IFLDMHF | Chapter 98

Episode 98

“For Rudion?”

Could it be that the first Duke of Rudion left this book specifically for his descendants?

Unbelievable. I only chose a children’s book because I had no other options…

But it seems I’ve found something incredible.

Of course, the objectivity of the book might vary greatly depending on the personality of the first duke.

“But founding myths are always about glorifying and exaggerating achievements anyway, right?”

At the very least, there might be more vivid or detailed scenes that aren’t typically found in conventional founding myths.

And since it’s said to be a magic book, my curiosity was even more piqued.

“What kind of magic is cast on it?”

Muttering to myself, unable to imagine it, Dior eagerly explained with enthusiasm.

“The book makes wind go whoosh! And thunder goes boom!”

“Really?”

“Yes! Auntie, haven’t you seen anything like this before?”

His innocent question, which somehow reminded me of “You don’t have this at your house, do you?”, made me chuckle as I nodded.

Even if I wasn’t entirely sure, I doubted there was a book like this in the Basilian Ducal estate.

“Even if there was, I never saw it, so it’s not a lie.”

“Wow! Hehe.”

Dior beamed, pleased with my response.

At that moment, I felt the awkwardness and distance from earlier in the library completely disappear.

Relieved inside, I was about to start reading the book properly when—

“But Auntie, you won’t be able to read this book on your own.”

“Huh?”

Surprised by the unexpected statement, I widened my eyes as Marianne scratched her cheek and explained.

“Since it’s a book for Rudion, like the title says. If the lock isn’t opened, the book won’t open.”

“The book won’t open?”

Even though I had heard her clearly, her words sounded like a riddle. There wasn’t anything like a lock—wait, what?

If I had said that out loud, it would have been embarrassing.

Upon closer inspection, there was a small lock drawn right in the center of the book.

‘No way!’

I immediately tried to turn the cover, but just as Marianne said, it wouldn’t budge, as if it had been glued shut.

I couldn’t hide my mixed feelings of fascination and disappointment as I let out a small sigh and placed the book down.

Dior proudly declared, “I can read it! Should I unlock it for you, Auntie?”

“Really? Is that okay?”

I blinked in surprise at Dior’s unexpected offer.

Marianne’s bright green eyes twinkled as she smiled.

“Auntie, you’re a Rudion too! Of course, you can read it.”

Oh, that’s right. My surname is Rudion too.

Even though I wasn’t related by blood, surely I had enough qualification to read a book for Rudion.

If I had been alone, I might have clung to the book, struggling, before eventually giving up.

Thanks to Dior and Marianne, I would actually get to read it. Overjoyed, I instinctively ruffled both children’s hair, as I usually did.

The children giggled and happily accepted my touch.

Watching them, I swallowed dryly and asked, “Hey… should I read it to you?”

“Wow!”

“I’d love that!”

Lately, I had been getting rejected no matter what I suggested.

Even earlier, the children had seemed a bit awkward around me, so I had hesitated, worried they might refuse again. But to my relief, they responded positively.

Especially Dior, who looked like he couldn’t wait any longer, eagerly placed his small hand on the book.

Right on top of the drawn lock.

At that moment, the book, which had appeared completely ordinary, suddenly burst into brilliant light.

‘I was wondering how the lock would open, and…’

Unlike me, who was shocked, Dior merely stared at his glowing hand with a familiar expression.

And a moment later—

The book’s cover, which had previously shown a locked padlock, now displayed an image of an open one.

I had no idea how it worked, but it seemed like the magic placed on the book responded to the bloodline of the Rudion ducal family.

I already knew, but it struck me once again just how great a magician the first Duke of Rudion must have been.

‘Well, he did manage to kill a dragon, after all.’

Of course, the first emperor had inflicted a fatal wound, and the duke had only delivered the final blow, but still.

“Hurry and read it!”

As I was lost in thought, Dior grew impatient and tugged at my sleeve.

To be honest, seeing how thoroughly secured the book was made me hesitate—was it really okay for me to read it?

‘But I am a Rudion, aren’t I?’

Besides, the children were looking forward to it so much. And whether I intended it or not, this was also an opportunity to become the kind of affectionate aunt who reads to them.

With slightly nervous hands, I took the book from Dior.

Thanks to the unlocked seal, the book, which had previously refused to budge no matter how hard I tried, now opened effortlessly.

As soon as it did, a strong gust of wind blew out from the pages, tousling my hair before vanishing.

I blinked in surprise, while the children, who had clung to my sides, giggled.

They must have already known the wind would come out and were simply waiting to see my reaction.

“These little troublemakers.”

I playfully tapped their noses and slowly began to read.

“Once upon a time, there was a land where battles and screams never ceased. On one such day, a fierce and greedy warrior…”

Then, before I could even finish the second sentence, I froze.

The children looked at me as if wondering why I had stopped.

Forcing a smile out of reflex, I felt my heart pounding as if something was terribly wrong.

Had I made a mistake? I doubted my eyes, but the text remained unchanged.

Unable to resist the children’s eager gazes, I resumed reading.

“A fierce and greedy warrior… and a gold dragon who loved humans.”

The warrior—

Before I knew it, I had reached the climax of the story.

“The dragon, fleeing from the warrior who coveted its heart, felt its eyes slowly closing.”

Reading up to that point, I pressed my lips together, trying to suppress their slight tremble.

“The dragon… it’s so pitiful.”

Dior mourned the dragon’s impending death.

Marianne’s nose was also turning red, but she soon consoled Dior with a composed expression.

“It’s okay.”

…Okay?

What part of this is okay? None of it is okay.

I felt like my heart was being crushed, wanting to refute Marianne’s words.

But instead, she looked at me with eyes urging me to continue reading, as if she couldn’t wait to hear the rest.

I already knew what scene would come next, even without turning the page.

No matter how different the contents of this book were from what I knew, the ending had to be the same.

Had I really become so emotionally immersed in the story just from reading to the children?

I wasn’t sure I could turn the page. Closing my eyes tightly for a moment, I forced an awkward smile at them.

“I’m really sorry, but… my throat is a little sore. The book…”

“Then I’ll read the rest for you! There’s only one page left anyway!”

As if shattering my feeble attempt to avoid it, Marianne swiftly took the book from my hands.

And before I could even prepare myself, she began reading in a bright voice.

“But the dragon still had a secret move left!”

…What?

“The dragon made a promise. That it would surely return to defeat the warrior who had deceived the world and its people. So no matter how hard or painful things may be, you must bravely endure with courage. Because one day, the dragon will come back.”

Marianne’s voice echoed distantly in my ears. My mind felt hazy.

I wondered why I felt this way, but soon, I realized it was inevitable.

Because anyone could see that the story was a direct attack on the imperial family.

It blatantly portrayed the first emperor—who was known for defeating the evil dragon and founding the Elios Empire—as nothing more than a villainous scoundrel who coveted the dragon’s heart and committed all sorts of atrocities.

‘And the dragon, which had been labeled as an evil beast, was actually a benevolent and kind being who had loved humans—wrongfully framed by the warrior’s scheme…?’