LUCIA

Chapter 119 The Beginning and the End

"You already have a successor. Did Sir. Philip say that he was dissatisfied because Damian is unqualified to succeed the family? But even that doesn't match up. I cannot have a son. There's no way Sir. Philip doesn't know that."

Hugo could not conceal his bafflement. Lucia realized that she had thrown out a sharp question. He usually gave her the honest answer to whatever she asked. But this time, no matter how long she waited, he did not open his mouth.

She did not want to ask him questions that made it difficult for him. If it was something he couldn't tell her, she didn't intend to interrogate further.

Lucia might have retreated if this was before she was with a child. However, the strong feelings she got from the baby's movement had not yet subsided. She felt wonder towards the life growing up within her and blossoming maternal love began to grow in her heart.

She couldn't let issues related to her baby just pass by. Even though she felt that the core of the secret he wanted to hide was related to this issue, she had no choice but to be stubborn.

"You promised me, Hugh. You said you would think again about telling me your secret if I implored you."

Her steady amber eyes were lit with stubbornness as she looked straight at him. Hugo let out a troubled sigh.

"If you just can't tell me even after thinking about it again, I will follow your will. I just want to know if the reason you can't tell me is because you're worried about revealing your secret."

"...it's not something good to hear. For you. And for the child too."

"I am fine. Our baby will be fine too. You boasted that there was no way your child was weak, didn't you?"

Hugo gave a brief chuckle, mixed with a sigh.

"I can't win against you."

Hugo revealed all of the secrets that he knew to her. He told her everything, his family's secret, the truth regarding the incestuous marriages, even Philip's lies.

The only thing he excluded was the fact that his identity was the abandoned 'Hue'. That fact was still a dragon's reverse scale that he didn't dare to touch.

"So Sir. Philip cannot escape from his nonsensical delusion."

Lucia simply stated how she felt. Unlike what he was concerned about, she accepted his surprising story calmly.

"Hugh. Damian is my son. And he will be an older brother to our newborn child. I want to raise my two children as close brother and sister. I do not want to pass the Taran family's secret to the children."

"I am of the same thought."

"Does this thing still worry you? Is that why you couldn't tell me?"

"I didn't tell you because...it was so disgusting."

Seeing her husband go quiet again, Lucia sighed.

"...did you think I might look at you differently...?"

"..."

His lack of response was like an answer. Lucia wonder what she should do with this timid black lion.[1] She felt like crying because she felt sorry and he seemed so loveable. She raised herself up, wrapped her arms tightly around his neck and buried her face in his check.

Lucia wished love could be seen with the naked eyes. She wanted to open her heart and show him how much she loved him. How could she explain to him that even if he was hiding a dreadful secret, her love for him would not change?

"Actually, Hugh, I have a secret I have not been able to tell you too. Would you like to hear my story?"

Lucia opened the doors to the secret that she had been trying to bury her entire life. She began the story from the morning she woke up when she was 12 years old.