I am only a stepmother but my daughter is just So cute!

chapter 2

Ugh....I just wanted to improve my relationship with Blanche...but to do that I had to start by atoning for all of Abigail's past sins. But it looked like Blache didn't accept my apology. With a confused face, she kept glancing at me.

It's not like I didn't understand at all and thought that she would accept my apology right away. For now, I only apologised. But you know what they say, 'action speaks louder than words'. Time to focus on that from now on. Now, the correct action would be sending the girl back. She must be feeling too nervous to stay here.

"I must have surprised you. I'm sorry. You may go now and rest."

"Huh? Ah,yes, of course..."

Lost in thoughts, she finally managed to gain enough composure to stand up. But just as she was leaving the room,

"Kyaa!"

Blanche bumped into someone entering the room and fell on the floor.

"B-Blanche!"

I screamed. I wanted to help but I had to stop when I saw the man who bumped into her. He had black hair just like Blanche, and he seems to be in his mid-twenties. At first sight, he reminded me of a picture from an exhibit I attended before, it was a black leopard. I remember being completely fixated from it's ragal fur to it's auora of pride and power emancipating from a mere picture. I couldn't look away from it's eyes despite my fear and ended up staring at it for a long time. I was completely charmed by that beast.

The man in front of me greatly resembled that leopard. Charming and regal in nature. The little beauty mark next to his right eye made him even more charming than he already was. Any women would blush upon seeing his face but I almost hurled several insults before I controlled myself. This man is the king, Blanche's father, and my husband. Sabelian Freedkin. My sworn enemy.

All the maids and servants bowed at his presence. I,too,needed to greet him properly. But there was something more important than that.

"Blanche! Are you hurt anywhere?"

I rushed to Blanche and helped her stand up. Before I could say anything, his icy voice from behind cut me off,

"She lacks awareness of her surroundings."

Sabelian treated his daughter like a stranger. His gaze was.... Indifferent,devoid of any compassion or worry. I couldn't understand how a parent could look at their children that way. Especially a beautiful child such as Blanche!

But Blanche didn't even cry. She calmly corrected her posture before greeting the king.

"I apologize, father. I am sorry you had to witness such a thing, miss Abigail."

Wait. Why are you apologizing? All you did was fall down... And that's when I noticed something wrong.

"Blanche, are you all right?"

I carefully held her right arm in my hand, which caused the girl to flinch in pain.

Ah, it's as I feared... No wonder she was
babying her right side, she must have injured
herself earlier when she fell.

"You've injured your wrist..."

"Ah, uh. I'm... Alright. Really, I'm alright..."

Blanche quickly hid her right hand from me, acting as if she got caught doing something wrong. Her shaking gaze immediately went to Sabelian . Seeing Blanche so tormented hurt me
inside. She didn't even cry after she fell..

Maintaining his cold voice, Sabelian opened his mouth,

"I'll summon a doctor for you. You may take your leave, Blanche. I have something to discuss with Abigail."