LRVP Chapter 47

Chapter 47

Although Edwin had decided to stay at the mansion, it seemed to bother him quite a bit. His choice was just as surprising to me.

‘Well, in the original story, he follows the Duke.’
It wasn’t just the original story. The Edwin I knew was a child thirsty for love from his family. For him to choose to stay away from his father, especially for my sake and Lucian’s, was unexpected.
‘To think he chose me over his father.’
It was quite touching. I hadn’t realized that the quiet boy saw me that way. I felt proud of what I had done for him, but at the same time, it tugged at my heartstrings.

“The reason I called you today is for this.”
The Duke’s stern voice snapped me out of my thoughts.
“Edwin seems to rely on both of you a lot, especially you, Lucella. You punished the orphanage director and visited often, after all.”
It was hard to believe that Edwin had chosen me over his own father for such a reason.
‘How touching.’
I had been touched, but now I felt a bit frustrated as well.

“I hope you won’t disappoint him.”
“…Huh?”
I looked at the Duke in disbelief.
Though I was usually good at controlling my emotions, this time, it was hard to stay composed.
“Are you worried that I might mistreat Edwin?”
I couldn’t believe he was implying that.

“I’ve told you before, I won’t do anything petty like tormenting an innocent child.”
I had to bite my tongue to stop myself from saying more, but it was clear he thought I was someone who would harm the children.
“Edwin seems to think that about you.”
The Duke’s response was indifferent, which made my anger rise even more.
Was this how someone who entrusted their child to others should act? And to top it off, Edwin wasn’t even my child!

“Especially, I want you to take extra care of Edwin for now. He’s just starting to adjust to this new environment, and if his father disappears, it will be hard for him.”
“I’m sorry, but that seems difficult.”
I couldn’t hold back my frustration any longer.
“What?”
The Duke’s brows shot up in surprise.
“Why is that?”
His voice turned cold.
“I’m planning to go to the Count’s estate.”
I felt a little deflated but hid it.
“To the Count… the Rilfrey Count’s estate?”
“Yes.”
“Why go to a place you haven’t been to in so long?”
“I have some things to confirm, and I need to ask my uncle some questions.”
“How long will you be gone?”
“I’m not sure. I don’t know how long it will take to get the answers I need.”
“That’s troublesome…”
The Duke tapped the table with his finger, visibly irritated.
“If you leave, the children will be left alone in the mansion with no adults.”
“Am I the only adult here? There are plenty of servants in the mansion. They’ll manage just fine.”
“Servants alone won’t be enough to control everything.”
“So I was thinking of asking Lucian. Maybe he can come with me to the maternal family’s estate.”
I was just as concerned about Lucian being left behind. He had never been without me, and although it was troublesome to take him, it was much more reassuring to have him with me.
The Duke had no right to refuse, especially when it came to visiting my maternal side.
“It’s a place full of my sister’s memories. Lucian will like it there.”
But the Duke’s concern wasn’t Lucian.
“What about Edwin?”
“Why are you asking me about him?”
I was baffled.
“You should take care of Edwin. I’m Lucian’s guardian, not Edwin’s.”
The Duke had given me the responsibility of looking after Lucian, and that was it. He hadn’t given me any other rights or responsibilities in the mansion.

“I have no authority. In this mansion, I am just Lucian’s aunt.”
“I see.”
The Duke nodded slowly, as if he understood.
It seemed he realized the mistake he had made when he gave me that responsibility.

“From now on, your role is not just to be Lucian’s guardian.”
“What…?”
He was going further than I expected.
“From now on, you can come and go freely within the Duke’s estate. You’ll have access to a budget beyond the one originally allocated to you, and you can demand whatever you need without hesitation.”
“What? Duke, hold on.”
This was out of nowhere.
“Your role isn’t just to watch over Lucian anymore. It’s also to take care of Edwin and Lucian. That’s an important task, and I promise you will receive benefits beyond what the ordinary servants get for handling such important responsibilities.”
“Excuse me…”
He wasn’t done yet.
“So don’t worry about taking care of Edwin…”
“Hold on a second, sorry to interrupt, Duke.”

I interrupted the Duke as he went on about the responsibilities and benefits he was offering.
“I don’t need any of that.”
“What…?”
“I’m not going to take care of Edwin.”

The Duke’s expression froze at my refusal.
“Raising a child isn’t an easy task.”
“That’s why I offered you more power than a vassal.”
“Even with that, the risk is too great.”

There’s a saying that raising someone else’s child is harder than raising your own.

“What if something happens to Edwin while I’m taking care of him? I’d be responsible, wouldn’t I?”
Edwin’s arrival had divided the power structure within the Duke’s family.
Now, the Duke’s supporters were split between those backing Lucian and those backing Edwin, leading to a fierce conflict.
In the original story, they didn’t even hesitate to poison each other’s food to eliminate their rivals.

“Let me speak plainly.”
I took a deep breath before speaking.
“Since you’ve been through a succession battle, you must know how fierce and dirty the fight for a title can get.”

Duke Bellomon was the biggest victim of the succession struggle. His cold-hearted personality had been shaped by his harsh childhood.

“Many things will happen to the two children in the future. Lucian will have his own struggles, and Edwin will face those who oppose him. They might get hurt badly or even have their lives threatened.”
The Duke nodded as if he already knew this.

“I don’t want to get involved in that fight.”
To be exact, I didn’t want to be a malicious aunt.
If anything happened to Edwin, people would blame Lucian for it, and they’d think I, his aunt, was behind it.
Whether it was a choking incident during a meal or a bump on the head from playing with toys, that thought would linger.

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• ❁ • ❁ • ❁ •By Freya• ❁ • ❁ • ❁ •

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