When I Announced A Divorce, The Obsessive Maniac Went Crazy Chapter 134 - Side Story Chapter 6

Chapter 134

 

Side Story

Lizbeth squirmed.

“Daddy, put me down.”

It was the moment Cesare, looking confused, set Lizbeth down.

Lizbeth left Cesare behind and walked over to Gabriel.

With a very shy face.

Then, clutching tightly onto the hem of Gabriel’s clothes, Lizbeth twisted her body nervously.

That was the signal flare announcing a war.

 

 

 

****

 

 

Dinner was ready quickly.

Gabriel sat at the head of the table.

Aiden didn’t seem very interested in Gabriel.

He looked happy just sitting next to me and seemed way more excited about the roasted quail.

Cesare’s face looked cold and stiff, and Lizbeth was…

What is she doing?

She was staring at Gabriel with sparkling eyes.

Her stare was so obvious, even the quail on her plate might have noticed.

Gabriel gave Lizbeth a kind smile.

Wow… that face really is powerful…

Ahem.

“Did you say your name is Lizbeth?”

“Yes! I’m Lizbeth Burstoad! I’m going to be the Duke of Burstoad one day!”

Lizbeth said each word clearly.

Cesare’s serious face softened a little.

No one knew yet who would be the next Duke of Burstoad. Aiden didn’t care much, but Lizbeth always said what she wanted.

But who knows?

Tomorrow she might want to be a doctor.

And the day after that, a princess.

Lizbeth’s dream changed every day.

“I see. Then I should try to be nice to Lizbeth.”

“Yes!”

The way Lizbeth looked at Gabriel showed she really liked him.

Hmm, maybe liking pretty people runs in the family bloodline.

Honestly, Cesare first brought Gabriel home because of how handsome he was, and I used to like his looks too…

Yep, Lizbeth is definitely our daughter.

“How long will you be staying?”

“About a week, Daphne.”

Cesare asked, but Gabriel answered me instead.

“I wish you’d leave sooner… ahem.”

“Cesare, the kids can hear you.”

Cesare clenched his teeth.

“But Mr. Fairy, what’s your name?”

Lizbeth suddenly asked.

Wait—what did she call him?

Mr. Fairy?

Cesare’s face looked scary.

Wasn’t your dad Mr. Fairy, Lizbeth?

Why do you change so fast?

“His name is Gabriel Hylistor.”

“Gabriel.”

Lizbeth whispered his name.

Even though she was a bit rude, Gabriel just smiled kindly.

“You’re really pretty, Gabriel!”

“Lizbeth, you should say ‘His Majesty the Emperor.’”

“It’s okay, Daphne.”

“But still…”

“She’s still young, and she’s cute.”

Gabriel laughed.

Everyone else looked nervous, but Gabriel and Lizbeth were having a fun time.

After Gabriel became emperor, only a few people were allowed to call him by name.

Even I didn’t say his name in front of others.

Haha, Lizbeth really is like me…

Cesare’s eyebrows twitched.

Aiden didn’t care at all and just kept eating his quail.

Well, I’m glad you’re the calm one, Aiden.

“You think I’m cute?”

Lizbeth gave her best smile.

It was the same baby-cat face she used to make her dad melt.

She blinked and tilted her head. No grown-up could say no to that.

Even the emperor’s helpers were smiling softly at her.

“Haha! Yes, Lizbeth, you’re very cute. Do you take after your mom?”

“Yes! Lizbeth looks like mommy! That’s why Lizbeth is pretty!”

Where did she even learn to say stuff like that?

I shook my head.

Cesare always said she was just like me.

But I wasn’t like that as a kid! I was calm and acted grown-up! I never got into trouble like Lizbeth.

…Though I guess I did talk pretty well.

Ahem.

 

 

 

****

 

 

According to Cesare, Gabriel reminded me of how he once caught my attention and now he had completely stolen Lizbeth’s heart.

Ever since Gabriel arrived, Lizbeth had been following him around everywhere.

And Gabriel didn’t seem too busy, because he happily played with her, even today, having tea party and pretend play in the garden.

Cesare stared at them with a sad look.

“You still have me, Cesare.”

“I didn’t think Lizbeth would be like this. I thought she’d only play pretend with me.”

“But isn’t it kind of nice? Lizbeth’s pretend games usually last an hour. You used to say they were tiring.”

“That doesn’t mean I wanted to lose her to someone else.”

Cesare was shaking with frustration.

“That guy always takes what’s mine.”

I gave an awkward smile.

Lizbeth, what are you going to do if your dad gets upset like this…

Meanwhile, Lizbeth was placing a flower on Gabriel’s head.

And whenever Gabriel smiled, Lizbeth burst into giggles.

It was like just seeing him smile made her happy.

Gabriel was clearly winning her over with just his face.

I calmly sipped my tea.

Aiden was off playing with his friends, completely absorbed in his own world.

He had gone out with plenty of guards, so he’d be back safe before sunset.

Honestly, both Gabriel and Cesare should’ve been working, but here they were instead.

The whole garden was filled with the sound of Lizbeth and Gabriel talking and laughing.

The only one not enjoying this peaceful day was Cesare.

“Have some more tea. Gabriel will leave soon anyway, and then Lizbeth will be all yours again.”

“I wish he’d leave right now.”

“Oh, come on, Cesare.”

I shook his arm gently.

Cesare finally turned his eyes away from Gabriel and Lizbeth and looked at me.

I gave him a cute smile.

“So what, you only see our daughter now? What about me? I’m right here beside you! This is your chance — no Lizbeth, no Aiden. And you’re still just being jealous?”

Cesare’s face finally relaxed a little.

He quietly took my hand.

Just like I said, it had been a long time since we weren’t swarmed by the kids.

It wasn’t often we got a quiet moment like this to drink tea and relax.

He took a deep breath to calm down.

And he probably realized that once Gabriel left, things would go back to normal and peaceful again.

Spending time with me like this didn’t sound so bad anymore.

“Now you’re finally smiling.”

I laughed.

Cesare always got a little childish when it came to Gabriel.

“That guy just brings out the worst in me. He’s weird.”

“Sure, sure. Let’s go with that.”

I was gently calming Cesare down…

When Lizbeth suddenly said something that would go down in Burstoad family history:

“I wish Mommy had married Gabriel instead!”

Ah… there’s no fixing this one easily.

As I saw Cesare’s face turn ice cold, I thought:

So much for peace.

 

 

 

****

 

 

I quickly took Cesare upstairs to our bedroom.

Shannet, being sharp as ever, took Lizbeth to her room, and Gabriel left the house with a big smile on his face.

“She’s just a kid, Cesare. Don’t take it seriously. Does what Lizbeth said really matter?”

“There are some things you just shouldn’t say, no matter how young you are! Lizbeth, that little—!”

“Cesare.”

I drew out his name gently and hugged his arm tightly.

His eyebrows twitched in frustration.

I was the only one stuck in this awkward, laughless mess.

Lizbeth, you little troublemaker.

Why’d you have to say that of all things?

“But I did marry you, didn’t I? I chose you. That’s all that really matters. Lizbeth honestly doesn’t know any better. Try to be the bigger person, as her dad.”

“Be the bigger person? Seriously? She said she wishes Gabriel had married you! And I’m just supposed to be okay with that?!”

Yeah… that’s not gonna work.

There was no way he’d calm down that easily.

Ugh, maybe I should run away for a bit while Gabriel’s still here.

Let them sort it out themselves.

Or… would someone end up dead?

I let out a huge sigh.

There had to be a better way…

Ah!

“Cesare.”

“What?”

“Do you want to touch my chest?”