To the Man Destined to Kill Me - Chapter 93

“I am planning to lead a project to improve the living conditions of settlers from Natalia, focusing especially on those who have no homes, are struggling to live, or are widows, children, or people with disabilities. It would be great if Wifland could help support this, but basically, the budget will come from imperial assets.”

The officials of Wifland showed their favor for Noah’s smooth and skilled speech.

The young emperor of Natalia knew how to win people’s hearts. With his handsome appearance and the accent mixed with Natalia’s way of speaking, he continued, waving a business plan in his hand.

“You truly care for your people.”

“I visited the settlers’ district last night. They are almost like refugees after the long civil war in Natalia, so I feel a great sense of responsibility.”

“Your stay in Wifland won’t be very long. Are you sure you have enough time?”

“That’s why I already signed a contract with a construction office here. Actually, I am planning to visit them soon.”

Ending the conversation with a friendly smile, Noah finished talking with the officials and got into the carriage.

As soon as the carriage door closed, the calm and easygoing look on Noah’s face disappeared.

Looking very tired, he rubbed his face with his hands. Peter, who was sitting next to him, handed him a bottle of water.

“Wouldn’t it be better to visit the construction office tomorrow?”

“It’s fine. I can manage.”

“You haven’t slept a wink for three days already.”

“I’ll solve this first and then take some rest.”

Noah waved his hand, meaning he didn’t want to talk more, and closed his eyes. He leaned back deeply into the soft seat.

His body relaxed, and he should have fallen asleep, but instead, a ghost of Scarlett appeared before him.

He was tense, afraid that if he let his guard down, she might disappear—or worse, go to Wilhelm.

I want to move up the engagement.

The ghost of Scarlett kept whispering. Bill, let’s move up the engagement.

Noah clenched his fists and gritted his teeth, trying to ignore the voice.

A few minutes later, the carriage stopped.

“We have arrived.”

Noah quickly got up and stepped out of the carriage. There, he found the staff from the construction office waiting for him.

Among them was Wilhelm Hoffman.

Wilhelm looked calm, as if he had prepared himself after hearing that Noah would visit.

Noah greeted the man who introduced himself as the construction director, then looked Wilhelm in the eye.

“Long time no see, Wilhelm.”

“You seem to be doing well. Good to see you.”

“Do you know His Majesty personally?”

The director asked the question, and Noah answered.

“Hoffman and I attended the same school. I was only there for half a year, but during that time, we saw each other very often. Anyway, Wilhelm, it’s good to see you again.”

Noah’s sharp purple eyes carefully studied Wilhelm. He held back the urge to grab him by the throat and punch him.

Whether Wilhelm knew what Scarlett had done to Noah or not, just being engaged to her made it hard for Noah to hide his hostility.

Under a warm smile like sunshine, Noah hid his real feelings. He was then guided into the office and listened to a brief explanation from the director.

The task was simple. Noah was mainly there to show that the emperor cared, so there wasn’t much difficulty.

“Let’s proceed with the materials as we discussed earlier.”

“Yes, sir. If you have any more questions…”

The director rolled his eyes around and smiled slyly at Wilhelm.

“You can hear the details from Hoffman.”

Saying that, he left them to catch up.

An awkward silence fell between the two men.

Noah didn’t like Wilhelm, and Wilhelm felt uncomfortable with Noah.

Hiding their feelings, both sipped their tea. Wilhelm was the first to speak.

“You seem to be doing well. It’s good to see.”

“Speak casually. This isn’t an official setting.”

“Alright, then. I’ll talk more freely. You’re staying in Wifland for about a hundred days, right?”

“About eighty days left, I think.”

“Already? Time flies. How’s life in Natalia?”

“It’s fun. You look well too.”

“Me? Well…”

“Are you free next week?”

“Next week?”

“I’d like to invite you to dinner. I don’t know many people in Wifland. It would be embarrassing to just sit with my subordinates. Please come and help me save face.”

“Sure. A dinner reminds me of the old days. I guess it won’t be sandwiches this time.”

Noah gave a light smile and sipped his tea. But he had no intention of just having a friendly meal with Wilhelm.

“It would be even better if you bring your ‘lover.'”

At Noah’s words, Wilhelm pressed his lips together tightly with a sour expression.

After a while of silence, he barely managed to speak.

“…What about you? Are you seeing anyone?”

“Of course not.”

Behind Noah’s sarcastic tone, there was a hidden message: he loved Scarlett too much to move on easily.

“And you?”

Wilhelm’s brown eyes met Noah’s.

Clearly, Wilhelm felt guilty for hiding Scarlett’s existence. Noah twisted his lips bitterly. He wondered how Wilhelm would react if he hinted that he knew about Scarlett.

He wanted to see if Wilhelm would keep lying or if he loved Scarlett enough to continue lying.

“I heard you have a fiancée. Red hair, right?”

(Scene switch)

“Just sign here.”

Scarlett couldn’t hide her joy as she signed the papers Susan handed her.

Seeing Scarlett’s lips trembling with happiness, Susan smiled brightly and asked,

“Are you that happy?”

“Of course! Now Teddy is officially my son.”

