I Don’t Want to Part With My Angelic Stepchild - Chapter 93 - Chapter 98 (Patreon)

Chapter 93 - He finally came.
“Thank you, Dora. I narrowly escaped from death thanks to you.”
“But, I was nearly plunged into darkness when I heard you got stabbed, Lady Yurika. Please don’t do the unreasonable. You should have left that man alone…!”

Dora said vexingly.

“Truly. To think he would use me as a shield…”
“Shield? Didn’t you protect him, Lady Yurika?”
“There’s no way I would do that. That’s only what Anton made it look like.”

Knowing that Mille was Dora, my talking got lighter. She believed that I got stabbed because I protected Anton. Her complexion changed when I corrected her.

“He used you as a shield? Unforgivable.”
“Well, I guess you could say it was a spur of the moment thing or a reflex? Anyhow, it surprised me, too.”
“That’s not a good excuse. Not only he did not protect you, he used you to protect him? He’s the worst.”
“Well, at least I am safe…”

While calming the resentful Dora down, there was a knocking on the door and a chef entered inside. Even if he had the chef’s hat on top of his head and his eyes lowered, he couldn’t hide his features. I almost began to tear up when I met his eyes. He finally came, those thoughts ran through my mind. Blacky totteringly followed after him.

“Fii?”
“Yurika.”

Fii approached with long steps and hugged me tightly. When I tried to hug him back, I felt pain on my side and retracted my arms.

“Ow…!”
“Yurika, sorry.”

Seeing me hold my side in pain, Fii quickly pulled apart. Blacky who was behind him swiftly jumped away as Fii nearly stepped on him.

“I’m glad you are safe…”
“Thank you. I survived thanks to Dora.”

I thought I was going to die, I smiled at Fii who apologized to me worriedly.

“I’m sorry, Yurika. I shouldn’t let you get put through all of this.”
“Geez, this is the second time already that you apologized to me.”
“Actually, I was already supposed to take you away from this place.”

Fii said dejectedly.

“Is it because I got stabbed?”
“... No. It was my miscalculation.”
“Getting injured was beyond my expectations, too. You don’t need to feel guilty. Of course, Dora too. My life was thankfully saved, so let’s stop this gloomy talk.”

I want you to be happy that my life got saved instead, the two showed relieved expressions when I told them this.

---

Chapter 94 - Because it’s a lie.
“It hurts quite a bit. Even though I know the wound is shallow, it still bothers me.”
“It cannot be helped. You were stabbed to your side. However, because you were wearing a corset, the tip of the blade was obstructed by it and didn’t go too deeply. I would not have the confidence to save your life if you got stabbed any deeper.”

I couldn’t believe that my wound wasn’t so deep because of the stinging pain I felt. Dora is saying that my life was saved because the corset I was wearing stopped the edge of the blade from stabbing any deeper.
I had never experienced being cut with a knife before, so I realized just how painful it is.

“I have a feeling that I’m going to have a hard time moving around for a while.”

I said with a sigh and Dora wrapped her hands around mine.

“I will assist you with everything, Lady Yurika. Please depend on me more and more.”
“You sound so reliable.”
“I will help you, too. Just ask for anything.”
“Then, I would like to ask you for another deep-fry guineafowl, Fii.”
“Got it.”
“But, are you sure you can be here? What are you going to say if other servants see you?”
“It’s fine. Everyone is away for business now and they won’t be back until the evening.”
“Everyone is away? How come?”
“It seems that the King of Troyl is going to visit this mansion incognito next week, so everyone is busy running around in preparations.”
“This country’s King is going to visit? What is he coming here for?”
“Who knows? Anton seems to be the King’s favorite, so he’s probably coming here to play.”

It’s strange to say he’s traveling incognito since everyone in the mansion seems to be aware of it. I don’t think you can call it incognito anymore. The King of Ligisia rarely visited other people’s homes. That is why the Side Consort, my sister Marlene, has never returned home. It was common for the imperial family to summon the nobles to the palace, so it seemed unusual for the King of Troyl to visit a private home like this.

Because I had heard that Troyl was particularly shaken by internal conflicts, I wondered if it was okay for him to sneak out of the palace and come here. It seemed like an unnecessary thing to do. What if encountered something that would put his life in danger?
But His Majesty of Troyl, as I've heard, must be very confident of his personal safety, since he always has strong bodyguards by his side.

