Chapter 34 – The Benevolent Mother

The Viscountess of Monmouth, Meryl Blaine, was rarely seen in such plain attire.

“Welcome, Bianca.”

Her light blonde hair, usually adorned with lavish flowers and feathers reflecting her perfectionist nature, was simply tied up today with no embellishments.

Her skin also bore no trace of makeup.

However, her plain face with striking red lips and the loose gown draped over her body exuded a surprisingly sultry atmosphere.

Though not a typical beauty, Meryl Blaine’s exceptional grace and unique charm drew attention. Even without adornment, she shone like the young lady she was, not yet forty.

However, this natural look was rarely seen even within the mansion.

It was customary for several maids to spend hours on her grooming.

But today was an exception. It was a day when the Viscount of Monmouth was not at home, and no guests were expected.

The Marquis Talbot’s daughter, Bianca, was not a guest who required formal reception.

The Viscountess and Bianca had maintained a close relationship for several years despite their significant age difference of over ten years.

“How have you been, Viscountess?”

“Oh, I was about to lose my mind from boredom.”

The Viscountess’s tea room was thick with cigar smoke.

A refined lady smoking cigars would be scandalous if known to the public, regardless of her esteemed husband.

But the Viscountess of Monmouth would always light a cigar on days her husband was away.

“This is a premium cigar I managed to get from Berth. Would you like one?”

“I appreciate the offer, but it’s still too much for me.”

Bianca sat gracefully in the seat prepared for her opposite the Viscountess, flashing a charming smile that was impossible to hate.

Her perfect smile betrayed none of her inner desire for the cigar to be extinguished immediately.

Meryl reluctantly withdrew the offered cigar, her voice slightly sharp.

“Why have you been so scarce lately?”

“Oh, I was spending time with my family. We didn’t visit the summer house this year.”

As soon as the maid poured the tea, Bianca quickly picked up her teacup, using it to hide her awkward smile behind a faintly rising steam.

“Oh, really? Did the Marquis join you?”

“No, Viscountess. This time, I went with my relatives.”

“Hmm… That must have been enjoyable.”

“Yes, it was, thanks to you.”

Bianca quickly changed the subject.

After all, she had no intention of revealing that she had been busy searching for Ansel.

“By the way, it’s been a month since we last met. The last time must have been our trip to Longfield, right?”

At those words, Meryl frowned as if recalling a forgotten nuisance. She inhaled deeply from her cigar before continuing.

“Ah, thinking about that day still makes me furious.”

“Is the Viscount still very angry?”

“Don’t even mention it, Bianca.”

Her stepson had already left the Earl’s residence the day before the wedding.

The Viscountess, Bianca, and the servants were all heading busily to Longfield, unaware of this fact.

Ansel had not hinted at his shocking deed to anyone, not even to his bride-to-be.

On the morning of the wedding, the sight that greeted the Viscount and Viscountess as they stepped out of the carriage into the Earl’s grand garden was that of the distraught bride and her family in a state of shock.

Realizing something was amiss, the Earl’s servants rushed over to inform them that Ansel had already left for the capital.

The Viscount of Monmouth’s face turned pale with cold fury.

His chilling demeanor was enough to scare the servants into retreating.

He ordered the servants, who were about to unpack, to prepare to return to the capital, and Meryl gently held her husband’s arm.

‘At least meet the Earl. We’ve come all this way, let’s have some tea…’

But the Viscount ignored her and turned away.

Bianca, too, found the situation awkward but didn’t find it as shocking as the Viscount couple.

She hadn’t expected Ansel to disappear without even holding the ceremony, but she knew he didn’t love that woman.

Having seen it with her own eyes, she was certain.

‘It was a hasty decision. He’s not ready for marriage yet.’

Marriage was a self-imposed shackle.

The beautiful freedom he had enjoyed would vanish, and his world would become much smaller. If the partner was an insignificant woman who couldn’t contribute, every moment would be filled with regret.

‘But if you marry me, even subjugation will be beautiful, Ansel.’

