Chapter 84
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Chapter 84
Shortly after, I found myself seated in the Reception Room of the Lowswide Marquess Residence.
The touching atmosphere from moments before had evaporated, leaving only the cold gaze of the Marquis—no, my aunt now—the Aide, and.
Between them and my father, who was grinning with shameless ease, I sat there looking utterly foolish.
'My father is Dane Lowsweed....'
So my father, who had gone to the Demon Realm to subjugate the demons, had fallen in love with my mother.
'It's already shocking that an ordinary human fell in love with a demon, but a knight falling in love with an enemy combatant?!'
The secret of my birth was confusing, utterly confusing....
Unable to accept reality yet, I was gulping down tea when my aunt broke the silence first.
"So you cut off all contact because you married a demon?"
"I thought it would be better for the family and for you if I died as a war hero rather than as a traitor who fell in love with an enemy."
Upon hearing my father's cheerful response, the Aide let out a deep sigh and pressed his forehead.
"Well, fine. Let's say that's possible. But still! Even so! You could have at least sent a secret message to the General and me, couldn't you?!"
Usually when the Aide got excited, my aunt would quietly stop him, but today she merely stared at my father with cold eyes....
'She's truly furious!'
I understand.
A dead brother she had carried in her heart for twenty years was actually alive all along!
The first emotion would be relief, followed by betrayal.
"There's an old saying: to deceive the enemy, first deceive your own side—"
"Was I included in that 'own side'?!"
Hearing my father's carefree response, I finally couldn't hold back and burst out.
As one of the deceived allies, just like my aunt and the Aide, I couldn't bear it!
Regardless, my father continued to shake his head at me while saying infuriating things.
"She's a bit prickly, but isn't our daughter pretty?"
"Is this really the time for that?"
Read the room, you oblivious fool!
My aunt, watching my thoughtless father and me pinching his side repeatedly, sighed and spoke to me.
"...You must have had a hard time taking care of such a thoughtless father all this time, Vivian."
Then she gazed at me for a moment before shifting the conversation to an entirely different topic.
"Anyway, shouldn't you come live at our house now?"
"...Pardon?"
"Not at the Duke's Mansion, where you're practically a stranger."
As she added this and lifted her teacup, I could have sworn a satisfied smile crossed her lips.
* * *
Late afternoon.
My aunt arrived at the Duke's Residence with my father and me in tow.
Her momentum was as commanding as a general claiming victory.
"We've come to express our gratitude for the kindness shown to my brother and niece during their stay at the Duke's Mansion."
The Duke didn't bat an eye at the secret of my birth that he had just learned.
As if he had known all along.
Just....
"For someone who came to offer thanks, you're not observing much formality."
My aunt, who had visited abruptly without notice and at evening no less, seemed displeased.
However, the Duke's cold demeanor didn't intimidate her in the slightest—she countered with composure.
"My apologies. As family, I felt my heart wouldn't be at ease unless I took her in as soon as possible."
"So you're simply going to whisk away the child I've cared for these past ten years?"
"While I cannot presume to match Your Excellency's affection for Vivian, I intend to offer appropriate compensation."
"To reduce years of accumulated bonds to mere money—you truly are as heartless as ever."
Crackle!
Sparks seemed to fly between the Duke and my aunt, neither yielding an inch....
'This is practically a "do you prefer your mother or father" situation—how awkward....'
While I stood between them, perspiring profusely.
Curtis Rohan, who had been listening silently, gently interjected.
"I find it rather amusing that you two are quarreling over where Vivian will stay. She's my daughter, so naturally I should be the one to decide where she lives—"
"You, who drove a spike through your own daughter's heart, have no right to speak. Stay out of this."
"You don't even have a roof over your head in the Capital—what business is it of yours? Keep quiet, Dane."
Before Curtis Rohan could finish a single word, the Duke and my aunt united to silence him.
In the end, as I watched their argument unfold, I hesitantly raised my hand.
"Um, may I decide where I stay myself?"
The moment I spoke, both of them, who had been sparring with calm voices, abruptly fell silent and focused entirely on me.
"That's right—you're an adult now, so you have the right to decide your own residence."
"I'm sorry, Vivian. After twenty years, we've only just reunited, and I became impatient.... I wasn't thinking clearly."
"That sort of emotional appeal seems unfair."
I hurried to speak before they could engage in another battle of wits.
"In my opinion...."
* * *
After hearing my answer, my aunt returned to the Marquis's Residence alone.
[I think it's best if I go to the Marquis's Residence after all.]
With the same commanding presence as when she had arrived at the Duke's Mansion.
Even after I gave that answer, there were still complications before I could stay at the Duke's Mansion that night....
[Roper, go tell the maids to pack Vivian's belongings at once.]
I had thought she would grant me at least a few days to organize and prepare my things.
But my aunt demonstrated far more decisive momentum than I had anticipated.
'Just like when she works as Prime Minister....'
In the end, after I pleaded for time to pack my belongings and say goodbye to the people of the Duke's Mansion.
I managed to secure just one more night.
When word of this spread among the servants, the Duke arranged a modest farewell gathering.
Of course, the fact that I was the niece of the Marquis Lowswide was kept confidential.
I myself was still bewildered by this secret of my birth that I had only just learned, and it hadn't been publicly revealed yet.
"Vivian, visit the Marquis's Residence often. I'll have Madeline made, your favorite."
"That's right, feel free to stop by whenever you're passing through without any particular reason. You understand, yes?"
Within the span of a month, the Chef, the Maids, and others with whom I'd grown close offered their farewells, their reluctance evident in every word.
And finally.
"Should your aunt prove difficult or stubborn, come to the Duke's Residence at any time. I shall always keep the doors open for you."
With the Duke's parting words, tinged with unmistakable regret, the farewell gathering came to an end.
After washing, I returned to my room and began gathering my belongings.
"I need to pack the dress the Duke gave me, the shoes, and then...."
As I opened the drawer to retrieve the magical communication device for contacting Rachel, I noticed a small box placed beside it.
Only then did I remember the existence of the gift box I'd forgotten.
'That's right, the gift for Lahedis!'
I'd completely forgotten about it after getting caught up in the accident at the Hunting Festival and meeting Curtis Rohan.
'I need to give it to him before I leave tomorrow.... Is he asleep?'
Tomorrow morning would be chaotic with people from the Marquis's Residence arriving to move my belongings, so today was my only opportunity to give him the gift separately.
'But once I leave for the Marquis's Residence, what happens to Lahedis?'
Rachel had sent Lahedis to escort me.
If I departed for the Marquis's Residence, Lahedis's duty would be complete.
'Will he return to where Rachel is?'
If that were the case, I wouldn't see Lahedis again until Rachel returned to the Empire.
The moment that thought crossed my mind, my heart sank.
After a brief moment of deliberation, I decided to visit Lahedis's room before it grew any later.
"Lahedis, are you awake?"
I arrived at his door, knocked, and waited for a moment.
Even that brief instant of waiting for a response felt unbearably tense.
I was anxious that he might already be asleep, that I would have to part ways without even a proper farewell.
Fortunately, however, the door opened and Lahedis appeared.
"What is it?"
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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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