Regrets Of A Second Male Lead

Chapter Ten: Between Friendship And Love (6)

"Yes, my Lord."

"All right."

Their picnic began with the escort of two loyal knights.

***

"Mom, please hold me!"

Abel struggled not to fall onto the icy lake.

"Oh, Abel, wait!"

Abel asked Chloe for help, but she was struggling as well because it was her first time skating. She tried to approach Abel, but her feet kept slipping and hindered her from moving.

Chloe quickly glanced around, but there was no one who could help her.

Leila and the Anata siblings, who were very good at skating, had already moved to the front. Renee was the farthest, probably because she was excited to skate after a long time, then followed by Leila and Noah.

Besides, the Blanchett Knights, who mostly came from the Capital or the southern region, didn't know how to skate. It was amusing to see the sturdy knights scrambling around trying to find his footing.

Then, a firm and big hand reached out in front of Chloe. She tried to ignore the approaching figure, but it was no use.

"Please hold onto my hand, Lady Blanchett."

It was Herace Moore. He stood out the most in this white space. She hesitated for a moment, but it did not last long.

"Take me to Abel, Sir."

"Sure thing, My Lady."

With Herace's help, the distance between Chloe and Abel gradually narrowed.

"Abel."

"Motherrrr!"

When Chloe reached Abel, the child immediately clung to her leg.

"It's weird! My feet keep slipping!"

Abel told his mother he didn't know what to do. Chloe wanted to teach Abel how to skate, but she didn't even know how to do it herself.

"If you wouldn't mind, I can teach you."

Herace, who was watching the mother and son, interrupted.

"But..."

Chloe didn't want to get involved with him as much as possible.

"What about escorting the Anata family?"

Herace looked over upon Chloe's words and continued.

"Wouldn't it be fine because there are already guards over there? Moreover, Lady Anata is a knight. From my point of view, I'm more concerned with the mother and son of the Blanchett Family, who have no one to teach them how to skate."

It was certainly like that. She couldn't ask the knights of Blanchett, who couldn't skate either, to teach her.

"Young Master, you want to learn how to skate, right?"

Herace asked Abel upon initiating eye contact with the child. Abel looked at his mother and then Herace, nodding.

Chloe must overcome her stubbornness for the sake of Abel.

"Alright... Then I'll ask you for this favor, Sir."

Chloe ordered Abel to greet him.

"Greet the knight."

"Hello, I'm Abel Blanchett from Marquisate de Blanchett."

Abel still couldn't keep his balance and greeted him while clinging to his mother's leg.

"It's a pleasure to meet you, young master. I'm Herace Moore, the Knight Commander of the Anata Dukedom and secret admirer of Lady Blanchett."

Herace playfully introduced himself.

"Secret admirer?"

Abel asked questioningly. This man! Chloe hurriedly moved Abel away from him.

"Sir. Why are you saying such a meaningless-"

It was when Chloe was about to address him with anger that Abel, who was blocked by her mother's figure, cut off her remark.

"But mother only likes me and father!"

Abel's blue eyes were seething with anger.

"Haha, that's why I gave up."

Herace lifted his hands in a surrendering posture. Chloe suddenly felt tired and held her head.

Then, he proceeded to teach Abel diligently.

"Young master, start by relying on me as you walk."

Herace grabbed Abel's hand and said while leading him.

"Like this?"

"Yes, you're doing very well. Then, drag one foot at a time by drawing a half-circle with your foot."

Chloe watched Herace and Abel. She felt strange when seeing Herace holding her son's hand and patiently teaching him how to skate.

If she'd married him, would she see this kind of thing every day? She might now be suffering because she didn't live according to her destiny.

She was probably paying the price for being greedy for Gerard.

Herace was the character who was meant to be with Chloe in the book inside her dream.

***

It was lunch time when the Blanchett family were able to move around the lake without help.

The Blanchett Knights, who were unable to properly escort their masters due to their lack of skill in skating, had set up a tent in the meantime. Thanks to that, the two families were able to enjoy their meal warmly.

"Mother, mother! If I finish my meal, can I continue skating?"

Renee, holding Abel and Noah's hands, asked Leila.

"Okay, but you have to go with the knights."

The children rushed out of the tent after saying, "Sure!" in unison. Abel, who followed Renee, seemed very happy after learning how to skate.

Chloe was glad to see Abel having fun.

"Their strength is at their limit, but we can't stop them. Shall we have a cup of tea?"

Leila shook her head and offered Chloe tea.

"...No."

Chloe replied impulsively.

She was actually going to talk to Leila tomorrow. However, when they were left alone, she couldn't endure it anymore.

She was at her limit. She could no longer smile and laugh while pretending nothing happened or suppress the overflowing anger and hatred within her.

"Huh? You don't want to drink tea?"

"It's not like that... Let's talk."

Chloe spoke coldly. The whole situation became clear. All she had to do was ask the person involved now.

***