Chapter 47
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Chapter 47
Separate from establishing my footing in the Duke's Territory, the Duke seemed quite displeased that Edwin had decided to remain at the mansion.
I was equally bewildered by Edwin's choice.
'In the original work, he would have wanted to follow the Duke.'
But it wasn't just the original work.
The Edwin I knew was a child starved for his family's love.
That such a child would choose to remain apart from the father he had so difficultly found.
'And all because of Lucian and me.'
From my perspective, it was nothing short of astonishing.
"Edwin seems to rely on you two far more than I expected. Especially you, Lucella—you even punished the Orphanage Director and visited him frequently."
To think he chose me over his own father for such a simple reason.
'It's quite moving, actually.'
That taciturn child had seen me in such a light all along.
Apart from the satisfaction of having endured so much, my heart swelled with emotion.
"The reason I called you here separately is precisely because of this."
The Duke's rigid voice shattered my sentimental reverie.
"Since Edwin relies on you so heavily, I hope you won't disappoint the child."
"...Pardon?"
I stared at the Duke with an incredulous expression.
Though I was ordinarily skilled at composing myself, this time I found it difficult to maintain my equanimity.
"Are you worried I might mistreat Edwin?"
One would have to be quite delusional to mistake me for a wicked stepmother.
"I've told you before. I don't engage in such petty cruelty toward innocent children."
The words 'then you should do the same' rose to my throat, but I swallowed them down.
As they say, people see only what they wish to see. Did he truly think I would discriminate against a child as he does?
"You certainly appear to be that way."
Whether or not the Duke was aware that I was mentally inscribing patience characters, he responded with an expression of utter indifference.
Seeing that only fueled my anger further.
Is this how a man entrusts his own child? Besides, Edwin isn't even my child.
"Especially for the time being, I'd appreciate it if you paid closer attention to Edwin. He's only just begun to adapt to this unfamiliar environment, and it would be difficult for him if his father suddenly disappeared."
"I'm afraid that will be rather difficult."
Unable to contain my anger any longer, I delivered a pointed response.
"What?"
At those words, the Duke's eyebrows, which had remained expressionless until now, shot upward.
"Why?"
His voice was cold.
"I'm planning to visit Rilprey County."
My spirits flagged somewhat, though I didn't let it show.
"Rilprey County? You mean Count Rilprey's territory?"
"Yes."
"Why visit a place you haven't been to in so long?"
"There's something I need to confirm. And I have questions for my uncle."
"How long do you intend to be away?"
"I'm not certain. I don't know how long the confirmation will take."
"This is troublesome...."
The Duke tapped his index finger against the table with sharp, deliberate strikes.
"If you're not here, the children will be left in the mansion without an adult, won't they?"
"Am I the only adult? The mansion is full of servants. They'll all manage just fine on their own."
"There are times when servants alone cannot maintain proper order."
"That's why I intend to ask Lucian. Whether he'd like to accompany me to the Maternal Family Estate."
I shared his concern about leaving Lucian behind alone.
Lucian was a child who had never spent a day without me. Though taking him along could be cumbersome, being together brought me far greater peace of mind.
My uncle's displeasure might show somewhat, but surely no other house would dare inconvenience the heir of House of Bellomen.
"Rilprey County holds many traces of my sister. Lucian will surely enjoy seeing the place where his mother lived."
Since I was going to the Maternal Family Estate of all places, the Duke had no right to refuse.
Yet the Duke's concern was not about Lucian.
"What about Edwin?"
"Why are you asking me that?"
I asked, utterly bewildered.
"Edwin is your responsibility to decide, Your Grace. I am not Edwin's guardian—I am Lucian's guardian."
From the beginning, the Duke of Bellomen had granted me only one authority: guardianship over Lucian.
Everything else—from the grand and minor affairs of House of Bellomen to budget proposals, vassal meetings, and even the trivial matter of hiring a single maid—lay beyond my purview. I had been permitted nothing except caring for Lucian.
"I'm afraid I have no authority in this matter. In this mansion, I am merely Lucian's aunt."
"...I see."
The Duke nodded slowly, as if understanding my words.
His expression shifted to one of belated realization.
'Always remember your station.'
'Do not mistake yourself for the mistress of this mansion. You remain here solely as Lucian's guardian.'
'Should you meddle in anything beyond that, I will not overlook it.'
Recalling his own words, he had no choice but to accept this.
It was the Duke of Bellomen himself who had forbidden me from desiring anything beyond what concerned Lucian.
"The moment I take Edwin outside the Duke's Mansion, that becomes an overreach of authority. Taken to extremes, it could be considered abduction."
"You're right. Your words are correct."
The Duke sighed and swept back his hair. His expression was that of someone burdened with complicated thoughts.
"Must you truly go to Rilprey County...?"
"Yes."
I nodded without the slightest hesitation.
"There's no way to handle your business quickly and return?"
"Even riding without rest for ten minutes straight to Rilprey County takes a full day. Even if I return as quickly as possible, I must account for at least three days."
"I see...."
The Duke rested his chin on his interlaced fingers—a habit that emerged whenever he was deep in thought.
"Lucella."
"Yes. What is it?"
"I will grant you authority beyond that of a mere vassal of House of Bellomen."
"I... beg your pardon?"
"From now on, you may freely access any part of the Duke's Territory. If you wish, you may spend beyond your allocated budget, and you may make any request you desire at any time."
"No, Your Grace. Please wait a moment."
A vassal? What is he suddenly talking about?
"Your role will no longer be merely Lucian's guardian."
I could sense what he wanted without him needing to say it.
Sure enough, the Duke drove home my suspicion.
"Caring for Edwin and Lucian. That will be your responsibility going forward. Since it is such an important duty—overseeing the heirs of House of Bellomen—I promise to provide you with benefits far exceeding those enjoyed by my other vassals."
"I see..."
"So going forward, do not worry and care for Edwin..."
"Wait, please. Forgive me for interrupting, Your Grace."
I cut off the Duke as he rattled through my duties and benefits.
"I don't need any of that."
"What...?"
"I won't care for Edwin."
The Duke's expression went blank at my refusal.
"Raising a child is not as simple as all that."
"Then why would I offer you power beyond that of a vassal?"
"Even accounting for that, the risk is too great."
There is a saying that raising someone else's child is harder than raising your own.
"If an accident were to befall Edwin while I was caring for him, I would naturally bear responsibility for it, would I not?"
Edwin's arrival had fractured the power structure of House of Bellomen.
Now the House would split into those supporting Lucian and those supporting Edwin, locked in bitter struggle.
In the original work, they did not even hesitate to poison each other's food in their attempts at elimination.
"Since we're being honest, let me speak plainly."
I took a deep breath and opened my mouth.
"Your Grace, you have experienced the succession struggle yourself, so you know well how fierce and vile the battles for a title can be."
The Duke of Bellomen could be called the greatest victim of succession warfare. His cold-blooded nature was itself a product of his childhood environment.
"Many things will happen to these two children going forward. Lucian will face opposition to his claim, and Edwin will face opposition to his. They may even suffer grave injuries or face threats to their lives."
The Duke nodded as if he understood.
"I do not wish to be entangled in that struggle."
To be precise, I did not wish to become a cruel aunt.
If Edwin were harmed, everyone would assume Lucian had done it. And they would assume I, his aunt, was the one orchestrating it behind the scenes.
That suspicion would persist whether Edwin choked while eating, or struck his forehead while playing with toys.
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