My Adorable Daughter Can't Be A Villainess - Chapter 48 - Trust

Chloe had only met Count Aiden Blackwood once, back when she was still in the academy.

He had come as a spectator to one of the contests, not because he was invited, but because Eric was participating.

Chloe still remembered every second of that day.

She had been nervous, even though her expression remained cold and composed.

Her match was against someone who had already made a name for himself before even entering the academy.

Eric Blackwood, the crowd’s favorite.

On the other hand, she came from a no-name family, someone no one had any expectations of. If anything, a few people from her class wanted to see her fall flat on her face.

Yet she shattered those expectations and defeated Eric in battle, earning herself even more resentment from the crowd.

What truly shocked her, however, was the invitation to meet the Count.

Genuinely, she had not expected the Count to take offense at seeing his son defeated. But then again, it was no secret that he adored his firstborn, so Chloe had prepared herself for anything, even an outburst.

But as if that day was meant to crush expectations, the man had invited her simply to congratulate her. He praised her battle sense and said she would reach great heights.

The last expression she remembered on the man’s face had been a smile.

But now, sitting in the reception hall, there was something entirely different in its place.

He looked displeased, his brows drawn together in clear dissatisfaction.

Chloe stood on the first floor with her daughter beside her.

She was unsure whether she should remain where she was or go down to greet him. And even if she did, how was she supposed to introduce Charlotte?

“Mom… does Grandfather dislike us too, like Grandmother?” Charlotte asked hesitantly, noticing the stiffness on her mother’s face.

Chloe did not answer right away. She took a moment to choose her words before speaking. “No, he doesn’t. They just need some time to accept us. I mean… you.”

Charlotte was far too tense to joke about the small slip.

Chloe patted her daughter’s shoulder and said, “Come on, let’s go in—”

“Is this the kind of manners you intend to teach your daughter?” the Count suddenly spoke, his voice loud enough to reach Chloe. “To ignore your elders? Is that what you aim to teach her?”

Chloe bit her lower lip. Of course, he had heard them.

She quietly instructed her daughter, “Go inside and don’t come out unless I tell you.”

Charlotte glanced at her mother nervously, but she knew better than to argue. She cast one last look at the older man before turning and heading into the room.

Chloe took a deep breath and made her way downstairs.

Her expression was calm as she approached him and said, “I believed you would be displeased to be greeted by someone like me.”

Chloe was certain that his wife, the only woman who hated her even more than her own mother, must have spoken ill of her.

As such, she believed that showing her face before the man would only sour his mood.

“What do you mean, someone like me? Are you a criminal, hiding your face, or guilty of something you’ve done?”

Chloe did not respond. What exactly did he want to hear?

“I’ve heard about you, and how your presence has changed my son’s life. He even broke off his engagement without bothering to discuss it with me. Not to mention, his mother was deeply hurt after their last meeting.”

Chloe lowered her gaze and replied, “You may not believe me, but I never demanded or tried to push Eric into doing anything.”

Was there even a point in saying that?

The world has always been like this. No matter what happened, the weak were always the first to be targeted.

Chloe had lived through enough to grow used to cruelty, to listen in silence and walk away once people were done speaking.

However, Chloe had made a mistake by judging this man too hastily.

And soon, she would come to regret it.

….

“Hm,” the Saint murmured as he assessed the small boy lying on the altar, his brows drawn together.

They were in a church located within the prism, where Eric had requested an urgent meeting with the Saint.

Every church had at least one Saint. However, a cathedral, like the one where Chloe had been treated, had more than one.

Nina stood close to Eric, her eyes filled with anxiety as she fidgeted in place, waiting to hear the Saint’s verdict.

Eric appeared calm, but inwardly he was tense as well, uncertain whether her brother could still be saved.

Finally, the Saint nodded to himself and cast a spell on the little boy.

At once, the boy’s ragged breathing eased, his expression softened, and the trembling stopped.

The white-robed man then turned to Eric and said calmly, “He is not in fatal danger yet, Sir Blackwood, but he must be treated urgently.”

He added, “His internal organs have been affected. That is why he hasn’t been able to keep regular food down.”

“Y-Yes… whenever I fed him anything, he vomited it out,” Nina replied, her voice trembling.

The church member nodded in understanding. “For now, he must remain here and be treated slowly. Eliminating the disease all at once would only leave him like an empty shell.”

Eric hummed. “I understand. How long will it take for him to recover?”

The man did not need much time to think. “About a month.”

Eric nodded and then turned to Nina. “You heard him.”

The pink-haired girl kept her eyes on her brother as she asked, “C-Can I stay here with him?”

The Saint smiled warmly. “Of course you can. But in return, you must help from time to time, alright?”

Nina nodded without hesitation. “I will.”

The Saint then exchanged a few words with Eric before excusing himself to prepare for the treatment.

Nina slowly turned toward Eric, her head lowered.

“I… am sorry… for doubting you.”

Eric smiled gently at the girl before replying, “I’m glad you trust me now.”

Crouching in front of her, Eric rested his hand on top of her head and said softly, “Now be a strong sister and take care of your brother. I’ll come check on you from time to time.”

For now, Eric had managed to prevent a tragedy from befalling Nina.

And he hoped it would erase the destiny she shared with Charlotte.

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