Our Summer Isn't Over Yet - Chapter 30

Not showing that she had noticed their intentions, she simply wore a faint smile. Lady Philville, realizing Mia wouldn’t answer, hurriedly asked, “Will the Duchess of Richard attend the ball?”

Mia smiled brightly at Lady Philville, who had appropriately cut off the situation, and replied, “I’m a little hesitant to attend balls that require a partner. Unless Dylan returns in the meantime.”

Everyone nodded at Mia’s statement, reminded that Dylan was currently staying at the residence in Lodes, working hard to train the navy.

“Ha, ha… I suppose so? But everyone would be happy to welcome you if you attended, Duchess.”

Mia lifted her teacup and slowly sipped her tea. Lady Philville, realizing that she didn’t want to continue the conversation, quickly turned people’s attention to another topic.

As the gazes moved away, Mia put down her teacup and thought. She had said earlier that she wouldn’t attend the ball because it required a partner, but the real reason Mia wasn’t going was different.

All the unmarried women would be attending this ball, and Annabelle Luke would surely be there as well. Considering she had recently appeared at the Pibill estate, it wasn’t hard to predict.

‘I’m a little hesitant.’

Mia shook her head, recalling the ominous look in Annabelle’s eyes the last time she saw her.

It wasn’t that Mia was scared or afraid of Annabelle. It was just that every time she encountered Annabelle, unnecessary friction arose, and there was a chance that an unexpected situation could occur again.

‘If she slashes my face again like last time.’

Dylan wouldn’t let Annabelle get away with it.

It was purely a hunch, but recalling the force she had seen back then, he seemed more than capable of it.

‘It’s best to avoid friction with the Luke family.’

The breeze, which had cooled down considerably, swept across the table. Only then did Mia erase her complicated thoughts and focus on the people in front of her, who were continuing their lively conversation.

Whatever happened, her monotonous daily life would continue until Dylan returned. That was what she had decided, and that was what she had told him.

However, sometimes things happen in life that you don’t want.

The first thing Mia encountered upon arriving at the residence was Aaron. He had just arrived, as Aaron was holding a small bag and documents in his hands.

Aaron calmly walked up to Mia and greeted her, “Greetings, Duchess.”

“Sir Aaron? Weren’t you with Dylan in Lodes?”

“His Excellency has ordered my return.”

“Is something wrong?”

Mia naturally tensed up when she saw Aaron’s face, as black as his hair.

Did something happen to Dylan?

She couldn’t figure out why Aaron had returned. Especially since she hadn’t been able to get through to Dylan on the phone yesterday.

The gentle expression on her face stiffened. Seeing this, Aaron hurriedly cleared his throat and explained the reason for his return.

“A strange rumor has begun to spread in Lodes.”

A rumor? It was different from what she had expected. Questions naturally arose in Mia’s mind. Aaron frowned as if he felt guilty just mentioning it, and barely opened his mouth.

“A small newspaper in Lodes published an article saying that you are not the real princess.”

Mia froze, unable to react.

“The article was published yesterday, and in less than a day, it spread throughout Lodes.”

She easily guessed the source of the rumor.

It was Jose. She had been wondering why he was quietly crouching and hiding, but it seemed he was finally starting to stir things up one by one. As she thought of him, Mia’s breath quickened as if someone was choking her.

“At this rate, it seems like it will spread secretly to the capital tomorrow.”

Thump, thump. Every time her heart beat, it felt like it was pulling Mia down. Mia tensed her body to prevent her hands from shaking.

‘Don’t be shaken, Mia.’

She took a deep breath, controlling every hair standing on end.

“Fortunately, His Excellency is aware of this incident, and the royal family is also quickly identifying the source and working to stop the rumors, but I have returned to respond quickly in case of an emergency.”

No, she wasn’t sure if she was in control. Aaron’s words in front of her kept scattering, and her toes were getting cold even though it was summer. She didn’t know what kind of expression she was making.

