Chapter 89
“Luciard, it’s hot today. How about some drinks… hm?”
Hestia, holding two cups of drinks, only then realized that Luciard was talking to someone. At first, she couldn’t see the other person due to Luciard’s large frame, but as she got closer, she saw that it was Victor Harbor.
While Hestia was momentarily taken aback by Victor’s sudden appearance, Victor was equally surprised to see Hestia being so friendly with Luciard.
“What is….this…”
Victor stuttered, glancing back and forth between Hestia and Luciard, and Luciard raised an eyebrow.
“Unfortunately, Hestia is still the guardian of Leonhard.”
As Luciard continued speaking, Victor’s complexion slowly turned pale. Meanwhile, Hestia and Leonhard were confused.
“I don’t know if it’s because you don’t like Frost or if you’re trying to win my favor…”
Luciard stepped closer to Victor and whispered in his ear.
“Do you think I wouldn’t understand your dark intentions?”
In the sweltering heat, Victor suddenly felt a cold chill running through his body.
Luciard, towering over him, glared at him with a predatory gaze.
“Or did Count Humphrey tell you to act like a bat?”
“W-what are you talking about…?”
“I knew it. You were being so obvious about your greed. Oh, are you acting alone? In that case, I can somewhat understand it.”
Victor’s mind was in shock.
‘What is going on? Did that bastard and the Frost girl team up?’
When Victor saw Luciard, he had thought of using him as an excuse to get rid of Hestia from the Duke’s house.
‘Is that why Count Humphrey suddenly locked up his mansion? Is it because of this?’
The other branch families, apart from Frost, began to move separately as they lost their center. Recently, Victor’s business had been struggling, and he had been trying to get more investment or start new projects, but Hestia kept rejecting everything, and it all went to waste.
‘I’ve never liked her since ten years ago.’
Even when she was a child, she used to meddle in things that didn’t concern her, causing trouble.
If it weren’t for her, Frost might have been slowly falling apart and falling into his hands by now.
‘She’s always been an obstacle…!’
“Long time no see, Baron Harbor.”
Trying to calm his boiling frustration, Victor was snapped out of his thoughts when Hestia casually spoke to him.
“Y-Yes… it has been.”
“This is the first time I’ve seen you since I was appointed as Leon’s guardian. It looks like you were talking to Luciard.”
“Well, I wasn’t told anything, so seeing him here caught me off guard.”
“My apologies. Things have been hectic, and I couldn’t notify everyone.”
“Now that Luciard has returned, aren’t you stepping down as guardian?”
“Pardon?”
“Didn’t you say you’d give up your position once Lucierd came back? Or was that just empty talk?”
“Perhaps there’s a misunderstanding…”
“Baron Harbor.”
Before Hestia could finish, Luciard stepped in front of her.
A heavy shadow fell over Victor. Luciard’s tall frame and solid build exuded pressure.
“This isn’t something for you to concern yourself with.”
“B-But as an elder of the branch family—”
“The decision is up to Leon. And as a direct member of the Winston family, I’m the one who’ll offer advice—not you.”
Victor swallowed nervously and took a step back.
“I… I just remembered something important. I must leave now.”
He quickly made an excuse and disappeared into the crowd.
“Luciard.”
Hestia was about to ask what had happened as she handed him a drink, but before she could say anything, Luciard whispered in her ear.
“Let’s talk later, not now.”
Hestia shivered slightly as she felt his breath near her ear.
“Uncle, this cookie is delicious. Want to try some?”
“I’m fine. Eat a lot, Leon.”
Returning to his usual self, Lucierd patted Leonhard’s head while Hestia sipped her drink.
“What’s going on in his head?”
That’s how the mysterious Milky Way Festival had begun.
“Don’t go too far!”
“Okay! I’ll stay with the older kids!”
On the second day of the Milky Way Festival, an event for children aged 5 to 17 was held. Leonhard and the other noble children eagerly joined in.
Since the event was organized by the royal family and Leon had her siblings by his side, Hestia felt at ease as she sat down.
“Hm? Where are your parents?”
“They went to catch up with an old friend for a bit.”
“They sure have a lot of energy. Ah, I can finally relax.”
She slumped back in her chair and stretched her legs out. This wasn’t the usual behavior for a noble lady, but they were in a special tent provided by the royal family for the Winston Duke’s house.
