Our Summer Isn't Over Yet - Chapter 39

Mia, recalling the past, pressed her eyelids firmly once and then released her hand. The bustle of the banquet rushed back in. She stared at the chandelier light twinkling and the people in splendid attire moving back and forth, muttering, “Let’s not overthink it.”

The expression she saw on Dylan’s face this morning must have been a look he unconsciously made due to his recent excessive workload. The letter in his pocket must have been the same, as he was unusually distracted, and the letters gathered in his office must have been for the same reason, so she didn’t need to think too deeply about it.

‘Maybe they exchanged very trivial stories in the letters.’

For example, Mia changing her schedule to return a year later. Such minor stories.

Tilting her wine glass, Mia tried to dissipate the anxiety she felt.

Once she erased Dylan’s expression from her mind, she felt relatively at ease. The awkward smile she had been wearing finally became a little more natural.

After that, Mia had a decent time with the ladies who spoke to her. She occasionally made eye contact with Annabelle Luke, who was staring intently at her, but there were no major problems.

‘Marquis Luke is doing a good job of keeping her in check, so I don’t need to worry about it anymore.’

Mia nodded once towards Marquis Luke, who was firmly guarding Annabelle’s side, and then checked her watch.

It was almost twelve o’clock.

‘Dylan said he would arrive in Rhodia around one in the morning.’

He said he would give her a short call to the mansion, so it seemed like a good time to return.

“Ladies, I should head back now.”

“Already?”

“The banquet lasts for four days, so we can see each other again tomorrow.”

“Are you planning to visit all four days?”

Everyone seemed to have expected Mia to only come on the first day, as they couldn’t hide their surprise.

As they thought, Mia originally only intended to come on the first day. She had planned to visit today and completely dispel the rumors among the nobles that Mia was not ‘Seidimia,’ but she had been thinking about Dylan throughout the banquet, which caused a setback.

“It’s difficult to come every day for four days, but I plan to visit tomorrow for now.”

Mia, wearing a painted smile, gave a brief greeting and left the banquet hall.

Coming out of the dazzling banquet hall into the sparsely lit outdoors, she suddenly felt down. She wanted to return to the mansion as soon as possible and be in a bright room.

As she hurried her steps, a man sent by Morgan greeted Mia politely.

“Duchess of Richard, His Majesty the King summons you.”

It was quite a sudden summons.

Morgan had never called Mia separately before. Mia, quickly hiding her surprise, nodded.

“Where should I go?”

“I will guide you.”

Receiving the other person’s polite guidance, Mia headed to the place where Morgan was waiting.

Standing in front of the door, Mia took a shallow breath and knocked. Soon, the door opened from the inside.

Entering the space with a faint light, she greeted him with utmost courtesy.

“I greet His Majesty the King.”

“No need for grand greetings.”

Morgan waved his hand, dismissing the people around him. Only then did Mia slowly lift her bent waist. When she raised her gaze, she saw Morgan, who looked more relaxed than when she had seen him at the banquet.

He skillfully offered Mia the seat in front of him.

Even though she had not expected Morgan’s call at all, she sat in front of him with an expression devoid of bewilderment.

“You don’t seem curious about why I suddenly called you.”

How could she not be curious?

She couldn’t understand why Morgan was showing such a joyful demeanor. Hose hadn’t been caught yet, and as a result, the Murad royal family’s trial schedule had been postponed, so there shouldn’t be anything to be happy about…

“You and the Duke of Richard are very similar in this regard. It’s impossible to know what either of you are thinking.”

Morgan shook his head and muttered quietly.

He still hadn’t revealed the reason why he had called Mia. It was clear that this wasn’t a meeting just to ask about her well-being. As Mia continued to think, he spoke again.

“I heard there have been changes to your contract.”

Only then did Mia realize why Morgan had called her. He must have heard the news that she would be staying for another year and called her.

Mia nodded with a relaxed smile.

“You’ve heard.”

“I was so surprised when I heard.”

It was surprising.

