The General's Wife Wants to Leave-Chapter 211: Who are you?

Walking hastily in a quiet, dimly lit corridor, Joanna reiterated her wish for nothing bad to happen to her father.

She did not know why her father suddenly collapsed while he looked utterly fit before she headed to the powder room.

For the occurrence that had never happened before, as her father had always been in good shape so far, Joanna could only think that her father might be too exhausted, consumed by all the never-ending activities that demanded his role and responsibility as a duke.

Deviated to the realization that time had eroded her father’s vitality as he was not young anymore, Joanna felt sorrow in her heart. Would her father be fine if she left him to live a life with her husband? That question made her consider asking for Canillas’ understanding to let her stay in Terra until her brother finished his study.

But would he agree? Joanna doubted, yet she would try to ask him about that, hoping that he would give immense understanding in this worrying matter.

"Can we walk more quickly? I really need to see my father as soon as possible," Joanna pressingly said to the maidservant, who suddenly came to find her in the powder room to deliver the message about her father’s condition in a panic look and heavy breath, as if she was in a rush to have the message reach her soon.

Being led by the maidservant, who was now walking at the same hasty pace in front of her, Joanna felt like they did not make any movement as they had not yet arrived at the location where her father was brought for examination by the royal doctor. Hence, she asked her to increase the speed, as she really needed to see about her father’s condition.

Toward the request she demanded, the maidservant increased her walking speed after answering Joanna with "Yes, milady." freeweɓnøvel.com

"Joanna."

In the midst of her elevated hasty pace in sync with the maidservant before her as an effort to get to see her father immediately, Joanna was startled at the sudden call of a manly voice that came from behind her.

Turning around, Joanna had her eyes grow wide, showing how surprised she was to see who came after her. "Marvin," Joanna muttered in a fully surprised tone as she ceased her steps. "What are you doing here?" asked Joanna when Marvin stood before her. She looked up at him with her brows furrowed, full of wonderment.

"Where are you going?" Marvin gave an inquiry instead of answering Joanna’s question, taking a glance at the maidservant, who also took a halt but gave her back for him to see as the maidservant kept on facing ahead with her head lowered.

"Father is collapsed. I am going to see him," Joanna informed Marvin in a fully worried tone. "I’ll see you next time, Marvin. So sorry, I can’t talk with you now." Having said that in an urgent tone, without waiting for Marvin’s response, Joanna turned around to face the direction where she was supposed to head to resume her pace after waving her hand to Marvin as a gesture of saying goodbye.

But Marvin seemed to overlook that gesture.

"Oh, really?!" Marvin exclaimed, surprise laced his voice. He followed Joanna instead, who resumed to walk at the same hurried pace. "Then I will go with you," uttered Marvin, walking beside Joanna.

The sound of their brisk march echoed, breaking the tranquility in the long corridor, implying how urgent the situation that they faced was.

"No, you don’t need to, Marvin. Father will be fine." Joanna tried to decline Marvin’s offer without reducing the speed of her steps, as she thought that it was not good to involve him in her family’s affair.

"Yes, I agree with you that there will be nothing bad happen to the healthy His Grace. But I really want to greet him. You know that it’s been quite a long time we haven’t seen each other," Marvin replied, showing eagerness to follow Joanna. His gaze landed on the back of the petite maidservant that walked in front of him.

Letting out a heavy sigh, Joanna said, "If that’s what you wanted. Thank you, Marvin. Father will be happy to see you then." She considered to appreciate Marvin’s kind attention and respect to her father, as Marvin always spent some time to greet her father every time he went back to Barasca.

"Where is General von Rodega?" Marvin asked when they took a turn towards another corridor.

At the further end of the corridor, one could see the silhouette of greenery. It was a court garden that connected the great hall with the castle guest house—a place for guests could stay as a few chambers were available, and the maidservant informed that the Duke was brought to be examined by the doctor there.

"His Majesty invited him for a meeting." Marvin hummed at the answer that was given to him before uttering his response in the form of words after a fleeting moment of silence.

"I forgot to tell you one thing, my lady." As he spoke, Marvin grabbed Joanna’s arm, causing her to stop walking. A protesting look was clearly depicted on Joanna’s face at what Marvin did to delay her from seeing her father. "I saw your father in good condition here, still in the front hall talking with some of his friends. So don’t you think it’s better to go back to the hall to see him rather than going anywhere else only to be disappointed later on?" Marving said, meeting Joanna’s perplexed gaze.

Surprised yet perplexed at what she heard—that her father was actually in a good condition and he did not go anywhere but still talk with his colleagues in the front hall—with a crease appearing between her brows, Joanna followed Marvin’s gaze that was shifted from her towards the person who was in front of them.

It was then the realization dawned on Joanna that she was set up in an unpleasant situation.

She believed that Marvin would not utter a lie to her, not only because she knew him since they were kids but also because the maidservant in front of them was now standing still, ceasing her steps as well, but not making any reason to defend herself.

Instead, she looked so composed with her gaze straight ahead towards the open garden that would be reached in about nine to ten steps away.

"Who are you?" Marvin asked, pulling Joanna to hide behind his back.