Their romance storyline only begins on the second playthrough?

Chapter 26 Just say whether or not to give it to your daughter.

The Duchess fell silent.

This statement is no less tantamount to a blond-haired thug showing up at your doorstep in a ghost car and saying he's going to kidnap your daughter.

After Rhodes finished speaking, it was unclear how much time had passed before she finally spoke:

"I... am not Ivina's mother. Ivina is my sister's and the master's child, but even so, I still love her very much."

Your Majesty Rhodes, I can understand Lord Merrick's profound insights, and it is probably true that Ivina is being targeted by the witch.

But the problem is... I...

The Duchess paused slightly, then added, "I don't want the child to get hurt. Anyone who goes near her will only cause her more pain."

"We've tried everything we could, every method we could find, but the fact remains unchanged."

The implication is that if they couldn't accomplish what they had tried their best to do, why should a stranger like you be able to?

Rhodes was not at all surprised that the Duchess did not believe him.

After all, it's absurd enough that a random man suddenly runs up to someone's mother and says, "I'm going to spend ten days winning over your daughter and then take her away from home."

but--

Rhodes looked intently at the Duchess and said seriously:

"You may have forgotten where I come from, and you may have forgotten what family I belong to."

My family is full of elders who peer into souls, and I grew up in that oppressive environment, Duchess.

I think that the similar differences we had when we were young would at least allow me to be her friend.

Regardless, even if I really can't take Miss Ivina out, as someone who once had a mental breakdown, I still want to be her friend, to try and save the "self" that couldn't be redeemed.

Upon hearing Rhodes' last words, the Duchess's fingertips trembled slightly.

"you……"

"I don't need to have any ulterior motives; I just want to help her, to help her survive."

The Duchess fell silent again, but this time, the silence lasted only half a minute.

"She will hurt you; her mental state will attack any stranger who gets close to her."

Moreover, she can be violent and hit you sometimes. If you hit her, she will instantly break down in tears and fall into a state of depression.

Vina is not a normal girl; she has no outstanding qualities.

Her body was fragile because her divine seed could not receive the feedback of bloodlust, so it was barren and she was not as beautiful as other girls.

She even lost sight in her left eye, so her head was always wrapped in bandages.

Moreover, she doesn't understand life, doesn't know anything about social etiquette, doesn't know how to please men, and isn't a normal person at all. Most people simply couldn't accept her.

The Duchess rattled off Ivina's flaws, hoping to discourage Rhodes.

seriously.

If she could, why wouldn't she let Rod give it a try?

After all, Rhodes, who comes from the soul family of [Kivunlans], and is the same age as Ivina, might actually have a slight chance of helping her make a friend.

Even better, she might have gained light and become dependent on Rhodes, but the problem is—

Rhodes's character and his abilities are two different things.

The Duchess couldn't possibly just casually hand her child over to a strange man for experimentation, talking about saving her while making no decisions about the future.

Something like child's play.

It's very simple.

If Rhodes doesn't succeed, then nothing changes, so it's better not to let him try.

But what if Rhodes succeeds, and then, after Ivina becomes dependent on him, he gets bored and abandons her?

Ivina's psyche cannot withstand any more trauma.

At this moment, a mother is doing everything she can to protect her child.

Rhodes understood the Duchess's concerns.

But it cannot be denied that... he really couldn't promise anything.

Moreover, he didn't want to deceive the Duchess and tell any glib lies.

In the end, he simply closed his eyes slightly and said, "I am saving my past self. Don't I understand how my past self would be hurt? Please rest assured. I can understand all her problems."

"..." The Duchess's lips parted slightly.

Seemingly after much internal struggle, she finally sighed:

"I... understand your attitude. Well then, let you try, but please don't force yourself or force it. If she attacks you, just let it go."

Vina is usually in the back garden around this time. Whether you'd like to go see her first, or settle in and have Daphne find you a room, is up to you.

"Let's go take a look. I don't have the habit of waiting," Rod replied earnestly.

……

...

The warm sun at eleven o'clock shone directly on Ivina Sanders's frail and delicate body.

The girl was indeed very sickly, but also very beautiful.

She was wearing a light white dress with several bows tied around her neck, and she lay languidly on a white chaise lounge, her silver hair falling to the floor as she moved her hands.

Her lower abdomen, as she lay down, displayed a beautiful curve, rising and falling gently with her breath.

Then, as if she was bored, she reached out and tugged at the pastry cart next to her, took out a bright red cherry, held it above her head to the sun, and smiled radiantly.

The key is that it's very small, very small.

She was as small and delicate as a tiny, cute little creature, and quite thin and frail.

Her eyes further accentuated that sickly state.

After all, her left eye was wrapped in layers of white bandages, while her right eye revealed a scarlet blood-red pupil that shimmered like a blood gem in the sunlight, blinking as she looked at Cherry.

just like--

Same as Cecilia.

Yes.

When Rhodes stood ten meters away from the girl, she realized that an enemy had appeared beside her.

She glanced at Rhodes instantly, her eyes flashing with ferocity, but then quickly lost their focus.

Both sides were stunned.

Putting aside Ivina, at least Rhodes could hardly imagine it—

Their expressions and postures were completely different. At least Ivina's figure was that of a petite little girl who could be picked up in one hand, while Cecilia had the physique of a girl to a mature woman.

The problem is, Rhodes has only ever seen this unique eye with Cecilia.

In a fleeting moment of confusion, Rhodes seemed to hallucinate as Cecilia approached him and reached out her soft hands, gently cupping his cheeks.

Just like how, despite her countless times of adoration and his countless instances of disgust towards her, she still clung to him relentlessly—

Her light, ethereal voice, accompanied by her pretty smile, drifted over—

【My dear... it's been so long.】

Thump...thump...thump.

My heart was pounding violently.

The entire space seemed to freeze. Even though she wasn't actually there, Rhode could clearly feel Cecilia's presence.

only……

That's just one eye.