Chapter 227: Lonely People
It was breakfast time at the Heion Mansion. Unless there was something unusual, there were usually three people at the table. Abel, Fiona, and Carl. And today, the three of them were having breakfast as usual. The difference today was that Fiona Haylon seemed absent-minded. Read the translation on itsladygrey.com.
“Fiona?” Abel looked at his adopted daughter worriedly. The girl who was always so sharp was uncharacteristically spaced out.
“…”
Fiona didn’t even hear Abel calling her. She wasn’t eating much of the breakfast laid out in front of her, which included bacon, tomatoes, and eggs. Her fork moved mechanically, but none of the food actually made it into her mouth.
Seeing this, Abel frowned and moved some bacon and eggs to the center of Fiona’s plate.
“Fiona, I never thought I would end up nagging in the same old-fashioned way like my old man, but… you should focus on your food while eating.”
Only then did Fiona snap back to reality. “Yes? Oh, I’m sorry.”
Carl, who was also looking at her with concern, sighed in relief.
“…”
Abel asked grumpily. “Is something wrong? Is it that scoundrel Sigren again?”
“It might be because of Sigren, but it also might not be…” Fiona looked puzzled. Then she turned her gaze to Carl. Honestly, Carl was also playing a big part in her confusion. Read the translation on itsladygrey.com.
Abel, who was extremely protective when it came to Fiona, pointed his fork at Carl. “What, is it because of this guy this time? Should I kick him out?”
She quickly shook her head in response. “No, no, you can’t..”
Abel chewed on his bacon, looking disappointed.
“It’s nothing serious, Father. Don’t worry about it.”
Of course, contrary to her words, it was something very serious. Carl had made something like a confession to her, and Sigren had proposed marriage.
‘Maybe if I marry Sigren, Carl will give up?’
If that were the case, it might be a relief. But she felt guilty towards both Carl and Sigren for even thinking this way. Marriage was something she wanted because she liked Sigren so much and always wanted to be with him. It was a childish desire, but that’s how she felt. Choosing marriage just to keep Carl away didn’t seem right.
Fiona swallowed hard having thought this far. Anyway, this was not an issue she could hide from Abel. Although marriage was a personal matter, it was also something that involved parents. Read the translation on itsladygrey.com.
“Father, Sigren asked me to marry him.”
Thud!
The sound of Abel stabbing his fork into a tomato echoed through the dining room. “…I see.”
‘Maybe I shouldn’t have said anything.’
Fiona immediately regretted it when she saw Abel’s reaction.
Her adoptive father asked in a menacing tone.
“So, do we need to start preparing for the wedding? Or do I need to get rid of Sigren?”
…Why were those the only options?!
“What do you mean by getting rid of Sigren?!”
“I mean if Sigren tries to force you into marriage and you don’t want it, I could do it for you.” Abel made a slicing gesture across his neck with his fork.
Fiona shook her head vigorously. “No, no! He’s never forced me!”
Abel, looking disappointed, rested his chin on his hand and asked indifferently. “Then what’s the problem that’s got you so worried? You two were originally engaged anyway.”
That’s right. There was no need for her to be so surprised just because the topic of marriage had come up again.
“It’s… nothing. Really.”
“Don’t give me such a bland answer. If you have a concern, tell me. Is it Sigren causing the problem again?”
His conclusion always ended with ‘Sigren being the problem.’
In the end, Fiona denied it once more. “No, it’s not that. I just want to take a bit more time to prepare for the marriage.”
She wanted to sort things out with Carl and deal with the issues concerning the darkness.
Abel asked as if he didn’t see the problem. “Then tell Sigren that. If he doesn’t like it, let me know.” Read the translation on itsladygrey.com.
It was a straightforward solution, to say the least. Fiona looked at her adoptive father with a strangely envious gaze. “I want to live like you, Father.”
“Why all of a sudden?”
“If I could live thinking so simply, I’d never die of stress—”
“You’re really good at indirectly saying your father lives a simple and ignorant life.”
“That’s not what I meant.”
In retaliation, Abel piled eggs and bacon high on Fiona’s plate.
“I can’t eat this much!”
He ignored her. “Just eat your meal. Eat a lot and grow up big and strong.”
“I’m already grown!”
“You’re still tiny like a mouse.”
‘There’s no way she could grow any more…’
Abel, watching Fiona grumble, soon turned his gaze to the other side.
“…”
Carl was sitting with his head down, his face hardened.
The moment Abel saw this, he understood the situation of this hellish love triangle. Read the translation on itsladygrey.com.
‘Now what am I going to do?’
Having a daughter too popular was indeed a problem.
Abel glanced back and forth between Fiona and Carl, then continued his meal with a troubled expression.
***
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Chapter 226 | Chapter 228