Chapter 100
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Chapter 100
"Good."
After sending Claude and Amelia away, I returned to my room and sat on the edge of my bed to collect my thoughts.
I had finished revealing the truth about the carriage accident to Claude and Amelia. Rilprey would be recovered soon enough. And Lucian was growing up well.
Thinking of the Duke of Bellomen still stirred my anger, but I was grateful that things were progressing steadily regardless.
'There's a tea party tomorrow at Count Stanley's garden, isn't there?'
The Countess Stanley I had met at the banquet had insisted several times that she would love for Lucian and me to attend the tea party.
'It's also a good opportunity to expand my connections in High Society.'
Establishing my position in High Society was beneficial not only for me but for Lucian as well.
'I was planning to head down to the Duke's Territory soon, but it seems I should stay in the Capital a bit longer, as Claude suggested.'
I recalled what Claude had said to me just moments ago.
'If you wish to think of Lucian's future, it would be wise to remain in the Capital and establish your footing in High Society. While most friendships displayed there are superficial, the connections forged in High Society can become quite powerful assets.'
To become a proper head of house, it was important to appear trustworthy to one's retainers, but external image mattered too.
It seemed that following Claude's advice—staying in the Capital, broadening my connections, and deepening my relationship with His Majesty—would indeed be the better course.
'Now that I think about it, His Majesty seemed quite angry, didn't he?'
It was natural for him to be furious when the banquet he had hosted had turned into such a disaster.
Moreover, the Emperor despised illegitimate children inheriting family lines.
'I wonder if Edwin will be alright.'
The Duke of Bellomen could fall out of favor with the Emperor for all I cared.
My only concern was Edwin alone.
Edwin was only seven years old. Not only had he fallen out of the Emperor's favor, but he had spent the entire day under the shocked gazes of the nobility—he must have been utterly exhausted, both body and spirit.
'Seeing how he slept all day without even knowing Amelia had come... it's heartbreaking.'
An innocent child's back was being torn apart by the political struggles of adults.
As I was releasing a deep sigh at such thoughts,
a knock sounded from beyond the door, followed by a respectful voice.
"Miss Lucella, young master Edwin has come to see you."
"Let him in."
The door opened immediately upon my permission. Soon, Edwin appeared in his pajamas.
"What's wrong, Edwin? You haven't even changed your clothes."
"...."
Edwin did not answer. The boy simply looked up at me with an expression full of sorrow.
It wasn't long before I understood why Edwin wore such an expression.
"I heard that Amelia came and left."
"You heard it from a servant, I take it?"
"Why didn't you wake me up?"
"What?"
At his bewildering question, I could only blink.
"I wanted to play with Amelia too. Why...."
"Wait, Edwin. I'm sorry, but I never failed to wake you."
I waved my hand dismissively at Edwin, who looked ready to burst into tears at any moment.
"I woke you up several times. You just wouldn't get up."
"...Is that so?"
"Yes. I'd feel pretty wronged if you misunderstood me."
I really was wronged. I'd sent servants up to wake him multiple times.
"Still.... You could have kept waking me until I actually got up."
"...."
"I wanted to play with Amelia too.... But you left me out completely...."
Tears began welling up in Edwin's eyes once more.
'How am I supposed to comfort him now?'
Watching the child grow sorrowful over such a trivial matter, I was struck anew by the reality that Edwin was the same seven-year-old as Lucian.
That's right. Crying over small things and blaming others—that's what seven looks like.
It was a fact I'd overlooked because Edwin seemed more mature than his peers.
Moreover, Amelia was an exceptionally special presence to Edwin. It was only natural that he felt hurt and wronged.
'If it were Lucian, he'd be rolling on the floor crying.'
Memories of those days when he'd misbehave and throw tantrums flashed through my mind.
With that, I squeezed my eyes shut once, then opened them and spoke to Edwin.
"I'm sorry, Edwin. I heard you came back early this morning and didn't want to wake you since you must be tired. From now on, whenever Amelia comes, I'll make sure to wake you until you're actually up."
