The Black-haired Noblewoman, Who Disguised Herself, Seems To Have Been Doted On While Serving As The Caretaker For The Duke Who Dislikes Women - Episode 51

At my mother’s words, I couldn’t help but let out an obvious sigh.

“Are we having this conversation again…? I should have declared it years ago. I have no intention of getting married or having children. Isn’t it better to choose the most suitable person from among the close relatives for the successor? There are also cousins. I have always said the same to Father while he was alive.”

“But even Father didn’t truly agree with it in his heart. You must have known that too. It was just that you were so stubborn that we decided to put this matter on hold for a while. And in the meantime, Father passed away…”

My mother makes a sad face as if to say, “Now’s my chance.” I thought she had given up… It’s quite troublesome.

“Mother, you must understand how much I loathe being a woman.”
“Yes, yes. I understand very well. Ever since you were young, you’ve been through so many terrible things. When I found out that the nurse and maid I trusted to take care of you had played wicked tricks on you, I almost fainted. And when the daughter of the count family who was infatuated with you called you out under the pretext of needing to discuss something and then practically confined you in their mansion, your bodyguards had to resolve it in a rather rough manner, didn’t

“At the matchmaking meeting that your father forcibly arranged, you were pressed against by a young lady who wore a strong perfume mixed with an aphrodisiac, and you suffered for several days because you couldn’t get rid of the smell. The fourth princess of the neighboring country, who had been sending you passionate love letters, even attempted suicide because you wouldn’t look her way, almost causing an international incident, right…?”

When I hear it again like this, I realize I’ve really had a rough time with women.

“But you know, Lloyd”

My mother placed the tea on the table, straightened her posture, and looked me in the eye.

“The world is not full of such women. There are surely sincere people who not only pursue their own desires but also respect you and want to support you by your side.”

“Is that so? In my twenty-four years of life, I have never met a single one. The reason women desire me is because of my ostentatious appearance and, above all, my title as the head of the Harrington Duke family.”

When I made that assertion, another woman crossed my mind.

Her face, with sparkling pink-blonde hair and a cheerful smile.

And at that moment, my heart made a loud sound.

What about her?

Every day, she diligently works, plays wholeheartedly with the children at the facility, and offers kind smiles to the elderly. Even when we are alone in the office at night and she massages my arms, she never tries to curry favor with me. It makes me feel embarrassed, as if I were the one being flustered, because she takes care of me so calmly and without any ulterior motives.

“Lloyd”

Damn it. I was lost in thought about Michelle again.

When I hurriedly looked at my mother’s face, she was looking at me with an incredibly sad expression, as if she was about to burst into tears.

“Please, Lloyd. Just once, could you talk to the women I’ve chosen? If you take the time to talk to them and still don’t like any of them, I promise I’ll truly back down this time. I won’t pressure you again. …Okay? Just think of it as the last request of this old mother.”

What is this last request of the aged mother? She is still in her mid-forties. She probably maintains her beauty and shines more than any other ladies of her age. If this is called an aged mother, then all the women in this country are frail old women.

However.

“Understood. However, this is truly the last time. If my heart wavers even slightly, please do not bring up such a topic again. At that time, I will,…”

I really won’t get married.

Just as I was about to say that, Michelle’s carefree smile floated gently back into my mind.

“I won’t get married until I find someone I can truly be satisfied with.”

When I muttered that for some reason, my mother smiled as if flowers were blooming.

“Well…! I’m so glad you gave such a good response. Thank you, Lloyd. I’m really looking forward to it. I’ve invited only the finest young ladies whom I’ve carefully selected.”

Where had the tearful expression from earlier gone? Seeing my mother, who had started to sparkle with excitement like a young girl, I let out another sigh.