Chapter 97
---------------
Brought to you by Valir Scans! To support our team and enjoy the latest releases, please read directly on our official site: valirscans.org
---------------
Chapter 97
"No. Lucian did nothing wrong."
I grasped the small hand of Lucian, delicate as a maple leaf.
"Lucian did something good. Thanks to Lucian, Edwin found his father."
The fault lay with me.
I had been consumed by the naive thought that bringing Edwin to the Duke's Residence would make him grateful to me, and therefore he wouldn't execute Lucian—blinded by this, I failed to see what would come after.
Even if Lucian grew into a righteous child, the disappointment and sense of loss Edwin felt upon seeing him would never disappear.
"Well, I don't hate Edwin either. Hating someone is different from feeling disappointed."
"Oh, my dear child. You're so good-hearted."
I gently pinched Lucian's soft cheek without causing pain.
Though my own heart ached and my mind churned with troubled thoughts, I could not speak of them to Lucian.
"Don't worry about anything, Lucian. You're doing wonderfully."
"Really?"
"Yes. When you feel lonely or tired, think of your aunt. I will always be on your side. I will never leave you."
How could I possibly leave a child who grows more precious and lovable with each passing day?
"So, Lucian, there's no need to feel anxious or sorrowful."
I will give you love enough to fill both a mother's and a father's share.
"Now, my baby, sleep well without worry?"
"I'm not your baby though..."
"Yes, yes. Big brother Lucian, please get some rest now."
I stroked Lucian's chest soothingly.
Lucian, who had insisted he was the older one, soon fell into sleep.
I gazed at the child resting his cheek against my thigh, then turned my gaze toward the window.
Through today's events, I became certain.
'The Duke will never change.'
It was not an unforeseen truth.
What concerned me was Lucian's safety.
The Duke of Bellomen would not care what happened to Lucian as long as he could make Edwin his heir.
Whether the child's heart was wounded or he was driven to the brink of death in the Monster Forest—he would not care in the slightest.
He might even wish for misfortune to befall Lucian.
'To protect Lucian, I need power.'
Perhaps a reliable maternal family to lean upon.
'Rilprey is in terrible condition, they said.'
I recalled the words Count Kendel had spoken.
'The people of the domain are starving to death due to an unprecedented famine!'
It was unbelievable.
In Rilprey, no one should ever go hungry.
This was also an ancient family maxim of House of Rilprey.
'Then we must distribute relief grain immediately.'
'There is no relief grain to distribute.'
"What do you mean there's no relief grain? Are you saying it's gone?"
"That is..."
The news Count Kendel brought was nothing short of shocking.
"The Count burned all the remaining wheat."
The reason was simple.
"To raise the price of wheat."
House of Rilprey owned a substantial granary in the southern Empire, and it was no exaggeration to say that Rilprey's wheat fed a third of the entire south.
Yet this had not translated into substantial profits.
Rilprey had no other source of income besides wheat farming, and the wheat was sold at prices below market value.
My Uncle Nob Rilprey had wanted to make a fortune through this wheat, for he lacked the capability to undertake other ventures.
If the quantity of wheat decreased, its scarcity would naturally drive prices upward—such was my uncle's conclusion.
He extracted more wheat from the territory's people through taxation, then burned every last bit of the surplus.
With less wheat in circulation, the price inevitably rose.
My uncle seized this opportunity without hesitation.
He began selling the wheat stored in Rilprey's warehouses at exorbitant prices—including the grain set aside specifically for relief efforts.
The territory's people had already surrendered much of their wheat through taxation. Impoverished as they were, they could never afford to purchase wheat at these inflated prices.
"I fear people will truly starve to death. Please, I beg you to intervene, Miss!"
It was a pitiful and infuriating situation. Yet I found myself somewhat bewildered.
"When I was cast out of the mansion, they said nothing. Now they come asking me to step in."
I understood the retainers had no power.
I understood why they had accepted my uncle as the head of the house. It made more sense to entrust the position to a capable adult than to a young girl.
"I won't harbor resentment over what's already passed. I'll focus only on the future."