The fact that he was coming to visit Anton in a situation like this seemed to indicate that he had let down his guard around Anton.

“What kind of person is he?”
“Are you curious? You better stop.”

The thought that His Majesty was fond of Anton made me curious about him, but Fii grimaced.

“Although you won’t hear the rumors of the King’s fondness for women, you won’t hear nothing nice either.”
“I don’t think I’m going to see him in this state.”

You don’t want to meet him, Fii advised. I heard that the King of Troyl is a man who loves to fight. I don’t have the courage to approach such a dangerous man.
Fii sighed.

“Yurika, please don’t think about anything aside from getting better. Leave the rest to us. Once your wound is healed, we will escape from here. Can you endure until then?”
“Of course.”
“Please don’t do the unreasonable. Do you know how worried I was when I heard you protected that idiot?”
“Ah. That is a lie.”
“What do you mean?”
“That man used me as a shield when Anna attacked him.”
“...!”

Fii’s complexion completely changed. I didn’t want to protect Anton whatsoever.

“That guy…! Unforgivable.”

I thought I heard Fii’s teeth grinding.

---

Chapter 95 - Even though I thought it was great that there was nothing to stress about.
Fortunately, Anton and I never saw each other again after that. I haven't seen him once since then, probably because he feels guilty for using me as a shield to protect himself. It seems to me that his newfound obsession with me was just a lie.

But I was content. My time with Anton had been uncomfortable, and I'd always been forced to be nervous about my time with him. With that partner gone and out of sight, my mood was refreshed and my appetite was whetted.
It was wonderful to be stress-free. The meal Anton had recommended to me looked good, but I couldn't really taste it because I didn’t know when he was going to try to drug me again.

Now that I have my trusty Dora by my side, I didn’t have to worry about my safety, and my appetite returned naturally. The nutritious meals Fii made for me were delicious, and I wished to never see Anton again. While having such thoughts, and when the wound was finally closed up and my laughter no longer caused my side to hurt, Anton showed up.

It had been about two days since I was able to get up from my bed.

“Hello, Yurika. You are looking a lot better.”
“Mister Anton. What can I do for you?”
“You are treating me coldly again. Oh well. You seem to be doing pretty good. I can let you meet him then.”

What do you mean by hello. He hurts people and there wasn’t a single word of apology from him. Anton looked as if nothing had happened. I think it’s natural to feel irritated when looking at him. If you can be affectionate to someone like that, you're either a very capable person yourself or simply dumb.

“Who are you going to make me meet?”
“His Majesty Liamus.”
“... I would like to decline.”
“You don’t have to worry about it. He’s a kind-hearted person.”

The King of Troyl, His Majesty Liamus, should have visited incognito before, but he apologized on that day and didn’t come. I thought the talks ended there, but it seems they just postponed the visit.

“What do you want me to do?”
“His Majesty wants to meet you. It seems that he was curious about the wife who protected his husband from his lover’s attack.”
“Please decline it.”
“Why?”
“You don’t know why? I don’t want to see him.”
“You hadn’t had the chance to meet His Majesty Liamus before. It’s your good fortune.”
“That’s true to you, but it means nothing to me. What are you planning this time? Mister Anton.”

When I looked at Anton, he scowled, but it was only for a moment and the corners of his mouth immediately lifted. A stinky smile appeared on his face.

“What are you saying, Yurika?”
“Are you planning on using me as your shield against His Majesty next?”
“...!”

When I glared at Anton, Dora who acted as Mille stood in front of me and spoke to Anton.

“Umm, Master. Madam has just become able to leave her bed. She does not seem to be feeling well, sir.”
“I see. Sorry about that. It seems I was impatient. I will talk to you about this at a later date.”

Thanks to Mille's admonition to save such talk for a later date, Anton left.

“What is he planning? That man.”

I couldn't believe Anton's insensitivity. I'm not his wife as I have already divorced him. What is he planning by introducing me to His Majesty? Dora started to say something that made me uneasy.

“You don’t think that man is going to offer you to His Majesty Liamus, do you?”
“Stop it.”

A cold feeling ran down my spine, as if Anton was capable of doing it.

---

Chapter 96 - Sudden visitor.
“You over there. Is Anton here?”
“Umm, who might you be? Lord Anton seems to have gone out earlier and is currently absent. May I help you with something?”
“I am Liamus. I don’t have a prior appointment, but Anton told me to come whenever I like.”

