I, Who Was Betrayed By The People I Loved Most - Chapter 10

“You are not a duke’s daughter.”

At my words, Camille stared at me, dumbfounded.

“Wha… what are you talking about? But I was taken in by you, Aunt Leticia—and I’ve lived in this estate all this time…”

“Yes, that’s true. I took you in. I raised you. But that was out of my personal affection.”

I continued calmly.

“Your mother—Rose, my elder sister—was my half-sister. My mother was the Countess of Oxley. Rose’s mother, however, was a maid who worked in our household.
Even so, my mother raised Rose without discrimination, as if we were born of the same mother.
But the truth is, the noble bl00d running through your veins is barely a trace.”

Camille’s lips began to tremble.

“That can’t be… But I was raised in the ducal house… everyone treated me like a duke’s daughter.”

“Because I made sure they did. I guided you to act the part.
The nobles around us believed I intended to name you my successor at Oxley Trading. And Oxley is one of the largest trading companies in the kingdom.”

But you could never be formally adopted into the Rubert Ducal House.
With your lineage, the nobility would never accept it.

That’s why I kept your status as “my niece, raised quietly in the household.”
Even so, being the future head of Oxley Trading meant no one could afford to treat you lightly.
The respect you received wasn’t for who you were, but for who I made you appear to be. That’s the reality.

“So… all this time, I was just an outsider? Aunt Leticia… how could you…”

Camille’s expression twisted as she stepped back slightly.

“Not once did I ever see you as a stranger. I loved you—as family, as a daughter.
That’s why I prepared your future carefully. I was going to entrust you with the company.
Julius was to be your husband.
The reason you were treated with such favor in society is because they knew how much I cherished you.”

“I don’t really understand all of this, but if I can succeed you, that’s enough.
I don’t care if he’s a commoner—someone like Julius is more than acceptable.”

Her voice rang out with a naïve brightness that echoed awkwardly through the silent room.

Her eyes were fixed on Julius, without a hint of shame or hesitation.
And in those clear blue eyes, I could see it—
That glint of desire.

Ah… this child…

Even after what happened with Oswald,
She now looked at Julius and smiled as if nothing had ever happened.

I had loved her like my own daughter.
I believed in her.
But she had long since drifted far from me.

Where did I go wrong?
I didn’t think I had spoiled her.
I had loved her to the best of my ability…

And yet, what remained now was a deep, heavy emptiness lodged in my chest—
Not quite sadness, not quite regret, but a dull ache slowly eating away at me.

“Camille. You have far more pressing matters to deal with.”

My voice naturally dropped low. Not out of anger.
I no longer had the strength to be angry.
But even so—I had to say it.
Because no one had loved Camille more than I had.

“First, you must face your own responsibility.
And then—think about the child inside you.
That life is already yours to protect.”

Camille’s eyes widened in shock.

“…How do you know that?!”

Her face paled. Her gaze darted restlessly.

“I heard it.
The conversation between you and Oswald—the other day.”

Her cheeks turned white, her eyes wide in horror.

“No… that’s not… I didn’t mean for this to happen!
It wasn’t my fault—Uncle Oswald was the one who came to me.
I just… I couldn’t say no…”

Her voice cracked as she tried to excuse herself.

**“It doesn’t matter to me who initiated it.
The reality is, you’re carrying Oswald’s child.
And do you really think you can still marry Julius like this?

For your information, Julius is the heir of Baron Barton.
Considering your lineage, he was the most suitable match I could arrange.”

**

And yet, Camille—

Had the audacity to reach toward Julius.

But—