Midnight Affair Side Story 1: Helena

Chapter 4

"..."

Riftan put her to bed and continued.

"I have something to discuss with you, too."

Helena cleaned her tears, asking without making eye contact.

"What is it?"

He dragged a chair and sat next to the large bed.

"I want Lucian to be my successor."

The woman was taken aback. If he makes Lucian his successor then the child will have to move to his mansion. Not to mention about the other child with his former secret mistress who was her only friend… the thought of it made her feel like shit.

"Why Lucian? You have another child."

"Lucian is my legitimate son."

"Do you just want to make Lucian your successor because you couldn't marry that person and made her child your successor??"

She gritted her teeth. Everything he had done made her doubt. She couldn't predict what he was thinking. But if he just wanted to make Luciano the heir to the duchy because his other son couldn't, she would oppose it with her life. She didn't want this man to do whatever he wanted anymore.

Riftan sighed. She had all the reasons to jump into conclusion after the shit he did but it wasn't like that.

"It's not that. Lucian was meant to be my heir from the start. The moment we chose to have him. Don't get the wrong idea."

Helena smirked bitterly at him.

"So it's not because you're afraid her son will face critics from other nobles if he, an illegitimate child, gets the duchy?"

"Helena."

"I don't want to. Lucian should be with me. You'll bring your lovers into your mansion soon enough and you're quite busy. What if they secretly hurt him or say something mean to him when you're not around? Lucian with me is better."

She touched her forehead as it started to sweet. Riftan adjusted his back.

"I can take care of him. I'm not busy like you. So throw the idea away."

"You're right. I may have another lover but I wouldn't let them cross the line. I know how to protect Lucian so you don't have to worry. Moreover, he's not all alone, his brother is with him."

Helena glared at the man hearing his remark, she grabbed his collar but it wasn't strong, her body was still weak.

"Don't make my child related to that person's child."

Riftan stayed still. They haven't talked for 5 years. She had changed a lot. She became more confident and claimed her opinions strongly. He touched the slender hand that grabbed his collar and held the wrist lightly.

"Curse me. Don't hate the child. He knew nothing."

"I don't hate him. I hate his mother!"

"..."

"You expect me to feel generous with the child of the woman who betrayed me when I trusted her with all my heart?"

"Calm down."

She turned her face away to calm herself down. Riftan continued.

"I just want to let you know that I'll make our son the successor, I'm not taking him with me. He'll live with you and visit me from time to time like he always does. I'll just send the teachers here."

"..."

"The potion. Can you drink it right now? I want to see if it actually works too so I could pay that mage for the item."

"Where is it?" She asked dryly.

"I will go bring it. Wait for a moment."

When he left. Helena sighed for a long time. Being with him really made her feel around the edge. Not long after, Riftan came back with the potion bottle in his hand. He opened the bottle then handed it to her.

Helena drank slowly. It tasted so weird but she tried her best to swallow it all as Riftan watched her quietly. He only took the bottle from her when she was done.

"How is it?"

"It won't work that fast.."

"I know. How does your body feel?"

"I don't know. Can you just leave? Mother will write you a letter if it works."

She mumbled without looking at him.

"Then I will leave. Thank you for meeting me today. I hope your trip was fun. Rest well."

When he turned around, Helena claimed.

"I will never forgive that person until my last breath. I don't care if she realized her actions now and that she was the one giving you this potion to make my health better. I'm not going to forgive the person who made my marriage broken."

"..."

Riftan stood there in silence until he decided to leave completely. When the door closed, Helena dropped her back to the mattress and covered her face. She wasn't crying but the uncomfortable feeling inside her chest felt really weird.