Several days later, while I was taking a walk with Dora in the courtyard, a middle-aged man called out to me from across the fence. The person was skinny with black hair and black eyes, and his oval-faced face looked pale. I thought his impressive black beard made him resemble a goat.
Liamus? Just when I thought I heard that name somewhere before, Dora whispered “His Majesty” and the man crossed over the fence. Behind him followed strong men.

“Lady Yurika. It’s His Majesty Liamus.”

Dora whispered behind me, so I hurriedly bowed my head. I did not think the person himself would visit all of sudden.

“Although I did not know, I apologize for my rudeness.”
“It’s fine, it’s fine. I don’t mind. You are Anton’s wife?”
“No. We are already divorced, so I am his former wife.”

Dora, who was concerned about His Majesty’s reaction, called my name in trying to stop me. She wanted to tell me to not say anything unnecessary. But, no matter who my opponent is, I hate the thought of being recognized as Anton’s wife.

“Is that so…”

As I glanced nervously at His Majesty, he did not react. It might have been irrelevant information to him.

“But, I heard that you have protected him and got stabbed in his place. A woman’s body is precious. You are like his mother.”

His Majesty’s words sounded nostalgic. I wanted to tell him that I did not protect Anton of my own volition, but I could not say anything seeing His Majesty’s smiling eyes.

“... Did His Majesty know Anton’s Mother?”
“Of course. He resembles her a lot.”

His Majesty looked unfriendly when silent, but when he loosened his cheeks, I could feel gentleness from his face.
His Majesty seemed to be thinking of the Crown Princess. He seems to believe that Anton was her child. But, Anton is not the Crown Princess's child. I was hesitating whether to tell him that Anton was actually the son of the Crown Princess’s maid.
His Majesty spoke sincerely.

“She was a person of loyalty. Although she was a woman, she was beautiful yet dignified.”

When I heard these words, it seemed to me as if he was describing someone I heard of before.
Anton’s stepmother Margot, spoke of his biological mother as “a dignified person”. It’s almost as if he was speaking about the same person. I had more questions to ask.

“Your Majesty, are you aware of Anton’t locket pendant?”
“I heard someone else is in possession of a matching one.”
“Then, do you know about the picture inside?”
“It should be a picture of her best friend. She always carried it close to her. She was that close to her. He seems to have misunderstood the maiden in the picture for her.”
“So you were aware? Why did you let Anton do as he pleases then?”

His Majesty Liamus is aware that Anton was not the son of the late Crown Princess. When I asked why he let Anton fool him, he did not tell me.

“I disturbed you. I will come again.”

He left such words behind as he left with the strong guards following him as his shadow.

---

Chapter 97 - It’s just a nuisance now.
Then a few days later, I was dragged to the palace by Anton. His Majesty Liamus had summoned us both together. I really didn't want to come, but I didn't have the courage to say no to the summons from the most powerful man in the country, so I reluctantly complied.

At least I was lucky that I wasn't alone with Anton in the carriage. Dora was allowed to accompany me. But since servants are not allowed to follow me into the palace, she is to stay in the carriage.
I was tempted to turn back when Dora called out to me from inside the carriage, "Take care of yourself," when we arrived at the palace. I couldn't act on it, though.

“Since when were you in contact with His Majesty?”
“Who knows?”

As I entered the palace with Anton's escort, he asked me about it. It's not that I'm not close to His Majesty. We only exchanged a few words once. And yet Anton looked at me suspiciously. Does he think that I have become friends with His Majesty without his knowledge?

“He came to visit when you were away and we talked for a bit.”

Let me say this so that there is no misunderstanding. I have no intention of getting to know His Majesty in any way. Anton seemed to have a purpose and was constantly trying to invite His Majesty to his mansion. It was clear that he was trying to scheme something, as it seemed that his companions had also called for a leave on that day.
Anton had tried to invite His Majesty to the mansion, but His Majesty hadn't responded, not only because he was paranoid, but also because Fii and the others had been working in the shadows.
When the date of His Majesty's scheduled visit was set, His Majesty's health wasn’t good, or Anton had an errand to run, so they delayed the contact as much as possible.

Fii said that they had associates in this country, and those associates had their own people in the castle.
I'm not sure what Anton's purpose is. Does Fii have any idea? He hasn't shown up today, but according to Dora, he left for the palace first. That’s what I was told. I heard that Fii was in charge of an intelligence unit, so he's probably sneaking in.

