When I Took Back My Beloved Child Who Had Been Taken From Me, My Husband's Obsessive Love Began. Why? - Episode 43

“…I’m sorry. This time, I’ve really calmed down.”

Gently slipping out of the warm embrace, Craig lifted Lucienne’s face, which was turned down as she whispered softly.

Lucienne was embarrassed to show her tear-streaked face and tried to look down, but Craig wouldn’t allow it.

And then gently stroke the cheek wet with tears.

“……Craig, thank you. But really, I’m fine now.”

“……Understood.”

To be honest, I really want to keep relying on Craig like this.

But now, there is someone important that I must protect—Leoldo.

Of course, it’s not just Leoldo.

In order to protect the many people who support this country, Lucienne must become strong.

Did Craig also sense those feelings? He reluctantly withdrew his hand from Lucienne’s cheek.

However, Craig’s hand once again grasps Lucienne’s hand.

Surely, Craig is trying to comfort and encourage Lucienne.

Lucienne couldn’t help but smile, feeling happy about those feelings.

“Craig, the people we need to protect aren’t just Leoldo. So, can you talk to me so I can do what I can?”

“Reliable, aren’t you?”

“Yes. Leave it to me.”

I was actually filled with anxiety, but if it’s to protect Leoldo, Aman, Rite, and many others, I can fight.

Even if it meant opposing her uncle, Lucienne had no intention of hiding.

And then, Craig talked a lot about his uncle, the Marquess Arment, the funds and rare minerals that had been funneled into the Tranji Kingdom through illicit means, and the internal issues that were gradually being encroached upon by neighboring countries.

◇ ◇ ◇

The next day, Craig visited Leoldo’s room at lunchtime as promised.

Leoldo had been looking forward to it since morning, and when Craig walked into the room, his face lit up instantly.

“Father!”

“Leoldo, did you work hard on your studies this morning?”

“Yes!”

Seeing her son happily run towards his father, Lucienne was reminded of her own childhood.

I was raised by loving parents who got along well, and I dreamed of building a similar family in the future.

No way…

Having thought that far, Lucienne hurriedly shook off the unpleasant memory.

The sudden death of my parents and the life with my uncle’s family that began before the grief had even subsided.

Even if we can’t erase them, we can start building happiness from this moment on.

In order to prevent Leoldo from feeling the same way, Lucienne intended to exercise utmost caution.

The human heart is an unpredictable thing…

Even though I decided to trust Craig, I still can’t help but feel uncertain about it.

I have no doubt about my love for Leoldo.

If you see him looking at the rushing Leoldo with gentle eyes and lifting him up, anyone would think so.

However, when it comes to affection for Lucienne, I suddenly lose all confidence.

At that moment, Lucienne’s eyes met Craig’s, and she instinctively looked away.

“I need to ask you to prepare the meal.”

I knew I was acting unnaturally, but my growing feelings for Craig scared me.

When Lucienne was giving unnecessary instructions to Rite, a loud creaking sound startled her and she turned around.

Then, Leoldo, who had been taken down from Craig’s arms, was moving the chair where Lucienne always sits.

“Leoldo, what’s wrong? It’s dangerous to move it by yourself.”

“I can eat by myself now. So, please eat with Dad, Mom.”

It seems that Leoldo is trying to switch the chairs meant for Craig and Lucienne.

Surprised and unsure of how to respond, Lucienne was replaced by Craig, who gently placed his hand on the chair and spoke to Leoldo.

“Leoldo, let’s put this chair back.”

“But…”

“Instead, if you bring that chair over here, Leoldo can eat with us too, right?”

Craig pointed to his own chair and suggested.

Suddenly, Leoldo breaks into a broad smile as if to say, “I see!”

“Lord, you’re amazing.”

“Right?”

In a deliberately smug manner, Craig responded to Leoldo’s compliment and placed the chair across from him on the opposite side of Lucienne’s.

“With this, Father can sit next to Leoldo, and Mother can sit close by. We’re all together.”

“Yes!”

Leoldo seemed genuinely happy to be sitting between his parents.

Seeing such a scene, not only Lucienne but also Rite and the other maids continued preparing lunch with faint tears in their eyes.

Craig seated Leoldo in a chair and then pulled out Lucienne’s chair.

“Come on, Lucienne, sit down too.”

“――Yes”

Lucienne sat down with a bright smile and watched as Craig took his seat.

Leoldo is surrounded by his parents and is smiling happily.

Just seeing that adorable face filled me with happiness, and I was grateful for Craig’s thoughtfulness.

“Mother, I’m fine on my own, so please take care of Father.”

As usual, when Lucienne tried to cut and serve the food to Leoldo, she stopped moving upon hearing those words.

Indeed, unlike when Lucienne first returned, Leoldo is much more mentally stable now, and there is no need to go out of one’s way to assist with meals.

Even though he is only two years old, Leoldo is not only smart but also quite skilled, and he can usually do most things by himself.

“Please, sir.”

“Leoldo…”

Saying that, Leoldo slightly leaned back.

It seems that they think they should be fed the food Lucienne cut up in front of them.

Unlike the agitated Lucienne, Craig laughs happily.

Seeing that smile, Lucienne almost dropped the fork she was holding.

“Thank you, Leoldo. Well then, I won’t hold back.”

“Huh?”

Craig leaned forward and opened his mouth towards Lucienne.

Lucienne, though stunned, regripped the fork and offered it to Craig.

Without hesitation, Craig took a bite of the dish Lucienne had offered.

Lucienne, taken aback, returned the fork to her plate, but Leoldo made an even more outrageous demand.

“Well then, next, it’s your turn to serve your mother.”

“Leoldo――”

“Understood. So, Lucienne, what do you want to eat?”

“Craig?”

Are you serious? Lucienne pleaded with her eyes, but Craig seemed completely oblivious.

And then, lowering his gaze to the plate in front of him, he speared the glazed carrots, Lucienne’s favorite, with his fork.

“Lucienne liked this, didn’t she?”

“……Yes”

I have hardly ever had a meal with Craig.

Even if there was an opportunity to have a meal together, it was in an official setting, and the master and mistress would sit far apart, never having a conversation during the meal.

Lucienne’s fondness for glazed carrots was something she casually mentioned during one-sided conversations in her childhood.

As far as I remember, I’ve only said once that I like glazed carrots.

Even so, Lucienne was moved by the fact that Craig remembered.

Last night, when he said he remembered conversations from the past, he really meant it…

It wasn’t that she doubted it, but seeing it with her own eyes like this made Lucienne feel embarrassed once again.

I don’t really remember what I talked about when I was a child, but I feel like I might have said some pretty embarrassing things.

“Lucienne, please don’t hold back.”

“Mother, please.”

Lucienne, who remains motionless while staring at the offered glace, is urged by Craig.

Leoldo continued happily, and Lucienne, suppressing various emotions, took a bite of the carrot.

Even the carrot glacé that I love so much has no flavor.

Even so, after somehow chewing and swallowing, Lucienne smiled sweetly.

“Well then, shall we finish taking care of each other and eat by ourselves? We need to show Father how well Leoldo can eat.”

“Yay!”

Lucienne said, without showing her feelings, that this was the limit, and Leoldo replied unusually with a hint of dissatisfaction.

Lucienne was a bit surprised, but she was also pleased that Leoldo had shown his childish side, so she didn’t reprimand him.