One Day, I Picked Up a Mom - Chapter 43

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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 43

 

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Ludrio quietly watched the woman who was moving her mouth as if choosing the right words.

 

Her wet eyelashes and the area around her eyes that had turned red from rubbing them hard.

 

…To think she would cry.

 

It was a sight he had seen several times before, but today especially left his heart unsettled.

 

Why did she cry?

 

In truth, Ludrio couldn’t understand a single word that Luna had poured out earlier.

 

‘Why do you make people feel so insignificant?’

 

However, judging by the last words that lingered, she must have heard harsh words from the Previous Count and Countess.

 

They were people who were skilled at hurting others.

 

‘What on earth did she hear?’

 

Ludrio waited for Luna to speak while quietly guessing what insulting words and actions she might have heard.

 

“…”

 

That’s why he told her not to go out there.

 

He wanted to hear what she was thinking when she stepped before them, but he postponed his question for Luna who was full of sorrow.

 

“I find you difficult, Count.”

 

And after a long wait, the hesitant answer that came out was completely unexpected.

 

He thought she would surely talk about what insults she heard from the old couple and how upset she was about it.

 

Who would have thought his own story would come up?

 

When Ludrio furrowed his brow trying to find the connection between his question and her answer, she continued speaking.

 

“I have no decision-making power in anything related to you, Count. Everything ultimately depends on your intentions. But you don’t explain things to me, so I’m anxious.”

 

So that was the story after all.

 

That the reason the woman cried was because of him.

 

Ludrio tilted his head to the side.

 

“I have to protect both myself and Iban… but not even knowing how the situation is unfolding is too powerless.”

 

Ludrio looked at Luna who was carefully bringing up rather grand words, and reflected on his past actions.

 

Did she not have decision-making power?

 

He thought he asked her what she wanted to do every time. Even when discussing their marriage, didn’t he grant everything she wanted?

 

“At which point?”

 

Even today, he had been considerate so she wouldn’t be uncomfortable.

 

He quickly sent Gaien away and kept the time with the Previous Count and Countess short. He was careful not to let any sparks fly toward them.

 

So she wouldn’t hear unnecessary words.

 

But this woman… decided to marry the Count with nothing to her name, yet dislikes even this brief discomfort?

 

“Tell me what exactly made you so anxious.”

 

Flinch. Ludrio pulled his body back slightly at the woman’s shoulders that shrank.

 

Then he reviewed his tone.

 

It wasn’t particularly angry or irritated.

 

Yet the woman was busy reading the mood as if she had become intimidated.

 

“The Previous Count and Countess hate us so much and oppose us, yet you still intend to marry me, Count. Whether your feelings about accepting Iban have changed.”

 

“What…”

 

Ludrio frowned.

 

“I wondered if you might be using us temporarily to anger the Previous Count and Countess.”

 

In the end, to summarize her words, she still couldn’t trust him.

 

She had been worrying about all sorts of things by herself.

 

Even after promising marriage and offering her status.

 

Still, thinking he might have missed something, he asked once more.

 

As expected.

 

How could her baseless personal anxiety become his fault?

 

“…Should I feel responsible for your groundless worries too?”

 

The end of his words came out sharper than expected.

 

Ludrio paused to catch his breath and closed his eyes in fatigue.

 

Her incomprehensible emotions and sudden reproach made him feel the day’s fatigue and weight all at once.

 

“…It’s not entirely groundless.”

 

“What?”

 

Ludrio raised his head.

 

The woman’s chest rose and fell greatly as if emotions had surged up, biting her lips hard.

 

“Ever since coming to this estate, you’ve kept changing your words, Count. You frightfully chased me away saying not to hover around the child, then called me back the very next day saying I could stay for a while.”

 

As if gaining momentum, her words grew faster.

 

“Then I’m grateful but also anxious. When will I have to leave, when will I be kicked out? Since I’d have to leave again if your mood changes, Count, I couldn’t even ask to make things clear. I was afraid of reminding you of something you’d forgotten and getting kicked out again.”

