Chapter 13
Dorian knew full well this was a huge headache, yet he still dumped it on Luciana,
Since he’d been given a second chance, he should’ve known the Faulkner family didn’t rebel. If he wanted, he could’ve arranged things properly for Edmund–no need to send him back.
Dorian had planned to just ditch Edmund, leaving him here before Luciana could react.
But he never expected Luciana to react so quickly; it seemed she was truly determined not to take Edmund in.
“Back then, you promised Grandfather you’d take him in. Now you’re going back on your word?” Dorian snapped, all righteous.
Luciana smirked. “You weren’t even there that day. How do you know I’m the one going back on my word?”
Dorian explained, “Sis told me, and Edmund said it too–you promised Grandfather! You can’t break your word.”
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As soon as he finished, Juliette and Edmund walked in. Edmund looked pale. Before coming, Dorian had specifically asked him what Luciana
had said to Lord Norman.
Edmund couldn’t remember. Though it felt like just over half a month ago, in reality, that scene was over a decade past for him.
But Juliette remembered.
Juliette said Luciana had solemnly promised to take care of him and told Lord Norman to focus on finding evidence.
From then on, Luciana would cover all his living expenses–no need for money or any repayment. Just wait patiently.
Luciana also said that he would not be treated unfairly and comforted him to stay at ease.
Hearing this, Edmund was baffled. ‘Did Luciana really say that? Maybe…!
He started to recall how patiently Luciana had been comforting him that day.
But when had he forgotten all this?
Edmund hung his head, his thoughts a mess, when Luciana stepped in front of him and asked slowly, “Was it me who broke the promise?”
Edmund felt ashamed again. He was the one who’d insisted on leaving–nothing to do with Luciana.
“Lord Faulkner didn’t want to stay with me, made a scene for days, smashed a bunch of stuff. How could I force him?” Luciana countered with
a smile.
Dorian coughed lightly, defending Edmund, “He just had a momentary lapse, that’s all.”
‘Who knew what Edmund was thinking? We weren’t close, but Edmund definitely couldn’t stay with Juliette,‘ he thought to himself.
“No, that’s not it!” Edmund instinctively protested. He’d come back to life just to stay by Juliette’s side.
Even though things weren’t going how he imagined, he couldn’t back down so soon.
Luciana turned to Juliette. “He wanted to leave, and I agreed. Then I heard you took him in. If you wanted him from the start, why not say so
earlier? I wouldn’t have brought him with me from the He family.”
‘Didn’t Edmund claim I had forced him to stay, ruining his chance to be with Juliette?
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Chapter 13
And that without my interference, he’d have gone with Juliette? Well, everyone’s here now–let’s sort this out,’ she said inwardly.
Edmund looked at Juliette nervously, thinking, ‘She was going to take me in… right?‘
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When he left Luciana, he was absolutely convinced that Juliette would take him in, but now he was unsure,
Facing Edmund’s eager gaze, Juliette frowned. “I don’t know Lord Faulkner, and I’m clueless about the Faulkner family’s situation. Plus, I’m
not even married yet–how am I supposed to explain suddenly having a strange man in my house?”
Dorian chimed in, “My sister never said she’d take him in. You’re the one who said it–shouldn’t you be responsible for him?”
“But you saved him,” Luciana said with exaggerated emphasis. “When he was wandering the streets, you took him in.”
Juliette turned away in disgust. ‘Seriously? Now he’s my responsibility?‘
“I only saved him that day because he kept knocking on my door. I was afraid things would escalate and his identity would be exposed, so! took him in temporarily. I figured you’d have cooled off by now, so I brought him back as soon as possible.”
Juliette first explained her reasons for helping, then made it clear that her main goal was to return Edmund to Luciana.
Just then, Dorian added, “Grandfather and Lord Harold Faulkner were close friends for years. If the Faulkner family was truly wronged, Grandfather would do everything to clear their name. If they weren’t wronged, then we can’t let this fugitive slip away.
“Whatever the case, someone has to take him in. I can’t–I live in the palace. And my sister isn’t married yet–it’s not proper for her to house an outsider.”
Luciana’s face darkened by the second–that bastard Dorian didn’t remember a damn thing she’d ever done for him.
“Just because I’ve been married means I can take any man in?” she shot back.
Dorian froze. He remembered that Luciana never cared about such things in the past. In their previous life, she’d been scolded repeatedly for Edmund’s sake, but she never complained.
‘So, at her age now, she still cared about her name?‘ he wondered.
“Ahem!” Dorian coughed loudly and shot Edmund a meaningful look.
If Luciana had been willing to take him in without complaint in their previous life, then surely she’d be willing now–she just wanted Edmund to beg a little.
But Edmund, for whatever reason, ignored him.
‘Begging Luciana again? Absolutely not. Maybe… I should try begging Juliette instead,‘ he thought.
Before anyone could react, Edmund dropped to his knees in front of Juliette with a thud.
Luciana smirked, eyes gleaming with approval.
Instantly, Juliette froze mid–step, staring blankly. ‘Holy crap, they’re actually pinning this on me?‘
“Service! Coffee for the table!” Luciana threw out the order, realizing she’d been so caught up in talking that she forgot about it.
Donovan knew the matters being discussed inside were confidential, so he didn’t let anyone disturb them.
Only when coffee was requested did he allow someone in.
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Chapter 13
Samuel came in carrying a tray, one cup of coffee, and a bowl of drink. He set them down, then turned to leave without a word or a stray glance.
Luciana took a sip and showed a hint of approval–it really was good.
She focused on savoring the drink, occasionally glancing at the commotion nearby, Edmund had just one request: for Juliette to take him in.
Juliette wasn’t willing, insisting it wasn’t convenient.
Edmund said he could stay and work in the household, even just as a regular servant–just give him a meal until the day the Faulkner family’s name could be cleared.
“Why are you still clinging to us? Sis saved you out of kindness–you can’t be ungrateful, can you?” Dorian shoved him away in disgust.
‘We’d already sent him back–why was he still clinging to Juliette?‘ he complained inwardly.
While speaking, Dorian kept peeking outside, wondering why Norman hadn’t arrived yet.
Afraid Luciana wouldn’t agree to keep him, Dorian had even invited Norman to persuade her.
Just then, Donovan entered and whispered a few words in Luciana’s ear. Luciana nodded slightly.
After Donovan left, Luciana said, “Grandfather heard it was about Lord Faulkner and sent word–he won’t force me to take Edmund in. Lord Faulkner is free to go.
“What he promised Lord Faulkner, he’ll deliver. But the condition remains the same–don’t go looking for him.”
Norman wasn’t like them. When the Faulkner family was destroyed, they were all still young, so they couldn’t have had any ties to the Faulkners.
But back then, Norman and Harold Faulkner served for the King and were on good terms, so he couldn’t afford to have any connection with Edmund.
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