“No.” Orson heard this, shook his head, then looked up at Olivia. “I just heard Vivian say you went to look for . I suddenly rembered I had sothing to do last night and didn’t co back to tell you. My apologies.”
“It’s alright,” Olivia seed completely unconcerned. “We were just worried about you. It’s enough to see that you’re fine.”
At this mont, Orson suddenly saw Litte standing a short distance behind Olivia. He beckoned to Litte.
“Litte, co here for a mont. I have sothing to tell you.”
Then, he looked at Olivia.
“Ah, I’ll go downstairs and chat with Vivian.” Olivia naturally understood Orson’s aning. She spoke proactively, then turned and walked downstairs.
Orson led Litte into his room. After they entered, he specifically opened the door, glanced outside, and only closed the door after confirming no one was in the hallway.
“Orson, is there sothing you wanted to talk to about by calling in alone?”
“Yes.” Orson nodded. He sat in the chair and looked at Litte.
“What I’m about to tell you, you absolutely cannot tell anyone, not even Mother.” Saying this, his tone was unprecedentedly serious.
“Alright, tell , Orson,” Litte heard this, and her expression beca tense.
From Orson’s deanor, Litte could vaguely guess that sothing very important was happening, likely involving the family.
“Father is sick,” Orson said this, sighing. “The symptoms appeared a few days after the assassination attempt. This illness is very strange. It makes people gradually lose their mory, and their emotions also beco extre.”
“At that ti, on the day he first returned, when Father told he was sick, he could still form coherent sentences, and he could rember things after being reminded by others. But when I went ho to see him today, the symptoms seem to have worsened.”
As Orson’s words fell, Litte’s emotions were suppressed to the extre.
“Why... why... He was fine, clearly, when he first ca back...” Her voice trembled, and her tone was full of disbelief.
Earlier, at the victory celebration, from the mont Lucius appeared until the end of the banquet, there was nothing unusual at all. How long had it been? And suddenly, Litte was told that her father was dented. How could she possibly bear this sudden blow?
“Sotis, this strange illness just worsens without reason. I initially suspected it was a curse, but after talking briefly with Her Highness the Saintess about this, she told that the church has not discovered a curse that gradually causes dentia before. I had a priest from the Antica church perform a purification for Father, but it had no effect,” Orson said this, sighing.
“In any case, now that it’s still the holiday, I can help the family handle things, but we must prepare for the worst-case scenario,” Orson expressed his aning subtly.
The issue of family inheritance was now imminent.
No one knew if this illness would take the life of others. If Lucius’s condition truly worsened to the point where it couldn’t be concealed, then the ducal title would inevitably change hands.
Litte’s mood also beca low after hearing Orson say all this.
No matter what, Lucius was after all her biological father. Although for so reason, he seed not to know her gender, their blood relationship was undeniably real.
Since Litte ca ho, Lucius had also been quite good to her. Although Litte’s overly rustic behavior in the early period had made Lucius feel disgraced at tis, after being persuaded by Orson, Lucius’s investnt in Litte was also considerable. He also sent people to give Litte a living allowance every month.
Most importantly, Litte could genuinely feel sincere affection from Lucius.
Although it might have been nostalgia for his deceased wife and guilt towards himself, it was all manifested in real actions, not re pretense.
After all, if it were fake, Lucius could have simply put on a show in front of others and then left Litte to fend for herself, instead of discussing her education plan with Orson.
Therefore, it was normal for Litte to feel sadness upon learning of Lucius’s current condition.
“I understand, Orson,” Litte nodded.
Orson had told her from the beginning that he didn’t want to be the Duke.
Although Litte didn’t know the reason and didn’t want to know the reason, to help Orson achieve this goal, she had also been continuously striving to improve herself.
“I might have to go out to handle so matters during this ti. You can use this ti to familiarize yourself with the family’s administrative affairs. Regardless, you will be the head of a prominent family in the future. Getting acquainted with these things beforehand is always beneficial.”
“Orson, you’re going out?” Litte imdiately beca uneasy upon hearing this.
If Orson were by her side, accompanying her, she might still feel so confidence.
But now Orson was telling her that he was leaving?
“I’m sorry. There are so matters concerning the future of the duchy that I have to handle,” Orson said this, showing an apologetic smile. “It won’t take too long. Once things are taken care of, I’ll co back.”
“Really?” Litte heard this and looked at Orson. “Then... Orson, please be careful.”
“Don’t worry, I will.” Orson nodded, stood up, and walked in front of Litte.
He reached out and stroked Litte’s little head.
“Alright, don’t be so nervous. All the things we’re thinking about now are the worst-case scenarios. What if Father recovers, right?” Orson said this, smiling.
“No matter what, we have to look forward, Litte.”
“Mm...” Litte lowered her head, thinking about sothing.
After a while, Orson went downstairs. At this mont, Olivia was sitting in the living room. Seeing Orson co down, she quickly stood up to greet him.
“Orson, I have to go back today.”
“Ah? Why? Aren’t you staying for a few more days?” Orson said this, looking at Olivia with confusion.
“Not staying any longer,” Olivia shook her head. “I received a letter from ho. There’s sothing I have to go back and handle. I really like staying here, but I can’t.”
“Alright then. If it’s your family’s wish, then there’s indeed nothing to be done,” Orson heard this and could only express regret. “Then how about staying for dinner tonight?”
“No need. I’m leaving right away.”
“That quickly?” Orson asked in confusion.
Had sothing urgent happened at Olivia’s ho that required her imdiate return?
Thinking this, Orson also couldn’t help but worry about Olivia.
“I’m sorry,” Olivia said this. As if to express her apology, she placed her hands on Orson’s shoulders, then slightly tiptoed and lightly kissed Orson on the lips.
This action caught Orson a little off guard. After a while, Orson subconsciously touched the corner of his lips.
“Wait... wait until school starts again... I, I will compensate you,” Olivia said this, her face red as she turned away.
“It’s alright. Family is definitely the priority now. I understand,” Orson quickly explained. “There’s no need to feel guilty...”
On the other side, the maid Vivian stood at the kitchen doorway, watching the intimate gesture of the two, showing a relieved smile.
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