Chapter 13
He is not your son.
It was a phrase Elisa had heard so often that it felt like it was stuck in her ears.
Every time she heard it, it felt like a sharp pain cutting her heart.
She should have gotten used to it by now, but the pain still overwhelmed her.
Still, Elisa never properly argued back.
From the moment she went against her parents’ wishes and gave birth to Noah, she was branded a sinner.
Of course, she didn’t think she was a sinner.
What was wrong with having a child by the person she loved?
Even though Ethan left her, she never regretted having Noah once.
But others saw it differently, and the result affected the innocent child.
To protect Noah from further harm, Elisa held back her boiling anger, lowered herself, and behaved obediently.
That’s why she should have done the same this time.
But for some reason, she didn’t want to.
Maybe it was because yesterday she heard Aunt Tania say things like she had neglected the child or that the child was her sibling.
“…If Noah isn’t my son, then whose son is he?”
Her hand hidden inside her sleeve trembled slightly, but her eyes firmly met her mother’s.
“Is he your son, as registered in the family register?”
Though her voice was a bit sharp, she had always wondered that.
What would her mother say?
Holding her pounding heart tightly, Elisa waited for her answer.
The countess, seemingly unaware of her daughter’s feelings, calmly sipped her tea.
Those few seconds felt like an eternity to Elisa.
“Mom.”
Her patience quickly ran out, and Elisa urged her mother.
At last, the countess put down her teacup and looked at her daughter for a moment, then stood up.
Elisa stood too.
“I’m tired from the long train ride. I think I need to wash up and rest. We’ll talk later.”
“The answer…”
“Elisa, I said I am tired.”
Her mother’s voice cut her off sharply, and she even gestured for Elisa to leave.
But Elisha didn’t move, as if her feet were nailed to the floor.
The countess gave her a displeased look and pulled the bell rope.
Only after the maid came and took her mother to the bathroom did Elisha finally move her feet.
Returning to her room, Elisa leaned against the closed door and slowly sank to the floor.
A small, bitter smile spread across her lips as she stared blankly at the ceiling.
What was I even expecting?
She never truly expected her mother to say that Noah was her son.
That wasn’t the truth.
Still, she thought, at least Noah would be part of the family.
That was a mistake.
She hadn’t thought her mother would say Noah was her son—because that wasn’t true.
If her mother was like that, her father would be no different. He probably didn’t see Noah as family either.
Her heart ached, knowing her only parents did not accept her only son.
Her hands trembled slightly as she hugged herself.
“…It’s nothing new.”
She had known for a long time that her parents disapproved of Noah.
But their feelings were deeper than she expected.
Maybe Noah was afraid of them for that reason.
Children can usually tell who hates them…
At that thought, her eyes burnt with tears.
Elisa buried her face deeper between her knees.
“Don’t cry, Elisa.”
It was foolish to cry when Noah was treated like this because of her.
Instead of crying, she should think of a way to make her parents accept Noah.
But how?
How could she get her parents to accept Noah?
“…Does it have to be that way?”
Did she need her parents’ approval?
If she just left with Noah, the two of them, she wouldn’t need it at all…
Her head ached from all the worrying.
Then she murmured to herself as she looked out the window.
The sky was already filled with red light.
She remembered reading in a book that deserts looked just like that—red and endless.
She thought of the desert because the doctor who could cure Noah lived in the Kingdom of Tahal, which was located in a desert region.
Her mother had said no, but Elisa had already decided to go to the Tahal Kingdom.
If her parents kept opposing, she was ready to leave the family behind and go with Noah alone.
‘Maybe that’s even better.’
If she ran away to the Tahal Kingdom, Noah wouldn’t have to live in fear, always watching his parents’ moods like now.
Also, no one there would know Elisa Leslie, so she could openly say this child was her son.
She wouldn’t be forced into a marriage she didn’t want, and most importantly, there was a chance Noah’s illness could be cured.
And maybe—just maybe—she might even meet Ethan by chance…
“What foolish thoughts am I having?”
As her thoughts grew wild in the wrong direction, Elisa shook her head strongly.
But the face that appeared wouldn’t go away.
Elisa slapped her cheeks hard.
Only when her face turned red like the sunset sky did the image begin to fade.
She let out a short sigh and stood up slowly.
She missed Noah.
She missed Noah.
Looking into the child’s innocent, sparkling eyes might make her feel less crushed.
***
Derek Grenville visited the Leslie estate the next evening.
“Thank you for inviting me, Countess.”
“Oh my, you didn’t have to come empty-handed.”
A bright smile spread across the countess’s face as she held the bouquet of roses and gift box Derek gave her.
Derek also gave gifts to Elisa and Noah.
Elisa had sapphire earrings that perfectly matched her eyes, and Noah had a wolf plush toy—the child’s favourite animal.
Elisa felt awkward receiving expensive gifts on a normal day, but since she wasn’t the only one receiving them, she said nothing.
Noah loved his gift very much.
The countess led Derek to the parlour.
Elisa followed, but Noah did not.
“I feel a little embarrassed to receive such gifts for just a dinner invitation.”
“It’s only a gift from my heart, so please don’t feel pressured.”
Derek smiled warmly and continued,
“And compared to all you’ve done for me, this is nothing.”
“What have I done for you?”
“You raised Elisa so beautifully. Thanks to you, I am lucky to have a wife as beautiful as the countess.”
“Oh my, what lovely words.”
The countess gave Derek a joyful smile.
Elisa, meanwhile, sipped her tea quietly, uneasy about Derek’s behaviour and words.
Derek and the countess talked so warmly and closely, one might believe Derek was her son.
Elisa was not part of their conversation—not because they excluded her, but because she didn’t join in.
When spoken to, she only answered “yes” or “no” or smiled quietly.
“Dinner is ready, ma’am.”
Just as Elisa finished her second cup of tea, the butler announced.
The countess nodded and stood.
Elisa and Derek did the same.
“Elisa, please escort Sir Grenville to the dining room. I will stop by the bedroom to get Noah.”
“I’ll take care of Noah…”
“You should escort Sir Grenville.”
Her tone was gentle, but her eyes were firm.
It was the same as when she said going to the Tahal Kingdom was impossible.
Elisa knew no matter what she said, her mother would never change her mind—but she couldn’t back down.
Noah was afraid of her mother.
When she went to meet Derek earlier, Noah had hidden behind Elisa’s back, constantly watching the countess nervously.
“Excuse me, but if it’s not too much trouble, may I go get Noah?”
She knew it was unlikely to be allowed, but for Noah’s sake, she wanted to try.
Then Derek suddenly interrupted.
“I didn’t get to talk much with Noah earlier, so I regret that. I’d like to go get him myself. Would that be alright, ma’am?”
Derek spoke politely, with his usual friendly and likeable tone.
The countess’s firm eyes softened, and with a reluctant smile, she nodded.
“There’s no harm in it. Do as you wish.”