Mia had never dreamed that such a change would occur between Dylan and herself. She was about to continue by saying that she would appreciate his consideration for the remaining year.

However, Mia’s mouth closed at his following remarks.

“You’re planning to live in Hippolyte. Well, I think it’s a better choice than returning to a hometown where nothing remains.”

Even though Mia heard what Morgan was saying, she didn’t understand what she had heard. Even though Mia didn’t show any other reaction, he continued to speak without paying attention.

“I secretly hoped for it, but I held back because I couldn’t force it. When the Duke of Richard and Marquis came together to convey the story to me, I didn’t show it, but I was quite pleased.”

The situation of Morgan opening his mouth to speak and laugh seemed to flow slowly. How many times did Mia slowly blink her eyes?

He gave a hearty laugh.

“Even if you don’t return to your hometown, I will definitely find your parents’ remains, so don’t worry too much.”

“…”

“Of course, it’s been seventeen years, so it will take some time to find them.”

Her mind was not organized. Words that didn’t resonate floated around Mia’s ears.

Clearly, she was planning to leave Hippolyte and return to her hometown of Philatro in a year, so what on earth was Morgan talking about?

She felt like something snapped inside her.

“How did you captivate the heart of a stoic man? It’s the first time I’ve seen my Duke of Richard mention someone and make such an expression.”

The hand she had tightly clenched grew stronger. Her nails pressed strongly into her palm. Mia stared at Morgan with trembling eyes.

“To make a man who doesn’t suit love make such an expression.”

Morgan, who had no idea what she was thinking, couldn’t hide his joyful demeanor.

“No, instead of asking that, what did he say to persuade you to decide to stay here?”

She didn’t even know where to start correcting the misinformation.

Was Morgan misunderstanding what Dylan meant and saying this? What did it mean that the Marquis and Dylan had visited together to deliver this news?

Her head felt like it was about to break from the confusion. She felt nauseous and breathless. Her face turned red as she repeatedly exhaled because she couldn’t breathe properly.

Morgan, who seemed to have misunderstood her appearance, burst into hearty laughter and nodded.

“It wasn’t just one-sided affection. That’s how it is.”

She felt like she had to talk to Dylan about what had happened. She had to hear that everything she was hearing was a misunderstanding…

“Young men and women have been together for quite a long time, so they can certainly have such feelings. I understand. I am also very happy to hear such news from those I cherish.”

Morgan’s misunderstanding was not pleasant at all.

His voice and her heartbeat were intertwined, creating a strange noise.

“Since you have decided to stay in Hippolyte, you should receive appropriate compensation for your war merits.”

The pounding heartbeat had long since taken over Mia’s ears.

“Is there anything you want from me?”

Her mouth was parched. Her throat was already cracked as if it had been drought-stricken. If she opened her mouth now, a hoarse voice would come out.

Mia cleared her throat with a few coughs and finally managed to open her mouth.

“Your Majesty, I apologize, but could you spare me some time again tomorrow?”

She needed to hear what was going on from Dylan.

She felt like she had to hear this situation, which she didn’t understand from beginning to end, through his mouth.

“I want to continue the conversation, but I’m not prepared, so I don’t think I can give a proper answer right now.”

She had to hear that it was all a misunderstanding and that she shouldn’t worry because it seemed like something had been conveyed incorrectly.

Morgan, who was watching Mia stammering, nodded readily.

He got up from his seat and stepped back, saying he understood. As he headed towards the door, he turned his head and urged her.

“This is a reward I am giving regardless of the Duke of Richard. Make sure to bring what Mia Blair desires.”

The voice that squeezed out of Mia’s throat was filled with confusion.

“…Thank you.”

It wasn’t a happy expression at all, but Morgan, who didn’t pay attention to trivial matters, waved his hand briefly and said goodbye.

“Then let’s talk again tomorrow. Return safely.”

As he disappeared, the place fell into silence. Mia, who had been making a dazed expression as if she had been hit somewhere, quickly got up from her seat.

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