So Bianca needed a little more time.

Although Ansel would not suddenly fall in love with her as if by fate, if he had to make an inevitable marriage as the heir of his family, he would eventually realize who the right partner was.

She was willing to wait as long as it took. As long as he came to her.

She was confident that Ansel would eventually accept her.

Having observed Ansel Blaine for a long time, Bianca knew he was a thorough perfectionist.

The broken engagement was certainly out of character for him, but considering it as his first and last rebellion in a life otherwise walked without a single misstep, it was understandable.

‘Most importantly, the significance lies in the fact that he broke off that absurd marriage.’

In the future, the wealth and honor of the Earl of Huntington and the Viscount of Monmouth would all belong to him. Knowing the weight of succession, Ansel’s youthful rebellion would end with this one act.

In the same vein, the Viscount, despite his anger, would eventually have to forgive his only son.

Of course, the Viscountess, who disliked Ansel, might feel differently, but if Ansel and she became a couple, she wouldn’t be able to ignore him entirely for Bianca’s sake.

Bianca had earned the Viscountess’s favor and built a relationship akin to mother and daughter for that day.

A bond that would remain strong even if the Viscountess became her real mother-in-law.

“By the way, congratulations on your pregnancy, Viscountess.”

Bianca handed over a prepared gift, wrapping up her thoughts.

“…Oh my, what’s this?”

The Viscountess hastily put down her cigar and accepted the small velvet-wrapped box.

Her previously languid eyes widened with surprise and joy, growing even larger when the box was opened.

“My goodness. When did you prepare this?”

Meryl gazed at the transparent brilliance of the sapphire surrounded by tiny diamonds as if mesmerized.

It was a beautiful item, reminiscent of the sunlit sea.

Bianca, whose eyes were the same color, smiled shyly.

“I bought it because it was so beautiful. I was waiting for the right moment to give it to you, and when I heard the wonderful news, I knew it was the right time.”

“Thank you so much. How do you always know my heart so well?”

The Viscountess liked the gift so much that she put the ring on right away.

The ring fit perfectly on her slender finger.

Meryl, whose mood swings had recently become so severe that even the maids were taken aback, seemed to have her spirits lifted by the unexpected gift.

“You know, I never thought I would experience such a miracle again. After losing my first child to a miscarriage and waiting so long without any news…”

Meryl spoke in a dreamy tone, as if in a trance, with her hand, now adorned with the ring, placed over her heart.

The ring reflected the chandelier’s light, sparkling brightly.

“The Viscount must be overjoyed. Of course, I am too. I’m already curious whether it will be a boy or a girl.”

“What? It can’t be a girl.”

At that, the Viscountess’s face suddenly hardened.

“It must be a boy. He’s the first child of the family.”

“….”

The first child of the family? 

That seemed odd, considering the Viscount of Monmouth’s eldest son was very much alive and well.

Bianca swallowed her laugh naturally and responded kindly.

“Ansel will make a reliable older brother.”

“I doubt it…”

As expected, the Viscountess immediately showed discomfort.

“Ansel, who disgraced the family and left, can’t be a good brother. It’s fortunate if he doesn’t have a bad influence.”

“….”

“At this point, he has no intention of returning. Ah, he’ll probably come to ask for money soon. He can’t make a living like commoners. Maybe he’ll go to his grandfather. He has no shame left.”

The Viscountess clicked her tongue and took another drag from her cigar. Bianca asked nonchalantly.

“Has he come to see you?”

“He did. But he couldn’t meet his father and went back.”

“Did the Viscount refuse to see him?”

“No, my husband has been very busy lately. But even if he wasn’t away, he would have sent him back. I’ve never seen him so angry.”

Bianca began to genuinely worry about Ansel.

It seemed like it wasn’t a situation that could be easily resolved.

“Now it’s practically like having no heir, so having a child at this time is such a great blessing, Bianca. You can’t imagine how I feel right now.”

The Viscountess’s lips curved into a soft smile.

It was a smile that seemed both like a benevolent mother and a greedy witch.