HTDD 68

Chapter 68

“…Th-thank you, Mother.”

“Oh? Are you alright now?”

“Y-yes…”

Being held tightly by her mother for so long helped cool her head. Natalie gradually regained her composure. But once she calmed down, another thought crept in—Aren’t I relying on Mother too much? I’m an adult now… Embarrassed, she slowly pulled away and sat up by herself.

Perhaps sensing her daughter’s embarrassment, her mother simply smiled gently and said, “Don’t worry about it… fufu.”
Natalie felt her cheeks burn with heat but straightened up to face her mother.

“Um, uh…”

She tried to start talking, but she didn’t know where to begin. More than anything, she felt awkward about the things she had said to her father. That discomfort must have shown plainly on her face, because her mother gave a soft, knowing smile.

“I’ve already heard what you said to your father.”

“Ugh— I-I’m sorry…”

“It’s fine.”

“Eh…?”

She had fully expected a scolding. But contrary to her expectation, her mother still looked amused.

“What’s wrong? You look so surprised.”

“It’s just… I opposed Father, so I thought…”

“My, Natalie. I’m not angry at all.”

“Huh?”

“Fufu. Opposing your parents a little is perfectly fine! Honestly, I’m rather happy about it.”

Her mother stroked Natalie’s hair and said, “Natalie, you aren’t our doll… you know that, don’t you?”

“However… your father is just a little—let’s see—yes, a bit too overprotective… isn’t he?”

When her mother said that, Natalie couldn’t deny the truth. Memories of past moments flashed before her eyes, and she almost nodded.
But this time, she knew her father had acted out of genuine concern for her.

“Oh my! Natalie, you truly are kind… But you know, it’s normal for children to rebel against their parents sometimes.”

“B-but…”

It was true that she didn’t want to do something her beloved father hated. After being locked in her room, she had felt a painful prickling in her chest the whole time.

“Well then… shall I tell you a story about your father from long ago?”

“…Eh?”

“Your father wasn’t actually supposed to marry me. He originally received a marriage proposal from someone in the branch family of the Pettigrew house.”

“W-what!?”

Hearing such a completely unfamiliar story about her father’s past—especially before he married her mother—made Natalie jump in shock.

“Fufu. Surprised?”

“Y-yes…”

Seeing her reaction, her mother laughed. “Such a good reaction.”

“But at the time, your father and I were deeply in love.”

“I-is that so…?”

“Yes! We went to balls together, visited Pettigrew’s scenic spots… So many memories.”

Natalie found herself drawn in. Her mother rarely spoke about romance or past dates. But after a moment her mother said, “The details about our dates will be for another time.”

“We cared for each other deeply… but our relationship went against the will of the Pettigrew family.”

“…”

“So I decided… to step back.”

“T-that must have been…”

If she had truly been in a “great love,” stepping aside would have taken immense resolve. But the two were married now, living together in their home. Curious, Natalie looked at her mother.

“Fufu. But then, your father… barged into my home and loudly confessed his love.”

“Eh!?”

“Yes, really! He said he couldn’t give me up. No matter how much others tried to make him leave… He even lay down on the ground.”

Hearing this, Natalie immediately imagined her father throwing a tantrum on the ground. She never expected he had been that way even during his romance with her mother.

“A test of endurance… or stubbornness, perhaps? He said he couldn’t imagine being the head of a house or anything else unless he could marry me.”

“I-I see…”

“Both the Pettigrew family and my own eventually gave up on trying to move him… It was quite a sight.”

Although her mother spoke as if troubled, her expression softened, warmth radiating when she spoke of her husband.

“In the end, your father won through pure persistence. He really is a troublesome man…”

“Haha…”

“But when I saw him like that, I realized… facing hardship head-on with everything you have—it’s a very wonderful thing.”

Natalie felt her heart jump at those words. Her mother then met her eyes.

“Natalie… do you truly wish to go to the Duke, with full resolve?”

“…I… I…”

Natalie lifted her head and looked straight into her mother’s eyes.

“…I want to go to His Grace.”

The words came out clearer and smoother than she expected. Upon hearing them, her mother’s smile disappeared.

“…Even if it means going somewhere that may put your life in danger… even if it may make those who love you grieve?”

“…!”

Her mother faced her with complete seriousness. Indeed, danger terrified Natalie—but what frightened her more was the image of her parents grieving. The heaviness of her mother’s question weighed on her, making it impossible to answer lightly.

Still, the thought that rose above all others was—

“Even so… I want to go to His Grace.”

“…I see.”

Speaking her true feelings brought a strange sense of clarity. At the same time, she felt pain knowing her choice might cause sorrow. She wondered if she could give up these feelings.

(I… I can’t.)

Her honest heart convinced her. She took in a deep breath, bracing herself, then looked at her mother again. Her mother’s expression was stern.

Just when Natalie thought the tense atmosphere would continue—

“Pfft… fufufu.”

“M-Mother?”

“Oh, I’m sorry… I couldn’t help it. Your face looked exactly like your father’s when he was younger.”

“Eh?”

Her mother’s sternness melted away, replaced by a warm, delighted smile.

“As your mother, of course I don’t want my daughter doing something dangerous or reckless… but even more than that—”

She gently placed a hand on Natalie’s shoulder.

“As a woman… and as someone who loves you more dearly than anyone, I will support your wish to go to the Duke.”

“Mother…”

Natalie felt her eyes well up with warmth again, while her mother gave her a playful wink.