I slapped my cheeks sharply to steel my resolve.
"I'll make Lucian the Duke."
For Lucian's safety, I absolutely had to make him Duke of Bellomen.
What had been my original reason for bringing Edwin to the mansion?
"It was for Lucian's survival."
If being Edwin's rival meant a noose around Lucian's neck, then Lucian must become the head of the house instead.
Only then could no one threaten him.
"I'll make Lucian Duke of Bellomen—if only to show the Duke that the child he so despises is actually worthy of the position."
At this point, determination kindled within me.
I wanted to prove to the Duke of Bellomen that the child he looked down upon possessed the makings of a true head of house.
After that, I would make him pay for the wounds he inflicted on Lucian's heart.
"Even if Lucian forgives the Duke, I won't stand idle."
I would make him pay the price for hurting my precious child.
To do that, I needed power.
Power to bring the Duke of Bellomen to his knees, and to become Lucian's steadfast support.
"The most ideal path is to reclaim Rilprey."
The retainers were not on my side in the past, but they are now.
I possessed Rilprey's unique abilities, the achievement of successfully subjugating monsters, and land that yielded magic stones.
As the head of the household, my capabilities were more than sufficient.
'On the other hand, my Uncle has more than enough reasons to be removed from his position.'
Burning wheat at will was, when you thought about it, tantamount to embezzlement.
Moreover, he was turning a deaf ear to the starving voices of the territory's people. As a lord, he was failing to fulfill his most crucial duty.
Embezzlement and dereliction of duty—these two charges alone were sufficient grounds to remove my Uncle.
'Just as Count Kendel said, I'm going to reclaim Rilprey from my Uncle.'
To become a steadfast pillar of support for Lucian. And to restore Rilprey to its former glory, the land our parents cherished.
With my resolve firmly set, I grasped the hand of Lucian, who slept as peacefully as an angel.
"I will shield you from every shadow of anxiety that threatens to fall upon you."
So you must simply grow healthy and upright.
* * *
The next morning.
I opened my eyes earlier than usual and completed a simple toilette. It was to meet with Count Kendel.
The Duke of Bellomen's sudden appearance had prevented us from having a proper conversation. To inherit Rilprey, I needed to discuss matters further with Count Kendel.
"You're leaving early, Lady Lucella."
"Yes. How is Lucian?"
"He's still sleeping. It seems his first Imperial Banquet Hall visit was quite exhausting."
I nodded in agreement.
Not only was it my first time attending the Imperial Banquet Hall, but I had also witnessed the Duke of Bellomen's outrageous conduct—it was no wonder I felt drained.
"Don't wake him today. Let him sleep more. If he happens to wake, tell him his aunt will return shortly."
"Yes, ma'am."
"What about the Duke and Edwin?"
"The Duke left early this morning. Young Master Edwin is still sleeping."
Impressive stamina. To cause such a commotion and then leave at dawn.
It was fortunate for me, in fact.
I wouldn't have to face the discomfort of seeing the Duke's face.
'But Edwin...'
Could I truly treat Edwin as I once did? Could Lucian also be the affectionate older brother he once was to Edwin? Doubt crept in.
'Perhaps it would be better to take Lucian and return to the Duke's Territory.'
Edwin would remain at the Duke's side anyway.
Rather than watch the Duke encourage competition between the two children, it would be better to go down to the territory and build the trust of the retainers.
Though I would miss Claude somewhat...
'Wait. What was I just thinking?'
I brought my palm down sharply against my cheek.
Not only had I unconsciously thought of Claude, but I was actually lamenting being separated from him.
'Is this the time to lose focus over a man? You need to concentrate on protecting Lucian!'
Getting distracted like this. You must still have some life left in you, Lucella.
I was muttering to myself while slapping my cheeks repeatedly.
"...My lady?"
I heard a voice calling to me from across the way.
I lowered the hand that had been resting against my cheek.
"What are you doing right now...?"
The one regarding me with such a grave expression was Gillian.
---------------
Brought to you by Valir Scans! To support our team and enjoy the latest releases, please read directly on our official site: valirscans.org
---------------