 

As if emotions she had held back for so long had burst out all at once.

 

Her lips that parted to catch her breath trembled noticeably.

 

“But still, if we’re assigning blame, it would be my fault after all. You have no reason to explain everything to me, Count. I’m the one who wants to stay at this estate more than you want me here.”

 

Ludrio ultimately couldn’t carelessly interrupt the woman’s words.

 

Because he finally realized that from the moment the woman set foot in the estate until now, she had been bound to him with Iban as hostage.

 

“You allowed me to stay for Iban’s sake, Count, but in truth, you don’t need it and I’m the only one who does.”

 

Only then did he seem to understand what the woman was trying to say and how long she had endured.

 

What feelings she must have had while enduring the days at the estate.

 

“But now you said you need me too, Count.”

 

In the end, it was as she said.

 

She had no decision-making power, yet hadn’t heard a single convincing explanation.

 

The reasons he presented were all insignificant compared to why the woman had to stay at the Duke’s Manor, and ultimately all his words must have seemed like mere whims to her.

 

In reality, even if he suddenly acted on a whim and kicked the woman out, there was nothing she could do about it.

 

“Then now you can care for me a little too, Count. You should. Since you told me to stay, not that I’m clinging here pitifully…”

 

Finally, tears welled up drop by drop.

 

The woman wasn’t his subordinate or servant. She was different from those who stayed by choice, whether for compensation or honor.

 

Luna was being held hostage.

 

A woman who was nothing compared to him, because of the child.

 

She was being held with her soft small body, powerless status, and nothing to protect herself with.

 

‘I have to protect both myself and Iban…’

 

In the midst of that, she had so many things to protect…

 

“Why is this so difficult?”

 

The woman roughly rubbed around her eyes.

 

“It’s not like I’m asking for something grand. Why do I have to make even saying this so difficult?”

 

While he was suspecting she might be someone sent by the Regent.

 

No, even until now.

 

“…”

 

Suddenly he thought that unlike him, this woman must not have had a single moment of comfort.

 

Facing Luna with her head down, Ludrio closed his half-open mouth again.

 

His mouth went dry and the words that had been circling his tongue disappeared without a sound.

 

What should he say?

 

What words should he speak?

 

“…Yes,”

 

Nevertheless, the thought that he had to say something to the woman filled his head.

 

Ludrio caught his breath for a moment and barely opened his mouth.

 

“I didn’t think that far.”

 

Only then did Luna slowly raise her head again. The strength gradually left her lips that she had been biting to suppress her emotions.

 

At her lips that were red enough to look painful, Ludrio let out another soft breath.

 

To make a small excuse, it had been a life accustomed to orders and notifications.

 

There was no need to offer explanations about them, and he had never tried to be understood.

 

And suspecting and trying to determine whether she might be a spy sent by the Regent…

 

That couldn’t possibly serve as an excuse.

 

“It’s my fault.”

 

In the end, his admission of fault came from his lips once again.

 

Now that all suspicions had been cleared, at least now, even if not to others, he should have properly explained to Luna.

 

Considering her reputation. Thinking about why she said she would stay in this place, he should have done so at least for Luna.

 

“From now on, I’ll be more considerate.”

 

It wasn’t that she was sensitive, but that he had been indifferent.

 

“…Don’t cry.”

 

“Yes.”

 

The answer was very quick and clear.

 

Luna quickly rubbed around her eyes.

 

“…I’m not crying.”

 

At the meaningless lie that followed, Ludrio pondered for a moment before rising from his seat.

 

“Tea. Let’s have some tea.”

 

Then he awkwardly rubbed the back of his neck and hurriedly walked toward the door.

 

The tray that the employee who had knocked on the study door long ago had left behind.

 

It must have already become lukewarm in the cold air of the corridor, but instead of calling for someone, Ludrio quietly brought the tray inside.

 

It seemed better not to let others in before a woman who was shedding tears yet insisted she wasn’t crying.

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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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