THE REBORN LADY IS LOVED BY HER FOSTER BROTHER: THE SCARIEST VILLAIN

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204. Do You Still Not Understand?

“Wait... what is happening?!”

Anxiously scanning her surroundings, Ortansia was stunned to see that the guests who had gathered around them were, for some reason, clapping with deep, heartfelt emotion.

“What a magnificent miracle...!”

“The Duke’s daughter is indeed the saint who saved our nation!”

‘Wait, what on earth are they talking about?!’

Utterly bewildered, Ortansia could only blink in stunned disbelief.

Then, a gentle, comforting warmth rested upon her shoulder. Turning around, she saw Gérard staring intently down at her, his hand resting securely on her frame.

“...We are leaving before this turns into any more of a spectacle.”

“Pardon?”

Drawing her close to his side, Gérard led her swiftly away from the scene. The surrounding guests, completely intimidated by the sheer intensity of his aura, seemed to hesitate to utter even a word of protest.

Prompted by her brother, Ortansia was led out of the grand hall, out of the mansion, and before she knew it, she was settled inside the carriage.

It was only when she heard Gérard instructing the driver to head straight back to the ducal estate that Ortansia snapped back to reality.

‘Oh no...! I haven't even met Brother's lover yet...!’

After all, the entire reason she had been brought here tonight was for Gérard to introduce his partner to her. Yet an unexpected encounter with Ducasse had thrown everything into chaos, and though she had somehow managed to resolve the situation, it had still turned into quite a scene.

Gérard’s lover was no doubt left waiting in vain somewhere back there.

“Brother, we have to go back!”

When she blurted out her plea, Gérard merely gave her a look that plainly said, Have you lost your mind?

“What nonsense are you talking about? Going back now would only drag us into further complications.”

“But... you haven't even fulfilled your goal for tonight yet!”

Even if they didn't go back into the main hall, they could perhaps quietly call her out and at least do a brief introduction. She desperately did not want Gérard’s lover to be saddened because of a mess she had caused.

Yet, looking at the frantic girl, Gérard merely let out an exasperated sigh.

“...You are jumping to conclusions once again, aren't you?”

“Huh? Um... weren't you going to introduce your lover to me...?”

“I never said a single word about such a thing.”

...Now that she thought back, he really hadn't.

It was entirely Ortansia’s own foolish mistake, making assumptions based on his behavior and the surrounding circumstances. Gérard himself had never once uttered the phrase, “I’m going to introduce my lover.”

“Uuugh...”

She had rushed to conclusions all on her own yet again. Overcome with embarrassment and regret, Ortansia lowered her gaze and shrank back into herself.

Suddenly, the warm palm of Gérard’s hand rested gently atop her head.

“...I brought you here tonight because I wanted to settle things with that man once and for all.”

“That man... You mean Ducasse?!”

When she pressed him, Gérard offered a quiet nod.

“If I hadn't done it this way, you would have undoubtedly run off to act recklessly on your own again.”

He spoke as if trying to gently hammer the lesson into her mind.

Hearing those words, Ortansia’s heart felt as though it had skipped a beat.

He knew everything. ...He knew every single thing she had done up until now to ward off the threat of Ducasse.

Slowly, Gérard’s hand reached toward her face.

If she wanted to dodge or pull away, it would have been the easiest thing in the world. Yet Ortansia did no such thing. ...She didn't want to.

As gently as if he were touching a delicate piece of glass, his fingertips brushed against her cheek.

“Stop carrying everything by yourself.”

Gérard spoke in a voice that sounded almost like a desperate plea.

Hearing the heartbreaking anguish echoing in his words, Ortansia finally realized that she had caused him far more worry throughout this entire ordeal than she had ever imagined.

“I know full well that you were trying to save Father. But... think about how Father would feel if something were to happen to you in the process.”

“Gasp...”

Ortansia bit her lip tight.

...It wasn't as if she hadn't considered it. Her father was a kind man, so if she were to be hurt for his sake, it would surely break his heart.

And yet...

“...I wanted to repay him.”

He had come for her when she was left all alone after losing her mother. Even though they shared no blood, he had welcomed her as a daughter of a ducal house. He had become her family, pouring endless love into her life.

And above all else... he had brought Gérard into her life.

Her father had given her so very much. Yet Ortansia had done nothing to repay that debt.

That was why... even if it meant sacrificing herself, she had wanted to save him.

“I haven't been able to do anything. Being a duke's daughter, or a saint... in the end, I'm just someone being protected by you and Father... I'm nothing.”

She couldn't even wield the blessing of the goddess properly. Everything she did out of goodwill seemed to backfire constantly. She felt entirely unworthy of the title of a duke’s daughter, or the name of a saint.

Without her father and brother, she was truly helpless. In fact, she did nothing but drag them down.

Whenever she looked back on her useless self... Ortansia felt her chest tighten with overwhelming self-loathing.

A single tear tumbled from her eye and trickled down her cheek, wetting Gérard’s finger. Yet he did not pull away; he simply accepted the drop in quiet silence.

“...Do you still not understand?”

T/N: Hello guys! A very big thanks to everyone who is still here. The novel release is slow because the author has not finished writing or release the chapters. right now, i have translated up to the last page she posted and will keep you guys updated. Shalom💜

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