I Won't Go Back To My Family Who Abandon Me novel Chapter 18

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"Did you have a good trip?"

Enoch asked when Leticia and Elle entered the drawing room where Ian and him had been drinking tea.

Elle lightly shrugged her shoulders.

"Yes, but I couldn't get the work done."

Ian nodded with a look of relief that Elle didn't show any sign of disappointment.

"I thought you'd be downcast because you couldn't find anyone."

"What do you mean? I'll find someone."

Elle sat next to Ian, vowing to find a craftsman who would surely make her accessories.

Leticia paused for a moment to giggle at Elle and Ian's quarreling.

"Why are you standing there like that? Sit down."

Elle saw Leticia standing there awkwardly, and beckoned her to sit in the chair across from her.

It was right next to Enoch.

"Oh, yes..."

Leticia sat down next to Enoch, as soon as their eyes met she glanced away shyly.

She could feel Enoch's gaze and stared straight ahead.

˜I wonder if it's okay if I sit next to you?'

Unlike the self-conscious Leticia, Enoch wore an indifferent expression while he poured tea into a Vienna cup.

"Don't walk around too late. I'm worried about you."

A warm tea was placed in front of Leticia.

Leticia thought the words were directed at her, so she looked up at Enoch. But he was handing a cup of tea to Elle.

When he glanced back at her, she met his troubled eyes.

"The same goes for you, Miss Leroy."

The firm yet gentle voice made her feel better, and Leticia almost smiled in happiness.

She nodded quickly, trying to hold it in.

"Yes, I'll be careful not to worry you."

When Leticia said yes, Enoch smiled contentedly and drank tea.

Leticia glanced at him and blushed furiously.

It had been a while since she felt someone worry about her.

˜It's warm.'

Leticia gripped the hot cup of tea Enoch had given her.

A feeling hotter than the cup she was holding bloomed in her chest.

Strangely, the feeling wasn't unpleasant.

She was sipping her tea while contemplating that warmth when Ian said.

"Come to think of it, isn't there an Imperial Knighthood ceremony soon?"

"That's right. Aren't you nervous, Brother?"

Ian asked as he had suddenly remembered, Elle also looked at Enoch.

Enoch smiled lightly as he faced their uneasy gazes.

"I'm not nervous."

"Oh, Brother is so mature."

"You're coming with us, right?"

Ian asked Leticia, while Elle was busy teasing Enoch. While it was said in a questioning tone, it sounded more like a statement.

Enoch and Elle also turned to Leticia.

With three sets of eyes on her, Leticia asked cautiously.

"Is it alright if I go?"

"Of course!"

As Elle nodded her head excitedly, Leticia looked to Enoch.

Enoch smiled and nodded, and Leticia's expression brightened.

"Yes, I'll go celebrate with you."

She was happy just thinking that she was going to celebrate with people precious to her.

But that happiness was short-lived as Leticia gripped the cup anxiously.

˜If it is an Imperial Knight appointment ceremony...'

She was sure to run into Levion.

Leticia didn't realize, but her face had become gloomy.

"You said you were going to make your own jewelry to sell. Show me the design."

"Okay, here you go."

Elle readily handed the envelope, across the table, to the curious Ian.

Ian made a strange expression while looking at the paper.

"What's this contract?"

Ian asked, showing Elle the papers from the envelope.

Inside the envelope were contract papers, not the accessory drawn by Elle.

"Huh? What's this?"

A puzzled Elle looked at the papers and recognized what they were.

But no matter how many times she looked, it was a contract, not her drawing.

"No way..."

As soon as the thought crossed her mind, Leticia and Elle's eyes met at the same time.

There was only one possibility coming to mind.

Elle immediately sighed and said.

"I guess the envelope was switched with the person I bumped into outside."

"It's too late now, let's go to bed and try to find him tomorrow."

Elle said dejectedly. Ian, who was sitting next to her, patted her lightly on the shoulder.

It was late in the evening. Elle and Ian decided to go back to their rooms to sleep.

As Enoch was leaving the parlor.

"Umm..."

Enoch looked back in curiosity at the quiet voice calling out to him.

There stood a hesitant Leticia, who looked like she wanted to say something.

"What's wrong?"

"No! It's not..."

"....?"

Leticia opened and closed her mouth several times before she managed to say something.

"Did he come back again?"

"...."

She worried that Levion might have come back unannounced, and bothered Enoch again.

The Levion that Leticia knew was someone who would do that.

But for some reason, Enoch's voice sounded cold.

"You call his name comfortably... You must have a special relationship."

"He's been close to my family since we were children."

Leticia's expression softened as she nodded lightly, oblivious of Enoch's sharp comment.

Maybe Levion was closer and friendlier with her family, but where was he when she was struggling.

But...

[Are you relying on another man while still engaged to him? Get your act together. Don't make me the bad guy.]

She was someone who's more focused on people's eyes and reputation than Enoch had ever been.

"It's different. No, it's special."

Now it was a relationship that was as easily broken as her family bond.

Enoch stopped talking for a moment as he turned his head with a bitter smile, and then answered quietly.

"He didn't come."

"Phew... that's a relief to hear."

Leticia gave a sigh of relief, Enoch who was watching her said.

"There is something I'd like to say to Miss Leroy."

"What?"

She blinked her eyes, wondering what he meant.

Enoch did not take his eyes off her sky blue eyes as he said.

"Don't put up with someone hurting you or taking you for granted."

The black eyes stared at me adamantly. It made me straighten my back.