I Won't Go Back To My Family Who Abandon Me novel Chapter 86

“How have you been, Leticia?”

It was their first meeting since she’d firmly said that she wouldn’t go back to her family. At first glance, it seemed like a simple greeting, but Countess Aster seemed cautious while she was asking.

“Yes, I’m doing well.”

Leticia had noticed almost immediately that her family was worried about whether she’d been hurt by the whole proceedings, so she smiled for them so they knew that she was okay. It was a brief exchange, but the Count and Countess gave relieved sighs.

After that, Leticia took a sip of tea, thinking that she was glad that she’d come to meet them today.

Countess Aster also smiled, perhaps thinking the same thing.

“I’m relieved to hear that you’ve been well.”

She couldn’t tell Leticia, but Count Aster and his wife blamed themselves for forcibly breaking her ties with her biological family. In addition, the Countess had lost sleep thinking about Leticia coming to regret it, and telling them that she was returning to her real family.

Despite their worries, Leticia looked more relaxed than ever.

This allowed them to feel a sense of comfort.

“I actually have a favor to ask of you.”

She said as she snuck a look at Countess Aster. As soon as their eyes met, she felt that Leticia was trying to make a difficult request.

“It’s okay, Leticia. Feel free to speak comfortably.”

“Yes, I’ll do whatever you want.”

So far, Leticia had never asked for anything difficult before. She seemed to think it was an unreasonable request based on her own standards.

Their expectations turned out to be correct.

“Can you come when I get married?”

“….”

At her unexpected request, Count Aster and his wife fell silent.

When the heavy silence continued, Leticia bowed her head and wrung her hands. She was about to apologize for her unreasonable demand.

“Are you marrying Duke Achilles?”

“Have you set a date? Do you know where?”

“When did he propose to you?”

The Count and Countess jumped up at the same time, placed their hands on the table, and leaned the upper bodies towards Leticia.

As their questions poured out, Leticia had no time to answer them, as she touched her cheek in embarrassment.

“No, that’s not what I meant… I think we’ll do it one day.”

She brought it up because she wasn’t sure if the conversation with Enoch was a joke or not.

The reality was that engagement and marriage hadn’t really meant anything to Leticia before.

The only reason she decided to get engaged to Livion was that she thought it wouldn’t be bad.

However, after meeting Enoch Leticia’s thoughts changed.

She always wanted to be with him, she wanted to stand by him. As the feelings in her heart grew beyond her control, she now had the desire to be his one and only person.

“Leticia.”

The Count made eye contact with his wife after he’d quietly called out to Leticia, then he continued to speak.

“You’re always welcome to ask these kinds of requests.”

“Count…”

“We would be happy to be with you at your happiest time.”

Count Aster and his wife told her it was a normal request, as if they were scolding her. However, their gazes were warm like a midday spring, which made Leticia smile broadly.

“Thank you.”

As soon as the talk of marriage came up, the Aster couple said they would take care of the preparations. So, when they did get married, they would be able to deliver it to them.

Even though they hadn’t decided on the date, it was already concluded that they were getting married.

After spending a wonderful time together, the sky began to darken. Leticia decided it would be best to return to the Achilles mansion, so she stood up from her seat, and said that she would visit again.

Count Aster and his wife watched Leticia climb into the carriage, and asked her to come again soon. Leticia, who’d been climbing into the carriage, paused for a moment and returned to the Count and Countess.

“Is something the matter?”

They wondered if there was something that she’d left behind, but Leticia didn’t answer. Instead she had a glint in her eyes, as if she’d made up her mind about something.

As soon as they tried to ask her again Leticia suddenly grabbed one of Count’s hand, and one of the Countess’ hands.

“….”

“…?”

It was obvious that she wanted to say something.

Count Aster and his wife waited quietly for Leticia to speak without rushing her. Rather, they gently patted the back of her hand to let her know that it was okay.

Leticia had finally gathered her courage and said.

“Thank you. Father, mother…”

She really wanted to call them that at least once.

Before she could even look to see if she made them uncomfortable, she was wrapped up in an embrace. Only after she looked up at them wide-eyed did she realize that the Count and Countess were hugging her.

“Thank you for calling us father and mother.”

“My daughter, don’t ever get sick and come back again.”

Leticia bit her lip because she felt like she was about to cry at the sweet voice that fell over her head. She was so happy that she had someone who cared about her, and it felt so comfortable in their arms.

***

‘People who are more like her parents than her actual parents.’

On the way back to the Achilles mansion, Leticia couldn’t stop thinking about Count Aster and Countess Aster, who truly cared about her like she was their real daughter.

The two were a great couple in many ways. Most people don’t share their wealth, despite having more than they could ever use. The Count and Countess actively donated, they served on charity boards, and performed good deeds. They were respected and recognized by many, regardless of their status.

The only thing they were missing were children, since Countess Aster was too weak to carry them.[1]

“They are people who will cherish their children more than anyone else…”

As she was thinking about how she wanted only good news for Count Aster and his wife, then she arrived at the mansion.

As soon as she got to the mansion, she immediately went to the drawing room, where she found Enoch sitting. She saw him first, smiled brightly and approached him, but stopped walking suddenly.

“Why are you looking like that? What’s wrong?”