Chapter 65

“She’s not your mom, huh? No wonder…”

Amy nodded at Diane as she said it.

No wonder what?

Diane wanted to ask Amy, feeling a cold sweat trickle down her back.

It was obvious Amy was trying to get back at Leon, just as he had pointed out that President Wale wasn’t Amy’s uncle.

Diane looked at Leon.

His face was flushed red as he glared at the girl, his clenched fists trembling.

Those small fists looked ready to fly out if Amy said even one more word.

Diane finally realized things were getting serious.

Had Leon learned that he shouldn’t hit others?

He probably had.

But being an only child, he’d never had a chance to fight with kids his own age, nor had he attended any educational institution. He was a young master raised gently within the walls of the Wale mansion, with everyone catering to his every whim.

When Leon got this angry, there was no telling how he would handle it.

“I have a mom, but you don’t?”

‘……!’

Children can sometimes be more cruel than adults.

Amy, instinctively sensing Leon’s weakness, delivered a decisive blow with ease.

Leon, who had been sitting, suddenly jumped to his feet.

Diane saw Leon’s tightly clenched fists.

“……!”

Leon was clearly about to hit the girl.

“Leon!”

Diane instinctively lunged toward Leon and hugged him tightly.

Leon’s trembling body instantly stiffened.

And within seconds, his tense frame relaxed like a soft little lamb, and he quietly breathed in her arms.

“That’s right, Leon. Teacher will hold you. Don’t be upset.”

Diane stroked Leon’s hair.

But moments later, she realized that the Duke, the President, Selina Dunn, and Amy were all quietly watching the two of them.

It had been a reflex to calm Leon, but now, aware that she’d hugged the young master by name in front of everyone, her face grew hot.

She needed to disappear from their gaze immediately.

She whispered into Leon’s ear.

“Shall we go to the fountain?”

“Okay.”

Leon nodded obediently.

She gently released her hold on Leon and stood up, taking his hand.

“Your Grace, may we go to the fountain?”

She looked at the Duke and asked in a small, whispering voice.

She didn’t even dare to raise her voice.

“Yes, let’s do that.”

The Duke nodded slightly to Selina Dunn and walked toward the fountain first, with Diane and Leon following.

“Diane Lina.”

But as soon as she started walking, President Wale called her again, as if he’d been waiting.

Diane looked him straight in the eye and shook her head.

‘Please, just don’t say anything right now.’

Leon had only just calmed down, and if the President, who was worse than a child, started shouting things like, ‘Are you Leon’s mother or something? What do you think you’re doing hugging him?’ it would ruin everything.

But it was strange and surprising.

President Wale, who was usually impossible to communicate with, somehow understood Diane’s silent plea this time.

Moreover, not only did he understand, but he actually granted her request.

His face remained stiff, but he didn’t say anything as she walked to the fountain.

“Edward, shall we go over there? Amy wants to go back to the gym.”

Selina Dunn’s voice came from behind.

But Edward Wale’s reply wasn’t heard.

Diane wanted to look back and see what Edward Wale was doing, but she didn’t actually turn around.

* * *

Before the explanation session started after the refreshment gathering, Selina Dunn looked around for Amy.

Amy had apparently made friends with another girl and was chatting happily over there.

Now, Selina’s gaze turned to the Duke and Leon sitting up front.

Ms. Diane Lina had apparently left before the refreshment, as she was nowhere to be seen.

Selina glanced at Edward Wale sitting next to her.

He had been silent and indifferent throughout the event, but contrary to her expectations that he would leave early, he was still in his seat.

Well, he was the kind of man who kept his deals, just like he kept paying her the annual salary every year after her husband’s death.

The Duke was deep in conversation with Leon, looking every bit the model of a kind father.

So the Duke was kind even to his son.

Selina looked at the Duke with a bitter smile.

It was strange. She had always felt pleased seeing such a kind father, but today, the Duke’s image didn’t look pleasant at all.

