Chapter 27
“In my eyes, he just looks kind and adorable.”
“Our Lucian?”
I widened my eyes in surprise. Lucian was cute, but… I wasn’t sure about the “kind” part.
“He treats Amelia warmly and generously shares his toys with the children at the orphanage. Isn’t that a sign of a considerate child?”
“Well…”
I had a feeling he was just trying to impress Amelia.
“And he has an incredible amount of love for his aunt.”
“Our Lucian?”
“Yes.”
Claude nodded slightly, his eyes softening.
“You might not have seen it, but I did. When you collapsed, Lucian stayed by your side with complete devotion. His love for you is strong, but more than that, only a truly kind-hearted person would do such a thing. Meanwhile, I became the villain for being the one who made you collapse.”
Claude, who had been smiling earlier, looked a bit awkward now. Judging by his expression, it seemed Lucian had given him quite a hard time because of what happened to me.
“That’s not kindness… It’s more like an obsession, don’t you think?”
Lucian was possessive by nature, whether it came to people or things. And I was his person.
“When it comes to people, that kind of obsession is usually called attachment. And forming such a strong attachment isn’t easy.”
Claude’s usual playful tone faded, and his gaze dropped to the floor.
“A child never doubts a parent’s love. That’s the nature of the parent-child bond.”
Even before they are born, children receive unconditional love from their parents. That teaches them to trust in love without question.
“But we are not their parents. That kind of unquestioning bond is difficult to form.”
“That’s true.”
I wasn’t Lucian’s mother, just as Claude wasn’t Amelia’s father. No matter how much love we gave them, we would always be people whose affection they might doubt.
“But you managed to accomplish that.”
“Me? I did?”
I blinked in surprise.
“You saw it yourself, didn’t you? The way Lucian cried out so sorrowfully earlier.”
Just moments ago, he had been shouting that I obviously didn’t love him. And yet, now Claude was saying our bond was strong?
“If he truly doubted your love, he wouldn’t have said those things. He would have just quietly accepted it instead.”
“What do you mean?”
“Children are more perceptive than we think. They can clearly tell who loves them and who doesn’t.”
I nodded.
Lucian himself was proof of that.
His attitude towards me and the Duke was completely different. In front of Duke Bellomon, he barely spoke and never caused trouble. He knew the Duke didn’t particularly care for him.
Even when playing pranks, he was selective. Lucian only played tricks on people who seemed like they would tolerate it. Viscount Czernin, whose mustache had been cut off by Lucian, was actually someone who found him endearing.
Just like Claude said, if Lucian had really believed I hated him, he wouldn’t have cried so desperately—he would have simply withdrawn from me instead.
“Lucian cried because he loves you so much. That kind of sorrow comes from being hurt by someone you deeply trust.”
“Ah…”
I let out a small gasp.
“Now do you understand? Lucian firmly believes in your love.”
At last, I nodded.
Lucian had shouted at me because he truly believed I loved him.
His aunt’s love had always belonged to him, without a doubt. He never had to question it.
But now, his most certain and precious love—his aunt—was showing affection for someone else. How could he not feel jealous?
“Building such a strong attachment is difficult without being a parent. It requires not just effort from the adult, but also the child’s willingness to accept that love.”
“…”
“You and Lucian are both kind and caring people.”
“…That’s a little embarrassing.”
I lowered my gaze, avoiding Claude’s eyes. I had never been praised like this before, and I didn’t know how to react.
“There’s no need to feel embarrassed. You should be more confident. Raising a child that isn’t your own is no easy task.”
“Even so…”
I had always doubted myself, wondering if I was raising Lucian properly.
People often said he was a troublemaker who lacked proper discipline. Every time I heard those words, I would sink into self-doubt, wondering if I had failed him.
Claude was the first—and the only—person who has praised me. He even understood the struggles of raising a child that wasn’t your own.
But what touched me the most was something else.
“You’re the first person to say something good about Lucian.”
Lucian had always been labeled as a troublemaker. People constantly called him wild, aggressive, and unruly.
Yet here was someone calling him kind and caring.
Even I had only ever seen him as a little villain.
Maybe I had been too trapped in my own perspective, too fixated on the original story, to see Lucian properly.
Claude had seen a side of him I hadn’t even noticed. And for that, I was grateful.
“I know you’re just being nice, but… thank you.”
“It’s not just kindness.”
Claude shook his head, his expression serious.
“After all, I’m also raising my niece, just like you. I know how difficult it is to form a strong bond. I understand how hard it is to fill the role of a missing parent.”
His gaze drifted to Amelia, who was stacking blocks in the distance.
Despite his words about how difficult it was, the look in his eyes as he watched her was filled with warmth.
So that’s why Amelia grew up to be such a kind person.
I suddenly realized just how remarkable Claude was.
Not just because he had raised Amelia well.
But because he was the only one who saw Lucian’s good side. Because he comforted and encouraged me, someone in the same situation as him.
Alright then.
Leaving Claude behind, I clenched my fist with determination.
If I give Lucian enough love, he won’t feel insecure.
Even if Edwin came to live in the duchy, I would make sure Lucian never had to worry.
I silently vowed to myself over and over again.
“It’s hot…”
Claude murmured as he brushed his hand over his left cheek—the spot where Lucella’s gaze had lingered.
His skin was as red as a ripe tomato.
Her voice, when she had thanked him, had been so sweet.
The way she looked at him, with admiration and respect, was so breathtaking that he couldn’t even meet her gaze.
So, he deliberately looked away. If he met her eyes, his heart might just burst.
But even as he tried to distract himself—even after she had left for quite some time—the heat in his face refused to fade.
The only thing he could do was step outside and let the cool air calm him down.
“Uncle, what are you doing?”
Amelia, finding Claude’s behavior strange, had followed him outside.
“Just… standing here.”
He couldn’t possibly admit that he had come out because his face was too hot.
“…That’s suspicious.”
But Amelia was sharp. There was no way she wouldn’t notice.
“…Really suspicious.”
She narrowed her eyes, staring at him intently.
“It’s because of Lucella, isn’t it?”
“…”
“It’s obvious. Your face is red, and you’re trying to cool it down in the cold air.”
Claude remained silent. Amelia had hit the mark perfectly.
She crossed her arms and gave her uncle a knowing look.
“You like her so much. Why don’t you just marry her?”
“Marriage isn’t something you can just do so easily.”
“So you’re not denying that you like her?”
“…”
Claude closed his mouth again. But after a moment, he shook his head and finally spoke.
“Anyway, marriage isn’t something that happens just because you like someone. You’ll understand when you’re older. Feelings alone aren’t enough to get married.”
Especially for the head of a noble family.
“So… you’re not going to do anything?”
“Of course not.”
That didn’t mean he was going to give up before even trying.
