15 Chapter 14: Meeting A Member of the Family
Why do I feel like someone is watching me?
Ever since Ophelia visited the restricted room, she felt like eyes were following her every move. But somehow, the feeling of someone watching will be gone when she goes to her room.
It's as if the presence is confined to only specific areas.
The feeling of someone watching you was uncomfortable and unsettling, but that's all. There's no hostility in it, which is why she decided to ignore the feeling and continue with her activities.
She was not even sure if anyone was actually watching her. Maybe she was paranoid or something, and it was all just a mere delusion.
She is currently in her office and has decided to focus on her work and push the unsettling thoughts out of her mind. She decided to at least work a little because, after all, she was the head.
"I already finished the task you assigned me yesterday, your grace," the head butler informed her, then gave her a document.
"Oh," she said, taking the document and scanning it quickly to see its contents.
That was fast.
Once she finished reading the content of the document, she looked up and smiled at the butler.
"Where's the replica of this document?" she asked.
"It had already been sent to the archer's estate, your grace," the head butler replied diligently.
"Good," she replied, satisfied with the efficiency of her servant.
The document in her hands is going to make a significant change in her life. She couldn't wait to see how it would unfold.
This document was from the church. It was a divorce paper.
Ophelia signed the document with a mix of relief and sadness, knowing that it marked the end of a chapter in her life.
She felt relief that she was taking the first step toward breaking through the complicated marriage, but somehow she was also sad that it had come to this point. She knew that sad emotion was not hers, but she still acknowledged it. Ignoring it will only intensify the pain.
The paper used for this document was not made from ordinary paper. It was made of magical raw materials. This document has a replica of it. And what was written in the original will also reflect in the replica, and that also applies vice versa, but only in particular circumstances where the signature is being signed in the replica.
Now that she signed the document in the original, it will definitely reflect in the replica the moment she signed it.
This document was important for the legal proceedings for the divorce. It was made of magical materials, so the document could not be discarded easily. The documents can only be discarded, for instance, when burned together or when the original document is burned with a special fire.
Even if the replica were put on fire, it would never burn without the original burning at the same time. This is very convenient if the other party is persistent.
However, she didn't have to worry about that since she knew the hero would surely sign it because he had the heroine now. But if the case were different, she would have other plans in mind.
She has to be cautious about the matter since if the document were ever discarded, the divorce would not be valid as if that never happened.
Living in a magical place really has its perks.
However, she was very confident about winning the case since once the church knew that the hero and heroine were planning to get married, they had no choice but to grant her petition for divorce since they would likely want to give the heroine the title of Marchioness.
They adored and treasured the heroine. They wouldn't let her be only a second wife. And being a second wife will tarnish the heroine's position, especially since, in the near future of the novel, the heroine will be a saintess candidate.
Just the document in her grasp is one indication that the church has already started paving the path for the heroine to become the next saintess. She might be just a saintess candidate, but her potential and the church's support suggest that she could potentially surpass all expectations.
Many favored the heroine and supported her. There's no doubt she will be crowned saintess in the near future. She has already proven herself to be a remarkable individual. Her current mission might be one of the preparations for solidifying her reputation.
The hero and heroine are not at the Archer estate at the moment, so Ophelia has to be patient until they come back and hope the hero will sign the papers for the separation to be finalized.
She will not give any attention to the hero or heroine. They have their own lives to live, and she has finally accepted that it's time to move on.
Until then, she will enjoy her life to the fullest, focusing on her own happiness and personal growth.
Seeing that she doesn't have anything to do in her office, Ophelia decided to explore the huge estate, as she didn't finish it the day before because the estate can't be fully explored in one day and also because she was so immersed in the restricted room that she forgot to explore the rest of the estate.
The feeling is back again.
She feels a burning gaze directed at her.
It sends shivers down her spine, making her uneasy and on edge.
She felt eyes watching her as she was walking in the hallway.
That feeling was not present when she was in the office, but now that she was in the hallway, it was always there. As if waiting for her to leave the office and continue monitoring her.
Am I under surveillance?
She gasped inwardly, trying to hide her nervousness.
She heightened her sense of feeling around her while walking slowly and decided to immediately turn around and see something poking out of the corner.
She moved closer to the wall at a fast pace and saw someone there.
"Ah!" the figure gasped in surprise.
She looked down at the figure and saw something she didn't expect to see.
"What is a kid doing here?" she wondered.
The figure looked up at her with fear in their eyes.
Ophelia stared at the kid, who was looking up at her.
She retracted her gaze away from the kid when steps and noises gradually grew louder behind her, and she saw a female servant running towards them in a hurry.
"Young master!" the female servant called out.
"Someone is looking for you, kid," she said towards the child in front of her.
"A-ah," the kid said, looking at the female servant running in their direction and then at her with his eyes pleading.
A servant appeared before them, breathless. Once the servant saw the child, her eyes lit up.
"Your grace," the servant said once she saw Ophelia, then bowed.
"You must be the one taking care of this child," Ophelia said.
"Yes, your grace. I'm his nanny," the servant responded with a smile.
"Make sure to not get him out of your sight. Kids shouldn't be left alone for their own safety." Ophelia's words carried a hint of concern as she glanced at the young boy.
The nanny nodded in understanding, her smile never wavering.
"Yes, your grace," the nanny replied, reassuring Ophelia that she would keep a close eye on the young boy.
"Young master, we should go back," the nanny said, urging the young boy to return to their previous location.
Ophelia looked at the two before deciding to turn her back when she felt someone tagging her dress.
She looked down and saw the young boy clinging to her dress, looking up at her with pleading eyes.
"Y-young master," the servant called in disbelief.
Ophelia stared at the young boy in shock, not knowing how to react. She froze on the spot as she tried her best to maintain her composure.
"M-mommy!" the young boy called out, tears streaming down his face.
Wait, did I hear that right? She asked in disbelief.
Ophelia seems to stop functioning as she gazes at the young boy.
Not sure how to react.
Since when did Ophelia give birth to a child? She didn't see anything in her memory about having a child.
Now that Ophelia has noticed, this young boy does possess something that reminds her of something, and that something is her own face. The very appearance she always saw and adored in the mirror!
The realization hits her - the original Ophelia might have given birth to a child who inherited her features.
Ophelia might have missed out on something or haven't remembered all the original Ophelia's memories, and this might be one of them.
Ophelia was panicking on the inside as she tried to think of an appropriate response.
This child possesses a striking resemblance to Ophelia herself. He has the same blonde hair and crimson eyes as her.
And the servant did address him as a young master, but she just assumed that this kid was from another household and not related to Ophelia in any way.
This child looks to be around four or five years old. But Ophelia didn't get pregnant even once.
Ah! She gasped in realization.
She remembered. Ophelia does have a legitimate child through adoption.
This child is Ophelia's adopted child. And the heir of the Lockhart household.
"Are you Arc?" she asked, her voice filled with curiosity and a hint of surprise.
The young boy's eyes beamed at the mention of his name.
"Yes, mother! I'm Arc," he replied with a bright smile.
Oh, my god! She's really this kid's mother.
Arc Lockhart is another member of the Lockhart household.
***
