But Anne knew their thoughts all too well. Her grip on his clothes tightened. The idea that those who had sold her out and attempted vile acts would cling to her brought a sneer.
“There’s no need to deal with them. I’ll have them sent back on that ship immediately.”
While she initially wanted to pass by pretending not to see, that voice snapped her back to reality.
“No, I’ll do it. It’s something I should have done at least once.”
She had never wished for such a reunion, but there were things that needed to be confronted and cleared, including them. Deciding it was better to address the past now that it had come to this, Anne released Daymond’s coat she had been clutching and stepped forward to face them squarely.
Anne spoke sharply, staring at them coldly as they were filled with expectation.
“Don’t expect anything from me. Just because you call my name doesn’t make me your daughter. I’ve considered you nonexistent for a long time.”
“Angroanne, how can you… How did I raise you? Think about when you were young.”
The old buried resentments briefly resurfaced. The woman who had forced her to practice elegant walking for hours with thick books on her head, and who had whipped the thighs of a 10-year-old child for dropping a book.
Anne bit her lip. Recalling such things was pointless. Though to be expected, they hadn’t changed over the years.
Seeing no gain in flaunting affection, the former Countess’s attempt to appeal through sentiment soon turned to tears of despair as if the sky was falling down.
“My only daughter that I birthed. How can you turn your back on us!”
“How can I? Don’t you remember? You don’t seem to remember having laid a hand on me either.”
Their startled reaction was visible. It was odd. She felt no compassion for them, even as they had fallen this low. Wasn’t it their own doing?
Realizing her own harshness, Anne continued.
“You never acknowledged me as your daughter, and now you do? If it’s about repaying for being born from your stomach, I’ve done more than enough.”
“We are family, aren’t we? Are you going to abandon the natural bond between parent and child?”
The choice of words by the man who was once her father was laughable. The tone accusing her of ingratitude only highlighted their unchanged attitude.
Even in this state, their inability to repent made Anne realize there was no need to avoid them any longer. They were such weak people after all.
“Family? Coming from the people who sold me out twice for the sake of the family?”
“All that was for your sake…”
“How shocking.”
Daymond, who had trusted Anne to handle the situation momentarily, was about to intervene, as he was filled with anger. Anne stopped him with a silent gesture. She took a moment to compose herself.
Then Anne faced her mother with an expression without any significant emotion. Strictly speaking, there was nothing between them. Daymond was by her side now so she was able to stand firm.
“Let me correct a misunderstanding you seem to have. I bear the name of Angroanne Cromund. My family consists only of Daymond here and my son. I have no other family.”
There might have been a time when she forcibly attached affection to the name of family, but now Anne had a new family. Her beloved husband, Daymond, and their son, Eroel.
Having made up her mind, Anne’s face showed resolution, and their faces were filled with despair. Whether it was guilt or sheer stubbornness, Anne didn’t care.
“I’ll forgive your impudence today, but if you want to keep even that life of yours, don’t expect anything from me. Don’t even dare to call the name of Grand Duchess Cromund so casually.”
Anne looked away gracefully and turned away from them. When she turned back, Daymond was waiting with a warm gaze. The brief chill in her heart melted away under his hot eyes.
Daymond, having calmed his anger, made a quick hand gesture behind Anne’s back as if to take care of them without Anne knowing and then casually spoke.
“It seems we’ve seen everything here, shall we head home? I’m quite hungry after walking all day.”
“Yes.”
Anne gently grasped the hand he offered, and he tightened his grip. Her small, white hand was securely clasped in his large one. Just the entwined fingers alone brought a sense of comfort.
“What would you like for dinner tonight? Just say the word. I’ll prepare everything.”
“Why? Are you planning to show off your skills?”
“There’s nothing I can’t do. If you want, I’ll make it happen. Fish just needs to be grilled.”
Though his offer was made as a joke, Daymond shrugged without a hint of hesitation. Looking at him, who was oddly eager, it slowly relaxed the tense expression on Anne’s face.
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