"...It's not because you hate me, is it?"
"What are you talking about?"
The unexpected question made my brow furrow.
"Why would I hate you?"
"Just...."
Edwin trailed off and avoided my gaze.
"Tell me, Edwin. Why do you think I hate you?"
It was shocking.
Though not to the extent of Lucian, who shares my blood, I thought I'd been treating Edwin well.
What on earth could have made the child think such a thing?
"I just...had that feeling."
One thing was certain, regardless of anything else.
Yesterday's banquet had left deep wounds not only on Lucian but on Edwin as well.
"I don't know why you felt that way. Edwin, I don't hate you."
I knelt down to meet Edwin's eyes.
"And I mean that sincerely, not as empty words. So I hope you won't harbor such doubts anymore. And it would be even better if you didn't mind what others say."
"...I understand."
Edwin met my gaze before nodding his head.
"Next time Amelia comes, I'll tell you first. Or we could go meet her instead."
"Yes."
"If you understand, then hurry and change your clothes and go downstairs to eat. You've been sleeping all day, so you must be hungry."
"Understood."
"If you'd rather not eat alone, shall we eat together? Dinner time is in an hour anyway."
"No. I'll eat alone."
"Are you sure that's alright?"
"Yes. I'm not a baby anymore."
Edwin nodded and turned to leave my room.
"Raising a child is truly difficult...."
I stared at the closed door before throwing myself onto the bed.
Raising a child—especially someone else's child—was far more demanding than I had anticipated.
* * *
"Young Master Edwin, shall I prepare your meal in the Dining Room?"
"No. Send it to my room. I want to eat there."
"Very well, I'll arrange that."
After instructing the Maid, Edwin headed straight to his quarters.
Nothing he did seemed to lift his spirits. Even hearing Lucella say she would never hate him didn't help.
The shocked faces of those who had stared at him, the pitying whispers about Lucian, the speculation that Lucella would begin to resent him—all of it weighed heavily on Edwin.
Everything he had encountered in the Banquet Hall tormented him.
Most unbearable of all were the whispers of the crowd.
'Miss Rilprey cares for the Duke's illegitimate child as well?'
'Is she truly kind, or simply naive....'
'She may appear gracious on the surface, but who knows what lies beneath. She must surely despise Prince Edwin.'
'My, Prince Edwin? Are they now acknowledging the illegitimate as a prince?'
At first, he had thought it impossible.
The kind woman who had taken him from the Orphanage and even found his father could never hate him.
But it wasn't just one or two people saying such things.
When many voices spoke in unison, the sound became too overwhelming for Edwin to bear.
Did Sister Lucella truly hate him? Was she hiding something dark and rotten behind that smiling face, just as people claimed?
Once that thought took root, all of Lucella's actions seemed different.
The reason she hadn't taken him to the banquet, the way she had avoided his gaze when their eyes met.
Even the fact that she hadn't woken him this morning.
It all seemed like evidence of her hatred toward him.
'If Prince Edwin doesn't covet the title, perhaps we could get along reasonably well.'
Edwin wanted to get along with Lucella.
He wanted to spend peaceful days playing with dolls alongside Lucian, the three of them sharing snacks together.
If that were the case, perhaps he should renounce the title, just as people suggested.
But.
'I made a promise with Father.'
To become the Duke of Bellomen.
It was his first promise with his father. He couldn't break the promise he had made with Father about getting along with others.
'If Prince Lucian becomes the head of the household, won't Prince Edwin be cast out of the Mansion?'
'Of course he will. For now, they get along because he's still young and ignorant, but once he grows older, he'll understand. That a legitimate heir and a bastard cannot share the same roof.'
Above all, Edwin didn't want to leave the Duke's Mansion.
If he failed to become Duke, he would have to leave this mansion, so no matter what, he had to become the head of the household.
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Brought to you by Valir Scans! To support our team and enjoy the latest releases, please read directly on our official site: valirscans.org
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