“His Excellency said he would call this evening, and it seems like the timing will be right if you go up now. Duchess?”

Aaron carefully called out to Mia, seeing her expression. Only then did Mia come to her senses.

“I’m sorry, I heard something unexpected.”

Mia gave a bright smile, tightening her grip on her fingers. Aaron nodded, saying it was understandable.

“Ah, it must be absurd.”

As if the appearance Aaron had seen just before was a mistake, Mia had her usual kind and gentle face. Mia continued to speak to Aaron, who was tilting his head at her, in her usual tone.

Aaron thought that Dylan and she were very similar, with her calm demeanor even after hearing such an absurd rumor.

“I should talk to Dylan about it quickly, let’s go up.”

“Yes, let’s move to the office right away.”

Mia’s stomach was in a mess, but she moved her steps lightly and gracefully.

Contrary to Mia’s worries, no one questioned her. It was only natural, as her lips were gently raised and her eyes were subtly folded, just like usual, and there was no impatience in her gait.

Her appearance was the perfect ‘Princess Sadie Mia’ and ‘Duchess of Richard’.

While waiting for Dylan’s call, Mia calmly looked at the situation, erasing her uneasy feelings.

The timing was quite coincidental. The fact that rumors about her were spreading in Lodes, where Dylan was, seemed to be to keep him tied down.

Mia’s sharp gaze reached the sharp pen tip. It was a scene she would have passed by casually, but she couldn’t now. Mia momentarily grabbed the area where her ribs were throbbing. It was the place where the scar from the flesh being carved out was. At the same time, the man who made this scar came to mind.

‘Prince Jose Yan Murad.’

She tried to calm down, but the memories of the past that she had pushed away began to creep up. From the moment the young boy uttered cruel words, in order.

“You really look exactly like my sister.”

It was the seventh year since she had been thoroughly manipulated by the ruthless King and Queen of Murad and trained to become a fake ‘Sadie Mia’. Mia happened to run into Jose one day that year.

“I really like your face.”

“…”

“I heard you’re losing your voice to become like my sister, but can you speak now?”

Jose, who was obsessively attached to his sister, had discovered Mia. At first, looking at his innocent face, she thought he might be able to get her out of this hellish place.

Without knowing that she had fallen into an even worse hell, she parted her lips and made a sound, which was the first mistake she made after meeting Jose.

“Even if I damage your vocal cords with poison, you can still make a sound. It’s quite pretty. I think it would be better to have you instead of my sister.”

“Hic, ugh.”

“If poison doesn’t work, should I scare you? They say that when people are extremely scared, they forget how to speak. Aren’t you curious to know if that’s true or not?”

Jose liked Mia’s screams.

The panting that came as her back was torn, and the trembling body when a long scar appeared on her calf.

When she stopped making sounds one day, he would say disgusting things, saying he missed her voice.

“I’ll treat you well when you’re no longer useful. You know I’m doing this all for you, right?”

“…”

“Aren’t you excited for the moment when I steal you away after raising you so well?”

However, Jose never stole Mia away. From the moment it was confirmed that Mia would leave for Hippolyte, he could no longer see Mia.

It was no use even if Jose struggled.

After all, a mere fourth prince could not defeat the king and queen of a country. Of course, there was an incident where Jose found Mia and almost raped her right before Mia left, but fortunately for Mia, it was unsuccessful.

“I’m going to get you back! Wait for me.”

She still felt like she could hear that hateful voice shouting.

“Haa.”

Perhaps she should have questioned the fact that Jose had left traces in Lodes in the first place. The probability of Jose sneaking into the place where the navy was stationed was extremely low.

But if he was there, it was the same as Hippolyte having an enemy in a military area.

It was only natural that Dylan was dispatched there.

“To return from Lodes, I have to catch the fourth prince.”

Even though Jose clearly couldn’t threaten her in Hippolyte’s capital, especially in Dylan’s residence, Mia was strangely uneasy.

Jose wouldn’t easily show himself. So, in order to catch him.

“I have to be the bait.”

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