she was thinking about cheering for a reunion. As she had looked at him for a moment but from a distance, she felt that Chloe loved Carin pretty much. That was how Aria felt about her biological father, Chloe, who suddenly appeared.
“That’s all my virtues, Lady Aria.”
Lohan replied confidently to Aria’s question. He behaved that he should be praised with glory to reunite a long-separated family.
“Why?”
“I persuaded Chloe and his father, Marquis Piast, who did not believe in your existence.”
“… my existence?”
“Yes. Chloe was looking for a long-awaited lover, but he didn’t know your existence.”
‘If so, didn’t you come to me because of my famous name?’ Aria, who once thought of his tender gaze that had turned to Carin, finally relaxed. If her mother liked him, she would have agreed for her mother to remarry and minimize the relationship with him, but it didn’t seem necessary.
“You must have been surprised, after hearing that you suddenly got a seventeen-year-old daughter.” Aria stared at Chloe and was about to ask like that, but she was surprised.
‘Since when did you look at me like that?’ He had the same gaze which had lovely looked at her mother. It was an expression that the Count hadn’t given to Mielle and Cain. It was a very sweet and tender father’s face, which Aria did not comprehend.
So it was hard for her to stick to the wall-like attitude at the friendly face of her biological father as if she were treating others. Aria tried to make a casual look.
“To be honest, at first… I visited the empire to find Carin rather than Lady Aria. She is a woman I’ve been looking for a long time. My father told me that he found her and I rushed to come without hesitation… I had little interest in the existence of a daughter.”
Chloe pondered Aria’s title for a while and read the countenance of Aria, then he called her a lady. He was still careful because he didn’t know what she was thinking.
“But when I meet you like this… I feel so strange. No, maybe I’m impressed. And it also brings a lot of regret and disappointment for myself.”
“… regret and disappointment?”
“I haven’t seen Lady Aria’s childhood as you are nearly an adult, and why I didn’t find you a little earlier.”
“I assure that Aria was a shining child compared to any other children.”
“Right. Well, she is so beautiful that she must have been outstanding from birth.”
“Of course. She resembles someone.”
“The color of her hair and eyes look like Carin.”
“Her features look like Chloe. The two of you look like a father and a daughter, even if anyone sees.”
“… I’m happy then. ”
“…”
Aria lost word in the dialogue between Carin and Chloe. No, she wasn’t able to say anything exactly. She had heard the words that she was beautiful or shining, so many times, but it was the first time from her parents.
Aria’s face grew redder and redder. Even her ears got red, too. Clearly knowing that it was clear, she couldn’t conceal it, because she had to leave the room to hide it.
“… Lady Aria.”
Asher, who sat down next to her, took the hands of Aria. He should be happy if she would find her family, but this was not what he wanted. If Aria liked Chloe like this, there was a possibility that she could follow her father to Croa.
He had been really busy, but he hadn’t talked about it in order to avoid this situation. ‘What if he came and shake Aria’s heart?’ Not surprisingly, Lohan watched this and drew out what Asher feared.
“Are you not interested in Croa?
“… Croa?
“Yes. It’s my country and Chloe’s. You were born in the empire, but you are a child of the noble of Croa. Isn’t it natural that you should stay in Croa? I’m sure your mother is going to marry Chloe again.”
Carin had never said such a word, but no one denied Lohan’s words. No, rather, Aria also wanted Carin to marry the man who truly loved her.
She’d only been through him for a very short time, but Chloe was a good fit. It was because he had deeply cared for Carin at each of his eyes and actions. In the past, Aria had thought that her mother was very wise, because she had chosen money and status, but she was a little different now. Aria realized that she could not be happy with that alone. This was the result of Aria’s experience of returning the hourglass back to the past.
“Well. I appreciate your suggestion, but I can’t leave here.”
Aria dragged Asher’s hand and put it on her leg.
That alone was enough. This was especially true for Chloe, who had long missed Carin.
“Is it only one year anyway? I think it’s a good idea to stay in Croa until you’re an adult. After that, even though you want to live together, you can’t.”
Lohan did not give up and continued to persuade Aria, with words that seem there would be no chance if it wasn’t now.
And Aria smiled softly, and said, “If he marries my mother as you say, I will visit anytime. I’m not a child, so I don’t have to live with them.”
At her answer, Asher’s expression lightened. Then he stepped into the conversation as if he had gained confidence.
“Right. You can visit them by trip and vacation? It’s not so far away, so if you want to see them, you can take a trip once a month. Use me. I can save one day for you.” Asher added, and Aria laughed a little.
‘You love me so much, and how can I say that I will go to Croa?’
“I don’t feel like having to live together. And I don’t decide whether to remarry or not.”
At the final words of Carin, Lohan looked devastated. Then he hurriedly looked at Chloe and urged him to do something, with his face.
“I respect Carin’s opinion.”
“… how stuffy you are!” Eventually, Lohan became angry and left the parlor, but no one stopped him.