One Day, I Picked Up a Mom - Chapter 21

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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One Day I Picked Up a Mother – Episode 21

The day Iban fainted from hyperventilation. I cursed myself and the current situation, knowing nothing about the child.

However, regrettably, Iban wasn’t the only one I knew nothing about.

‘…If it’s seafood, could it be a shellfish allergy?’

I knew nothing about Luna either.

At first, I thought Ludrio had deliberately orchestrated something because he was worried about potential consequences…

The fever and difficulty breathing weren’t because of Ludrio, but because of an allergy.

I swallowed dry saliva as Ludrio stared at me as if demanding an explanation.

Maybe that would buy me a little time.

“…”

As the saliva went down, my throat stung as if scratched by something.

‘No, but seriously. An allergy is just too much.’

They possessed me on the street and didn’t even tell me about the original story.

A prostitute with a child, and the child’s father is supposedly the Empire’s scoundrel. But she also had a shellfish allergy?

I love shellfish so much.

Shrimp, crab, even lobster – I can’t eat any of them now?

Just as I was about to feel depressed by this grim fact, a thought suddenly occurred to me.

Maybe I really could have died from the allergy.

Though there’s a doctor residing at the duke’s mansion, if I had collapsed alone at the inn, I might have died just like that.

Thinking I had luckily survived at the crossroads of life and death, along with the fear that suddenly rushed over me…

“You need to answer.”

My thoughts were interrupted by Ludrio’s urging.

“Ah…”

I let out a small sigh.

I was pondering the answer to his question about why I ate it.

Ludrio’s eyes were gleaming sharply.

Looking into those eyes, I somehow felt I was still standing at that crossroads.

If I couldn’t provide an appropriate answer to this question, things would become quite troublesome.

“Don’t tell me you didn’t know?”

“…No. It’s not that.”

As I quickly pondered an answer to Ludrio’s question, I shook my head at his continued urging.

“I couldn’t bring myself to refuse what Your Grace had graciously offered.”

Swallowing dry saliva once more, I hurriedly fabricated the rest of my response.

“The new clothes you provided, the nice room, and the prepared feast – all of these were Your Grace’s considerations, so I couldn’t dare to pick and choose among them.”

“…”

“And I’d never had such a severe reaction before, so I didn’t know it would become such a problem. I’m sorry.”

It seemed like a fairly plausible answer.

Just as I was about to lift my head and sneak a look at his expression, seeing no reaction from Ludrio.

“You did something foolish.”

Ludrio clicked his tongue lightly as he spoke.

“If that really was the only reason, never do it again.”

Ludrio’s extended hand came into my field of vision.

Startled. The moment his large hand touched my face, my shoulders instinctively shrank.

“Your refusal was also included in that consideration you received.”

Ludrio, who had lifted my chin, looked down at me quietly before adding those words.

His blue eyes examined me carefully. Though I couldn’t see affection or compassion in those eyes…

‘…Your refusal was also included.’

To think Duke Ludrio Rharhart would say such a thing.

“Yes, I will. Thank you.”

As Rharhart lowered his head slightly, I reflexively pulled back to escape his hand and hurriedly nodded.

Just as I was looking back up, worried I might have pushed him away too abruptly.

“Here, please take your medicine first.”

Dr. Kraban approached with a silver tray and offered me the medicine.

“It should help ease the stinging in your throat and any breathing difficulties.”

While I took the medicine and drank water, listening to the doctor’s explanation, Ludrio carefully lifted the sleeping Iban who was lying face down on the bed.

Then he looked at me.

“Yes?”

“There’s nothing wrong with your body, so go back to your room now.”

“Ah…”

As I quickly set down the cup I was holding onto the tray and got down from the bed, Ludrio frowned slightly.

“Put on your slippers.”

He gestured toward the floor.

Following Ludrio’s gaze downward, I saw black velvet slippers placed not far from my feet.

I hurriedly put on the slippers he had pointed to, and when I looked back up at him, the man moved as if that was sufficient.

I followed behind Ludrio, then remembered Dr. Kraban who had cared for me while I was unconscious, so I turned back to express my gratitude.

“Doctor, thank you for taking care of me.”

“Haha, come back if you feel unwell anywhere.”

“Yes. Thank you.”

“I understand, so hurry along now. His Grace must be waiting.”

The doctor gave a brief reply and gestured for me to go quickly.

So I had only exchanged two sentences, but in that brief moment, the infirmary door that Ludrio had exited was already closing.

I hurried after Ludrio with quick steps and caught up with him at the stairs.

“Um, I’ll carry Iban.”

I watched Iban’s legs swaying gently in Ludrio’s arms, then reached out my hands, thinking I should help.

It didn’t seem right for me to follow behind empty-handed while he, a duke, was carrying the child.

“…It’s fine.”

Ludrio glanced at me and immediately straightened his head as if he needed no help at all.

Watching Ludrio climb the stairs, I awkwardly lowered the hands I had extended.

“…”

Was it because the child was his?

Ludrio was taking care of Iban more attentively than I had expected.

The day the child collapsed, and also how he called me back and let me stay here after coldly driving me away, telling me not to think about getting involved with the family, all because Iban was struggling.

‘Is it because he needs Iban?’

Ludrio carrying Iban was somewhat different from the rumors that followed him.

Eventually the man stopped in front of the child’s room door, and I hurriedly opened it for him.

“Just stay here.”

Ludrio’s voice telling me not to follow was quieter than usual.

Since he seemed to not want to wake the child, I only nodded.

Some light from the corridor flowed into the opened door, but it couldn’t illuminate the depths of the room.

Ludrio and Iban, who had walked into the darkness with long strides, reappeared after a moment.

The faint moonlight coming through the large window in the room revealed the shapes of the two figures.

Ludrio bent his waist and laid the child on the bed.

His movements were careful, as if he didn’t want to wake the sleeping child.

‘Was I misunderstanding Ludrio based only on rumors?’

Somehow I felt that he cherished the child very much.

Though he was scary, and it was true that he acted selfishly like the rumors said…

As I was thinking this, Ludrio exited the room, and I carefully closed the door so his efforts wouldn’t be in vain.

I was supporting the door with my other hand to prevent any noise.

“More importantly…”

A slow voice fell from above my head.

When I lifted my head, he filled my entire field of vision, standing so close that even the slightest movement would make us collide.

I flinched.

At such a close distance, I lowered my head and tried to step aside.

Click.

He pulled the door shut, completely closing Iban’s room door, and placed his hand on my shoulder.

As the door closed, the distance became even closer, and his hand wrapped around my shoulder.

“More importantly.”

His slow words touched my left cheek one by one.

“You claim to be a prostitute, but don’t you get too startled every time I touch you.”

The corridor was dark, and the distance was suffocatingly close. His slow breath still brushing against my face.

‘No way.’

My heart pounded rapidly, rattling at the strangely flowing atmosphere.

“Judging by your reaction…”

“I don’t do that kind of thing anymore.”

I took a large step to the side, escaping from Ludrio.

“What?”

“I mean… I don’t like this kind of thing.”

I spoke while putting a bit more distance between us.

“You just said so yourself, Count.”

Perhaps not even three minutes had passed since I thought he might not be as dangerous as the rumors suggested, when I immediately realized how foolish my previous thoughts had been.

“You said the consideration I received includes the right to refuse. So, I don’t like this kind of thing.”

There’s no such thing as a baseless rumor.

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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