The General's Wife Wants to Leave

Chapter 292: Amidst her silence

"What is this, Ann? W-What is this cake for?" In a split second after the cake was served and her mind was still occupied, she was questioned by the young lady, who looked tense with her blue eyes quivering."I am feeling honored to know you and Aunt Camille here because of me," Joanna replied. Taking a seat, she resumed speaking. "I apologize for not being able to present good company since you and Aunt Camille arrived here. I really wasn’t in my good health, not because I didn’t like Aunt Camille and your presence." Partly truth slipped out of her lips.

"Thus, I take this chance to convey my apology and gratitude," Joanna uttered, directing her gaze on the fruitcake she had served for the wary-looking guests. "This is my favorite cake, which was made by our new baker. She used spices and preserved fruits that made the cake taste different and unique." Looking back at Valerie and Aunt Camille, with a smile Joanna continued playing her role. "I hope this cake could represent how grateful I am to meet you and Aunt Camille again."

"But why don’t you take one if this cake is your favorite, Ann?" Of her long-winded words, there was only one response that was given by Valerie, which seemed to be her most concerned one. And Joanna could grasp why Valerie gave her such a question and what she wanted to know further.

"I have had that cake a lot," Joanna simply answered, not giving any details that would appease the worry that was subtly written in Valerie’s demeanor.

Joanna noticed Valerie wanted to ask more, but she ended up closing her mouth and bringing her eyes to see the cake instead.

"Why don’t you eat it, Val?" was Joanna’s inquiry when, after a few seconds passed, Valerie did not touch the cake but stared at it.

"I... I don’t think I can eat it. I am too full. I am sorry." Valerie gave an excuse in a low voice amidst her restless gesture.

"Please just give it a bite, Val. I will be sad if you don’t taste it since I specially requested this to be made for you and Aunt Camille. Don’t you know how guilty I have been these past few days for not being able to be a good companion for you and Aunt Camille?" Joanna did not let the chance slip through her fingers.

"Let me give it a taste, dear." Aunt Camille interrupted, and Joanna turned her head to see the older lady, who once again appeared as the guardian of her agitated daughter. "To be honest with you, Valerie is focusing on maintaining her shape. She is not married yet, but her body shape tells the opposite." Aunt Camille let out a heavy sigh, patting the back of Valerie’s hand that was in hers. She continued to say,

"We all know how important it is for an unmarried lady to maintain her shape. And this poor mother wants to see her daughter get married soon and become a mother like you. What if no more marriage proposals come to Valerie’s hand due to her appearance?" Another sigh escaped Aunt Camille’s lips. Her hand now moved to pat Valerie’s head that was lowered.

"Don’t get disheartened too long, Val. If you are envious of Joanna, you may start thinking of accepting one marriage proposal. What about you considering Lady Leticia’s proposal? Her nephew doesn’t look bad. Didn’t Lady Leticia say he is a decent gentleman with a good upbringing?" Aunt Camille spoke in a tender voice, as if trying to soothe her disheartened daughter.

"I can’t," said Valerie, her voice barely above a whisper while her eyes were directed on the cake that was served by Joanna.

"Listen to me, Val..."

"I think it is better to let Valerie consider that important matter in peace, Aunt Camille," Joanna intervened, sensing where the conversation would be diverted to if it kept going. The very least she wanted was that they mention Phillip at the moment. "Give her time to think and decide for herself. I believe that Valerie is wise enough to decide what’s best for her."

Turning towards Valerie, who still had her eyes downcast, Joanna said, "There is no need to be disheartened with my life, Val. We all have our own path of life. Don’t compare your life with me or others. And don’t insist on having something that doesn’t belong to you in the first place," Joanna advised, hoping whatever they had up their sleeves would not become a backlash for themselves.

She then said more, "It is fine if you don’t want to eat the cake. We can have it on another day when you want to try that. Just let me know. As long as we still see each other, I will ask for the cake to be made for you." Joanna smiled at Valerie, who gradually raised her head to meet her eyes. "You may finish the tea if you want to because it could help maintain one’s shape."

Joanna knew Valerie would not touch the tea anymore. She just merely talked without force, just to give her one last perspective of how she viewed this matter. And she was almost there.

In silence, Joanna took the cup of honey water where the steam had disappeared.

And amidst her silence, Joanna did not know that not far from the gazebo where she hosted a small tea party with the mother and daughter, who probably had inner battles at the moment, there was a figure who had heard all the conversation among them.

The figure had heard all the words that shattered his heart.

He was a sinner. It was all he had thought when the soft voice of the woman that he had kept dear in his heart and mind drifted in his ears, filling all his senses before stabbing his heart word by word.

When there was no more to hear, Canillas opened his eyes that he had closed when his heart was squeezed. With a letter from his King that summoned him to return soon to his homeland, Canillas made his way, leaving the Alenna garden. But he did not leave Joanna’s words in every step he took.

’My child is not a taint.’

’I will never be ashamed of being pregnant with my child.’

’I will become an utterly happy and proud mother.’

’I will raise my child with my whole heart.’

’No mother would not love her own blood and flesh.’

’My husband and my child are my family now, and I keep their presence dear in my life.’

And with his eyes moist and reddened, he walked further and further away without telling his wife about the letter, failing to do the main reason he looked for her in her beloved garden.