One Day, I Picked Up a Mom - Chapter 59

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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 59

My sorrowful crying was quickly muffled in the cold air inside the carriage.

As I hurriedly bit my lips, silence fell for a moment.

“Such foolishness… worrying about such absurd things.”

Then cold reproach flowed from the Countess’s mouth.

“If I had wanted to eliminate you to stop this marriage, I would have put poison in your food or secretly sent someone to deal with you. I wouldn’t have dragged you out of that estate where everyone could see you in the first place. There’s no reason to make things so troublesome.”

When I raised my head at the rapidly following words, the Countess who met my eyes flinched her brow as if flustered.

Her gaze wavered here and there before fixing on the window.

“Just wipe your tears.”

She said while still staring blankly out the window.

As if she had deliberately turned her head away so I wouldn’t be embarrassed.

‘…So she won’t kill me.’

As I rubbed my eyes with that thought, the Countess shook her head.

“You still don’t carry a handkerchief with you.”

“…I have a handkerchief.”

When I found the handkerchief that the family employee had prepared for me before leaving the estate and wiped my face with it, she scolded me again with displeasure.

“You used to talk back so boldly before. …If Ludrio sees your face like this, he’ll pester me again.”

She shook her head as if utterly fed up.

Then she leaned her head against the carriage wall and closed her eyes.

Though the blurry scenery outside the window changed several times, she didn’t speak anymore until we arrived at the Duke’s mansion, as if exhausted.

Her closed eyes and tightly sealed lips remained the same until the carriage stopped.

“I don’t know how much of our conversation Ludrio told you, but I no longer oppose you becoming the Duchess.

Then, just before the carriage door opened, she spoke to me.

“The duchy with only the previous Duke is boring, and I want you to…”

The Countess stopped speaking the moment the employee opened the door.

However, even though the employee who opened the door at the Countess’s gesture stepped back several paces, the interrupted words were not continued.

“I meant it when I said I would help. So stop worrying unnecessarily by racking your inadequate brain.”

She added coldly without looking at me in the end.

As if that was all she wanted to say, the Countess gestured for the employee to come closer.

“You explain to Ludrio. I seem to have done my part for today.”

When I followed her out of the carriage, the Countess, who was already walking quite far ahead, suddenly stopped and turned around.

“Go find Kravan and get treatment first. It would look even more unsightly if you get scars.”

Her gaze lingered very briefly around my wrist where Rosemond had grabbed me, then fell away.

It was only after some time had passed that I realized these were words the Countess had deliberately said to comfort my anxious self.

She had truly decided to help me, so I shouldn’t worry unnecessarily.

“Thank you.”

After a moment’s consideration.

I hurriedly caught up with the Countess and greeted her.

“What?”

“…Thank you for today.”

The Countess looked at me intently with furrowed brows, then turned her back and entered the estate.

* * *

The western side of Count Roderich’s mansion in the capital.

The indoor training hall located in an annex far from the main residence.

Even though deep darkness had settled beyond the domed skylight, the training hall was as bright as under the midday sun thanks to the gas lamps densely positioned along the walls.

Long, sharp shadows quickly crossed over the wooden floor in the center of the training hall.

Clang-!

Ludrio’s sword struck down as if to shatter Kairon’s blade.

Under that heavy impact, Kairon’s arm was pushed aside, revealing his tightly guarded chest.

Ludrio didn’t miss that opening and lowered his upper body, diving into Kairon’s embrace.

The tip of his sword rushed toward Kairon’s heart in the shortest distance.

Panicked, Kairon quickly twisted his sword to block the blade coming toward his body.

His plan was to press his sword down strongly from top to bottom, striking Ludrio’s blade to the floor.

But Ludrio didn’t resist that pressure. Instead, he flexibly rotated his wrist using the point where the two blades met as an axis.

Ludrio’s sword slid over his opponent’s blade, and Kairon’s pressing force cut through empty air.

In an instant, Ludrio’s sword tip, having corrected its trajectory, completely passed through the defenseless guard and thrust right up to Kairon’s nape.

“Ugh-.”

The moment the blade that seemed ready to cut Kairon’s throat stopped right next to his skin in mid-air, a short sigh escaped from Kairon’s throat.

Kairon stepped back while breathing heavily.

“I lost again.”

Only then did Ludrio withdraw his sword and sheathe it.

Thud-.

“Yes. You lost again, Kairon.”

Then, as if today’s sparring was over, he threw his scabbard to the floor.

“But…”

Ludrio, who was massaging his shoulder muscles, turned his gaze to Kairon who was grumbling as if wronged.

“Your Highness hasn’t been practicing with the sword lately, so I really thought I would win this time.”

Kairon knelt and breathed heavily.

Sweat drops fell from his soaked hair and face.

He squeezed his eyes shut and roughly rubbed around his eyes with his sleeve.

“…I devoted myself to practice all day, yet I lost again.”

Ludrio, who was wiping the sweat dripping from his chin, smiled silently.

“You did well.”

Then he handed him a water bottle.

Kairon slightly lowered his head, took the water bottle, and quickly drank the water.

Without a moment to breathe, he emptied more than half the bottle and let out a deep breath.

“I lost though.”

Kairon tightened his grip on the water bottle.

He stared at the floor and suddenly frowned.

“Are you frustrated?”

“…Yes.”

A brief affirmation.

Soon he opened his mouth again.

“I hate something called talent.”

His tightly clenched fist and downturned mouth.

At Kairon’s confession, Ludrio studied his face for a moment before turning his head.

“Let’s go out first.”

“I’ll stay a little longer.”

“Resting well is also part of training.”

Before long, quiet footsteps followed behind Ludrio.

When he pushed the massive oak door, cold night wind rushed in instantly.

Facing the wind that now carried the scent of winter, he reflected on Kairon’s words.

Talent.

It was a word that followed Ludrio around sickeningly.

Whether showing off or mocking.

Some were sorrowful or resentful. Others admired or envied it.

In any case, Ludrio didn’t particularly like that thing called talent either. Perhaps as much as Kairon.

‘I wonder if she’s back by now.’

When the cold night wind had stolen all the heat from the training hall, Ludrio suddenly thought of Luna.

Even though he had told her she didn’t have to go out if she didn’t want to, she stubbornly followed the Countess Roderich out. With a face still full of worry.

Still, she must have gotten plenty of new clothes and accessories, so maybe she’s feeling a bit better now.

Even with the Countess accompanying her, the first encounter with nobles might have been overwhelming.

…Without even realizing it, Ludrio’s steps toward the Main Residence quickened just a little.

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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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