Living as the Villain’s Stepmother - Chapter 212

From the looks of it, he wasn’t trying to learn about Lila’s destination nor report to Lacias. So far he was just trying to be protective.

“Have you heard what kind of lifestyle I had before coming into the Wipere family?” asked Lila confidently.

Hizette thought for a moment before returning the question. “About your past? Not much. I think I know the information available to the public, but not much about your personal life.”

“Seems like you haven’t been snooping around,” said Lila with a wide grin.

“That is not my duty.”

Lila expected him to not have done a background check, so she had her explanation ready. “Then I’ll let you in on a deep part about my past.”

“….”

“I abused my only son, Hir, in the past. I physically abused him and rarely fed him.”

“…?”

From his facial expression, Lila could tell that the knight didn’t believe her. He probably thought she was fabricating a background story to be let out.

She tried making a stern face to question his suspicious expression. “You think I’m lying to you? Hir still has nightmares because of me. I hear him at night apologizing in his sleep.”

“Sorry, but I can’t imagine that. No one cares for the child more than you. But… You’re saying that you did that?”

“It seemed like I was possessed as I was doing horrible things to him. Horrible wouldn’t even begin to describe it.”

Even though she rehearsed this in her mind Lila couldn’t bear to say it out loud. Each time she heard herself it felt like her heart was being stabbed.

“So that’s when I made this resolution. I did something to Hir that could not be forgiven so I’ll live the rest of my days asking for forgiveness. After putting Hir in a position he’s satisfied with I’m going to disappear, since I have no right to be by his side anymore.”

Hizette nodded slightly. “So that’s why you wanted to have him be adopted into the Wipere family and that’s why you came to the duke’s family, to begin with?”

“Yes, I had a contract marriage with Lacias. I made a deal where I’ll bring him his mine back and he’ll put my child in his family tree, and that contract duration is almost done.”

It was painful to explain but Lila maintained her stern face. “And when I saw that tool you showed me, I realized that I was being a burden to not one person, but two.”

Hizette sighed and tried reasoning with her. “Lila, you’re not a burden. It was solely master’s choice to put his ring into it.”

“If I wasn’t there, he wouldn’t have made that choice. I don’t want to be a burden to my loved one.”

“But-”

“No… I got attached as we spent time together, but after seeing that pillar, I knew that I had to leave as soon as possible.”

Hizette just stood in silence, Lila wasn’t someone who would change her opinion. She was going through a lot, and he could do nothing but think about how cold she felt after her shawl fell to the ground.

Very cold he thought.

***

“Hizette.”

“Yes.” He turned while heading back to the mansion.

“You’re smart so I believe you understand why I gave you a drawn-out explanation.”

Lila felt that he understood but she wanted to confirm.

The gaze that was facing Lila looked away all of the sudden, he was avoiding eye contact so Lila guessed she was right.

She tried explaining to him most of her plan on purpose in hopes that he would try to help her escape the mansion. With a seasoned knight by her side, she would easily be able to get passed Lacias. The question was, would he betray the master he served his entire life?

“I’m not sure.” He refused politely “But I did expect it.”

Lila’s face turned pale instantly. “…I see.”

It seemed like she was nervous about what comes after his refusal but Lila’s anxiousness stemmed from the entire situation itself. It seemed like her body automatically reacted to hardship.

Nevertheless, Hizette’s eyes shook with Lila’s reaction, so she decided to take advantage of that.

“In the end, this will be beneficial for Lacias, Hir, and the entire Wipere family. So Hizette, I guess it was my mistake for me to come here and tell you everything.”

“…”

“I was a fool.” She continued.

“So… you’re not having a change of heart?” asked Hizette out of confusion.

“A change? What change?” This threw her off a little.

“Something along the line of maybe not leaving this place and continuing to stay here.”

Lila shook her head after understanding why he would come to that conclusion. “Ha, no way. Have you been listening at all? I don’t want to be harmful to anyone I love.”

“So you’re saying you’ll leave by any means?”

“That’s right.”

Her response was as confident as ever, she seems to have made up her mind about leaving and nothing was going to change that.

Hizette couldn’t bring himself to speak. He couldn’t come up with a reason to convince her. His best option naturally fell on reporting the situation to his master and receiving an order. His master was bound to persuade Lila to stay.