Chapter 48
If Edwin were to be harmed, people would likely think Lucian was responsible, and they would assume I, as his aunt, was behind it. People would look for any reason to blame us, even for the smallest things.
“I really don’t like that.”
I was already struggling just to raise Lucian properly. I didn’t want to be involved in the Duke’s family power struggles, nor did I want to hear accusations that I was overstepping my bounds. Most importantly, I didn’t want the two children to suffer because of this.
“So please don’t give me responsibilities in the name of power.”
When I emphasized the word “responsibility,” the Duke subtly avoided eye contact.
The main reason I was rejecting the Duke’s offer was because of him, the Duke of Bellomon. He had always looked down on me while I was living under his roof, and now he was asking me to take care of his children. It felt ridiculous.
He was trying to dress it up as a great offer, giving me more power and a bigger budget, but it was just him asking me to take care of his son, something I was already doing.
“Honestly, it’s just paying me to look after his son.”
He probably thought I would accept this offer easily, but he was wrong.
“I will only act as Lucian’s guardian, as I’ve always done. I’ll take Lucian to the Rilfrey Count’s estate, and while I will care about Edwin, he won’t be my priority. My family is Lucian.”
I intended to show Edwin the same care I’d shown the children in the orphanage.
“…I understand.”
The Duke, seeing my firm stance, conceded. He realized that he couldn’t force me on this matter.
‘The Duke should be thankful that I’m only looking after Lucian.’
He was subtly trying to pass on responsibilities to me.
“Then, I’ll leave now.”
I bowed to the Duke and stood up, eager to leave the suffocating room.
“Wait.”
The Duke’s voice stopped me.
“Could you think about it just one more time?”
I turned to face him, still heading for the door.
“Edwin relies on you a lot, more than he does on me.”
“…”
“I truly appreciate that.”
“…”
“You also take care of Lucian like he’s your own child.”
I didn’t say anything.
The Duke, realizing my silence, licked his dry lips, as if he was the one in need. It was clear now—he was the one who was desperate.
“…Please.”
When I heard those words, I realized something.
My relationship with the Duke of Bellomon had completely reversed.
The Duke left. Edwin, with a disappointed look, watched the Duke leave, while Lucian, as soon as the Duke’s carriage departed, let out a sigh of relief.
It wasn’t just Lucian who felt relieved. The servants, who had been walking on eggshells, also relaxed and massaged their stiff necks. In short, peace returned to the mansion now that the person who had made everyone tense was gone.
“Yay!”
Lucian ran down the hallway excitedly.
“Lucian, you shouldn’t run in the hallways.”
“Can’t you let it slide just today? I really want to run right now.”
“Alright, but go somewhere where no one is. This is a place where the laundry maids often pass through.”
“Okay!”
Lucian answered eagerly and ran off toward a more secluded area. Without anyone to scold him, he looked delighted.
“He’s impossible.”
It felt a bit strange how happy he was right after his father left, but for now, I decided to let it slide. It had been a long month. Not only had I spent a whole month with the Duke, but now there was also the awkward presence of a half-sibling. I needed to give Lucian some space.
“Lady Lucella, here is the budget allocated for Master Edwin this month.”
“Why are you telling me this?”
“The Duke said from now on, all matters related to Master Edwin should be handled by you…”
“Oh, right.”
I took the documents from the butler.
In the end, I accepted the Duke’s request. It wasn’t because I was interested in the power or authority he was offering. If the Duke hadn’t thanked me and asked me politely, I would not have agreed to help him. I wasn’t a fool. There was no reason to accept such a frustrating request.
But the Duke humbled himself and came to me. Though it was just a simple “thank you” and “please,” I knew it was a big deal for someone as proud as him. He probably felt like he had lost by asking me for help.
‘The biggest gain is gaining the upper hand in my relationship with the Duke.’
Since Edwin relied on me, the Duke would have to continue to look to me in the future. This change in the Duke’s attitude would help me in raising Lucian. The Duke’s shift in behavior would also influence how the servants and retainers treated me.
“There will be plenty left over after using this. Let’s proceed as planned.”
“Understood. And…”
The butler, handing me back the budget documents, discreetly offered me another piece of paper.
“Could you take a look at this?”
“What’s this?”
“This is the new corridor interior for this spring. I wanted to ask for your opinion on what kind of atmosphere we should create.”
“Me?”
At my question, the butler nodded.
“Sorry, but I’m not the mistress of the mansion.”
“However, with the Duke away, you are the only one who can give an opinion.”
The butler unfolded the papers I had pushed aside in front of me again.
“With the Duke absent, the young masters are too young, and the vassals have no reason to get involved with the household matters.”
“There’s the housekeeper, isn’t there? I’ve heard that the housekeeper has been making changes as they see fit.”
“With Lady Lucella here, is there any need to leave it to someone lower in rank? The Duke also said to reflect Lady Lucella’s opinions on the household matters.”
See, the attitude is already different.
The sudden change in tone made me a little annoyed, but I didn’t show it.
“The first one is too flashy. The second and third are too dull. I think we should go with the fourth one.”
“Yes, we will proceed as you suggested.”
The butler bowed politely and backed away. I glared at him a bit and then turned to walk in the opposite direction. Lucian seemed fine, so I was going to check on Edwin.
‘He’s been lying still in his room, so maybe he’s feeling upset?’
It was only natural for him to be upset after parting with his father, someone he had just met. He must have tried not to show it, given Edwin’s mature personality.
I gathered some chocolate, which Edwin liked, and headed upstairs.
Knock, knock.
“Edwin, are you asleep?”
“I’m not asleep.”
“I brought something delicious. Would you like to have some?”
I asked through the door, and I heard some rustling inside. The door soon opened.
“You weren’t taking a nap, so what were you doing by yourself?”
“I was just… lying down.”
Edwin’s eyes were red as he said this. I broke a large piece of chocolate in half and handed it to him.
“Why don’t you go play on the first floor? Amelia’s in the playroom too.”
I purposely mentioned Amelia, but Edwin shook his head.
“I don’t really feel like playing today.”
Refusing even Amelia, huh? He must be in a really bad mood.
‘Why didn’t he just go with them if he was going to be this upset?’
I felt grateful to Edwin for choosing to stay with me and Lucian, even though he was so sad. I wondered what his reaction would have been if I had been the one leaving instead of the Duke.
‘Maybe he’s even sadder than when the Duke left?’
From the way he chose to stay at the mansion, it seemed like he liked me more than the Duke. Imagining him crying in sadness made me feel both sorry and amused.
“Why are you laughing?”
“Just… thinking of something funny.”
I popped the piece of chocolate into Edwin’s mouth. He seemed embarrassed to suddenly be fed chocolate and rubbed his cheek. His wrist, visible outside his sleeve, was chubby.
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• ❁ • ❁ • ❁ •By Freya• ❁ • ❁ • ❁ •
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