Claude’s face looked flustered.
“Of course, but above all, your safety comes first. No matter how much wealth you receive, wouldn’t it be worse if you won’t be able to use it?”
“I don’t want wealth.”
“It’s not wealth?”
“Yes.”
Karina swallowed her dry saliva.
“Please protect my children.”
“……!”
If Claude was flustered a little while ago, now he was surprised. Karina continued without waiting for his answer.
“I can’t go back home. Because I can’t put my children in danger.”
“I know. I also had no intention of sending you home. And the kids… How can I forget them?”
Of course, you won’t forget.
Karina thought bitterly.
Isn’t he a man who wants to find out Roland’s potential and continue to recruit him as a vassal?
But now, the only thing she could hang on to was the man in front of her eyes.
“I was thinking of asking Wilder to look after the children, but I’m nervous because he’s in a dangerous situation, too.”
“Of course, but I’m against leaving the children to Wilder. He’s never a good match for a child.”
“Is that so?”
Karina wasn’t very surprised. It was hard to imagine a cranky person like Wilder playing well with the children.
“Still, I can leave it as long as they’re safe. But that’s not the case… can you take my children to the duke’s residence for a while?”
“Is that the reward you want?”
“Yes, you don’t have to give me wealth.”
Karina didn’t say she didn’t need any wealth at all.
Of course, if the children’s safety and money are tied to the scale, Karina will naturally choose the former.
However, if Claude guarantees the safety of the children and grants them wealth at the same time, there is no need to refuse, right?
Instead of answering right away, Claude looked at Karina for a moment and slowly opened her mouth.
“I have to admit it. I was really surprised.”
“I know it went over the topic.”
Karina gently admitted.
She rejected Claude’s proposal to become a duke’s vassal twice.
Naturally, the children will not be Claude’s vassal either.
In this situation, asking the Duke to take care of the children was an excessive demand as compensation for the accident.
“I think you’re mistaken for something.”
Karina’s eyes grew bigger.
“Me too, I was going to suggest something similar to what you said. So, you’d better think about something else as a reward.”
“……!”
Claude sneaked a look at Karina’s surprised face while smirking and laughing.
“Are you surprised?”
“Yes,”
Karina replied without hesitation.
“Your Grace is not obligated to protect my children……”
Karina’s words were cut off. It was because she realized that she was making a big illusion.
‘This person hasn’t given up on Roland yet.’
Karina’s body has hardened a little.
Claude, who already recognized Roland’s talent, was not a person to give up just because she rejected his offer twice.
‘If he was the person who gives up easily, he would have given up earlier in the novel.’
While Karina hesitated, Claude continued to complete her words.
“No obligation? That’s wrong, Mrs. Bloe. I have a duty to protect you and your children.”
“Is it because I’m hurt?”
Claude’s complexion changed in an instant. He strode toward Karina with a serious face.
‘What is this?’
Karina took a step back in embarrassment.
“Where did he get hurt?”
“Yes? Oh, it’s nothing.”
“I didn’t think about it. There’s no way you’ll be okay after going through that. I’ll call a doctor right away.”
“No. I’m fine.”
Actually, I wasn’t okay. My body was throbbing as if it had been beaten, I also seemed to have bruises and scratches on my legs as I crawled to the front door.
“It’s nothing.”
“Legs,”
Claude said, cutting off Karina’s words.
“And the whole body movement is uncomfortable. Maybe the pain hasn’t gone away yet.”
“……”
“You are not wrong. All of that will heal even if you leave it alone. However, ……”
Claude took a moment.
Rather than aiming for a dramatic effect, he seemed to choose the words as carefully as possible.
“Wouldn’t it be better to get better, much more comfortable and faster?”
“That’s right.”
“So, you have to see a doctor. If you take painkillers after receiving light treatment, the pain will disappear immediately.”
Karina blinked.
Claude was obviously caring for her. The problem was that his purpose was not her peace, but Roland.
“You need help more than you think.”
Karina politely refused.
“Thank you for the offer. But it’s tolerable.”
“……I get it.”
Claude had a lot to say, but he didn’t force more.
Karina smiled brightly.
“You don’t have to make that face. I’m really fine. This much, I’ve been through it quite a bit.”
“Have you experienced it before?”
“Oh, I don’t know if it’s to this extent.”
Karina hurriedly changed her words. Sir Renke’s punishment was a little worse than this, but come to think of it, it was unlikely that an ordinary widow would suffer from being caught up in magic.
“I want to know exactly what happens to the children.”
“Ah.”
Only then did Claude frown as if he realized that they were talking about the children’s future.
But Karina was not fooled.
Obviously, Claude’s biggest concern was Roland.
“I should go back to what I was talking about. The reason I will protect Mrs. Bloe and her children is simple.”
Karina’s eyes became round.
I was curious about the reason. More precisely, the reason why Claude wants to tell her.
“Mrs. Bloe is from Tors”.
“……?”
Karina blinked.
“I’m not from Tors. I’m from the North.”
“If you live in Tors, you’re from Tors.”
The Duke of Tors continued in a firm tone.
“A woman who lives in Tors, works in Tors, and sends their children to Tors’ public school,”
Karina nodded. There was nothing to refute.
“But if you’re not from Tors, where are you from?”
“That’s right.”
Karina thought Claude had a quite unique way of thinking, but there was no reason to refute it.
“But why does it matter if I’m a person from Tors?”
“Because I’m the Duke of Tors.”
Claude replied as if there was no more self-evident truth.
“Of course, I have to protect the Tors people. Furthermore, you’re in danger because of my mistake.”
Karina breathed in.
Even if all this was Claude’s way to recruit Roland, my heart began to flutter.
It means that he will protect the people of the territory because he is a monarch who rules the territory.
‘This person may be different.’
Of course, Claude showed nothing but words. But Karina knows it.
However, the aristocrats that Karina has known so far have already revealed a vulgar way of thinking that does not even treat commoners as humans.
But this person is…… he was a bit different.
“… Can I trust you?”
Karina covered her mouth in fear of the words splashing out. I was just thinking, but I can’t believe it came out of my mouth!
“You don’t seem to believe it.”
“No, I believe it.”
“Of course, it’s hard for you to believe it. It hasn’t been long since you got to know me.”
“…… “
“So, Madam, I would be grateful if you offer me an opportunity to persuade you first.”
“No, your Grace is already doing so much for me just by protecting the children.”
“You seem to be mistaken for something. I said I’d protect Madam, too.”
Karina shrugged.
“I didn’t forget.”
I’ll stay here quietly until the marks are resolved.
“I won’t meet the children either.”
Karina prayed for the children to understand the situation. Fortunately, Roland and Melissa have received magic education, so if you explain it properly, they will understand it quickly.
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If they didn’t understand and thought Karina left them, it couldn’t be helped.
It was much better to resent Karina for a while than to be targeted by the Duke of Tors’ enemies with Karina.
“What are you talking about?”
Claude said not understanding what she meant.
“Of course, Madam will also be protected at the duke’s residence. With the children.”