497 Being A Wife And A Mother
Selma Payne’s POV:
Two days after I detained Casti, the Woof Anca Family finally sent someone to see me.
Casti’s mother, Madam Woof Anca, had a terrified expression. Her family must have advised her before she came, but that could not stop a mother from worrying about her child.
“Greetings, Your Highness.” She trembled as she lifted her skirt, but suddenly, her legs gave way, and she fell onto the soft carpet. This frightened her, and she tried to get up in a hurry.
However, the gorgeous emerald buttons on her high heels hooked onto the cashmere carpet, causing the well-dressed lady to lie on the ground in a sorry posture.
Mrs. Woof Anca apologized to me in a hurry and tried to untie the thread entangled with the shoe buckle with a wry smile. However, her trembling hands made everything difficult.
After a few unsuccessful attempts, the lady cried. She tried her best to maintain a smile, but tears kept flowing out of her eyes, leaving traces of the foundation on her pale face.
I supported the lady and called the servant outside to help her escape. Madam Woof Anca acted like a ball of messy cashmere and repeatedly apologized to me for her disgraceful behavior.
“Don’t take it to heart, Madam. It just so happens that I intend to have someone change this carpet. If I had known earlier, I would have done it earlier.”
I comforted her gently, even though we both knew the problem had nothing to do with the carpet.
Just like Jordin, Madam Woof Anca was born into a traditional aristocratic family. She was ranked in the middle of her siblings. Her appearance was not outstanding, and she did not show any amazing talent in any aspect, so she was naturally ignored by her parents.
After graduating from university, she immediately married into the Woof Anca Family, according to her parents’ arrangements. Her husband was the youngest son of the family head. The pampered, uneducated, and incompetent second generation made this quiet, submissive, traditional noblewoman destined not to enjoy any love.
Her only spiritual sustenance was her son, Casti. The head of the family loved Casti as the youngest son of his youngest son. Madam Woof Anca carefully protected all of this, as if she feared that her son would follow her and embark on a dull, endless, painful life.
Her life was like a pool of still water that could be seen at a glance, and the Intelligence Department did not even encounter any resistance when it came to collecting information.
As such, I could understand her anxiety and loss of self-control. If anything were to happen to Casti, I did not doubt that this pitiful mother would immediately follow her child into the embrace of death.
“I’m sorry to disturb you, Your Highness.” Madam Woof Anca carefully put down her teacup and always observed my expression. “I should have come to see you earlier, but you’re busy with state affairs, so I couldn’t disturb you. Please forgive me for my rudeness.”
Such refined aristocratic behavior always gave me a headache. I didn’t have much time to waste on her, so I got straight to the point. “I understand why you’re here, Madam. He loyally carried out the tasks I gave him. I’m satisfied and grateful for that.
“I let him stay in the palace to recuperate because he was accidentally injured in an incident. I think I have an obligation to provide some medical convenience to the people who work for me, so I let him stay in the palace temporarily. I promise he’ll be well taken care of, so you don’t have to worry.”
Madam Woof Anca’s eyes suddenly turned red. She seemed to want to say something, but in the end, she could only stammer, “Then... Can I see him? This is merely a humble request from a mother. Your Highness, I haven’t seen Casti for many days.”
I remained silent for a few seconds before firmly shaking my head.
Mrs. Woof Anca gasped for breath as if her heart was about to burst. She clutched her chest and lowered her head, but she couldn’t help but let her tears fall on the fabric of the dress, making the glistening expensive fabric wet and dull.
I promised again, “I’ll let Casti return home when he recuperates. I understand your concern, Madam. No mother can not worry about her child for even a second. But I don’t think Casti would want you to see him lying in bed, right? He would blame himself if he knew his mother was crying for him.”
Mrs. Woof Anca obediently took the tissue I handed over but used her handkerchief to wipe the tears on her face. Her makeup was already mottled, and without the cover of makeup, this woman, who was nearly 50 years old, finally revealed a trace of fatigue and old age that belonged to her age.
“I understand, Your Highness.” Mrs. Woof Anca nodded while sobbing. “I think we don’t have to waste our breaths. What about you? Do you have anything you want me to bring back?”
I couldn’t help but sigh at how terrifying the education of the nobles was. Even such a weak woman who grew up under neglect and suppression still had such a sensitive political sense.
It was as if her emotions and rationality could be clearly separated into two independent individuals in her body, and her sadness did not stop her from being a qualified messenger.