When I was in Ligisia, I had been told that His Majesty Liamus was a belligerent man, so I thought he was a strong man who would usually think of attacking another country. But His Majesty, whom I met in person, seemed to be so ordinary that I couldn't believe he was the king of this country. I couldn't sense any malice. I was surprised by that.
Moreover, he also knew that Anton was deceiving him that he was the son of the crown princess. That very King summoned us both. I shuddered because I couldn't imagine what was going to happen now.

“What is it, Yurika? Are you cold?”
“Not really…”

Why do I find myself in this situation? He’s someone who didn't care for me when we first got married. I don't feel like bonding with him now even if he was being nice to me, but I still think he was better than, when we met.
He didn't treat me as a special person in those days, but a political marriage partner. He was the one who has been cold to me while we were newlyweds. Still, we kept a good distance thanks to Noah between us, and we recognized each other as our co-mates in life. There was no love, but there was a kind of friendship.

It’s just a nuisance now. He and I were officially divorced. He was supposed to be a stranger to me now. So how did this happen? If this was the beginning of his elopement, I would believe him if he told me that it was all an act, even if it was a lie, but now I don't have those feelings. My trust in him had waned to the point where I was forced to doubt him every time he did something.

---

Chapter 98 - Don’t even think about it
Anton doesn’t think anything of my annoyance with him. But I have no interest in him either, so it’s a mutual thing, I guess? With that in mind, I followed the chamberlain who was guiding me under Anton's escort. The chamberlain stopped in front of a certain massive door.

“His Majesty is waiting for you there.”

The guards who stood on either side of the door and opened it for us. His Majesty Liamus, who was sitting on his throne, was awaiting us. Dozens of guards were lined up against the wall to protect His Majesty on standby. I felt something odd about it. I don't know what kind of relationship His Majesty and Anton have with each other, but this felt like he was being on guard.
Even I felt that way, so there was no way Anton wouldn't notice. But I didn't feel any change in Anton's demeanor.
His Majesty's voice resounded around the room.

“Welcome, Anton, Miss Yurika.”

His Majesty didn’t address me as Anton’s wife. It seems he had remembered it when I told him that I was Anton’s ex-wife.

“Thank you for…”

He raised his hand to stop Anton who was about to greet him.

“No need for formal greetings. It’s going to make Miss Yurika uncomfortable.”

His Majesty said gently and then looked at Anton.

“Anton. Isn’t it about time you let Miss Yurika go?”
“...?”
“Seize him.”

The soldiers who had been waiting in this room seized Anton from both sides at the que of His Majesty. Another soldier called out to me, "This way," and I was moved to the wall.
Anton, who was seized in the center of the room from both sides questioned: “Your Majesty. What is the meaning of this?” and insisted that he did nothing wrong.
His Majesty, who came all the way down from his throne and approached Anton and said,

“Anton. We have been requested by Ligisia to hand you over. It seems you thought you did things properly. You thought things were going to be fine, but all of your comrades were already caught. There's no one on your side here.”
“That can’t be…!”

There was a hint of panic in Anton, whose momentum had been strong even though the guards had captured him.

“Don’t even think about it now, Lord Anton.”

Anna, with her wrists bound, came out the entrance with the curtains beside the throne, accompanied by a soldier. She seemed to have been dragged out of her prison cell and brought to this place, as her complexion looked pale and mellow.

“Anna. You have betrayed me?”
“Wasn’t it you who betrayed us from the very beginning? We were deceived. His Majesty has a warm heart. He promised not to punish my Father and my family if I tell him everything I know.”

Anton spoke in a low voice. Anna, on the other hand, stared at him with no emotion.

“How unfortunate, Anna. I thought you have understood me the most.”
“I also find it unfortunate. That things had to end like this.”

Words were exchanged between each other that only the two of them could understand. I looked at them and thought: It's over now, but it seems that I, after all, was not even a dot in Anton's presence. The two, one near the entrance beside the throne and the other in the center of the room, were staring at each other without words. It was Anna who moved first, urged by a soldier, she took her gaze off Anton and was taken away to the other side of the curtain.

“Is this good enough? Count Garland.”
“I appreciate your cooperation.”

When His Majesty called out towards the door from which we entered a little earlier, my ex-father-in-law Denis entered with his subordinates following him.