“I’m sorry it had to happen this way. After giving birth to Teddy, you were unconscious for a while. We thought you wouldn’t make it.”

After giving birth, Scarlett had fallen into a coma for three days. She had lost a lot of blood, and her already poor health made it worse.

Everyone thought Scarlett would die. So after long discussions, her brothers registered Teddy as Scott’s son.

“I understand. I’m actually grateful. You were all trying to raise Teddy like your own child.”

“Scarlett.”

Calling her youngest sister’s name, Susan hugged her tightly.

She still looked so young. When had she grown up so much?

“It’s going to be a hard life. You’re an unmarried woman who gave birth to a child.”

“I know. I’m ready.”

“People will talk even if you don’t want them to. You’ll have to mix with people you don’t like. Being a parent means facing those things.”

“I’m a mother. I can overcome anything. It’s time. I need to wake Teddy and get him ready. We can’t be late on his first day of school.”

Scarlett pulled away from Susan and headed to Teddy’s room.

Tears welled up in her eyes because she was so happy Teddy was legally her son.

As she opened the door, she called out brightly.

“Teddy, time to get up! It’s school time!”

On the carriage ride to school, Teddy talked nonstop.

“Carly, Carly. I’m going to play hide-and-seek with my new friends at school!”

“Hide-and-seek sounds fun.”

Scarlett helped him put his bag over his arm. They were almost at school, so they had to get ready to get off.

Teddy, excited and not at all nervous about his first day, kept babbling about his plans.

Every time he moved his lips, his chubby, rosy cheeks jiggled adorably. Scarlett couldn’t resist poking them.

“Hey! Carly!”

“When will you stop calling me Carly?”

“You said we call people we love by a nickname!”

“Mothers are an exception.”

“What’s an exception?”

“It means you don’t do that to your mom.”

“No. You’re still Carly to me.”

Teddy pouted and turned his head away. Scarlett sighed and gently brushed his hair with her hand.

“Goodness, how stubborn you are. Let’s go.”

It was no wonder—Teddy’s stubbornness was just like Scarlett’s.

Holding her hand tightly, Teddy almost dragged her toward the school entrance.

His gray eyes, so much like Scarlett’s, sparkled as he looked around the school grounds.

“Mom, Mom, Carly Mom, look at that!”

Teddy twisted his body excitedly when he saw the playground.

Scarlett tried hard to calm him down. Just then, she ran into Amanda, who was also holding a child’s hand.

Scarlett, just like Teddy, quickly turned her head and pretended not to see her.

“Scarlett?”

A familiar voice called out as Scarlett picked Teddy up. Her face stiffened.

“Mandy.”

Turning around, Scarlett greeted Amanda while holding Teddy tightly.

“It’s been a long time.”

“Yeah. Six years, maybe…”

Scarlett looked down at the curious little boy holding Amanda’s skirt.

He looked a lot like Abigail, her beloved niece.

Although she still resented her eldest brother John, she knew the child was innocent.

“Hello, Thomas. I’m Scarlett.”

“Tommy, say hello to your aunt.”

“Hello, my name is Thomas White.”

As Thomas shyly greeted her, Teddy excitedly introduced himself to Amanda.

“Hello! I’m Teddy, and my mom is Scarlett. I’m five years old, and I love chocolate! Tommy, are you starting school too? I hope we’re in the same class!”

Having grown up without friends his age, Teddy instantly stuck to Thomas and started chatting.

Within a minute, Teddy and Thomas were playing tag together. Teddy was the exact opposite of Scarlett’s shy and reserved nature.

“You look healthy. I’m glad. So, it was true you had a child.”

“He’s very healthy and sweet, unlike me.”

“You seem really happy.”

“I am. I’m happy… Earlier, I ignored you because I thought you might feel uncomfortable.”

“No, it’s really good to see you. And… John misses you a lot.”

Scarlett flinched slightly at John’s name. She forced herself to ask calmly,

“John?”

“Yes. He always cared about you so much. I think he’s deeply hurt by what happened. He’s really struggling. You heard he’s sick, right?”

“Yes.”

“You probably can’t imagine how much he’s suffering.”

“But I suffered too. I was betrayed by someone I trusted like a parent.”

“John did what he did because he cared about you. It was his way of doing his best, and he’s been feeling guilty ever since. Can’t you forgive him now?”

“John isn’t my parent, and I’m not his child anymore. So I don’t think I need to force myself to understand or forgive. These kinds of family rifts are common nowadays.”

Amanda’s face crumbled terribly. She bit her lips hard.

“All the Whites are so cold-hearted…”

Scarlett pretended not to hear Amanda’s words and finished the conversation.

“Mandy, I have no hard feelings toward you. Our children go to the same school, so let’s greet each other when we meet. I’m curious about what kind of boy Tommy is too. Teddy, it’s time to go to your classroom.”

Scarlett firmly grabbed Teddy’s little hand as he laughed and ran around. His tiny, fragile hand made her heart melt.

Feeling his small fingers squirming in her palm, Scarlett made a decision.

I must go to the arboretum.

After marrying Wilhelm, she would take Teddy there, holding his hand tightly.

Teddy, holding the hands of both his parents, would never have to feel loss or shame like she had.

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