Seduce the hero's mother (GL)

Chapter 178: Chapter 29. The Perfect Picture

Some time has passed since the magnificent wedding ceremony at Ashford Manor. The whole country celebrated the ascent of the new archduchess.

People admired and envied: considering this couple as if created in heaven. No one would have been better suited to be the archduke's wife than Emily Ileas. To the amazement of many, she nevertheless abandoned her previous decision and chose her husband.

Everyone thought that the woman was won over by Henry Ashford's caring attitude. Not for nothing he was considered the most ideal husband of the empire.

At various social events is not one step away from his wife. At the first word he fulfilled her every request. Calmly could bend down and fasten his wife shoes in the middle of the ball, to bring food and drink, as well as protect them from the intrusive attention of the suitors. He himself always guffawed:

— My wife is so beautiful, I'm always afraid someone will steal her.

People around him were sure that with the same care, or even more — Henry treated Emily and at home. The woman was like the most precious treasure of the archdukedom. Anyone would have wished to be in her place.

At least, that's what the perfect picture looked like from the outside. Even the servants who worked in the house did not doubt their relationship one bit.

It seemed to be a perfectly happy marriage with no strings attached. And only two people knew the real truth.

Behind the beautiful facade was something utterly horrible. Something they weren't supposed to talk about.

Emily Ileas had become the Archduke's wife exactly one year earlier. And since then, there was only one place in the entire estate where she could truly be alone. A small pergola in the garden.

The woman swayed slowly back and forth on the snow-white swing, her eyes fixed on the sky. There was an emptiness in her eyes.

From the moment Emily married, she had been surrounded by total control. She was forbidden to go out without her husband, to meet her friends and relatives. Her servants watched her every move, even what she ate. Everything was reported to Henry.

The servants themselves thought such behavior was sweet — and that the Archduke was simply taking care of his wife during her pregnancy. But no one knew the real reason. In fact, Ashford was afraid that Emily would run away from him.

Literally, or commit suicide. In the beginning, the man ordered her to sever her ties with her father-which didn't take much effort. Count Ileas himself turned his back on his daughter as soon as he found out: that she had traded their great purpose for some marriage.

From then on, Emily was left alone and entirely at his mercy. That was what he wanted.

Everything was developing according to his plan. The Archduke was quite pleased with it. And the unhappy life of his wife did not worry him at all.

From the example of his parents, the man did not believe in a happy marriage. And therefore was ready to marry anyone — if it would help to realize his goal in the future.

That day Henry was returning home from a business trip. And passing by the garden, he happened to notice Emily in the gazebo. He took off his gloves and came closer.

The woman didn't even move when he sat down next to her and continued swaying. Watching the expression on her face, the man couldn't help but grin.

Though restricted in her freedom, Emily had become almost the most noble lady of Azeroth. All the riches of the empire were at her feet. Needless to say, it was a pipe dream for every noblewoman. But Emily was still not satisfied.

It amused the Archduke somewhat.

— Are you suffering? — He asked ironically, — I also suffer.

The woman smiled mirthlessly.

— It seems to me that you are doing well. You got what you wanted.

— Not at all,» said Henry quietly, «you are just living in an unhappy marriage. I have to live an unhappy life.

— «Unhappy?» — The Archduchess grinned bitterly. You're the one who made it happen.

— You're wrong. My life is the most miserable in the world. It's good to live in a box without knowing you're in it.

«A box?»

Emily didn't understand the meaning of the expression, but she didn't ask again. Sometimes in private her husband would say strange things she didn't understand. To all the peculiarities of the Archduke, the woman was already used to and accepted.

In exchange for the peace of mind of the family Ileas — Emily agreed to comply with all his orders. And so as not to destroy the reputation of Ashford as a virtuous nobleman, they must play the happy married couple. This image persisted even within the walls of the manor.

Now was one of the rare moments when they could be real with each other. The fake smiles and politeness were erased in the blink of an eye.

After the previous conversation, the spouses were silent for a while. Finally, breaking the general silence, the man inquired:

— Do you still not agree to my request?

— A request? I thought it was an order.

— You are not a servant. How can I order my wife? Of course it is a request,» he smiled.

— If so, my answer has not changed,» the woman replied briefly.

After the wedding ceremony, the Archduke repeatedly «asked» her to do so. But the woman did not agree, even when her father's life was threatened. For she knew that if she did so, she would betray the entire Ileas family.

Henry Ashford begged Emily to make him immortal.

In all the world, only members of that clan could do such a thing. They could trade all their power in exchange for some man's eternal life. At the same time, it was forbidden magic — using it would permanently strip a person of their powers.

Ever since she was a child, her father had taught her that Emily must never do that. Humans are not gods and cannot live forever. It would break the laws of the universe and wreak havoc. After becoming immortal, there is no telling what this person would want to do to the rest of the world.

Besides, it was extremely selfish. Instead of saving hundreds of lives, to sacrifice all to just one. Even the king didn't deserve that. With that in mind, Emily knew she could not do such a thing, not even under pain of death.

Ashford quickly realized this and was greatly disappointed.

He needed eternal life to make his goal a reality. After all, he could not simply change the miserable fate of his character.

Henry Ashford was a man of poor health. It was because of this that he preferred to lead a sedentary lifestyle. The man began to experience shortness of breath even after a light jog, and sunstroke was not uncommon during the heat.

In the original, at the time of the main character's birth, his heart was already weak. The man realized that he simply might not live to see that fateful moment — to take over the world.

The desire for immortality was another reason why he married Emily. However, who knew that she would be so stubborn…

There were few options for further developments. But Henry didn't hesitate long.

— All right,» he smiled, «Whatever you say. I will not persuade you any more.

While the woman looked at him in surprise — Ashford concealed his true motives. After all, Emily wasn't the only person who could give him eternal life.

The man looked at his wife's belly with a smile.

«Daughter, I'm looking forward to your birth.»