The Wicked Wife’s Dark History Keeps Coming Back To Haunt Her - Chapter 63

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The children were murmuring in varying tones, like leaves brushing in the wind. While Ash stepped away to talk with the headmaster, Ian strolled through the peaceful courtyard, filled with soothing white noise, alongside Nina.

“Shall we sit over there for a bit?”

Ian looked brightly at Nina, who pointed to one of the wooden benches scattered around the courtyard. Her light pink hair, like spring blossoms, and her blue eyes, reminiscent of a lake, made her look incredibly beautiful even to the eyes of a child.

‘What a relief.’

He hadn’t been able to attend the wedding, and since no one had ever told him much about his aunt, he had been a little worried. But fortunately, she seemed like a good person.

Ian pulled out a handkerchief from his pocket and spread it on the bench.

“Please, sit here.”

“Thank you, you’re so kind.”

“I hear that a lot.”

Ian grinned lightly, and Nina laughed cheerfully.

“By the way, are you okay after getting hit?”

“I’m fine. Richard’s fists are like cotton, so it didn’t hurt much.”

Plus, he had just put some ointment on at the infirmary, so it would heal soon. It wasn’t something worth worrying about.

“I’m glad to hear that, but… don’t you need to go back to your class?”

“If I go back, you’ll be left alone, Aunt. So, I’ll stay with you.”

Ian smiled shyly, his eyes narrowing sweetly.

“I appreciate the thought, but I can be alone, you know. You’ve worked hard in your classes, so it would be a shame to miss out.”

“Well, I submitted a painting for the exhibition, so I have free time. Besides, I don’t want my friends to see me with a face like this… Would you mind staying with me?”

Ian made a mock pout, pretending to dislike being left alone.

Right now, he was more interested in focusing on his new aunt than returning to his friends whom he saw every day.

“Well, I guess I have no choice. I’ll stay with you.”

A gentle hand rested on Ian’s head, carefully fixing his wind-tousled hair. Her touch was delicate and kind.

“…Thank you for earlier.”

“Hmm?”

“When Richard hid behind his parents, I was secretly envious.”

It was the first time Ian had ever felt envious of Richard.

Having someone who would get angry and protect you.

That’s why, when his aunt had shielded him behind her, his heart had pounded.

And what made him even happier was…

“For Uncle to have come here—was that thanks to you?”

“Hmm? Well…”

“If not, he probably wouldn’t have come, even by the time I graduated.”

No, more accurately, he couldn’t have come.

Ever since that day, his uncle hadn’t once raised his head properly in front of Ian, as if he were some kind of criminal.

“…This might be hard to believe, especially since we just met, but I can promise you with everything I have that he truly cares for you.”

“I know.”

Unlike Count Azelot, who only thought about how to take his inheritance, his uncle had always taken care of Ian when his father was busy with official duties. He was also the one who had comforted Ian when his grandmother, for reasons unknown to him, had treated him coldly.

If Ian couldn’t trust his uncle, then he wouldn’t be able to trust anyone in the world.

“Even if we’re far apart, if there’s trust, there’s no reason to doubt.”

No matter what anyone said, Ian trusted what he had seen, heard, and felt.

That’s why he was able to study hard and make friends while doing well here. Of course, there were times when loneliness and sadness crept up on him, but he managed.

“By the way, I have something I really want to show you. When Uncle arrives later, would you come with me…?”

“Something you want to show me?”

“Yes, it’s nothing special, but…”

Just as Ian shyly blushed and began scratching his cheek lightly, embarrassed, they heard a voice from behind the bench.

“Something you want to show her, huh…”

Both Ian and Nina turned their heads in surprise.

It was Ash.