TVRTH [Book 1]

Chapter 55

Poor Little Lamb Falls Into The Hands Of A Wicked Woman, Part V

Translator: Khan

Editor: SootyOwl

'... What a tearful paternal love.'

It was a love Aria had never felt. Mielle had the only being who loved and cared for her! Aria believed that such a thing could not exist. Even the countess, who was her biological mother, was busy living her life, so she could not afford to take care of Aria.

All the men of the past were so bewitched by Aria's appearance that they had seemed to give her all their fortunes, but later, they had left in search of their station. In the end, there had been no man who had devoted himself to her and had dedicated everything to her from beginning to end.

'If their lives are in danger, it's useless.'

Aria had not believed in love, even in the love between mother and daughter. So, she had made use of it. She had been confident in using it. There had been nothing easier for her than knowing that love had no substance.

* * *

The count had not returned alone. He was with a handsome young man in his early- to mid-twenties. Aria had just reached the first floor when she saw him greeting Mielle. He introduced himself with a cheerful laugh as a common noble from a far-away province.

"I'm Pino Lane. Please, feel free to call me Lane."

With a surname she had never heard of before, he was paying excessive attention to Mielle. Aria didn't know if he was looking for a rise in status or background, but he clearly wanted something. Otherwise, he wouldn't have brought such a huge gift.

Lane presented a variety of jewels and rare ornaments to Mielle. They looked very expensive to have been prepared by a common noble from a far-away province. When Mielle's eyes widened by the weight of it all, he said, "Don't mind them because I didn't prepare them. They were prepared by my master."

Nor did the count show any signs of discomfort or stop him as he paid great attention to Mielle. He just patted Lane's back, saying he had helped his business in many ways. Lane grinned, saying, "They were just my master's orders."

Aria felt uncomfortable and reluctant when meeting someone she had never seen before for the first time, even when it was a hyena looking for scraps, unlike in the past.

"You have a daughter as beautiful as the stories."

"I don't know about anything else, but the rumors about Mielle are no exaggeration."

"Those compliments are too much."

Aria had to watch the scene as they repeatedly praised Mielle, who was in between them.

'Wait a minute. I've seen that dress before...'

Aria was able to realize the origin of Mielle's dress after taking some time to think.

'It's similar to the dress Oscar gave me. Don't tell me... Did he give similar clothes to a girl, whom he would be marrying later, and her elder sister?'

Aria swallowed a sneer, thinking he was really insensitive.

Meanwhile, Lane, who had been complimenting Mielle to the extent his mouth had gone dry, finally turned to meet Aria. With his attention concentrated on Mielle, he seemed not to have noticed Aria's arrival, so there was wonder on his face.

When the count introduced Aria to him as his other daughter, a slightly perplexed expression and form of speech came from him, unlike just a moment ago when he had made use of his leech-like mouth.