MHYFMAMD Ch 37

“……” 

 

For a moment, she was unable to speak.

 

The overwhelming wave of emotions rose up, blocking her throat, leaving her unable to express anything.

 

Contrary to her worries, the child appeared healthy. It was impressive that he had grown up well despite never been able to taste his mother’s milk since he was born.

 

‘My child. My baby.’

 

She recalled the countless times she had gently caressed her round belly, the anticipation she felt every month as her stomach swelled, eagerly awaiting the moment she would meet her child.

 

At first, everything had been awkward. The swollen belly felt strange, and speaking to the baby for the sake of prenatal education had felt awkward too.

 

But that awkwardness had been fleeting. It became routine to talk to the baby, and she grew used to the joy of feeling the baby respond with small movements inside her belly.

 

Now, it was hard to believe that the tiny, wrinkled baby had grown so much. His face, once so scrunched up, now resembled Dietrich’s more and more. His eyes, once too swollen to even open properly, now met hers. Everything.

 

It all felt like a lie.

 

And yet, as she gazed at her beloved child, a wave of resentment surged within her. Five years. Why had five years passed so quickly?

 

It would have been better to have been able to see her child crawl, walk, and speak his first words.

 

How happy she would have been to witness those moments by his side.

 

Once you start yearning for something, there is no end to it. And that was exactly how she felt now. She was grateful to see the child in front of her, but the longing for the time that had passed weighed heavily on her heart.

 

Her chest tightened, the sensation rising up to her head. The sting in her nose blurred her vision.

 

Without realizing it, Tenesia reached out a hand but then stopped herself.

 

‘Don’t act too oddly.’

 

She was no longer Grace. The child in front of her, was a stranger to her with no prior connection.

 

Their first meeting. No more or less emotions were to be expressed. Tenesia steeled herself, wiping away the tears that had gathered in her eyes.

 

“…It’s nice to meet you, young master.”

 

Her voice trembled, but his could be dismissed as nervousness. Slowly, she bent her knee.

 

The child, apparently startled by this first encounter, hid behind Dietrich, his body stiff as he locked eyes with her.

 

“I am Tenesia Blanchette, and I will be living with you from now on.”

 

She wanted to smile brightly, but she didn’t know when the tears would fall. Instead, she settled for a small, polite smile.

 

The child, whom she expected to respond right away, remained silent for a long time. His eyes, observing her closely, scanned her face.

 

“……”

 

“Arden.”

 

Startled by Dietrich’s reprimanding voice, the child quickly opened his mouth.

 

“…I-I am Arden, the eldest son of the Haberfeld family. It’s a pleasure to meet you.”

 

The child’s greeting was so composed that it was hard to believe he was only five years old. However, despite his polite words, Arden still seemed hesitant in his manner.

 

“Is there anything uncomfortable?”

 

“No! No… it’s just…”

 

After a moment of hesitation, Arden mumbled in a tiny voice.

 

“…Yes.”

 

“Ah, I’m sorry. It must have been tiring after such a long journey.”

 

She had been so overjoyed that she hadn’t been mindful of how things might seem to him. At her words, the child shook his head.

 

“…A little bit. I’m tired. Can I go to my room first?”

 

“You must come when it’s time for dinner.”

 

“Yes. I understand.”

 

After receiving Dietrich’s approval, the child began to climb the stairs. With his small legs, he climbed in a way that made him resemble a little squirrel.

 

“…It seems like the young master is a bit shy.”

 

“I haven’t heard that kind of report.”

 

Was it because she was the first stranger he had encountered? Tenesia tilted her head in confusion.

 

“Maybe it’s because he had to return home earlier than expected. He prefers being at Count Olbeira’s place more than here.”

 

If most of his upbringing had been under his aunt’s care rather than Dietrich’s, this could make sense. Tenesia looked at Dietrich with an understanding but sullen gaze.

 

‘I trusted you’

 

She had believed that even without her being around, the child—who resembled him so much—would have been well cared for by Dietrich.

 

Though she knew Dietrich was a busy man, she had unconsciously thought that he would take good care of Arden. Otherwise, she wouldn’t be feeling so disappointed right now.