The Three of Them

Lucille didn't spend her New Year's partying or getting gifts. Nessa brought her out to the festival and bought her a toy, and that was it.

The day when Lucille had been chased out by Nessa, Lucille had returned home to her mother crying on the ground. When Nessa saw her daughter, she hugged her tightly and caressed her face and hair, saying: "I'm sorry. I need you. Don't leave me."

Lucille didn't understand, but she let her mother hug her and fell asleep. After all, she too craved for her mother's affections.

One day, her mother woke her up early and gave her a bath, scrubbing her clean and removing the grime from her face and body.

Her mother rarely bathed her. Sometimes, she went months without cleaning herself.

Nessa told her to sit still and combed her hair. When the dirt was washed away, her silvery blue hair fell down to her waist like a waterfall. Satisfied with her daughter's appearance, Nessa grabbed her hand and led her out of their house.

"Mama, where are we going?" Lucille was confused and a little scared.

"To meet your father."

Nessa squeezed her daughter's hand tighter. Lucille winced but endured the pain. She couldn't wait to meet her father that she had always dreamed about seeing before.

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Kalina had just eaten a light meal and had gone into town to play. As she walked through the streets, a few small snowflakes drifted down from the gray cloud-covered sky. The weather was cold, so she decided to rest in the first building she saw.

The waiter immediately recognized her as the Duchess's daughter after seeing Kalina's elegant attire and distinct appearance. He brought her to their largest private room and brought out some light appetizers by Kalina's order.

Kalina nibbled on a bit of bread and rested her chin on her hand. She was chewing absentmindedly when a familiar voice chimed from the room adjacent to theirs.

"Daddy!"

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Nessa had invited the Duke to meet at a restaurant, saying she had something important to tell him. It had been difficult to get in touch with him, and as she expected, she was just one of his many paramours. He didn't even remember her name.

She was determined to capture his affections and elevate her status with this meeting. As she arrived at the room where they arranged to meet, she told Lucille to wait outside and entered by herself.

"Your Grace!" Nessa exclaimed with tearful eyes as she flung herself onto the Duke's lap. "I missed you so much...I haven't seen you in so long..."

A beautiful woman crying and in need of comfort would rouse any man's desire to protect her. The Duke was also like those men, and was moved by Nessa's vulnerable appearance. He wiped her tears with his thumb and hugged her waist. "I've wronged you."

Nessa laid her head on his chest as the corners of her deep red lips curved up into a smile.

"Your Grace, I have something to tell you..."

"What is it, my dear?"

"Promise me you won't be upset with me?" Her parted lips and anxious eyes melted the Duke's heart and he hastily promised her.

Nessa rose up and brought Lucille in. Resting her hands on her daughter's shoulders, she said in a saccharine voice: "Your Grace, this is your daughter, Lucille. Lucille, this is your father."

The Duke stared in shock at Lucille, who fidgeted shyly under his gaze. The little girl was obedient and timid, much unlike Kalina who he felt was unpredictable. He much preferred someone that he could control.

Although he had just met her for the first time, her found her lovable.

"This is my daughter?"

"Yes, I found out I was pregnant after spending the night with Your Grace thirteen years ago." Nessa hurried to explain. She was afraid that he wouldn't believe her and clung tightly to his arm, putting on a pitiful expression.

"Father!" Lucille exclaimed, smiling brightly. With such a cute and tender appearance, who wouldn't want to take her in?

"You must have suffered, raising our child on your own. Why didn't you let me know?" The Duke returned Lucille's smile and stroked Nessa's back.

Nessa shut her mouth and trembled a little, as if she was scared to say it out loud. After some coaxing from the Duke, she finally confessed: "The Duchess...I was afraid of her. What if she came after me and my baby?"

The Duke felt anger and sadness for his mistress, who had suffered for thirteen years raising a child on her own. He thought of the Duchess who was always adorned with jewels and then looked down at the raggedy clothes Nessa wore.

One was his wife and the other was his lover, yet they lived so differently. He believed that Nessa was pure-minded even though she had been a prostitute, and she deserved a better life.

"I'll protect you and Lucille from now on. She will be recognized as a child of the Ephraim family, and as her mother, you will become a concubine." he declared, embracing both Nessa and Lucille.

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Kalina, who was standing outside of the room eavesdropping, clenched her fists so tightly that her nails dug into her palms and a few drops of blood fell onto the floor. She watched the three people smiling at and embracing each other like a happy family.

The other two, Kalina and her mother, were completely forgotten.

Not once had the Duke smiled at Kalina, who had tried various methods to get his love in her past life. All her efforts had been futile, yet Lucille had received his smile so easily.

And Nessa, who had just slandered her mother without batting an eye, had just made her first move in invading Kalina's household.

Kalina laughed bitterly and released her fists. Her gaze turned icy and she imprinted their grinning faces in her mind before turning away.

'Laugh, laugh, laugh while you still can.'