The Search for the Duchess’s Husband Chapter 54

“…….”

 

But no matter what Helen said, Julie’s face remained dark and her mouth tightly shut.

 

Helen’s heart sank as she watched Julie’s silence, but she steeled herself.

 

“Julie’s just confused about the wedding.”

 

Surely she’ll feel differently when she’s wearing a white dress in a sparkling wedding hall and being congratulated by so many people.

 

Fortunately, Julie never said those awful words again.

 

She wasn’t thrilled about the wedding planning, but she didn’t sabotage it by saying she didn’t want to do it either.

 

This gave Helen hope, and she worked harder and harder at the wedding planning.

 

It was the only thing she could do for her daughter.

 

Time passed and the day of the wedding finally came.

 

On the eve of the wedding, Count Missoula arrived.

 

With his handsome face and delicate manners, he greeted Julie in a white cotton dress.

 

The guests standing around clapped and cheered.

 

“You look like a prince and princess from a fairy tale.”

 

“They’re beautiful, and I’m sure they’ll make the most loving couple in the kingdom.”

 

Humphrey and Helen looked delighted.

 

Everyone laughed.

 

Everyone, that is, except Julie, who hid her face in a cotton veil.

 

When the banquet was over, Helen scanned the hall where the wedding would take place tomorrow.

 

The aisle was sprinkled with glittering gold dust, and the stained-glass windows in the ceiling were beautifully painted by a renowned artist.

 

Tomorrow morning, the room would be filled with hundreds of live flowers that she had painstakingly grown to bless her daughter’s marriage.

 

A smile spread across Helen’s face as she imagined her daughter and son-in-law standing among them, smiling.

 

Humphrey walked over and took her by the shoulders.

 

“You must have had a long day greeting customers, but you’re back.”

 

“I just wanted to check on things one last time.”

 

“Even royalty wouldn’t go to this much trouble for a wedding.”

 

He wasn’t just saying that. As much as Humphrey was worried about her health, Helen was doing her best.

 

Humphrey lowered his eyebrows.

 

“But Julie hasn’t been feeling well, is she okay?”

 

Helen replied awkwardly, “I told you, she’s just nervous about the wedding, nothing to worry about.”

 

“I see.”

 

Humphrey meekly accepted Helen’s words. Because Helen was a mother, and she hated Julie more than anyone.

 

Humphrey looked out into the empty hall and said, “Tomorrow Julie leaves this house.”

 

Helen’s heart sank at the words.

 

She had been so caught up in Julie’s unconventional remarks and the wedding preparations that she had forgotten.

 

That today would be her last day as the daughter of the Count and Countess of Blührens.

 

“I’d like to stay with Julie tonight.”

 

“Of course.”

 

As they made their way to Juliette’s room, Helen’s mind wandered down memory lane.

 

She was a tiny baby, newborn and crying.

 

The way she nursed in her arms.

 

The first time she called her Mommy.

 

“Helen, you are her favorite mommy and she will live with you forever.”

 

Her precious daughter, who smiled lovingly at her with a smile brighter than the sun.

 

She wanted to mend the relationship that had been broken since that day.

 

“Julie…”

 

Helen stopped dead in her tracks as she entered the room.

 

Julie, who she expected to be in bed in her pajamas, was carrying a large bag full of things.

 

Helen asked in surprise. “What are you doing?”

 

Julie looked at Helen in shock, then opened her mouth.

 

“Mom, I’ve been trying to listen to you, but today I realized for sure that I can never be married to this man. If I marry him, I’ll be miserable for the rest of my life.”

 

“Is that why you want to run away?”

 

“Yes.”

 

Helen squeaked. “What’s a girl who’s never been out alone to do?”

 

“Better than losing me like this!”

 

Julie stood in front of Helen, bag in hand.

 

“Let me go, Mom. Please.”

 

Julie’s eyes were pleading and intense.

 

It wasn’t a childish plea. It was sincere.

 

And that made it even harder for Helen to back down.

 

“I can’t. I won’t let you go.”

 

Helen turned her back to the door and put her arms out to block it.

 

Julie pleaded in a desperate voice.

 

“Mommy, please…!”

 

But Helen shook her head in disbelief.

 

“I’m a mother, and I can’t let my daughter go down the wrong path!”

 

Those words were crucial.

 

A single tear escaped Julie’s eye.

 

“Does my mom deny me too?”

 

“……?!”

 

Helen didn’t know.

 

How fiercely and painfully Julie had denied and struggled with herself. How hard it had been for her to find the courage to do it, again and again, dozens and hundreds of times.

 

It wasn’t an immature escape.

 

It was a desperate step to find her true self.

 

Only to be thoroughly rejected.

 

By the one person she loved the most, her mother, who loved her the most.

 

At that moment, her precariously maintained sanity crumbled like a sandcastle.

 

She hates her mom for not standing up for her. No, she hates her the most.

 

Julie wishes she could just disappear from this world.

 

Her body moved in deep despair.

 

Turning away from Helen, Julie threw her bag on the floor and stumbled to her feet.

 

‘Why was the window wide open right now? Why was the moon so bright? It was mesmerizing.’

 

…Juliette jumped to the window.

 

*Thud!*

 

She heard the horrible sound of something breaking.

 

Helen was so startled she could barely breathe, but then she came to her senses and rushed to the window.

 

She saw Julie on the floor below.

 

Her head was bleeding red and her eyes were open.

 

Her eyes were speaking.

 

“This is all because of you.”

 

“Aaahhh!”

 

Helen’s pitiful scream echoed through the fragrant flower-filled mansion.

 

 

* * *

 

 

Back in reality, Helen knelt down and took Artia’s hands in hers.

 

“I’m sorry, Julie, I’m so sorry. I was so stupid, I should have stood up for you even when everyone else in the world accused you of being wrong. I’m so sorry…”

 

Thick tears fell from Helen’s dry eyes.

 

It was as if all the water in her body was running dry.

 

Soon tears were gathering in the corners of Artia’s eyes as well.

 

‘Juliette, I don’t know how much pain and sorrow you have suffered, but I do know this: your mother loved you with all her heart.’

 

Even though she had hurt her daughter and brought out the worst in her, Helen’s heart was genuine.

 

‘So please understand me when I say this.’

 

Artia said, stroking Helen’s hand.

 

“Mommy, aren’t you ashamed of me now?”

 

“Yes, yes. I’m not ashamed of you. You will always be my proud and loving daughter.”

 

“Then it’s okay, you have nothing to be ashamed of, Mommy.”

 

Helen’s eyes widened and she burst into childish sobs.

 

After a while, when she finally stopped crying, Helen pulled something out from under the bed.

 

It was an old leather bag, the same one Julie had packed 20 years ago.

 

Helen held it out to Artia and said.

 

“Go ahead, Julie.”

 

“…….”

 

“Go where you want to go, be who you want to be. Whatever you look like, wherever you are, just smile. That’s my only wish.”

 

Artia looked at Helen with teary eyes, then took the bag.

 

The bag was heavy. Like Helen’s heart.

 

Artia hugged Helen.

 

“Thank you, Mom.”

 

Those were Julie’s last words.

 

Artia picked up the bag and left the room. Helen smiled and waved.

 

As if she had been transported back to that night twenty years ago.