Can't Come Back - Chapter 39
“Stay here for a while.”
Dean entered the banquet hall by himself and mounted the stage.
“It has been 300 years since the Hildayden Ducal House was founded. I believe that many households supported Hildayden’s efforts to remain strong. Taking this opportunity, I’d like to express my appreciation and express my desire to maintain our positive relationship.”
The audience applauded in response to Dean’s remarks.
As the guests’ attention was focused on Dean, Berlia began searching for Cain.
‘Oh Cain!’
Cain’s figure materialized on one side of the banquet hall. They locked their gaze. Berlia gave him a smile. Cain returned the smile and spoke to her through his mouth.
‘You look the most beautiful today.’
Berlia’s face lit up with joy at his remarks. However, she was disappointed that they had to speak in secret.
‘In fact, I would like to wave to Cain…’
She felt regretful on the inside, but she could not express it. While everyone’s attention was momentarily concentrated on Dean, Berlia desired to focus on Cain. Unfortunately, the acclaim died out quickly. Berlia was compelled to avert her gaze from Cain.
As the applause subsided, Dean again opened his mouth.
“And I have tidings to share with everyone.”
All the nobles’ eyes refocused upon hearing Dean’s voice. Berlia and Cain both turned their heads in his direction in response to his shocking announcement. Dean beamed with delight and continued.
“Hildayden Ducal House is finally anticipated to produce a successor.”
‘…!’
‘… What?’
Cain and Berlia’s eyes widened in surprise at Dean’s remarks. They had not anticipated Dean’s public announcement of Berlia’s pregnancy.
‘Ah! Finally!’
Meanwhile, Riley, who was in a banquet hall corner, beamed with happiness.
‘Finally, is he going to speak about me here?’
Dean had never retracted his claim that he would make Riley his concubine. Then he might proclaim her pregnancy alongside his declaration of making her his mistress. Riley gazed up at Dean on stage with expectation.
“My wife, Lady Berlia Hildayden, is expecting. The due date is approximately seven months away, but we would appreciate your congratulations.”
However, the words that Dean spoke were completely at odds with Riley’s expectations. Riley’s face crumpled, but nobody in the banquet hall’s corner noticed or glanced at her.
“Oh my, congratulations.”
“Well, finally a child after three years…!”
“The Duke and Duchess have been childless for so long. This genuinely is a joyous occasion.”
“Perhaps the child’s birth was timed to coincide with the family’s 300th anniversary.”
Berlia, who stood beside the stage, was showered with congratulations.
“…Thank you very much, Marchioness, Countess.”
Everyone offered their congratulations to Berlia. With a troubled heart, Berlia was forced to accept their greetings.
If everyone now knows and the child proves to be Cain’s, then…
Each and every congratulatory comment felt burdensome to her.
But Dean, who believed she was his child, observed her with pride.
‘I have granted her the authority of a duchess; she will now hold me in greater esteem. She ought to be thankful to me. She should be.’
“Cheers, for the sake of the unborn child!”
Dean elevated his glass with a satisfied expression amid the numerous nobles’ congratulations. The nobles all raised their glasses and blessed their future child. The announcement of the tribute reverberated throughout the banquet hall. And naturally, nobody acknowledged the news of Riley’s pregnancy.
However, Riley did not abandon her meager optimism.
‘Next, he will speak about me. He must.’
Riley believed that since Berlia’s child was conceived first, he must have discussed her first. She should have been next in line.
With optimistic eyes, Riley regarded Dean. He spoke by opening his jaw. Undoubtedly, her name would be mentioned.
“Then, please enjoy the banquet to your heart’s content.”
‘…What?!’
However, Dean descended from the stage after delivering a farewell greeting. He had no intention of publicizing Riley’s pregnancy from the start. The instant Dean announced Riley as his concubine, Riley’s hopes of attracting everyone’s attention were dashed.
Sincerity dictated that he would not disclose his concubine at such an official event. But Riley’s judgment was clouded by her desire and envy, which rendered her oblivious.
‘No, he still has affection for me, since he knows I’m pregnant with his child.’
Thus, Riley could not abandon optimism until the very end.
‘Yes, if I can dance with the Duke, then all eyes will be on me. They will be intrigued by me.’
A banquet would inevitably include dancing. Riley believed that if she danced with the banquet’s host, Dean, she would surely garner attention.
Riley approached Dean on foot. Currently, he was surrounded by numerous nobles who were extending congratulations.
“Haha, thank you.”
“Congratulations, certainly. You must now feel relief.”
“That’s correct. Uh…?”
Riley stood in front of Dean at last. Another noble who was conversing with Dean was the first to notice her. She eventually attracted Dean’s attention. Dean disapproves of Riley. He called her name with a trace of bewilderment.
“…Riley?”
