My Fiancée Hates Me novel Chapter 26

I wonder why I dreamt of Mother's death...It is such an ominous sign.

"I am looking for someone," a woman said in a quiet voice.

"Arielle, someone is here for you," Maura said.

I quickly made my way down the stairs from the second floor. At the entrance of Exurbia Library was my mother Duchess Amalie Ira Nereus Maddox. She was wearing a white high collar navy blue dress and had her gentle long pink wavy hair tied back into a low ponytail.

"Greetings, Mother," I said as I formally greeted her with a curtsy.

"Greetings, Arielle," she said as she returned my greeting.

My mother and I had gotten close in our first lives because of her illness. Without the illness, we never really had any chance to talk to one another. We were back to our strained relationship.

I know that she actually loves me a lot under her cold demure from our first lives, but I am unsure if she feels the same way now.

"What brings you to the capital, Mother?" I asked.

"...Your father invited me to come along with him on a business trip. I thought that I might as well show my face to you while I am here," she said monotonously. "Am I bothering you?"

"Not at all. The Exurbia Library is not busy around this time," I said.

"Your father will not be out of his meeting for another three hours. I will be free until then," she said.

Did she have to specifically tell that to me?

"I see," I said.

Her bottom lip seemed to quiver a bit.

Is she ill?

"It seems that Miss Arielle is free today," Garett said.

"Is that so?" Mother asked.

"She would like to spend time with you," Garett whispered to me.

Is that so?

Mother is really awkward...Why could she not have said it outright?

"Mother, would you mind accompanying me while I go shopping?" I asked.

Her cold face brightened up like a child for a moment but quickly stiffened right afterwards.

"...I do not mind spending time with my daughter," Mother said with her usual cold tone.

Is she happy or bothered about spending time with me?

"I will take over for you, so go spend some quality time with her," Garett said as he took over my list of duties.

"Thank you," I told him.

"Arielle, who is this young man?" Mother asked.

Is Mother also unaware of Garett's identity? He is literally the carbon copy of Prince Erik if not for his hair color and glasses and is Prince Erik's cousin...

"He is my colleague," I answered.

Mother gave a light curtsy in Garett's direction.

"Thank you for looking after my beloved daughter," Mother said.

She said 'beloved'...I am a little embarrassed now.

"She is not much trouble," Garett said with a smile.

Mother and I left after that.

"I like that boy," Mother said suddenly.

"Come again?"

"He reminds me of your father. He seems cold on the outside but is actually rather warm and sweet on the inside. If he becomes my son-in-law, I would be more than welcome to welcome him into our household."

"M-Mother, I have a fiancé."

"A fiancé is merely a temporary position," she said as she walked ahead of me.

I am unsure if she was joking or not.

We went to a nearby cafe that Maura and I usually go to during breaks. I ordered a slice of velvet cake with some black coffee while my mother ordered bear shaped pancakes and a café au lait with a cat motif.

How cute...

"Has anything new occurred to the fiefdom?" I asked to break the silence.

"...Are governing matters the only thing we can talk about?" Mother asked.

I was suddenly taken back by her response.

"That is not it..."

"All of your letters show concern for the fief. It is admirable about how much you care despite being so far from home. I wish that you would include more things about yourself that are not a report..."

Mother was suddenly willing to speak so much to me. As I thought, she has not changed from our first lives. It was not due to her illness changing her into a kind person. She was the same from the very start.

"...What should we talk about?" I asked her.

"...How about love?"

I felt as though someone had thrown a stone at my head. This was the last topic that I ever wanted to talk with my mother with. Since she brought it up herself, if I quickly dismiss it, she might lose confidence in herself again.

"That is an interesting topic, Mother. I would like to hear about how Mother and Father are doing," I said with a smile.

I will throw the oil right back.

Her hand shook a little while her cheeks became flushed.

"O-Oh...Your father and I are doing just fine."

This is good...She is frazzled. I can ride along with this.