She was surprised that the child who collided with Amy was Leon, but even more surprised that Diane Lina had been there with them.

Why had the home tutor come to such an event?

And when the children’s argument suddenly made things awkward, Diane Lina’s actions were even more remarkable.

She had calmed Leon as if she were his mother, and the look in the Duke’s eyes as he watched, plus Edward Wale’s darkening expression…

It was all so mysterious. So odd.

Now that she thought about it, the rumor that Diane Lina was Marquis Edward Wale’s professional beauty, which started at the opera house, was strange too.

After all, it was Duke Adrian Wale who had actually come to the theater with her, not Edward Wale.

What was going on? What did it mean?

Selina found herself glaring at the back of Duke Adrian Wale’s head, sitting elegantly beside Leon.

Diane Lina, Leon, Edward Wale—all their behaviors were strange, but the strangest was the Duke’s.

Bringing Diane Lina to the Compton event with young master Leon, going to the opera house with her, the way he looked at her as she hugged his son…

Duke Wale and Diane Lina…

Should the Duke really be acting like that?

Adrian Wale had never been involved in any scandal or gossip.

His upcoming marriage to the Earl’s daughter was sure to leave his reputation spotless.

She was the perfect match—not too ambitious, not too much of a compromise.

In fact, his first wife, the Duchess, had been from a ducal family and known for her outstanding beauty.

When Selina had been nineteen and in love, her own marriage had been the most notorious scandal in Rettrang, but the Duke’s marriage and the arrival of his heir had been the very model of a perfect union.

Compared to the late Duchess, the Earl’s daughter was less impressive, in looks and family.

But considering her youth—she was only twenty-one—the substantial dowry she’d bring from her wealthy Earldom, and the Duke’s own status as a widower with a child, the scales seemed reasonably balanced.

Or perhaps, by choosing a partner who seemed a little less impressive than himself, the Duke could avoid any gossip that he was unwilling to make even the slightest compromise in marriage.

It was as if he’d calculated every detail.

And how about Edward Wale sitting beside her?

No scandals, but plenty of gossip.

But now, thanks to Diane Lina, there’s a scandal.

Selina’s eyes narrowed as she looked at the Duke.

Normally, she’d admired his neat platinum blond hair, handsome face, long limbs, and slim body, but today, his good looks were just annoying.

It felt like someone who had everything was trying to take even the smallest things, even his brother’s.

“Hey! You wanna leave?”

‘You shouldn’t be sitting here.’

“The event’s not over yet.”

Edward replied curtly.

“You can go first.”

“Really? Fine, then.”

Edward stood up abruptly, as if he’d been waiting for permission.

“Hey! Wait a minute!”

“You said I could go!”

Edward, about to leave, frowned down at Selina, who stopped him after telling him to go.

“Sit down for a second.”

Edward let out a long sigh and sat back down.

‘Ugh, why am I helping this guy?’

‘Well, at least the money he gives is good.’

Selina steeled herself again, thinking of the large sum he paid her every year.

“Do you really like Diane Lina?”

“I didn’t know I had to tell you that as part of today’s deal.”

“She doesn’t seem to know you like her at all.”

“Do you know her?”

Edward scowled at Selina.

“I just chatted with her briefly when I went to teach Leon riding.”

“Seriously! I switched from a male instructor because he was flirting, and now even the female instructor is interested.”

“Watch your mouth. Maybe that’s why Diane Lina hangs out with the Duke instead of you!”

“What?”

Edward’s face twisted.

“D*mn it!”

He even cursed.

“That attitude, that scowling—maybe that’s why she ignores you and goes with the Duke instead.”

“Enough!”

“You’re the one who should stop. I’m giving you advice from my own experience with passionate romance, marriage, widowhood, and having a child, and I’m not even charging you. You should be grateful.”

“What are you trying to say?”

For once, Edward responded meekly.