‘Why did this woman travel so far to be here? Annoying. I allowed her to attend the banquet when she should have remained in the corner and left.’
Riley, unaware of Dean’s inner musings, was about to extend a dance invitation.
“Duke…, shall we dance?”
A servant passing by with a tray of dishes in both hands yelled at that moment.
“Please look out!”
“Ahh!”
Kudangtang – The waiter’s dish load was too heavy, causing him to lose his equilibrium and trip over Riley. Riley, caught off guard, toppled to the ground with him.
“My dress…!”
Riley was irritated by the scene unfolding in front of her. Her newly-made dress for this banquet was splattered with food. She was about to address the waiter when he exclaimed, “What the hell are you doing!”
An aristocrat standing next to Dean shouted at the servant.
“I’m so sorry!”
“How dare you make such an error in front of the duke! Can’t you clean it up immediately?”
“I sincerely apologize! I will clear it up immediately!”
Riley was appreciative to the nobleman who articulated her thoughts. She then glanced at Dean with anticipation. She believed that if a stranger was this enraged, Dean would penalize the waiter severely.
Since he ruined the banquet for the woman who was bearing the Duke’s child.
‘I was frustrated, but the outcome was favorable. Given the state of my attire, he cannot ignore me anymore.’
However, her notion was entirely incorrect. Dean, observing the untidy Riley, believed that it had gone rather well. It was the perfect excuse for him to depart.
“…I’m alright. Let’s go.”
“Duke…?”
Riley was unable to comprehend what Dean had just stated. Did he just say he would abandon me in this condition? Looking up at Dean, she concluded that she must have misheard.
However, Dean’s stare was as frigid as ice. Riley experienced the sensation of being doused with frigid water. He did not intend to help her.
“Duke, who is this woman, by the way?”
A nobleman standing next to Dean inquired about the identity of Riley. Upon observing Riley approach Dean for conversation, he assumed they were acquainted.
‘Um…?’
Slowly, Riley raised her head. She awaited Dean’s next words with cautious optimism.
“Oh, she is merely a maid. She repeatedly expressed her desire to attend the banquet.”
Did he just call me a maid?
Hearing Dean’s response, Riley felt as though all her hopes and aspirations had been dashed. His voice lacked any traces of emotion. Her tightly closed fists shook.
“A maid at this type of banquet? My, you are charitable.”
“Because she has worked for us for a long time, we allowed her to join. Allow me to introduce you to my wife.”
“You must really cherish your wife, Duke. I’ve heard that she is very attractive. You are very fortunate.”
“Hahaha, there she is over there.”
Dean then departed to introduce the noble to Berlia.
How could he disregard the woman who was carrying his child? Even though she had fallen and was expectant, he did not assist her.
Riley struggled to recover from the trauma. She could not believe what was occurring in front of her. All of Riley’s broken aspirations disintegrated into dust.
If not for that woman… If that woman had not given birth to his child…
Riley’s irises glowed with menace. She gazed at Berlia with murderous intent. She believed Berlia was responsible for everything. Without her, she would have been the highlight of the banquet.
If Berlia had not had a child, she would have had Dean’s undivided affection.
Riley, trembling with anger, fled the banquet hall. Nobody was aware of her absence.
The banquet was well underway. Berlia desired to go to Cain, but she was unable to. She was required to attend tonight’s banquet with Dean. As the hostess, she was responsible for greeting and serving their visitors.
“Duke Hildayden, long time no see. How is the Duchess doing?”
The count approached the two. Three of them engaged in conversation.
“Long time, no see, Count.”
“The banquet is spectacular. As anticipated from the Hildaydens.”
“Thank you.”
“And speaking of which, whenever young master Cain appears, he’s surrounded by women.”
Count Marundi introduced the subject of Cain. Dean and Berlia turned their heads toward Cain upon hearing his remarks. Indeed, a large number of women had surrounded him.
If I were by Cain’s side, I would swiftly arrange his marriage and send him on his way. It is merely bothersome.’
Cain appeared disinterested in the encircling women. Berlia felt anguish despite Cain’s unwavering poker face. She desired to be Cain’s companion, but was unable to do so.
Dean, on the other hand, missed Cain’s indifferent expression. Regardless of whether Cain was attracted to women or not, Dean found the spectacle revolting.
“Ah, sure. That’s correct.”
“Duke Hildayden, you are fortunate to have such a handsome younger sibling. Recently, even my daughter has been chanting about Lord Cain.”
The count shook his head. According to the Count’s remarks, among the women who flocked to Cain was a young lady from Count Marundi’s residence whom Dean found attractive.
Even the young lady of Count Marundi’s estate is attracted to him.
Dean denied that his sentiments were those of jealousy or inferiority. Simply, he found it offensive that his younger brother continued to act in this fashion.