Since the festival was held outdoors both yesterday and today, the royal family had set up tents for each family, and the Winston family’s tent was larger and more comfortable than the others.
After attending the event and taking care of the children, Hestia was quite tired. She rubbed her neck, but it only got more stiff, so she hunched down and pressed her neck.
Hearing her groans, Luciard stood up.
“Hm? Luciard?”
“Is something hurting?”
Luciard placed his hand on her neck, and Hestia froze.
As she had just tilted her head back, her white neck was exposed.
“It’s… okay, I’ll handle it.”
“You’re always touching your neck. Doesn’t all that paperwork make your neck sore from bending over all the time?”
“Well…”
“You’ll get a hunched neck at this rate.”
“I stretch regularly! Do I really look hunched to you?”
“Maybe… how about here?”
Before she could answer, Luciard pressed on her neck. Without thinking, Hestia shrank back, but as time passed, the tension in her neck started to release.
Soon she let out a deep sigh.
“Wow… this feels amazing.”
“You’re pretty stiff. Even knights don’t get this stiff.”
“Don’t underestimate office work. We fight with pens, not swords.”
“I didn’t underestimate it. Look, here, this part is really stiff…”
“Hhh… I’m melting…”
As Luciard smiled softly, Hestia, her face relaxed, sighed, and let go of her tension. Luciard then suddenly became serious.
“Have you ever told anyone that you’re passing down the guardian position to me?”
“No, you told me not to. But what happened with Baron Harbor yesterday?”
Hestia sat up and looked up at Luciard.
“He tried to use me to get you kicked out.”
“Hmm…”
“He thought that by me being here, he could take your place as the guardian.”
“That makes sense.”
“And he was badmouthing you.”
“How?”
“Well… things like, ‘She’s only serving the Frost family’s interests and neglecting everything else,’ or ‘She’s using her power to suit her own needs.’ Stuff like that.”
“Hahaha! I can already guess what nonsense they came up with.”
Seeing Hestia laugh so heartily, Luciard frowned.
“Doesn’t that make you angry?”
“Not really. I expect nothing less from them. The moment they saw me, their faces went pale. A guilty conscience, I suppose.”
“This isn’t something to laugh about.”
As Hestia chuckled, she noticed Luciard’s rare serious expression.
“Not just Baron Harbor—everyone at the Milky Way Festival is watching us closely.”
Though Luciard had only been in public for a day, many had come to greet him.
“Instead of trying to get to know me, they’re more interested in figuring out the future of the Winston family.”
“If I were to publicly announce that I’ll take over as guardian, they’d jump at the chance to use me to get rid of you.”
Though no one was as brave as Victor, but subtle offers of assistance were plentiful.
“It’s like they’re eager to put us against each other.”
Luciard’s painful look made Hestia chuckle again.
“And why haven’t you told them you’re taking over as guardian?”
“Because I know some might try to threaten you. If I were to announce it, they’d immediately try to remove you.”
“But you won’t let that happen.”
“Of course not! But I can’t ignore the reactions of others or the public eye. Even if we’re on good terms, if the public opinion turns bad, it’ll be twisted.”
“Hmm…”
“Besides, who knows how long it’ll take for me to learn everything from you? Unlike you, I’m not in any immediate danger if I’m not officially the guardian. It’s better to keep things under wraps until people see how well we get along.”
Luciard sighed, running a hand through his hair. He noticed Hestia smirking.
“What’s so funny?”
“I just think it’s sweet how much thought you’re putting into this.”
Her laughter made Luciard’s ears turn slightly red as he quickly looked away.
“So, do you have a problem with it?”
“Not at all. I appreciate the consideration. I just didn’t expect you to think this far ahead.”
Her playful tone made Luciard snap his head back toward her.
“You knew all along, didn’t you?”
“Of course. The moment you arrived at the duchy, I saw this coming a mile away.”
Hestia had been planning for this all along.
“An unwelcome young guardian and a mysterious illegitimate heir suddenly reappearing—how could anyone resist trying to exploit that?”
In the eyes of the nobility, they were easy targets.
“Some nobles just love to believe that anyone beneath them is a convenient pawn.”
It’s the grand delusion of those born and raised in privilege.
