Chapter 48
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Chapter 48
If Edwin were harmed, everyone would assume Lucian had done it. And they would think I, his aunt, was the one pulling the strings behind it all.
People would certainly seize upon the smallest incident to find fault with us and assign blame.
"I truly despise that."
I was already overwhelmed simply raising Lucian properly. I had no desire to hear accusations that I was meddling in the House of Bellomen's succession dispute without knowing my place.
Above all, I couldn't bear to see the two children suffer because of it.
"So please don't burden me with the responsibility that comes with power."
As I emphasized the word responsibility, the Duke subtly averted his gaze.
In truth, the greatest reason I was refusing this offer was because of the Duke of Bellomen himself.
When he had dismissed me as a freeloader all this time—
Now he suddenly wanted me to care for his child. It was absurd.
And the way he packaged it all so grandly—authority beyond what a deceased person would have, budgets and such—as if he were granting me something magnificent. It was laughable.
'He's essentially paying me for looking after his own son.'
He seemed to think that if he dressed it up elaborately enough, I would eagerly accept. He was wrong.
"I will continue to act solely as Lucian's guardian, as I always have. I will take only Lucian with me to Count Rilprey's residence. Of course, I will show some affection toward Edwin, but he cannot be my priority. My family is Lucian."
What I meant was that I would give Edwin only the same affection I showed the children at the Orphanage.
"...Very well. I understand."
Faced with my unwavering resolve, the Duke conceded defeat.
He had come to realize he could not force me on this matter.
'The Duke should be grateful to me merely for caring for Lucian.'
Yet here he was, subtly trying to shift responsibility onto me.
"Then I shall take my leave now."
I bowed to the Duke and rose from my seat. I wanted nothing more than to escape this suffocating room.
"Wait."
It was the Duke's voice that stopped me.
"Would you not reconsider, just once more?"
I turned my body away from the door to face the Duke.
"Edwin follows you greatly. More than he does his own father."
"...."
"I am truly... grateful for that."
"...."
"And for cherishing Lucian as if he were your own child."
I deliberately said nothing in response.
Parched by my silence, the Duke moistened his dry lips with his tongue.
As the saying goes, it is the thirsty man who digs the well. Now it was the Duke who was in need, not I.
And as always, the one in need could only be in the weaker position.
"...I beg you."
In that moment, I understood.
The relationship between the Duke of Bellomen and me had reversed.
* * *
The Duke departed.
Edwin watched him go with a regretful expression, while I exhaled the breath I'd been holding the moment the carriage carrying the Duke set off.
I wasn't the only one who sighed in relief.
The servants, who had been treading on thin ice the entire time, also rubbed their stiff necks.
In short, peace had returned to the Bellomen Mansion now that the source of everyone's tension had vanished.
"Hooray!"
I dashed through the Corridor with unbridled joy.
"Lucian, I've told you not to run in the Corridor."
"Can't you let it slide just this once? I really need to run right now."
"Fine. Then go somewhere with fewer people and run. This place has the laundry maids coming and going constantly."
"Okay!"
With a cheerful acknowledgment, I bolted toward the emptier areas of the mansion. It was clear I was in excellent spirits now that there was no one to scold me.
"There's really no stopping him."
It was somewhat awkward how happy he became the moment Father disappeared, but I decided to indulge him for now.
It had been a full month.
Not only had I spent that long month with the Duke, but I'd also gained the uncomfortable presence of a half-sibling. Lucian needed room to breathe.
"Lady Lucella, this is the budget allocated for Young Master Edwin this month."
"Why are you telling me this?"
"The Duke instructed that all matters concerning Young Master Edwin be entrusted to you going forward."
"Ah, that's right."
I accepted the documents from the butler.
In the end, I had accepted the Duke's request. It wasn't the authority that would be granted to me that tempted me.
If the Duke hadn't thanked me that day, I wouldn't have agreed to his request.
I'm no fool. There was no reason to agree to such an unreasonable favor.
Yet the Duke chose to humble himself before me.
It was merely a few brief words—thank you, I'm asking for your help—but knowing the Duke's considerable pride, I could tell how much he had lowered himself.
For someone who had never asked anyone for anything in his life, he would surely feel indebted to me.
'The greatest gain is securing the upper hand in my relationship with the Duke.'
As long as Edwin depended on me, the Duke would have no choice but to watch my every move from now on.
The Duke's concern for me would prove invaluable in raising Lucian going forward.
A change in the Duke's treatment meant a change in how his retainers and servants would respond to me as well.
"There's more than enough here. Proceed as planned."
"Understood. And..."
The butler, having received the budget back, subtly slid another document toward me.
"Would you be able to take a look at this?"
"What is this?"
"It's the Corridor interior design we're planning to change for the coming spring. I wanted to ask your opinion on what atmosphere would suit it best."
"Mine?"
The butler nodded at my question.
"I'm sorry, but I'm not the lady of the Bellomen Mansion."
"But now that the Duke is absent, you're the only one who can offer an opinion."
The butler unfolded the documents I'd pushed aside, spreading them before me once more.
"The Duke is away, the young masters are too young, and the servants have no reason to involve themselves in the Duke's Mansion affairs."
"Isn't there a head maid? I was under the impression she's been making changes at her own discretion until now."
"With Lucella present, there's no need to entrust such matters to a subordinate. The Duke himself instructed that her opinions be reflected in household decisions."
See? His attitude had already shifted.
I felt a flicker of irritation at how easily his demeanor changed, like flipping a hand over, but I didn't let it show.
"The first one is too ornate. The second and third are too drab. I prefer the fourth."
"Yes. I shall proceed as you've instructed."
With a respectful bow, the butler retreated backward, disappearing from view.
I shot him a deliberately stern look before turning in the opposite direction.
Lucian seemed to be doing well, so I decided to check on Edwin.
'The fact that he's been staying in his room without moving suggests he's quite upset.'
It was only natural that he'd be heartbroken after finally meeting his father, only to part with him. Given Edwin's dignified nature, he'd probably tried not to show it.
I gathered a generous amount of Edwin's favorite chocolate and climbed the stairs.
Knock, knock.
"Edwin, are you asleep?"
"No, I'm not."
"Your sister brought something delicious. Want to share?"
As I asked through the door, I heard rustling from inside. Soon the door opened.
"You weren't even napping. What were you doing alone?"
"Just... lying down."
Edwin's eyes were red as he said this.
I broke a large piece of chocolate in half and handed it to him.
"Don't do that. Why don't you play downstairs? Amelia is in the Playroom."
I deliberately brought up Amelia, but Edwin shook his head.
"I don't really feel like playing today."
Even rejecting Amelia—he really was in a terrible mood.
'If he's going to be this upset, why didn't he go with him?'
I felt grateful toward Edwin for choosing me and Lucian despite this sorrow.
I wondered what his reaction would have been if it were I who was leaving instead of the Duke.
'Is he sadder than when the Duke left?'
Given that he chose to stay at the Bellomen Mansion, it seemed he preferred me to the Duke.
Imagining this child crying his heart out made me feel both tender and amused.
"Why are you laughing?"
"Just something funny crossed my mind."
I popped the halved chocolate directly into Edwin's mouth.
Embarrassed at suddenly receiving the chocolate, Edwin rubbed his cheek. His wrist, visible beyond his sleeve, was pleasantly plump.
Brought to you by Valir Scans! To support our team and enjoy the latest releases, please read directly on our official site: valirscans.org