Chapter 90: The Truth Revealed

‘How ridiculous.’

She claimed she wouldn’t assert custody or guardianship, but would that really hold true?

Even in the short time they’d met, it was clear Anemone had a timid temperament.

She was constantly gauging Countess Celine’s mood.

If Anemone became the heir to the House of Blossomweaver, Celine would undoubtedly use her position as the birth mother to wield influence.

That was why she had revealed Anemone’s existence—despite being unmarried when the child was born.

“Anemone, unlike me, bears a flower name… and her abilities have awakened, so I believe she meets the conditions Your Grace seeks.”

The problem was, there was no proper justification to refuse.

If Anemone was introduced to the cadet branches, they would almost certainly demand she be adopted into Blossomweaver.

‘After all, the most important factor in Blossomweaver is the blooming of abilities. If that’s the case, Anemone would need to live here.’

Edelweiss placed a hand on her belly, lost in thought.

Even if the child she carried were to awaken Blossomweaver’s abilities, she didn’t want the child to use them.

She didn’t want her child to live a life where they had to give away their lifespan to others.

‘Only now do I truly understand why Mother placed the ring on my finger to suppress my ability from blooming.’

The heat made it difficult to keep standing, and Anemone started to shift uncomfortably.

The Marquis of Blossomweaver, watching her sympathetically, bent down to meet her eyes.

“Anemone, was it?”

“Y-Yes, Marquis…”

He clearly disliked Countess Celine but couldn’t bring himself to be cold to Anemone.

“Edel, let’s go inside and talk for now. And Countess Celine—do understand that this isn’t a matter that can be decided immediately.”

Following the Marquis’s gesture, they entered the drawing room, where apple tarts and teacups had already been prepared.

It seemed the butler had anticipated guests and made arrangements in advance.

Because Anemone was so small, she couldn’t climb onto the chair by herself. Countess Celine didn’t even pay attention and calmly sipped her tea.

The Marquis of Blossomweaver gently lifted Anemone by the arms and helped her onto the seat.

“…Th-Thank you… very much.”

Anemone flinched awkwardly, lowering her head in discomfort.

“Anemone. How many times must I tell you? If you’re going to stutter, you’d be better off keeping your mouth shut.”

“……”

At Countess Celine’s sharp rebuke, Anemone shrank even further.

She hadn’t even helped the child into the chair, yet was quick to scold her for stuttering. Edelweiss gently pushed a plate with an apple tart toward Anemone, her voice kind.

“Anemone, stuttering can be fixed. It’s okay.”

“…Y-Yes.”

Anemone’s eyes trembled, then she slowly opened her mouth to answer.

Countess Celine watched her sharply, letting out a mocking scoff.

Is she really the child of Ivana Celine? Her attitude was anything but maternal.

As Anemone took a bite of the apple tart and swallowed, she made an uncomfortable face. Soon after, she began scratching her arm, as if something were irritating her.

“Anemone. If you don’t like it, you don’t have to eat it. There’s no need to force yourself.”

“N-No, it’s not that…”

“Your Grace, don’t worry. She’s a terribly picky eater—I have such a hard time with her,”

Countess Celine said, dismissively.

Anemone pouted in distress, clearly upset. Yet Countess Celine continued criticizing her without concern.

“Or maybe she’s just doing it for attention…”

There was unmistakable jealousy in her voice toward Anemone.

“Lady Ivana Celine. That’s enough—” the Marquis was about to intervene.

But then Anemone’s face turned pale. With each breath, her chest heaved with short, strained gasps.

Her eyes flushed red, and red blotches began to spread across her arms and neck.

Her body started to shake violently. Even breathing seemed difficult.

“Anemone!”

As Edelweiss rushed to her, Anemone frantically shook her head and covered her mouth with her hands.

“…Ugh.”

She began dry-heaving before finally vomiting.

“It’s okay. Let it all out.”

Edelweiss gently rubbed her back and used a handkerchief to wipe her mouth.

She must be allergic to apples. That’s why she barely ate it earlier… It was heartbreaking to think she had been too scared to speak up about it.

“Anemone! What do you think you’re doing?!”

Even then, Countess Celine scolded her, acting as though the vomit was a disgrace.

She backed away as far as she could, covering her nose with a handkerchief.

“I-I’m s-sorry…”

Eventually, Anemone burst into tears. She wiped the mess from her dress clumsily as tears streamed down her cheeks.

“Anemone, it’s okay. We can clean it up. Anna, please take Anemone to my room and help her calm down.”

“Yes, Your Grace. Miss Anemone, this way.”

Edelweiss called for Anna, who gently led Anemone out of the room. Once they had left, Edelweiss turned toward Countess Celine.

“Countess Celine.”

“…She showed such an unpleasant side. I apologize.”

Countess Celine clicked her tongue and nodded slightly, still oblivious to what she had done wrong.

“You shouldn’t be apologizing to me. You should’ve been checking on Anemone’s condition first.”

“Th-that’s…”

Countess Celine bit her lip but still showed no real concern for Anemone.

She didn’t even seem to know about Anemone’s apple allergy… Even if she had a complicated relationship with a daughter born out of wedlock, there was no excuse for this.

‘Anemone must have a different biological mother.’

Still, it was hard to understand how she could show absolutely no affection for Anemone.

“I’ll summon the branch families to the marquisate tomorrow, so please return to the Celine estate. Anemone is quite shaken and doesn’t seem fit to ride a carriage, so she’ll stay here tonight.”

“…Your Grace. Anemone is my daughter. To make a unilateral decision without asking her birth mother—”

“You asked me to adopt Anemone as my daughter. If you continue to assert your maternal rights like this, how can I proceed with the adoption? Show me you truly mean to relinquish custody and parental authority.”

“…Understood.”

After thinking for a moment, Lady Celine replied with a prim expression.

***

Once Lady Celine left, Edelweiss went upstairs.

Anemone, likely dressed by Anna, was wearing the green dress Edelweiss used to wear as a child.

“Y-Your Grace.”

“It looks lovely on you, Anemone.”

“M-My stomach… it still… hur… hurts.”

Anna, returning from tidying the bathroom, whispered softly to Edelweiss.

“Your Grace, Lady Anemone has bruises on her shoulders, stomach, and legs. They look like marks from being hit. Some scratches seem to be from fingernails.”

‘So that’s why she flinched when Father picked her up earlier.’

Edelweiss gestured for ointment and sat Anemone down on the sofa.

When Anna brought the ointment, she gently rolled up Anemone’s sleeve and applied it to her skin.

“Th… thank… you.”

“Anemone. Ivana Celine has gone. She’s not here now. You don’t have to return to the Celine estate today.”

“…I…”

When she heard that Lady Celine was gone, Anemone’s face brightened. Her shoulders sank in relief.

“I’ll ask just once, so you must answer honestly. That’s the only way I can protect you.”

“…”

“Who is your mother?”

“I… I…”

Anemone hesitated for a moment, then opened her mouth.

“My mother is L-Lilith Celine. My father… he’s not the Celine Count.”

Lilith Celine.

The name of Countess Celine.

So the Count isn’t her father—Anemone must have been born from the Countess’s affair.

She was Ivana Celine’s half-sister, not her daughter.